Journaling Our Philanthropy This Thanksgiving

Here on PPC Ian, I blog about digital marketing, investing, and business. Once in a while, I also enjoy sharing personal stories, such as my recent posts about My Dad Bod and Lessons Learned From Running. At the end of the day, it’s these personal stories and experiences that make life fun. And, it’s the non-work experiences where I often learn the most about life. Today, I want to share another personal story, one about our dedication to philanthropy. I’m sharing this story just in time for Thanksgiving, as our philanthropy is just one way we like to say, "thank you".

Over the years, I have always had a heart for others. I like helping other people, and that’s actually the genesis behind this very blog. I also like serving others via community service and charitable contributions. There are few things that give greater purpose to life, in my opinion, than family and helping others.

A few years ago, when I discovered Jesus Christ (or, rather, he discovered me) and got baptized, the concept of charity became even more important in my life. I started learning about the power of tithing. These days, I am more committed to charity than ever before. In fact, one of the driving forces behind my quest for massive success in the business and investing worlds is the ability to give back.

From a financial and digital marketing background, I am also very well grounded in the power of numbers and the power of documenting numbers. Anything that is tracked and monitored can be improved. Moreover, the very process of journaling amplifies success, in my opinion. For this very reason, I write down my goals each and every day in My Five Minute Journal. And, I keep my stock portfolio as up-to-date as possible.

A few months ago, after finding a really amazing web developer and having such great success re-launching the website for my business IJL Productions, an idea was born! Why not create a website that shares our philanthropic contributions with the world, a journal of sorts? And, the rest is history!

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Lopuch.org, my newest website. You’ll find details about our favorite charities and a really neat history of charitable contributions (that I plan on updating quarterly). I’m so excited about this website because I am confident it will take our charitable contributions to the next level (remember, documentation fuels success) and I’m quite hopeful it will motivate others to give back.

I hope you enjoy my new website, and learning a bit about our giving history and favorite charities. More than anything, I think you’ll enjoy my thoughts and prayers that are recorded each time we give. While we have a long way to go until our eventual goals are met, I am so happy with our progress to-date. Just as investments compound over time, I am certain our charitable contributions to follow a similar trajectory! This Thanksgiving, remember to be thankful for everything you and your family have. And, remember to give back to others. No matter how small your contributions, every penny donated and act of kindness given can be life-changing for others.

Image of Lopuch Dot Org © Lopuch.org

How I Lost 40 Pounds: My Dad Bod

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Oct 25 5

When we had our son just around 2.5 years ago, some of my co-workers at the time joked that I would get "Dad Bod". At 210 pounds, I had already gained quite a bit of weight in recent years (largely due to an unhealthy diet, very long hours worked, and insufficient exercise). So, gaining even more weight frightened me quite a bit. I still remember coming home from work and telling my wife about my fear of getting dad bod. I didn’t want to lose even more traction on my health and fitness.

Ian Lopuch In Maui, Hawaii

Over the 2.5 years that followed the birth of my son, I actually ended up losing 40 pounds for a variety of reasons, something I would have never forecasted nor imagined. I’m now in the best shape of my life, and couldn’t feel better. Today’s post is a chronicle of my dad bod (a good thing, in my case!) and the strategies (both intentional and unintentional) that have transformed my life. I’m very proud of my health and fitness, so I probably can’t help but brag a little. That being said, the purpose of this post is one of inspiration and positivity. I’m hoping that my post inspires change, helping others regain their youth, energy, and happiness in life!

My Son: My Greatest Purpose In Life

Being a father has been life-transforming. I cannot begin to describe the tremendous sense of purpose that my little guy has brought into my life. My son is also behind my amazing physical transformation.

Now that I’m a dad, I just don’t understand this concept of dad bod. Our little guy is so energetic. I’m always playing with him, chasing him around, and even exercising together. We have so much fun together, and I’m constantly in motion. Being a dad is exercise in itself, and one of the main drivers behind my weight loss. While I used to sit around in my spare time, I now never have a dull moment (unless I’m sleeping). I’m constantly on my feet, having fun with our little man.

This brings me to the point: If one takes an active role in parenting, your child could be a great driver in your own physical fitness, whether you’re the dad or the mom.

Bonus Tip: Doing some dad/toddler squats is one of my favorite exercises. It’s easy: Just hold your child in your arms while squatting. Get in a good 20-30 reps at a time. It’s great exercise and your child will have a blast, bonding with you and laughing!

