When you’re a lifestyle writer, you often have the most success when you write about your own life and experiences. While this may challenge the ideal work-life balance, that’s not always a bad thing. Here are the benefits of having a connected work and personal life as a writer. 

Why Do People Need Work-Life Balance?

Work-life balance entails a proper divide between your professional life and your personal life. You have set hours when you’re in “work mode” and complete your tasks. You’re able to shut off your computer for the day without worrying about work until tomorrow.

Many people have careers that don’t let them have this luxury. You may need to be on-call for emergencies or bring work home with you if it’s time-sensitive. Being a freelance writer may not be the first job that comes to mind here, but many people who pursue it are surprised to learn how much work-life overlap it entails.

How do you take a break when work is so integral to your livelihood? As a lifestyle writer, you probably enjoy aspects of your work. You have plenty of freedom to write about things people care about and connect with your audience over shared experiences.

Lifestyle writing can take many forms. Some lifestyle writers might run personal blogs where they document their lives and share personal stories. Others may write for magazines where they cover trending topics in their area of interest. You may also write reviews, personal essays or opinion pieces.

Personal experience is key in making any of these types of pieces valuable–whether it be your findings after testing a product or your insight as someone who has gone through a relatable life event. While sharing your life and opinions can put you in a vulnerable position and blur the line between work and personal life, that’s what makes lifestyle writing so compelling.

3 Benefits of the Mutual Work-Life Relationship of a Writer

When you’re a writer, your work follows you everywhere. Maybe it isn’t always looming over you, stressing you out with the threat of a deadline. Sometimes, it sits quietly in the corner, waiting for you to notice it. Your writer’s work-life balance may look like you acknowledging your writing when you’re ready and on your own time. Here are some of the benefits you can reap by keeping your two lives together.

1. You Can Connect With Others

Lifestyle writers have the opportunity to share their experiences with others who are going through the same situations. When people struggle with their health, their jobs or their family lives, they often feel alone and ashamed. Studies show that loneliness can have consequences for your physical health, so opening conversations about difficult situations can help people feel less alone.

This is why mom blogs are often so successful. They create a space for moms to share advice and acknowledge their shared challenges. Whether you write in detail about your personal life or use your experiences to share more general advice, you can help others get through tough times.

2. You Find Inspiration in Anything

Writers, like other artists, have the amazing ability to look around and find inspiration. Whether you people-watch or analyze every interaction you have with others, you’ll find a story or lesson in something every day. Pay attention to the world around you. You never know when you might find something you can use to teach or entertain your readers.

Travel writers, for example, capitalize on a unique combination of work and personal life. Traveling for pleasure has many benefits, including relieving stress, boosting your creativity and cognitive functions, and exposing you to new experiences. While most people go on vacation to get away from work, travel writers can use any trip they take as new material while reaping the mental health benefits.  

3. You Can Implement New Tips

The average YouTube user spends almost 24 hours a month watching videos, often to learn something new. Every writer has to research something. As educated or experienced as you might be, you haven’t lived through every situation in the world. You’ll have to learn new things when you’re writing, things that can transfer into your personal life.

Instead of your life directly influencing your writing, this benefit reverses them. You can take messages away from your writing, such as a cleaning tip you learned through research, and apply it to your life. You might pick up a new active hobby because you wrote about the benefits, or quit a bad habit after learning about the risks. You never know how your work can affect your life until you let it.

Embrace Work-Life Balance Without the Separation

You don’t have to remove yourself entirely from work when you’re a writer. While you don’t want to be in “work mode” all the time, you can still benefit from keeping your eyes and ears open for inspiration to use in your writing. Learn to let the ideas come to you and write them when you’re ready.

Author bio: Cora Gold is a freelance writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. As a freelancer, Cora writes about wellness and balancing work with family. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn and Twitter.

In this Q&A, Shae Hong, Founder & CEO of Made by Gather shares his thoughts on hiring via social media, his career journey, and tips for entrepreneurs.

1. We recently interviewed your new hire, Sophie Jamison, who is now Chief TikTok officer for Made By Gather. Do you think roles like this one will play a large role in a company’s marketing strategy in the future? If so, how? 

