Build Bold LLC

What a great morning presenting my workshop: Mastering Team Presentations - Building Confidence for In-Person and Virtual Success in Presentations for SMPS Pittsburgh Chapter!

Thank you to the 27 attendees who joined us this morning at the Master Builders Association and participated in the discussion and activities!

We had a great group and I learned some new things that firms, and marketing/BD professionals in , are doing to stay in the game with presentation prep and coaching.

Thank you SMPS Pittsburgh for the opportunity!

I’m always open to talk about presentation coaching and available to assist your team with presentation prep or even sharpening your skills at coaching your team!

If you’re interested or want to talk in more detail, reach out! 📱

Happy International Women's Day!

Today, we celebrate the fearless women who've paved the way, shattered ceilings, and continue to conquer across industries with unyielding determination.

To all the incredible women who persisted, dedicated themselves, and fearlessly pressed forward, your success is an inspiration to us all. Your resilience lights the path for generations to come.

In a world where barriers were meant to hold them back, women broke through, leaving a trail of achievements and milestones. Their courage is a beacon of hope, reminding us that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.

Cheers to the women who fearlessly pursue their dreams, challenging norms and embracing success on their own terms. Today, we stand in awe of your accomplishments and salute your unwavering spirit.

Let's continue to champion equality, celebrate diversity, and empower each other to reach new heights. Here's to the incredible women who redefine what's possible!

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year - it's Women in Construction Week!

I am always impressed by the social media campaigns and posts that happen this week to shine a light on all the phenomenal women who make an impact on construction daily by their contributions and dedication to their role in this industry.

It is also humbling to read the stories of how women have chosen this profession or how construction found them on their journey through life.

Since beginning my professional career in construction in 2005, I have:
* Watched topping off ceremonies for some of the largest projects on the east coast
* Been on-site to see an old bridge demo'd and the steel structure put in place for the new one
* Stood at the top of a dam with the US Army Corps of Engineers while anchors were being drilled
* Worked with a client to facilitate underwater repair work at the Baltimore Aquarium
* Crafted presentations and facilitated technical teams to pitch the largest project pursuits their firms have been invited to bid on - and then won these projects (changing the trajectory of their firm's growth!)
* Led and performed community engagement meetings for economic development
* Photographed some of the largest national law firm offices in multiple geographic markets
* Was a ghostwriter for technical blog posts that helped boost a firms SME credibility
* Helped build panel discussions for industry associations
* Participated as a juror for marketing, communications, real estate development and deal awards for local, regional and national industry associations
* Been a part of an ever-changing industry that is responsible for shaping the growth and success of cities, while continually contributing to positive economic growth
....there are a lot of other jobs and professions where a role wouldn't encompass ALL of that. That's why I love my profession.

This week can remind us that we have the ability to inspire and empower women around us, no matter where we are in our career. And we're never too old or seasoned to make a move in what we want to do. We, as women, must continually advocate for ourselves and not be afraid to be our own cheerleader, personally or professionally.

We want people to mention our name in rooms we are not in, or for opportunities that fit with the strengths that we have - then don't be afraid to do the same for other women! Success is not reached alone, it takes support, encouragement, mentorship, allyship, diversity, promotion, inclusion, and empathy.

I am proud to be among the women that consider the one that is filled with opportunity, excitement, and continual learning.

Happy !

And let's not forget that women, in any role or industry, need to be seen, heard, and valued every week throughout the year.

I was happy to be in the room today for the first 2024 SMPS Pittsburgh Chapter luncheon focussing on a regional development forecast for Western PA. The panel offered a great discussion to think about as it pertains to growing Pittsburgh and the market.

Thank you to the panelists Rich Fitzgerald, Jason Rigone, Patty Horvatich, and today’s moderator Dave Daquelente.

In the world of architecture and construction, we are dedicated to illuminating the path to success, building a future where innovation and inclusion thrive.

Using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as inspiration, let’s be the catalysts for positive change.

As we gather around the table, let's celebrate the blessings in our lives - big and small - and give thanks for all we have. 🍁 🦃 🥂 💙

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with warmth and love.

Women in Construction - Elevate & Celebrate

Full circle moment attending this year - the 16th year of the conference, with 600 people in attendance - when I attended the first one in 2007 during my first year working in DC.