Running and Swimming: Establishing New Routines

These days, I’m doing everything in my power to challenge traditions and establish new routines. I’m mixing exercise with my workday (during my lunch break), and have experienced a new surge in energy, happiness, and productivity.

Over the last two years, I phased my favorite exercise routines (those that I had largely ignored for years) back into my life: running and swimming. First, I started running (typically between 6-8 miles) once per week. As a bonus, I really enjoy Praying While I Run. And, my wife, son, and I have been Competing In 5K Races.

More recently, we also joined a fitness club with an amazing pool, and I started swimming about 1,500-2,000 yards once per week. I also pepper in impromptu exercise such as pushups and jump lunges a few times per week on my off-days. Slowly but surely, I have phased exercise back into life. While I didn’t do it all at once, I started seeing results immediately. And, things only got better with time.

I’ve now found the perfect routine, one that has helped drive my waist size down from size 38 to size 32. Many view exercise as time wasted, or time that could have been spent working. I am here to say that it is the opposite. Exercise gives me energy. It increases my focus and productivity at work. It makes me a better employee and entrepreneur.

Bonus Tip: Even if you can’t get out of the office, you can stay active. Consider doing some pushups, sit-ups, jump lunges, and squats throughout your day. Don’t worry what others say (or if you look wacky). Just go to a spare conference room or even in your office parking lot. You’ll often find me staring an impromptu set of jump lunges just about anywhere.

The Emergency Room Visit That Changed My Life

Those who used to work with me remember me as the guy that always ordered a soda at lunch. I also enjoyed a variety of unhealthy foods including chocolates, donuts, and sweets available in our office kitchen. To make matters worse, I would get out of the office regularly to visit the local coffee shop, even when I was not hungry. (It was a reason to take a break and get out of the office.)

One day, all of this unhealthy eating caught up with me! I ended up in the emergency room late at night, chocking on broccoli from dinner. It was really terrifying: The food was stuck and wouldn’t pass from my esophagus to my stomach. Ultimately, I ended up going into emergency surgery and the doctor had to "scope out" the food. The doctor determined that my situation was the result of acid reflux, which was the byproduct of my poor diet.

After this incident, everything changed. I had to improve my diet for my son and my wife. I just couldn’t do it anymore. Thankfully, I had all the help and support in the world from my amazing wife. She bought me a game-changing book on transforming to a diet low in acidity, and transformed the foods in our house and kitchen.

Now, I have a very different diet, one that is healthy and low in acidity. In fact, I quit beverages other than water cold turkey! At first, it was a little difficult. Now, I rarely have a craving for low-quality foods. While I took Prilosec as part of my recovery as well (the first 9 months), I am now officially off the medication without issue. My renewed diet has been a game-changer for my health and fitness.

The weirdest part of it all? My acid reflux did not have the typical symptoms (I experienced zero heartburn). I challenge you to truly debate and refine your diet. Even if you feel great now, those unhealthy foods (unless consumed in moderation) can land you in the emergency room when you least expect it, with no advanced warning.

You Can Do It Too

Back when I weighed 210 pounds, I would have never imagined that I’d be down at 170 in only 2.5 years time! (More than that, it was not even a goal of mine. At 210, I was still among the slimmest of my male colleagues and felt reasonably comfortable with my weight.)

Looking back, it has been quite a journey. It has been all about incremental, baby steps. I have implemented one small improvement at a time, sometimes without even thinking about it. I know you can do it too. I truly hope this post serves as motivation for others out there who want to lose weight and/or improve their health. Here’s to our collective health, fitness, and happiness!

Image in this post © PPCIan.com

My Experience Speaking at G5 In Bend, Oregon

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Oct 17 7

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a while, you know that I’m a huge fan of public speaking. It’s so much fun and such an adrenaline rush. I enjoy adding great value to the audience, while also learning from audience questions and other panelists. More than anything, I enjoy the thrill of becoming a better public speaker each and every time.

Ian Lopuch At The G5 Headquarters In Bend, Oregon

Just recently, I had the tremendous opportunity to present on an esteemed panel at the G5 all hands meeting. For those that don’t know, G5 is the leading digital marketing and technology platform for commercial real estate (verticals like self storage, multi-family residential, and senior living). G5 is one of my personal favorite business partners and I cannot say enough great things about their platform. (A Fun Fact: My history with G5 and public speaking has quite the track record. I Presented at the Self Storage Association Conference in New Orleans with Christine Munther, and I more recently Presented at the California Self Storage Association Conference in Redondo Beach with Ryan Barnhart.)

