Creating My Own Marketing Textbook

Creating My Own Marketing Textbook

“2015 a year of learning, exercising and creating”

That has been my mission statement for this year. So far I think I have been doing okay at working on those three things. Today I am blogging about the first priority for this year, learning.

My new job working in marketing is one that requires a lot of learning on my part across the spectrum; learning new techniques, new computer programs and the scariest thing (for me) about banking. Working two jobs has proved to be a little bit much on top of my three goals. We have had a couple of snowdays so my living room has been turned into the University of Kate on the days I have time to dig into my Lynda.com curriculum.

One easy thing I have been doing to keep my brain in “learn mode” and to help build knowledge about Lynda.com is to read. Every day at my new job I sit and I read at least one article online. It can be about marketing, social media, innovation, finances, banking or business in general; whatever strikes my fancy or is trendy or relevant that day. I have learned an incredible amount from slowing my racing mind down for 5-10 minutes and reading an article. I then sum up the key points that pertain to my role at my job in one line on the paper and put it away until the next day.

things within my job that are not being covered by

Yes, it is that easy. One line a day and you are slowly creating your own personal textbook. I often go back and read through the list I have created thus far and reflect on the things I have learned in the past.

I often find my articles on LinkedIN or via my business buddies on Twitter. I have a few blogs that I love one being effUmarketing by Jordan Rycroft. My readings are not peer-reviewed articles or data plugged in and shot out at me to tell me what to think. The readings I do are from people working everyday in their respective fields and who see what is going on the in the world we try so hard to predict and cash-in on. Most of the articles are comprised of data that is complimented by anecdotal evidence or stories to back the overall message but have much more substance than an average blog and much less opinion.

That is just another thing I am doing to help myself learn new things in 2015. As you can see the longer I am at this job, the less time I have to do my readings. Do you have any tips? Leave them in the comment field or you can find me on LinkedIn and Twitter below. Let’s be friends :)

@KateBruce

https://ca.linkedin.com/in/katebruce

Whoa There Dateline NBC Producer

I'm not sure how I feel about this tweet... never joking about Dateline NBC again.

Kate the Hater: Running

If you are crazy about running you may want to stop reading this blog right here.

If you are super excited to get a run in just to update the world on Facebook or Twitter about your commitment to fitness, you definitely want to stop reading this blog right now.

I have really tried to like running, for a really long time. I have always wanted the long lean body I thought running would give me if I just committed some breathless gasping moments to putting one foot in front of the other at a heightened pace while jamming to my iPod way too loud. Alas, I am coming to the conclusion that it is just not for me. As much as I loved sports and embraced being an athlete early in life, I would always try to find reasons to skip running at my rugby, soccer and tennis practices. I’m not even sure that I was ever ashamed of my laziness; I don’t think I ever really tried to hide it. It was a little different at hockey, because let’s face it skating is awesome.

This is half a new revelation, half an old embarrassing admission I have been harboring for a while. Not so long ago I was in a phase where I thought life would not complete until I crossed running at least a half marathon off my bucket list, I even wrote a blog about it (if you want you can search it out). But, as I turn nearly twenty-four and a half I am completely fine with my lack of ambition to pant in public while looking as unattractive as possible. I have even lost a little luster to chase after people who have the rubber toy I want in this very docile stage of life I am in. Life used to be a battle of chase or be chased, score and stop them from scoring;  but right now I am content to just being warm and not overly hungry (because let’s face it, I am always a little hungry)*.

Now, if you nay-sayers are still reading 1. I told you to stop and 2. I get your to each their own nonsense. I have no problem with people who love running. It is some people’s hockey or soccer or rugby. It is your jam and enjoy it, I doubt any of you will stop your pass time just because of this little ole blog and I would hate to contribute to our general lack of fitness as adults.

Nothing made me happier than a vent tweet about this and getting an instant response from my sister who feels the same way about running that I do. I don’t consider 5k a real run (that is why I am so uppity about this, it is in response to way too many people sharing their minor achievements over social media all the time) and ‘Run or Dye’ is actually one of the few runs I would ever take part in (I like bright colors).  To be honest, ‘Run or Dye’ is the only run that doesn't involve Disney that I would ever consider doing.

Anyways, in conclusion the point I have been scrambling to make here is that I really don’t care if you can run 5k. Like every human being who hasn't run a marathon (or maybe even the ones who have) I will be astonished and marvel at your athleticism if you run anything over 10k, because that will just never happen for me.

I am now going to eat some candy and complete my soft, sloth mood today.

