Lucas Bean

CEO @ Social Proof | Leader, Ai, Adtech, Analytics, AiO, Fintech, Games, Entertainment, Web3, Creator Economy | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition Expert | speaker, advisor, ENTP

I’m a seasoned tech executive with deep entrepreneurial experience ready to help you build, scale and win.

I'm top 3 globally in:
• User acquisition
• Retention
• Community building
• UX optimization

20+ years in marketing, data science and product leadership
Author of Community Market Fit - Published April 2025 
Ex-Atari, Sony Pictures, Experian, Deloitte
Founder, CEO, GM, CMO, COO, SVP of Marketing & Ops

I specialize in scaling businesses fast through:
• User acquisition & retention strategy
• Data-driven marketing
• Product development
• P&L management
• Advanced automation
• Consumer experience design
• Growth operations

Proven wins:
✔️ Helped raise over $50M in venture capital
✔️ Built & exited a solo venture at $500K+/year
✔️ Took an adtech company public (founded in 2008, IPO in 2017)
✔️ Executive roles at 3 companies that exited for $1.4B+ combined

Marketing expertise:
• Copywriting
• SEO
• Email marketing
• Content creation
• Influencer strategy
• Video & display ads
• Marketing automation
• Flywheel effects
• Full-stack paid media (desktop/mobile)

Industry experience:
Fintech, Adtech, Gaming, Entertainment, Dating, Web3, Creator Economy, Social E-commerce

Leadership style:
I’ve built scrappy teams from scratch and turned underperforming teams into high-output machines.

I believe complex systems can be distilled into simple, marketable messages that resonate deeply with customers, fans, and stakeholders.

Now? I’m focused on helping others build fast, scale smart and stand out.
Open to clients, partnerships, and strategic opportunities.

GM & Head of Product 

Strategic Consulting to startups, founders, executive management of fortune 1,000 companies. Providing expert advice and execution on Web3, NFT, Operations, General Management, digital marketing efforts, Web3 onboarding, core operational issues, Data Analysis, Strategy, P&L Management, Product Development, Product Innovation, User Experience, User Acquisition & Retention. 

I help turn new and existing businesses into finely tuned digital powerhouses by auditing current 
 internal processes. I then use analytics, acquisition, retention, mentoring & media management to determine KPI's and hyper improve performance metrics with precise strategic tactics. 

Channels Leveraged: Analytics, Influence Marketing, Community Building, Social, Display, Search Paid + Natural, email, mobile.

Current Business fields of expertise (no one is an expert, always learning):
NFTs
Web3 (P2E Gaming, Metaverse etc.)
Gaming and esports 
Mobile Gaming
Fintech
Influence Marketing
e-commerce (social selling)
Entertainment 
Mobile Apps
Digital Products
Digital & IRL Events

10 things to ask in your next Job Interview,
(And what NOT say):

Interviews are like any first meetings,
Awkward and uncomfortable.

They only give you 60 minutes to:

✅ See if you’re a fit.
✅ Sell your strengths.
✅ Show your enthusiasm.

To do your research is to be prepared
Practice what you'll say and how you'll say it

Avoid saying these 10 things:
(And what to say instead)

1/ "I don't have any questions."
↳ Why: Shows zero preparation or interest
↳ Instead: Ask specific questions about the team's current projects or culture

2/ "I’ll take any job right now."
↳ Why: Signals desperation, kills your negotiating power
↳ Instead: Highlight skills that match specific role

3/ "I don't like taking direction."
↳ Why: Makes you seem un-coachable
↳ Instead: Share how you've grown from feedback

4/ "I don’t have any weaknesses."
↳ Why: Sounds unrealistic and arrogant
↳ Instead: Share a real weakness and how you're improving

5/ "I hate my current boss."
↳ Why: Raises red flags about professionalism
↳ Instead: Focus on your career growth goals

6/ "I'll figure it out as I go."
↳ Why: Suggests you don’t prepare
↳ Instead: Emphasize your (proven) ability to learn quickly

7/ "This is a stepping stone for me."
↳ Why: Companies don't want to invest in short-term employees
↳ Instead: Share your interest in growing with the company

8/ "What's your work-from-home policy?" (too early)
↳ Why: Makes work flexibility seem like your top priority
↳ Instead: First discuss role, fit and get them interested

9/ "What time do people leave?"
↳ Why: Implies you're just watching the clock
↳ Instead: Ask about daily workflows and responsibilities

10/ "I don't handle stress well."
↳ Why: Suggests you'll crack under pressure
↳ Instead: Describe how you organize work to manage deadlines

Remember:
Be Prepared and be positive, they go a long way.


