Join Our Twitter Chat: How to Create a Winning Content Marketing Campaign

Learn the secrets behind successful content marketing during our July #MBJobChat

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

1 min read • Originally published July 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

1 min read • Originally published July 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Content marketing is a hot media buzzword right now, but what does it really mean? Why is it so valuable to brands? And how can you create a marketing plan that can have results?

Find out the answer to this question and more by joining us on Thursday, July 14 at 2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST for our next Twitter chat!

Digital content strategist and Mediabistro instructor McLean Robbins is chatting with us and your fellow media professionals to break down why content is so important, the current and future state of content marketing, and how to build an effective content strategy for you or your brand.

Who: @Mediabistro, @McLeanRobbins and YOU
What: #MBJobChat
Where: twitter.com/mediabistro
When: Thursday, July 14 2 p.m. EDT/11 a.m. PDT

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Skills & Expertise

7 Critical Skills You Can Only Learn on the Job

Passion, work ethic and solid writing skills are non-negotiables, but which abilities can you hone on the clock?

By Molly Folse

@MollyFolse

Molly Folse is a marketing leader with 20 years of experience in content strategy and social media, currently serving as Director of Content and Creative at Protective Life. She has led award-winning content and digital campaigns across financial services, higher education, travel, and consumer brands.

3 min read • Originally published July 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Molly Folse

@MollyFolse

Molly Folse is a marketing leader with 20 years of experience in content strategy and social media, currently serving as Director of Content and Creative at Protective Life. She has led award-winning content and digital campaigns across financial services, higher education, travel, and consumer brands.

3 min read • Originally published July 7, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Have you ever looked at a job description and wondered just how many of the qualifications you really need to have?

You may be able to check off most of the skills a company wants, or maybe you feel like you don’t have many at all. In either case, you just might be in luck. It turns out there are several critical skills employers expect candidates to hone after they’ve landed the job.

What are the skills marketing, advertising and media teams are ready and willing to teach new hires?

Read on below for skill sets you don’t need to sweat before day one.

1. Client Service

Professionalism and great communication are non-negotiable from day one. But the ability to understand the unique needs of a client and provide excellent client service is a different story.

“While we expect recent graduates to come to us hungry, with a great work ethic and a solid writing foundation, client service is something we look forward to teaching young pros,” said Zack Nobinger, vice president at integrated marketing communications firm Taylor.

“We don’t expect new pros to automatically understand how to deal with clients as they tackle complex business problems,” Nobinger said. “We do, however, expect them to be consistently curious so we can put them into situations to succeed as they advance in their careers.”

2. Workflow Management

According to Mary Frances Somerall, an account supervisor at advertising, design, and strategic branding agency Cayenne Creative, all marketing and advertising agencies should be prepared to teach specific workflow processes on the job.

“The types of projects any agency handles and the way work flows through the shop changes from company to company, and preparing for that learning curve is key to the success of new employees,” Somerall said.

This also applies to working with others. Most companies want team players, but few expect less seasoned employees to know how to work with various departments such as media buying or design right off the bat.

This was the case for Johnny Liu, a social media community manager for the Warner Bros Home Entertainment, Inc. gaming publisher, Turbine: “The skill that they were really ready to work with me on was actual design layout such as how to place certain art assets together to make it more cohesive and how to work with the design team to create these assets for later use.”

3. Strategic Planning

“I wouldn’t expect entry-level colleagues to have well-honed strategic planning skills,” Somerall said. “But you can certainly tell when someone has the potential to develop those abilities, and when they are interested in learning. When a candidate is asking good questions and showing critical thinking skills, that is a good indication of their potential to develop in that area.”

The same can be said for anyone working in content and social media: You may have ideas for content, but have never had the opportunity to create and execute an effective content or engagement plan.

“You have to create content for all segments of your market,” Liu said. “When to fire it off to engage those segments by using data analytics was something that I learned on the job.”

So, what skills do you need to get the job? Work ethic, willingness to learn, critical thinking, problem solving, and solid writing skills top the list, but one thing in particular trumps them all: passion.

“It is tremendously important that people coming into this industry have passion for the work,” Somerall said. “At some point, there will be long days and difficult problems to tackle, so if you’re not invested you’re not likely to find fulfillment.”

