Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Benjamin Hoehn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Benjamin, appreciate you joining us today. Do you manage your own social media?

I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my social media. Having managed paid and organic social for several brands, I just don’t trust anyone else to handle mine right now. It’s not that I wouldn’t *ever* outsource it, but my brand is still in its infancy, and there are a lot of intangible elements that I’m still figuring out.

Plus, I’m not churning out enough content to justify the cost of outsourcing. I’m still finding my rhythm with posting frequency and experimenting with different formats. It’s a learning process!

Honestly, I feel like I’m under-posting. I don’t have a hot take on every trending topic, and I’m not about to jump on the bandwagon just to make noise. In today’s world, being distinctive is more valuable than being loud.

Sure, I might be missing out on some traffic, but I’m okay with that. I’m focused on building a brand that’s authentic and resonates with my audience. I’m constantly refining my voice and finding ways to create content that’s both valuable and unique.

If you’re thinking about building a personal brand, my advice is to start with a solid foundation. Do a branding exercise to define your voice, tone, and point of view. Once you start creating content, stay true to that brand and offer a fresh perspective on the topics you care about.

Don’t just add to the noise. Stand out from the crowd!

Benjamin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into the tech world started back in 2005, managing Google Ads for a bunch of retailers. It was a wild ride, juggling a $50k monthly budget and figuring out the whole eCommerce game. That experience sparked a passion for digital marketing and user acquisition, which led me to an edtech startup where I honed my skills in keyword targeting and audience segmentation.

From there, I jumped into the agency world, running massive campaigns for Intel, with budgets that would make your head spin. Gaming, developer communities, you name it, I was knee-deep in it all. That’s where I really cut my teeth on demand generation and building integrated marketing strategies.

Eventually, I got headhunted by Insightly, a CRM startup, where I managed a hefty budget and dove even deeper into the world of B2B marketing. Then came OneLogin, where I ran demand gen with a $10 million annual budget. Talk about a challenge! But I thrived on it, building high-performing teams and scaling our marketing efforts to new heights. After OneLogin, I led the marketing charge at Uberflip, another fantastic company, before finally taking the leap to start my own fractional marketing consultancy.

So, what do I do now? Well, I’m still that marketing maverick, but now I get to share my expertise with a variety of companies, from scrappy startups to established enterprises. I help them build killer teams, implement data-driven strategies, and navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.

Whether it’s optimizing their go-to-market motions, supercharging their ABM strategies, or guiding them through a digital transformation, I’m all about delivering measurable ROI and exceeding those ambitious revenue goals. And of course, I’m a huge AI advocate, helping companies leverage the power of AI to streamline their processes and unlock new levels of efficiency and growth.

What sets me apart? I’m not just a consultant who throws out recommendations and disappears. I roll up my sleeves and get things done, working side-by-side with my clients to implement strategies, train their teams, and ensure they’re set up for long-term success. I call it “strategecution” – the perfect blend of strategy and execution.

But it’s not just about the tactics and tools. I’m passionate about building genuine relationships with my clients, understanding their unique challenges, and empowering them to achieve their marketing dreams. I’m all about transparency, honesty, and delivering results that make a real impact on their business.

So, if you’re looking for a fractional marketing leader who’s not afraid to challenge the status quo, who thrives on data-driven decisions, and who’s always got your back, then let’s chat. I’m excited to see how I can help you unleash your marketing mojo and achieve extraordinary growth!

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Malcolm Gladwell’s “The Tipping Point” was a game-changer for me. It introduced me to the concept of “Mavens” – those super-connectors who seem to know everyone and everything. They’re the information brokers, the go-to experts in their fields. And guess what? They exist in every industry and organization.

Gladwell’s book sparked a realization: if you want to make a real impact, find the Mavens and learn from them. Schmooze them, stay on their radar, and become part of their network. They’re the ones who will open doors for you, make those key introductions, and help you reach new heights.

But it’s not just about finding Mavens, it’s about *becoming* one yourself. That’s where networking comes in. For me, networking has been the secret weapon in my career. Every paid role I’ve landed in the last 13 years has come through my network – zero job applications, zero cover letters, just pure, authentic connections.

The key is to be intentional about your networking. Prioritize those relationships that matter, and consistently nurture them with genuine outreach. I’ve used tools like Highrise and Clay to stay organized and keep track of my network, but the real magic happens in those human interactions.

For those just starting out, make networking a daily habit. Connect with people you admire on LinkedIn, attend industry events, and offer your support without any expectation of immediate return. Those small actions can snowball into a powerful network that will serve you throughout your career.

And don’t forget about mentorship. Find mentors who inspire you, and become the mentor you wish you had. I’m passionate about mentoring other African Americans in tech because I know how valuable it is to have someone who understands your unique challenges and can offer guidance and support.

The beauty of networking is that it’s a two-way street. By giving back, by being a mentor, by sharing your knowledge and expertise, you build a stronger community and create opportunities for everyone to thrive.

Now, I know networking can be intimidating, especially if you’re an introvert like me. But trust me, the only limitation is fear. Push yourself outside your comfort zone, attend those events, strike up conversations, and watch your network – and your confidence – grow.

So, go out there and connect! Find your Mavens, build your network, and become the kind of leader who empowers others to do the same. The magic of networking is real, and it’s waiting for you to unlock it.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn? That leadership has to be ugly and you have to be an asshole to get things done.

Early in my career, I was a high-performing individual contributor who got thrust into leadership roles, as often happens. I didn’t know anything about *real* leadership. I just knew how to push myself beyond normal limits, grit my teeth, and get results. Mistakes? I didn’t allow myself to make them. Burnout? It was my constant companion.

And guess what? I carried that same toxic mentality into my leadership style. I thought pushing people the way I pushed myself was the key to success. “Do this, do it faster, pile on more work” – that was my mantra. I was so focused on checking boxes and hitting deadlines that I completely missed the bigger picture.

But here’s the thing: real leadership isn’t about being a taskmaster. It’s about understanding your team’s motivations, their aspirations, their *humanity*. It’s about creating an environment where they can thrive, both professionally and personally.

That means ditching the “my way or the highway” mentality and embracing empathy. It means taking the time to connect with your team on a 1:1 level, understanding their individual goals, and finding ways to align those goals with the company’s mission.

It means being the kind of leader who inspires, not intimidates. The kind of leader who listens, who guides, who empowers. The kind of leader people *want* to follow.

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

* **Lead with empathy:** Put yourself in your team’s shoes. Understand their perspectives, their challenges, and their aspirations.
* **Foster open communication:** Create a safe space for your team to share their ideas, concerns, and feedback.
* **Empower and delegate:** Trust your team to do their jobs, and give them the autonomy to make decisions.
* **Celebrate successes:** Recognize and reward your team’s accomplishments, big and small.
* **Be vulnerable:** Don’t be afraid to show your human side. Share your own struggles and learnings.

Unlearning that “asshole leader” mentality was a game-changer for me. It transformed my leadership style, strengthened my relationships with my teams, and ultimately, led to greater success for everyone involved.

Ditching the tough-guy act and embracing the power of empathy was better for your team, and it’s been better for my business and reputation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mojomogul.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mojomogul/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mojomogul/
• Twitter: https://x.com/mojomogul
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mojomogul-biz

Image Credits

New Headshot taken by Todd Rafalovich ([email protected])