EDITOR’S NOTE:

Jason Vana was on the Micro-Influencer podcast with Blake Emal. 

I pressed Play:

“If you actually read through all of my posts on LinkedIn,” said Jason, “and applied the lessons that I put in there and followed the steps, you would NOT need to hire me.” 

Good on you, I thought. That’s the way. 

Jason Vana owns SHFT, a branding and marketing firm. He’s also the source of a lot of free value on LinkedIn. If you haven’t seen his stuff, give him a follow. I think you’ll be glad you did. 

I know I’m glad to have him on for a VeryGoodCopy micro-interview.

In only 301 words, Jason shares:

• A classic copywriting trick that inspires his creativity… 

• A test that taught him how his brain is wired… 

• The one thing that will “make or break” you…

And more…

Thank you, Jason.

Let’s get started:

1) “What’s your work routine?”

I work a full time job as a Marketing Director and recently started my own marketing firm, SHFT, so my days are pretty crazy. I work SHFT on nights and the weekends, so my typical routine is:

Mondays: Consultations, proposals, & follow ups

Tuesdays: Consultations, proposals, & follow ups

Wednesdays: Client projects

Thursdays: Batch create content for LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, SHFT Insider email

Fridays: Night off! 

Saturdays: Client projects & growth strategy for SHFT (build website, create online courses, etc)

Sundays: Day off!

2) “What do you know about your work now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”

Take your time and build a strategy. Timing and strategy are everything.

3) “What did your biggest professional failure teach you?”

You have to be all in on the venture you're starting. 

I tried starting a similar business to SHFT 4 years ago and it failed because I was splitting my already limited free time between it and a nonprofit I was leading.

4) “What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your craft’s learning curve?”

Building a swipe file. 

Anytime I see copy or a design or a campaign that I really like, I save it. It helps me learn from people who are further along than me and inspires new creativity.

5) “What book has helped you the most over your career?”

Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. 

The book and corresponding strengths finder test helped me learn how my brain is wired, so I can focus on what I'm good at and outsource the rest.

6) “And your parting piece of advice?”

Focus more on who you are becoming than what you're doing or where you are going. 

You can always make more money. But your character — that will either make you or break you.