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

How to Pitch

How to Pitch SheKnows: Submission Guidelines and Tips

Pitch stories that jump off the page and command social shares for this women's site.

By Amanda Layman Low

@AmandaLaymanLow

Amanda Layman is a B2B tech content writer and strategist with over 15 years of experience creating content for startups and enterprise brands. She founded Tigris, a content agency serving leading tech companies, and authored The New Freelance: A Book for Writers.

3 min read • Originally published July 8, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Amanda Layman Low

@AmandaLaymanLow

Amanda Layman is a B2B tech content writer and strategist with over 15 years of experience creating content for startups and enterprise brands. She founded Tigris, a content agency serving leading tech companies, and authored The New Freelance: A Book for Writers.

3 min read • Originally published July 8, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Monthly unique visitors: 80-90 million
Updated: Daily

Background: Launched in 1999, SheKnows has the longevity that’s earned the online destination its place among the top-ranked sites for women in the United States.

The flagship site targets women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond and publishes smart, opinionated content on a wide range of subjects, including parenting, DIY, news and entertainment.

They are expanding their community program, which deputy editor Melissa Kirsch describes as a network of creators who generate original content, including videos and slideshows, on topics such as parenting, health, living, entertainment and more.

“We’re becoming this hub of creators, harnessing their expertise and governing a larger conversation,” explains Kirsch.

“Anyone can apply to contribute to the platform,” says Kirsch. “These contributions are currently unpaid but we’re testing different models based on performance.”

But, fear not, professional freelancers. Kirsch says for many SheKnows community members, these contributions lead to paying opportunities—and writers outside the network can still pitch stories to specific department editors.

What to pitch: SheKnows has nine channels—Parenting, Food, Entertainment, Beauty & Style, Love, Health, Living, Pets and Home—all of which accept pitches.

If you’re a writer working to build your presence, it may be worth your while to apply. Kirsch says joining is the only way to be alerted about the site’s calls for specific content: “We put out calls for submissions on a daily basis. A lot of SheKnows community members transition into becoming regular freelancers for us.”

If you decide to pitch a department editor directly, be sure you have a smart, witty voice and something meaningful to say.

“Pitch us personal essays if you have an original story and you’re looking to have a rousing conversation about a topic,” says Kirsch.

As with most topical sites, pitches that do best are those that tie recent events or trends to personal narratives, such as a writer formulating a piece after a celebrity death on how that celebrity shaped the writer’s own sense of style, music, etc. Stories must also have a strong voice—with a clear point of view, whether humorous or controversial.

Evergreen topics are welcome, too, as long as they have the right conversational tone and fit into one of SheKnows’ main channels.

What not to pitch: There isn’t much off-limits here, but Kirsch notes the editorial team is unlikely to publish product-related pitches or hard-hitting international news stories.

What publicists should pitch: “Take time to know the site and social channels and what SheKnows is actually doing,” advises Kirsch.

Percentage of freelance content published: A large percentage or content is generated by freelancers.

Percentage of freelance pitches accepted: 10 percent or less

Recent freelance stories pitched and published: A candid essay, “Finding My Personal Style With Dwarfism Meant Breaking All of Fashion’s Rules,” by Tiffanie DiDonato, published in March 2016.

Two other standouts include the controversial essay “If We Don’t Want Our Daughters to Have Sex, We Owe Them Their Own Vibrators,” by Stephanie Land, published in April 2016; and “The Hardest Political Decision I Ever Had to Make,” a commentary on leaving the GOP by Rebecca Bahret, published in March 2016.

Etiquette: Direct your pitch to the appropriate channel editor to show you’ve done your research and studied the site, says Kirsch. Pitches should be short and sweet, with the word “pitch” in the subject line.

“Use one paragraph to tell your idea and why you’re uniquely positioned to write it,” says Kirsch.

