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

Danielle, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

The term social media manager has been thrown around for years, usually known as 1 person who manages a whole social media account on their own.Yet, traditionally, we know a “”manager” is “someone who manages other people, generally a team.”

I don’t believe for a minnnnuuttteeee that a social media account is meant to only be monitored, planned, executed, and “managed,” by one person, nevermind multiple accounts – all with different goals, tools objectives, and so on. A brand’s social media accounts are the first and possibly only interaction with a potential client.

Rather than viewing ourselves merely as social media managers or account managers who “post” and “manage” accounts, we adopt a more holistic and intimate approach towards our partnerships with clients. At Chylinski Media, our distinction lies in our commitment to seeing our clients not just as businesses, but as members of our extended family. Founded in 2020, my unique perspective stems from a fundamental belief that effective communication and genuine connections are the rock of any successful marketing strategy. I talk about this a ton in my book, Lean Into Delusion. An ideology to most is unrealistic or irrational until it works, until someone becomes delusional enough to follow through… and this is what i talk about with clients daily.

I dive deep into understanding not only the business objectives of our clients but also how they fear to be perceived, their aspirations, how they know they’re bad ass but their social media accounts don’t necessarily reflect that, where they feel a disconnect internally to externally, and what seriously keeps them up at night.

Our partnerships are about uncovering the heart and soul behind the brand, allowing us to craft messages that resonate with their current & ideal clients on a personal level. At the end of the day, we’re all people just trying to live life.

My approach always involves an open, honest, and vulnerable communication, where there’s a seamless integration between our team and our clients’ teams — cc us in emails, add us in your slack channels, “overshare” as much as possible — so we can get soak up as much information about the company as we can. We’re not afraid to ask a million questions because we know that each answer is a piece of the puzzle in understanding the full picture of who our clients are and what they aim to achieve. This level of detail and personal investment is rare in our industry, but we believe it’s what sets us apart and allows us to create truly impactful social media content consistently.

Hiring my brother was a step towards emphasizing the collaborative work life. We’re familiar with the toxic, “we’re like family” here in job descriptions – but I’ve learned that truly working with family means setting & implementing boundaries, open communication, active listening, having eachother’s backs & respectfully playing to each other’s strengths. This closeness and mutual respect allows for a free flow of ideas in an environment where creativity and innovation thrive – it makes personal growth feel as promising as business growth.

We don’t just “manage” social media accounts; we nurture relationships, share stories that need and deserve to be told, and continue to build our communities. We’re not confined to a specific industry niche because our niche is humanity itself — understanding, celebrating, emphasizing and connecting with brands in a way that’s meaningful, sincere, and deeply impactful. This is truly to our core what we believe is the future of social media marketing, and we’re proud to be a part of the evolution.

Danielle, 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?

At the core of Chylinski Media is the belief that authenticity and real-time engagement are the pillars of a successful online presence. Our mission goes beyond just content creation; it’s about capturing and amplifying our clients’ brands, ensuring they look as good online as they do in person. This philosophy is central to our approach and is reflected in everything we do, from our strategic planning sessions to our content production.

Most of my work is social media marketing strategy, support, coaching & consulting. But really, if you pass the vibe check, we’ll craft a scenario for you where we can work together in the most effective and efficient way for you AND your business.

One of the primary challenges we observe in the industry is the disconnect between a brand’s online identity and its real-world persona. Many businesses present themselves one way in person but struggle to convey the same level of coolness, professionalism, or appeal on their digital platforms. “Make us look cool online,” is something I’ve heard soooooo often on intro calls over the last 4 years. The reality is though, I can only support as much as their ego allows them. It’s not just posting an image, graphic or video; It’s supporting a client in letting down their guard, being vulnerable, allowing their brand to be put out there knowing not everyone will love them. Some like to say they want xyz, but their insecurities and fear of confrontation and being perceived is begging them to play it safe.

This inconsistency can deter potential customers or clients who encounter the brand online before experiencing it in person. Our role is to bridge this gap, aligning the online identity with the in-person vibes and values of the brand.

We advocate for a blend of content creation and documentation, believing that the most engaging social media presence comes from showcasing genuine moments. Whether it’s going behind the scenes at an event, capturing the daily grind, or highlighting the faces behind the brand, we focus on telling authentic stories and what people could actually experience in real life with the brand. This approach allows us to create content that resonates with audiences on a deeper level between the brand and its followers, building long-term brand loyalty.

Staying present and engaging in real-time with audiences is another aspect where we diverge from the norm. Unlike the traditional schedule, plan, and dump scenario, we emphasize the importance of being actively present on social media…. You know, being SOCIAL on SOCIAL media. This means responding to comments, posting timely content, and participating in trends that align with the brand’s voice and mission. I’ve signed on a client who’s account had HUNDREDS of unopened DMs, dating as far back as 6 years…. I’m like … How did this get ignored for literally 6 years when there’s been multiple people who’ve managed this account?!

It happens, and we’re happy to educate our clients as to what we consider the standard in the industry to be, and why. Social media is about creating a dynamic online presence that mirrors the energy and personality of the brand in the real world. I believe we’re noticing who’s truly “getting that” and who’s just looking for some clout.

