How to Handle Criticism From Your Boss (And Grow From It)

Advice From the Pros

How to Handle Criticism From Your Boss (And Grow From It)

Criticism can benefit you in your career— especially with a plan on how to handle it

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

4 min read • Originally published January 23, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Dana Robinson

Dana Robinson is a freelance health, beauty, and culture writer with 20 years of experience creating content for publications including Shape, WeightWatchers, Wine Enthusiast, AARP, and Southwest: The Magazine. She holds a master's degree in mass communication from California State University-Northridge.

4 min read • Originally published January 23, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

It may take the form of an annual performance review, or perhaps it’s an impromptu come-into-my-office-so-we-can-discuss-a-few-things conversation. But no matter what shape it arrives in, critical comments from your boss can be hard to digest. The good news is that criticism can actually help you in your career—but only if you know how to handle it.

Don’t Panic

When those first few words of criticism are handed down you may feel the urge to panic. But criticism doesn’t necessarily mean that your job is in jeopardy or that your boss thinks that you’re incompetent. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “Generally, when an employee is about to be fired, a boss won’t even bother giving criticism,” says Valerie Streif, senior advisor for job search firm, Mentat. “Instead, [she’ll] be silent on issues until the employee is let go.” Streif notes that criticism indicates that your bosses want to see changes from you in the future, which means that they still intend to see you working around the office in the weeks and months ahead.

Have a Plan

You can even look at criticism as an opportunity to obtain insider information about how to impress your boss, says Tarah Keech, corporate business consultant with Tara Keech Consulting. But this golden opportunity to make changes to your performance won’t amount to much if you’re not adequately prepared to receive the criticism.

Keech notes three key points for getting the most out of the experience:

First, learn all you can about the gap in expectations. Ask for specific examples of how your performance was not up to standards and for recommendations or examples about how you can improve.

Second, you should ensure that your boss knows that you’re open to making improvements. It never hurts to simply say, “I’m ready and willing to do whatever it takes to improve. How can I restore your confidence that this is being managed well?”

The third, and most crucial component of the process, is actually delivering the change. Request a timeframe by which your boss would like to see improvement, then make sure that the changes get made!

Keep Your Emotions in Check

It all sounds easy, but sometimes the most difficult part of listening to criticism is preventing your emotions from taking over. Crying happens and so do flaring tempers, defensive attitudes, and an urge to tell your boss what you really think of her—none of which will score you any points in an office environment.

If you do anticipate receiving criticism during a meeting and know that your emotions may get the best of you, Mikaela Kiner, executive coach and CEO of UniquelyHR, recommends giving yourself permission to just listen during the meeting. Then arm yourself with a simple one liner like, “Thank you for sharing this with me, I’ll need some time to think it over.”

You can then make an appointment to have a discussion with your boss at a later date, after you’ve collected yourself. It’s also perfectly OK to ask for a break to give yourself time to gather your thoughts, says Kiner.

Agree to Disagree

Sometimes bosses get it wrong—completely wrong, and Kiner believes that it’s OK to disagree with the criticism, as long as you take a little time to assess why you really object to the comments.

“Is it because the feedback stings, or is it one-sided or factually incorrect?,” says Kiner. “It’s appropriate to clear things up with your boss if she has the facts wrong….[but] if the facts are off [and] the feedback is accurate, focus on how you’re going to improve.”

If you think that your boss is way off base, Keech recommends responding carefully and strictly stating fact-based details. By keeping your responses calm and professional, and listening to everything your boss says before you begin your rebuttal, she’ll be more likely to hear your reasoning without bias since you didn’t start out defensively, says Keech. She adds that, “you’ll have demonstrated your respectability and maturity with your willingness to hear and receive criticism even if it wasn’t applicable.”

Make a Choice

It’s not right, but the fact is that sometimes people in positions of power decide that they don’t like you and they want you gone. And they may use performance criticism (nitpickingnit picking over every little thing that you do) as grounds for your dismissal. Streif notes that an absence of advice about how to improve your performance coupled with personal attacks and grossly exaggerating small situations are all signs that your boss is just trying to get under your skin.

Finding yourself in this situation means that you’ve now got a choice to make. You can either stay at your job or dust off your resume and search for greener pastures.

But even if you are planning your escape, just remember that you’re not safely out the door yet. Therefore, Jon Minners, career advice blogger and senior marketing manager at Vault.com, recommends that you maintain your same sense of professionalism toward your boss after you’ve received the criticism. There’s no sense in angering someone who may know people that have the ability to further your career down the line.

He also recommends resisting the urge to slack off while you’re searching for your new job. “Continue to work hard,” says Minners. “ Make them miss you when you’re gone.”

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

Search for ‘digital media manager’ positions on the Mediabistro job board.