P.S. What's your #1 interview tip? 👇



♻  Repost toinspire your network 
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Lucas Bean 

20 years Marketing, Data Science & Product Executive | Author of Community Market Fit | ex Atari, Sony, Experian, Deloitte | User Acquisition & Retention Expert | consultant, speaker, advisor, Ai Automation Expert

No alternative text description for this image

This is why most people quit.

When
it takes
more work
than we thought
it would.

It’s way easier to:

- quit
- make excuses
- get discouraged
- go watch Netflix
- grab a bottle of booze
- go and smoke weed and zone out 


Instead, set yourself up to win by:

- setting time blocks
- setting expectations
- setting up exact tactics
- setting up a realistic timeline


Our aspirations are always greater
then the reality of how much work it is.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 > 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Don’t let 2025 get away from you 


share this to help others in your community 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more
We need you back Mr. Obama

Be brave enough to suck at something new 


Scared to:

→ write that article 
→ publish that video
→ post that comment 
→ send that DM to someone
→ Just do it and figure it out later


Your goals should be that of action:

→ have a sense of urgency
→ take action instead of overthinking
→ Focus on the future, not on the past 
→ plan 20% and execute 80% of the time

A ship does not sail on yesterday's wind. 

________________________________

♻️ share to help others take the leap

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li_at

JSESSIONID

Talks about #ai, #web3, #adtech, #entrepreneurship, and #influencermarketing

Increase your luck surface area by showing up

90% of success is literally just showing up.

So create your own luck 

How many:

days
weeks
months
decades

were they showing up consistently? 

They showed up everyday and you call it luck?

It only takes that one time to land an opportunity of a lifetime or to miss it. 

Be consistent.


Follow me Lucas Bean for more

I’ve learned not to hold people hostage 
to who they used to be.

We all carry outdated versions of ourselves: 

mistakes we’ve made
ignorance we’ve acted on 
pain caused before we knew better 

I’ve seen how one bad chapters can become someone’s whole story in the eyes of others 

But people grow
They stumble
They learn 

They often try to make things right. 

We all have regrets
but that doesn’t mean we can’t begin again.
I’ve watched friends become softer,
more grounded. 

Change isn’t always dramatic
it’s often slow and quiet. 


But it’s real. 


When we dismiss someone for who they were
we miss who they’ve worked to become.

No one should be forever judged
by a version they’ve outgrown.

If we offer ourselves grace
we should offer it to others too.

♻️ Share this with someone who inspires you 
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A lot must go wrong 
Before 

it can go right. 

Don’t worry about being too early 

Worry about being too lazy 

Worry about not giving up 

It only takes once 

Follow me Lucas Bean for more

Hard truth: every relationship is transactional
(here's how to make it work for you)
 
Every connection runs on exchange.
Some trade trust, others trade time or attention
The flow is always there.


Work is clear.
You get paid. You perform.
The deal is direct and defined.

Friendship is quieter.
No terms, but the contract exists.
Support, loyalty and time are traded.


Scarcity mindset
When you meet someone for gain,
you think short term.
You ask before you give.
Trust fades before it grows.


Growth mindset
See people as long term partners.
Invest first. Listen first. Give first.
That is how trust compounds.


Here are 8 ways to build social capital:

1. Play long term games
↳ Act like every bond will last decades.

2. Build before you need
↳ Offer help early, without a return.

3. Make introductions
↳ One link can create years of value.

4. Stay in touch
↳ Send notes. Celebrate wins. Show up.

5. Invest in depth
↳ Spend real time when it matters most.

6. Earn reputation
↳ Do work that speaks when you are silent.

7. Be patient with asks
↳ Quick favors reveal short term thinking.

8. Think in decades
↳ What if this person stayed for 40 years?


Charisma can open doors fast.
But trust keeps them open.
Short term charm fades.
Consistency endures.


Strong relationships are built slowly.
They outlast opportunity.


P.S. Do you agree? 

P.P.S. which is is your favorite? 


