Meet The Entrepreneur Scaling Online Businesses and Making Millions - Tommy Clark

In partnership with

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

If you're frustrated by one-sided reporting, our 5-minute newsletter is the missing piece. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you comprehensive, unbiased news—free from political agendas. Stay informed with factual coverage on the topics that matter.

Join for free today!

A recent guest on The Creator Spotlight podcast was Tommy Clark, creator of the Social Files newsletter and founder of Compound Content Studio; a B2B social media expert. He started out making Instagram and YouTube content for his nutrition coaching business while still a college student in 2018, but never set out to build a career in content. Just over six years later, he has an agency on track to make over $1 million this year.

He has a wealth of experience in content creation, first as a nutrition coach on YouTube and then as a B2B social media expert, also on YouTube and through his newsletter. Tommy is the former head of social at Triple Whale (a SaaS brand) and the founder of Compound Content agency, specialising in LinkedIn content creation for B2B founders.

Major Lessons and Advice Learned From Tommy:

1. Consistency in Content Creation:

   - Publishing content consistently over the long term is critical. Tommy emphasizes the importance of staying present in content creation by consistently posting for an extended period (close to 7 years, in his case).

   - Even with changes in niche, consistent content creation allows one to build a composite of skills that are necessary for success within a chosen area.

2. Developing an Effective Content Strategy:

   - The core idea of the content must be strong for it to perform well; it's not just about tactics or presentation.

   - Personal experiences and stories should be leveraged to make content unique and authentic, and posts should reflect one’s thoughts and perspectives.

   - The hook or the first few lines of the post are crucial, and effort should be directed at making them engaging to ensure readers continue to consume the content.

3. Leveraging Different Social Media Platforms:

   - Each social media platform has unique advantages. For instance, LinkedIn is favorable for B2B agencies, while Instagram offers significant upside potential for growth and engagement.

4. The Significance of the Founder's Role in Content:

   - Founders can significantly influence the content strategy by sharing their experiences exclusively onto platforms like LinkedIn. This provides a unique viewpoint that only they can offer, which leads to more compelling content.

5. The Role of Video Content in Trust Building:

   - Video content on platforms like YouTube is excellent for nurturing leads because it helps build trust more quickly with potential clients, giving them a sense of knowing the person behind the content.

6. Adaptability and Resilience:

   - The journey to finding the right niche can entail different phases, and being able to pivot and adapt is vital. Resilience to keep going despite challenges helps establish long-term success.

7. Hiring and Team Building:

   - Hiring should happen as soon as it is recognized as a need to avoid overstretching oneself and to scale effectively. Tommy advises that agencies should start building their team and systems from the outset.

   - The first hire, especially in an agency, is critically significant, as it marks the transition from an individual freelancer mode to that of a scalable business.

8. Monetization and Financial Strategies:

   - Monetizing through an agency or service-based model may be preferable for individuals who are risk-averse and not looking for creator-centric business models that rely heavily on ads and sponsorships.

   - Tommy replaced his full-time salary by freelancing on the side before fully transitioning to his agency.

9. Utilizing AI and Tools:

   - While AI tools like chat GPT are used for interview transcripts, their use is expanding into content production and ideation. Tommy hints at an upcoming SaaS product he is co-developing related to AI in content workflows.

10. Advice on the Attention Economy:

    - Content creation is akin to a war of attrition where persistence pays off. The ability to produce high-quality content over time lets creators learn from experience and trends, paving the way for sustained growth within the attention economy.

Closing:

Tommy Clark plugs his agency, Compound, and is open to chatting with B2B founders or writers who might be interested in working on LinkedIn content creation or improving their brands. The best way to reach him is through LinkedIn, where he is active and can provide opportunities for growth and skill development in B2B social media.