What Does a Digital Media Manager Do? Role, Skills & Career Path

Learn the ins-and-outs of the digital media manager position

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

3 min read • Originally published January 25, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Jenell Talley

Jenell Talley is a journalist and program analyst with a background spanning media, government, and editorial work. She holds a journalism degree from Howard University and a master's in human resources management from the University of Maryland.

3 min read • Originally published January 25, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

So you’re looking for a job that’ll put your strategic communication, web analytics and social media skills to good use, but you’re not having any luck. Well, consider us your personal four-leaf clover because we’ve got the job for you. Ever thought about becoming a digital media manager? You should. Read what a couple pros have to say about the position and see why.

What exactly does a digital media manager do?

A digital media manager oversees a company’s digital media efforts, including websites and platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Responsibilities include creating and curating shareable content; determining which platform is best suited for each piece of content; building and managing social media profiles and presence; directing paid search and social campaigns and analyzing the performance of those campaigns; maintaining brand consistency across platforms; assessing SEO configurations; monitoring analytics; managing the digital budget; and fostering vendor relationships.

“There’s something new every day,” says Diana Williams, digital editor and strategist for BackStory with the American History Guys, a radio broadcast/podcast. “It’s a 25/8 job, but it’s incredibly rewarding,” adds Williams, who manages BackStory’s digital presence, making content decisions for the website, blogs and social media. Williams handles everything from writing and editing stories and posts and determining where the content will live in the digital universe to reviewing data trends.

What skills does a digital media manager need?

You should be a quick study in this line of work, says Mike Crimmins, search specialist at digital marketing agency FSC Interactive. Things are always changing in the digital realm, so the ability—and drive—to continually learn new things and readily adapt to change is an essential part of the job. So is the ability to think conceptually and analytically at the same time, adds Crimmins, who divides his time among reviewing key performance metrics, determining which ad best resonates with an audience and gauging content value.

Rock-solid writing and editing skills are also important. You have to be able to write clearly and concisely and tell a story in an interesting and engaging way, explains Williams.

Who is a digital media manager’s supervisor?

A digital media manager might report directly to the head of a communications arm or the director of the paid media department.

What does it take to excel in this position?

“It’s a mix of being [a] problem-solving scientist and creative wordsmith/designer, with a healthy understanding of the audiences mixed in,” says Crimsons.

Offers Williams, “You have to be on and available [because] the Internet does not shut down, ever.” There’s little time for downtime in digital media. You have to keep on keeping on.

How can I break into this field?

A degree in communications, marketing or a related field and/or a certification in Google AdWords may help your resume stand out. But there’s nothing like a trusty internship.

“I think experience is more important than anything,” says Williams, “[but] I mean actual experience, not the ‘I have a Twitter account, so I can manage a Twitter account’ type of experience.”

Topics:

Skills & Expertise

5 Ways to Win Super Bowl Sunday With Your Social Media Strategy

Brands on social media can find a way to make a hit on Super Bowl Sunday

By Hal Conick

4 min read • Originally published January 31, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Hal Conick

4 min read • Originally published January 31, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

5 Ways to Score on Super Bowl Sunday with Social Media was originally published by the American Marketing Association.

Big or small, brands have a chance to pick up steam—and perhaps go viral—any given Super Bowl Sunday.

Influence Central’s 2017 Biggest Game in Football report says 78% of consumers engage in social media while watching the Super Bowl.

According to the report:

38% want to share their thoughts on the commercials.
32% want to react to the game.
18% want to share photos of game-day parties.
10% want to see what their network is doing.
2% want to share strategy about the game.

Stacy DeBroff, CEO and founder of Influence Central, says even smaller brands have a chance of getting in front of a highly focused, gigantic audience on during Super Bowl Sunday.

Here are five tips for getting the attention of one of the biggest audiences of the year:

1. Focus on Pinterest before the game.

There’s a lot going on pre-game, according to DeBroff. This is where brands can focus on Pinterest, as 68% of people surveyed by Influence Central say they go to this social media platform when planning for game-day parties. Another 26% say they focus on Facebook and 17.2% say Instagram.

“Over the weekend, everyone is going to be looking to set up these parties,” she says. “It turns out that people really want to design [parties themselves]. When it comes to this sort of creative casual fare, they’re turning to Pinterest to be included. That’s a moment where brands can put up—if you’re a food brand—pictures of a party spread or the recipe for your bean dip in the shape of a football or the colors of the teams.”

2. Focus on Facebook and Twitter during the game.

Parties are getting smaller for the 2017 Super Bowl, DeBroff says, as fans now have big screens at home and an instant ability to tap into an online party via social media. During the Super Bowl, fans look for real-time news on Twitter and their friends’ reactions on Facebook.

“When you realize the primary focus is going to be on Facebook and tweeting, it gives marketers a focus in advance,” DeBroff says, adding a possible example of posting branded picture every time a team scores a touchdown.

3. Use geotargeted influencers.

With so many people on social media during the Super Bowl, there will be plenty of people posting updates, looking at posts and liking them. DeBroff says brands should use this to their advantage by finding geotargeted influencers to place brand products or services before the big game.

