Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Naughton.
Michael, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
“Rock Star” is becoming a cliché these days in the business world… an employee aces a presentation, makes a sale or wins business and suddenly they are a “Rock Star.” But I consider myself the real deal, and that is what brought me out to Hollywood during the grunge era in the early 90s. I played and sang professionally in Detroit and locally when I moved out to L.A. I recently even threw my “hat in the ring” for the Stone Temple Pilots lead singer search – I also am a writer and have an abiding love of film. I tend to be rebellious and being an employee was like being someone’s backup singer. So, I have always been entrepreneurial. I’m told my grandfather was an entrepreneur who started a successful hotel chain, and I think it runs in my blood. I managed a Borders and did corporate sales for many years, and then subsequently launched my own publishing company in 2005 (13 Hands Publications) – a celebrity poetry press that published four successful poetry/photography books with actor Michael Madsen. I started the Social Syndicate in 2010 to help local businesses and brands with their integrated marketing. I was influenced by entrepreneurs/authors like Brian Solis, Michael Stelzner, Amy Porterfield and Seth Godin with all these new and amazing tools in digital marketing. These are true marketing rock stars in my opinion, and they deserve center stage in this new era of marketing. At the end of the day I feel marketing and branding should be clever and entertaining, otherwise why bother.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all. But I have to quote my favorite poet William Blake that, “Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius.” I don’t think anyone in business, or entertainment for that matter, has had a smooth road. After the recession in 2008 it was the worst. A lot of businesses went down the tubes, however it was also a great time for entrepreneurs and innovation.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Social Syndicate – what should we know?
The Social Syndicate was founded in 2010 by a team of professionals that have produced results for our clients and possess combined experience ranging from A-List celebrities to small and medium businesses (SMB). We syndicate your social media and content so that you can concentrate on what you do best: running your business.
We handle everything form sales, marketing and PR. Social media marketing, copywriting, SEO, blogging, and consulting.
I am most proud of the results we produce and the integrity of who we work with.
What sets us apart is that “Everybody is a Star” in our book, to quote the famous Sly and the Family Stone song.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I am a voracious reader and most of my mentors are authors first and foremost. I grew up on books laying around the house by Napoleon Hill and Dale Carnegie, but then I was also always reading musician bios. So I run the gamut from Jim Morrison to David Ogilvy.
Most of all… I’d have to give my wife credit in this department when it comes to supporting my successes and helping with the businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesocialsyndicate.com
- Phone: 310-850-8149
- Email: mnaughton@thesocialsyndicate.com
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