/ : / This is my “get to know me better page.” / : /
Hello. I am Daniel Stouffer.
You may have arrived here from a variety of places… Are you one of my students, a current or past teammate, a former or future employer? Or, we might be in the fire department together.
I’m not exactly sure.
The following origin story is my introduction, resume, manifesto, personal website, and all those things wrapped into one. I hope you’ll stick with me for the next few minutes to get to know me better.
Today, I am a professional Firefighter. Volunteer, paid-on-call.
That’s why I wear a t-shirt with a big red stripe on it. The red stripe indicates brother and sisterhood in the fire service. A blue stripe is for police officers. Purple, paramedics. Interesting, right?
I’m also several other professional things at the same time …it seems;
- Product Manager,
- Program Manager,
- Copywriter,
- Project manager,
- User Experience Designer,
- Digital Marketer, and
- Agile Coach / Mentor.
I didn’t start here, though. It’s where I’m now. Tomorrow, I will be several steps further into my future. But, like so many others…
I have bloody knuckles and battle scars as reminders of my journey …and a life spent creating digital products; websites, mobile apps, enterprise software, and other stuff like that.
When I hit by bottom…
Late November 2013, 3 am in the morning, pacing around the living room half-sleep, in a stress-induced sleep walk … I was heading into Christmas with a $78,573 dollars in debt hanging over my head.
- How was I going to get the work done?
- How could I get the client to pay?
- When would I get my teammates paid?
There had to be a better way to work.
I thought I had it all figured out. I was very deliberate with my career path and building my skills for years.
…But, something was still off. Really, really off.
I push boundaries… I try a lot of new things. I’m always moving forward.
And having the advantage of being born at exactly the right time. At the birth of the internet. I could’ve practically been friends with Al Gore. …Just kidding.
ARPANET and the Internet protocol TCP/IP came online around January, 1983 …from there researchers began assembling the “network of networks” that became the modern Internet.
I went to high school from 1988 to 1992 …I had the advantage of a pretty geeky principal, fresh out of university who’d let the “engaged-learners” (…aka geeky kids) check out his personal computers.
We’d fire up the modem, ping the local library via Gopher Net and check out the first networks patched together by other geeks.
I can still remember that sound …the bleep, blob, bleep, swish, whirr of the modem. Remember all of the AOL disks lining the checkouts at the grocery store?
I went to university between 1994 to 1998 …I had the very unique opportunity to be in a fully wired campus and also received free use of a laptop.
In 1996, the university provided laptop computers to all students and faculty, becoming the second notebook computer campus in the nation. The university was fully wired. And we were experimenting with all sorts of things.
This was 1996!
During my senior year, I took a laptop with me over the summer break to work out how a professor could “facilitate a remote class” via what was now becoming a world of connected universities …and so much more.
The real reason for my short history lesson – I attended university and started into my digital career right as the Internet started to really take off. I’ve been in the Internet space and messing around with all things digital for over 20 years now.
I started with User Experience and Usability…
How do digital things function? Why do some experiences work? And, others fail?
The usability of it all… websites, toilet bowls, and soup spoons. The science and art of making digital things for humans fascinates me.
But, I soon found parts of the puzzle missing. Things were getting lost in translation. I struggled watching and not helping product teams actually “get the work done”.
I needed more perspectives. A wider angle of attack.
* How to get work done?
* Who gets work done?
* When to get work done?
What was missing? …Project Management.
I became a certified Project Manager…
PMI. The Project Management Institute was and still is pretty huge. It’s a rallying cry for “just get organized” and for process mapping type people.
Task breakdown structures. Gantt charts. Resources, budgets, and timelines.
I took that stuff to a whole new level.
I’ve always been pushy and driven to get things done. Just ask my mom whenever we got within sniffing distance of a McDonalds.
With project management spliced into my DNA – like pure sugar is a hyperactive kid – I found it gave me the tools to bring “productivity to the masses”.
I found a whole new gear. But, still… I had an itch.
What was missing?
Digital Marketing and Copywriting
I devoured Digital Marketing and I work on my writing everyday.
The ‘4 Hour Work Week’. It changed my life. And it changed the fortunes of a start-up I was working with at the time.
Picture this… me, 1 intern, and about 7 outsources scattered across the globe built a marketing department on a credit card and a 24 / 7 work week.
I was learning branding, content marketing, lead generation, video production, email marketing, and a whole bunch more …while taking my project management skills and applying them to a remote team.
Shiplu, one of the first I recruited for this adventure, is still with me today. 10,115,564 lines of chat history later.
Never seen Shiplu face to face. Talked on the phone a couple of times. Yet, I trust him with the gnarliest of virtual projects.
But, still… I had a problem.
What was I missing now? …Product Management, Scrum Teams, and Communications.
So, I stepped HARD in Product Management.
CEO of the product. Lean start-up and the elusive MVP.
SAFe – the scaled agile framework and the mysteries scrum, Kanban …and all of that.