“In this case, visuals are really amazing,” DeBroff says. Another great way to expand reach is actively searching for someone who is using a brand’s product, then amplifying what the social media user is posting. “The amplification of that is an opportunity for this elusive real-time marketing.”

Targeting users can be a great way for smaller or regional brands to get involved on game day, DeBroff says. “You want to reach your passionate consumers who are tied into the game,” she says.

4. Put a twist on the commercials.

While it isn’t legally advisable to hijack a hashtag or use imagery from another brand, DeBroff says companies can still find unique ways to play off of Super Bowl commercials.

“The reason people are spending a lot of time on social is we now have a consumer demographic who all considers themselves to be discerning consumers,” DeBroff says. “We’re always analyzing the creative and the messaging to come up with our own determination of creditability.”

Companies can find ways to send their own message after an ad airs, DeBroff says–perhaps in an industry their brand works in, perhaps something a bit more creative.

DeBroff gives an example of a craft beer company playing off a Budweiser commercial by immediately posting a status, tweet or picture featuring a statistic on how many people drink craft beer during the Super Bowl, or something as easy as a toast to craft beer.

“You know within an audience [of beer drinkers] there will be people who feel strongly about craft beer,” DeBroff says. “You’re not hijacking, but adding something relevant.”

5. Be creative to go viral.

What’s at stake as a marketer? It could be a few stray impressions and a day or two of work, or it could be a brand being unveiled for the first time to an audience of millions. DeBroff says the only way to truly know what happens is to make some creative content and get involved.

“It means that you have a chance of getting a very focused audience,” she says. “If you can capture a small amount their attention, you have a chance of going viral.”

Hal Conick is a staff writer for the AMA’s magazines and e-newsletters. He can be reached at hconick@ama.org or on Twitter at @HalConick.

The American Marketing Association is the pre-eminent force in marketing for best and next practices, thought leadership and valued relationships, across the entire discipline of marketing. Its online publications include posts on industry trends, career advice and more.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros

4 Brilliant Marketing Ideas to Steal From Super Bowl’s Top Brands

A $5.5 million Super Bowl ad may not be in your budget, but here a few techniques you can afford to copy

Amirah Bey is a digital marketing strategist with over 10 years of experience across global brands including Amazon Web Services, Procore Technologies, and Mediabistro. A Howard University graduate and Army National Guard veteran, she specializes in lifecycle marketing, analytics-driven strategy, and digital experience optimization.

4 min read • Originally published February 6, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

If you want to build a successful freelance career, check out this online course. You’ll learn the right way to market yourself, how and who to pitch, how to navigate contracts and more.

Amirah Bey is a digital marketing strategist with over 10 years of experience across global brands including Amazon Web Services, Procore Technologies, and Mediabistro. A Howard University graduate and Army National Guard veteran, she specializes in lifecycle marketing, analytics-driven strategy, and digital experience optimization.

4 min read • Originally published February 6, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

With millions of viewers each year, the Super Bowl lives on as the premiere event for brands everywhere. More than the most-watched televised event, it is the one time of the year where viewers welcome and anticipate commercial breaks.

The prestige of these slots means advertisers bring their A-game, so we’ve compiled the best of the best Super Bowl brand ideas for you to emulate in your marketing efforts.

Express Yourself

Set to a moving score of violins, Budweiser’s Super Bowl ad paid tribute to its founder and the immigrant history of America. Many took the ad to be a commentary on immigration and today’s political climate, and speculated the 60-second spot was a criticism of the current administration.

Audi also switched gears to debut a touching commercial about a father’s hope for gender equality (equal pay) for his young daughter.

Both immigration and equal pay are often topics fraught with discord and bipartisan friction, but these brands took chances that paid off. They sparked a ton of conversation, made multiple headlines and trended on social media.

Taking a stand on an issue is something that should be meticulously evaluated and carefully executed. However, aligning your brand with the values of your employees and consumers can generate awareness and engender loyalty.

Try Real Time

Viewers were first treated to a live Super Bowl commercial in 1981, when Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company ran a taste test. This year Snickers also decided to unwrap their ad live during the big game.

Think of ways you can incorporate live streaming into your marketing and communications plans. Many consumers crave the authenticity and immediacy that live action provides.In order to have a successful broadcast you’ll also want to publicize the time you’re set to go live. Snickers released teasers in the days prior to the game to pump up anticipation. The candy brand also set up a 36-hour live stream leading up to the game that resulted in tons of shareable content.

BREAKING: @BettyMWhite is about to show up on set at #SNICKERSLive! Go to https://t.co/ef8ayGifTi #SB51 pic.twitter.com/yfTmoI1kU6

— SNICKERS® (@SNICKERS) February 2, 2017

Go Long

Buffalo Wild Wings actually released a series of spots featuring NFL icon Brett Favre. The campaign, “The Conspiracy” features Favre on a mission to uncover the forces behind a scheme that led to his all-time interception record. In the finale of this long-form ad, Favre resolves that Buffalo Wild Wings was behind the plot to drive up his number of interceptions.

