Since the earliest recorded history, stories have been utilized to teach the younger generations values, beliefs and behaviors. Stories were passed from father to son, mother to daughter, generation to generation. Over time, these stories were transcribed from word of mouth into written words as societies advanced. Today, those same stories are recreated and broadcasted through television, computers and even social media. The notion of teaching values conveyed through stories can be used to communicate with today’s audiences.

It’s through storytelling that I will educate the conference attendees on how to communicate with today’s culturally diverse, educated, and technology connected audiences. Stories derived from 30+ years of communicating with consumers through traditional mass media outlets to various digital channels. Stories pulled from experiences working with start-ups and small businesses, not-for-profits, public universities, and fortune 50 companies. Positive, uplifting stories that hit their messaging marks to stories that fell flat with the audiences and generate less than flattering social commentary. Stories that the audience can learn from.

Below is a sample of subjects I have spoken on.

Maximizing your Personal and Business Profile

Whether you’re creating a new LinkedIn Company Page or revamping an existing one, our guide to creating the perfect Company Page has got you covered.

From crafting a killer company description to choosing an eye-catching banner image, we’ll walk you through the entire process and will reveal some “pro tips” courtesy of LinkedIn.

Here’s what the session will cover:

Review Best Practices – See examples of the most successful LinkedIn Company Pages, plus insider tips from the folks at LinkedIn.
Develop a step-by-step checklist to create an exceptional Company Page.
Create the optimal LinkedIn images utilizing image templates in PPT and PSD format with the proper dimensions to create your logo, cover image, and more.

A presentation at @Midwest, 2015.

Digital Advertising: Ad Mobs, Facebook, Twitter

We’ve all heard this term “digital marketing,” and we may understand parts of it, but many marketers may be asking the question, “How do I get started?” You’ve got an email program and a company Facebook page, but how do you go from there?Or perhaps you have neither of these, and you’re just going with digital marketing. I’ll go over some of the basics of getting started with a digital marketing program, and how it all revolves around email. In this work session, we will:

Define the target audience
- Who are you looking to sell to?
- Where do they “hang out” online?
- Which social platforms are they using?
- How do they search for products and services online?
Choose the best platform to reach your audience,
- Between the various social media, search engines, display advertising and direct email marketing options, there are many ways effectively reach your market online.
Measure and adapt
- Review the best methods for measuring the effectiveness of your campaign
- Discover the value of adapting and changing.

A presentation at @Midwest, 2015.

Hootsuite: Maintaining multiple social media accounts

When it comes to brands on social media, one of the most common mistakes made is not listening to their social following. Many brands choose to promote content and chat via these channels, without having a strong understanding of what their audience’s preferences and interests actually are.

In short, social listening is a way brands can monitor conversations being held on social channels, in order to identify opportunities to develop, promote, and participate in the discussions through engagement.

To enable this form of customer engagement, brands must be able to identify specific keywords and phrases relevant to their business. For example, with Pepsi, keywords would consist of “soda, fizzy drink, soft drink etc. Likewise, if you were a service offering company, you may want to monitor conversations surrounding the area your service is in; consequently allowing you to provide your expert input and reach out to the individuals in need of help or advice.

In order to develop a social media listening program, this workshop will utilize Hootsuite and show you how to:

Set up your account
Create your listening streams
Familiarize yourself with analytics
Communicate monitoring goals through conversations
Monitor while on the go
Keep your accounts secure

A presentation at @Midwest, 2015 and 2103.

Social Media Monitoring

The answer is simple: People trust the opinions of others more than brand advertisements, official websites or PR releases. In fact, people trust the opinion of others, especially their peers, more than almost anything. This means that online opinions on your brands and products really matter. Quite a lot, to be frank. So, let us list a number of reasons for you to keep a close eye on the online chatterbox:

Measuring Marketing effectiveness
Manage crisis pro-actively
Do effective online public relations
Benchmark your competition
Identify new market opportunities
Get market insights in the most cost-effective manner

A presentation at @Midwest, 2015.

Smart strategies for branding yourself online job searches

Graduation season is upon us! Approximately 1.6 million U.S. college students are expected to graduate this month and enter the “real world.” According to AfterCollege, Inc., only 17 percent of graduating seniors reported having a job lined up as of April.

If you find yourself among the 83 percent still looking for a job, it’s time to get serious about your search. Use the tips below and the accompanying articles to kick your job hunt into high gear.

Figure out what makes you special
Go beyond your resume
What’s your target segment
Do your research
Be the expert
Volunteer.
And more.

Walk into the interview know who you are, why you’re different, and what values you can bring to your new potential employer and you will walk out of there leaving a lasting impact. One that will lead to your next job.

A presentation for Heartland Community College, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Illinois State University, and Illinois Wesleyan University, 2014.

Measuring the ROI of Social Media

Discover how to measure the ROI (return on investment) of your social media marketing plan.

A presentation at @Midwest, 2014.

2019 Speaking Engagements

Building Trust Within Communities Through Storytelling, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, 2019

Previous Speaking Engagements

Developing Engaging Content, 48×48, 2018
Social Tips for Kids, B/N Parents Series, 2018
Strategies for Creating Interesting, Engaging, and Effective Social Media Content, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2016
The Role of Content Marketing, Women in Communications, 2016
The Age of Digital Transformation CDX Chicago, 2015
Maximizing your Personal and Business Profile, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2015
Digital Advertising: Ad Mobs, Facebook, Twitter, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2015
Hootsuite: Maintaining multiple social media accounts, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2015
Social Media Monitoring, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2014
Smart strategies for branding yourself online job searches, Heartland Community College, McLean County Chamber of Commerce, Illinois State University, and Illinois Wesleyan University, 2014.
Measuring the ROI of Social Media, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2014
Media Relations, Media Disasters, Next Professionals, 2013
Engaging Alumni Through Content Marketing, CASE V Conference, 2013
Turn Your Customers Into Brand Ambassadors, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2012
What are QR Codes, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2012
Content Marketing, Storytelling for the next generation, Illinois State University, 2013
Crisis on Campus: Steering the Social Media Conversation, CASE V and VI, December 12, 2012
Why Social Media, @Midwest Social Media Conference and Rotaries International, 2012
Internal Redesign: No Budget. No Time, CASE Editor’s Forum, 2012
Best Practices for Social Networks, CASE V, 2011
Measuring the ROI of Social Media, Student Affairs in Higher Education, 2011
Media Relations Or Media Disasters, @Midwest Social Media Conference, 2011