Growth Strategy & Digital Marketing Portfolio

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Featured GTM Architecture: Scaling Fast While Staying Human

A signal-based outreach framework that reduces rep research time from 15 minutes to ~10 seconds while maintaining 1:1 personalization.

The Problem

Sales teams are stuck between two extremes. Manual outreach limits volume, while fully automated AI hurts authenticity. One slows growth, the other reduces conversion.

The System

A hybrid GTM engine that uses AI for research and drafting, while keeping reps in control of the final message. Trigger-based, context-aware, and built for real conversations, not generic automation.

The Impact

Faster execution without sacrificing relevance. Reps spend about 10 seconds reviewing high-quality drafts, enabling consistent, human outreach at scale that actually converts.

Digital Marketing Systems & Growth Architecture

Building, testing, and optimizing a high-performance digital ecosystem across content, analytics, and distribution to drive measurable growth.

  • Strategic Integration: Transitioning from fragmented social posting to a cohesive, multi-channel digital ecosystem.
  • Technical Performance Debt: Remediating an initially “Poor” performance profile (7.2s LCP) to meet Google’s “Good” Core Web Vitals standards.
  • Data Feedback Loops: Creating a live connection between social performance and real-time on-site behavior through GA4.
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  • Engineering Performance: Optimizing site architecture using Smush and manual asset remediation to maintain peak performance scores.
  • Enforcing SEO Standards: Maintaining full H1 compliance and descriptive Alt-text across the media library to ensure continuous SEO and ADA alignment.
  • Managing Analytics: Leveraging Google Tag Manager and GA4 to track attribution sources, engagement patterns, and behavioral events in real time.
  • Orchestrating Distribution: Executing an integrated content system across social platforms and a blog to drive consistent, high-intent discovery.
  • Iterating on Data: Analyzing weekly performance metrics to refine content themes, adjust posting cadence, and optimize distribution strategy.
  • Elite Site Performance: Improved PageSpeed score from 67 → 92/100, reducing LCP by 64% and average response time by 60%, placing the site in the top 5% of personal portfolios for speed.
  • Sustained Audience Growth: Achieved +20% follower growth across platforms within 90 days.
  • High-Impact Content: Drove +300% impressions, with top-performing posts consistently generating 100+ profile views.
  • Reach Expansion: Increased new audience reach by +400% through analytics-informed content clustering.
  • Verified Acquisition: Generated 150+ unique website users in the first 90 days, validating the social-to-site funnel.
  • Semantic Integrity: Achieved 100% H1 and image Alt-text compliance, delivering a clear semantic map to search engines and assistive technologies.

Technical metrics verified via Screaming Frog SEO Spider and Google PageSpeed Insights (Mobile) — January 18, 2026.

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Ben Gottesman executing digital marketing strategy and data analysis on laptop

High-Velocity Sales & CRM Management | Equinox

Leveraging CRM workflows and consultative sales frameworks to drive member acquisition and long-term brand loyalty for a premium global brand.

  • Pipeline Management: Managing a high-volume influx of digital and walk-in leads in a luxury market.

  • Premium Positioning: Differentiating high-ticket services from low-cost alternatives by selling value over price.

  • Portfolio Retention: Balancing aggressive new acquisition with the nurture of a 500+ member base.

  • Rapid-response lead handling: Established immediate engagement workflows to capitalize on high-intent inquiry windows.
  • CRM-driven outreach: Executed structured follow-ups across email, SMS, and phone using behavioral and lifecycle data.
  • Consultative selling: Led personalized tours to uncover goals, motivators, and constraints, tailoring recommendations accordingly.
  • Campaign execution: Supported seasonal promotions and club events with targeted outreach to drive urgency and conversion.
  • Brand ambassadorship: Built a strong in-club personal brand to fuel referrals, trust, and community-led retention.
  • Top performance: Ranked #20 of 150+ advisors companywide in total sales volume.
  • High-volume output: Averaged 40–70 new member conversions per month while exceeding targets.
  • Portfolio management: Managed and nurtured 500+ active members with strong retention and referral rates.
  • Leadership growth: Promoted to a leadership role within 12 months based on performance and operational mastery.
Ben Gottesman and the Equinox team at Cycle for Survival – participating in corporate social responsibility and community impact events.