Think of how you can stretch out your content. Break up that long article into a series of mini blog posts or develop an engaging video series. This keeps visitors coming back to your content and your brand top-of-mind.

Cover the Field

Not only did 84 Lumber premiere their first-ever Super Bowl commercial, “The Journey Begins,” they drove viewers to a related microsite in the ad. During the spot we see a mother and daughter on a grueling trek across Mexico. We don’t see where the journey ends, because the ad cuts to a prompt for viewers to visit a microsite to see the remainder of the commercial. Interest in the conclusion of the family’s story was intense as traffic flooded the site and crashed it temporarily.

Squarespace also used a microsite to interact with their audience across different platforms. The ad begins with John Malkovich, very confusedly asking, “How is it that JohnMalkovich.com is taken?” Malkovich becomes even more angry when sees who it is actually occupying his domain.

In actuality John Malkovich has made the transition to fashion designer. Those who head to JohnMalkovich.com are treated to a splash page of the other John Malkovich, an award-winning fisher, that falls away to reveal Malkovich’s fashion website presented by Squarespace.

In what ways can you bring your brand campaigns to life? Consider creating a microsite or a landing page to attract more leads and engage visitors longer. Be sure to decide how you’ll coordinate these efforts across social media channels.

Tie In Pop Culture

50 Shades of Grey is a pop culture phenomenon and whether you love or loathe the film, you’re sure to know what it’s about. With the sequel premiere set for the same week as the Super Bowl, T-Mobile’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” spoof was a strong example of the timely use of a pop culture tie-in.

Stay abreast of news and popular culture and look for ways that you can tie your message into these trends. This technique allows you to hook your audience with a buzzed-about topic and communicate your brand messages.

Topics:

Advice From the Pros, Be Inspired

Business Basics

7 Costly Mistakes Every Freelance Writer Should Avoid

Rookies and veterans alike should beware of these gaffes

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.

7 min read • Originally published February 8, 2017 / 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.

7 min read • Originally published February 8, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

Whether you’re a newbie writer or you’re already flailing in the uncertain waters of freelancing, it can be helpful to learn from others’ mistakes. Rookie mistakes are invaluable if a writer learns from them, says editor and writer Suzann Ledbetter Ellingsworth. “Then again, a writer should be, and should welcome being, an eternal rookie. Thankfully, the writing business presents unlimited opportunities to practice humility,” she said.

I’ve been doing this freelance thing for three years, and my climb from anonymity to relative success has been a grueling one. Come along, eternal rookies everywhere, and learn from some of the mistakes we’ve made.

1. Working for peanuts

It’s tempting to think you’re not worth much when you first start freelancing. And while you probably aren’t going to land that lucrative New York Times feature when you’re virtually unknown, that doesn’t mean you should write for free, either. I wasted precious time writing for a massive website that promised serious income if I generated enough “clicks” from readers, but never made more than $30 for writing over 30 well-constructed articles. There are paying markets for new writers: content farms, up-and-coming publications, trade magazines and multi-author blogs are a few examples. Tap into them first instead of selling yourself short.

2. Firing off pitches like a trigger-happy hunter

You wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and say, “Hey! I need a new best friend, let’s go spend all day together,” would you? Though that’s one way to make a first impression, it’s certainly not the best way. Your pitch letter is your first impression on an editor—so it had better have a professional tone, be well-researched and be grammatically correct.

Know the market to which you’re submitting. C. Hope Clark, founder of FundsForWriters.com, says she would have taken more time studying markets she submitted to and avoiding pitching the same piece simultaneously to competing markets. “That lesson came with experience and it took a negative situation where competing markets accepted my work for me to learn that was a big no-no.”

However, this isn’t to say you should only send your work out to one market at a time. My strategy is to send the same pitch to two or three non-competing markets (an essay about postpartum depression, for instance, could be sent to both a women’s health magazine and a mommy blog). If a market rejects my pitch, I’ll immediately send it out to another similar publication. To increase my odds of publication, I also try to have a variety of pitches out at any given time, rather than focusing on selling one piece at a time.

David Henry Sterry made the same mistake with a book he’d been working on for five years. “I sent it to all these great agents and they all said, ah, your cake is half-baked!” He says he was lucky that they gave him the reasons it wouldn’t work, but more often than not it’s better to get that feedback from a friend, colleague or book doctor before you start chasing down agents and editors.

3. Assuming you’re so brilliant that readers will just fall into your lap

Unless you’re Barack Obama or Stephen King or Stephenie Meyer, people aren’t just going to mindlessly consume anything you write.

