Kyle Reyes Heads The Cavalry In Today’s Social Media Age
Approximately two years ago, I met entrepreneur and social media magician Kyle Reyes quite unexpectedly. He reached out to me through Linkedin, responding to a blog post that I had shared which inspired a very heated debate and much criticism from those who held very different opinions than my own. The actual topic at the center of it, evades me. That said, I must thank Jeff Weiner's brainchild for my stroke of luck in drawing Kyle Reyes through my door at that particular moment and ever since. Like the cavalry, Kyle arrived completely unannounced and defended my stance while adding further evidence to support it. He then sent me a very considerate note, cementing my respect for him, my understanding of him, and our friendship to this day.
Kyle is one of those rare birds who balances cutting edge marketing and social media savvy with old fashioned common sense and behavior masterfully. He builds your faith in him because he hasn’t forgotten how to be human in this digital age and he uses his genuineness to better his professional acumen. It is no wonder Kyle’s personal and professional lives are flourishing. What I see in him, scores of others do also.
An avid blogger and vlogger as well, Kyle is unafraid to be himself there too, which at times, draws a myriad of responses from both sides of the conservative-liberal spectrum. A man who will take a stand - both intelligently and without reservation - you never know how Kyle will react to those who challenge him – except to say that whatever he chooses to do will be inherently "Kyle" and exceptionally good.
What is your full name?
Kyle S. Reyes
What is your personal mantra?
We walk by faith, not by sight.
Tell us about your life, including where you live, number of children and anything else you would like to share.
I live in Connecticut and have an amazingly supportive wife. A comedian I once interviewed told me that men marry up and women marry down. Men marry up because we know that they are the best we’re ever going to get. Women marry down because they know that WE know they are the best they’re ever going to get.
We have two beautiful daughters – a toddler and a newborn. I’m massively outnumbered in this household and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My ladies are my everything and give me the drive to always strive to be a better person.
We also have two dogs and a cat. Don’t judge me on the cat thing. The pets came with the wife. It was a trade I was more than happy to take.
Do you believe you have a “life’s purpose?” If so, share it.
I believe that my life’s purpose is to be a light to others by focusing on the good in this world -- to try and inspire others in faith and in matters of family; to motivate others to find their calling. To serve and be the example in this as well.
Finish this sentence, “The best part about being a dad is?”
The way the world disappears around you when your children gaze into your eyes in wonder…hug your neck in security and kiss your face as if you’re the only thing that matters.
You frequently blog. Where can readers find your posts?
I write for a variety of different platforms – from New Boston Post and Driving Sales to LinkedIn and Medium. The best place to follow me is on my public Facebook page. But I should warn you – it’s not for the faint of heart.
What is the primary foci of your posts?
A tremendous amount of my content focuses on providing marketing expertise and business advice. We have a new show called The Hustle where we highlight unique people, entrepreneurs, successful business owners and all sorts of interesting people. That’s on the business side of my posts.
With that being said, I’m NOT shy. When you’re working with everyone from family business owners to the CEOs of multi-billion dollar corporations…you can’t be. That’s why a lot of my content takes on a more…controversial…approach. I’m not afraid to throw political correctness to the wind and start difficult conversations in order to foster important dialogues.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to those who may be interested in beginning a blog?
‘Ideas’ are garbage. ‘Execution’ is everything. You need to absolutely commit – 100% - to DOING IT.
I’m a big believer in finding a balance between space you own and space you lease – i.e. your own website for publishing blogs along with third party sites that have their own audience.
Make sure you nail the spelling and grammar. Nothing loses you credibility faster than not knowing the difference between their, there, and they’re.
Finally…make sure you’re wildly passionate about whatever you are writing about. Take a stance, make a statement and be prepared to double-down on it.
Share the 2-3 blogs that you follow.
The Ask Gary Vee Show – it’s a video blog. And EVERYTHING ThreadMB, because the publisher is brilliant. Aside from that…I actually consume VERY little content.
You are also a small business owner. Share more about this aspect of your life.
In a previous life, I worked in journalism. Now I run a marketing company that has gone from start-up to full-blown agency. We have everything from a 25-foot bar and 8-foot bean bag chairs to a private caterer and a personal trainer. BUT these rewards come to help balance the extremely demanding work I put on my crew.
We are small and nimble. I have twenty people on my team and we have clients in forty-eight states. We design and execute marketing strategies for businesses in just about every industry. We fill the role of a 'Chief Marketing Officer' and all of the support staff – from videographers and graphic designers to advertising buyers, public relations and everything in between.
We leave a lot of money on the table and pass on a lot of business opportunities…because it’s all about the long game.
Two of my three qualifiers when deciding who to do business with an organization are:
1) Are they ready and willing to not just think outside the box…but to let us light the box on fire and 'Facebook Live' it as it burns and
2) Would I have cocktails with them at an airport layover?
We are big believers in moving the needle forward and to helping businesses grow – but if we won’t be able to … we won’t take their money.
List any awards you have won.
When I worked in television, I was in Connecticut Magazine as one of Connecticut’s 'Most Eligible Bachelors'. Man, did I snowball them. Not like it worked out well for me – my only “inquiries” were letters from women in correctional institutions.
Aside from that…I go out of my way to AVOID going after awards when it pertains to business. It’s distracting to the staff and creates an environment where they might start to rely on first place trophies – or, God-forbid, participation trophies - as acknowledgement of their good work. The real win is in continuing to see our business grow 300% year-after-year. Some businesses have time to chase awards. We’re too busy crushing it for our clients.
Which social media outlet do you find most useful?
It depends on the client. We’ll spend millions of dollars this year for clients on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.
Personally, I have an extremely engaged and awesome following on Facebook. I also have a regular Snapchat show called “A Day In The Life Of An Entrepreneur”. I'm extremely bullish on being where the eyeballs are. Instagram is a massively exciting platform…but we’re always playing with new prospective platforms to judge where the market is moving.
Explain how can your company help social media mom influencers and business owners grow?
First and foremost – just follow our expertise on Facebook. The shows…the articles…I’m a big believer in giving back and supporting businesses.
So many companies are desperately trying to figure out how to cut through the noise in this digital age. They have anxiety attacks over the word “millennials”. And they are dying to figure out how to transition from traditional advertising to digital advertising. You want to figure out millennials and how to handle the paradigm shift in consumer behavior? Look no further then the guy who somehow was dubbed “The Millennial Whisperer”.
Do you support – either formally or informally – a particular social cause?
Earlier this year, we announced we were donating $250,000 in services to police departments to help them tell their stories. We’ve expanded that initiative to include veterans and military organizations. We’re also passionate about supporting organizations for children and members of our team serve on the Friends of the Board for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
When all is said and done, how do you want to be remembered?
I’d like to be remembered as a spectacular husband, a loving and inspiring father and the first man who lived to be 250.
I think if Kyle actually lived two hundred and fifty years, he would still be ahead of most in both work and life. He is a cornerstone society can count on to never stop evolving, enlightening or being the cavalry when needed. He shows up ready, thinking, and strong when called to action…even when you have no idea you summoned him -- such as in my case, through that Linkedin post I previously mentioned. Kyle Reyes' outreach that day reminded me that ‘sanity’ still lives as does ‘chivalry’ – between individuals and professionals - within our very confused, boundary-free society.