Brittany Reese, Social Media Strategist, BTR Productions
Brittany Reese received her undergrad and graduate education at Arkansas State University. After receiving her master's degree, Brittany worked at a lifestyle magazine in Little Rock, AR.
In 2018, she transitioned into television news in the Little Rock metro area and spent roughly three years as a digital content producer. During her time in the news, she produced a national live-streamed show called Newsfeed Now which featured trending topics across the country.
She's honoured to be a 2021 Dori Maynard Diversity Leadership Program Fellow for the Society of Professional Journalists. Recently she transitioned to the communications and PR industry, where she continues to enhance her storytelling skills.
Brittany also offers social media consulting and management through her company, BTR Productions. Recently she began live-tweeting spaces, offering this real-time component that pairs with the storytelling of social audio to her clients.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Twitter because I can have fun, network, and learn all in one place. My connections on Twitter via Twitter Spaces keep helping me grow as a person and professionally.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I am from Arkansas and have a journalism background. My area of interest is storytelling through social media and digital marketing.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I like that I can continue to tell engaging stories through my live-tweeting and social media creation skills.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Build yourself up so that you can pour into others.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
My passion for helping others. By gathering information and presenting it in various ways, I can help educate as well as encourage someone to learn more and work toward their dreams.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I am proud of my ability to keep trying. Within the last year, I lost my job and had to think about what I wanted to do next. My ability to bounce back from this has made me stronger.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I prefer virtual. It doesn't run my social battery out as much. Since I am an animadvert, extremely high on the introvert side, it can be very draining every time I am at work or at an in-person event. I find Twitter Spaces less draining and quite energizing.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Trusting in my ability to succeed has helped me. Skills that helped include communicating efficiently and effectively with others, being genuine in my connections by giving as much to others as I ask from others.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Don't waste your energy on non-supporters and pour into people who pour into me.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
I admire educators such as one of my journalism professors Sandra Combs for her drive to reach the ethics of the craft and her devotion to holding people accountable.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I love reading Webtoons, I'm a huge Batman fan, and I love old school British comedies.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
It has had both a positive and negative effect on my business. With the pandemic, many don't have the funds to spare for my services, but I have used Twitter and LinkedIn as a way to promote my services a lot more. The pandemic has made me turn to network even more.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes, I have several mentors. Some include Society of Professional Journalist President Rebecca Aguilar, Shannon Greevy president of A Bigger Room, Uniqueka Walcott, founder of Career Conversations and many others.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Take breaks from the computer to enjoy life. It's so easy to spend 12 hours online researching, talking to clients, and keeping up with trends. Breaks are very important.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
People fail due to a lack of support for their craft and a lack of belief in their skills.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Your message will reach those that are meant to hear it."
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Wendy's for their witty posts, Klowt for marketing and personal branding.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
I define success by my engagement and opportunities from my efforts. I have learned to give myself grace. You are just one person. You can't be everywhere at once. So, be intentional about your energy.