Sterry warns against tossing your life’s responsibilities to the wind because you believe your story is going to be a megahit. “I’ve got people who’ve written these books who are like, I’m going to take a second mortgage out on my house—I’m like, no, don’t take a second mortgage out! Please, I beg you! You’re not going to get a $100,000 advance for this book, ever!”

Ellingsworth is of the same mindset. “Magnum opus to ‘filler article about diaper rash’ writing is 100 percent reader driven.” She reminds new writers that even when professionals speak about how they really only “write for themselves,” they’re usually saying it at a promotional event, with the intention of selling their writing. Truly successful writers write with their audience in mind: Their readers’ needs and wants always come first.

4. Overshare

You walk a fine line as a writer between having a strong online presence and oversharing. It’s valuable to connect with editors and colleagues on Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+, but spamming them with photos of your lunch and your baby’s various bowel movements won’t do much to further your career.

I have worried about sensitive information going public in my writing. I’ve written a few anonymous pieces for Mommyish.com and they’ve been wonderful about honoring my privacy, but I wouldn’t have submitted these delicate stories if I didn’t already have a trusting relationship with the editorial staff.

5. Freaking out about comments

You don’t have to be a blogger to get instant feedback on your writing anymore. Any piece you sell to an online publication has the potential to reach a massive, and often vocal, audience. Even magazine articles often get reprinted online.

Maria Guido, blogger and author, gives this advice: “Just chill out. Don’t worry about what everyone says because it really doesn’t matter. Try not to take every comment to heart because I totally believe that’s something people just do—all day! They just get online and attack people.” She also reminds writers that the people who comment are a very, very tiny portion of your actual collective readership.

I once wrote a hasty, overly sarcastic blog post for Mommyish, and it was met with a slew of comments attacking my character. I felt paralyzed for days—mostly because I knew I’d written poorly and in a way that was untrue to my voice, but also because readers who had loved my work were now claiming to hate me. I learned to take my time and to ask my editors for help when I was uncertain about something. I haven’t written anything I’ve been disappointed in since.

Remember: You’re the one getting paid to write. At the end of the day, if your editor is happy with your work and you’re happy with it, it doesn’t matter what the comment trolls have to say.

6. Failure to research

When I started freelancing, I thought it was a waste of time to study the masthead of a particular publication or learn about different editors’ preferences. I also didn’t read the publications to which I was submitting. I figured if I just sent a piece out to plenty of different markets, someone would eventually accept it. Plus, there was just so much else to do—file cabinets to organize, social media to update, ideas to jot down.

Ellingsworth says you can really only learn by reading, by doing—and by osmosis. I wholeheartedly agree. It’s no surprise that I sold my first “real” piece to Mommyish.com, a website I’d been pleasure-reading for months. Through osmosis, I’d figured out what kind of tone Mommyish preferred and what kinds of angles they needed for their pieces.

Another practical research tip for Internet writing: Just because a website doesn’t have a “submissions” page doesn’t mean they don’t accept work from freelancers. Dig a little deeper. Find an editor’s email address and send a brief email asking if they accept pitches from freelancers, and to whom you should send that pitch.

7. Giving up too soon

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I’ll say I knew I wanted to be a professional writer when I was 8. But I didn’t publish my first story until I was 17, I didn’t start making serious money writing until I was 25, and I didn’t have a readership until I was 27.

This isn’t to say it will take you 20 years to make it as a writer. But you have to put the work in and hope for the best. The whole process of freelancing is about building your portfolio, and using each job as a stepping-stone to the next bigger, better one.

Guido used her blog as her foundation for her writing career. “I really pursued the blog very aggressively and got it out there___ then I was able to use it as a resume to get writing jobs.” She adds, “Put in your time and have something that people can look at and see your body of work.”

Persistence Pays

If you keep at it, you’ll find your place in the freelance world. Exhaust your arsenal of knowledge. Everything you do, every hobby, skill or passion you have has the potential to become a salable story. Pay attention when you’re talking to friends or coworkers. Which of your stories intrigue them? What do people frequently come to you for advice on? If you’re always getting complimented on your garden or your extreme couponing habits or your ghost-hunting hobby, chances are there’s a readership that would benefit from your experiences. You’ll make mistakes, as all writers do, but as long as you have the gumption to bounce back from rejection and keep pitching your magnificent ideas, you’ll be unstoppable.

For more help with your freelance career, consider taking our online course.

Topics:

Business Basics, Go Freelance

The Art of the Pitch: Why Selling Stories Is a Lot Like Seduction

Perfect your persuasive pitch with a few tips from the romance department

Amirah Bey is a digital marketing strategist with over 10 years of experience across global brands including Amazon Web Services, Procore Technologies, and Mediabistro. A Howard University graduate and Army National Guard veteran, she specializes in lifecycle marketing, analytics-driven strategy, and digital experience optimization.