Lead time: About a month

Pay rate: Varies with writer’s experience

Payment schedule: Within a month after publication

Kill fee: Determined on a case-by-case basis

Rights purchased: All rights

Contact Info:

SheKnows Media
440 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(646) 462-9068

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram

Email format: FirstName.LastName@SheKnows.com

Direct pitches to the appropriate editor:

For parenting, PARENTING at SHEKNOWS dot COM
For beauty, BEAUTY at SHEKNOWS dot COM
For food, FOOD at SHEKNOWS dot COM
For relationships, LOVE at SHEKNOWS dot COM
For health, HEALTH at SHEKNOWS dot COM
For pets, PETS at SHEKNOWS dot COM

Topics:

How to Pitch

Advice From the Pros

Social Media Manager Success Tips From the Pros

Mediabistro’s associate marketing manager Franny Goldberg on digital marketing success

By Katie Hottinger

@katiehottinger

Katie Hottinger is a content strategist and UX designer with over 15 years of editorial experience across brands including JPMorgan Chase, Google, Condé Nast Traveler, and Mediabistro. She specializes in digital content strategy and multi-platform editorial execution.

6 min read • Originally published July 8, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Katie Hottinger

@katiehottinger

Katie Hottinger is a content strategist and UX designer with over 15 years of editorial experience across brands including JPMorgan Chase, Google, Condé Nast Traveler, and Mediabistro. She specializes in digital content strategy and multi-platform editorial execution.

6 min read • Originally published July 8, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Getting your foot in the door and climbing the ladder in media is challenge: The industry is always changing, career paths are ambiguous and social media never sleeps.

To help you find your way, and learn by example, we’re talking to media pros with a few years under their belts. Advice from the Pros gives you real-world insights and advice you can use in your job search, job interview, and, in your next gig, too.

When you’re ready to take a look at what the current media landscape has for you, check out our job board.

UPDATE: Franny is now at SiriusXM working on social media strategy.

If you’ve found Mediabistro content through our Twitter presence or Facebook page, you’re familiar with the work of Franny Goldberg. As Mediabistro’s associate marketing manager, a position she’s held for two years, the native New Yorker schedules tweets, posts and chats, and interacts with our online community in real time.

How’d she get in her current position, and how’s she getting herself ready for the next stage of her career? Read on. (And look for her on Instagram and LinkedIn.)

What was your first job? And your first real job?

My first-ever job was as a camp counselor in Westchester. My first ever “real” job out of college was at tech startup in Manhattan, where I started as a marketing intern and was eventually promoted to a full-time producer/associate marketing manager—I wore many hats.

How did you land your current job?

The first stop on my job search was the Mediabistro job board. I was searching for marketing opportunities when I saw the opening for an online marketing associate position. I was so excited when a couple of days after I submitted my application I got a call from the head of HR, Carol Kramer.

After our phone call, she invited me to come to our New York City office, where I met with her, the senior marketing manager and another online marketing associate. I felt so comfortable in the office from the moment I stepped in, and my conversations with everyone felt natural.

I knew leaving the office that this was a job I really wanted, so I was thrilled when the next morning I got another call from Carol offering me the job!

Is this where you always thought you’d end up?

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t really consider my career trajectory until senior year at Muhlenberg College. Working on an English degree, I thought I could do anything or nothing, and I was passionate about literature, so I applied and was accepted to NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute.

I attended the six-week program the summer after I graduated, and through the program I found myself drawn to the digital and marketing side of the business. Since I had such little experience in either field, I figured that despite the fact that I had already graduated college I needed to intern to get experience in marketing before I could get a job in a specific industry.

What inspired you to break into this role?

I’ve always loved social media. I was one of the first of my friends to have a Facebook in high school because I had a friend in college who invited me, which at the time was necessary to join the platform if you weren’t a college student.

I’m very much of the generation that grew up on computers and the Internet, and I’ve always been obsessed with media and pop culture.

What about your job gets you excited to jump out of bed every morning? What about the job makes you want to hide under the sheets?

Managing Mediabistro’s social media profiles, I always get excited to see how the content I wrote and scheduled performs with our audience. It’s scary to see your work published for hundreds of thousands of strangers to see, but it’s also really gratifying when you’ve created content that resonates with and is appreciated by your audience.

But being in charge of a brand’s social media accounts means you’re also the person who has to deal with the trolls. I’m constantly checking our feed on my cell phone because I’m terrified a tweet had a typo or a post somehow offended someone.

You definitely have to have thick skin and be able to prioritize what is just noise, and what feedback actually needs to be addressed.

What’s your favorite thing about working at your company?