♻ Share if you believe real trust compounds.
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10 Signs You're Emotionally Intelligent:
(and you might not know it)

First how do you define emotional intelligence?

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize, 
understand and manage emotions in yourself and others.


The pros: 
These powerful skills help you bring out the best
in both yourself and others.


The cons:
They can leave you feeling drained and exhausted
having to manage peoples emotional state to get the best out of them. 


10 signs you are an emotional intelligent powerhouse:

1. You sense what people need
↳ You can tell when someone needs to talk
 vent or just be left alone.

2. You read between the lines
↳ A short “okay” in Slack tells you everything you need to know.

3. You absorb emotional tension
↳ People naturally calm down when talking to you
 even if you don't say much.

4. You speak everyone’s language
↳ You know exactly who needs all the details 
 and who just wants the headlines.

5. You catch unsaid questions
↳ You notice when someone wants to speak but stays silent.

6. You feel others' stress
↳ Deadlines, tough meetings you feel nervous for your coworkers 
 even when you’re not involved.

7. You notice fake enthusiasm
↳ You can tell the difference between genuine excitement
 and polite agreement.

8. You're everyone’s reality check
↳ People often ask, "How did that really go?" 
 because they trust your judgment.

9. You sense when meetings go off track
↳ You recognize the moment people start checking
 their phones more.

10. You spot hidden burnout
↳ You notice when colleagues aren’t themselves
 even if they try to hide it.


♻️ Repost to inspire someone.
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You're never too important to be kind
(weakness or a strength)

I used to think:
Do good work and it will speak for itself
That being too kind was a weakness
Show weakness and you get hurt

that kindness had to be earned
never given freely.

But here’s the truth:

The strongest leaders...
Heck the strongest people I’ve seen?

They lead with kindness.
↳ Its not weakness.
↳ It's not people-pleasing.
↳ Just real kindness.

They set standards ➟ without shame.
 They give tough feedback ➟ without cruelty.
 They inspire ➟ without ego.

Here’s what I’ve come to know  ↓ 

→ Kindness is strength.
 → Fear doesn't buy loyalty.
 → You can can still win without being feared. 

Now I lead with 5 daily rules:

1. Being kind won’t make everyone like you
 ↳ But it will make people feel safe around you.

2. Being kind is infectious 
 ↳ People will start following your lead 

3. Empathy isn't weakness 
 ↳ It unites your team in understanding

4. Kindness doesn’t lower expectations
 ↳ It raises people to meet them.

5. Respect isn’t optional
 ↳ It’s the foundation of true leadership.


💬 Know a leader like this?

 Tag them below 👇

♻️ Repost if you believe being kind is a strength. 
Follow me Lucas Bean for more 

(Shout out to Luke Tobin for the essential message and image)

If I could teach one habit that changes everything.

 It would be this:

- Take nothing personal
- Let things go
- Stay focused

When you do that,
it’s hard for anything to stop yo

Two things that hold most people back:

1. Fear of failure.
2. Fear of embarrassment. 

Everyone has to climb cringe mountain 
to make it to the land of cool. 
Easy to say right?

The only true way to beat the thing
is by doing the thing. 

So just start doing it.

don't think about doing it
don't write about doing it 
don't say you're gonna do it tomorrow
don't tell someone else you're doing it 

just do the thing. 

when you find one path that doesn't work
take another path.

You're aloud to change course 
anytime you want to, 
as many times as you want. 

who cares what anyone thinks. 


When I ran marketing for a fortune 500 brand
I had major restrictions on me

→ My job
→ My boss
→ The optics 
→ The company I worked for

You're not aloud to be an online person
when you worked at a fortune 500 company
and anytime you're speaking anywhere
you are speaking for that brand

today, its different. 

brands are looking for:

→ people that have audiences already. 
→ that can articulate and communicate well. 
→ That aren't scared to talk to people or the camera. 
→ That think fast on their feet. 

Today you have access to the biggest stage in the world
You don't need a Tedtalk

You need your smart phone and thick skin. 

Thats it. 

Use that smart phone
Develop that thick skin 
or you'll always fear
going for it.