TikTok is something super disruptive and different and we knew we needed to embrace it with a different process. It’s been so incredible having Sophie on the team and watching her develop each brand’s tone of voice and how they uniquely show up on TikTok. Our goal is to own the kitchen and home category on the platform and I think as social media continues to change the game for how consumers think and shop and interact with brands, it will continue to play a huge part in our marketing strategy.

2. Are there other innovative marketing strategies that you see becoming trends for companies in the future? What are they?

Obviously AI is going to be game-changing across the board. As someone who loves design and marketing, I’m interested to see how it transforms the design process and things like trendspotting and personalization. 

3. Tell me a little bit about how you started your career and got to where you are now as Founder & CEO and Made By Gather. 

Since the beginning Made By Gather has been focused on developing kitchen brands for the younger generation. After my first startup had failed I looked at the kitchen category — simply because my first investor had been from that space and I wanted to dig in a bit. As I digested what was currently out there and available, I didn’t feel like there was anything designed for me. Then – and still now – there are a lot of products made for the kitchen that look similar…black, stainless, everything fits the same mold.

Made By Gather was early to the game in terms of targeting a younger customer that was looking for a better, more unique design. And it continues to be at the core of our mission – to inspire the next generation and redefine home cooking and home decor through innovative and thoughtfully designed kitchenware and home products.

4. What inspired you to start your own company? 

I was inspired and driven by the idea that I could do it better. While on one hand I was a bit naive and in that “I know everything” stage of life, on the other I felt there was an opportunity to step out and do things differently. 

5. Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

I love the lyric by Jay-Z – “Difficult takes a day, Impossible takes a week.” As an entrepreneur it’s important to remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint and figuring that out early is the best advice I can give any entrepreneur. Applying that to how you build, scale, and operate in all aspects of your life is vital…you need to build up your muscle tone for the necessary strength it takes to overcome all the adversity you will face.

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In this Q&A, Sophie “Lightning” Jamison shares how she went from creating content for fun to landing a Chief TikTok role, along with her tips for job-seeking content creators.

1. Tell us a little bit about your background. Where did you go to school and what did you study? What jobs have you had before your current Chief TikTok Officer role at Made by Gather?

I just graduated with a business degree in management from the University of Southern Maine. My sophomore year, I was selling shoes at Vans in the mall and discovered TikTok. I started my own channel centered around toy blasters and accumulated 1 million followers in six months. I then became the Chief TikTok Officer at Nerf for almost two years before moving to Made By Gather. 

2. Nerf and Made by Gather are fairly different brands. What inspired the jump to Made by Gather? What skills were still able to transfer over?  

These are two VERY different brands… I am all about challenging myself and finding growth from discomfort. I am also only 22 and want to continue to expand my skills and goals. Made By Gather was an easy pick based on their culture, goals, vibe, and values. Many skills are transferable as I am producing story telling content that motivates a consumer to purchase a particular product, while understanding the ins and outs of TikTok. This includes editing, acting, writing, storytelling, understanding the target audience, marketing, and integrating fun.

3. Before these jobs, did you see yourself working in social media?  

Not at all, I was set on being either a CEO or CMO. 

4. How did you use TikTok specifically to create a company’s brand—and ultimately your own brand from that?  

Originally, I used TikTok to create my Sophie.Lightning brand which now has 2.1 million followers. Then, during my time with Nerf I was able to build this brand as a professional content creator working for a large company. With Made By Gather, I am starting from near scratch to create content that embodies the individual personalities for each Made By Gather brand. 

5. What do you think it takes to be a content creator for a company today?  

The answer to this question has many layers that include basic skills such as editing and recording to more fundamental learnings such as understanding marketing, target audiences, and brand image. There is a level of professionalism that is needed to fit in at a corporation but also a level of confidence and skill to fight for your ideas and content. I now speak at sales pitches, could explain the brand history and layers to anyone, and am creating content aligned with our long-term business strategy. You also must be passionate, have fun, and utilize serious perseverance.  

6. What is your advice to job seekers trying to land a creative job by using their social platform(s)?  

If you are a content creator, you are a hot commodity for any business. Lean into your strengths and find your niche to then find what companies may be a solid fit for you. This role as well as many other social media roles will only become more prevalent over the next few years, so be ready!  