Build Bold LLC

Thank you, Professional Services Marketing Association of Western PA (PSMA) for hosting me this morning for a ‘Canva Jump Start’ workshop! Great group, great questions, and what an awesome facility - Burns White LLC.

If you’re looking for a workshop or speaker for your team or industry association - let’s talk!
Pittsburgh or elsewhere - I’d love to collaborate. 👏🏻🏗️

Booking clients right now September - November.

🔹Services outlined below.

🔹Looking for support in other areas?

Let’s talk 📲

These openings won’t last long!

*****

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July!

Everyone talks about speaking to your target audience, but let's step back a moment and answer this question: Do you know who your target audience is? Or even, how to find them?

In my latest post you'll find four steps to identifying your ideal client and/or market and building your buyer persona.

If you know me or have worked with me, you know how I love a good content management approach and encourage firms to buy-in to how great, focused, content can help them achieve goals and get in front of their target client or market!

Once your firm walks through these steps here, you will be able to define the themes and content pillars that would benefit your firm to focus on.

You can do this for each sector or even a geographic area. There are a lot of ways to utilize buyer persona's and the effect that they can have on your firms strategic approach throughout the year.

What other questions would you add to the buyer persona list?

Do you have buyer persona's for outlined for your firm already?

If so, tell me in the comments how they have helped support your strategic plan.

Quick Marketing Tip #1

I decided to start doing this little series, based on conversations I am having with firms in the industry.

So, I'm starting simple ☺️ Networking. 🤝🏼

This is one of the most important skills to sell and brand your firm. Whether you are a small to mid-sized firm with only one location, or a giant within the space, with locations across the globe - you need team members who are good at networking.

But, the conversation doesn't stop once the "networking" opportunity is over. ❌

Whether you are in marketing and business development or you are a technical expert - you have to have next steps.

I have three quick networking tips waiting for you if you message me about this post! 💭

Oh, and one other reminder: always enter your discussions into your CRM 😉 I have tips on that too, if you're interested.

- I always talk with clients about keeping track of how their social posts are doing and how many interactions and followers posts are bringing in.

If you're not sure about how to obtain this metric, simply:
💡Go to your insights
💡Click on your posts
💡Sort them by followers (you can also sort by weeks or dates if you're looking at a specific campaign or post)

This will show you how many people have followed or interacted from each post.

If you have content that has added to your follower count or upped your interaction analytics over the past quarter, take that post or multiple pieces of content and repost them!

Repost as is or revamp your message. Experiment to see what works best. Keep in mind it could be the topic, the caption, or the visual that influences interaction (or lack there of) on your account.

This Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women who died in service of our country. We encourage you to reflect on the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as the people who love them.

Content and Social Media ideas for different industries. 🚧📐👷‍♀️🏢

Scroll through the entire post for some content inspiration to help you attract new prospects and promote the services your firm offers in the .

Have you used any of these ideas before? What type of content performs the best for your firm? Tell me below!

How does your team feel about sales calls? Or “doing” business development?

Over the past few years, many firms within the industry have moved towards an organization where the seller-doer model is the primary focus of selling and building their portfolios. But, many “seller-doers” dread having to “sell.”

This post walks through the formula that I use with when starting from the very beginning and talking through the approach to effective sales calls. These may seem like obvious points to consider, but you would be very surprised at how many firms have no process to follow and no framework to provide their “seller-doers” when just starting out with the sell.

Looking to diver deeper into BD coaching for your AEC firm or a specific department? DM the word TRAINING to start a conversation on the formula you need for your team today.

Leveraging marketing analytics for organizational success involves utilizing data-driven insights to inform decision-making, optimize marketing strategies, and drive business growth. Here are five key steps to effectively leverage marketing analytics:

1. Define Clear Objectives: Clearly define your organizational goals and align them with specific marketing objectives. This could include increasing brand awareness, generating leads, improving customer retention, or maximizing return on investment (ROI). Having well-defined objectives will help guide your analytics efforts towards measuring and optimizing the right metrics.

2. Collect Relevant Data: Identify the relevant data sources that can provide valuable insights into your marketing efforts. This may include website analytics, social media metrics, customer relationship management (CRM) data, email marketing data, and sales data. Ensure that data collection processes are in place to capture accurate and comprehensive data.