The people! Mediabistro’s marketing team is made up of extremely intelligent, creative, and fun people. Even outside of the marketing team, I genuinely enjoy working with everyone in this office and am constantly learning something new from the people I work with. Oh, and Bagel Mondays!

How do you stay on top of trends in your field?

I’m always plugged into Twitter and get a lot of my news and insight on trending topics from social media and tuning into what our audience and the industry is buzzing about.

What leaders or companies in your field do you follow on Twitter/Linkedin?

I follow Arianna Huffington, Joanna Coles and Eva Chen on all platforms. They’re such intelligent and insightful professionals, and obviously huge role models as a woman in media.

What are you reading and watching right now?

I love anything Bravo—life goal is to meet Andy Cohen. I have so many books sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read, but I’m currently making my way through Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life. I also subscribe to a ton of magazines, so I always look forward to Cosmopolitan, The Food Network Magazine and InStyle landing in my mailbox.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about your role?

A lot of people think of social media as a “fluffy” industry, but it takes real, hard work and strategy to be successful. Anyone can write a tweet or an e-mail, but to resonate with your audience and engage people, let alone sell them something, takes a real insight into your demographic’s mindset and what they care about. This work is not easy!

What advice you would give to someone looking to break into this field?

You really need an analytical mindset, a creative perspective and thick skin.

Consume as much information as humanly possible! You have to not only know what’s working now, but what will work in the future: new platforms, emerging trends, key influencers.

Also, intern: You’ll learn skills you weren’t taught in school, will make connections with people in the industry, and will have real-life experience to speak to when you’re interviewing for a full-time job.

What tips do you have for those seek a mentor?

Be open and be appreciative. Everyone is busy, so if someone is willing to take the extra time to mentor and teach you, show them that you’re grateful.

And take notes! One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone doesn’t write things down when I’m showing them a new skill, or sharing new information. I am more than happy to teach anyone, anything, once, but no one wants to have to do it twice because you didn’t write anything down.

Check out our job board for openings in digital media, marketing and social media.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

Journalism Advice

How to Build a Thriving Freelance Career in Media

Make your clients love you—and want to give you more work for higher rates—with these tips

By Bizzy Coy

Bizzy Coy is a freelance copywriter and humorist whose creative writing has appeared in The New Yorker and McSweeney's, and who is the author of "Personal Space." She has received fellowships from Fulbright, MacDowell, and NYSCA/NYFA, and has written for clients including Disney, Condé Nast, and Broadway.

4 min read • Originally published July 11, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Bizzy Coy

Bizzy Coy is a freelance copywriter and humorist whose creative writing has appeared in The New Yorker and McSweeney's, and who is the author of "Personal Space." She has received fellowships from Fulbright, MacDowell, and NYSCA/NYFA, and has written for clients including Disney, Condé Nast, and Broadway.

4 min read • Originally published July 11, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

It’s one of the keys to a successful freelancing career: Spending less time hustling to get the gig, and more time doing more work for repeat clients.

How can you get your clients to come back, again and again, for more? Read on for words of advice from media pros who work frequently with freelancers—and relish building long-standing relationship with the best of them.

1. Understand what your client really wants
What do employers really want? It’s a question as old as freelancing itself.

On the surface, clients want freelancers to complete a task: write a blog post, draft a press release, compose a social media calendar. In reality, clients want something deeper and less tangible. They want us to make their lives easier. They want us to solve problems, and not create more.

2. Anticipate—and prevent—predictable problems

Preventing problems down the line is the key to making your client’s life easier. So, be upfront from the get-go about your needs and expectations.

That could mean hashing out a project timetable to better suit your needs, negotiating a more reasonable fee or adjusting project scope. Whatever you do, don’t leave those conversations for later. It’s always better to have everything out on the table in advance.

3. Be “present,” even if you’re off-site
“A great freelancer is someone who is able to be ‘present’ even if they are off-site and not part of the everyday team,” said Tom Lorenzo, vice president of creative at Situation Interactive, a digital shop that specializes in arts, culture and entertainment clients including Broadway shows, TV networks and New York City attractions.

“It’s all about communication,” he said. “They are great at keeping you updated, hopping on the phone and knowing when they need to leave their cave and come into the office to talk face to face.”