Site Recovery & Optimization | Torres Baseball Academy

Overhauled technical infrastructure and resolved a 20s load-speed crisis for a youth baseball academy in Bridgeport, CT.

  • Mobile Performance Crisis: Identified the root causes of a 20.1s Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and 10.3s Speed Index that triggered high user abandonment during peak registration windows.

  • Search Visibility & Metadata Gaps: Resolved critical structural SEO issues, including a 44% lack of H1 header hierarchy and 55% missing meta descriptions, which suppressed local search ranking for “Bridgeport, CT” keywords.

  • Conversion & Funnel Friction: Addressed a “Trust Gap” caused by non-descriptive URL slugs (e.g., /1, /home), 3-step redirect chains, and high-friction manual sponsorship workflows.

  • Asset Hardening & MozJPEG Encoding: Batch-processed all site imagery into standardized 16:9 and 3:4 aspect ratios, utilizing Squoosh (MozJPEG) to maintain a strict <100KB performance budget per file.
  • Architectural SEO Repair: Rebuilt the site’s metadata from the ground up. Implemented pixel-perfect Title Tags and Meta Descriptions (under the 985px limit) to eliminate truncation and maximize CTR.
  • Protocol & Slug Optimization: Decommissioned legacy redirect loops and “Mobile Action Bars” while migrating numerical URLs to high-intent slugs like /programs and /coaches to establish a professional site hierarchy.
  • Conversion Engine Digitization: Replaced paper-based sponsorship forms with a 100% digital, fillable ecosystem, removing the primary barrier to entry for 2026 donors and recruitment inquiries.
  • Advanced Analytics Deployment: Configured Google Tag Manager (GTM) and GA4 with custom event triggers to track form submissions and program clicks with 100% accuracy.
  • Verified Performance Lift: Improved PageSpeed score from 36 → 94 (+161%) and reduced LCP from 20.1s → ~1.0s (95% reduction), significantly improving load speed and mobile user experience.
  • Crawl & Infrastructure Health: Resolved 406 server errors and redirect chain issues, achieving 99% technical SEO audit health (Screaming Frog) and improving overall site crawlability and index stability.
  • Engagement Growth: Increased average engagement time from 13s → 34s (+161%) and improved bounce rates on homepage (42.9% → 40%) and Programs page (33.3% → 28%), indicating stronger content interaction and retention.
  • Conversion Intent Lift: Increased Programs page engagement events from 2 → 138 (+6800%), signaling a major increase in high-intent user behavior on the primary conversion pathway during peak season.
  • Traffic & Measurement Impact: Increased active users from 12 → 83 (+592%), sessions from 18 → 119 (+561%), and pageviews from 37 → 264 (+614%) while implementing GA4 event tracking to measure engagement and funnel behavior beyond pageviews.

Infrastructure & Performance Turnaround |
My Grandma’s of New England

Diagnosed critical performance bottlenecks and engineered a 90-day execution roadmap for an Amazon #1 Best-Selling brand to align their DTC site with their market-leading reputation.

