Carlos Gil is the Global Head of Social Media for BMC Software. Previously, he has led corporate social media for brands such as Winn-Dixie, Save-A-Lot, and LinkedIn. In addition, he is an industry speaker and thought leader on Snapchat and all things social media.

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Resources Mentioned

• Your Big Idea: Successful Entrepreneurs have One Big Idea. Follow JLD’s FREE training & you’ll discover Your Big Idea in less than an hour!
• Audible – Get a FREE Audiobook & 30 day trial if you’re not currently a member!
• Facebook Messenger – Carlos’s favorite online tool
• Crush It – Carlos’s book recommendation
• SnapChatforBusiness.com – Discover how to utilize Snapchat for your business’

 3 Key Points

1. Build relationships and networks.
2. ‘No’ never means ‘no’ forever.
3. Picture your success, and work backwards.

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Time Stamped Show Notes

(click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.)

• [01:07] – Carlos started in banking when he was 19.
• [01:18] – He lost his job in 2008 and started his own business.
• [01:32] – He lives in California with his family.
• [02:22] – What’s been going on in the Snapchat world?
  • [02:41] – It gives people a glimpse into your life
  • [03:01] – Real and unfiltered material
  • [03:30] – Everyone is now jumping on “the Snapchat train.”
  • [03:55] – A great way to connect with your audience.
  • [04:45] – Follow John at JohnLeeDumas and Carlos at TheCarlosGil
• [04:55] – How do you generate revenue in your business? – Living in California is a “crash course lesson on the hustle.”
  • [05:38] – His corporate job “only gets him so far.”
  • [05:50] – Have multiple income streams besides a corporate salary.
• [06:25] -Worst Entrepreneurial Moment: Carlos started Jobs Direct USA.
  • [07:07] – He went broke and literally had nothing.
  • [07:15] – He had to choose to “up his game.”
  • [07:42] – Hitting rock bottom and realizing you need income fast.
  • [08:10] – He had no other option but to succeed and provide for his family.
• [08:55] – What do you want people to get from the lessons you learned in that difficult time? – Tenacity and believing in yourself.
  • [09:09] – Carlos was watching The Pursuit of Happiness and saw his own family headed in that direction.
  • [09:44] – He had to believe in himself and get through the rough patch.
  • [09:58] – ‘No’ doesn’t mean ‘no’ forever.
  • [10:09] – Planting seeds to see an eventual harvest
  • [10:47] – You hit a point where people want to help you and provide you as a resource.
• [11:18] –Entrepreneurial AH-HA Moment: It was a Friday afternoon at the end of 2010
  • [11:32] – He received a message on LinkedIn from a recruiter at Winn-Dixie.
  • [11:53] – She asked him to help promote their job fair
  • [12:10] – This moment defined his career
  • [12:28] – The job fair brought out more candidates than what they got from print ads.
  • [12:47] – Winn-Dixie ended up hiring him as a corporate social media manager.
• [14:05] – What do you want people to get out of your story? – A lot of entrepreneurs are just getting started
  • [14:19] – Being a student still has a lot of value
  • [14:41] – Let someone else tell you what value you have and what experience you need.
  • [15:20] – Decide where you want to be in five years, and reach out to the companies that will put you on that path.
• [15:54] –Biggest weakness? –Not knowing how much to charge for services
  • [16:30] – People see your value, but you don’t know what they are expecting to pay
• [17:09] – Biggest strength? –Not taking ‘no’ for an answer
  • [17:26] – Establishing a relationship-based business
  • [17:40] – Have patience
• [17:46] – What has Carlos most fired up today? – Snapchat
  • [17:54] – It has transformed his career as a marketer
  • [18:10] – Forcing people to step up their game
  • [18:30] – Where Snapchat is headed in the future
• [20:58] – The Lightning Round
  • What was holding you back from becoming an entrepreneur? – Lack of money and resources
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – His Dad said “The worst fear is the fear that you anticipate.”
  • What’s a personal habit that contributes to your success? – Reading up on current trends, and “jumping in early”
  • Share an internet resource, like Evernote, with Fire Nation – Facebook Messenger
  • If you could recommend one book to our listeners, what would it be and why? – Crush It
  • Imagine you woke up in a brand new world, and all you have is a laptop and $500. What would you do in the next 7 days? – I would try to find a way to multiply that $500 through networking.
  • Parting piece of advice – Keep your head focused on success and work your way backwards. Surround yourself with people that will inspire you to step up your game.
• [23:37] – TheCarlosGil on Snapchat, SnapChatforBusiness.com, and @carlosgil83 on Twitter

Killer Resources!

1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!

2) Free Podcast Course: Learn from JLD how to create and launch your podcast!

3) Podcasters’ Paradise: The #1 podcasting community in the world!

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