Marcie Taylor

Tag: collaboration

  • Creative Inspiration Abounds at Monthly Social Media Breakfast

    Creative Inspiration Abounds at Monthly Social Media Breakfast

    When thinking of ways to do community outreach, beyond digital means for my new client, SOCO and the OC Mix, I decided to put together two of my favorite things: Social Media and Breakfast. Thus was born the first SOCO Social Media Breakfast, a collaborative gathering of social media managers, influencers, creatives and SOCO super fans.

    The idea was to gather like-minded people to share tips and tricks about social media, bring questions to the table and network.

    What happened was so much more – it was a creative burst of energy. Not only were new personal connections made but also awesome collaborative photos!

    During our first meeting, Portola Coffee donated coffee to fuel our creativity. We also got a sneak preview of their partnership with Mr. Holmes Bakehouse.

    Mr. Holmes Bakehouse and Portola Coffee – a match in made in breakfast heaven. Photo by Kait McKay

     

    Collab upon collab! This photo was taken by Stephanie Lin, who had just opened the shop Kestan at SOCO and the OC Mix. Fashion blogger Ashley models a Kestan top AND a cup of Portola coffee.

    Kestan Portola SOCO and the OC Mix
    Fashion blogger wearing a Kestan jacket and bracelets while preparing to sip some Portola coffee. Photo by Stephanie Lin.

    Shortly after that November meeting, I scheduled a December breakfast, not even a month afterward since I knew the holidays would be hectic for everyone. While most of the original attendees did not make it, we had a new photographer join us and staffers from Travel Costa Mesa. December’s meeting was short and sweet and yet super productive. I just needed to get the group together to keep the momentum going.

    We even got Travel Costa Mesa’s Social Media Manager, a photographer herself, model for us!

    Not Vodka, promise! Water bottle available at Local Fare. Model: Mackenna Waterhouse at ModShop. Photo by Kait Mckay

    Naturally, she turned the cameras on one of our other photographers and captured the photo below. I always tell all attendees to come ready to be behind and in front of the camera! I’ve gotten some great headshots of myself from these collab sessions too.

    Ballerina and photographer Skye Schmidt holding a California Bear Mug available at Local Fare. Venue: Modshop Photo by Mackenna Waterhouse

    During the first two meetings, we produced some high-quality product shots, which we shared with the shops that lent us their items.  We provided quality content for different brands and also increased engagement for the photos used. But best of all, we made new connections and found kindred spirits in the photographers, bloggers, and social media managers, who have attended the events.

    What collaboration looked like during that first meeting. Portola Coffee, Birdie Bowl, SOCO and the OC Mix flyers. Posted as an Instagram story by Suzanne Moshenko.
    Collaboration. Photo by Jackie Lovato

    The social media breakfasts will continue into the new year. In fact, we already had a meeting this month! Watch the video. The attendees change sometimes and I am careful about who to invite. I feel that the group has to be just right with a mix of social, creativity and community. Besides practical ideas that each one can implement in their social media marketing efforts, we end with more than just content, we leave the social media breakfasts inspired to create more!

     

  • Two Coffees and a Few Ptches – A Fun Collaboration

    It all started with a tweet…and coffee. But that goes for many of the fun things I do with my life lately. Being involved in Social Media has allowed me to meet really interesting, insightful and generous people. What’s more, here in Orange County, Calif., we like meeting in real life. I remember attending one of those social media conferences and a blogger from the East Coast was surprised at how many of us West Coasters, and OC peeps (in particular) knew each other in real life. It’s true. We do enjoy each other’s company both on and offline.

    Marie Walker Riddle aka @livinlime on Twitter was one of the first people I had engaged with on Twitter, but it wasn’t until a year ago that we actually met in person. We even shared a ride from OC to LA but that’s another story.
     

    As the school year was about to end, Marie and I met up at Portola Coffee Lab in Costa Mesa to brainstorm, whilst our kids were in school – which meant of course that we had limited time.  One of the many ideas that came out of that meeting was a series of blog and vlog posts about different beaches in Orange County.  We ambitiously said we’d visit a beach a week with our children.  Two months into the summer, we’ve only visited 3 but since then not only have we become better friends, but so have our children.

    We shoot with no scripts and basically take photos and videos as we visit a beach. Marie then interviews our tween sons (They are both 12 years old) and asks them questions on camera, then later edits a vlog.

    We’ve also been having fun with the Ptch iPhone app as you can see below. If you are unfamiliar with Ptch, it is the DreamWorks backed app that allows users to piece together photos and video assets into one video. You can add captions and music from a wide range of licensed music.

    This is Marie’s Ptch featuring our visit to Strands Beach at Dana Point. It was the first time for my family and I to visit and it was a lovely experience.

    Our next outing was set for Aliso Creek Beach in Laguna. We ended up going to two beaches that day and get this – two Ptches!

    Here’s my Ptch

    With just a few more weeks before the new school year begins, Marie and I can probably squeeze in just one more beach trip together but I’m pretty sure, there will be more collaborations in the future.