*Reading this back I am realizing I have turned pretty soft, even though I have never been thinner or happier (ever). 

Social Media Frustrations

I put a lot of time and effort into honing my social media skills.

Seriously, I have read ‘Social Media Marketing for Dummies’.

I have taken LYNDA.com’s Social Media courses and spent a lot of time learning about how to craft perfect social media campaigns and posts, so nothing is more frustrating to me than a post like this going viral. Yes, I spent time searching for the perfect rainy day photo to start my show but it was nothing compared to the time I spend writing our stations mandatory blogs.

Yes, rubber boot dogs are adorable. I love that my post went Kootenay viral this morning. But nothing is more frustrating than the love a simple weather related post can get in comparison with things like our station blogs.

To add to the frustration, my blog post showing what I would potentially look like on meth is my most viral blog post. I am pretty happy my second most popular blog post is my ‘In Defense of Nickleback’, which took a long time to write (so I am happy about it).

Here is my face on meth:

Social media, you are madness. No matter what anyone says there is very little science and method to it all. So post rubber boot dogs, hopefully your business sells rubber boots. 

Kate's Pet Peeves: Social Media Whiners

I hate reading people whine on social media.

It is one of my pet peeves. It seems like people no longer understand how to cope with basic problems in daily life. It is like the new ‘go-to’ response to things is to complain about things online. The only thing worse than the initial complaint or rant about an issue is how offended people get by their ‘followers’ or friends respond unfavorably.

I love using social media, my friends and family are spread across Canada and it is the perfect way to keep in touch on a daily basis. But, do I care that they are angry that people are criticizing their choice to switch their baby’s formula to whatever they can get on sale that week (yes, that is a very specific and real example)? Nope, not even enough to comment about it (except in this rant-like blog).

I really hope schools start teaching children how to use the web properly, because all of us growing up with it kind of suck at it. Okay, that’s not true; all of us radio hosts are Internet-gurus who do not complain and can find you the most adorable animals online.

I am just kidding, kind of. I really do find web-whiners annoying, but recently I have benefitted from a little strategic Twitter complaining. While I do not condone bitching about the onions on your Big Mac, when you are having a problem witch a large corporation and a lot of your money is on the line (to me a lot of money is over $100), than go for it… but only once (per issue).

I have complained via Twitter twice, both times I have received timely appropriate responses on large-scale problems. Why? Because some companies do have people on staff waiting to search you out and ensure that you are one happy customer. And, I used firm language and did not abuse my right to voice my concerns.

My first complaint came nine months ago after a major electronics company lost my iPad they had been repairing (under insurance) two months after they told me it was repaired. My second complaint was last week (August 2013) after waiting nearly a month to hear back from my car insurance company after an accident. In both cases, both companies responded to my indirect tweets (I did not @ message them) within minutes and the situations began to be worked out in a timely manor. Had I have not sent out my tweets than I would have continued to be on their backburners, which would have continued to waste my time and money.

Both of my issues were worked out in amazing fashion once I used a gentle but firm tweet to get my problem out in the Twitterverse. Before I tweeted, people recommended the good-ole angry phone call, but I honestly hate phone calls and I am too busy to sit on hold for an hour. A little firm input online will usually result in a message or email that will get a polite phone call at your earliest convenience (no waits, less angst). Everybody wins!

I have problems all the time, being minorly addicted to fast food I had two imperfect orders at two fast food restaurants within 10 minutes last week (UUUURRRRGGGG!!!!). Like everyone else I am human and wanted to tell the world by picketing outside both restaurants with a sign explaining my slight. But, I only have a half-hour for lunch and need a job to pay off my student loans. Every time I fight the urge to open up my Twitter app and complain, why don’t I? Because I value my followers and would hate from them to think I do not value my place on their news feed. Seriously, 30 cents worth of onions is not as valuable to me as those people’s interactions on a semi-regular basis.

I guess my message in this rant of a blog is that social media is not a time machine that can take you back in time to fix an imperfect situation when you press the post button. Unless you think some specific individuals out there can make the situation better and you don’t mind potentially losing followers because of the post, than keep your complaints to yourself. Especially the age-old complaint, “I’m SOOOOOOO tired”. Being tired is part of being an average adult, have a coffee (like the rest of us) and get over it.  

Okay, maybe I have complained over a smaller issue too… I did once tweet to KFC Canada asking when the Zinger Double-Down would be back; it was August 2012 and as of Spring 2013 the Zinger Double-Down is back in KFC Canada restaurants. Triple-win Kate.