♻️ Share this with some one who needs to hear it 
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Here are 10 ways emotionally intelligent people manage toxicity:


1) They practice healthy coping mechanisms to calm their mind.
2) They set firm boundaries against toxic behavior
3) They rise above pettiness and refuse to engage in toxic behavior.
4) They seek constructive solutions rather than dwelling on negativity.
5)They avoid negative individuals who don't take responsibility.
6) They remain confident in their values and are unfazed by others' opinions.
7) They have high emotional awareness & can manage emotions effectively.
8) They let go of their ego and focus on peaceful solutions.
9) They persevere in finding healthy solutions despite difficult personalities.
10) They learn from the past with toxic people. 


Which one is your favorite?
Tell me below


♻ share to help other high EQ people like you 
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Here is a list of things that are not doing the thing:

“Preparing to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.

Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.

Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on yourself for not doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on other people who have done the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Fantasizing about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how to do the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading about how other people did the thing 
isn't doing the thing.

Reading this essay isn't doing the thing.

The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.” 
— Strangest Loop

Now go do the thing 🛠️

Feeling stuck? 
That's because 

you are.

New results don’t come from old habits.
Change isn’t luck. 
It’s action.

You want a new future?
Do something different today.

Hard truth:
You’re not stuck because life’s unfair.
You’re stuck because comfort feels safer than change.

♻️ Share this with someone who needs to hear it 
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There is someone out there right now

less talented than you, living your dream life 


Do you know what the difference is 
between you and them? 


They took action. 

That's it. 

They started before they were ready. 


Does that make you upset? It should. 


Here is a simple framework to action today:


- Find a topic you like
- Start writing about that topic
- Start talking about that topic
- Start posting content about that topic
- Start making videos talking about that topic
- JUST START ALREADY


It really is that easy. 
It doesn't have to be perfect. 


The common things that hold people back:

- Peoples opinions 
- Fear of embarrassment
- Fear of being on camera 
- Fear of things not being perfect 
- Fear of pigeon holing themselves 
- Fear of speaking to people in a public setting


People will either:

- Love you (customers)
- Hate you (who cares)
- Join you (network)
- Follow you (students)
- Ignore you (already are)


Consistency + action will change your life. 



Sharing this post on your timeline 🚀

Follow me Lucas Bean 



#PersonalGrowth
#Challenges
#LinkedInCommunity

9 Soft Skills that will accelerate your career
(and what to avoid while learning them)

Most people obsess over technical skills.
 But soft skills?
That’s where real growth happens.

Here’s a quick list of what to do and what to avoid:

1. Emotional Intelligence
 ✅ Listen first, react second (count to 5!)
 ❌ Don’t send that angry email right away

2. Public Speaking
 ✅ Tell stories, not just facts
 ❌ Don’t read your slides word-for-word

3. Active Listening
 ✅ Put the phone down
 ❌ Don’t think about your reply while they’re talking

4. Time Management
 ✅ Block time for focused work
 ❌ Don’t say yes to every meeting

5. Adaptability
 ✅ Try new tools and methods
 ❌ Don’t say “but we’ve always done it this way”

6. Problem-Solving
 ✅ Break it into small chunks
 ❌ Don’t jump to conclusions

7. Conflict Resolution
 ✅ Tackle issues early
 ❌ Don’t avoid hard conversations

8. Written Communication
 ✅ Edit for clarity
 ❌ Don’t send emotional emails

9. Decision Making
 ✅ Gather input first
 ❌ Don’t let analysis paralysis kill progress

Want to grow faster in your career?
Get better at these 9 skills daily.

P.S. Which of these do you need to work on most?

♻ Repost to help someone level up
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5 ways to crush it on Linkedin in 2026:
(its not what you think)


𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁

On LinkedIn, your content must deliver real value.
Think actionable insights, career hacks, or deep dives into industry trends.

Your audience is here to learn and grow professionally, so make every post count.



𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹

It’s all about the conversation.
Don’t just broadcast; interact.
Comment, respond, and engage.
Build a community, not just a following.

Your network's growth depends on the relationships you cultivate.



𝗠𝗶𝘅 𝗜𝘁 𝗨𝗽

Keep your content arsenal diverse.
Text, videos, stories – use them all.
Different formats appeal to different people and keep your feed dynamic.
Remember, variety can be the key to keeping your audience hooked.



𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲

Learn LinkedIn's rules and use them to your advantage.
Hashtags? Timing? Conciseness?

It’s not just what you say, but how and when you say it.



𝗕𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂

Consistency in your branding and authenticity in your message are non-negotiable.



𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨.

