Widely known as “The DTC Guy” on the internet, a Forbes 30 Under 30 member, and a resource brands and investors turn to for growth, Nik Sharma is a 23-year old operator who has both assisted and led revenue growth at multiple organizations, including hint water and VaynerMedia. Prior to entering the DTC world, Nik worked on social media campaigns for Pitbull, Priyanka Chopra, MAGIC!, and other celebrity figures. Today, Nik words alongside brands and publishers to execute ROI campaigns through creative digital-strategies using paid, earned, and owned media properties.
Today Nik Sharma is an investor, advisor, and operator with brands such as JUDY, Haus, The Pill Club, Caraway, Brightland, Cha Cha Matcha, VOX Media, and many more.
In an exclusive interview with AsiaTechDaily, Nik says:
Don’t be afraid, what’s the worst that can happen? You’ll end up where you started, which can’t be that bad.
While you’re launching a new brand that you’ve worked countless hours on, to everyone else, you’re just another item in their social media feed. To that point, you have to be extremely smart with your launch strategy to not just get lost in the noise.
Read on to know more about Nik Sharma and his journey.
Please tell me about your personal background, and what are you working on currently?
Nik Sharma: Currently, I’m the CEO of Sharma Brands. Sharma Brands invests, operates, and advises brands from seed-stage brands to brands doing USD 500M in revenues. I am 23. I grew up in San Diego with an obsession of sociology and how it relates to commerce, which ultimately has landed me where I am today.
What motivated you to get started with your company?
Nik Sharma: I’ve never been the rule-follower or the easiest to put into a box. I am always looking to grow, and sometimes it’s tough to continue to rapidly grow when you’re assigned a role with limitations.
How have you attracted users and grown your company from the start?
Nik Sharma: For me, it’s been word of mouth and my network. When you produce quality work for clients, and it maps to their outcomes, they tell everyone they know about it. That’s the best way to develop business in the client services world.
What’s your business model, and how have you grown your revenue? What strategy worked best?
Nik Sharma: We work in multiple ways with brands — consulting engagements, investment opportunities with consulting, advisory, etc. When you work on developing a strong network and are passionate about providing value to others, the universe rewards you with new opportunities that translate to revenue and overall business growth.
How much money (funding) have you raised in total so far? When was the recent funding round? (Additionally, any plan for the future?)
Nik Sharma: Can’t share.
What are some marketing tips to help maximize the success of a product launch?
Nik Sharma: Focus on the core message of your brand — what does your brand help a consumer do, how can their life get better with what you’re selling, etc. Build a foundation for the brand and a community with its launch, and then use paid marketing channels to strategically amplify those messages.
What is a good product launch checklist?
Nik Sharma: Website. Creative (video and photo). Landing pages. Social media content. Written content. Influencers. Press with at least 1 exclusive.
What’s the hardest thing about product launches?
Nik Sharma: While you’re launching a new brand that you’ve worked countless hours on, to everyone else, you’re just another item in their social media feed. To that point, you have to be extremely smart with your launch strategy to not just get lost in the noise.
What are the most common mistakes founders make when they start a company? (or What should all first-time startup founders know before they start their business?)
Nik Sharma: Find a moat and make sure that it’s defensible, whether it’s your payment terms, shipping/logistical advantages, patents, etc.
What do most startups get wrong about marketing?
Nik Sharma: Most startups view paid as THE foundation of their marketing, whereas it should be used to only amplify the message created by their brand itself.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? And What advice do you have for someone who is interested in doing similar things like yours or in a similar direction?
Nik Sharma: Don’t be afraid, what’s the worst that can happen? You’ll end up where you started, which can’t be that bad.
What are the one or two things that you would do differently if you could go back to 10 years ago?
Nik Sharma: I would start to build my network much faster.
You can follow Nik Sharma here.
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