7. Do you have any other advice for job-seeking content creators or anything else to add?  

I am so excited to be a part of this team and cannot wait for what the future holds. If you are a content creator right now, do not give up, be authentic, and remember that hard work pays off.  

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In this Q&A, founder & president of the National Black Movie Association, Agnes Moss, shares her inspirations and how she sees the media world evolving.

1. Tell us a bit about your background. What were your first few jobs and how did they get you to where you are today?

I have an extensive background in media, television, communications/PR, and education. I have always wanted to connect with people and share stories. While my passion was filmmaking, I landed in television early in my career.

My first few jobs were in television and the media. My very first job was working at a local television station in Washington, DC as a production assistant. The job consisted of long hours, challenging work and low pay. I was genuinely happy to have that job as it was highly competitive, so I took the time to network and learn all that I could. Because I wanted that job and I was motivated to advance in the industry, I gave it my all. That job set the tone for my work ethic. I learned that if you want anything in life, you have to go out and get it. I also learned that I cannot depend on others to create opportunities for me, and yet it is up to me to make it happen when I am given an opportunity. In essence, opportunities are not a birthright, but when you are fortunate enough to get one – you have to exceed the expectations.

2. What inspired you to start the National Black Movie Association?

I started the National Black Movie Association because I love connecting with people and sharing stories. However, there is a huge void in Black representation. The lack of diversity in the film industry inspired me to start the association. We are a 501(c)3 organization consisting of filmmakers, film stakeholders, and film enthusiasts who champion Black films, advocate for diversity and inclusion in the film industry, and promote equity in film education.

I was once an aspiring filmmaker. I did not lack the talent or passion to create or share stories; however, I lacked the resources and access to make it a viable career. I pursued a career in television news because I thought it was a more accessible vehicle to telling and sharing stories. I quickly learned that it was not the same type of stories I was enthusiastic about, so it led to years of feeling unfulfilled professionally.

I started the National Black Movie Association for our community to celebrate who we are, our culture and to have a voice in how our stories are told on a global level through the media. I also started the organization to be a bridge for the next generation of Black storytellers, especially those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

3. What does your day-to-day look like working at the association?

I have learned that a nonprofit is initiated by passion, but many factors must be in place to sustain a nonprofit, especially in the film/media industry. My day-to-day activities at the association primarily include networking, fundraising and researching opportunities to expand the organization’s reach. As a result, I am constantly using media – both traditional and social – to share who we are and what we do with the world. The most important day-to-day activities revolve around ensuring we have the funds to provide services and expand our programs. It is imperative to stay abreast of latest media/film industry trends and best practices for nonprofits.

My day-to-day activities vary. I start mornings with a coffee meeting at least three times a week. I go into the office for an internal meeting with my team before starting external meetings- either Zoom, phone or in-person – for the day. If I do not have a coffee meeting that morning, I try to schedule a lunch meeting since networking is key for nonprofits. The latter part of the day is reserved for west coast meetings before I close out with my team.

I am also the mother of a seven-year-old daughter, and I try to make sure we do not miss a beat. She is a competitive cheerleader, so I manage my day-to-day work activities and meetings around making sure my “Mommy Duties” are fulfilled. It is hard work, but I would not have it any other way.

4. How do you see the media world evolving each day?

The media world is one of the most fast-evolving industries in the world. I think we do not really see it because we are in it. You just look up one day and things are completely different. Just think, thirty years ago social media did not exist and today we are heavily dependent on it. Now there is the Metaverse, and things are not slowing down. Someone once said to me, “Today is the slowest day of your life because of the media and technology.” I totally believe them now. As the media evolves, I am learning I must evolve with it.

5. What is your advice to young people looking to get into the world of media & entertainment?

I am a resolute mentor. I tell my mentees all the time to become a student of the media and entertainment industry. To cut through the clutter, you have to find a void or something that is needed – either a product, service or something unique. If you are providing something that already exists, make sure your offering is spectacular. Twenty years ago, the National Black Movie Association did not exist; however, we are providing a service that is much needed for aspiring filmmakers attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. I know because I was one of those students who needed this association. My trajectory would have been different if I had a resource like the National Black Movie Association. I advise young people in the world of media and entertainment to be bold, creative, and persistent.