4. Understand the power of regular communication
It’s true: Communication is the glue that holds the client/freelancer relationship together.

That means going beyond an email that says “Here’s the work you requested.” It means always responding in a timely manner, proactively checking in when the client has gone quiet and suggesting in-person meetings as needed. It also means going out of your way to understand their needs and strengthen your bond—asking questions about the business as a whole, learning about your client’s role within the company and suggesting new ways to help them meet their goals.

5. Be open—and transparent
Basically, you have to use your people skills to become a valuable part of the team, even if your freelance status marks you as a temporary hired hand.

“Soft skills go a long way,” agreed Christian Santos, senior creative recruiter for Salt, an award-winning global staffing agency. The number one quality he looks for in a solid freelancer? “Complete transparency.”

“Be open about what you’re looking for regarding environment, compensation and the actual work itself,” he said. “Everyone should be on the same page to avoid any unexpected confusion or frustration.”

6. Be someone people want to work with
Once you’ve gotten the gig, Santos said: “Treat people well when you’re on a job. More doors will open.”

Kristen Gaerlan, senior copywriter at advertising agency Publicis, can attest to the importance of performing once you’ve landed a client. She collaborates with freelancers on a frequent basis, and tells a horror story of a particular person who didn’t bring his A game.

“He spent most of his time making small talk with people rather than doing his job,” she says. “It was obvious to the whole team that he was slowing us down on a huge project. Multiple people brought it up to our executive creative director, who then took it to HR.”

Can you guess what happened to this poor soul? “He was out the next day,” Gaerlan said. And you can bet they didn’t invite him back. He went from a freelancer who got the gig to a freelancer who lost the gig, because he caused more problems than he solved.

7. Go the extra mile
Do the work you were hired to do, of course, but go beyond that. Build positive connections with your team, make them glad you’re on board, and make yourself indispensable. Remember—your co-workers’ opinions can hold as much weight as the person who hired you.

“Freelancers have to prove themselves a bit more,” Gaerlan said. “If you’re not doing the job, the company won’t hesitate to trim the fat. Building rapport and earning respect is part of the game.”

In the freelance game, you’re competing with lots of other folks who are just as talented as you. It’s crucial that you set yourself apart. Make your employer’s life easier, and you’ll be the one freelancer everyone wants to hire.

Curious what employers are doing to retain great freelancers like you? Check out 7 Ways to Keep—and Not Have to Replace—Your Best Freelancers.

Topics:

Go Freelance, Journalism Advice

Job Search

Weekly Job Search and Career Advice for Media Professionals

Don't miss out on our top job search and career content from the past weeks

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

3 min read • Originally published July 14, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

3 min read • Originally published July 14, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

We know, we know: The weekend is still a couple of days away. But we’re getting a jump on things by rounding up the latest, greatest career and job-search coverage—so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up on what you may have missed during the workweek.

1. What Silicon Valley Gets Right About Working at a Startup: Here’s how HBO’s celebrated comedy pretty much nails what it’s actually like to work for a company from its earliest beginnings; check out our job board for open positions at startups, too.

2. How to Use Snapchat in Recruiting: Hey, hiring managers: Are you up to date on using the video app to recruit and hire socially active, digitally minded candidates? Here are a few ways companies are using it to improve their talent pool.

3. 5 Easy Steps to a Stand-Out Resume: An exceptional resume showcases your value and differentiates you from the competition. Here’s how to craft one in five easy steps.

4. Read These Career and Media Books to Rev Up Your Job Search: No, they’re not exactly beach reading, but these media and job-search must-reads will help you bone up on the biz this summer.

5. 9 Ways to Make Your Career Take Off in Your 20s: There are a few strategic moves that budding media professionals can make that will have major positive effects on their long-term success. Learn the right steps to take now.

6. 4 Traits You Need to Work on a Political Campaign: Are you looking for a job? And are you contemplating a career in political campaigns? Check out these four skills you must master if you ever want to cut it in politics.

7. How to Pitch for the Holidays: It’s not too early to pitch end-of-the-year stories to print and digital publications. Here’s what three editors have to say about how writers can land holiday pitches.

8. 3 Skills You Can Learn on the Job: How many of the qualifications on a job description do you really need to have? Here’s a rundown of three key skills you don’t need to sweat before day one.

