Stingray Writing

Today's the day! If you haven't given to an organization yet for Give to Lincoln Day, might I suggest Lincoln Literacy?

I started working with Lincoln Literacy almost 4 years ago, and I couldn't be prouder of the work they do!

When I taught English as a volunteer in Lima, Peru, a long time ago, I quickly realized I had a lot to learn about my own language. The only way through that experience was with the help of other English instructors and the many wonderful students who survived my class. (Pictured: My very first ELL class. I think this was taken at a class party, right after one of our notorious exams 🙃)

English is a primary language in many parts of the world, so it was required for my students' degrees. We taught English, hoping their new language skills would unlock new work opportunities.

That holds true in Lincoln, Nebraska, too.

Lincoln Literacy helps any adult in Lincoln gain the language and work skills they need to navigate everyday life. From basic English to computer literacy and pre-CNA classes, the organization does so much to help our neighbors, and it offers its classes free of charge.

You can give online today at givetolincoln.com/nonprofits/lincoln-literacy, or after May 28 at lincolnliteracy.org.

Learn more about Lincoln Literacy's impact in this story about their collaboration with Bryan Health and Bryan College of Health Sciences, published by the Community Health Endowment of Lincoln: https://www.chelincoln.org/im-proud-that-i-was-useful-in-difficult-times.html

Thanks to Mandy Peterson of SevnSpero Creations for the yard sign design, and Chuck Haacker for the photo!

I quit my job and became self-employed full-time almost four years ago.

There have definitely been some ups and downs. Moments when I questioned if I could really do this marketing thing. Nights when I ugly cried with friends. Weeks when I worked late almost every night and never felt on top of things. Months that were financially hard. Taxes always the least fun surprise. Vacations where I worked from my phone in the car on the way to a cool destination, kids in the back seat, and a bag of candy in my lap.

But this has been a really good year. Not just in terms of clients and workload, but most of all, the community I've found in the American Marketing Association Lincoln Chapter. It's one of the reasons why winning the Marketer of the Year award this month at Prisms was so special.

Being chosen by the coolest, most talented group of people I know is a high I'll keep riding for a long time.

This is the video that was shown that night, produced by CueMotion: https://youtu.be/GeCdA_BS6JU

Here's what was read on stage:

"Brittany provides storytelling guidance for small businesses and nonprofits in our communities. Her approach to marketing and writing is highly strategic. Clear, sharp, intentional, and one of the most genuine humans you’ll meet, Brittany is highly involved in her community, and we’re extremely proud of the work she’s done."

And in case this wasn't clear in the video or in this post, I really. Really. Love my job.

AMA Prism Awards Stingray Marketer of the Year Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

This was fun. Thank you to for such a fun evening and for this award. It's a huge honor.

Love to see our Give to Lincoln Day work out in the wild for Foster Care Closet! Thanks, ChefauChef, for helping to spread the word with this yard sign. (Spotted while picking up dinner today.)

Mandy Peterson of SevnSpero Creations on design
Rebecca Marie Photo - Lincoln on the photography this graphic was based on.
Eagle Printing and Sign on ...you know, the printing.

Talking with the Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach team was so inspiring. They are truly doing important work.

🏆 We’re excited to share the winning idea from the Community Health Ideas Challenge: Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach’s innovative vision to expand access to healthy food in Lincoln.

Their proposal will use refrigerated smart lockers to give people more flexible, dignified access to fresh and nutritious food, helping reduce barriers related to work schedules, transportation, and stigma.

As demand for meals and pantry services continues to grow, Matt Talbot is rethinking what accessible food support can look like in our community.

Read the full story on our website: https://www.chelincoln.org/meet-the-winner-matt-talbots-vision-for-feeding-people.html

Yay! Love supporting Lincoln's nonprofit community.

Quiet day for deep work at home today with my trusty CouncilWare thermos and a bowl of pepitas for snacks.

On days like this, I reach a state of flow that makes everything else irrelevant. Time races by unnoticed.

I'm so grateful to do this work.

As my kids say, my keyboard is "making smoke." 😄

Meeting a client at a coffee shop is one of my favorite activities. Coffee? Good. Conversation? Good.

I've been working with Onsite Improvement for about 9 months, and it's still fun to hear about the work they do to repair roads, building foundations, and rail.

Onsite's mission aligns with my desire to do impactful work: Why replace something completely if you can repair it? Onsite's approach is environmentally sound (i.e., produces less waste), more cost-effective, and most importantly less intrusive to day-to-day operations (i.e., fewer traffic interruptions).

Brothers Kevin and Craig Stumpff founded the company right here in Nebraska, and I'm excited I get to work with them.

Pictured here: Kevin Stumpff with me at the Hub Cafe. Credit: Rebecca Marie Photo - Lincoln

"I’m a trust marketer."

I said this at the GROW Nebraska MarkeTech conference last week and got some very confused looks. But "trust" is the only thing that doesn't stop working when you stop paying. It's a long-term investment.

I call it the Un-Ad.

It’s about:
✅ Primary sourcing (human-to-human)
✅ Radical transparency (picture me in my running gear on a client call...sorry to all who have experienced this)
✅ Consistency over hype

If you’re tired of the pay-to-play model and ready for a brand foundation that actually bears fruit, this blog is for you.

stingraywriting.com/blog/what-is-trust-marketing

Pictured: Me with Bryan Seck at the Hub Cafe. Credit: Rebecca Marie Photo - Lincoln

A box of Kleenexes, a box of business cards, a bunch of coffee and several cookies later, I'm on the road back home.

Thanks to GROW Nebraska for hosting the MarkeTech Conference! Who knew Nebraska companies make good authentic Italian pasta, natural soap, coffee, and so many other cool things???

Happy I got to be here. Looking forward to next year.