The Oxford Hotel In Bend, Oregon, My Favorite

This time, G5 hosted my teammates and I for a fun week at their headquarters. We met with all of their teams: executive leadership, product, marketing, sales, client services, and others. In addition to collaborating, brainstorming, and having fun in beautiful Bend, Oregon (the home of G5 and an amazing place overall), G5 invited me to present on a panel at their all hands meeting. A rapidly growing technology company, I had the opportunity to share insights and answer questions (the client’s perspective) in front of hundreds of employees. Our panel lasted over one hour, so we had a great time going into depth about all topics related to digital marketing.

Incomparable Drake Park In Bend, OR

Some of my favorite takeaways from this business trip:

In-person meetings are everything. I work with G5 on a day-to-day basis via email and phone. However, having that in-person face time with the team took our relationship to the next level. Business is all about the people, and it’s important to make time for in-person meetings, meals, and fun activities. I thank G5 for taking the initiative to invite us out, and for the amazing 5-star hospitality. You went above and beyond to make our experience a memorable one.
Great companies truly value customer feedback and insights. I’m incredibly impressed with the entire G5 team, and this experience took everything to the next level. G5’s level of dedication to customer success serves as a case study.
Bend, Oregon is a really special place. While it can get quite chilly in the fall and wintertime, Bend ranks amongst my favorite places ever. It’s all about the amazing downtown (with incredible shops, cafes, and restaurants), the scenic outdoor active lifestyle (it’s the best being in a very active and athletic city), and the people. Case in point: I found myself striking up conversations with random people at the hotel, cafes, and airport. People here are friendly and down-to-earth. Coming from a big, busy city atmosphere, I really cherished the Bend, Oregon experience.
The Oxford Hotel is one of my favorite hotels around. I had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful place a few years back when I visited G5 for the first time, and I enjoyed it even more this time around. The Oxford Hotel ranks among my favorite hotels in the entire world. The vibe, customer service, size (not too big, not too small), location, amenities, and quality of this hotel place it in a league of its own.
It’s a very different experience running in the cold! I went out for an early morning run my last day and it was incredibly chilly. I think it’s the first time I went running without breaking a sweat (while still pushing myself quite hard). As a traveler, I did not bring the right attire (a hat and gloves would have helped). Needless to say, I felt frozen in my hands and head. After taking a warm shower after, I felt so incredibly refreshed. I’m going to have to try this more often. While running in cold weather has different challenges from my typical running routine (warm and sometimes hot weather), it’s a really special and invigorating experience.

I wanted to close out by sincerely thanking the entire G5 team, especially Dan Hobin (CEO), Patrick Davidson (COO), and Taylor Kimberly (our incomparable Account Manager). Without the people behind G5, our digital marketing (and so much more) would not be where it is today. Here’s to many more years of amazing partnership.

Just For Fun: My Video From Drake Park

Having a little free time while visiting Bend, I made sure to spend some quality time in Drake Park, one of my favorite places in Bend (and arguably one of the most beautiful parks in the world). While chilling in Drake Park, I enjoyed filming some PPC Ian YouTube videos about investing (I always travel with my selfie stick and microphone). In the inspired state this type of setting creates, I especially enjoyed filming this video about how Dividend Growth Investing Brings Hope and Purpose To One’s Life. I hope you enjoy the content of the video, and also the scenery.

Images in this post © PPCIan.com

Presenting At The California Self Storage Association

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Aug 29 0

Recently, I enjoyed the honor of presenting at the California Self Storage Association conference in Redondo Beach, California. My good friend, Ryan Barnhart from G5, and I co-presented 2.5+ hours of digital marketing tips for self storage owners. This was a really fun time, especially after having the honor of presenting at the Self Storage Association Spring Conference in New Orleans earlier this year. Today, I want to share my top takeaways and insights from this experience.

