1. A little about myself.
I love puzzles and connecting the dots. I get a feeling of satisfaction when I solve a problem, whether on my own or through collaboration. I love learning how things work. I am a lifelong learner, having acknowledged that I need to constantly update my communication skills so as to follow best practices (which are ever-changing). For example, I have recently attended professional webinars; one was on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. That webinar makes one realize the need to carefully formulate communications with a need for more education about this topic. Also, I have completed some LinkedIn certificate courses as a way to stay on top of my game in communications and marketing.
2. What is my greatest strength?
Empathy
Relationship building, for myself and others. I love networking and connecting people.
I’m happiest when I’m part of engaging communications. I love when humor is part of my communications.
Strategizing: I prefer to have options ahead of the action: Plans A, B, and C. Being proactive is very important.
Equally at ease when talking to executives, clients, co-workers. For example, when I interviewed faculty, staff, and students while working as a communications writer in the University of Southern Maine Lewiston-Auburn College marketing department, I talked to highly educated, intelligent professors who talked about divergent studies which I then wrote about as part of a campaign to show another side to the professors that students might not see in class. I found them all fascinating! As an Arts & Humanities student at the time, I loved the diversity of my elective courses. At the Sun Journal and at Turner Publishing, I interviewed business owners to write profiles about their companies or an event they were hosting or whatever their campaign was focused on. At the Franco Center, I talk with CEOs and business owners and government officials who make decisions about sponsorships and donations.
3. Greatest weakness?
Brainstorming is energizing, but I find that I used to volunteer to do too much because there are so many ideas that should come to fruition. I have learned to stick with my time management skills which I have honed over 20 years of projects in a deadline-driven environment.
4. Why should you hire me?
If you want a person with communication skills, I’ve got the job experience and engagement skills. I look for more efficient ways of doing things. I’ve been successful with key responsibilities including managing teams, developing programs, and delivering timely and engaging communications.
5. What or how does market demographics play in developing marketing strategies?
Market demographics identify the individuals in your audience by characteristics, wants, needs. These traits enable a marketer to segment the demographics by:
- age
- gender
- income
- occupation
- family status
- level of education
- geography
Once you have this information, which can be gathered through social media analytics, website analytics, and surveys, you can do research on where those age groups are spending their money; where that gender is spending their money; where people in that income bracket are spending their money; etc. Then, you “market” to those groups to reach your targeted audience.
Another good tool is to use an analysis of your competition. See where they are putting their marketing messages: print or digital advertisements; specific social media channels; email newsletters; etc.
When you understand who your customer is, you can create a persona in which you give your customer a name and the traits you have discovered.
6. What do I think my biggest challenges in your current position?
The biggest challenge right now is getting past the COVID-19 pandemic, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Also:
- Demonstrating value in my product/service;
- Budget constraints;
- Volunteer recruitment;
- Working in a small community with many worthy organizations asking for donations from the same entities.
To overcome these challenges:
- Market to attract attention and educate the audience about the value of my product/services;
- Believe that fundraising offers my audience an opportunity to become an investor in the community’s social calendar;
- Continue to be the face of my organization with community engagement, online and in person.
7. What type of skill sets do you need to work in marketing and development?
- Communication
- Creativity and problem solving
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership
- Adaptability
- Writing
- Data analysis