Getting recognized as an expert in branding and engagement is incredibly moving and fills me with pride for both my local reputation and skills đź’—. It was wonderful to connect and reconnect with other panelists, including Brittany Raji Alberty, who is also my co-chair for social media and content for STL Startup Week this November!
On May 15th, I had the honor of speaking on the panel “Branding & Engagement for Success” at the Midwest Digital Marketing Conference (MDMC) held at UMSL. The panel brought together experts to discuss how branding and digital engagement can contribute to an organization’s success. We shared insights on cutting through the noise in social media and using a personal touch to provide value to audiences.
Key Topics Discussed
Here are some of the key topics and insights we discussed during the panel:
Best Practices in Building an Effective Online Presence
- Critical Components of Brand Strategy: We highlighted the importance of consistency, authenticity, and understanding your audience.
- Cutting Through the Clutter: We shared best practices for building an online presence through targeted content, engaging storytelling, and leveraging analytics.
Reaching Your Target Market
- Identifying Your Audience: Practical ways to reach target audiences include using detailed personas, data-driven marketing, and tailored content strategies.
- Common Pitfalls in Engagement: Avoiding generic messaging and fostering genuine interactions were emphasized as keys to successful engagement.
Social Media and ROI
- Platform-Specific Insights: Each platform operates differently, and we discussed which activities drive the biggest ROI. Identifying the right platform for specific goals is crucial.
- Maximizing Impact with Limited Resources: We shared tactics, tips, and tools, including AI, to maximize impact even with limited resources.
My Personal Experience
During the panel, I shared my experiences as a successful one-person marketing department. Here’s a brief overview of my insights:
- Using Marketing Tools and AI: I discussed how AI tools have been instrumental in driving results efficiently. Tools like ChatGPT help streamline communication, generate content, and analyze data.
- Recommendations and Resources: I emphasized the importance of continually learning and adapting. Leveraging resources such as online courses, webinars, and industry forums can provide valuable insights and keep your skills up-to-date.
Panel Questions and Discussions
Some of the questions we tackled included:
- Developing Effective Brand Strategy: What are the critical components or considerations?
- Building an Online Presence: Best practices to cut through the social media noise.
- Reaching Your Target Audience: Practical ways brands can reach their audience.
- Fostering Engagement: Common pitfalls organizations make.
- Social Media ROI: Insights on what activities are driving the biggest ROI.
- Maximizing Impact with Minimal Resources: Tactics, tips, and tools.
- Maintaining a Personal Brand: Advice on avoiding conflicts of interest.
Audience Interaction and Closing
The session ended with an engaging audience Q&A, where we answered questions about the latest trends and best practices in branding and engagement. As the panel concluded, we shared final pieces of advice with the audience, emphasizing the importance of staying authentic, continuously learning, and being adaptable in the ever-changing digital landscape.
Final Thoughts
Being recognized as an expert in branding and engagement at MDMC was an incredible experience. It not only validated my efforts but also inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital marketing. I’m excited to apply these insights to future projects and collaborations.
If you have any questions or want to share your experiences in branding and engagement, feel free to reach out. Let’s continue the conversation and support each other in this dynamic field!





0 Comments