6. Anything else you’d like to add:

The National Black Movie Association is for everyone who champions Black films, advocates for diversity and inclusion in film and the media and promotes equity in film education. For more information, visit blackmovieassociation.org and join the community on social media:

Facebook at National Black Movie Day

Instagram @nationalblackmovieday

Twitter @blackmovieday

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It’s hard to ignore the impact that influencers have had on content creation and business/product promotion over the last few years. If you have a small business, working with the right influencers can help you grow while introducing new people to your brand. Consumers tend to trust social media influencers over brands due to their perceived authenticity and established rapport with their followers. You can expand your target audience and build trust by letting an influencer use the relationship they have with their fans to vouch for your business.

However, it’s not always as simple as reaching out to the most popular influencers and expecting immediate results. Partnering with influencers requires some planning and preparation, and you’ll have to decide ahead of time exactly how you want your brand to be portrayed. 

With that in mind, let’s look at some effective tips and ideas your small creative business can try as you consider partnering with influencers, and how to make the most out of that relationship. Along the way, you might end up learning more about your brand and what you want your business to look like in the future. 

1. Plan ahead

Before you consider working with an influencer, it’s important to look at your long-term goals, as well as how influencers might fit in with your budget. Social media is often a great low-cost marketing strategy for small businesses. Social media allows you to build your brand on a budget by:

• Learning more about your audience
• Encouraging user-generated content
• Engaging with your audience
• Building your professional network

Technically, influencer marketing is considered a part of social media marketing, depending on where things are getting shared. However, popular influencers can be costly to work with due to their massive reach. Before you automatically assume any influencer is too much for your budget, look locally or in your niche. Micro-influencers are often less expensive and can have a huge pull on a local or niche audience. If you’re a small, creative business that just wants to advertise within a specific region or industry, micro-influencers can offer the best of both worlds. 

2. Partner with the right people

When looking at your goals, one of the most important things to consider is whom you want to work with. Even if you have the budget to hire a top-tier influencer, they might not be the right fit for your business. 

That’s another reason why looking for local and niche influencers can be beneficial. They’re likely to have industry recognition and an established audience that trusts their recommendations. However, if you want to branch out, make sure the influencers you consider are relevant, trustworthy, and credible. The reason consumers trust influencers more than brands is the human quality they provide. If someone isn’t authentic, it won’t take long for your audience to find out, and the influencer you’re working with could end up doing more harm than good. Nowadays, consumers want to connect with companies that are interested in forming relationships, not ones that are trying to make a quick sale with a celebrity spokesperson. 

The idea behind influencer marketing is to help your brand grow organically through trust and engagement. If you’re a creative business, you’ll want to choose influencers that have that same flair for the creative, and people who cater to an audience that is excited about thinking outside the box. 

At the end of the day, the right influencers will also share your values and positively reflect your brand. For example, if you pride yourself on being a sustainable business, you’re not going to want to partner with someone who doesn’t view sustainability as a priority. If you want to express inclusivity through advertising, consider working with diverse influencers from different backgrounds. The more in touch your influencers are with your brand, the better your relationship will be.

3. Maintain brand authenticity

If you’re struggling to find someone to represent your brand, it could be because you haven’t fully established your brand identity yet. Brand identity starts with discovering whom your audience is and what problems you can solve for them. If you’re a creative business, this might look different than providing tangible solutions. Instead, figure out how you can enrich the lives of your consumers. 

From there, there are a few key steps to finding your identity as a business, including: 

• Researching competition
• Having a unique idea or perspective
• Showing consistency
• Choosing your voice

When you have a clear identity, you can share those values and expectations with any influencer you want to work with. It will make it easier to find the right people, establish a strong relationship, and appear as authentic and transparent to your audience as possible. Remember, influencer marketing isn’t going to take over your entire strategy. Everything else you do when it comes to advertising needs to line up in the same way. Consistency is key, and your audience will call you out on it if you aren’t being true to the brand you’ve established. 

