We all dream of discovering a secret formula for success but for most of us it has remained tantalisingly out of reach – until now.
Five years ago digital growth hacker and entrepreneur Vin Clancy was living on benefits in London.
Now he’s in sunning it up in Beverly Grove – a desirable neighbourhood next door to Beverly Hills – teaching others how to use tech to change their fortunes.
“One of the main things I do now is teach others how to use the internet to grow their businesses and improve their lives,” he told BusinessCloud.
“I really believe it’s the most exciting time in history to run a business because of the secret advantages I find through these growth hacks and innovative methods.”
To get to where he is today Clancy launched two magazine websites, which received over 20 million visitors and two rounds of funding, and got into the TechStars accelerator. So, what is growth hacking?
“A growth hack is nothing to do with computer hacking or the Russians,” he said.
“It’s when you fix something in your bathroom by wrapping Sellotape around it rather than calling a plumber.
“Hacks are little methods you can use on the internet to grow your company through strange, unknown methods that aren’t really out there in the public.
“It’s a collection of online software but you don’t need to be able to code. It’s all easy and simple to set up but it’s pretty powerful stuff.”
Clancy’s new book on how to apply these hacks to digital marketing, titled Ace the Game, also looks set for success, raising over $100,000 in pre-orders. He supported the launch with a 100-date speaking tour in 10 countries around the world.
According to Clancy marketing is simple once you know the cheat codes, many of which are outlined in his book.
“Not a lot of people know if you share a link to a blog or website on Facebook, it won’t share that link to many people,” he said.
“If you copy and paste the blog post into Facebook as an entire article it will show it to two to three times as many people.”
To ensure the book was of value to budding entrepreneurs, Clancy asked 35 of the world’s top marketing experts to contribute a chapter each and says tailoring advice is key when running a business.
“Never take advice from someone who hasn’t done the exact thing you want to do,” he said.
“Not your partner or family – which is the obvious place to get information but it’s a terrible idea – and not people who sell advice or speak on stages but haven’t been in your position.”
Adopting a ‘winning at all costs mentality’ has also served Clancy well, as has the mind-set that you can get away with a lot more than you think you can.
“A common problem I run into when I’m teaching is people saying ‘I can’t find people on social media and direct message them’ – people don’t want to be a nuisance,” he affirms.
“You do need to be a nuisance – you can get away with so much more than you think you can.”