Conversation by: Kylie Cooper Photos by: Lillian Reitz
What exactly is ESV Creative?
ESV Creative is a full-service social media marketing firm geared toward empowering small businesses to elevate their online presence and guide them toward being not just popular, but profitable in the process.
What inspired you to start this business?
Helping people has always been at the heart of who I am. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a geneticist and even majored in pre-med in college. Digital communications was something I fell into. Total plot twist. After working in digital marketing for over a decade, starting my firm was the natural progression to put my expertise to good use by helping other business owners feel less overwhelmed when it comes to social media.
Were there any doubts about starting ESV Creative & if so, how did you overcome them?
I think it’s natural to have a little bit of doubt when you take the leap from a steady job and benefits to starting a business. For me, it was no different. Luckily, I had already taken on a couple of clients outside of my normal 9-5 job, so I had a decent cushion to make my leap. Now here I am, over three years into owning my firm, and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.
What is your favorite part of the job?
The relationships I’ve built with my clients and seeing their social media successes (big and little). We’ve all become a little social media family, and that’s precisely how I want every new client or ESV Insider to feel. I am here for them always.
Why do you think it is important to see a woman in a leadership role such as owning her own business?
As cliche as it may sound, we are modeling for our children (boys and girls) what their lives could be like one day. I’d like to think that when our kids grow up, women in leadership positions will be the norm. I pray they won’t know anything different than the hustle and heart they’ve seen me and other women put into their lives at home and in business. I know so many people say the “future is female” but I’d argue we’re already living in that era of female empowerment and breaking all the molds of our traditional roles right now.
As a small business owner yourself, what about helping other small and local businesses is so important to you?
Small businesses are the heart of our city. We’re the ones sponsoring tee-ball games and cheer camps, helping our local community causes, and we love our city as much as our neighbor. This is why every card or client gift I mail or product I have made is from Corpus Christi. We have so many talented designers and locally owned businesses in this city. They deserve our love and support.
What are your top social media tips?
Oh boy! Now that’s a question! I could literally write a novel’s worth of answers here. But here’s three:
Keep social social. The worst thing you can do is post and ghost. Reply to comments, comment on other accounts, engage with people’s stories, send direct messages. At the end of the day, people are looking for a connection, not your latest announcement. Engaging with others is paramount to building brand awareness and loyalty. You don’t have to be on 24/7; but even 10 minutes a day will make a world of difference.
Be consistent. I cannot stress this enough. It’s time for everyone to get it out of their head that they aren’t successful at social unless they post every single day. You won’t get dinged by the algorithm gods. What will hurt your brand awareness, however, is not being consistent. Only have time for 2 posts a week? That’s okay! Just make sure you pick two days that work for you and keep trucking along.
#Hashtags, y’all. If you are on Instagram, hashtags should be one of your BFFs. For posts, you’re allowed 30, for stories 10. Not sure which ones to use? That’s where we come in. Our ESV Insiders have full access to our hashtag vault filled with over 50 categories of hashtags proven to perform. For non-members, we offer a “30 niche hashtags for your industry” service on our website. Once you have them, use them! Every post, every time. Max those babies out.
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