The Results Are In! 

Posted by Unknown at 5:51 PM


Words can't express how grateful I am for all of the support of Medley, myself and all of the many hats I attempt to wear. Thanks to everyone whose attended my workshops so far, and I hope to continue to see you at future ones. Click here to register now for my August workshop- "Brain Candy for Biz: A Social Media for Personal Branding Workshop."

See what some of the lovely ladies at last month's workshop had to say:

"The entire workshop was done quite well. The first and final hours reviewed the different social media sites and how to effectively use them. The second hour offered individual attention. It was the best workshop I have ever attended. As an academic, that's saying a lot!" Dr. Sharon Washington, founder of tvEMV

"All of the information was great. I know have a better understanding of the importance of the Facebook business page. I also understand how I can us twitter to grow my business." - Roshell Marshall, Realtor, Keller Williams

"It was awesome! When is the next one??" - Chrystal Rivers, MBA Annual Giving Program Specialist Star of Hope Mission

As always, thanks for all that you do! Always an honor;).

2 comments

Love What You Do and The World Will Notice 

Posted by Unknown at 7:10 PM



First I'd like to thank all who helped make my first workshop Brain Candy for Biz: A Social Media Workshop, a major success! You were patient, kind supportive and eager to obtain and share some brain candy- so thank you!

Details on my next workshop are now up and can be accessed by clicking here! We'll cover How to Generate PR with Social Media. Did you know that 86% of journalists use Twitter to find story leads? Yes, it's one of many social media platforms that have become an integral part of the newsroom daily. Hope you'll join us to learn about Twitter for PR, and much, much more!

Until next time, I leave you with a few words from the workshop attendees. Ahhh...honored.humbled.grateful.

"Just to have a workshop like that and get so much information with out going broke [is a highlight]. A lot of Small Businesses have these problems and so many people are out for only the money. Having a gift to share is a blessing. I understand you can not get things for free, but to find a way to help others. THANK YOU AGAIN!!" - Melissa Ambers, CEO Assistants & Beyond

"The wealth of information that I retained was really amazing. I got more information than I went in to get but, I think the highlight was for me learning about the Facebook contest because, I really had no clue and with my luck, that would have been something that I would have gotten caught doing." - Marquita Pointer, Communications Coordinator at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

"I'd always wondered what HooteSuite was, and she broke it down for us. Now I use it. I also loved Ashley took time to find out the needs of each attendee. Also, I hadn't realized how important twitter and Facebook really have become in marketing." - Reiko Blogger/Teacher High School

"Not only did I learn many things, but it also motivated me to get home and start revamping my site and strategies. I now have a Social media marketing plan!" - Kimberly Hervey, College Professor and Business Owner, Kimberly's Junk in the Trunk Antiques

2 comments

A New First: My Workshop Series Launch! 

Posted by Unknown at 2:29 PM

Hello and welcome to my blog!

For my friends, mentors and colleagues- I know an e-tour isn't necessary, but for the first time visitors- welcome to my personal blog, where my random musings are totally appropriate and writing like you talk is...okay;). Believe it or not, I have a life outside of Medley Inc.- one that is often humbling, always unpredictable and incredibly driven by passion and curiosity. All of which are shared, celebrated and reflected upon right here.

Clients and friends have always suggested that we (Medley Inc.) host webinars, seminars and major training courses. While I've always contemplated the idea, it just never seemed like a good fit...for two reasons:

1. We spend the bulk of our time (as a team) actually maintaining our clients social media and PR campaigns, many who have no desire or time to learn what we do.

2. While I can handle TV, group discussions and good old Houston socializing- I'm hugely intimated by large groups...and my few experiences with webinars have been too risky. Yes, I'm a digital gal- but technology fails and my nerves do somersaults when it does:(.

I've found that my greatest success stories, as it relates to trainings have been my one on one social media sessions with other entrepreneurs. Often times, a new business owner will reach out and just want to know why they should be using social media and how to use it effectively. They usually have the time to maintain their social personalities on their own, and are not yet at a point that hiring a business like Medley makes sense. 

And thus, we arrive at "Brain Candy for Biz." My first workshop series, and a new venture that I'm pretty excited to offer other entrepreneurs and the newly web curious. The classes are limited to only 8-15 participants, so I can dive right in and get to know each person individually. As always, I appreciate your feedback- so please tell me what you could benefit from most at a future workshop.

Thanks for all that do! Click here to learn more and get your ticket!
space
space

2 comments

[VIDEO] Facebook Timeline Explained on Local News KHOU 

Posted by Unknown at 8:46 AM
563314_658778985655_118404189_31758241_1115969134_n

via KHOU.com


HOUSTON—Whether you like it or not, Facebook is rolling out a new timeline on March 30 and it will affect every user.

While most Facebook users don’t like  the change, the new timeline is a new way to show off your page and will  actually be groundbreaking for businesses.

Social media analyst Ashley Small gives explains what it’s all about!

                                   

For the newbies, here are some basic terms to know:



  • Cover photo- the large photo at the top of your timeline, right above your profile picture.
  • Timeline- your collection of the photos, stories and experiences that tell your story.
  • Pin- a picture, update, video or link that you’ve selected to have prominent placement on your page.
  • Highlight- a picture, update, video or link that spans across your page.
  • Share- repost content to share with your friends.
  • Tag- hyperlinked mentions of friends, organizations or brands. A tag links a person, page, or place to something you post, like a status update or a photo.
Have questions? Please tweet to me at @ashleyrsmall or email me at info@medley-inc.com.

