I’ve done web consulting, event planning, and fashion design, but my driving force is marketing through emerging media. I’m inspired by the evolution of technology and how it affects the way we communicate. I’ve managed budgets and designed comprehensive marketing plans for clients in the financial, automotive, health care, technology, SaaS, and solar industries. With a strong passion and constant curiosity for emerging technology my expertise has evolved to encompass; web producing, web content strategies, lead nurturing (marketing automation) search engine optimization, and social/online community development.
Traditional media still has its place, but the way we consider communication has changed, and therefore the role of marketing (especially traditional) has changed. As a marketer, I feel this nagging desire to listen–through research, conversation and interaction–and thus learn what consumers really want from products and services. I think that’s why my enthusiasm for social media continues to grow.
For me, social media has been the catalyst for a paradigm shift, not just in the way we communicate, but they way we do business. It’s a “virtual” platform with endless opportunities for you to have real, meaningful conversations with consumers (evangelists of your brand), it’s where you collaborate and respect the openness and transparency that comes with any solid, mutual relationship. It’s where you share.
As a brand it’s important to first listen, be present, and then present yourself as an expert–proven through valuable content, participation and passion about the discussions constantly occurring. I am a passionate writer. And it’s more than clear to me that content is what’s driving this revolution. Content is what’s expected in order to engage, and good content is how you provide value–social media is all about knowing your audience and providing value. It’s about how successful you can be creating a unique experience.
We can’t just ask ourselves “what do I have to offer?” We have to ask ourselves “how do I provide value?” and then, instead of telling people about it, prove it to them through innovation, content and sincere social interactions that show you’re genuinely interested in them and are listening to what they have to say.