Share your real experiences and thoughts.
Be the thought leader people can relate to and trust.



𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

Provide value
engage genuinely
vary your approach
understand the mechanics
stay true to your unique voice.


Share this to help your community 
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Which one do you like the most?

#entrepreneurship
#Innovation
#Digitalmarketing

5 ways to crush it on Linkedin

The average person sits for 12 hours a day 
(Moving will increase your EQ)


Research shows that people who engage in regular physical activity 
will have higher levels of emotional intelligence


So here are 15 habits to increase your emotional intelligence:

1. Dedicate at least 30 mins to physical activity daily.
2. Use a fitness tracker to monitor your daily steps.
3. Participate in group fitness classes for motivation.
4. Use a standing desk while working.
5. Hold meetings while walking instead of sitting.
6. Go outside during lunch when the weather is nice.
7. Challenge yourself by setting achievable fitness goals.
8. Choose stairs over elevators whenever possible.
9. Walk or bike to work if feasible.
10. Incorporate stretching exercises into your daily routine.
11. Stand up and stretch every hour.
12. Use apps or alarms to remind you to move every hour.
13. Engage in active family outings like hiking or biking.
14. Dance to your favorite music as a fun way to get moving.
15. Do simple exercises like leg lifts or seated marches at your desk.

A sedentary lifestyle is also a silent killer,
that takes away our health every day we don't move.

The less time you spend sitting during the day,
the better your chances of living a healthy life. 🙏

♻️ Repost this to spread the message
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10 Signs You work for a Visionary Leader

Most people just want to 
order people around 

but the smart ones listen first
Great leaders reveal themselves in small ways


Here’s what to look for in your next interview:


✅ Says “we” not “I”
They focus on team not personal glory

✅ Gives credit to others
Big wins are shared not hoarded

✅ Open body language
They lean in not cross arms and shut down

✅ Welcomes your questions
Curiosity is encouraged not feared

✅ Owns their mistakes
Blame is replaced by responsibility

✅ Talks about the big picture
Vision beats busywork every time

✅ Puts people first
They make time for those who matter

✅ Talks about learning
They are students not know it alls

✅ Inspires not intimidates
You feel lifted not smaller around them

✅ You feel it in your gut
If it feels right it usually is


Great leaders do not need to say they lead
You can feel it in every word and choice

Which one stood out to you most

♻ Share this with someone who is job hunting
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How to respond to criticism at work:
(and what NOT to say in response)

Most people shut down when they’re criticized.

The truth?
That reaction kills your credibility.

You know what works? Owning it and asking for clarity.

I used to react badly to criticism.

Even when it wasn’t personal:
↳ Yeah, it’s terrible
 ↳ I was wrong
 ↳ I blew it

🚩 Taking criticism poorly hurts growth.

Here’s how high performers handle criticism and stay respected:

Presentation Criticized
 ❌ Yeah, it’s terrible
 ✅ What can I improve?

Decision Questioned
 ❌ I was wrong
 ✅ Explain your concerns?

Work Criticized
 ❌ I failed badly
 ✅ What does good look like?

Missed Deadline
 ❌ I blew it
 ✅ Let’s set a more realistic deadline

Strategy Challenged
 ❌ The plan was flawed
 ✅ Let me walk you through it

Unprepared
 ❌ I’m not ready
 ✅ I don’t know right now, let me get that answer for you

Numbers Are Wrong
 ❌ I’m not wrong
 ✅ I’ll review the numbers and get back to you

Idea Rejected
 ❌ I guess my idea sucks
 ✅ What does a good idea look like to you?

Going Off‑Track
 ❌ I’m lost
 ✅ Let’s get back on track shall we?

Bad Communication
 ❌ I’m awful
 ✅ Let me explain this more clearly

Overstepping
 ❌ My bad, that’s just me
 ✅ Let’s be clear about boundaries up front

Priorities
 ❌ No idea
 ✅ Let’s confirm what’s most important

Your words have meaning.
Your response shapes how you are perceived.
Choose your words wisely.

Take nothing personal even when it was meant that way

P.S. Which one of these will you use in your next tough conversation?

♻️ Repost to help your network elevate 
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How high performers respond to criticism. 
Lucas Bean

Cheap Verifier

Founder

Cheap Inboxes

SalesBlast.io

EmailBison

Official Advisor

EmailGuard

Let Pam

Vice President Operations

Freelance Smart Contract and Solidity Engineer

Freelance Solidity Developer

Wunderman Thompson Data

Solutions Engineer

Renaissance Learning

Programmer Analyst I

Hack Reactor

Completed Full-Stack Software Engineering Immersive

Software Engineering Student

Slinging Inboxes

I love creating. 

Since I was a kid I've always tinkered and been interested in how things work. 

In college I started investing in oil ETF's and other stocks. That got me started in finance. 

After having so many close friends who were creating apps and companies, I let my interest in these run wild and started my own software company. But. I wasn't coding...yet.

Finally, I've learned to code and can create whatever sparks my interest. I'm so excited to have finally made it and become a software engineer and keep following my passion...to create.

After learning to code I started learning marketing via email and LinkedIn. Since then I started my own agency, Salesblast.io, where we help B2B firms market their products and services.

Ben Rasmussen

You don't need a co-founder to build a successful business.
(This is going to be controversial but I don't care...)

The "find a co-founder" advice is overrated as hell.

Everyone loves the romantic story of two founders grinding it out together.

Jobs and Wozniak. Gates and Allen. Page and Brin.

Great. Cool stories.

But for every successful co-founder duo, there are 50 partnerships that imploded over equity disputes and different work ethics.

I built CheapInboxes solo. 

From $0 to $125K in 5 months. 

(And currently I'm making WAAAY more)

No co-founder.

Before that, I scaled my cold email agency solo. Multiple 6-figure years. No partner.

And here's why solo worked better for me:

→ Speed: I make decisions instantly. No debates about direction or strategy.
→ Equity: I keep 100%. Every dollar of profit is mine.
→ Accountability: If something breaks, I fix it. No finger-pointing.
→ Work ethic alignment: I work 10+ hour days. I don't need to convince anyone else to match that pace.

Could a co-founder have helped? Maybe.

But they also could have slowed me down, disagreed with my approach, or wanted to take the business in a direction I hated.

The real question isn't "should I find a co-founder?"

It's "do I actually need help with something I can't learn or outsource?"

If you need technical skills you don't have, hire a developer. 
If you need sales help, hire a closer. 
If you need operational support, hire a VA.

You don't need to give away 50% of your company to solve those problems.

Look, if you find someone you genuinely vibe with and trust completely, great.

But don't force it because some startup guru said you need a co-founder.

Build solo. Move fast. Keep your equity.

You'll be fine.

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Customer service standards in this industry are absolutely broken.

People pay us hundreds monthly for inbox services. 

Then they apologize for asking basic questions.

This makes no sense.

You're the customer. 

Ask whatever you need.

But apparently the bar is so low that basic responsiveness feels like premium service. 

Clients are shocked when we actually answer their messages.

This tells you everything about our competition.

Most providers disappear after payment. 

Questions go unanswered for days. 

Support tickets get ignored completely.

So when we respond within hours, clients think we're doing something extraordinary. 

Actually we're not. 

We're just doing the bare minimum of customer service.

Answer messages. Fix problems quickly. Be available.

Somehow this qualifies as exceptional in the inbox provider space.

The opportunity here is massive. 

An entire industry exists where simply answering your phone makes you premium.

Most businesses fail at basics. 

They optimize fancy features while ignoring fundamental service quality.

Then they wonder why customers churn.

Your competitive advantage doesn't need to be revolutionary. It just needs to be reliable.

Respond fast. Solve problems. Be there when customers need you.

Everything else is secondary.

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You can't get elite results doing average shit.

Simple as that.

I see agencies complaining about 1-2% response rates while sending 200 emails per day.

Then they wonder why they're broke.

You know what?

You can't have elite cold email results AND do what everyone else does.

Pick one.

Elite results mean 5%+ response rates consistently. 
Meetings flooding your calendar. 
Pipeline so full you're turning people away.

That doesn't come from "best practices."

It comes from doing things that seem insane to average senders.

The volume that works? It seems crazy.

3K-5K emails per day minimum. 

Some of my best-performing clients at CheapInboxes are sending 8K-10K daily.

To the average agency owner, that sounds unhinged.

"Won't that hurt deliverability?" 
"Isn't that spam?" 
"Shouldn't we focus on quality over quantity?"

No. You're just scared.

Scared to send volume because it feels aggressive. 
Scared prospects will get mad. 
Scared you'll look desperate.