9. How I Kicked Off My Career as a Social Media Manager: We debut our new media pro Q&A series with an interview with Mediabistro’s own associate marketing and social media manager, Franny Goldberg, who tells us how she got her foot in the door.

10. 7 Ways to Keep—and Not Have to Replace—Your Best Freelancers: Hiring managers, you may use freelancers to help fill in your workload gaps. But with lots of opportunities and no commitments, contractors can be tempted to change gigs, and leave you in the lurch. Here’s how to keep your favorites for the long haul.

11. 5 Easy Ways to Keep on Top of Your Job Search This Summer: Don’t let the warm weather lull you into putting your job search on hiatus. Here are easy ways to stay on top of your search, and still have a chill summer.

12. 12 Marketing Terms Newbies Absolutely Need to Know: The marketing industry has plenty of buzzwords. Which do you need to carry with you and which are just trendy? Here are the terms you need to add to your vocabulary now.

13. How to Prepare for an Interview—Fast: A recruiter or hiring manager just called you to schedule a phone interview for tomorrow. Here’s what you need to do to prepare for an interview overnight.

Topics:

Get Hired, Job Search

Skills & Expertise

How to Create a Successful Content Marketing Campaign: Expert Insights

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

1 min read • Originally published July 15, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Mediabistro

The Mediabistro editorial team draws on 25 years of media industry expertise to cover jobs, careers, and trends shaping the industry.

1 min read • Originally published July 15, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Mediabistro partnered with content strategist and instructor McLean Robbins to discuss the details of creating a successful content marketing campaign. See some of the highlights below:

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Skills & Expertise

Networking

How to Tweet About Politics Without Tanking Your Job Search

It seems like everyone is talking politics on social media, but if you’re a job seeker should you join the conversation?

By Franny Goldberg

3 min read • Originally published July 18, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Franny Goldberg

3 min read • Originally published July 18, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

The 2016 presidential election is certainly a crazy one. Whether you hate both candidates or love one of them, everyone is discussing about politics online.

However, if you’re currently looking for a job, is it really a good idea to publish your political opinions online?

Next time you’re about to comment on an article or post a rant about a candidate’s campaign, check your words against these tips to make sure your social presence won’t get in the way of you landing your next job.

Keep It Classy

via GIPHY

We’re not pointing any fingers, but even US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan is suggesting that a certain presidential candidate clean up his social media behavior.

It’s very easy to lash out when you get in a comment war with an internet troll, but before you respond with a choice four-letter words ask yourself: Would a hiring manager want to see this? Take the high road, there are more job opportunities up there.

Stick to the Facts

via GIPHY

It’s almost impossible to find an article covering the presidential campaign that is 100% unbiased. However, if you’re going to put your name out there publicly, try and stick to the facts.

Want to post on Facebook about a recent debate? Use actual quotes to reference what a candidate said. Writing a blog post about your candidate of choice? Write about their policies.

It’s a free country and you’re allowed to say whatever you want, but that doesn’t mean you have to pen an offensive or aggressive blog post to feel like your voice is heard.

Be Informed

via GIPHY

Knowledge is power, as the expression goes. Don’t go on a Twitter rant unless you actually know what you’re talking about.

You wouldn’t go into an interview without researching a company, would you? (The answer is “no.”) Don’t post about the campaign unless you’ve done your research. This means using reliable sources, reading multiple articles, and truly having an understanding on the topic before publishing your opinion online.

Know Your Platforms

via GIPHY

We’ll make this one short: Don’t post about politics on LinkedIn. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. are all personal platforms designed for you to share your life with the community.

LinkedIn is strictly a professional network. If you wouldn’t say it in a job interview or in a cover letter, don’t post it on LinkedIn.

Sometimes Just…Don’t

via GIPHY

We get it: You want your voice to be heard. Reading comments and articles that go against your political views can be frustrating, even infuriating. but that doesn’t mean you always have to respond.

Sometimes the best way to discuss politics is to do it all offline. Wait until you’re with friends or family that understand who you are and where you’re coming from in case the conversation gets a little too heated.

Hiring managers know nothing about you besides the information they’re given. Next time you want to voice your opinion online ask yourself: Is it really worth it to risk your job just to prove a point on Facebook?