* What is the thing actual humans want?
* What research, testing, and validation is necessary to make product decisions?
* How do you work with, convince, argue or otherwise get teams to build the right features?
* Why is it so friggin hard to get organizations to follow a process where products get built properly?
Product management does bring so much of my background into focus.
But, still… Something wasn’t exactly right.
What was missing, now? …A universal method that ties all the good bits and pieces together.
You know. Like the… Theory of everything.
It’s a single, all-encompassing, coherent theoretical framework of physics that fully explains and links together all physical aspects of the universe. Wow, right?
But this sort of framework didn’t exist except in my head and the “work history” section of my resume.
My Eureka Moment!
I didn’t have to do all the connecting of dots myself. I could pull the best of the best into MY unified project & product management framework.
And, I could mentor and coach “program & digital product teams” to do the same.
Leverage my knowledge …build trust, lead others, and communicate solutions …show how guts, grit, and intuition layers into an approach for leading digital product teams.
In the end, I realized it’s ALL about people;
- real people doing complex things and
- creating digital products that impact real people.
My mentoring methods were BORN.
There’s a sense of Brother and Sisterhood in the fire service. A bond of serving together for the greater good of others. It’s about watching each other’s back … and giving EVERYTHING.
Should that truly be necessary.
So, to say I can take things serious if I need to is an understatement. And to say, I have your back during this mentorship process is also an understatement.
Digital product creation is complicated and the road to mastery is long and winding. You’ll make many mistakes and ask for many mulligans. But, it doesn’t have to be something you do totally alone.
The insights I learned during product journey are these;
- Design Thinking — anchors all related product roles in the who, why, and what. Call it the glue holding solutions together.
- Small and Big Perspectives — the best products come from teams that drive down into the weeds to understand connections, relevance, and dependencies while also zooming out for the bigger context of why. Both perspectives are super critical.
- Collaboration and Communication — boiling down the 1,001 different communication approaches, team dynamics, or the inner workings of scrum or agile all really point to the same, exact things. Great teams collaborate openly, with respect, and transparency in all their communications. The team comes first with egos left at the door.
- Making Decisions and Saying No — a quick NO is always better than a rambling yes – maybe – no. And the best is a critical decision that is backed by research, data, and proof. Standing up and saying No to leadership, those with big checkbooks, or even the end users is one of the hardest tasks for any digital product team.
- My Mentoring Methods — investing hundreds of hours learning, struggling through issue after issue, and being too siloed or stressed to seek a better way to work… is, to be honest, a silly thing to do. Let me show you how to “get products” faster.
My Big Why. Service Through Teamwork.
I regret the times when my pager goes off for a medical call, car crash, or someone’s house is on fire. Currently, I don’t have the ability to be 100% independent, owning my future, and having the flexibility to roll on each fire truck. But, someday soon I will.
The creation of My Mentoring Method is my launching pad to a fully-committed life of service – digitally and physically.
So, here’s my closing comments …and thanks for tagging along with me here.
Truth be told …I wish to save you the pain and struggles I’ve been through. Shorten your learning curve. Save you as much time as possible in your journey to digital product mastery.
- I’ll point out the landmines.
- I’ll highlight the opportunities.
- I’ll walk you through the processes.
You’ll become the product team leader that everyone else wants to work with!
By being your mentor and you my apprentice. We’ll fast track your progress along your path.
When I enter a burning building, it is always via the “two in / two out method”. We’ll embark on this transformation together – two in / two out. And, we’ll complete it together.
We’ll come out together safer, stronger, and positioned better. Because… I’ll not come out of the product management fire until you do. It’s two in / two out in everything we’ll do together!
Your Call To Adventure.
So, let’s do this!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my career, my personal life, and most importantly in the fire service. …you’ve got to take action, commit, and get it done. No matter what!
So, let’s get this done – together.
I’ll get a short email series out that drills into My Mentoring Method. I’ll invite you to a webinar, a free class, or send you an ebook that will explain my thinking.
And, if you want… Just pick up the phone and give me a call.
We’ll set up some time to understand where your product journey is headed and where you may want to go in the future.
Copywriting, Content Creation, and Marketing Research (persona development)
Over the years, I’ve written copy and drove digital marketing strategies under a number of brands. Some my own. Many of my clients.
I am a professional copywriter trained by American Writers & Artists Inc (AWAI), DigitalMarketing.com, and Copyblogger.com. I have a growing list of certifications. My desire to consume everything these organizations produce continues every day.
You review my full resume on LinkedIn.
I’m specialize in helping up-and-coming businesses consistently and predictably meet their marketing objectives and sales goals. I craft persuasive copy that leverages new marketing strategies.
Ultimately, I drive new revenue streams into your marketing department.
This process rides on the solders of a humming content creation and publishing framework mixed with marketing and email automation. I help you generate far more revenue from your marketing activities than the money and resources they consume.
