On Her Relationship To Social Media And Leadership: Alexis Davis
Leading up to our Summer '18 iteration of WORK, we'll feature select interviews with some of our conference's speakers and thought leaders. In this piece, content strategist Alexis Davis discusses managing multiple projects, the overlap between her nine-to-five and five-to-nine and more.. Click here for the full conference schedule.
Who: Alexis Davis, aka The Content Plug, is obsessed with social media marketing, content creation, and teaching others how to use digital tools and platforms to build a brand. As a social media manager, consultant, teacher and blogger based in Austin, Texas, she's plugged into the latest moves of the major social media platforms. Alexis has worked with The Andy Roddick Foundation, BlackPeopleMeet, BLNDED Media, CORT, Elevation Firm, the NCAA Men's Final Four, SXSW and numerous other businesses nationwide on social media projects and content strategies. She uses her platforms as a mini media outlet to discuss the pros and cons of social media and its effects on topics ranging from politics, fashion, tech, pop culture and more.
What she's currently working on: "I have my own social media company known as The Content Plug where I work with smaller entrepreneurs/businesses on consulting and mangement projects as well as classes and workshops. Through this work I've been able to work with companies and firms of all sizes. I'm also the digital lead for BLNDED Media. We're a media platform that's focused on telling the stories of diverse entrepreneurs whose stories often go untold. We're also working on creating resources for entrepreneurs who are just starting out so they can access them in order to scale their companies."
How would you describe career path?
After graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I just knew I would have the perfect job working in social media, communications and/or public relations. I will admit that I was a little stubborn during my last semester in college as I only applied to opportunities in the Washington D.C. area. I wanted to be in the nation's capital because I knew there was something special about the city that I just had to explore. I was able to find a full-time internship at a content marketing agency a few months after graduating and there I learned a lot about social media, content, analytics, and branding. On a random evening, I stumbled across an event in my apartment building where a company was having a live demo of their transportation app. I instantly became interested in the product and pitched a social media internship to them via email the next day. A few weeks later, I was brought in for an interview and hired as a social media intern. Six months later, the company was acquired and I was offered a role as a full-time employee if I relocated to Austin, Texas. Working for a startup taught me how to think quickly on my feet, never stop learning, and to fail fast but then move on. I learned a lot about crafting a social media strategy and how to develop a company's brand from scratch. Working at the startup also set me up for success because I was in a situation where we literally had to start from the bottom and work to achieve a massive goal each day or we simply wouldn't make it. So, I bring my startup skills to my current nine-to-five corporate role daily. I challenge my peers and supervisors to think differently and not stick with what has been done over the last couple of decades.
And, as the founder of my own five-to-nine company, I'm able to complete projects that I wouldn't have the opportunity to work on and develop new skills with technology that I normally wouldn't have access to. It's amazing what stepping outside of the box can do for your creativity and drive.
How do you approach concepts of "work/life balance?" Does that concept mean anything to you?
Having a work/life balance as a social media manager it's difficult. Social media never shuts down and the same can be said for those who have to manage every mention, tag, and review that comes through push notifications or email. However, I have learned to not check my messages, close my laptop, and disconnect from my many projects when necessary. While I do believe in the grind and late nights, it's important to know your limits and when it's time to wrap things up for the day.
What is your ideal working environment?
I love open environments and co-working spaces. My first job was at a tech startup that didn't have cubicles or anything really dividing operations, marketing, and our developers. I was able to learn so much based on the conversations that were happening around me. My nine-to-five implements coffee shop Tuesdays where we work from a coffee shop for the first half of the day. It's safe to say coffee shops have become a new favorite.
What do you look for in a leader?
I look for honestly and experience in a good leader. I appreciate when someone give me productive feedback, regardless of it's positive or negative. At the same time, I appreciate feedback from those who have been in my shoes or understand my situation because their perspective hits close to home. I appreciate leaders who allow me to try new concepts but also know when it's time to reel it back in.
About WORK: WORK is a biannual pop-up space, designed for sharing new ideas and approaches to creative and entrepreneurial work. The event's panels, workshops and speaker sessions explore personal and professional development, marketing, business management and entrepreneurship. Our next conference pops up on July 14 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Rowling Hall in Austin, Texas. ✨Click here for more information.
