Team Member Tuesday: Heidi Carpenter, Social Media Team

By day, you’ll find the Aronson Advertising digital marketing team working diligently on client campaigns. Outside of work, our team members partake in a variety of unique activities that supplement their digital marketing prowess, help them unwind, provide an outlet for creativity and curiosity, or all of the above.

Heidi Carpenter is a social media expert at Aronson Advertising, and a horse enthusiast, journalist, and photographer in her spare time. Join us as we explore her thoughtful answers delving into her worldview, her favorite pursuits, and how these tie into her duties at our Chicago-based automotive advertising agency.

Heidi and her horse

Q: What is your favorite aspect of working on the social team? What is your favorite aspect of social media marketing?

A: My team members are my favorite aspect of working on the social team! We all bring different strengths and backgrounds to the team, and learn from one another. Yet we’re encouraged to be independent and creative, and make the most of our personal social media styles.

I love social media marketing because it allows you to reach people in clever, fun ways. And as I’m a very visual person, I think digital marketing is an exciting landscape thanks to the implementation of video, GIFs, and high-resolution images. I’m looking forward to watching it evolve!

Q: How do your past educational/work/personal experiences tie into your role at Aronson?

A: I have a B.A. in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago and I write on my own time, with a focus on articles and photo essays about the sport of Thoroughbred racing. I take photographs of the races and scenes on the track and farm, and I compose pieces that (hopefully!) make the viewer feel like they are there.

I also promote my work on social media.

Audience attention is limited so I aim to create concise copy for each piece; this skill translates well to social media! In addition, as a photographer, I know that great photographs are eye-catching and go hand-in-hand with copy for social media. Can you imagine social media without photography or videography? I can’t!

Q: What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of work? In what ways are these hobbies meaningful and fulfilling?

A: My horse, an off-track Thoroughbred named Limerick, occupies most of my time outside work. She’s been a part of my life for over 20 years! Our early years together were not easy; I can’t count the number of times she made me cry with frustration or go home with dirt in my hair and all over my clothes because she threw me off her. She taught me many lessons about horsemanship, including patience, negotiation, and knowing when to stop attempting a task and try again the next day. She is her own individual, and by respecting that and working with her, I gained her trust, attention, and even affection, on days when she feels like granting it!

Q: What is your favorite social media platform and why?

A: Twitter; I love the intellectual (and silly) conversations you can have in 140 characters. Most of the other photographers and journalists I know are on there, and it’s a great platform for sharing work and ideas. I also love Instagram!

Q: What does your ideal weekend look like?

A: When I’m not shooting, I like to spend time on the couch with my cats and husband, reading and watching Netflix. I also visit Limerick at least a couple times a day—she’s boarded at a stable a mile from my place so barn trips are easy.

Q: Do you have any quotes or principles that sum up your worldview?

A: I try to always be optimistic and have empathy for others. I am deaf and had a very difficult time with it while growing up, so I have a soft spot for people with parallel struggles. I am also thankful for everything positive in my life; if you have a roof over your head and food on your table every day, then you’re already ahead.

“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional,” is a quote I like, although I’m not sure of its origin. I first learned of the quote shortly before I spent a couple years running ultra-marathons, so I thought of that quote many times during the latter stages of these races! But it can be applied to most areas of life.

Interested in Joining Our Team?

Do you have experience in social media, content marketing, paid search, or SEO? We are currently looking to add skilled members to our growing team. Send a resume to contact@aronsonads.com to learn more about how you could fit in at our agency.

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