Gratitude is so important to me. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons including celebrating all in which I have to be grateful. The Porter house plans for the day are football, family and of course food. My son is home which fills my heart. Daughter has signed on as the cruise director for the day, planning fun activities, as well as helping create the tablescape.
My kids always roll their eyes or sigh when I remind them to say please and thank you. These days it seems underrated. To me, gratitude is of the utmost importance.
Gratitude Should Be Expressed Every Day
Recently, a member of my new networking group was celebrating his birthday. He stood up and thanked everyone for the birthday wishes. Then, he proceeded to pass out dessert to everyone in the room. He shared for his birthday that he gives presents to those who have impacted his life. I was stunned. I also was moved at such a selfless gesture and one that I have yet to experience in my life.
Noted, and will be practiced by me annually from now on. Beyond that, I am so thankful for that experience. And I feel very blessed to have that person in my life now. I will be better learning from such a genuine, thoughtful and selfless leader.
Counting My Many Blessings and Giving Gratitude to Them
Personally, I am grateful for my children who wow and challenge me in a good and interesting way almost every day. Plus I have so many Texas and Florida people that lift my family. Thank you to y’all.
In addition, my friends are the best. First, they continue to put up with me. Second, they support me when needed as well as continue to show up whether in the background or foreground.
The Front Porch Team rocks. I don’t know what I did to work with brilliant, collaborative, kind and thoughtful people every day.
I am grateful for our rockin’ clients. Front Porch is only as good as our clients. And ours are outstanding. We have so much gratitude for them as they continue to collaborate with us and allow us to do our best work.
And, then there are our former team members and clients, who continue to engage with us. They keep sending us referrals. Also, they lend support in more ways than one.
Also, don’t know what we would do without our mental health peeps. Wow. I know my kids and I have the best. So thank you for taking care of us.
Last but not least, nonprofits in our community are making a true impact on many fronts. So much gratitude goes out to them. Most recently, for the magic that is The Hope Party benefiting the Grant Halliburton Foundation. The foundation’s work is a critical solution to the mental health for North Texas’ youth.
There are so many things I could drone on about that I am thankful for, but alas I am keeping in mind, dear reader, that your time is limited.
This and Every Thanksgiving, What Are You Thankful For?
We would love for you to share where your gratitude lies this Thanksgiving holiday. I am grateful for so much including those of you reading this blog post. Thank you to each one of you. And Happy Thanksgiving!
This summer, we welcome Natalie Johnson, our newest intern rocker, to the team. So we asked her a few questions to get to know her better! She’s a student at The University of Arkansas studying advertising and public relations. Natalie is excited to learn more about marketing, strategic writing, and client relations on the Porch.
What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?
That good marketing has to achieve widespread attention to be effective. It is so much more important that a campaign reaches its target audience, no matter its size, and is able to impact those who can directly benefit from what is being offered.
What advice would Natalie Johnson give to her younger self?
Everything happens for a reason! Even if you are confused in the moment, life always brings you exactly what you need.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?
College has taught me the importance of scheduling. Finding a healthy balance between schoolwork and social life is key to getting a good education while making memories.
What does good brand strategy look like?
A good brand strategy starts with building a strong brand identity. Once you know what you value as a brand and establish why consumers can trust you, content production can feel much more cohesive and authentic.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?
The Amalfi Coast! I visited when I was younger and would love to go back.
If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?
My grandpa on my mom’s side of the family. He passed away right around my high school graduation, so I would love to tell him about where I am now and hear some more of his awesome life advice!
If you could describe Natalie Johnson in three words what would they be?
I would describe myself as dedicated, empathetic, and optimistic.
Tell us about a major milestone in your life?
One of my major milestones is transferring schools and going to college out of Texas! It has been my first time living in a new state, and I’m so grateful for the experiences I’ve had in Arkansas so far!
From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?
Front Porch builds such personable, caring relationships both internally and externally. Everyone in the company truly cares about the well-being of its clients and its team members, celebrating every success and always available to answer questions.
On the Porch, May is “grad …” month. Believe it or not, it’s not just graduates and graduating. “Grad” definitely has to do with branding and marketing. Overall, it’s about great celebrations for our Porch team, family and clients.
Grad Is For Graduation Graduates
We have two kiddos graduating from kindergarten. Rock on, twins! And one team mate has an accomplished high school graduate going on to do great things in business school and in golf. Our intern, Lillian, is planning to be an August MBA grad. Plus, I have a college graduate — go on with your bad self, son. I couldn’t be prouder.
