[Fully Managed] Jimmy Sterns from Attention Grabbing Media Ep. 149

Welcome and Guest Introduction

Daniela: Hello everybody. Welcome to the Fully Managed Podcast. This is a podcast where we are going to be discussing marketing, business tips, and so many other things to help assist you in your business journeys. I’m your host, Daniela, Penji’s Partnership Coordinator. I’m joined here today with a very special guest, Jimmy Sterns from Attention Grabbing Media. Hi, Jimmy.

Jimmy Sterns: Good, Daniela. How are you doing today?

Daniela: I’m doing great. Very excited to have you. So for everybody who isn’t familiar with you or Attention Grabbing Media, can you tell us a little bit about you and what the company does?

Jimmy’s Background and Company Origins

JS: Sure. Attention Grabbing Media is a full-service digital marketing agency based in Largo, Florida, close to Tampa. The business started around 2015–2016. Our CEO, Manuel Suarez, started by helping his father’s company, Natural Slim—a nine-figure brand. He helped get the company online and grow through digital marketing. His father realized that was his superpower and encouraged him to start a marketing agency. That’s how Attention Grabbing Media was born. Today, we’re a four-time INC 5000 growth company breaking records year after year.

Jimmy’s Career Journey

Daniela: Amazing. And how specifically did life lead you to work with them?

JS: Great question. I’ve always been in digital creation—doing commercials and commercial photography in Nashville. Around 2019–2020, I was freelancing for local businesses, doing photography and video ads. My now-wife introduced me to the company—she was working there. She told me to apply, so I did. Initially, they said they weren’t hiring for a videographer, and I was crushed. But a week later, they called back and changed their mind.

I started working remotely right before the pandemic. I was writing scripts, helping video editors, doing ad copy, and working with account managers to run split tests and refine campaigns. Over time, my success in getting leads caught the CEO’s attention. He invited me to move down and join the local office. I eventually moved into a creative director role, working directly with Manuel and helping high-profile clients. I even travel now to help set up studios and video production systems for our clients.

The Rise of Video in Marketing

Daniela: That’s amazing. I feel like video production is huge in marketing now. Everyone practically has to become a videographer for their own business. Companies like yours offer more value now than even in 2019 or 2020.

JS: Absolutely. Especially with TikTok taking off. TikTok Live is the next big wave in 2025. Businesses are already showcasing products live—offering deals in real time. It’s incredibly effective.

Daniela: I’ve seen local businesses doing that—offering live discounts. Apparently, they’re doing really well.

JS: We tested TikTok Live this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In three hours, we got almost a million impressions. Imagine what you could get in a full eight-hour session. It’s definitely the next big thing.

TikTok’s Influence on Social Platforms

Daniela: I feel like TikTok has been driving trends across other platforms like Instagram and YouTube Shorts. Even people who use other apps agree the trends usually start on TikTok.

JS: I agree. TikTok is shaping the landscape.

Balancing Data and Creativity

Daniela: What tools or methods do you use to help your clients grow using analytics and data?

JS: Great question. We use multiple analytics tools—depending on the platform. For email, there’s GoHighLevel, Keap, etc. For Google, we use dashboards and analytics. On Meta, we dive into Business Suite. We start with market research, identify what works, then split test everything—images, copy, videos. Sometimes, the ad you think won’t work is the one that wins. It’s all about testing and tracking.

Creativity vs. Algorithms

Daniela: There’s a push now to optimize everything for algorithms—SEO, social algorithms. How do you balance that with creativity and creating standout content?

JS: Each platform works differently, but if you study the winners, you can reverse engineer success. For example, with YouTube, look at Mr. Beast. Study his editing, pacing, and structure—not necessarily his budget. Think of video like music—it has rhythm. Know your audience, find the beat they resonate with, and replicate that across platforms. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, but you should observe what works and create consistently.

Collaborating with Clients

Daniela: Creation often requires collaboration. How do you align with clients who may not be creatively inclined or don’t know exactly what they want?

