Here’s the thing about being a journalist, it’s very hands-on. The same can go for a content creator. From the moment I stepped foot onto my college campus, we were expected to write, shoot, edit, and create content on a tight deadline. As a former multimedia journalist with experience in the ratings race, I know what it takes to create engaging content. 

There’s a big misunderstanding when you turn on the T.V. and see a gleaming reporter sharing their latest story. They make it look easy. 

“Oh, must be nice to get paid to read the teleprompter!” These are true words I’ve heard people say far too many times. 

I’m here to tell you it is anything but easy! Being on TV is often the last step for hardworking journalists. They spend hours making calls, researching, shooting, editing, and crafting their stories. What used to be the job of multiple people, is now the job of one person, even in large markets like Denver! 

This is why hiring a journalist to run your social media pages will pay off. I’m used to working in a high-pressure environment with a high standard. I have years of storytelling experience and that’s exactly what reels on social media are. It’s the same skillset but the video is now shot vertically instead of horizontally. There’s also more room for creative freedom and to curate something that fits your business strategy. 

As a journalist, I had to upkeep my social media pages and post frequently. I learned how to grab the algorithm’s attention to share my posts. I learned strategies that worked, and I learned what my specific target audience preferred to see. I learned how to connect with viewers outside of the newscast. This is an art, but it’s also a lot of work. I applaud journalists who balance the work of creating linear and nonlinear content for social. But for me, it was time to make a choice. 

90% of Americans have a smartphone, after all. 

It was time to focus on making quality content to help small businesses reach new heights. I hope my work with Colorado Social will help put small businesses on the map and into the feeds of local community members. I hope my work can challenge people to want to shop, eat, play, and drink locally in this vibrant community. 🙂