Grades Start With Grad
All those with school age children feel me here. That final grade card is coming to a mailbox near you. We see how hard you worked! And, oh yeah, the standardized test results. How’d we all do on those AP tests and finals? Whew! What a feeling! (It’s over. At least for now.)
Gradual Branding and Marketing Changes
It’s rad to be grad! Gradual, that is. Taking a measured approach on marketing pays off. Our clients are embracing incremental changes in strategy and tactics this year. This deliberate and consistent path to progress allows our clients’ brands and teams to experience sustainable enhancement. It is a more stable approach to marketing resulting in visible, continuous improvement. Slow and steady wins the race I always say.
Grad … okay … GraTitude, But It Works!
We are so grateful for our team, clients and advocates, here at the Porch. Amidst all the grad chaos that May brings, we are celebrating those who value that we continue to do what we love, with those we love, for those we love, while taking care of our loves. May was something else and we enjoyed every chaotic moment of it. Congrats Grads!
This is anniversary number 13 and it is sweet and humbling. And I am forever grateful for our team, clients and advocates.
13 is a lucky number.
It represents fearlessness. And, although at times fearlessness is hard amidst all that is going on with our business, clients, family, and in the world, for our business and me it is a guidepost.
Today I’m sharing 13 branding and marketing truths that still ring true, to celebrate our 13th year of doing what we love.
Branding – Start-ups and small to midsize businesses who have defined and live their brand architecture achieve their business goals.
Conviction – Successful businesses and business leaders articulate their brand. They know it stands for a specific and meaningful promise. These business leaders champion it internally as well.
Consistency – Our clients deliver on their brand at every point of contact, internally and externally. They understand if they don’t it will dilute the competency of the organization.
Connection – The relevancy and persuasiveness of a brand must be realized by the business’ target. Emotional connections make target audiences more predisposed to your company and its products or services.
Knowing you are not your customer.
Yet, knowing who your key client or customer targets are key.
Defining and monitoring the competitive landscape.
Creating and integrating key messages into all communications.
Being grateful for your relationships. Give back to those who support you. Encouraging them and providing help to them professionally or their businesses along the way.
Networking – This doesn’t have to be large groups, weekly or monthly meetings. But those help. Always be open to meeting new people and trying to help or connect with them.
Email marketing is the bomb. Don’t underestimate its power.
Having and trusting strong account managers, creative directors and content specialists. They make magic happen.
Work with people who you love, for those you love, creating and executing work you love, whilst taking care of your loves.
Ah, reflecting on 2023. It always amazes me this team finds commonality in their reflections each year despite not seeing each other’s until this blog is published. This year is no exception.
2022 was all about rocking steady in the calm of a year which allowed us to catch our breath a bit following several years of big events, big changes and big milestones both individually and in the world.
Boy, are we grateful for that quiet(ish) 2022. 2023 was a year full of learning to embrace change, accept challenges, give ourselves (and others) grace, honor the lessons we learn in difficulty and to find light in the darkness. Reflecting on 2023 brought some tears, some smiles and big hugs all around.
Julie Porter – Chief Rocker
Reminiscing on a year of learning, leadership and service, I am reminded of the old saying, “you don’t know what you don’t know.”
On the Porch, we operated with the same great gang of seasoned professionals and added six interns throughout the year. Interns always make us better.
My daughter and I continue to find joy in volunteering together at Dallas Animal Services (DAS). I was honored to continue my Volunteer Chair gig for the 30th Annual JWA Christmas Bazaar, board work with Faith Family Education Foundation, and host committee duties for the Grant Halliburton Foundation. There is no better challenge to accept than being able to serve others.
Proud of my boy who finished his undergrad degree in December and started his master’s program this month. He had quite a year and met it head on.
Reflecting on 2023 and looking forward for this year, I will continue to lean into difficulty. I’ll take calculated risks, focus on my own well-being and understand that growth can’t happen without resistance. All the while, celebrating working with this rockin’ team and our amazing clients.
Lillian Cloud – Intern
In 2023, I’ve experienced significant change. I completed my undergraduate education, relocated to a different city, started graduate school, and began a new job. This year has instilled in me the importance of embracing change and finding solace in the unknown. I’ve learned not to compare my post-graduation journey with that of others.
My internship has reinforced the need to trust myself and my decisions. The team I have the privilege to work with has been exceptionally supportive, and I relish the opportunity to learn from each of them. I often wonder, “Why should I be trusted with this responsibility?” or “how could my work be good enough?” This experience has shown me I’ve earned these chances to believe in myself, and has taught me to take pride in my work.