4 min read • Originally published February 13, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

Amirah Bey is a digital marketing strategist with over 10 years of experience across global brands including Amazon Web Services, Procore Technologies, and Mediabistro. A Howard University graduate and Army National Guard veteran, she specializes in lifecycle marketing, analytics-driven strategy, and digital experience optimization.

4 min read • Originally published February 13, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

The phrase, “it’s not personal, it’s strictly business,” is rarely said following an amiable exchange. If pop culture is to be relied upon, the saying is often a line of justification from a questionable character after some shady business dealing. This supports a theory that no good can come from treating people differently simply because they’re at work. When we’re on or off the clock, human-to-human interaction matters.

As for communications professionals (because journalists don’t stop being people when they walk in to the newsroom), the act of pitching the press is much like the courtship of a desired partner. Many of the same techniques you would use to seduce a romantic companion will be effective in the persuasion of members of top-tier media.

Make a good first impression

It’s so challenging to overcome a bad first impression. Typically the women and men who capture our hearts nail their first introduction. They are enigmatic, sweet, funny or polished.

The same goes for a journalist’s first impression of you. Often times this is via an email inbox, so make sure your message is spell-checked and formatted correctly.

Also, just like the guy or girl you’re trying to seduce doesn’t want some long-winded pickup line, the journalist you’re pitching would also like you to get to the point. Use your email message to describe your story idea as concisely as possible.

Personalize your communication

Mass-texting a group of men or women you happen to be dating, or want to date, isn’t a smart move. All of your potential mates would find out about one another and they would feel the opposite of special. The same is true for the journalism contacts you are trying to pitch.

Sending a mass email is impersonal and will never be as effective as crafting a personalized message to a high-value media contact. Failing to do so could mean a non-response or an unopened email that lands right in the right trash. It’s much easier to compose a tailored, well thought-out pitch email with our next tip.

Do your research

In modern dating, seduction has gone digital as dating apps become ubiquitous. Many of you use Google to research a prospect before you’ve even had a first date (just admit it). Spend no less time reading the articles of a journalist you want to pitch than you would scrolling the depths of that guy or girl’s Instagram feed.

Journalists often cite their number one pitching pet peeve as: communications pros that don’t do their research. Don’t pitch a journalist a story that has nothing to do with their beat. In fact, if you do your research well, you’ll find that journalists often operate in a specific niche within a beat. Your pitch will be warmly received if it hits all their soft spots.

It’s rare that public relations practitioners actually do their research so it’s easy to stand out. To get an ‘A’ for effort, demonstrate you’ve taken time to acquaint yourself with the writer’s previous work.

Also, flattery will get you everywhere. This is true in dating and pitching as well. If appropriate, give a compliment on their work for bonus points!

Don’t follow-up relentlessly

When trying to seduce someone, it’s important that you’re not overbearing. The person you’re interested in could share that interest initially, but be turned off by a barrage of texts or phone calls.

Relatedly, a journalist could receive your pitch, like the idea and plan to get back to you. Give them time to follow-up, and certainly don’t harass them with an onslaught of subsequent emails or phone calls.

Do follow-up

Wait, you just said—I know, I know, but we’re talking seduction and dating. Of course there are mixed messages. Both men and women agree: it’s the little things. Whether one remembers her zodiac sign, his favorite sports team or sends the always reliable “good morning” text; the little things make people feel cherished.

If a journalist runs with your pitch, the seduction doesn’t end there. Continue to build your relationship by sending them a thank you. Prove that you’re unselfish (and seeking a mutually advantageous relationship) by sending articles or other links pertinent to his or her beat, even when you aren’t actively pitching.

Pitching isn’t just for communications practitioners; the art of persuasive pitching is a skill that could advance the careers of a professional in any field. It’s important to know how to conduct thorough media research, choose the best channels for your messages and how to get noticed.

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6 Simple Ways to Sharpen Your Writing Skills Today

Good writing skills are essential for any profession

By Aja Frost

Aja Frost is a growth marketing leader who has spent nearly a decade at HubSpot building and scaling the company's growth engine across SEO, AEO, content, and product-led acquisition. She is also the co-founder of Platonic Love, a media brand with a bestselling Substack newsletter.

4 min read • Originally published February 20, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

By Aja Frost

Aja Frost is a growth marketing leader who has spent nearly a decade at HubSpot building and scaling the company's growth engine across SEO, AEO, content, and product-led acquisition. She is also the co-founder of Platonic Love, a media brand with a bestselling Substack newsletter.

4 min read • Originally published February 20, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

It’s relatively simple to brush up on skills like skiing and public speaking: just practice more. But improving your writing ability is a little trickier. If you do nothing but increase your output, you probably won’t see a corresponding increase in quality.

Fortunately, there are several methods writers can use to hone their craft. Scroll down for six easy and effective ideas.

1. Read Everything

Most writers got their start as voracious readers—so you probably already spend a lot of time reading. However, if you’re only reading one type of content, think about broadening your literary horizons.

