Pandemic career shift turns positive for Vogue Digi founder Sebastian Mutalib

The COVID-19 pandemic struck Sebastian Mutalib hard, as the Chicago resident lost his real estate job.

But he turned the negative into a positive as he started learning more about digital marketing, ultimately starting his own digital marketing business, which he tagged as, “my dream.”

Mutalib, 37, who has lived in Chicago for 10 years, is the owner of Vogue Digi, an entrepreneur and digital marketing manager company.

“People thought it was crazy opening a business when businesses closed (due to the pandemic), but this was the perfect time to sit home and build your own business. When businesses opened, I was ready to offer my service, and I provided free service, especially to LGBTQ small businesses. I am still offering my service at a low cost to our LGBTQ community. We are all in this together, said Mutalib, who hails from the Middle East and now lives in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

“I grew up in a business family; my dad had an import and export company, and I worked with him since I was a kid. I was always trying to be the marketer for his company and was always coming up with advertising and marketing ideas. Then I finished business high school, went to business administration college, and got my bachelor's degree. Today, the world has become more digital, and I have experience in marketing, so I had the time to take the best education and got certified as a professional digital marketer from the American Marketing Association (AMA) and offer my services at the right time.

“Marketing is the heart of any business; that's why I have a passion for marketing and putting a creative, modern (spin) into marketing. I focus on marketing in a sophisticated and trending way.”

Vogue Digi helps local and global businesses expand their digital footprint and presence through a variety of services, such as: Social media ads and management; Google ads PPC and SEO; Audience research; Content creation; Email marketing; plus Web and app developing.

“Just like any other business, marketing is an investment, and nobody wanted to invest their money (during) the pandemic time. I couldn't promise the investors a high ROI, but now I can.

“I have no limits; we are growing every day. I have a dream that my company will be the most trusted in digital marketing and the most beneficial company to the LGBTQ (community). I want to build a foundation for the community and help everyone who needs help with education and housing. We have so many creatives, but they need to be funded to finish their education, and that breaks my heart.”

Social media strategy and management is a focus from Vogue Digi – and that includes insight on engaging with your audience, talking with your audience and customers, and more.

“With social media, you can reach your clients/audience faster and broader at a lower cost than traditional marketing,” he said. “You can target your audience and talk with them in the language and voice they can be happy with it. I do audience research a lot. And I have (the) tools and techniques to help find the right audience without losing money (through) testing. With that, we can bring a high ROI.

“You can build community to your brand and you can reach your audience with your community. We deliver our service to help businesses engage with their audience. Through content that is tailored to their users, we can increase their social media followers and expand their digital presence. Our strategies are adaptable and flexible, ensuring they engage with users on the right platforms, at the right time, and with the correct content.”

Social media ads also carry weight as they have the potential to reach millions. “With a ready-made audience, we can implement ads that resonate with your target audience while delivering exceptional results and ensure we deliver an impressive ROI,” he said.

Talking about PPC and SEO, Mutalib said: “I ensure that websites become visible and high-ranking on Google search. Using the right techniques, audience, keyword research, and understanding which words people are using, we can help businesses grow organically while helping businesses connect with their targeted audience and helping them drive sales.”

Mutalib is proud to work with, and be a member of, the LGBTQ community.

“I (want) to serve my community and see more LGBT businesses getting on their feet and being successful. It was so sad for me and for all of us seeing (so many) LGBT businesses go out of business during the pandemic,” he said. “I still see some businesses not focusing on marketing, and I want to fix that because, with marketing, your brand will go viral, (and expand).

“My goal is to see more gay businesses, (to) help them (thrive) and raise the rainbow flag.”

Talking Business With … Sebastian Mutalib

On PPC: “With most users choosing Google over other search engines, I ensure businesses have a presence while making sure they remain competitive. Through Pay Per Click, we can ensure your business appears on the top search pages, turning searchers into converted customers.”

Design and creation: “Content creation is the heart of everything you do, and that's where we can make a difference. We do professional graphics and video designs using Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Story blocks, and all creative Apps and other software to deliver a highly effective customized figure of your work. Our work will enhance visual identity and digital presence using special video promotion and eye-catching graphics for the ads on all social platforms. We don't follow a trend; we make the trend.”

Vogue Digi: There are three employees: Mutalib plus a graphic designer and a client relationship/copywriter.

For more visit: voguedigi.com