Christine Finnegan – Media Rocker
This past year, I aspired to live a more purposeful life by discovering my passions and values and using them to create a fulfilling and meaningful existence. I did this by implementing the following:
Continual Learning: Embracing a Lifetime of Growth. …
After reflecting on 2023, and as we are at the dawn of a new year I will continue to live in the moment, marvel at the world around me, and nurture the relationships that define who I am.
Alison Moreno – Rock Collector
2023 was filled with its ups and downs. My husband unexpectedly lost his job in August, and even though I was still working, I wasn’t working enough to provide much for our family. That pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realize there is much more I can do while still being the best wife and mother I can be.
There were many rough days, but we were able to recognize the good things we had and to stay positive until he ultimately found an amazing job. The downs in 2023 sparked my ambition and brought to life many hopes and plans. Moving into 2024 I’m excited to set my goals in motion and to see what the new year has in store for me professionally, and for my family.
Natalie Rosga – Rock Enthusiast
2023 has been a year of change. My littles are officially kindergarteners. While it is exciting to watch them grow and learn, my momma heart is a little sad as they start to gain more independence. It has also meant more “me” time during the week for work or the personal things that bring me joy. <Insert happy dance.>
It’s also been a year of becoming more faithful including finding a new church home that has welcomed my family with open arms. In 2024, I am excited to continue making the conscious effort to be joyful and find the positive in each and every situation.
Lea Ann Allen – Swiss Army Rock
2023 snuck in softly and then caused a loud ruckus! My youngest kid is finishing high school and furiously applying for colleges while playing in umpteen golf tournaments that I spent much of the year driving him to. I’m grateful he passed the test and now has his license! The brutal summer that cooked my tomato plants is making me rethink gardening. A couple rounds of COVID at my house brought everything to a grinding halt. And the birth of our first grandbaby made me feel very mortal. I felt I could never catch my breath so if I am being honest, reflecting on 2023, I am grateful that it is over. Whew! But, through it all, my sweet supportive friends and teammates at Front Porch helped me persevere.
Vicky Gouge – Design Rockczar
This year was a series of highs and lows. I turned 50 in August, had a 4th grader with a recent ADHD diagnosis (not surprised) and dyslexia (very surprised) and was finding a new norm post-divorce. I thought everything was moving in the usual ups and downs of life; until it wasn’t. I suffered a heart attack in early October. Suddenly I wasn’t invincible. Coming to terms with having a heart attack at age 50 has been heartbreaking, enlightening, eye-opening, depressing … all the above and much more. I’m still coming to terms with it. But the people I choose to surround myself with keep me focused, engaged and happy.
I appreciate the engagement, the knowledge I gain and continue to pursue, and the support of this team. Julie has been a quiet, supportive and thoughtful ear and a steadfast leader of our team. There’s a reason we accept people to come into our lives at certain times, and I’m thankful for my “givers gain” Front Porch family. I, Charlie and family are doing well thanks to the continued love and outreach of our friends and family. Here’s to a fabulous 2024 and much success to all. With many, we can succeed.
Reflecting on 2023 to build a better 2024
From all of us on the Porch, may 2024 be filled with health, happiness, love and learning for you and yours. Cherish working with people who make you better. Celebrate wins along the way. Find the light, be there for others and rock challenges with grit and grace. Happy New Year!
The holiday season is in full swing, and chances are you have already finalized the details for any holiday appreciation gifts you plan to send to your clients, but have you thought about how you are going to celebrate your team this season? If the answer is no, there is no reason to push the panic button just yet.
How to Show Appreciation During the Holidays
Showing appreciation doesn’t have to mean grand gestures or gifts. In fact, sometimes, a small act of kindness means the most. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.
Handwritten Cards Don’t overlook the simple act of a personalized note to celebrate your team members. We live in a world where texts and emails are our main form of communication. And typically, what lands in our home mailboxes are bills and advertisements. What if your team open their mailboxes to a card just for them expressing your gratitude for their hard work and commitment and closing with a happy holiday message?
Thoughtful Gift You may want to think about adding a small gift to your handwritten note. Remember to take into consideration what your team members like to do outside of the office. An avid reader may enjoy a new book or a gift card to purchase the newest read from their favorite author. Don’t forget to incorporate the meaning of the gift into your note.
Extra Time Off Work What is there never enough of during the holidays? Time! This season can be stressful, and giving your team an extra day or afternoon off from work may help ease their physical or mental load. Maybe it means they can spend extra time with a loved one, finish up last-minute shopping or decorating, or just take a few hours to themselves to recharge.