Long-Format Presentations Are Fun: Ryan and I co-presented for 2.5+ hours. This presentation reminded me of my two Stanford Graduate School of Business Workshops from a few years back. There is only so much value one can pack into a shorter presentation. When you can secure a few hours and turn your presentation into a workshop, it’s possible to truly empower the audience. I feel like Ryan and I did exactly that!
Co-Presenting Is The Best: It’s so much more fun to co-present than solo-present, especially when both presenters have unique styles. If you have a big presentation coming up or a big public speaking opportunity, consider approaching the opportunity as a team with a valued colleague. It’s easier to prepare that way, and the audience will get more value from two opinions on the same topic. And, it’s my belief that it’s easier to secure great speaking opportunities because you’re bringing double the value.
Your Network Is Everything: I have been blessed with an incredible network, and I take so much pride in turning business partnerships into personal friendships. (If you check out my Digital Marketing and Business Quotes, you’ll see that quote 3 reads, "It’s all about the people. Turn business partnerships into friendships.") This CSSA speaking opportunity was a really special one, and we didn’t even need to apply! Those organizing the event knew of our prior interest and skill level. They knew we would be a great fit, and brought forth the opportunity. There is nothing better than world class opportunities coming your way because of those that trust and value you. It was a true honor to be selected, and totally underscored the value of building world-class friendships.
Smaller Businesses Are the Best: We had some smaller businesses in the audience (and larger ones too). We had the joy of sharing marketing strategies that actually place smaller operators at a competitive advantage over larger companies (with more money). Sometimes, your very perceived weakness can be your greatest strength. Don’t be afraid to fight above your weight class!
Pre-Presentation Preparation Is Key: Ryan and I have two very different pre-presentation strategies, and I truly love that fact. While I tend to turn inwards and get "in the zone" during my Presentation Warm-up, Ryan takes the different approach of meeting and greeting each audience member as they walk through the door. How neat to see how we approach things differently, and complement each other as presenters.
It’s Totally Worth It: I am actively mentoring a few people, and I consistently push them to seek public speaking opportunities. It’s a ton of work, but it’s always worth it. If you’re on the fence as to whether you should go for it, please do it!

I just got selected for another big upcoming presentation, and am so blessed that these opportunities are coming my way. I’ll definitely update everyone here after my next big public speaking event!

Image of Ian Lopuch and Ryan Barnhart © PPCIan.com

The Day of Your Big Presentation: How To Prepare

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Mar 31 0

I just had the honor of presenting a session titled Expert Marketing With A Lean Team at the Self Storage Association Spring conference in New Orleans. Christine Munther from G5 and I co-presented, and I believe we hit the ball out of the park, driving substantial value and motivation for the audience. I could tell based on the huge attendance (packed room with standing room only) and the incredibly engaged audience (wonderful questions). Today, I want to share the tips that I personally leveraged to put myself in a state of peak performance for our presentation. I hope that you can gain value from these warm up strategies so your next large-audience presentation is your personal best.

Tip 1: Focus On Your Mindstate

The Empty SSA Auditorium Before Our Big Presentation

When I woke up the day of my presentation, I was actually quite tired. It had been a long flight the day before and I didn’t get a ton of sleep due to the time change. That being said, I was able to quickly turn my mindstate into peak performance zone by leveraging my Five Minute Journal. (If you have not checked out my Five Minute Journal Review yet, I highly recommend doing so, as this tool is a game-changer.) The interesting part here is I actually forgot to bring my physical journal, but I was able to recreate The Five Minute Journal (minus the motivational quote) on a piece of blank paper.

Importantly, I set forth three goals for the day, only one related to my presentation. The others involved exercising at the gym and successfully completing an investment project I had been working on. I think this point is key: Don’t just focus on your presentation. Focus on you. Make the day exciting beyond your presentation so you don’t get overly focused and anxious about your public speaking. Your best presentations happen when you are relaxed.

Tip 2: Go To The Gym

I’m a big fan of the healthy lifestyle. I try to do something that benefits my health each and every day. I have learned that the mind and body are closely connected. I have also learned the working out can release positive endorphins and put you in a state of peak performance. In the morning, I did some moderate cardio and also some heavy weights (but not for too long). I didn’t want to exhaust myself for my big presentation, but I wanted to do something for me. I wanted to make sure I enjoyed a relaxed state before getting on stage.

Tip 3: Practice Early

Ian Lopuch and Christine Munther Self Storage Association (SSA) Conference

Ian Lopuch & Christine Munther Presenting at SSA

Christine and I met early and practiced our presentation in the same auditorium of our actual event. I think the location element here is key. Get familiar with your auditorium, if you’re able to get access. Get used to the environment.