Topics:

Climb the Ladder, Networking

Resumes & Cover Letters

Should You Hire a Professional Resume Writer? Here’s How to Decide

If you fall into one of these groups, using a pro can be worth the investment

By John Lombard

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

3 min read • Originally published July 21, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By John Lombard

John Lombard is a content strategist and writer with over a decade of experience creating interactive and video content for brands like Apple, IBM, and Samsung. He previously worked at Mediabistro and now serves as a Client Strategist at Ceros.

3 min read • Originally published July 21, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Wondering if you should hire a professional resume writer? Whether you’re already employed, searching for work or looking to assess your skills, enlisting the help of a professional is always a smart move.

If you fall into one of the following groups, you could get a lot out of hiring a professional resume writer.

You’re Just Entering the Job Market

The job seekers most in need of a professionally written resume are entry-level candidates or recent grads, says career expert and professional resume writer Alex Twersky.

The main reason? University career services offices are too overloaded to provide the much-needed individualized attention, says Twersky.

And compared to the cost of a college education, what you’ll pay a professional resume writer is a relative bargain. “After investing over $100,000 in college,” says Twesky, “doesn’t it make sense to spend a few hundred dollars extra to ensure you are positioning yourself as best as possible for your first job?”

You’re Not Getting Any Interviews

If your job search isn’t yielding any interviews, it might be time to reconsider your resume. Through an eye-tracking study, The Ladders found most hiring managers spend four to six seconds looking at your resume—a lot less time than it took you to make it.

If you’re not skilled in understanding which information needs to be front and center on your resume, you might be getting passed over simply because hiring managers can’t find the relevant information in time.

A professional resume writer understands this constraint and works to make sure the right information is where it needs to be to get you noticed.

Want even more help on your resume? Get started with a FREE resume evaluation from Mediabistro’s Career Services. Our counselors and writers can help you update and upgrade your resume so you can confidently apply for the job you want.

You Want to Switch Jobs

If you’re currently employed and looking for work, there are considerably less hours in the day to get your job search game on. (But if you’re a risk taker, here’s how to apply for jobs at work while minimizing the risk of getting caught).

With less time to put into your search, it helps if every minute is focused on snagging the job, rather than on tweaking your resume to a point where you think it’ll reel in interviews. “It’s a specialized skill that you can either learn to do yourself with lots of practice,” says Twersky, “or hire a professional.”

You’re Perfectly Happy at Your Job

You love your job, so why would you need a professionally written resume?

If you’re up for a promotion, you can use your resume to remind your manager of your accomplishments, skills and anything else they may have forgotten that would better leverage you for the new position. Here’s your chance to brag about the online class you took in project management, or the increase in site traffic for your marketing campaign.

There’s also the need to expect the unexpected. “Anything can happen,” says Twersky, “from your company experiencing losses that lead to downsizing, or you coming across a great new opportunity that you’d like to apply for.” In either case, why scramble to get your resume in shape when you could have kept it up to date all along?

Topics:

Get Hired, Resumes & Cover Letters

Advice From the Pros

Marketing Coordinator Success Tips From Industry Pros

Mediabistro’s marketing coordinator Nefertiti Anderson on planning ahead to succeed

By Katie Hottinger

@katiehottinger

Katie Hottinger is a content strategist and UX designer with over 15 years of editorial experience across brands including JPMorgan Chase, Google, Condé Nast Traveler, and Mediabistro. She specializes in digital content strategy and multi-platform editorial execution.

5 min read • Originally published July 22, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Katie Hottinger

@katiehottinger

Katie Hottinger is a content strategist and UX designer with over 15 years of editorial experience across brands including JPMorgan Chase, Google, Condé Nast Traveler, and Mediabistro. She specializes in digital content strategy and multi-platform editorial execution.

5 min read • Originally published July 22, 2016 / Updated March 19, 2026

Getting your foot in the door and climbing the ladder in media can be a challenge: The industry is always changing, career paths can be ambiguous and social media never sleeps.

To help you find your way, and learn by example, we’re talking to real, live media pros with a few years under their belts. Our Advice from the Pros series will give you real-world insights and advice you can apply to your job search, job interview, and, when you land your next gig, on the job too.

