Before the coronavirus took havoc on us all, I traveled to North Carolina in place of my manager, the Director of Marketing, to help co-lead a photoshoot for one of our brands with our media agency.
It was the first time that I had ever attended a shoot without a manager and was allowed to guide the shoot a bit more with my expertise.
I thought that I'd be nervous about taking on such a significant learning opportunity, but it wasn't that bad. Thanks to my team (the media agency, a brand manager, and a product manager), I was able to get through a two-day shoot without too many mistakes.
Here are the seven things that I learned from co-leading my first professional photoshoot as a Marketing Manager on the brand side.
Read More
The last days of my twenties have been filled with significant transitions, rekindling of friendships, healing, and nostalgia. With so many things finally aligning in my little world, I can’t help but think of the number of lessons that life has taught me in the last ten years.
In honor of my 30th birthday being less than 30 days away, I thought what better way to celebrate it with you than to share what I’ve learned along this passage to adulthood. Here are my 30 lessons learned.
Read More
I first got the taste of digital marketing as an Account Executive for an advertising agency that specialized in experiential, digital, and social media. Before I made the shift to agency life, I was surviving in a corporate sales position at a Fortune 500 company with dreams of one day working in marketing.
While dreaming about the perfect position, I was also taking action. I researched, networked, volunteered, and interned for different brands on off days until my hard work paid off. I treated building my marketing career as an actual part-time job to get to where I wanted to go. I knew that if I wanted to to be taken seriously, I needed to land on the type of marketing work I wanted to do and plan the perfect exit strategy.
Read More
Growing up in Atlanta, I saw first hand what it meant to live in poverty. I saw it while at school and I saw it while playing outside. Believe it or not, I also witnessed poverty first hand in my own family.
Thankfully, I have never lived on the streets or never went days without food. However, I have experienced days without water, electricity, gas, etc… I lived most of my youth in government housing. I have experienced losing a home, having to live with relatives, domestic violence, accepting food and clothing donations, and going without things that most middle-class Americans unknowingly take for granted.
Read More
This week, I’m taking a stand against generational poverty by wearing the same black dress every day to raise more than $1000 for #LBDIJLA. Why? Because Georgia is the 6th worst state for child poverty in the U.S. Help @jlatlanta to make a difference in ending this crisis by making a donation using this link: https://lbdijla.causevox.com/jchrishaun.
#WEAREJLATLANTA
Read More
Being a social butterfly is not something that comes easily to most people. I would admit, most days I do not like talking to people. But as a professional, you have to get over that. If not, you will find yourself stuck in a position that you hate or in a career you wish you had never started.
When I started my career, I was told to "put in my time first" before going after that big title. They were right, but they failed to mention putting in time off the clock too. It took me a few years to understand that concept, but now as I take on year five of my career and recent promotion to my eighth title, I have discovered a few insights about networking. First, to grow in your career you must learn to network like a pro, inside and outside of the office. Here are four networking secrets I would recommend to anyone who is ready to take their career to the next level.
Read More
I challenge you to be your own advocate. Even when you’re feeling beat up by life, take moments to root for you. Today, I’m doing just that by announcing to the world that I’m not perfect, but I am pretty dope. And to celebrate my dope self, turning another year older this month, I’d like to also celebrate my own #BlackGirlMagic. The things that make me, me. Hopefully, it’ll inspire you to do the same.
I have black girl magic because I am…
Read More
10 years ago, Social Media Managers were probably non-existent. When I was in college, I didn’t think to myself “when I graduate I want to be a social media manager”. However, in 2017 almost every company has one or a social team.
According to a Google Trends search, the term “social media manager” is one of the most popular searches. At the beginning of 2007, the term was less than 1% popular in the United States, but in March 2017 it peaked in popularity due to an interest spike. This leads me to conclude that businesses now understand the correlation between managing a successful online marketing strategy versus just posting content online. In walks the Social Media Manager.
Read More
Unlike most individuals, I don’t suffer from speech anxiety. I’m among the 25% of women who enjoy public speaking, presenting and any form of entertainment that happens on a stage. I celebrated the art of presentation as a young student and then mastered it in undergrad as the Director of Marketing for Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).
Over the years, I’ve learned that the most difficult part of a presentation is interacting with your audience. Even as a professional, I don’t always know how the message will be received or what questions may come up. This is why I practice my principles and tailor my presentations per audience research.
Here’s a list of principles that have helped me to excel in my career:
Read More
A year ago, I took a leap of faith for my dream job in advertising and I have no regrets. Needless to say, it's been one hell of a ride.
As a Community Manager, my days are filled with stimulating projects, thought-provoking brainstorms, and rigid deadlines. At times it can be a glamorous life, but it's certainly not for the faint heart. If you can make it through one year at an ad agency, then you can make it through anything.
A survival guide for the uninitiated would've been nice, but somehow I've succeeded without one. Lucky for you dear reader, I now have a wealth of knowledge to share! So what have I learned?
Read More
Secure.
se·cure
səˈkyo͝or/
adjective
Fixed or fastened so as not to give way or be lost.
Certain to remain or continue safe and unharmed.
Feeling safe, stable, and free from fear or anxiety.
Feeling no doubts about attaining; certain to achieve.
The opposite of what I've experienced for 20 years of my life, until recently. I've finally experienced self-confidence! You may laugh, but it's an accomplishment for me. I see it this way because for years I put myself through personal hell.
Chrishaun you have to be the best.
Chrishaun you have to work hard.
Chrishaun you have to prove yourself.
Or else... you're nothing.
Yes, I was my hardest critic and I still am. The only difference between today and yesterday is that I now love myself. I am completely in love with me and it's unlike anything I've ever experience. Its given me a new sense of confidence.
Read More
Today, I celebrate year four as a marketing professional. It has not been an easy walk, crawl, or drag to get to this point, but I am excited for this moment. Before I go on and on about the highs and lows of the marketing world, let’s time hop to fully understand my process.
It all started in 1997, when I wanted to be an actress. I loved being on stage and bringing characters to life. It was something I was good at and it taught me how to be dramatic. I learned how to cultivate creativity, improvise, and communicate conveying stories to a variety of audiences.
Read More
I love to travel & I love adventure.
A few weeks ago I traveled to Chicago for work & play.
Although, I have traveled through Chicago a dozen times & have family there I never enjoyed it.
Ok. Ok. So, I let the rumors get to me.
“Chicago has bad crime. Chicago has bad weather. Chicago has mean people.”
These are all the rumors that I had heard from the media & rumors that were reinforced by family.
It was none of the sort.
Read More
I gave up social media for 30 days.
It was a life changing experience.
My days were spent being in the moment.
I spent more time with friends in person.
I spent more time having conversations.
I spent more time engaged with life.
Read More
