5 on the 5th Interview: Sara Nickleberry

I love this month’s interviewee. We first got to know each other through a social-media-“expert”-who-shall-not-be-named’s private group and later bonded over our not-so-great experience with this person. We were both part of the now-disbanded Social Solutions Collective and have stayed in touch. Sara is extremely talented and doing great things up in Michigan. Below is my interview with her, so when you’re done – go follow her 🙂

Name: Sara Nickleberry

Title: CEO

Company: Social with Sara

Website/Blog: www.socialwithsara.com

Twitter handle: @socialwithsara

Question 1: Why did you choose to work in this industry?

I chose to work in social media marketing because I had a genuine interest and enjoyment in it. Before I started doing social media marketing, I was doing automotive marketing events which were definitely fun and always something new at each event. I studied Public Relations, Advertising and Communications long before social media was a thing, and social media marketing has been the most enjoyable work I’ve done so far.

Question 2: How do you keep continuing your education and staying up on all the latest trends and changes?

I read and study a lot. Books, articles, anything that keeps me up to date on the industry. I stay engaged with the digital marketing community through social media and online groups. I also like to take online courses and workshops. My alma mater, Eastern Michigan University has a Center For Digital Engagement where they collaborate with business and community partners on the evolving nature of digital engagement. They’ve had speakers like Chad Wiebesick, Head of Social Media for the award winning Pure Michigan site, representatives from the Detroit Tigers and Fifth Third Bank. I like it because you get to hear firsthand from people who are currently working in the industry. So much of what they share you can relate to and immediately apply.  I’ll be attending their upcoming Search Marketing Workshop in November.

Question 3: What do you love the most about working in your industry? What bothers you the most?

I love the AHA! moments the most. When your efforts yield results, when relationships are built and collaborations are established.

What bothers me the most is when people use social media the wrong way. When people spam, annoy, oversell, are self-serving. People don’t understand that social media marketing is more about providing value and building relationships.

Question 4: What is the hardest situation you’ve encountered in your business and how did you handle it?

Letting clients go. Sometimes it’s just better to part ways. When clients don’t hold up their end of the bargain, or don’t follow your recommendations, or “go rogue” :), then it makes your job nearly impossible.

Question 5: What is the best business advice you’ve been given and why has it stayed with you?

“If it ain’t right don’t do it and if it ain’t true don’t say it.” This has stayed with me because it just makes sense. It will help you avoid a whole lot of trouble.

One for the road…

Bonus: If you could come back to life as any person from the history, who would it be?

Hello! Beyonce! 🙂