My Philosophy is Simple
Outsource the things you want to innovate, disrupt, don’t have time for, or lack these skills within your team …so you can focus your energy on the things you can staff and are passionate about.
I am committed to developing long-term relationships.
I take true satisfaction in not only creating great copy – if that is what you seek – but to fully integrating my fresh digital marketing ideas into your organization’s growth plans.
I’m a reliable copywriter for hire by those who seek this type of help. I hope you learn that I can be so much more.
When you’ve reached the point that you need to outsource, I hope you’ll reach out and connect.
Helping Entrepreneurs, B2B & B2C Companies, and Clean Technology Developers
I’m happy to work with anyone who thirsts for greater results from their digital marketing AND who want multiple revenue streams generated from their content creation & publishing efforts.
However, there are a few specific industries that fall within my niche focus.
Trainers, Thought-Leaders, and Industry Experts
If you’ve ever written a book, given a presentation, or consider yourself an expert in something that you know enough about to train someone else (…trust me, all it takes is a book or two head start), I’d love to help you gain the exposure you organization deserves.
Sure, you may not be an authority in marketing yet, or have training products developed yet, or a digital marketing program in place, yet.
…But, you can when you work with me!
I partner and network with industry experts in various fields so that we can tackle any and all of your needs. This gives you, the brilliant thinkers, experts, and trainers, more time to lead while I take care of everything else.
Clean Technology
I excel at working with those companies who make clean technology their focus. By clean tech, I’m referring to companies that deals with services, products, software, or other technology that drives environmental improvements and socially responsibility.
These companies are an asset both to the environment and their respective industries. I really appreciate the opportunity to help them thrive and reach their goals. I hope that you are indeed one of these companies …so, that I may work with you.
To say it mildly, I foresee an extremely bright future for the clean-tech industry. The signs are everywhere. The problems are clear. The solutions are coming on fast and furious.
Humanity is truly arriving at our fork in the road where there is no other viable option but to implement improvements. I choose to support these types of companies.
Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind, and Water
Renewable energy is a major growth industry. I first got involved in solar back in 2006. Boy, I have experienced changes, awareness, and expansion. We are nowhere finished yet. Actually, we are just getting started.
But, really – What other choice do we have?
As companies realize the importance of clean technology, there is nothing but growth and expansion ahead. I cherish the opportunity to work with those companies who want to help bring a better future to all.
Products, Software, and Agile Development
Technology moves the world these days. I’ve been involved in user experience, product management, agile software development for over 20 years. I’m well-versed in technology and keep up on all of the latest innovations, both in marketing and within the core software development industry.
My strategies ensures digital marketing success through:
- Producing excellent content that your prospects love consuming,
- Optimizing sales funnels for high conversion rates,
- Reducing the gap between products and potential buyers,
- Improving customer service through increased value & support,
- Adding to market alignment, communication, and performance,
- Leveraging experts, content, and Profit Center Marketing to improve your bottom line, and
- Ensuring your digital marketing produces more revenue than expenses generated.
Learn more about my services, explore my samples, and let’s get connected today!
Boosting Revenues: The Copywriter and Marketing Mechanic Way
The effect of my full package of services is three fold:
- First, you’ll end up getting a tremendous return on your investment. The amount you’ll pay me is going to probably be far less than what you would have wasted doing it the Lone Ranger way, with a shot gun approach to old school style marketing, or continued without thinking of your marketing as a cost center. Step into the new era of digital marketing.
- Second, you’ll get better products and services for less money with the residual benefit of being able to do the things you’re good at instead of messing around with things that you are not. The time you don’t waste on marketing systems is the time you can spend on the other parts of your business.
- Third, you’ll have a digital marketing program that produces revenue on its own right without outside investments or budget allocations.
Picture this for a second…
You march into the CFO’s office with a big fat check in your hand with the intent to PAY HER. This check contains the money you’ve collected from your digital marketing activities. Internet marketing as your profit center in action.
As the CEO, Sales Director, VP of Marketing, Product Creator, or whatever your title may be…
You’d look like a rock star!
Copywriting Services (…and much more) that WILL Turn Your Business on Its Head
Implementing Profit Center Marketing will blow the socks off the digital marketing you’re doing now.
Why?
…Because it taps into the desire of your prospects to solve problems, learn about solutions, and PAY YOU for the education you provide them.
Think about getting PAID TO SELL.
These concepts might be interesting if you are a business owner, expert or trainer, marketing director, or just someone looking to hire copywriters for your existing digital marketing programs.
The opportunity…
Your digital marketing activities can create such valuable content that your prospects will pay you for this information. …and in the end this useful content, information products, and training materials drive greater value — for your customers and your bottom line.
It works in all sorts of industries, niches, and business models. You’d be surprised what prospects will pay for if you continually solve their problems and provide outstanding content.
If you’ve been putting off aspects of your marketing plan due to resourcing or team skill sets, you’re doing a disservice to your business. I can start helping you and your digital marketing efforts reach their full revenue potential.