Celebrate Your Team With a Team Luncheon No, this is not a potluck team luncheon. We just talked about how time is a valuable commodity during the holidays. No one wants to add to their evening activity a last-minute trip to the store or an extra hour in the kitchen. They want to enjoy the holidays with less stress! Consider catering a meal at the office or a trip to a nice restaurant with a reserved room. If your team works remotely, a restaurant gift card or a gift basket delivery with their favorite holiday treat is a great option too.
Celebrate the Team That Supports Your Business
As you start to assemble your own ideas, keep in mind that we all want to be appreciated, especially around the holidays. Your small gesture can make a big difference. And it may create a team tradition for years to come. Happy Holidays from your Front Porch Team!
There are blessings aplenty to be grateful for this year. We are coming in hot from several days of a very successful video and photo shoot with an amazing client. Hard work, yes. But we have joy and gratitude for the opportunity to work with smart, collaborative partners. As a bonus, the client’s entire team flew in from Arizona, California, Colorado and Florida. And others drove in from North Texas and Houston.
We worked hard, didn’t play enough. But we are grateful for the positive energy, in-person conversations and teamwork. These people, and the work we are doing together, were inspiring and will get us through the holiday hustle.
In addition, over the past several weeks, our network introduced us to amazing new connections. As well as, we have onboarded rocking’ new clients.
We Are Grateful For Our Team
Moreover, the team is shining. The rock stars are taking on new responsibilities. Jumping in when and where needed. And I won’t get started about our interns. Besides their energy, hard work and great contributions, one is now a master teleprompter engineer.
In addition to blogging about expressing gratitude to your internal team, clients and advocates, here are a few other things to consider. Not rocket surgery or brain science, but we all need refreshers from time to time, right?!?!
How To Show Gratitude To Those You Work With
Determine your key audiences and the best way to communicate gratitude with them using some of the following tactics:
Phone calls — As the great Stevie Wonder sang, “I just called to say …” Pick up the phone. Express gratitude to your team, clients and advocates.
Emails — A quick thank you with a custom expression of why you are grateful for colleagues, peers, networks and clients.
Old fashioned greeting cards — These are a fav of mine. Make sure to include a handwritten, message.
Custom holiday cards — Design a branded card or note card. We can help you with that.
Handwritten thank you note — Use your branded company stationery to send a few sentences to those who you are grateful for.
Zoom or Teams — For those busy folks or those not near, schedule a 15-minute video conference to tell them what they mean to you and your company.
Coffee or lunch — Some still prefer face to face meetings. Schedule a few. Make it happen. For introverts like me, this is hard. But they are necessary.
If you want to chat further about how to express gratitude in business, contact us. We would love to help. Cheers to rolling into the hectic holiday season with a thankful heart. We are grateful for you, our readers.
Welcome Lillian Cloud, our new intern, to the Porch!
It’s time to welcome a new team member this fall — Lillian Clould. She is a recent college graduate from Texas A&M, and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Marketing at UT Dallas. We love our interns, and we’re so excited to introduce you to Lillian. You can read about her on our team page, and today, we’ve asked her a few questions about her perspective on marketing, so you can get to know her better. And then you can send Lillian a big Front Porch “howdy!”
What is the biggest misconception about marketing today?
I believe the biggest misconception about marketing today is that marketing is only about selling people stuff they do not need. Marketing is so much more than that now and we have such an opportunity to reach people today with marketing than ever before.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t take yourself too seriously.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far at school?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far at school is to make sure your professors know who you are. Build relationships with your professors, they can be a great resource.
What does good brand strategy look like?
I think good brand strategy starts with knowing your brand well and what direction you want your brand to go in. At the same time, it is important to know what your brand is not.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would it be?
Rome!
If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?
My great aunt Lillian who I am named after.
If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?
Three words that describe me are passionate, loyal, and honest.
Tell us about a major milestone in your life?
A major milestone in my life was graduating college this past year and moving away from my hometown and family. I went to college in my hometown so graduating and moving to Dallas was a big change for me but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
From your perspective, how does Front Porch Marketing differentiate itself from other marketing companies?
I think that the size of Front Porch Marketing allows it to get to know their clients well and have a real connection with them. Everyone I have worked with on the team is always so willing to help and listen to me which is exactly how we treat our clients and I think that makes us special.
What is a fun fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I love to travel and learn about history and art.
Where Do Marketing Agencies Fit into Your Business?
