From Social Media Influencer to SEO Guru – Bennett Heyn

Bennett Heyn is a 19-year-old student and creative entrepreneur from Cincinnati, Ohio. He has run several social media pages and eCommerce stores while still in school. He’s been able to do this all while living the traditional life of a teenage boy, doing well in school and participating in extracurriculars. He told me his passion is building businesses that provide value to others, whether it is through physical products or innovative software. I asked him some questions about his story and discovered insights you can apply in your own life. For additional press, check out this article featuring Bennett Heyn.

1. Humble Origins

Q: How did you get your start in marketing and who or what inspired you?

One of the main reasons I started to find business and marketing so fascinating is because of the opportunity to help others. I find marketing so interesting because it can allow me to promote an innovative product, raise awareness for a charitable cause, or influence others to create their own positive impact. One of my favorite projects I have done marketing for was a Cell Phone Recycling Campaign. My viral marketing strategies helped me to reach thousands of viewers which resulted in the collection of over 300+ cell phones.

Q: What strategies did you use when getting started?

The first strategy I used for social media/website growth is content marketing. Providing value to your followers should always be the top priority for an influencer. In my case, I made sure I posted content I deemed helpful, providing my followers with advice & product recommendations. This thought of providing value to others to find success translates to other fields of life as well. It can be applied in any field of work and in any social relationship. Whenever you can make people happy, you will see a return!

2. Top Value: Grit

Q: What kind of mindset allowed you to grow as an entrepreneur?

I like to think I have a growth mindset and I really value grit. Grit is “passion and perseverance for long-term and meaningful goals.” It is the ability to persist in something you feel passionate about and persevere when you face obstacles. The first step is to explore and discover what you are passionate about. Next, I like to set long term goals and persist until I achieve them. I truly believe that I can do whatever I set my mind to.

There are no problems that can ever fully stop you have from pursuing your goal. Be relentless in whatever you do and you will find success! I have seen plenty of challenges and tribulations, from emotional struggles to physical injuries. Truly, the only thing that distinguishes me from the next guy is the fact that I get back up and keep working after those setbacks.

3. My Version of Success

Q: What does success mean to you?

At the end of our lives, we won’t care about the awards we won or the money in our bank account. We’ll appreciate the moments we spent talking with family and friends. I’ve learned to measure success in one word: love. Love transcends all dimensions of space and time. Be with those you love and do what you love with an unlimited amount of passion and persistence.

Q: How do you treat failure?

I approach failure as an opportunity to learn. I’ve had many online projects that never reached their full potential, but rather than being upset and quitting, I take it as a moment to see what went wrong and how I can do better next time. You should be just as excited to fail as you are to succeed.