Whether you want to keep things local or grow your small, creative business to global proportions, partnering with influencers can help. Keep these tips in mind to establish a clearer vision of your brand and your goals and ensure you’re partnering with the right people to help your business grow and engage more fully with your audience.

In this Q&A, freelance journalist Darby Murnane shares helpful tips and tricks for navigating the freelance world.

1. Tell me a bit about your freelance journey. How did it start and how did you get to where you are now?

My journey started more recently. I had published some fiction, poetry, and artwork in literary magazines between graduating with my BFA in creative writing in 2020 and starting my master’s degree in journalism later that year but hadn’t immediately tried my hand at what felt like more serious reporting. Imposter syndrome made me hesitant as I moved from student publications to local news outlets, and it was not helped by sudden illness demanding the brunt of my energy and attention. Amid the height of the pandemic and my own health complications, the struggle to work created a sense of distance between myself and my craft as I felt like my identity as a writer was founded upon a consistent output that I couldn’t realistically achieve under those circumstances. I had to ask myself how my experiences could inform my reporting and the beats I pursue to reframe my mindset from one of hinderance to reclaiming and learning.

I got my first assignment almost by accident at a professional networking event sponsored by my graduate program. While speaking with the food editor at the Dallas Observer, who I now write frequently for, I told her about a new restaurant opening in town, thinking she ought to have dibs as editor. But she responded, “Why would I write about it when you could?” Food writing was new to me, but like any new beat, I was eager for the challenge and excited to use my creative voice in ways hard news doesn’t typically allow. That led to more food stories, assignments from the arts and culture section, and then the news desk. I say yes to everything offered to me.

I’ve since become a go-to freelancer for the Observer, contributing stories ranging from healthcare to LGBTQ+ issues. In December, I’ll be graduating with my masters and hopefully using my growing portfolio of work to get my foot in the door for a full-time staff writing position.

2. What’s your favorite part about your job?

I chose journalism because I love learning and the job allows me to be a perpetual student of every new topic assigned to me. Reporting lets me experience a little bit of everything through the lens of writing. I’ve always had this feeling that I can never possibly know enough about anything, and this job is the best outlet to curb that insatiable curiosity.

As a freelancer, I’m grateful to decide my own hours around my coursework and have more choice in my stories that I initially thought I would. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with editors who are receptive to and encouraging of my ideas.

3. What does your day-to-day look like?

My daily schedule consists of juggling classes, coursework, story assignments sent to me and pitching my own. It’s hectic and changeable and not often confined to typical business hours as I have to work around my sources’ schedules for interviews. But I’m able to work from where I please, be it home, campus, or a coffee shop, and I’m never confined to one spot as the nature of this work requires some movement. I’m able to accomplish a lot over the phone, email, or zoom which gives me the flexibility to balance my freelance work with my classes.

4. How do you see the world of freelancing and journalism evolving?

With social media, the way we network and represent our work is changing. I think now every reporter is also their own PR representative in the way we have to build and maintain something of a brand that backs a name that gets assignments. Social media is also diminishing the need for old-fashioned shoe-leather journalism now that you can track down all manner of sources online. I think this digital revolution also means that journalists need to reconsider how we frame and write our stories to avoid feeding into sensationalized trending topics that don’t value context or nuance.

5. What is your advice to aspiring freelance journalists?

Say yes to everything. No assignment at this stage is unworthy because every chance to practice and put your writing out into the word is too valuable. Write about the return of pumpkin spice coffee in August, do the write ups on press releases, all of it. Talk to everybody because you’d be amazed at how one story can lead to another.

6. Anything else you’d like to add:

Learning to advocate for yourself and your skills can feel a lot like arrogance when you’re in the grips of imposter syndrome, but it’s really just acknowledging your own value. When you embark on your first big assignments, the feeling that you don’t know what you’re doing can be paralyzing. Sometimes the way around that is to steer into the feeling and to know that the whole point of writing the story in the first place is to learn and inform. Embracing “I don’t know” is freeing. You stop wasting energy and time trying to compensate for perceived inadequacies that could be used learning and growing.