2 comments

Personal Branding: Living on The Edge with American Apparel 

Posted by Unknown at 11:47 AM

Hi Lovelies! I'm writing not only because I miss you, but also because Dee Brown of Morning Cup of Style demanded that I share about my experience modeling for American Apparel;)!

Last week, I tagged along with my hubs for SXSW where he was working and I was (to my relief) just enjoying the ride. It was a pretty awesome experience, dabbling into the world of hip-hop with the likes of Nas, Ace Hood and Scarface. For sure, an extreme contrast with how I perceive my personal brand- but fun.

As always, the most random opportunities seem to present themselves at the right time (winking at the man above). Often times I decline, being that I know there's a stigma attached to the modern day PR girl. I blame Samantha from Sex and the City;). This job is not even 75% glamorous and managing your own reputation is equally as important as managing your clients. That said, when I was asked to model for an upcoming campaign by an American Apparel rep during SXSW, I immediately became suspicious.

"Why me, where do the pics go, do I get paid, are the pics going to be racy? Oh, I run my own business, so I really don't do any modeling...ha!" These are the thoughts and questions that surrounded my brain. Looking back, not sure what I said in my nervous attempt to digest the opportunity. But I do remember her stating that I was 1 of only 3 girls chosen during SXSW and it was a paid gig, and I was able to keep the clothes...."Ummm, where do I sign."


As an excessive consumer of American Apparel products, and an admirer of their marketing- I couldn't resist the opportunity. Plus, I understood that they are quite possibly working towards diversifying their market...I'm never mad at brands that support brown girls with kinky hair.

While the pics were indeed more racy than I would typically subject myself too, I actually walked away feeling liberated and confident. My teeny, tiny frame is usually hidden under layers, of flowy, vintage pieces and in urban communities thin is never in. With American Apparel, I found an opportunity to align myself with a major, global brand and introduce my e-friends, real friends and family to a side of me that is probably refreshing. I DO know how to "clock out and get loose" as my hubs would say...

As we all know, nothing is ever guaranteed until it goes to print, yet I feel like the highlight has already taken shape. In less than 24 hours I realized that PR girls can in fact model, party and embrace the stereotype a bit- without loosing credibility. The key is to "Align yourself with greatness," as stated by one of my BFF's, Andie. I expressed to her that God keeps presenting these very public opportunities to me, and I'm just curious to know why? Not questioning his decisions...but literally wondering what's the bigger picture. Curious.

Andie said, "It's because you align yourself with greatness." That's an amazing compliment to my friends, family, clients, mentors and colleagues, and one that I plan to fully digest. Thank you all for the social media luv, now go out and live on the edge a bit!

3 comments

1 Year of No Shopping= My Best Year Yet 

Posted by Unknown at 10:51 AM
First, I'd like to start by thanking the lovely and brilliant founder of the Women CEO Project, Kristi Jackson for inspiring this post. She brought it to my attention that we (Medley) had a really good year...which just so happens to be the year that I haven't shopped- at all. The year that I decided that investing in my business, traveling, up cycling and improving my overall quality of life- was more important than clothes.

Who knew?

The success of the company this year, is a result of so much more than just my goal to not shop- but I'd be lying if I said it didn't enhance my world a bit.

And now I have no desire to shop or spend my money on frivolous things. A guilty pleasure, form of therapy, desire to spoil myself through retail- no longer exists. Now I've learned to be fulfilled. Simply fulfilled.

Here's a recap of how it went down and my lessons learned:

1. It all started as a result of an amazing collection of vintage pieces that once belonged to my great grandmother. I think she'd be pretty excited about her first appearance on a national TV show...watch here:


2. For the first time, I attended Mercedez Benz Fashion Week in New York, on behalf of Status Management Group with Kevin Jeffries. HE is everything and a major blessing....there are some people who promise to invest in your career and your future. And there are others who just do. He is the latter.
See how I stretched my wardrobe at MBFW here: UPDATE: Life as a Non-Consumer...Not Even During Fashion Week.

3. Overall, the challenge allowed me to awaken my sense of fashion....which I had no clue even existed. Here's an archive of my posts, documenting the journey and a photo collage of some of my favorite looks:

Archives:

December 2010- When Being a Compulsive Shopper Becomes a Drag...



My biggest take-aways from 2011 are...

1. Goal- setting is cool...especially when you stubbornly and aggressively pursue them.

2. Kindness always wins. Sometimes it's just not worth the battle, often times the kinder person wins.

3. Take yourself seriously. Or no one else will...this was my year of looking insecurity right in the eye. 

4. Manage expectations. This has pretty much been my mantra for the entire year. I learned to say "No," a lot more often, and I candidly advised others to, "Just tell me no," if they feel too pressured to commit.

5. Love and faith. The two things that I hope will never change as the years go by. When I look back at what counted most over the past year, it's being surrounded by love and having unwavering faith.

Thanks for reading friends! Know that there's always something to smile about, and that challenging yourself can open up entirely new chapters of your life. Until 2012....;)!

7 comments