Early August was the final chapter in my role of Senior Community Manager at Wasserman in the Next Gen division. Since then, I’ve been reflecting on my career path, and how each chapter has opened new doors and opportunities.
Let’s go back to the beginning…
Shut Up Madi Genesis
In my favorite course of all time at University of Montana, I was introduced to SEO. I was in awe of how you could incorporate data into content, how bots weaved through the web, and how much of a science it was to appeal to search engines and people alike (before AI, of course).
We had two major assignments in the class. One was to create a blog post that had over 200 views, if you exceeded 1,000, you got an automatic B minimum in the class. The blog I wrote was Montana, It’s Not For You. I shared it on Facebook and by the end of the week, there were over 200 shares. It blew up, resulting in over 2,000 views by the time it was reviewed.
When it came time for me to share my strategy, my professor said it was brilliant. This meant everything to me because I was terrified of this task—putting your name on your writing and then sharing it with the world. Can you imagine?
Like most things, the risk and discomfort of this task opened up worlds of possibilities. As someone who has always learned better by doing, this blog was the best way for me to deep dive into SEO. And in turn, I also got experience with WordPress, making me familiar with web design and development.
This led to my first official full-time job at TOMIS.
I met Ivy, who would later become my boss, when she gave a presentation at UM. After she mentioned Yoast, I stayed to ask what platforms they worked on. I was excited when she confirmed the use of WordPress because that’s what my blog was hosted on. I even sent it over to share some of my recent local work.
The skills I learned in this job, sprouted from this blog, have translated into every role I’ve had since.
Content Creation
Phoebe’s Instagram
It’s unlawful to have a dog as cute as Phoebe and not have a public page for her.
Surprising to no one, there are challenges to having a frenchie and my profile and blog alike have helped bring awareness to some of the challenges, but also, and most importantly, the rewards. COLAtoday even shared how to spend a weekend in Columbia with Phoebe in 2022 (put a pin in this).
This has always been a fun hobby and an easy place to share the thousands of pictures I have of my dog, but it’s also built connections with local businesses sharing her picture at their establishment and people reaching out directly with their questions, like what to know before flying with your French Bulldog.
Cola Eats | Biscuits to Brisket
If you remember the early days of my blog, you may remember some of the local guides like Instagrammable Missoula and Best Patios in Columbia. I love love love exploring and showcasing local hotspots.
Writing about this on my blog offered great local SEO benefits, while sharing on social media gave me access to fun local events and an excuse to share my experiences at said places. Starting with ColaEats, which later evolved into Biscuits to Brisket, illustrating my transition from South Carolina to Texas.
I think it’s important to fall in love with your community, and as Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor states, eating is an act of communion. So why not start there?
Fort Worth Girls Who Walk
And when the eating gets to be too much, and you want to meet friends in a budget-friendly, waist-friendly manner, there’s always Fort Worth Girls Who Walk!
I made this group as an inclusive way to meet friends in the area. It’s ideal for when you don’t want to commit to 1:1 activities with strangers, get your steppies in, and save money on your social time. It’s grown to 10 girls who come every week, and stragglers sprinkling in from time to time. It’s been such a cool way for transplants like me to meet new people.
What Do These Have In Common?
Aside from them all being random passion points created by me, they have all helped me build community.
From Phoebe fans, to foodies and tourists, to transplants, I’ve brought people together, which is something I’m really proud of. I’ve always loved creating content, and diving into that has helped me find my additional love for local hotspots and building community.
Which brings me to my new chapter – working at 6AM City in the FTWtoday and DALtoday publications as a Sales Executive. Remember when I told you to put a pin in the post about Phoebe earlier? It was them who shared it. They also shared my walking group and regularly reposted my content from Biscuits to Brisket. I’ve had so many interactions with them over the years, making me so excited to be working with them.
I was super nervous to work in sales, but so far, the excitement of being more involved in the community and my knowledge in the paid ad space has made it a fairly easy transition, and I’m really enjoying it.
It’s so crazy how all my adventures have led me here, and I’m so excited to see how it plays out.
Not Just Me
Some additional people in my circle’s careers are also evolving from their hobbies! One of my besties from Columbia is embracing her love for dogs and is working at a doggie training and daycare center. My brother, Gavin, is teaching Muay Thai. My mom is selling her beaded jewelry. It’s such a rewarding thing to watch those you love share their passions with others.
Shut Up Madi 