And learn to ask for help. This is not a job done in a vacuum and the “lone wolf” reporter is a myth. Your editors want you to succeed because they want good stories so don’t kneecap yourself by refusing to ask for help when you need it.

Interested in a creative gig? We have some open jobs for you!

Cass Hebron, a freelance climate journalist, shares her career journey and advice.

1. Tell us a bit about the world of freelance journalism within the climate space. How did you end up writing about climate issues?

My journey into freelance communications began at university! I was studying Linguistics at the University of York, UK, and had vague plans of going into “something journalism-related” but like a lot of impending graduates, had no idea what I really wanted to do. At the same time, I was getting very interested in living a more sustainable life (an interest sparked by secondhand shopping!). I started an online student magazine called Wild about sustainability on a budget and it became my passion project. I spent as much time running it as on my degree!

As graduation loomed, I finally connected the dots and realized I could use my writing and media skills to keep talking about climate issues. I applied to jobs at NGOs and eventually landed a position as a trainee at the Fair Trade Advocacy Office… in Brussels, Belgium. I had no real plans to leave the UK but the next thing I knew, I was two years deep into media work at EU NGOs. In 2021 I went freelance and have been doing that ever since!

2. What does your typical day-to-day look like?

Like many freelancers, there is no “typical” day as the projects I’m doing change frequently. I’ll give a snapshot of what my August has been like. I have about three projects on the go: a client I work with two days a week for ongoing communications support, a short-term project writing copy for a justice campaign website, and I’m writing up reports on a series of webinars about the energy crisis for another NGO. So I might start the day by addressing urgent emails (work inquiries, clients requesting updates, etc.) and then over the course of the day, I will switch between these three projects. 

I also work remotely so usually by midday I’ll be out at a cafe or the local library to get a couple of focused hours of work done, then I’ll go back home to finish off the rest of the work and respond to a fresh batch of emails.

3. As a freelancer, how do you balance work and life?

I’m still figuring that out! I have the deadly combination of freelancing for my passion – climate justice – which makes it really hard to switch off, even if I’m not physically at my laptop. What I’ve started doing lately is giving myself a cut-off hour for sending emails and planning things that get me out of the house and have nothing to do with my work: swimming, walks, or calls with friends are all great for this. I’m also trying to get better at planning holidays in advance and recognizing that freelancing often means working longer than a typical employee (because you also have to do all the work of networking, budgeting, and self-promotion) and that should be compensated with proper breaks!

4. What inspired you to start The Green Fix?

In 2020 during lockdown, I was working on the media team of an advocacy NGO focusing on the EU Green Deal and Covid recovery plans. At the same time, the news was all about rainforest fires in the Amazon. My friends and family were talking about how helpless they felt against these global issues. I realized there was a huge gap between what was happening at a political level, and what people outside of the ‘Brussels bubble’ were aware of. Political advocacy has a big transparency problem in communicating what is happening and how citizens can have a say in laws that affect them. So, in a bout of frustration, I started The Green Fix to bridge the gap and explain exactly how individuals can advocate for a sustainable world. Our influence does not begin and end at reusable cups!

5. How do you see the world of climate journalism evolving?

I see climate journalism changing fast already. Firstly, I see climate issues being gradually treated as less of a ‘niche’ beat and the recognition that the climate crisis actually impacts every other area of life and must be integrated into all news coverage. Second, the widespread use of social media – particularly Twitter – being used both for direct journalism from the ground and empowering citizens to write the story of what is happening in their local environments – but also the issue of social media sources being included in mainstream media without question. 

One thing I don’t see yet that I hope will change is the growth of solutions-focused journalism across media outlets. Mainstream media are still reporting on climate disasters as if each is an individual catastrophe and opting for apocalyptic headlines that just fuel eco-anxiety and mental health problems. But there are so many incredible innovations and real solutions – not corporate pledges – that deserve media attention and that can push progress forward.

6. Anything else you’d like to add:

I would encourage all freelancers, even – or especially – those who don’t think they’re into climate stuff to still use their power to decide to use their skills for purpose-driven organizations either in their full-time job or spare time. It can feel like you don’t have the luxury of choosing your clients but my experience has been that being loud and clear about my ethical principles when choosing clients, is most effective in connecting me with organizations that I want to work for and that will treat me well, and that help the planet. So stand your ground!

