Kelly Ann Collins — Practice makes perfect. Learn the basics and then just get in there and do it!
Thanks a lot to Kelly Ann for taking the time to do this Interview. “Marketer Interviews” is a interview series catalog where we interview the top marketers out there and present it in an organised and categorized format at interviews.observely.net .
Kelly Ann Collins is CEO at Vult Lab. To learn more about Kelly Ann’s work go to http://www.vultlab.com.
Question: Where are you working now, what is your role and how did you get here?
Kelly Ann Collins: I’m the CEO at Vult Lab, a social media agency I started five years ago. We focus on social good campaigns — and we only work with companies and organizations doing good things. As we like to say, “We’re social media strategists who love one thing and one thing only: helping our clients to accelerate rockin’ ideas for a better tomorrow.💫”
Question: What is your favorite marketing area? (Social, SEO, Sales etc.)?
Kelly Ann Collins: Social media all the way! No matter what you do — chatbots, SEO, sales, web design, funnels, ads — social media plays a part in almost all things digital.
Question: Why do you love marketing?
Kelly Ann Collins: When I was a little kid you couldn’t tweet your president, or DM your favorite cartoon character. Now, you can. And, to me, this interactivity, is amazing. Invigorating even!
Question: What are your favorite books?
Kelly Ann Collins: Anything Grant Cardone. Sure, he’s a little crazy, but I am all about the hustle life.
Question: What marketing related blogs, magazines etc. do you read to keep your skills up to date?
Kelly Ann Collins: I love all the best blogs from Social Media Today and Social Media Examiner to Buffer and Adobe’s CMO!
Question: What brands do you like or follow on social media and why?
Kelly Ann Collins: I am 100% all about @Wendys. If you are not following them on Twitter you are missing out. It’s pretty awesome (whether you like fast food or not). Other fun brands to follow: @MoonPie and @DennysDiner.
Question: How do you find good content?
Kelly Ann Collins: I’m always on the lookout. But, if there is a specific topic I want to research I do a search on social media first for insights on what people are saying, what’s performing well and what’s not.
Question: How do you get to know your target audience?
Kelly Ann Collins: Research, research, research. After you have defined your ideal target market, you’ve got to really dig in and get to know the people in it. Look at the hashtags they use, where they shop, where they live, etc. A great tool for determining this information is WealthEngine, which can provide any organization or business with lifestyle data to enhance marketing efforts. You have to know your ideal customer well so you can tailor your content into messaging and visuals that will attract them to you, and your products and/or services.
Question: What tools do you use for social marketing?
Kelly Ann Collins: I love Buffer (scheduling and account performance analytics), Rival IQ (competitive landscape analytics), TweetReach (see how far your hashtag traveled), Unfollowers (see who unfollowed an account) and RiteTag (hashtag research).
Question: What tools do you use for analytics?
Kelly Ann Collins: Buffer’s new Buffer Analyze is pretty sweet for account performance, growth, etc. It even identifies account influencers. Props to them on it. I also love Rival IQ for comparing client accounts to competitor accounts.
Question: What CRM tools do you use?
Kelly Ann Collins: My favorite: Salesforce (with WealthEngine integration)!
Question: What’s your #1 advice for people starting to get into marketing?
Kelly Ann Collins: Practice makes perfect. Learn the basics and then just get in there and do it! You can learn all you want in school, but real-life, on-the-job training with people who knows the industry well is priceless!
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