Matt Day

Matt Day is the director of In Front Digital - a digital marketing agency focusing primarily on SEO and PPC, helping businesses create and enhance their online presence.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT JOB? In Front Digital has been around since 2008 and we are elder statesmen of this industry, we have seen the industry grow and change to where it is today. Personally, I started off working in SEO in 2004 and from that experience, founded In Front Digital and expanded to digital marketing as a whole, including PPC, social media, CRO and other digital consultancy.

EXPLAIN A TYPICAL WEEK IN YOUR WORKING LIFE: Hectic! No two days are the same: from client meetings (which take me all over the country) on one day, to reviewing digital strategy and optimising clients' websites the next. Staff appraisals, R&D and networking to help grow the business.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING YOUR INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW? Whilst SEO has been around for a long time, there is still a lack of awareness of how important it is to online success for a lot of industries. Just having a website isn’t enough and not having a digital strategy can be holding small and larger businesses back from their true potential. Our biggest challenge is that businesses are focusing all their effort on pushing current and prospective customers into social channels but neglecting their own website.

AND WHAT ARE THE BIG OPPORTUNITIES? From a digital strategy perspective, the quickest wins would be the sectors which have always resisted digital - traditional markets and (dare I say it) accountants and solicitors where there has perhaps not been the same ‘race’ to get online. These companies may not realise the opportunities that digital can create. In this current climate, I’d say there is a big opportunity for independent farms, food delivery services and health and fitness related items.

HOW DO YOU GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR STAFF? We have an open-door policy at In Front Digital. We try to brief the team on what is going on, new opportunities on the horizon and we discuss ongoing campaigns. This gives everyone a chance to have input and for creative ideas to begin to flow. We also have regular company nights out where we can all unwind after a busy week.

WHAT WAS YOUR LAST MEETING ABOUT, HOW LONG DID IT LAST, AND WAS IT PRODUCTIVE? The last meeting I had was in London and it lasted 2 hours. It was a campaign review with an existing client and it was very productive. We created an action plan for new deliverables and how we would ensure further, increased performance for their campaign over the coming months.

HOW MANY EMAILS DO YOU GET IN A DAY, AND HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO READ THEM? I’d say somewhere around 60 emails per day. I usually allot an hour or two (depending on what campaigns are priority at a particular time). I may sometimes delegate these to other team members who are the account managers of the campaign.

DO YOU ANSWER WORK CALLS OR EMAILS AT HOME? WHAT’S THE RIGHT WORK-LIFE BALANCE? I will answer work calls at home and deal with any urgent issues that may arise. However, I do try and not look at emails at home because it is time that I spend with my children and family and I never get enough of that. I like to turn off when I’m at home to recharge so that when I’m in the office I can focus all my energy on our clients.

HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU? I would hope they think I am a strong leader that they can depend on. I would also like to think that I can always help them if they need me or improve them in some way. Afterall, life is a journey of growth.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Building and growing In Front Digital to where it is now, is something I’m especially proud of so far. We’ve been going for over 12 years and continue growing our client base as well as working with our loyal customers who have been with us from very beginning. On a side note, carrying out consultancy abroad was also very fun and unforgettable!

ANY PARTICULAR FAUX PAS OR EMBARRASSING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER YOU WOULD PREFER TO FORGET? I once tripped over a desk in front of the whole office because I was wearing slightly too big shoes. Embarrassing but at least it gave the office a good laugh!

PET HATES? People who do not do what they say they will do when they say they will do it! I’m a very organised person and really strive to meet all my deadlines. It’s a pet hate of mine for a project to be held up because of one person not doing what they were meant to.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Be more courageous and believe in your convictions more.

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK? I love spending time with my children, we watch movies, play in the garden and go for walks. On a personal level I’m a bit obsessed with exercising and row 6 times a week!

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS COMMUNITY? Businesses actually want to work together! Over my years going to networking events in Birmingham, it is always refreshing to see how open businesses are to working together and how they want to see each other succeed.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW. I once meditated for a day with Buddhist monks.

YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE? Lord Of The Rings, Scarface and anything from John Mayer

YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE? James Gandolfini, John F Kennedy, Julian Assange, Nikola Tesla and The Rock

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO EAT FOR YOUR LAST SUPPER? Calamari to start with, Paella for main and Cheesecake for pudding – heaven!