3. Analyze and Interpret Data: Use data analytics tools and techniques to analyze the collected data and derive meaningful insights. Identify patterns, trends, and correlations that can shed light on customer behavior, campaign performance, market dynamics, and other key factors impacting your marketing efforts. Interpret the data to gain actionable insights that can drive strategic decision-making.

4. Identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Define the KPIs that align with your marketing objectives. These could include metrics such as conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, customer lifetime value, return on ad spend, or website engagement metrics. Establish benchmarks and targets for these KPIs to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing initiatives.

5. Optimize Strategies and Tactics: Use the insights derived from data analytics to optimize your marketing strategies and tactics. Identify areas of improvement and make data-driven decisions to refine your campaigns, messaging, targeting, and channel selection. A/B testing, multivariate testing, and iterative optimization based on analytics insights can help improve marketing performance and drive better results.

Additionally, fostering a data-driven culture within your organization is essential. Regularly review and update your analytics approach to stay aligned with evolving business needs.

By leveraging marketing analytics effectively, firms can make informed decisions, optimize marketing efforts, allocate resources more efficiently, enhance client experiences, and achieve greater organizational success.

Build Bold can help you leverage your analytics for organizational and brand growth, and campaign success. Reach out if you are looking for support in this area of your business or even planning for future evolvement of your firm as we head into the second half of 2023.

Great opening for a marketing expert with the team at IKM Architecture!

We're hiring! Our teams in Pittsburgh and Cleveland are growing, and we're seeking exceptional Marketing and Project Designer candidates to join us in making a difference.

Visit the link below to learn more about our open positions and apply!
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search/?currentJobId=3606870994&f_C=454474&geoId=92000000&originToLandingJobPostings=3606870994%2C3604084790%2C3606879545

On March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day, and the theme for 2023: .

I challenge each of us to think in the mindset of “not today, but every day” for the inclusion and equity of women across the globe.

On days like today, we are reminded how much work is still left to be for women’s rights all over the world. Let’s do our part to be a voice for all women.

Every woman’s success and achievements, large or small, should be an inspiration to another. We are strongest when we cheer each other on and lift each other up.

- Katie Stern, Founder, Build Bold LLC

Yep, I do that too. 💪🏻

Fresh ink on a new marketing piece for Candidly Yours Photography!

Need help with an advertising or marketing piece for your brand? Let’s talk!

I heard there’s a big game this weekend? 🏈😉 ((this coming from a Steelers fan))

Did you know that over half of the viewers will be scrolling or posting to social media during the game?

57% to be exact.

It’s a big day, not only for football fans and the sports industry, but for marketing, advertising, and social media.

This is a great opportunity to be seen by followers, or grab some new ones, while the Chiefs and Eagles are going head to head, or even during the puppy bowl!

Consider posting Saturday or Sunday or even placing some polls in your stories during that time. Remember, you can have a little fun with this while tying in your staff members or even the services you offer!
Who are you rooting for this weekend?

Content idea tank running low?

Even the best of us struggle with ideas! When it comes to social media and building content the number one challenge is the lack of planning.

Here are three ways to find/create content for your social media platforms.

What are other places or areas of your business where your team finds inspiration for external content and messaging? 💡

Drop your thoughts in the comments for this post to share with other marketers and marketing teams!

Is your firm interested in training for your technical teams? Workshops focused on the strengths of each team member and how to prepare for any conversation? How about strategic planning facilitation or organizational development?

Build Bold can provide this (and more) for AEC firms across the country. Areas include:

• Interview Preparation (Specific Project Pursuit or Introductory Meetings)
• Corporate Retreat Facilitation or Session Presentation
• Leadership & Firm Growth
• Strategic Planning
• Business Development & Marketing
• Social Media

Do any of these sound like a fit for your firm or specific department? Contact Build Bold to set up an introductory call to discuss your needs and how I can help!

Here's some content ideas for the week. ✏️

Which prompt could work well for your team or firm this week? 💭

2022 brought a lot of new initiatives and relationships for Build Bold.

I am very excited for what 2023 will bring with opportunity and experience across the AEC industry!

Happy Holidays everyone!

2022 was a year of growth and opportunity for Build Bold.

I am thankful to be able to do what I do every day and deliver meaningful projects to my clients and work alongside amazing colleagues in the AEC industry.

Wishing you all the best of the season and a successful New Year! 🥂