Exposure to a wide range of styles, subjects, and forms teaches you new techniques and gives you fresh inspiration. For example, reading lyrical poetry will show you how to convey emotion, while reading a journalism piece will show you how to get to the point.

Aim to read at least one thing per day that’s outside of your comfort zone. You should notice your own content becoming more sophisticated as a result.

2. Read a Writing Manual

While you’re at it, make sure you’ve got at least one writing-related book in rotation at all times. Reading the foundational writing texts is an essential part of every professional writer’s journey.

Here’s where to begin:

“The Elements of Style” by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White. This 100-page book belongs in every writer’s library. Its timeless, practical advice applies no matter what you’re writing.
“On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction” by William Zinsser. In his warm, engaging style, Zissner lays down writing principles and methodologies. He also shares guidelines for specific writing types, such as humor, business, memoir, travel, and more.
“Nicely Said: Writing for the Web with Style and Purpose” by Nicole Stenton and Kate Kiefer Lee. The vast majority of modern writers see their work published online. If you want to master the mechanics of web writing (trust me, you do), this book is an awesome resource.
“On Writing” by Stephen King. Along with its tactical knowledge, this book is a reliable source of creative motivation. As one Amazon reviewer put it, “this book makes you want to sit down and write something.”

3. Go to a Writer’s Meetup

Because it’s almost impossible to analyze your own writing objectively, getting external feedback is crucial. (That never stops being true, by the way. Why do you think even the most seasoned writers have editors?)

A writing meetup is a fantastic opportunity for gathering feedback. They’re usually pretty welcoming places, meaning you don’t need to worry about having your work torn to shreds. You’ll walk away with some helpful suggestions—and probably a couple new ideas.

If you’re looking for a local group, Meetup is always a good place to start. There are also plenty of virtual options, like Scribophile, an online writing community, or Inked Voices, a subscription platform that’ll match you with a writer’s group based on your preferences and experience level.

4. Take an Online Course

Learning by doing is great, but sometimes, you want a straightforward explanation of concepts and best practices. Enter: free or low-cost online writing courses.

Anyone looking for a “back to basics” refresher should check out Arizona State University’s English Composition course, a free eight-week program requiring 18 hours of work per week.

Meanwhile, Stanford offers more than 20 online creative writing courses ranging from 5 to 10 weeks. They’re pricey (from roughly $150 to $1,000), but you’re guaranteed to get some top-notch writing instruction.

5. Set Up a Schedule

Writing is actually pretty similar to working out. The first couple times you do it, you struggle to even finish. But keep practicing, and before you know it, the things that used to feel impossible are now simple.

Everyone has different amounts of free time, but try to shoot for at least 30 minutes of writing practice every day. (If you can fit in more, even better.) Like exercising, it’s helpful to pick one time and stick to it. Most writers opt for early in the morning or late at night, depending on when their creativity and energy peaks—but go with whatever works for you!

6. Rewrite Old Pieces

Reading your old work should make you cringe: It shows you’re improving. To simultaneously benchmark your progress and hone your skills, pick up an old piece and make it better.

You can either make light edits or do a total rewrite, depending on the quality of the piece. Take note of what you’re changing. Is your tone different? Are there structural errors? Do you need more or less explanation?

Once you go back to your current work, try to stay conscious of the mistakes you found so you don’t repeat them.

Don’t stop now. Enroll in a Mediabistro writing course today. The most successful writers look for ways to keep growing and perfecting their craft.

Topics:

Resumes & Cover Letters

When Is It Worth Hiring a Professional Resume Writer?

The best time for help from a pro is anytime you want your career to move to the next level

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 March 1, 2017 / 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 March 1, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

If you think the only time to hire a professional resume writer is when you’re searching for a job, have we got news for you. An updated resume, crafted by a pro, should be considered a necessity for any media professional.

Here are just a few of the best times to revamp your resume:

Before You Leave Your Current Job

If you’re looking to move on to bigger and better things in your career, or if you have a feeling your position is about to get downsized, the best time to hire a pro to improve your resume is right now.

“Keep in mind good resume writers will always be in demand, so they will have a client backlog,” says Alex Twersky, career expert and resume writer. “Don’t wait until the last minute to hire one, because you may wind up missing the boat on an application deadline because your new resume isn’t ready in time.”

Rather than waiting until you’re actively seeking a job to polish up your resume, it’s a smarter move to be proactive and have everything ready so you can hit the job boards running.

When a Review is Around the Corner

If it’s the time of the year when promotions and raises are on the agenda, then you should already be gathering information to make your case to your manager. You want to ensure all your hard work gets the recognition—and payoff—it deserves. And because these types of reviews don’t happen often, it’s important to make them count.

That’s why this is such a great time to hire a resume writer. As Twersky says, hiring a professional with an objective view of your skills can illuminate things you may have otherwise passed off as day-to-day tasks.

Incorporating these into your new resume—accomplishments from your previous roles as well as from your current position—makes it easier to clearly identify to your manager what you’re truly capable of.