While many agencies focus on acquiring as many clients as possible, often at the expense of depth and quality, we prioritize building deep, meaningful partnerships with clients we fully align with. No halfass relationships are going on in my world hahahaha. I’m either all in on you, or I’m walking away.

This doesn’t mean we’re small scale; on the flip side, we’ve built systems and a team that allows us to manage multiple clients while maintaining a personal touch. I strive for each client to feel as though they’re our only client, thanks to our rapid response rates and the dedicated attention we provide. Being part of the client’s internal communication channels, such as Slack, enables us to stay in sync with their team, ensuring that our strategies are fully aligned with their business objectives and culture. Working with clients of this caliber of communication also shows how dedicated they are to successful and timely communication, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE (as someone who’s Bachelor’s Degree is in Communication Public Relations). This level of integration is rare, but after working with hundreds of brands, I’ve found this vital for creating a cohesive online presence that truly represents the brand.

I’m rambling… but our agency is more than just a service provider; we’re a partner and collaborator dedicated to showcasing the best of what our clients offer, both online and off. By focusing on authenticity, real-time engagement, and deep integration, we help brands bridge the gap between how badass they are in person and how they’re perceived online, ensuring consistency, relevancy, and impact in their social media efforts.

How did you build your audience on social media?

In college, everyone was using snapchat and my marketing brain was like…”Where’s the reach in a private snapchat account?” Instagram stories were just starting to become a thing, so I decided to f*ck around and find out, and started posting. All of my friends thought it was so cringe I was posting on Instagram stories before it was cool, but personally, I was nerding out at the analytics and the random reach my account could have.

I posted like no one was watching, Making art (which now we heavily call content) and making myself laugh in the process. Months later, I get a phone call from the General Manager at the local Minor League Baseball team. “I’ve been following all of your social media. I’d love for you to come in and talk about a potential job opportunity I think you’d be great for.”

WHAT?!!?!?!?! I literally was like, “You must have called the wrong Danielle…”

I’ve always said, if you want to post, post. If your intuition is telling you to post something in the moment, do it. No overthinking, no pros and cons list, no such thing as “wrong” wording or captions, just you and your aligned authentic self making decisions that are best for you. Whatever outcome comes after is truly meant for you. When those types of decisions compound, you end up like I did, sitting on the other side of a phone call you never thought you’d ever receive. I think if we all moved this way, life would be a lot different – less negative self doubt, less desire for perception, more want for genuine authenticity (not the type that’s trending now).

I’m always saying yes to sharing my story, because I believe we all have so much to share that can completely change someone’s life trajectory for the better. Post. Share your day to day experiences. Post. Repeat. Don’t look back. Everything is something. Everything is a story, and everyone has stories worth telling…

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I was constantly getting emails, texts and DMs asking for help on all things marketing, advertising, branding, communications, public relations, etc… I was like 22-23, and was having a blast. I said yes to any help anyone who asked. I had no background in business, besides a minor in Integrated Marketing Communication.

I was saying, “Sure, buying me a coffee is fine!” in exchange for literally like branding someone’s entire business. It wasn’t until demand was so high where I barely had any more free time after work and I was like, “OH… I have actual skills that people need. Is this… a business?”

This is pre-covid “everyone has a small business” times. It never started as a side hustle. It was naturally occurring services I was subconsciously offering, and once the demand grew, I pivoted and scaled. I launched without a logo, brand colors, anything really… I decided my company name on the phone with a lawyer literally in minutes. The more I posted about the journey, the more traction & outreach I received.

I had no idea what I was doing, yet knew everything I was doing at the same time. For the first time in a while, I wasn’t working paycheck to paycheck. I took a 20k pay cut from my first job out of college, to take the job I had before going full-time with my business. I was used to risk and betting on myself, so I had that on my side.

Once I was making more money, I spent it on things I never thought were possible. I always saw myself as supporting someone else’s mission, so it’s always a surreal feeling daily that I’m really doing this whole “business” thing.

I hosted a podcast, Coffee Date with D, for about two years. The idea was that you and I could sit at a coffee shop and talk 1:1, but often the conversation is what the entire coffee shop needed to hear.

I created a hardcover planner, something I’ve always dreamed of creating for others to experience how much I value an organized mind.

I wrote and published a book, Lean Into Delusion: Free Your Mind Through Trusting your Intuition.

I quickly went from working from home, to renting an office space in Blue Back Square in West Hartford, CT, to having an office in Hartford, CT, to moving my office back home just recently & wanting to spend more time out in the community again.

I’ve had my handful of employing various freelancers, and, now my brother works alongside me (took a little convincing, but he quit his full-time job to support & help build my business)!

I’ve pivoted, f*cked up a lot, took on A LOT of misaligned work to continue to build a model of what now feels aligned. What I want now, and what I thought I wanted then, has evolved so much. Every day is challenging in its own way – but it allows me to evolve as a person, evolve the industry for what I believe it truly is.

Contact Info:

• Website: chylinskimedia.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/daniellechylinski
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellechylinski/

Image Credits
Michele Tereso Photography @micheleteresopophotography