When you’re ready to take a look at what the current media landscape has for you, check out our job board.

Though you may not know Nefertiti Anderson, if you’re a regular Mediabistro user, you know her work. A native New Yorker, Anderson, is Mediabistro’s marketing coordinator, a job she’s held for a year; she’s charged not only with keeping our marketing department running with clock-like precision, but also bringing creativity and energy to our social media campaigns.

Anderson is also a brand strategist and video correspondent who spends her downtime interviewing young, accomplished professionals in creative fields. She started her Path Less Traveled Series, which she posts on YouTube, in 2014 after being laid off; within a year, the series netted a radio deal offer, syndication on a career website, and press coverage.

How’d she get in her current position, and how’s she getting herself ready for the next stage of her career? Read on. (And look for her on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.)

What was your first job? And your first real job?

My first job was at an elementary school, where I was a custodial aid. My first real job was at my alma mater, Adelphi University, where I worked as a social media correspondent. It was a position that didn’t exist before; as a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in communications, I couldn’t find a job in my field, so instead of waiting for someone to give me an opportunity, I created my own and pitched the idea of this new role. My responsibilities included on-site reporting, filming and editing of major career- related events and programs at the university, as well as social media management.

What did you do to stand out when applying for your current job?

One of my unique selling points is that I’m already an established brand, and the primary demo of my audience just so happens to be the demo that Mediabistro’s trying to reach (millennials). An untapped opportunity that I communicated and have now resolved is the company’s presence on Instagram. The vision for my five-year trajectory in this role includes implementation of a brand ambassador program so people in high school and college can learn about our services in the early stages of their career planning.

Is this where you always thought you’d end up?

My career has had its share of curveballs but I live by the motto “everything that happens to you happens for you.” Ultimately, I would like to have my own nationally syndicated talk show. Everything that I go through, planned or not, gives me the tools I need to reach that goal and have career longevity.

What made you want to pursue this role?

I like to help others bridge the gap between setting goals and reaching them. My position allows me to do that, not just within the company, but also with its social media audience.

What about your job gets you excited to jump out of bed every morning? What about the job makes you want to hide under the sheets?

I’ve loved the opportunity to conceive and spearhead company firsts, including our #MBJobChat Twitter chat and Instagram presence. I do not love it when everything becomes a “priority.”

What’s your favorite thing about working at your company?

Besides the benefits and office space? I really love the team bonding, such as trips to the U.S. Open, happy hour on the water at Pier 66 and themed parties in our big office kitchen.

How do you stay on top of trends in your field?

I’m always on social media so naturally, that’s the first place that I get my news. Some of the accounts that I follow to stay inspired and in the know are @heragenda, @emmeliedelacruz, @mattieologie and @balleralert. I get my industry news using Feedly, a news aggregator app. Some of my favorite outlets/publications to read are Fast Company, Inc., Entrepreneur, The Buffer Blog, Mashable and the Hollywood Reporter.

What are you reading and/or watching right now?

I’m reading Make Yourself Marketable by Emmelie De La Cruz, and I watch everything Shonda Rhimes makes—besides Grey’s Anatomy.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about marketing and social media?

The biggest misconception that people have about marketing is that social media is optional, both as a platform and as a skill. You can’t just put your head down, do your work and succeed. Marketing is a very social role. Digital and people skills are required.

What skills should a job seeker have when applying for a marketing or social media role?

You have to know how to measure social analytics and write really good copy. And it helps to have project management skills too.

What advice would you give to someone looking to break into this field?

Do the job that you wish to get in the future, today. You no longer need to wait for others to give you an opportunity. Do what you can, with what you have. It shows initiative, it will help you hone your skills, and by the time you get the opportunity you’ve been hoping for, you’ll be ready for it.

What tips do you have for those seeking mentorships?

Get your feet wet first. Clarity comes from movement. Your mentors can only help you as much as you’re willing to help yourself. Have an idea of what you want to do, why you want to do it, and how they can help.

Check out our job board for openings in digital media, marketing and social media.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

1. Client Service

2. Workflow Management

3. Strategic Planning

Keep It Classy

Stick to the Facts

Be Informed

Know Your Platforms

Sometimes Just…Don’t

Melanie Catherine