When we practiced, we purposefully made it more of an informal conversation. We did not go over every single point. We did not use our full voices. It’s important to conserve your energy and leave room for improvisation during the actual event. Save your personal best for the real deal, and go easy and light during the practice run.

As a practical matter, we also answered some important questions during our practice run. Would we stand on stage or roam the floor? Would we use the microphone at the podium or use lav mics? It’s great to develop your personal answers to these questions and more during the practice run.

Tip 4: Leave Time To Think

Before our big event, I took it relatively easy. I enjoyed the expo hall and some friendly conversations. I had a nice lunch and met some new faces. I left time to just sit and think (mostly thinking through speaking points in my mind). You can go about your day at more of a normal pace after the presentation. Before, it’s important to take it a little light and conserve your energy (especially mental energy). Always remember when going to a conference: You came there to get a job done. All focus needs to be placed towards that goal until it’s successfully accomplished.

Tip 5: Conserve Your Voice

This tip is an extension of the last one. I often find at these conferences that I lose my voice from so much networking. It’s loud and we all tend to speak in loud voices and with more frequency than normal. Make sure this doesn’t happen on the day of your big presentation. Conserve your voice. You can always power network right after (which is exactly what I did).

Tip 6: Don’t Worry About Your Slides

Public speaking is all about connecting with the audience. It’s all about improvising and telling a personal story. While slides can be helpful, I personally recommend speaking as if there are no slides at all. The point here: Your slides don’t really matter (as much as you think). By the time you have arrived at your conference, no additional changes to your slides are going to help. You’ve already done all you can do on that front. Now is the time to really get in that zone so you can speak from the heart and connect with the audience. The slides are just there to support you.

Tip 7: Don’t Eat Too Much

This is a funny one, but I have always found that it’s best to go light and very healthy on days of presentations. You don’t want to have a full stomach when you are about to present. I have found that the body is in peak performance for speaking with a moderate/low amount of food. In fact, I approach this in a similar fashion to sports. I don’t eat a ton of food before an 8-mile run. Rather, I eat that big meal right after. Treat your public speaking like a sporting event.

Tip 8: Talk To A Friend Or Two For Motivation

Your inner circle is key. I’m talking about your family and your very close friends. Ask them to wish you good luck. Leverage their words of encouragement to get excited about your event. Be careful here to not involve anyone who could potentially bring any negativity to the matter.

Tip 9: Start Getting Pumped Up

Right before your event is to start (about 15 minutes before), start moving from a state of calm to a state of controlled excitement. Now, the sports event is about to start. You’ll want to have all of your energy. You want to be a dynamic speaker that is happy and excited to be there. Don’t go too crazy, but walk around and maybe even do a few pushups.

Tip 10: Leverage Positive Images

Right before we went on stage (1-2 minutes before), I viewed photos of my amazing family. These photos brought a smile to my face and reminded me that family is more important than anything. These positive photos put my mind at ease and allowed me to transition into one of my personal best presentations.

In Summary

There is so much work that goes into preparing for a great presentation. In order to prepare for our hour-long presentation, we spent countless days building slides and handouts. That work is so important, as it’s the foundation of one’s presentation. At the same time, I believe that the tips mentioned above are the true game-changers. It all comes down to the single moment of one’s presentation and you have to be in the right state. It’s game day and you have to treat it as such.

As a bonus tip, I highly recommend a strategy of gratitude as well. There are many wonderful speakers out there with incredible stories to tell. Securing a large public speaking event is a big deal. Once your presentation is over, make sure to thank the conference organizers – verbally, via email, and also with a small gift. Your honor of presenting is due to some really special people who deserve thanks. And, of course, thank the audience too. Their time is incredibly valuable and you should strive to add lasting value in their lives.

I hope these tips help and wish you all the best in your next public speaking event.

Images in this post © PPCIan.com

Speaking At The Self Storage Association (SSA) Spring, 2017 Conference

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Mar 20 0

Last week, I had the pleasure of presenting at the Self Storage Association (SSA) Spring, 2017 conference in beautiful New Orleans, Louisiana. Christine Munther from G5, my friend and business partner, and I co-presented on the topic of Expert Marketing With A Lean Team: Get Bigger Results With Fewer Resources. Today, I want to share my experience speaking at this conference and some of my big takeaways.

