Double, Double, Data and Trouble

Happy Halloween, everyone! May your night be filled with just the right amount of spooky chaos.

I know things in the industry feel more "toil and trouble" than usual right now, but I have some exciting news that directly relates to your career defense plan: A community approach works, and here is the proof.

The Proof is in the (Pumpkin) Pudding

I'm excited to share why I've been so quiet lately: I was managing the social strategy for The Dragon Prince/The Dragon King Kickstarter campaign. This campaign didn't just meet its funding goal of $250K; it smashed it, raising over $1 Million! This is the second successful Kickstarter I've managed community and socials for, and this one was a massive success.

More importantly for our marketing talk: The growth was explosive. Across all platforms, we grew the following and engagement by thousands, with engagement often quadrupling. For example, the TikTok page went from about 1K followers to over 18K during the campaign. This incredible growth is a direct result of treating the audience as a community, not just a group of consumers.

Your Best Defense is Your Network (And Your Data)

I want to start by acknowledging the stress and pain in the industry right now. It feels strange to celebrate success when so many good people are struggling due to the massive layoffs hitting tech and gaming.

The current climate is defined by a pursuit of efficiency, where companies often look to cut costs through job elimination. This environment makes the human skills we possess—empathy, sentiment analysis, and community building—more critical than ever.

Here is how you can leverage that skill for your own career right now:

1. Back Up Empathy with Data (The New Superpower)

You know how to track sentiment. Now, let’s prove the business impact. I recently went back to school for Data Science, learning Python and I am turning out to be a whiz at RStudio. This isn't just a fun hobby; it’s essential for marketing. It allows me to back up every community action with cold, hard data.

• Gather the Data: Don't just list tasks on your resume; list results. Example: Instead of "Managed social media," say: "Grew follower count and engagement by thousands across all platforms, including growing TikTok from 1K to over 18K, contributing to a campaign that raised over $1 Million."

• Build Your Portfolio: Create a simple document that outlines your philosophy and shows the growth/sentiment data you drove.

2. Turn Your Network into Your Community

Your professional network is a community you have successfully nurtured. Use it as a resource for everyone, not just yourself.

• Be a Bridge: Connect people who were laid off with hiring managers. Share job posts that aren't for you. This act of genuine connection is what you do best, and it always comes back to you.

• Lead with Empathy: When reaching out, prioritize support over asking for a job. Your empathy is your social currency.

3. Keep Building (Even When It's Hard)

If you have the mental hard drive space, keep your skills sharp:

• Mentor/Volunteer: Continue volunteering with organizations like Women in Games International. This keeps your skills current and demonstrates your leadership.

• Keep Your Voice Active: Your own newsletter, stream, or social channel is a live portfolio that shows potential employers your adaptability and expertise.

The market is scary right now, but your skills in community, empathy, and social listening are exactly what companies need to stabilize. Stay visible, stay kind, and remember the community you've built is there to support you.

Cheat Codes

Here are the two most recent episodes from the Cheat Codes for Women In Games International podcast, hosted by yours truly:

• Episode 1 (Community Power): Join me as I chat with Victoria Tran, a renowned voice in the gaming world, about efficient community management and her new book. We dive into how to foster truly supportive and kind spaces online, and how community managers can feel empowered and effective.

• Episode 2 (Game Writing): In this conversation, I explore the intricacies of game writing with Mayanna Berrin. We discuss the transition from animation to video games, the importance of improvisation, and the collaborative nature of game development. We also touch on finding one's unique voice in writing.

That's all for now! Thanks for catching up with me. I'll be back with more chaotic good adventures soon.