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.

When You Want to Keep Your Options Open

You love your job. That’s great. But what if there was something even better out there? Or maybe an amazing freelance gig that could bolster your reputation and multiply your network?

By keeping your resume updated with the help of a professional writer, you can confidently upload it to job boards, LinkedIn and other places where recruiters might be looking to snag talent.

In these scenarios, you’ll have the bargaining power. If a new employer wants you—and the talent your newly updated resume boasts—they’ll have to accept your terms.

While these situations don’t happen every day, when they do, you’ll be glad you were ready for them. “One never knows when opportunity will knock,” as Twersky says, “so having a polished, up-to-date, winning resume at hand is one of the smartest career moves you can make.”

Topics:

Get Hired, Resumes & Cover Letters

15 Questions to Answer Before You Write a Single Word of Website Copy

Best practices and copywriting tips to help you write more effectively for the web

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 March 6, 2017 / 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 March 6, 2017 / Updated March 19, 2026

Your website needs brand-new copy, and you’re just the person for the job. But before you type a single word, ask yourself these 15 important questions:

1. Who is your website’s main audience?
Here’s one of the most effective website copywriting tips: know who you’re talking to before you start writing. Create an image in your mind of the type of person you want to visit your site—your perfect customer. Everything you write should be aimed at that person.

2. What do you want your audience to know about you?
Sometimes it’s hard to determine what to put on your website and what can be communicated through other mediums. Determine the most important things you want your core audience to know about you (or your product, service, company, etc.). Don’t overwhelm them with too much information.

3. What action do you want your audience to take?
Do you want them to buy your product? Sign up for your service? Apply for a job at your company? Donate to a worthy cause? Join your email list? Follow you on social media? The possibilities are endless. Copywriting and marketing professionals refer to this as a “call to action.” Make sure you know exactly what actions you want your website visitors to take, and that the web copy tells them exactly what to do.

4. Who are other visitors who might come to your website?
You might have a secondary audience who comes to your site for reasons unlike those of your core audience. For example, if you’re a freelance copywriter, your website mainly talks to potential clients who want to hire you. But, your secondary audience could be other freelance copywriters who stop by to read your blog about copywriting tips.

5. Do you want your secondary audience to know anything different, or do anything different?
Make sure you prioritize your main audience, but don’t leave your secondary audience out of the loop. Write crystal-clear copy that tells each group what they need to know and what you want them to do.

6. What is your brand’s tone of voice?
Ask yourself: what tone will appeal most to your main audience? Are you friendly and approachable? Funny and witty? Serious and professional? Heartwarming and deeply personal? Wacky and creative? Innovative and cutting edge? Casual and irreverent? Luxurious and high-end? The tone you choose will dictate the kind of language you use.

7. Are there any words or phrases your main audience might use to search for a website like yours?
Web Copy Best Practices 101: Add search-engine friendly keywords to your copy that will guide people to your site.

8. Have you visited other websites similar to yours?
Time to check out the competition! Take some time to research what other people are doing in your field. Looking at other websites from within your industry is a great way to understand what your audience might expect from you.

9. What do you like about these other websites?
Don’t steal anyone else’s copy verbatim, but allow yourself to be inspired by good web copy examples. Maybe you like one site’s clever menu names, and another site’s bold call to action on the home page. Note what you like so you can remember when you start writing.

10. What DON’T you like about these other websites?
Jot down the things you don’t like. Are there too many navigational items in the header? Is there way too much copy on the home page? Not enough information on the “about” page? Are you confused about where you’re supposed to go and what you’re supposed to do? Keep these dislikes in mind for later.

11. What’s special about your website/brand/product/service?
Now that you’ve checked out the competition, you should have a better sense of where you fit in the landscape and what sets you apart. You should communicate this in your copy, so your audience knows why you’re unique.

12. What do you like about the web copy you have right now?
If you already have a website, take a minute to see if there’s any existing copy that you really like and want to keep. Sometimes you don’t have to do a total overhaul—just a quick brush-up.

13. What don’t you like about your website copy?
The more clearly you articulate the problems with your existing website, the easier it is to avoid making the same mistakes twice. When in doubt, ask a friend or colleague to take a look and give you their honest opinion.

14. What’s the most important message a website visitor should see?
What’s the big concept or main message you want to convey right away when someone lands on your site? Your home page is your most important real estate, so use it effectively.

15. How confident do you feel about writing your website copy, on a scale of 1-10?
If you rank your confidence at an 8 or above—congrats, you’re ready to get your wordsmith on!

If you’re feeling more in the 1-2 range, take a step back and consider hiring a professional to handle your writing needs. There are hundreds of freelancers and copywriting services who are standing by to help you.

If you’re in the 3-7 range, you’re almost there—you just need a nudge in the right direction. Take some additional time to educate yourself on copywriting best practices so you can write your site with confidence.

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