Two Years In Planning

Ian Lopuch & Christine Munther Presenting at SSA

I view life as a series of seasons. During the different seasons, there are different areas of focus. Almost two years ago, I shifted careers from an Internet technology company to a commercial real estate development company. As someone who was previously speaking on a routine basis, I went somewhat silent at my new role. It was not the season for me to speak. It was the season for me to have my head down, learn, innovate, and build something new. Even if you love public speaking, it’s ok to have times in your life where you just focus on the work. In fact, I did this intentionally and used the reward of public speaking as a motivator. I told myself: "Ian, it’s time to focus and build a truly unique and amazing marketing machine. Once that is done, you will have the most wonderful topic for public speaking at SSA." Last week, I had the opportunity to share my story from the last two years. It was time for my season to change and focus outward again.

Submit Your Pitch Early

Ian Lopuch (PPC Ian) Having Fun In New Orleans

When I had this idea to present on marketing with a lean team, I immediately reached out to one of my most strategic business partners, G5. I knew that one plus one would equal three (or more) in this case. After all, G5 is the platform that powers our websites and so much more. Leveraging the G5 Marketing Cloud platform and partnership to achieve great scale, G5 and I shoulder my marketing program as a team.

In order to submit our pitch to SSA, we needed to get a really early start. In fact, we submitted our pitch in October of 2016 (almost six months in advance of the conference). As a reminder to myself and everyone reading: If you have a great idea for a conference, make sure to start planning and submit your plan early!

Marketing Your Presentation

Even before we arrived at the conference, we created a fun trailer for our session on YouTube. We shared this trailer with the Self Storage Association and also on our personal social media profiles. As two marketing professionals speaking about marketing, we just had to market our own presentation, right? We had a lot of fun doing this, and wanted to share the strategy for any of you speaking at a conference in the future. Get out there and help drive even more people to your presentation!

Day of The Event

Ian Lopuch and Christine Munther Public Speaking Self Storage Association

Ian Lopuch and Christine Munther Sharing Knowledge About Digital Marketing at SSA

Christine and I hit the ball out of the park. All of the seats were filled in our auditorium and many folks were standing. Moreover, I did not see anyone leave during our presentation. Those in the audience asked incredible questions and were truly engaged (self storage professionals, you all are the best!).

Christine and I had so much fun because we were speaking about a topic of great personal interest and passion. Having the opportunity to co-present was so much fun. I always enjoy co-presenting vs. solo-presenting because of the teamwork, the conversational style of the presentation, and the fact the audience gets multiple perspectives. At the end of the day, the only purpose of these presentations is driving lasting value to the audience, and that’s exactly what we attempted to achieve.

I really believe that this presentation was one of my personal best, and it all came down to preparation, focus, and "game day" strategy. In fact, on the plane flight home, I wrote a nearly 1,500-word blog post featuring my game day presentation strategy. Stay tuned, it shall be the next blog post here on PPC Ian and features some really neat insights that took me years of speaking to fully master.

First Time To New Orleans

Ian Lopuch (PPC Ian) Enjoying Fun Times in Jackson Square, New Orleans

I love leveraging conferences and speaking opportunities to explore the world. I was so happy that our presentation was accepted for the Fall 2017 Self Storage Conference because this conference was hosted in New Orleans, Louisiana. Having never visited New Orleans before, I was thrilled to learn that this event was right in the center of it all: The New Orleans Marriott just steps from Jackson Square and the French Quarter.

Before our presentation, my complete focus was on getting my job done. I came to this conference to do a great job speaking and add value to the audience. Once I completed my job, I also enjoyed some personal time exploring the city. I have to say that sitting on the park bench at Jackson Square and listening to the beautiful Southern Jazz music was a personal highlight. With temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s, a nice breeze, and the best sights/music ever, I really had a time to remember. And, the incredibly delicious food did not hurt either. Even though I’m truly focused on health these days, I broke my rules to enjoy some authentic New Orleans beignets and they were so delicious.