Interested in a creative gig? We have some open jobs for you!

Stacie Hunt, the founder of Point Media, shares her career journey and advice.

1. Tell us a bit about your career path up to now. What was your first job and how did it and/or your other jobs get you to a founder position today?

My “first job” was listening to my Dad. He coached me by saying that if in ten years of working for a company you didn’t have some ownership share, then it was time to move on. I would say today that the idea of “ten years” is outdated – perhaps by 2/3rds.  However, the core message was to not have a job, but ownership in your career.

2. What does your typical day-to-day look like?

I’m reminded of a favorite moment in Winnie the Pooh:

 “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “What’s the first thing you say to yourself?” “What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh. “What do you say, Piglet?” “I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.

That is what I am so passionate about, the approach to each day with a bit of wonder. Yes, there’s a plan for meetings, admin work, deadlines for content writing and/or a shoot, a Press Junket, a Satellite Media Tour, pre-production on a live, hybrid or virtual event – or working on a writing project for my after-hours career as a Certified Silver Pin Sommelier. In that capacity, I’m an educator, journalist, author, and international wine judge.

The day typically begins around 6:30AM PT with zoom or phone meetings as our clients are primarily east-coast based. Then moving into follow-up from meetings and deliverables, organizing our crews for production, and creating ideas to pitch for new business (since we’re only as good as our last project). I move in and out of being out front and behind the scenes throughout the day.  

3. What interests you about the world content and media?

There are so many outlets for information feeds today and so there’s a big, hungry belly wanting to be fed and have access to tips, techniques, gossip, trends, news, discoveries, and dreams. And, within those, layers of targeted audiences searching for something stimulate, gratify, aspire to, or to start a side hustle. We who provide and generate content are here to enlighten, educate and entertain. I’m eager every day to discover new outlets, new technology for our work. Currently, we’re working with AR (Augmented Reality) to give 3-dimension to our virtual events. Recently, I was experimenting with AI (Artificial Intelligence) to see how we could use that to speed up/economize on our writing (so far, only moderately impressed).

4. The digital world is constantly evolving. How do you keep up with trends?

It’s a dream to keep up with trends. I cannot say I fully keep up. However, I read and subscribe to many different providers from traditional to kitschy; some obscure recipe, you had me at lemons. A rare wine grape made into an even rarer wine; I raise my glass. 

5. What is your advice for anyone wanting to work in the content/media world?

Start. Find your subject of passion or high interest. Peruse Mediabistro for opportunities. Peruse information sites and feeds in ALL the areas that are of interest to you. Take risks to build a portfolio of your work by signing up for sites like fiverr where you won’t get much pay for your talents, but you’ll get experience and hone your talent and skills so you can pitch yourself. Pick a niche that thrills you when you research the content that’s there. Risk again and use your voice to give another point of view or disagree and post wherever you can. I’m inspired by Issa Rae who got her start by producing her own video content while she was in college (Dorm Diaries on YouTube). Her content attracted a following since so many resonated with her experiences of awkwardness and successes and fails. As her audience grew, she became noticed. She had a passion for storytelling and strumming the human chord. In other words, have a mad hustle and a dope soul.

6. Anything else you’d like to add:

Three inspires:

• My Mom always reminds me about not looking too long at the door closing behind you as you will miss the window opening in front of you. That inspires me. 

• A quote I read came from Malcom Forbes, founder of Forbes Magazine. He said, had he not failed 75% of the time he wouldn’t have become this 25% successful. Do not fear failure, each one removes another obstacle to your success.

• Gratitude for each day discovering something I didn’t know when I woke up. And gratitude for the energy to keep discovering. It’s lazy easy to whine, even easier to be grateful.

Interested in a creative gig? We have some open jobs for you!

CEO and Director of PR Amore Philip shares her career journey and advice.

1. Tell us a bit about your career path up to now. What was your first job and how did it and/or your other jobs get you to a CEO position today?

I had a paper route. I used to deliver papers at 6am in the morning in the snowy suburbs outside of Buffalo NY where I grew up. I got chased by a dog one morning I dropped all the papers on the street and ran. I got fired for it. According to my supervisor, I should have ran with the papers. 

