Michael Nunoo is a professional marketer and the CEO of Michael Nunoo Marketing in New York City. As he works with clients to aid in search engine optimization, Michael uses his skills to clean up sites for clients and helps to promote their content. Michael studied at Syracuse University and gained inside knowledge about the marketing system and honed many of his skills while working on his degree. After graduating, Michael decided to enter the field of search engine marketing and started his own business soon after graduation. Michael’s services range from helping clients with keywords for their websites, reviewing the quality of their content for the web, and consulting with clients about making their brand stand out online. Michael’s unique experiences with different clients has given him a chance to understand more about the needs in the marketing community and allowed him to connect more with individuals and their brands as well. His background in marketing enabled him to grow Michael Nunoo Marketing and expand her services based on what the client may need. His work ranges from small tasks such as reviewing a website for good search potential, or even helping to rebrand a blog site to attract more internet traffic. When he is not helping clients, Michael enjoys spending time at the park in the mornings and relaxing with his close friends at home.
How did you get started in this business?
I got started by doing some research into the types of marketing jobs that were available. I have always taken an interest in marketing but knowing what direction to take was something I had to check out for myself. After inquiring about the variety of jobs for what I wanted, I went for search engine optimization and search engine marketing and got interested in the field. Once I figured that out, starting in the industry was a great experience for me.
How do you make money?
I run a service-based business and I receive compensation for providing my clients my marketing strategies for their brands or companies. When my clients ask for a service they would like, such as cleaning up a website to include their chosen keywords, my work begins. After the service is done, I am paid for the service and I make sure the client is fully satisfied with my work.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
It took about 2 months to finally get my kickstart for the company. Fortunately, I have been able to make good profits throughout the year because technology is advancing more and more every day, which means more people are using the internet and searching things every day. New businesses usually have a hard time when it comes to making money, so I am very thankful I was able to make profit soon after I started.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
Yes. I would say that it is the standard to have those feelings tugging at you, and sometimes questioning what you are doing will reap any real benefits. It was a tough feeling to experience, but my doubts were silenced once I shifted my attention to why I even liked SEO in the first place. I was always fascinated with how Google works, and how a simple keyword can change the entire course of a web search. The algorithm and systems behind that gave me feelings of intrigue that were much more exciting than doubt, so I always think about that to crush the doubtfulness. It can be a process for some people but refocusing on your intentions with your work is a great start to ignore feelings of doubt in a business.
How did you get your first customer?
Getting my first client was one of my happiest days, so I will always remember it. I was making sure all my contact details were correct on my business cards, and I received an email notification that a woman requested my services to help with optimization of her cooking website. I was really happy to finally get a client and we immediately got to business. I helped her add helpful links to get her page out in the open, and soon enough the job was done! She was so thankful that I helped to boost her website interactions and make it user friendly, so it was a great experience to have my first client approve of my work.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
One strategy I use is to know what your target audience/client likes. For example, a lot of people tend to promote their brand on the wrong websites to the wrong crowd. Certain age groups prefer different social media websites which means your audience might not be on the social media site you are using to market yourself. I have noticed the younger generation tends to use Snapchat and Instagram, while older individuals are more familiar with Facebook. Keeping track of your audience details is very crucial if you want to create new business and outreach for yourself.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
The toughest decision I had to make was to completely reevaluate a client’s brand after his search rankings plummeted. It was difficult to try and analyze the issue with the optimization, considering there was a lot that was included in his company and brand. It took a while before I could comb through everything and discover the problems with certain algorithms and traffic, but I was eventually able to help my client. It was a tough job, especially since I would never plan for my clients to experience that. In the end, it helped me to pay closer attention to details and make sure that all my clients are happy with what I do.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I think it is my attitude towards my work, and I try and focus on my improvements rather than shortcomings. I work in a field that is all about service and being professional to real people, so my energy to my clients is professional and cooperative. Treating people with respect and kindness is just one step to becoming successful.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
My most satisfying moment in business was when I reached the milestone of 100 clients. It was such a thrill to see that I have been able to help 100 people with my services, so I was really excited when I saw that. It is always a mood booster when you see your company slowly start to progress and blossom into something amazing.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
Hopefully, the future will hold more people discovering the art of SEO and utilizing its benefits more often with my company. A lot of people do not realize that doing a simple Google search is already related to SEO, so I would love for more people to consult me and figure out how to use SEO in favor of their brands. I am very excited to see the different types of clients that I will encounter. I have had people ask for website help for clothing shops, cooking blogs, and even fishing catalogs. Something new and fresh to work with would be very exciting for me, and it even gives me a chance to learn more about who the client is.
What business books have inspired you?
Start with Why by Simon Sinek is definitely an inspirational book for me, and I really recommend everyone read it, the book breaks down the real reasons for why we do something, and it is a great book for anyone who needs an extra motivation push for their business. If your “why” is not strong enough or is not something particularly helpful, it would be a good idea to move on or find a reason you are passionate about. I have picked some great lessons from his book, so it is a big inspiration for me.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would advise my younger self to remember that seeds take time to blossom. Working on yourself and your brand is not something that can be done in one day, just like how flowers do not sprout in one day. However, each day with a little more work and nourishment, your flower will continue to grow and with enough time it will blossom into a beautiful flower. For my younger self, it would be good for him to know that there is no race to become successful and he should do the best he can to fulfill himself. It can be so easy to get thrown off your focus because you are worried about speed rather than efficiency, so that is a key detail I would give to my younger self.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
Of course, I would love to be a mentor! It is nice to have someone come and look at the type of work I do so we can learn and grow together. Anyone seeking mentorship can contact me through my website and we can find a way to connect.