Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Humphreys.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was 21, I watched a comedy special for like the first time ever. I thought, “hmm what if I tried that.” So I did. And I slowly worked my way into opening for sold-out acts at the Columbus Funny Bone and performing sometimes in different states. That began about five years ago.
While my comedy career now resides on the backburner of my life, it is part of the foundation of my career in marketing. Performing stand-up comedy has been a major door-opener in my professional life. I’ve made connections in interviews because of it, it has given me an advantage against competition, and has shaped who I am when creating.
From stand-up, I’ve learned “if they don’t know you already, then no one really cares.” They only care if they can relate your story to their own life or if your story is supplying clear value to them (usually a laugh or a life lesson). This is something you have to learn quickly in stand-up comedy or else you are doomed to very awkward 5-minute open mic sets at dive bars.
Now, in marketing, I always ask “does anyone care about this?” If the answer is no, then I try to change that.
My dad has owned successful businesses all my life. He is so inspiring to me. He really knows how to do everything!
It might seem like I just lead with creativity, but entrepreneurs are always at the forefront of my social media process. That’s because of my dad. As much as I may want to make a silly video, it MUST provide value. You may think this is very obvious- of course a marketer has the goal of making the business money… that’s their literal job! But you would be SURPRISED by the so-called marketers I have encountered over the years who are actually a liability. Those people have been a major source of encouragement. I never ever want to be like that.
When I was a teenager, I was very very shy. I didn’t have a ton of friends, so I watched a lot of YouTube videos. Making internet videos for a living was my dream. And now, in a different way than I expected, I am living it! Sometimes I’m even featured in client videos. But even when my face isn’t in them, souvenirs from my mind are!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a creative person, you not only want people to understand your vision, but you want them to LOVE it. In marketing, there are analytical people and creative people (and then sometimes random people that leadership just pulled off the side of the road).
Having to explain your creative vision to people who have different priorities can be frustrating. Or sometimes they just don’t get it. Sometimes they totally get it and they just don’t like it. Honestly, my biggest struggles come from my fears of: being rejected, misunderstood, and failing.
I am very lucky. Most of the bumps in my career road have come from inside myself, and I have full control over improving those!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a socials-first digital marketer- producing content that entertains and converts. Because buyers won’t buy unless they pay attention to you first. I specialize in getting people seen. I use storytelling, comedy, and my many years of social media addiction to boost reach for brands.
I know when to ask “does anyone care about this?” That’s something I have engrained in me from performing stand-up comedy. No one cares about you unless they can relate it to themself. So I apply that to everything I do in marketing. My favorite moments are when I realize “hmm I don’t think this is actually interesting,” and then I brainstorm a concept that would actually be fun to watch on TikTok.
I currently work with Emerald Creative Content in Columbus, and we are really focused on establishing our clients as experts but not in a way that overshadows the ideal customer. We want our client’s target demographic to view themselves as the hero of the story, while our client is just a helpful guide to success. It’s a really specific and strategic way of approaching social media creation that I don’t think other agencies are doing.
What are your plans for the future?
I’d love to work with more household names. I feel like a famous person whenever I see the logo of a client out in the wild, and I get to say “I’m doing their social media!!!!!”
In the short-term I am going to start producing my own themed comedy shows in Columbus and, of course, running the socials for them!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiehumphreys7/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinehumphreys7/
