Sedona, Arizona: Magical Land of Red Rocks

After settling back into work mode, I have been thinking back on my recent travels. It is hard to know what will stick with me when I am on the road, but after settling and sleeping in my own bed I have many trip memories. My travels last month took me to Phoenix, Santa Fe, Northern New Mexico, and Chicago. All these places offered something special. Today, as I look out on the green grass and many blooms in the Portland OR area, I remember the intense sun and red rock formations from my one night in Sedona Arizona.

Sedona is a lot cooler than Phoenix due to elevation which we noticed right away when we found ourselves panting on a short little walk. We saw the sights; downtown, tlaquepaque art village, took a bus tour, ate rattlesnake and cactus at The Cowboy Club. The part that sticks now is the vision of the grand vistas and unforgettable views.

xoxo,

Megan Hayne

On the Road

Dear Friends, 

I am getting ready to travel for 3 weeks! Hope to have some exciting travel tales and picture for you upon my return. Don't you love how tidy the suitcase looks in the beginning? It never stays that way. 

xoxo,

Megan Hayne

3 Life Lessons that Translate to Marketing Concepts

1. Start With Yourself

We have all seen Gandhi's “Be the change....” posted as a meme on every inspirational page ever. There is a reason for this fact, it is great advice. It is pithy and practical. No one can argue the point. This concept also works in relationships, in career, and yes, in marketing. Just like you cannot attract the perfect mate or friend until you are happy with where you are in life, you also cannot attract the perfect business client until you develop a voice, brand, and professional image that you love authentically. This may seem obvious, but then why is their so much marketing content out there that falls flat on this point? 80% of the time, generic-feeling marketing content is caused by a company failing to prioritize marketing that reflects the founding mission and values.

2. You Can't Win'em All

When life inevitably teaches you what it feels like to start from a place of self knowledge, two things happen. The first is that certain people in your life fade away or abruptly break it off with you completely. The second is that people who are in a similar place of self-empowerment enter your life and stay. The same is true in marketing, and that is why so many businesses are afraid of true authenticity. These businesses are afraid of step one. They fear that when the people who don't align with the mission fall away, there will be no one left. Even though these customers are usually the kind that cause heartache (or at least neck pain), it is hard to trust that your perfect people will be waiting on the other side of this purge. Trust me, all people who experience this process personally or professionally with tell you, your perfect friends, lover, and clients are out there ready for you to tell them who you are.

3. You Don't Have to Jump Off the Cliff

I can hear my mother's voice now. It's so obvious that just because the other kids are jumping off a cliff, I don't have to. Then why do so many businesses still jump off all these marketing cliffs? I am not saying a businesses shouldn't pay attention to marketing trends, but trend examination should come from a place of reflection on appropriate voice for a brand. The latest example I have seen is Facebook Live. Every marketing trend tracker is talking about Facebook Live, and people are using it. Way. Too. Much. Before you start making videos of yourself talking about your business every single day, ask yourself, is this resonant with your audience. So many of these Facebook Live posts would be so much more appropriate on a platform like a business YouTube channel where the presentation is a little more subtle and respectful of the personal nature and urgency of Facebook. So before you jump off the next marketing trend cliff, ask yourself if it truly reflects your brand. Ignore the fear mongering click-bait that says “If you aren't using this new marketing trend, you are missing sales!”

xoxo,

Megan Hayne

Natural Bling

I met an amazing woman at a networking event last week! Her name was Eliza and her company is called The Emerging Pearl (this is not a paid promotional piece, I just like her work). Eliza sells jewelry, and I bought an amazing necklace from her stash. Not only does Eliza make amazing jewelry, but she is also a abuse survivor advocate and teacher. Her jewelry making and classes come together to empower abuse survivors.  My pendant is a natural stone called a druzy, and I just love the contrast of the gray stone and its sparkle.

xoxo,

Megan Hayne

Flower Tour of Vancouver Washington

It is officially spring in Vancouver Washington. Here are some sights from my after lunch walk.

xoxo,

Megan Hayne

Collaborative Marketing

“So we are in competition.” This statement dropped so quickly from the man sitting across the table from me as soon as I said I worked in marketing. Immediately I bristled, “I guess...If that's how you want it.” I quickly retorted. I instantly wished I had said something more thoughtful, but blamed my feeling of shock. I had come to the Freelancer's Union event expecting the same camaraderie I felt for everyone in that room.

I have met a lot of marketing professionals throughout my career, and never have felt that any one of us was in competition. In fact, I am always amazed by the fact that every marketer brings something unique. We marketers are real snowflakes.


Furthermore, some of the best marketing campaigns that I have seen lately, have come from collaboration. From Seth Godin being interviewed by fellow marketing professional Debbie Millman, to Jordan Watson and Aureta Thomollari setting the marketing trends in the art world, collaborative marketing is pure gold. Personally, some of the best work I have done has come from bouncing ideas around with friends and family.


Let's challenge ourselves in whatever profession we dwell, if we find ourselves feeling that someone is the competition, let's stop. Let's instead ask ourselves how we can collaborate. Imagine the impact we could make if we creatives all worked together!

xoxo,

Megan Hayne

Got My Thinking Shoes On

Today has been a day for me to focus on my creative work. Love these days. I have a shoes-off household. On days like today, a great pair of slippers is a must! I feel creative already.

xoxo,

Mega Hayne