We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cassidy Scanlan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cassidy below.
Cassidy, appreciate you joining us today. How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?
From the initial concept of Cassidy Scanlan Advertising Group to the business it is today, I have been profoundly supported by my family and friends. Their advice, encouragement, and even their own business engagements with CSAG have been invaluable. While I believe that the primary expectation from family and friends should be moral support, everything beyond that is a generous bonus. At the start of my business, I was uncertain about where to begin when it came to attracting potential clients. However, word about CSAG spread, and a family friend who believed in my skills took a chance on me, becoming my first client. Although I never anticipated anyone would hire me solely due to our connection, their faith in me was immensely meaningful. This initial support played a significant role in attracting many more clients over the past two years. While it’s unrealistic to expect everyone in your life to become a client, when someone does offer their trust and support, it creates a lasting impact. The journey of running a small business is undeniably challenging, but the backing of family and friends can be a crucial anchor, helping to navigate the path ahead.
Cassidy, 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?
As a third-generation entrepreneur, I had the privilege of working in my family’s company throughout high school and college, gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of the business. During this time, I acquired skills in sales, accounting, bid review, event coordination, graphic design, videography, website design, branding, and social media management. This diverse background gave me the confidence to launch Cassidy Scanlan Advertising Group (CSAG). Despite the presence of many freelance marketing firms, I knew that my unique blend of experience, expertise, communication skills, and competitive pricing would set me apart.
At CSAG, we specialize in serving small businesses, offering a range of services including website design, video creation, branding, and social media management. We are committed to integrity, dedication, and finding tailored solutions for each client’s marketing needs.
Our approach is customized—there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution here. Each business has different needs, and our goal is to integrate the most effective marketing tools to meet those requirements. Our services include:
Website Design: Whether you need a complete website overhaul, a new site from scratch, or assistance with domain name transfers, we provide comprehensive website design solutions to fit your company’s evolving needs.
Video Creation: Videos are a powerful marketing tool. We travel to your location to film and handle all aspects of editing to deliver a polished final product. We also create compelling hiring videos to help your company stand out in the job market.
Social Media Management: Harness the power of social media with our expertise. We assist in setting up and managing profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Google My Business. We also develop posting schedules tailored to your business.
Branding: We craft your company’s brand identity through custom logo design and the selection of colors and fonts that reflect your company’s story and values.
At CSAG, we are dedicated to delivering personalized, high-quality marketing solutions that drive results and help your business thrive.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
My expertise focusses on enhancing small businesses’ online presence through social media management, branding, videography, and website design. However, attracting clients has sometimes required more than just utilizing these services. Many clients come to CSAG with limited experience in social media and without a website, creating a gap between the services I offer and the ways I find new clients. To address this, I expanded my approach beyond online marketing by directly engaging with local businesses and attending events in the Twin Cities area. These events not only provide a platform for businesses to promote themselves but also offer opportunities to seek out services that can elevate their operations. Many of these businesses are actively searching for ways to enhance their online marketing, making these in-person interactions an effective way to bridge the gap between their needs and my expertise.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
After graduating and working as a Marketing Project Coordinator in Superior, WI, I made an unexpected move to Brainerd, MN, due to my boyfriend’s enticing job offer. This transition caused reluctancy, as I had only visited Brainerd a few times, didn’t know anyone locally, and had no job lined up. As I searched for marketing positions, none seemed like the right fit. During brainstorming sessions with family and friends, I decided to embark on my own business venture. This endeavor was challenging, as I had to start my business using the local library, given the quick move left me without the setup needed for a home office. It was a period of trial and error, but through persistence and adaptation, I ultimately developed the company that Cassidy Scanlan Advertising Group is today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cassidyscanlanadvertisinggroup.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassidyscanlanadvertisinggroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086677192153
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cassidyscanlanadvertisinggroup/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassidyscanlanadvertisinggroup
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@csag_mn
