Get To Know….Kate!

We hear you’re originally from Ontario. What made you choose life in the west?

Ontario is really beautiful in certain areas. I grew up around a lake, where we were walking distance to our local beach and a short drive away from the Muskokas. I fell in love with snowboarding as a teenager, and spent my teen years working at our local ski hill. My love for the sport, naturally drew me to the mountains and I’ve been here ever since. Nothing compares to a bluebird day on the hill, so I think I’ll be here for years to come.

What exactly do you do at Vovia? 

Unlike my nerdy (yet brilliant) counterparts, I am not overly excited by spending copious amounts of time in Excel. As Vovia’s Social Media Specialist, I focus on building killer strategies to help clients knock their social media campaigns out of the park.

How did you get into social media?

I started my career in marketing, but quickly realized the importance of social media. I started building campaigns and managing accounts for shows on Broadway and touring musical acts. Two years ago, I started a small social media company, where I worked with a variety of companies in several different industries, helping them leverage the power of social media for their businesses. I love social media because it’s constantly changing, and you’re always learning something new. The decision to join Vovia has been a great one and I’m looking forward to starting the next phase of my career here.

What is your favourite thing about working at Vovia?

You probably get this one all of the time, but my favourite thing about working at Vovia is the people. We work in an open concept office and we’re always sharing ideas, jokes, or the latest industry news. We’re also planning to start a running club this summer, so not only do my teammates keep me on top of my game, they keep me in shape too!

What is the most common mistake people make on social media?

In my experience, I’ve found several mistakes or misconceptions that companies or brands make upon entering into the world of social media. The most common are:

1. Treating all platforms the same.  I continually see posts on Facebook that were meant for Twitter, or posts on LinkedIn that were meant for Facebook. Each network has its own purpose and its own audience. I like to think of social networks like this: LinkedIn is the business meeting, Facebook is the watercooler chat, and Twitter is the cocktail party. (Still determining where G+ fits into the mix.) It’s really important to know who you are speaking to and ensure you’re tailoring your messaging for those individuals.

2. Overlooking the importance of a well thought-out strategy. Many companies and brands embark on social media without a carefully thought-out plan. Strategies encompass all the key elements for success including; goals and objectives, brand personality, content strategy, post frequency, etc. These steps will help you measure how you’re achieving your goals. A well-crafted strategy is an integral part in determining your social media success.

3. Using social media as a broadcast platform. Social media is a two-way street, and far too often I find brands using it as a sales platform to broadcast their products or services. People come online to hangout and connect with others, not to be sold to. So, PLEASE don’t do it! It’s time to get creative with your content.

We heard your favourite day of the week is Thursday. Why is that?

What’s not to like about Thursdays? Aside from it being half priced bottles of wine at Original Joe’s, it’s also throwback day, which means 90’s tunes in the office ALL DAY LONG! Our resident office DJ usually tries to provide us with a mix of grade 8 dance style tracks, 90’s pop hits and usually some classic rock. As I write this blog post, You Spin Me Right Round by Dead or Alive is pumping out from the speakers!