  • Mobile Performance Breakdown: Diagnosed the root causes behind a 24.3s Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) that was driving severe mobile drop-off and lost revenue.
  • Technical SEO Debt: Identified structural issues, including 75.4% header duplication and 167 redirect chains, that were suppressing organic visibility and “confusing” search crawlers.
  • Conversion Blockers: Uncovered a critical “Infinite Loop” checkout bug and misaligned “Ship Date” logic that created high friction at the point of purchase.
  • Image Optimization Plan: Scoped the conversion of 57+ oversized assets (>100kb) to WebP/MozJPEG to bring mobile load times under the 2.5s “Good” threshold.
  • SEO Architecture Fixes: Rebuilt the site’s metadata structure, resolving missing H1 headers and optimizing 80+ truncated Page Titles to improve search click-through rates.
  • Redirect Cleanup Strategy: Mapped the removal of internal redirect chains to improve crawl efficiency and reduce server latency (TTFB).
  • Checkout UX Fix: Defined the logic shift from “Ship Date” to “Estimated Arrival Date” and documented the technical fix for the infinite loop matrix bug.
  • Trust Signal Integration: Strategically positioned Amazon #1 Best-Seller badges and verified reviews above the fold to bridge the trust gap for new visitors.
  • Full Technical Audit & Execution Plan: Delivered a prioritized 90-day Plan of Attack covering performance, SEO, and conversion fixes.
  • Performance Recovery Path: Identified the exact technical changes required to reduce LCP from 24.3s to sub-2.5s.
  • SEO Cleanup Roadmap: Resolved all major crawl issues in a blueprint for a 99% clean technical foundation via Screaming Frog.
  • Conversion Fixes Identified: Documented the resolution for key checkout flow blockers, enabling a smoother, professional path to purchase.
  • Live Execution Workspace: Provided the client with a Live Dashboard & Work Log detailing every infrastructure fix and “Immediate Win” for implementation.

Content & Social Strategy | Divanga Dive Hostel

Executed a high-frequency content system to support social engagement and local discovery for a dive hostel and on-site restaurant in Taganga, Colombia.

  • Operational Consistency: Establishing a daily social presence in a high-turnover tourist market with no existing content workflow.
  • Rapid Turnaround: Producing, editing, and publishing mobile-first content on-site within tight turnaround windows.
  • Audience Focus: Creating content that resonated with both backpacker travelers and certified/aspiring scuba divers.
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  • Disciplined Execution: Maintained a strict content calendar with a daily rhythm of 1 post/reel and 4 stories, delivering consistent output over a 21-day sprint.
  • Full-Cycle Production: Owned the complete content lifecycle—from on-site filming and photography to short-form video editing (Reels) and localized caption writing.
  • Collaboration & Workflow: Worked within a predefined marketing brief and content calendar provided by leadership, aligning daily output with business priorities.
  • Performance Monitoring: Tracked reach and interaction trends via Meta Business Suite to iterate on hooks, captions, and post timing.
  • High-Volume Reach: Generated 64.5k+ total views and reached 34k+ unique accounts across Instagram and Facebook.
  • Direct Intent: Drove 275+ link clicks and 590+ profile visits, converting social attention into direct business traffic.
  • Audience Growth: Added 192 new Instagram followers through consistent, high-performing short-form content.
  • Operational Output: Maintained 100% posting consistency, publishing 20+ original pieces of content while establishing a repeatable workflow.
  • Featured Links

Metrics sourced from Meta Business Suite (Instagram & Facebook); 21-day organic reporting period.

Local SEO & Google Maps Optimization | Cocina 1760

Audited and structured a local SEO and Google Maps optimization plan to improve profile completeness, menu indexing, and discovery for a restaurant in Puerto Rico.

  • Profile Disconnection: Google Business Profile, Instagram, and Uva ordering platform were not linked, weakening search authority and discoverability.
  • Outdated & Incomplete Data: Menu photos were 1.5 years old and many items lacked descriptions, limiting search relevance and customer clarity.

  • Visual & Conversion Gaps: Missing dish images and incomplete info risked losing potential diners to competitors with more complete profiles.

  • Comprehensive Audit: Assessed visibility, cross-platform consistency, and menu indexing across Google Maps, Instagram, and Uva.
  • Structured Roadmap: Built a Notion-based optimization plan outlining profile syncing, updated media, menu completion, and pricing consistency.
  • Prioritized Recommendations: Highlighted high-impact improvements to boost search visibility, complete profile presentation, and enhance customer conversion.

Results projected / planned, since implementation was client-led.