Meanwhile the top performers stopped caring what it "looks like" years ago.

They care about what works.

And what works is simple math:

More emails sent = more responses received = more meetings booked.

You want 5%+ response rates? You need volume.

Not 500 emails per week. Not 1K per day.

Real volume. The kind that makes average senders uncomfortable.

Because average effort gets average results.

If you're doing what everyone else does, you'll get what everyone else gets. 

Which is mediocre pipeline and constant stress about where next month's revenue is coming from.

Elite performers operate differently.

They send more. 
They test faster. 
They move with aggression that seems borderline crazy to people stuck at $10K/month.

This is why most agencies stay small.

Not because cold email doesn't work. 

Because they're not willing to do what actually works.

They want elite results with safe, comfortable execution.

Doesn't exist.

Pick one: Stay average and comfortable, or go hard and print money.

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Taking action beats reading about action every single time.

People love asking "what should I learn before I start cold email?"

Wrong question.

The right question is "how fast can I send my first 1,000 emails?"

I see this constantly. 

People stuck in learning mode for months.
Reading every blog post about deliverability. 
Watching every YouTube video about subject lines. 
Downloading every "proven template" they can find.

Then they send 50 emails and wonder why nothing happens.

Poor soul.

When I started, I found a friend who needed clients. 

Set up cold email automation. Sent volume. Booked 3 meetings the first day.

Was my copy perfect? No. 
Did I know everything about deliverability? No. 
Did I have the "optimal setup"? No!

But I took action. And action creates feedback.

Feedback tells you what's actually broken.

You can't get that from reading.

The biggest lesson I've learned in business:

Doing it teaches you more than studying it ever will.

"How do I get better at sales calls?" 
Do more sales calls.

"How do I improve my cold email response rates?" 
Send more cold emails and test different offers.

"How do I scale my agency?" 
Get more clients and figure out the operations as you grow.

Everyone wants the blueprint before they start.

But the blueprint only makes sense after you've done it.

You learn by doing. Not by preparing to do.

I built Cheapinboxes to be the #1 inbox provider on the Internet because I executed fast.

And DEFINITELY not because I had perfect knowledge.

The market will teach you everything you need to know.

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Cold emailers are optimizing the WRONG metrics.

They obsess over open rates like it's a scorecard.

"I got 42% opens this week!"

Cool. How many meetings did you book?

"Uh... zero."

Open rates don't pay your rent.

I've run cold email campaigns for years. 

Booked thousands of meetings for clients.

And the pattern is obvious:

High performers track: response rates, meetings booked, deals closed. 
Low performers track: open rates, click rates, domain health scores.

One group focuses on revenue. 
The other focuses on vanity metrics.

And I'd rather have a 12% open rate with 8 booked calls than a 50% open rate with 1 reply.

Every single time.

Because at the end of the month, only one of those scenarios pays bills.

What actually matters are THESE:

1) Does your prospect respond? Yes or no. 
2) Did they book a call? Yes or no. 
3) Did they become a client? Yes or no.

Everything else is just data designed to make you feel busy.

"But Ben, doesn't a higher open rate mean better deliverability?"

Maybe. 

Or maybe it means your subject line is clickbait and your email is trash.

I've seen campaigns with 18% open rates book 15 meetings per week.

I've seen campaigns with 55% open rates book zero.

The difference is just the offer.

One had something prospects actually wanted. 
The other was just good at getting people to click.

So start optimizing for outcomes.

Your bank account will thank you.

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People ask me which inbox provider they should use.

Well, they're all giving you the same Google Workspace accounts. 

The product is identical.

A Google from one provider works exactly like a Google from another provider. 

You're not getting magic deliverability from specific vendors.

The only real difference is:

Response time when something breaks.

Does your provider answer in 12 hours or 5 days?

That's the entire competitive landscape.

Most providers take days to respond to urgent issues. 

Your domains get suspended and they ghost you. 

Your campaigns die while you wait for support.

We respond fast. Problems get fixed same day.

This shouldn't be revolutionary. 

But in an industry where customer service is terrible, basic responsiveness becomes your differentiator.

Stop overthinking provider selection. 
Stop searching for secret deliverability advantages.

Ask one question: How fast do they fix problems?

If the answer is "within hours," you found the right provider. 

If the answer is "eventually," keep looking.