How did it get me to my CEO position today?

I have worked since I was 12 years old. I took pride in the independence of working for my paycheck. I always said that one day, I wanted to be the one writing the checks. In all the jobs I had, I was always telling my boss how to do things. I always took on a very independent role. My grandfather had a strong work ethic and which he passed to most of his children and grandchildren.

2. What does your typical day-to-day look like?

• I wake up at 5am in the morning, I read, write in my journal, I spend a few minutes giving gratitude and planning my day
• 6:30am – I work out with my training 3 days a week
• 7am, I have breakfast and get ready for the day
• 8am – I start by checking my emails, and reviewing my planner
• 9am – I start by researching 
• 10am – team and project meeting
• The rest of the day, I am pitching clients, conducting discovery calls, meetings, writing content, writing strategy for events and PR activities.
• Sometimes my days end at 12am

3. What interests you about the world of public relations? 

I have always loved the whole idea about using PR to influence audiences and people to take a specific action. I find it fascinating how the iconic brands have mastered the PR game and now they own their industries. I love the fast-paced environment and working under the pressure of deadlines that could make or break a campaign.

4. How did your company face any challenges caused by the pandemic? How do you see the PR industry evolving in the next several years? 

During the pandemic, I had to make a lot of changes including downsizing. I lost clients, revenue and even had to leave the office that I was in for six years. However, I will say, that it is one of the best things that happened to my business. It made me look at how I was doing business. I changed the way I did a lot of things. Now, I am changing the direction of the company as well as myself as a CEO and Subject Matter expert. I am now choosing the clients that are a best fit for me based on my company goals and core values.

5. What is your advice for anyone wanting to break into the industry?

My advice is to do as many internships in PR as possible. Get creative, become a source wherever you go. Read about the industry, study the top 100 PR agents, press agents and agencies in the world. Become obsessed with psychographics when planning and writing PR strategy. Study the top PR campaigns that produced great results, as well as the ones that were a bust. Approach all assignments with passion. Be the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. When you take a job, set monthly and yearly goals to climb up the ladder.

6. Anything else you’d like to add:

I plan to leave a legacy in the industry. I am working on that right now.

Interested in a creative gig? We have some open jobs for you!

Creative consultant Portia Stewart shares her career journey and advice.

1. What made you want to start your own company?

I was inspired to launch Mind Full Creatives because I saw a disconnect between the super smart creatives who come up with amazing ideas and the super smart business execs who set the strategy (and budget!) for the business. Consulting lets me work with many different companies and teams, helping them to connect creativity and innovation to company strategy and growth. 

It’s also given me much greater freedom to create a schedule that works with an intentional approach to life. If I want to block an hour to do yoga or schedule an art day with my friends at the local marketplace, I do. 

2. What does your typical day-to-day look like?

No two days are the same, and I love that. There are days where I’m traveling to speak, days when the schedule fills up with meetings and, every once in a while, a quiet day where I’m plugging away at the work. And there’s always work, whether it’s planning brainstorming workshops for clients, marketing, developing the business or researching new tools. I also steal time to take lots of online education.  

3. What interests you about the world of content strategy?

I love the experimentation process in content strategy. There are always opportunities to do A/B testing, to try something new and to watch it fly or flop. 

4. You’ve been working in media for 20+ years. How have you seen it evolve? What is your advice to new media professionals? 

We have a million ways to reach our audiences now, and we need to be in all of the places our audiences live. It’s fun and challenging and it takes relentless fine tuning. Change is the only constant! 

5. Who or what inspires you in your career?

Meeting new people! I believe everyone is creative, and unlocking that super power is an ingredient for career growth. When I see that spark in others, I get excited. 

6. Anything else you’d like to add?

The media landscape has changed significantly since I started my career. Job titles aren’t the same, the responsibilities have definitely changed, and everyone feels crunched for time. But there’s still such a need for the work those in the media perform. Career paths are often more like winding roads than straight shots, and I encourage people who are looking for a new path to look wide—you might find your next calling in a place you don’t expect.

Interested in a creative gig? We have some open jobs for you!