 By Martha D. Staab
I originally had this blog on my list of things to do for the beginning of 2023 but I kept putting it off and putting it off. I felt that I needed to write this with a clear head and less emotion. As the months went by and I reviewed tasks for my interns and staff on Basecamp this blog title that was overdue for months was staring back at me. Almost like a challenge of when you gonna attack me? So today is the day. Almost 2 months later and a lot more knowledge under my belt I have more to say about this specific topic. I talked about this on my podcast titled, Getting Fired A La James Gunn Style. Leadership is a funny thing. Most people who step into the role are fired up to show the people who hired them why they hired them. So this happened to me with a very large account. Losing this account is something I have not yet recovered from but the person who was managing over myself and my partner decided to up and leave their position. Listen I get it when you want to get out a toxic situation you do it. It hurt us tremendously because the person who came in didn't even give us a shot. Prior to the new leader coming in we had surpassed the yearly goal but several million dollars. Even though it was a feat never seen before by the company a new leader came in and didn't even care about that, they were determined to create a team they wanted. Which cost them way more to do so and the following year with such stark changes the company dwindled down not even reaching the goals the old team had the year prior. This made the owner take a hard look at what was done the year before and why the new team couldn't replicate. I sat back and laughed because this new leader couldn't do what we could do. I also had many friends left in that company and I heard this new leader talk so much shit about myself and other people I worked with. The problem when people talk shit is because they are threatened and can't do what you did. This is such a low-level way of acting. If you come in and think you are the shit, act like it. The problem with a lot of leaders is they are ready to create their own team instead of letting them stick around and show them what they can do. That current team needs to show their worth as well. I tried my best but when I was made to answer emails at 7 am by this leader was seen as aggressive behavior. I knew before this happened that I was out. But I still showed up, put a smile on my face, and turned out all my skills. Again this didn't matter but I was still willing to show them why I was the best and how I helped contribute to the company's growth. When I was working for their competitor some 8 years prior to this job. This company set the standard in the industry we are in and I knew working with them would raise my marketing skills to the next level and it did. I really wanted to help them grow and become a huge force. In those 3 years, I did and I was proud of my work. In a previous job I had as a full-time digital marketer I did the opposite. I went into the job and made no changes. I made that clear to the people who hired me. I wanted to see how things worked and as I began working I wanted to see where changes could be made. I made that known that me coming in was not an alarm to those already in place. I wanted to see the worth of people before making a decision. I think I made two major changes and tweaked some things to help that company grow from 2 million to 5 million in 2 years. Thats the way true leaders need to operate not like the grim reaper ready to plow good, hard-working people away. You are messing with people's lives here and it was one thing I wasn't about to do when I became a leader. Another fantastic example of reaping. I was working with an entrepreneur who owned several establishments and the one I was working on was in its infancy but thriving. In the last 4 months of the year, sales grew 35% and growing. People were flocking for entertainment, or just a fun night in general. Facebook ads were kicking ass and people were buying! It was exciting. At the end of December, the owner called me and said the manager of the establishment was taking over and wanted his own team to turn things around. "Turn things around? We're booming!!! "No, he thinks he can take this to the next level and wants his own team. I'm going to let him and see what happens. You will be a causality so just a heads up going into the new year." I was actually really gutted by the whole thing because I again cared for this company and its growth. The reason I love marketing is because I can see the hard work I put into something and to see it grow and thrive makes me so excited and happy for the owners. It also justifies my stills as a marketer. Over the years I have had naysayers say "You are not as good as you think you are..." When stuff like this happens and you see the fruits of your labor grow it's a phenomenal feeling. About 3 months into the new reign of "The Manager" things were falling apart. The content was subpar at best. Likes, traffic and everything around that brand was falling. I received a call from the owner asking me to help run ads for the company again because the person they hired didn't know how to do them. "How can your "manager" hire someone who doesn't know how to run ads?" "Look I don't know but I need some run some ads... I'll pay you whatever you want!!! Just please get it done the business is in trouble!!!" Now I don't know how many times "LEADERSHIP" has failed and I get a call to help clean up the mess they have made. Just so you know I charge double when that happens. I did the ads and collected the cash. I got a call before the holidays that business had gone under and that they would be closing their doors soon. Ironically this is a pattern for jobs and clients that I lose. Once I am taken off a project because someone thinks they can do it better, end up dwindling. 