The product matters less than the service. 

Everyone sells the same thing.

Choose based on who actually shows up when you need them.

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Volume isn't killing your deliverability. 

Your infrastructure is.

I've watched dozens of agencies throttle their campaigns because some "deliverability expert" convinced them sending over 500 emails per day would destroy their sender reputation.

Complete nonsense.

These same agencies wonder why they're booking 3 meetings per month while competitors sending 5,000+ daily are crushing it.

The brainwashing runs deep in this industry.

Somewhere along the line, cold emailers started believing that low volume equals high deliverability. 

That if you just send fewer emails with more "personalization," you'll magically land in the inbox.

This creates a poverty mindset around outreach.

You're not protecting your deliverability by sending 200 emails per day. 

You're protecting yourself from actually testing if your offer works.

Real deliverability issues come from bad infrastructure. 

→ Cheap domains 
→ Poor sender reputation
→ Terrible targeting that generates spam complaints.

Not from volume itself.

I've run campaigns at 10,000+ sends daily with better inbox rates than agencies sending 500. 

The difference → Proper setup + Quality domains + Actual list hygiene.

Meanwhile agencies are debating whether 300 or 400 sends is "safe" while their business starves from lack of pipeline.

Backward approach entirely.

If you're genuinely worried about deliverability, invest in infrastructure. 

Get proper domains. 
Use legitimate sending tools. 
Target better prospects who actually want what you're selling.

But don't convince yourself that staying small is strategic.

You're not being careful with deliverability. 

You're being careful with growth. 

And that caution is the real threat to your business.

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Hyper-personalization in cold email doesn't work.

I've run campaigns across dozens of industries. 

Tested every personalization strategy people swear by.

The results were consistently mediocre.

That opening line about someone's LinkedIn post feels forced. 

Prospects see right through it.

"Hey Sarah, loved your recent post about Q4 marketing challenges..."

This screams automated outreach. 

And almost everyone uses this exact template now.

Your prospect knows you didn't actually care about their post. 

They know you're running this at scale. 
The fake personalization insults their intelligence.

What actually works? Clear value propositions.

Leading with how you solve their specific problem beats mentioning their content every time. 

Prospects care about results, not whether you stalked their social media.

Most agencies waste hours researching prospects for personalization that tanks conversion rates. 

They could spend that time refining their offer or sending more volume.

The math is brutal.

Sending 5,000 emails with simple value-focused copy outperforms sending 500 hyper-personalized emails. 

Every single time.

Stop torturing yourself with LinkedIn research and stop pretending you care about their recent webinar.

Lead with value. Make your offer clear. Send volume.

Personalization is a crutch for weak offers.

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Personalization is the most overrated tactic in cold email.

Every struggling agency I've consulted spends 30+ minutes researching each prospect. 

→ Reading LinkedIn posts. 
→ Finding personal details. 
→ Crafting custom openers.

Then they send 50 emails per week and wonder why they're broke.

This industry has convinced people that personalization is mandatory for success. 

That you need to mention someone's recent promotion or comment on their company news to get a response.

Wrong approach entirely.

Personalization works in extremely specific situations. 

High-ticket enterprise deals. 
Strategic partnerships. 
Situations where one client represents six-figure revenue.

That's maybe 1% of outreach scenarios.

The other 99% of the time, you're burning hours to feel productive. 

You're researching prospects instead of testing offers. 

You're optimizing tactics instead of validating if anyone wants what you're selling.

This creates a convenient excuse for low volume.

"I only sent 200 emails this month because I personalized each one" sounds better than "I'm scared to send volume because I might get rejected at scale."

But the math doesn't lie.

Agencies sending 5,000 generic emails with strong offers outperform agencies sending 500 "personalized" emails every single time. 

It's not even close.

Your prospects don't need you to prove you can Google them. 

They need you to prove you can solve their problem profitably.

Meanwhile personalization obsessed agencies are crafting the perfect opener while competitors are booking 20 meetings per week with two-sentence emails.

The "what if this prospect is special?" argument justifies staying small. 

You're protecting your ego from rejection at scale, not protecting response rates.

If your offer is strong, basic targeting works. 

If your offer is weak, no amount of personalization saves it.

Stop using research as procrastination. 

Test your offer at volume. 

Let the market tell you if people want what you're selling.

Personalization should be the exception, not the default strategy.

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