Ian Lopuch Jeffrey Shouse Colliers International Team

Jeffrey Shouse, Ian Lopuch, and the Colliers International Team at SSA 2017

The Conference

Aside from my personal speaking experience and enjoying New Orleans, I also had the pleasure of attending the SSA conference. Having been to another SSA conference in Las Vegas, I knew what to expect: A world-class experience. Some of my highlights:

Running into familiar faces and power networking. Whether it was celebrating with G5 after our successful presentation, my dinner with Elizabeth from RealtyMogul, spending hours with my good friend Pedro from Self Storage Management Company, fun times with Jeffrey Shouse and the Colliers International Team, or running into a host of other friends, this is a conference where it was all about networking. I packed weeks/months worth of networking value into just a few days.
Running into new faces. It has been said that your network is your net worth, and I really believe in that quote. More than that, I just like people and making new friends. I had the opportunity to meet some true leaders at this conference and went home with a stack of business cards. And, I plan on following up with all of them.
New technologies. With my background in Silicon Valley technology, I always have an eye for bringing the latest and greatest innovations to our company. At this SSA conference, I was more impressed than ever before. With a host of new technologies to try, SSA made my 2017 technology roadmap even more robust.
The right mix. I’ve been to conferences before where it seems like there is either too much or too little. I’m talking about the overall level of content and intensity. I would say that the professionals at SSA got the mix perfectly right: They have this down to a science.
Notes. You probably know by now that I’m really strong at typing. After all, I wouldn’t have all these lengthy articles on PPC Ian without my fast typing skills. Just as you would expect, I left SSA with pages of notes. I was typing down self storage industry insights as quickly as possible

I’m grateful for so much in life, including beautiful music and the inspired musicians who change our world one song at a time.

Gratitude

In the world of public speaking, it is all about the audience. The sole job of the speaker is to empower, motivate, educate, and leave lasting value for the audience. That’s a big responsibility! Of course, public speaking is also advantageous for the presenter because it’s a big deal and an honor. I wanted to share my extreme gratitude with Ginny and the entire Self Storage Association team. You had many pitches to choose from and you trusted Christine and myself. We sincerely hope that we exceeded your expectations and truly thank you for the honor of presenting at this world-class conference. We also look forward to future opportunities as well.

We want to thank each and every person in the audience. We hope we made great use of your hour and left actionable insights for immediate implementation in your marketing programs. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you were at the conference and have any questions for Christine or myself.

More Fun Photos

Ian Lopuch Interviewed By G5

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Dec 20 0

If you checked out My Free PPC Webinar Co-Presented With G5, you know that my business partnership with G5 is top notch. As many of you know, I pursued my lifelong dream of being a full time investor about a year and half ago, entering the commercial real estate space. One of my favorite partners is G5, the platform that powers some of the best commercial real estate marketing strategies across self storage, multi-family, and senior living. Today, I have more G5-related news! I had the honor of Being Interviewed By G5.

What will you find in my G5 Interview?

Ian’s passion for digital marketing: How it all started.
PPC: My career started here. What’s my outlook for the future of PPC?
Mobile: How it’s affecting our business and how we’re embracing the change.
The Future: What will happen in digital marketing over the next 5 years.
Our Business: Learn about our company and our website strategy.
Online Self Storage Pricing: It’s all about the back end data layer, and G5’s integration with SiteLink.
Partnership: How I work with G5 every single day.
So much more!

I hope you enjoy the interview, and I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank G5 for the honor. You guys are the best business partners around, and I am so thankful every single day for the G5 team.

Watch My Free PPC Webinar Co-Presented With G5

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Nov 22 0

My name is PPC Ian because I got started in pay per click search engine marketing back in 2004. If you ask me today, my favorite marketing channel is still paid search. These days, I’m leveraging paid search in the in the commercial real estate industry, at a company that develops and operates self storage and multifamily residential properties. PPC is perfect for my hyper-local marketing strategy within commercial real estate.

One of my absolute favorite partners in the real estate industry, G5, and I just co-presented a webinar offering 5 Steps To Improve Your PPC Campaigns. Those on my PPC Ian mailing list heard all about it in time for the live webinar! If you were not able to make the live webinar, however, you are still in luck. We have a recorded version of the webinar. Simply sign up to enjoy our tips, and you’ll get a handy checklist too. I had the honor of co-presenting with the incomparable PPC expert Danielle Dunham, paid performance manager at G5. You will learn insights from yours truly and Danielle!

PPC is a marketing channel that truly thrives on optimization, and that’s what our webinar is all about. Please sign up and watch our free webinar if you’re interested in learning:

Why PPC is perfect for your business
How PPC differs from other marketing channels
How to get started in PPC
How to allocate budget towards paid search
How to successfully measure your pay per click campaign efforts
How to optimize your new PPC campaigns
How to save time and gain leverage with paid search
So much more!