1. Company I helped build up to 12 million, I walked away because the owner was a dick, dipped to 6 million, and eventually sold the company because it was no longer valuable. 2. The company terminated me, I was unemployed for 233 days. I bounced back but Krama remembers and filed for bankruptcy in 2023. They could never get those sales numbers back up after my departure. 3. Worked for an independent entrepreneur, helped grow the business 40k in 3 months, let go due to me questioning how they could work in various industries and promise outrageous results. I was let go due to "attitude" The consultancy closed down 3 months later. 4. Surpassed yearly goal by 8 million, let go due to new leadership 5. Increased sales by 35%, let go due to new leadership 6. Increased sales up to $250K, let go due to new leadership Shall I go on? My work speaks for itself and it's usually leadership that thinks something can be done better or they haven't had a talk with me about their goals and what they want better. Most leaders are too cowardly to keep those people who have been around, around because that's why you can see this leader doesn't know what they were doing. That's what happened with scenario #1. I started to see this person was not paying attention in the meetings, in fact, this leader was on her phone and got up to gossip with the other employee next door. When my partner was done explaining to the leader who wasn't there I told him. " They stepped out when you got into the acquisitions section." "This is freaking important why are they not listening." This situation made my partner fly down and have a meeting in person to save our jobs. It didn't work. Minds were made up. So the moral of this blog and revealing embarrassing ways I have lost jobs and clients is to make this a learning lesson for those future leaders walking into positions of power. Have some heart, and a good head on your shoulders, and give the people currently working in positions that make the wheels of the business go because they could be crucial to your next big win. Don't be the grim reaper and fuck with people's livelihoods. Like the bosses that hired you took a chance on you, you can take a chance on them.
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 By Jaqui Sabnal
In today's digital age, the concept of content creation has become a powerful and accessible route for self-expression and professional growth. Whether you aspire to be a vlogger, blogger, podcaster, or influencer, adopting the right habits is crucial for success. Let's explore how you can follow these six tips to become a content creator and thrive in the ever-evolving digital era. What is a content creator? To become a content creator, it’s important to note what that role truly entails. A content creator is an individual who produces educational or entertaining content with the goal of reaching their target audience’s interests or even a potential obstacle. The content produced can come in a variety of different ways, such as static images/graphics, blog posts, podcasts, and videos. There are a few different forms of content creators, which include, but are not limited to:
To serve as a reminder, reaching success as a content creator does not happen overnight. However, by following these simple steps, you’ll soon be finding yourself on the path to achieving greatness as a content creator. Tip #1: Choose a niche When getting started with the process of content creation, it is suggested that you should have an idea of what topics you want to focus your coverage on. This could be a hobby you have strong interest in, a skill you’ve honed your expertise on, or even a personal experience that resulted in learning important tips that you want to share with your audience. Whatever your choice of topic may be, ensure that the content you make is relevant to your niche. Tip #2: Stay caught up with industry news and trends The best content creators are those who actively research their industry and trends within it. The reasoning behind this? It’s simple. Those who are “in-the-know” are positioned in a place where the content they are producing is relevant in not only a topical matter, but a timely one as well. This can be done through keeping up with newsletters, publications, or media relating to your industry. Tip #3: Know your audience Knowing your audience is extremely important in content creation. By having awareness of your audience, you are able to create content that resonates with their preferences and interests. Tailoring your content not only results in catching your audience’s attention, but also builds a sense of credibility. Understanding their needs allows you to address potential pain points, which in turn, positions you as a valuable resource that they are able to trust. In addition, by knowing your audience, you are able to base your content strategy off of their feedback. An example of this could be obtaining the knowledge of what platforms and formatting are performing well and building your strategy based on that insight. Tip #4: Find and implement a unique voice In a world full of pre-templated tips and tricks, finding and implementing your own, unique voice is crucial as it sets you apart from potential competitors and also allows you to create a unique identity within your industry. Your voice is the tone and style that you create and in turn, makes the content that you create recognizable and gives off a sense of authenticity. This fosters a personable connection within your audience and results in a community that is more likely to interact and engage with your content. Tip #5: Focus on your KPIs A KPI, otherwise known as a key performance indicator, is a quantifiable metric used to measure performance for a specific objective. Here are a few examples of what a KPI could look like in content creation:
KPIs serve as a roadmap, and by understanding your KPIs, you are able to get a clear understanding of what works well with your audience and optimize your content strategy accordingly. Tip #6: Write down your ideas Brainstorming is crucial when working in the realm of content creation, but writing them down is equally as important. Writing down different ideas allows you to solidify your thoughts, clarifying bits and pieces of information into tangible ideas. The process helps in visualizing what content could result from the sole idea that was thought of and serves as a point of reference in relation to thinking about what form of content you want to produce next. Overall, it is an important step within the creative process. Embarking on the content creation journey involves more than just creating engaging pieces and hitting “share”. This process is a thoughtful approach that involves key principles and knowledge that create a foundation for further success within the growing digital landscape. By following these six tips, your dream of becoming an aspiring content creator is closer than you might even realize.  By Cameron Burningham
Whether you're a small business owner or an aspiring content creator, there is a constant demand for fresh content to reach new demographics and keep your current audience coming back. This can be a daunting task for anyone, especially while working within a budget. The good news is there are cost effective ways to create media that will resonate with your audience. Here are seven tips to help you produce content on a limited budget that still makes a lasting impact. 1. Know Your Audience Before you start creating content, it's essential to know your audience inside out. Understanding their preferences and interests helps you tailor your content to their specific needs, saving you time while also increasing content viewers. Use audience research tools, social media analytics, and surveys to understand your target demographic. 2. Develop a Content Strategy A precise content strategy is the foundation of successful marketing. Set clear goals and objectives, while identifying your own unique value in order to stand out from others. Creating a content calendar helps you plan your content creation and distribution, ensuring a steady flow of material throughout the year. 3. Utilize Your Skills and Existing Content One of the most cost-effective ways to create content is to use your own skills in repurposing existing content. Start by acknowledging your strengths, whether it's writing, graphic design, or video editing and focus on what you do best. By doing the work yourself, you can cut down on outsourcing costs, while still providing high quality content. Additionally, old content can be updated, revised, or reformatted, to provide a fresh perspective without starting from scratch. 4. Use Affordable Design Tools Creating eye-catching visuals is crucial for content success. While hiring a professional designer can be expensive, there are affordable design tools like Canva that offer pre-made templates and are user-friendly. These tools allow anyone to create engaging graphics for their content, enabling you to save money and maintain full creative control. 5. Embrace Royalty-Free Images Quality images enhance the visual appeal of your content. Rather than investing in costly stock photos, look for high quality, royalty-free image sources. Websites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay offer a wide selection of free, high-resolution images that you can use without the financial stress of licensing fees. 6. Implement User-Generated Content (UGC) User-generated content is a valuable resource for those on a budget. Encourage your audience to create content related to your products or services and ask them to tag you. This builds brand awareness, and provides you with authentic content at little to no cost. UGC can include customer images, videos, or reviews, adding a human touch to your content strategy. 7. Collaborate and Network Lastly, networking and collaboration can be powerful tools for content creation on a budget. Partner with other graphic designers, bloggers, or influencers in your industry. By sharing audiences, you can cross-promote each other's content, and reach a wider audience without increasing your marketing budget. Collaborative content efforts include guest blog posts, joint webinars, or social media takeovers. Creating great content on a limited budget is achievable. Start by understanding your audience and creating a solid content strategy. Make the most of your skills by using existing content, affordable design tools, and integrating royalty-free images to generate attention-grabbing content. Encourage content from users and explore collaboration opportunities to make the most of your resources. With these tips, you can produce engaging media that captivates your audience without breaking the bank.  By Rebecca Arendt
In order to grow your business and reach sales goals it's super important to generate leads. Benefits of lead generation include increased awareness of your brand from a consumer perspective, reduces waste of resources such as time, money, and labor, and overall just has a positive impact on businesses. However, it’s not always easy and many businesses struggle when it comes to finding effective strategies to boost lead generation. We aim to fix that by providing you with some tips in order to improve your business lead generation to boost sales!
Overall here are five tips to keep in mind while generating leads and boosting sales. By knowing your audience, learning SEO, creating an effective landing page, hosting webinars or workshops, and the use of social media can all help when it comes to generating leads for your business! |