JS: That’s a great question. There’s often a language gap between clients and creatives. Clients might not understand tools like Photoshop or Illustrator. They know what they want but don’t know how to express it. Tools like ChatGPT help bridge that communication gap—it can rephrase expectations clearly. Providing examples and setting transparent expectations is key. Clear communication will always buy you time.

Client Miscommunication in Design

Daniela: Definitely. We experience the same thing at Penji. Some clients say, “I want a pink logo,” but don’t clarify the tone or style. So we try to educate them to give more specific direction.

JS: Exactly. A lot of back-and-forth can be avoided with clear upfront communication. It saves everyone time and frustration.

Staying Inspired

Daniela: With everything going on—client needs, content demands—how do you stay inspired and avoid creative blocks?

JS: Great question. I personally believe creative block is just an excuse now. There are too many resources and tools—AI, social content, etc.—to stay uninspired. In the past, I’d just keep creating until something worked. Today, I might make funny content or run a parody account just for fun. The idea is to keep your creative muscles moving, even outside work. Once you stop, you get rusty. Like a guitarist who doesn’t practice, you’ll fumble when it matters.

Rapid Fire Game

Daniela: Thank you so much for doing this. Before we go, I have a quick game—rapid fire questions. I’ll set a one-minute timer. No one’s gotten through all 20. Just answer quickly without thinking too much.

JS: Let’s go. I’m good at that.

Daniela: How long would you survive in a zombie apocalypse?

JS: Five minutes. They’d smell me.

Daniela: Favorite smell?

JS: Flowers.

Daniela: Ever gone a day without wearing underwear?

JS: No.

Daniela: What do you think your last words will be?

JS: Help me. I’m crying.

Daniela: What’s your WiFi password?

JS: I should probably know that one.

Daniela: Why do round pizzas come in square boxes?

JS: For the sake of being pizza?

Daniela: What would you do if you won a million dollars?

JS: Buy really comfortable shoes.

Daniela: Toilet paper: over or under?

JS: Under.

Daniela: Ever stolen a candy bar?

JS: I have not.

Daniela: How many beers can you handle?

JS: Probably one.

Daniela: If you failed your driver’s test, what part would it be?

JS: Parallel parking. I suck at that.

Daniela: If you were a dog breed?

JS: Border Collie.

Daniela: Pineapple on pizza?

JS: I do, yes.

Daniela: Time’s up! You got through 11. That’s pretty good. My fault—I stalled a bit.

JS: It was fun! Thank you for playing.

Final Thoughts and Plugs

Daniela: Before we go, any final plugs?

JS: Yes! First, our mission statement: Our mission is to help hundreds of millions of small business owners around the world control their own revenue with attention-grabbing marketing strategies that create an explosion of prospects and customers, which leads to a thriving business and an improved quality of life for employees, owners, and clients.

Also, we’re holding a mastermind event on January 24–25, hosted by our CEO Manuel Suarez. It’s designed to keep business owners updated on AI and digital marketing trends. Visit aircourse.ai to sign up, either virtually or in person.

Daniela: Amazing! I’ll include the links in the description. Jimmy, it was so great having you on the podcast. Today was so fun.

JS: Absolutely. Thank you, Daniela. I appreciate you reaching out. I had a great time.

Daniela: Thanks again! Everyone, see you on the next episode.

Narrator: You’ve been listening to Fully Managed, brought to you by Penji. Check out the show notes to learn more about today’s guest and Penji—the human-first creative subscription service. Head over to Penji.co. And if you’re still listening, it would mean the world to us if you shared this podcast with a friend—and of course, subscribe.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-stearns

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-clear-communication-in-the-creative-process/id1782589467?i=1000709921146

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/dd82f404-5099-49da-9261-1621f65ee3ea/episodes/3497ccbf-4326-4f7a-ace8-ccec8e04bb69/fully-managed-the-power-of-clear-communication-in-the-creative-process