(Side Note: Offering a robust and impressive suite of solutions, G5 is one of my favorite companies in technology and digital marketing. Powered by the G5 Marketing Cloud, I just launched a brand new website. I’m proud of this site, and it wouldn’t have been possible without G5. I’m honored to call G5 my trusted business partner and friend. Make sure to check out our Joint Press Release commemorating this new website launch.)

I hope you enjoy the webinar, and please let Danielle and I know what you think!

Why You Need To Try Affiliate Marketing

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Jun 29 4

I just made Success Entrepreneur’s list of the Top 87 Affiliate Marketing Blogs and Bloggers That Can Make You Rich, and could not be more excited. If you have any interest in digital marketing as a career path, profession, or source of income, you need to try affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing teaches you how to be a truly scrappy digital marketer, a marketing entrepreneur on the highest level.

No Corporate Safety Net: Affiliate Marketing Will Test You

As a corporate digital marketing executive with 12+ years experience, I have managed some of Silicon Valley’s largest digital marketing budgets, most advanced teams, and most intricate systems. However, large operations can provide the marketer an incredible safety net.

By contrast, most affiliate marketers have very limited budgets (or no budget), very lean teams (just themselves during certain hours of the week and maybe a freelancer or two), and little technology (other than free tools like Google AdWords editor).

Without the corporate safety net, you are forced to become the most scrappy marketer around. You are forced to get really clever, efficient, and effective with the cards you are dealt. In some ways, it’s liberating because you can literally test anything and you’re the boss. In other ways, it’s frightening because you’ll either sink or swim, and will likely pivot your strategy a multitude of times before finding success. If you are in the digital marketing profession, consider ditching the corporate safety net in your spare time and trying your hand at affiliate marketing. It will truly transform your entire outlook on digital marketing.

My Edge: Affiliate Marketing Generates The Best Corporate Ideas

If you work at a larger enterprise, initiatives are planned well in advance. While there is some flexibility to test and get creative, you often don’t have freedom to go completely wild (and for good reason). As an affiliate, you can test anything. It just so happens that the most wacky ideas often become the most successful strategies.

I love affiliate marketing because it has driven my success as a corporate digital marketing leader. Without the multitude of hours invested as an affiliate, I wouldn’t have driven as much success on the corporate level. Affiliate marketing continues to teach me the lessons that propel my career because I bring those lessons to the corporate world. I test on my own time with my own business and only bring the best, winning strategies to corporate. Affiliate marketing is my edge in the corporate world.

Extra Income: Affiliate Marketing Puts Cash In Your Pocket

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a while, you probably know that I love saving money and investing for the long run. It also happens that I live in the incredibly expensive San Francisco Bay Area. I personally look at affiliate marketing as an extra source of income, a way of generating savings that can be further invested in my future.

I recently wrote a blog post called Your Margin Is Made on the Margin describing the exponential value of each additional dollar saved and invested. Even if you don’t make a lot of money from affiliate marketing, any marginal income generated will truly impact your life from a long term investing standpoint. And, you can work from the comfort of your own home while building skills that directly propel your career.

If you have not already tried your hand at affiliate marketing, I hope today’s post encourages you. I want to sincerely thank Khalid from Success Entrepreneur for featuring my blog, it means the world to me. Please check out Khalid’s list and the 86 other successful affiliates. Each one has a unique story and lesson to share.

Speaking At Programmatic I/O

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Apr 25 0

I’m a tremendous fan of public speaking, it’s so much fun and a true adrenaline rush! Recently, I had the honor of speaking at Programmatic I/O San Francisco. I co-presented with my good friend Chris Innes from SteelHouse, in an exciting session called The Agency and Marketer Connect.

As someone who’s been acquiring customers for a very long time (11-years), my favorite channel these days is programmatic. The world of programmatic advertising is evolving rapidly, infinitely complex, and the talk of the industry. Programmatic I/O is the conference for leaders in the programmatic space, and it truly was an honor to present.

During our session, Chris and I highlighted our client-agency and client-technology partnership. When it comes to cutting-edge digital marketing, great partnerships truly mean everything. It was fun presenting our strong partnership, areas of collaboration, and results!

I wanted to take this opportunity to truly thank John Ebbert, AdExchanger, and the Programmatic I/O team. Hosted at the historic Westin St. Francis hotel, I have some fun pictures from the event below.

Programmatic IO

Programmatic IO Speaking