View Notion Dashboard

  • Optimized Search Readiness: Clear roadmap enables the restaurant to appear in more local search queries for dishes and services.
  • Profile Standardization: Recommendations set the foundation for linked accounts, consistent pricing, and updated menus.
  • Enhanced Customer Conversion Potential: Improved visual and informational completeness positions the restaurant to convert more map views into in-person visits.

High-Conversion Rental Funnel

Applied digital marketing systems and a “Modern Landlord” philosophy to manage the full-cycle rental process without an agency.

  • Direct Market Entry: Marketing a luxury asset without agency support in a saturated rental market.

  • Conversion Friction: Overcoming high entry barriers (fees/upfront costs) that stall high-intent leads.

  • Digital Trust: Building professional relationships with prospects entirely through digital-first touchpoints.

  • Omnichannel distribution:
    Deployed listings across four rental platforms plus Facebook, using video-first content to maximize top-of-funnel engagement.
  • Market positioning & differentiation:
    Researched platform filters and search behavior to highlight high-value features (in-unit laundry, keyless entry, stainless steel appliances) and target ideal segments such as roommates and remote workers.
  • Offer optimization (CRO):
    Iterated on pricing and incentives based on inbound response, including removing the last-month rent requirement to reduce conversion friction and increase application volume.
  • Digital process integration:
    Streamlined applications, approvals, e-signatures, and escrow using Zillow and third-party tools, reducing the deposit-to-signing window to 24 hours.
  • Relationship architecture (“Modern Landlord Philosophy”):
    Designed a tenant onboarding experience with clear communication, a welcome letter, and a move-in gift to establish early trust and long-term retention potential.
  • High-volume acquisition: ~110 inquiries and 100+ digital touchpoints within 60 days
  • Proven conversion: 17 tours4 qualified applications → full occupancy
  • Time-to-close: Lease finalized and deposits completed within 1 day
  • Market validation: Video content and pricing adjustments directly correlated with increased inquiry volume and reduced time on market
  • Experience-led outcome: Strong initial landlord–tenant relationship built from day one
Customer relations and property management: Welcome note and gift card for new tenants.

Entrepreneurial Launch & Local Lead Gen

Built and managed a profitable service business from the ground up through hyper-local digital distribution, differentiated branding, and disciplined operations.

  • Market Entry: Building a client base from zero in a saturated local service market during COVID-era uncertainty.
  • Differentiation: Finding a unique brand “hook” to compete against established companies with larger budgets.

  • Systemizing Growth: Creating a repeatable lead-to-job approach capable of sustaining a full-time, high-density work schedule.

  • Full-Cycle Ownership: Simultaneously managing customer acquisition, scheduling, service delivery, and retention.

  • Agile branding: Created a high-affinity brand (“2 Broke Seniors”) using humor and authenticity to drive organic engagement, trust, and word-of-mouth.
  • Hyper-local distribution: Scaled from physical flyering to targeted Facebook group outreach, reaching 2,000+ local prospects.
  • Lead conversion & scheduling: Optimized response times and used digital tools to manage a dense, forward-booked calendar.
  • Customer data management: Maintained a lean client tracking system covering preferences, payments, locations, and service notes.
  • Pricing iteration: Refined pricing and service bundles to balance competitiveness with sustainable daily revenue.
  • Local Reach: Connected with 2,000+ local residents through hyper-local Facebook distribution.
  • Sustained Operations: Averaged 2 jobs per day, 6 days per week, with a calendar typically booked two weeks in advance.
  • Business Longevity: Operated profitably and consistently for 2+ years.
  • Client Base Growth: Acquired 100+ total clients, including 40+ repeat customers and 3 weekly long-term accounts.
  • Referral Engine: Generated ~10 referral-based clients through organic word-of-mouth.
  • Market Differentiation: Humor-forward branding and competitive pricing clearly differentiated the business in a crowded market.
  • Customer Loyalty: Built repeat business through proactive communication and reliable service delivery.
Founders of 2 Broke Seniors Yard Services landscaping company – early entrepreneurial marketing and business growth project.

Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certification

Hands-on projects applying marketing strategy, SEO/SEM, email, social, and analytics in real-world scenarios.