By Gini Dietrich
When I began my speaking career in 2008, we were still doing a lot of franchise PR.
I had a monthly column in Franchise Times and in Hotel Executive and people really looked to us as the experts.
(This was before the economy tanked and all of that business dried up.)
Through that work, I met a woman who worked at WIN Home Inspection. She was putting together their annual sales conference and she invited me to speak.
That is when I met Jennifer MacDonald.
I already knew her through Twitter and she was one of my first online friends I got to meet IRL (in real life). It was super exciting!
She probably doesn’t remember this, but I do because it was traumatic for me: I was so excited when she came into the ballroom, I tripped down the stairs from the stage.
Oh yes. Skirt and high heels and all.
That was in 2010 and we’ve been friends since.
What is the Biggest Mistake You’ve Made in Your Career?
Delaying the online journey.
I was a procrastinator when it came to jumping into social media channels.
I did not start using social media until 2008. I refrained from joining Facebook when I was in college, even though all of my friends were using the college kids only version at the time. That was a mistake as a graphic design/marketing professional.
What is One Thing about Yourself that Would Surprise Most People?
Hmmm, I think most people who know me here and online don’t know much about my past (before the Internet) except that I grew up in Maine.
I guess I would say that I was a white water rafting guide for four years on a Class V river.
Or maybe that I used to ride a snowmobile to school in the winter? (Gini, no comment!)
(Editor’s Note: What? I think that’s AWESOME!)
On a professional note, it has been one of my biggest career goals to be featured here on Spin Sucks.
When I first met Gini, and started reading Spin Sucks, I thought it would be amazing to be featured in one of their posts.
It seems hard work does pay off.
(Editor’s Note: Shame on us for not inviting you sooner!)
If You Could Achieve Everything You Ever Wanted in Life, but Had to Die 10 Years Sooner, Would You Make that Trade?
Absolutely not.
I am grateful every day for being able to experience the amazing life that I live.
Honestly, if someone ever said yes to this question I would immediately consider them ungrateful.
(Sorry to anyone who has said yes.)
There are many people who are no longer with us who never had that choice.
What Industry Advice or Practice Would You Most Like to Cry Foul On?
That social media marketing is easy.
It’s not, not if you do it correctly.
If you’re a successful social media marketer, heck nowadays it should be any marketer, then you know how to tie all of your efforts back to business goals. It takes time and effort.
What is the Best Book You’ve Read in the Past Six Months?
I read a lot of fiction. I spend my work day reading blogs, industry news, creative briefs, and RFPs so I don’t have much energy in my personal time for non-fiction.
Little Earthquakes looks at the lives of four women who lead similar lives, but how they’re all very different.
I love this book because it reminded me to never judge anyone by how they look or appear.
I try to remind myself of that daily, and I feel I do a pretty good job at not judging people, but I always like being reminded of important lessons.
Why Does Spin Suck?
It devalues everything you and I have worked so hard for in our careers.
It takes authenticity and throws it right out the window.
Enough said.
Where You Can Find Jennifer MacDonald
You can find her on: