I try to focus on positive stories and life lessons (both positive and negative), but I wanted to give you more of an inside glimpse on what I do work-wise that may not fit into a “normal” routine. There is give and take with everything, and here are some work quirks I have learned to accept over time.
Read MoreIn a blog post later this year, we will touch on empathy mapping and how you can use it to form your brand strategy and business goals. This blog post will show you how leading with empathy can make your team and company stronger by adding a touch of compassion to your strategies.
Read MoreIn June, I realized that female CEOs are facing a mass reckoning. Some faced accusations of racism and toxic work cultures, while others walked away at the right time before COVID-19 ramifications could fully take their fortunes. I still believe that you can achieve whatever you want to achieve, but of course, there are limitations. We are recognizing and acknowledging our privileges, shortcomings, and other truths for the illusions they can become.
Read MoreWhile I don’t interview and write articles EVERY day, it’s still an integral part of Hourglass Media. I still enjoy sitting down and talking with people. This week, actually, I am writing an inspirational COVID-19 story for a local magazine, so I am already in the groove of this process. Here are five tips to employ, from the research to the completion phases.
Read MoreIf you’re a “Star Wars” geek like me, you’ll remember in “Revenge of the Sith” when Padmé Amidala says, ““What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists? In that same vein, what if all of these influencers and life coaches are actually harming us more than they are helping us? So, here are five reasons life coaches of the digital era can be problematic and just an illusion.
Read MoreWE’RE HIRING! Outside of the job description and other elements listed here, I wanted to offer some insight into what we are looking for in our current opening for a Temporary Account Assistant. I’m going to highlight a few key points below to expand upon the Hourglass Media brand and the requirements of this position.
Read MoreMLMs FASCINATE me. While this is purely my opinion, which I share with a growing community of others, I believe MLMs take advantage of people in more ways than one. This blog post will aim to shed light on the dangers of MLMs if you find yourself flirting with the idea of joining one or know someone who is part of one and want to give them ways to escape. Or it could begin to give you your own script to politely decline to support someone’s MLM “business.”
Read MoreIt’s no secret that everyone has had to deviate from planned courses of action and routines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout all of the ups and downs, we have learned what works and doesn’t work for our daily work grinds and personal obligations. There are some things will stick with us. While these projections may not be the be-all-end-all strategy past the pandemic, I believe our world is forever changed. While our lives may go back to their own versions of “normal,” I don’t think any of us will ever truly be the same after this collective experience.
Read MoreIt’s a natural fit for us to blend our Lover and other brand archetypes into sentiment analysis. Sentiment analysis is when you analyze writings and other components to measure the emotional tone they convey. In essence, we want to know if our target audiences feel positively, negatively, or neutral about a certain topic. This tactic is used for reputation management, customer service, and crisis communications planning and execution.
Read MoreHappy 10th birthday Instagram! Just in case you missed the social media site’s “glow up” this past decade, Instagram has now reached over one billion active users. Pretty impressive for a ten year span if you ask me! Nonetheless, Instagram has become one of the most sought after platforms for building a brand in today’s world. However, Instagram doesn’t always make it that easy. Algorithm change after algorithm change, bans, and bots can cause drops in engagement, followers, and overall numbers.
Read MoreMany small businesses can still maintain operations during the COVID-19/novel coronavirus pandemic. While our normal ways of life and business have been disrupted, thinking outside of the box can aid small business owners as they still attempt to market themselves during this trying economic time. Here are three ways you can still operate your business and utilize strategies and tactics during the pandemic.
Read MoreAs a small business owner, I have clients from several sectors, and some will be more heavily impacted from coronavirus ramifications than others. As a public relations practitioner to my core, I want to contribute to accurate information sharing and prevention of hysteria (as much as humanly possible) as this pandemic continues to spread throughout the nation and world. No matter where you fit into the grand scheme of things, it pays dividends to be prepared for any emergency your company, organization, or clients may face.
Read MoreFor natural introverts, environments matter. While I can truly work from anywhere -- as long as it has a WiFi connection -- I thrive in areas tailored to me. Why do our office environments matter to our mental health?
Read MoreI always find it interesting to discover what people do on an average work day, especially when they own their own businesses and a little more control over their workflow. I only spent one day, Feb. 28, tracking my day (it takes time to do this, after all), but I wanted to give you some insight into what a normal day looks like for me. Of course, my hours fluctuate. In this particular week, I’ve worked well over 40 hours (which is 100 percent normal for me and any company owner anywhere). That is also why this blog post finds itself on a completely different day -- not its standard Thursday at 3:30 p.m. timeslot.
Read MoreAs I stumble upon the 10-year anniversary of earning my Bachelor of Arts (WHAT), my reflections are geared toward favorite projects of my career thus far. I’ve been incredibly fortunate and have worked on life-changing projects throughout the various positions I’ve held in public relations and writing capacities. I’ve written millions of words and more than 700 press releases to date. I have taken probably a million photos from old Polaroid snapshots to present-day photos with my Nikon D7500 (named Riker). My experiences have shaped my passions, and my failures have also given me perspective into what I want and don’t want. Here are seven projects that are near and dear to my heart.
Read MoreIf you’re a solopreneur, chances are that you think about your growing company 24/7/365. If you’re not doing what you love, then your daily routines won’t bring you joy. One of my passions is helping you find yours, too. Life is too short to not be happy in your personal and professional lives. Here are four ways to tailor your company to your own personality.
Read MoreI think most people know that I love what I do. I’m the CEO of a company I started from scratch, in my childhood bedroom of my parents’ house with my 18-year-old cat walking all over my rough-draft logo printouts. Since 2015, I’ve been unveiling the hearts of clients’ stories in a variety of strategies and tactics. One of my passions is opening the door for others to find their own passions that could lead to better career and personal opportunities. Here are four reasons I love what I do.
Read MoreI know you haven’t missed this semi-breaking news: It’s the beginning of a new decade. Do you have a full-fledged plan or are you trying to figure out what you want out of this next 10 years? If you’re anything like me, you’re probably a mix between the two. There are several things I am clear about, such as where I was Hourglass Media to go within this span of time. On some personal aspects, however, I am not so clear. (Planning everything in great detail would be boring, would it not, my fellow perfectionists?) Here are some ways you can start setting goals for this new decade.
Read More2019 was an up-and-down rollercoaster ride. With each success, a failure appeared to meet its match. Overall, throughout layers of silver linings, I see 2019 for what it is: a season of recalibration and resilience. I’ve released deeply personal writings that have revealed next-level heartbreaks. I’ve worked with amazing clients and partners. I’ve been desk dwelling too much and not exercising enough. I’ve created some business items that I am immensely proud of, and there’s more where that came from.
Read MoreI wear my heart on my sleeve. As an introverted public relations practitioner, writer, and business owner, I use that to my advantage. In the coming months, content will continue to change and center on one of my favorite topics: introversion in your chosen career path. Here are five ways I use introversion to my advantage as the owner of Hourglass Media.
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