In today’s competitive business landscape, marketing plays a pivotal role in driving growth and success, and marketing agencies are at the forefront of this work. Good marketing can identify new customers, engage and grow a loyal audience, or launch new products and services. And while some business owners may contemplate handling their marketing efforts in-house, seeking the expertise of an agency can make a significant difference in achieving sustainable results.
Marketing agencies bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and strategic insights that can add substantial value to a client’s business. There are many different ways that agencies can contribute to a client’s success and why opting for professional assistance is essential.
What You Get When You Choose A Marketing Agency Over Doing it Yourself
When you work with a marketing agency instead of trying to do everything yourself, you’ll enjoy many advantages like specialized expertise, a strategic approach, resource optimization, access to cutting-edge tools, and time efficiency.
1. Specialized Expertise
Marketing agencies equip their teams of skilled professionals with specialized knowledge and skills in various marketing disciplines. From SEO and content marketing to social media and paid advertising, agencies can bring a diverse skill set that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.
These marketers focus on their disciplines day in and day out, and adding their knowledge base to building your business pays off. Their expertise ensures that marketing efforts are executed effectively, delivering measurable results that align with business goals. More bang for your buck.
2. Strategic Approach
Agencies work closely with clients to develop data-driven strategies that align with their overall business objectives. By conducting thorough market research and competitor analysis, agencies identify opportunities and then craft well-thought-out campaigns to stay ahead of the competition.
A strategic approach not only maximizes marketing ROI but also enables businesses to make informed decisions for future growth. These agencies objective perspectives on growing clients’ businesses means they can make solid, research-backed decisions to build business. And then they can implement these decisions in a streamlined manner.
3. Resource Optimization
Managing marketing efforts in-house can strain resources, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. Marketing agencies offer cost-effective solutions that allow clients to focus on core business activities while leaving marketing tasks in expert hands. This resource optimization ensures that businesses get the most out of their marketing budget and manpower.
Our small to medium-sized clients benefit from Front Porch Marketing’s ability to supplement their own efforts. We work hand-in-hand with them to build their business as if it were our own, while lending expertise that clients don’t typically have in-house like website design, social media content marketing, email marketing and large design-focused projects like brochures. This leaves small business owners to focus on what they do best.
4. Access to Cutting-Edge Tools
Marketing agencies invest in state-of-the-art marketing tools and technologies to gain a competitive edge. By leveraging these tools, agencies can track and analyze data effectively, allowing for data-driven decision-making and continuous optimization of marketing campaigns. Such insights are crucial in maintaining a strong market presence and adapting to changing consumer behaviors.
It wouldn’t be cost-effective for small businesses to invest in these tools, so marketing agencies can again supplement the efforts of a business with this access to tools and the expertise to optimize their use for the benefit of a client’s business.
5. Time Efficiency
Implementing a successful marketing strategy requires time, effort, and consistent monitoring. By delegating marketing responsibilities to an agency, clients can focus on core competencies and strategic business growth. This time efficiency enables businesses to operate seamlessly while their marketing needs are efficiently addressed by industry experts.
Taking all these tasks off a small business owner’s plate gives them time to see the big picture. Then they can focus on growing their business. And they won’t get buried in the weeds of all the marketing tasks necessary to get there.
6. Reassess What Your Time is Worth, and Let a Marketing Agency Help Make Your Business Better
In conclusion, marketing agencies bring invaluable expertise and depth of knowledge. This can significantly elevate a client’s business to new heights. From specialized skill sets and strategic insights to resource optimization and access to cutting-edge tools, agencies offer an all-encompassing solution to marketing challenges.
While some clients may consider DIY marketing, it’s crucial to recognize the value that marketing agencies bring to the table. By partnering with a reputable agency, businesses can enjoy efficient and effective marketing efforts that lead to long-term success. Remember, marketing is an investment in the future, and entrusting marketing professionals can lead to remarkable returns.
Welcome our new intern Ryan Barton. Front Porch Marketing supports Ursuline High School by providing an internship or two for their students every summer. We have had the pleasure of introducing marketing and advertising to these rising seniors for several years now, and have enjoyed their enthusiasm and sparkle every summer.
This summer our Ursuline High School intern is rising senior Ryan Barton. Ryan is excited to utilize her strong communication and writing skills this summer and learn more about what we do at Front Porch. And we are excited to add her to the Front Porch team. Ryan is the captain of the girls’ basketball team, and president of school club Helping Hands, which she founded. We asked Ryan a few questions about herself to get to know her better!
What makes you want to have a career in marketing?
I took a class this year at Ursuline where you have to create a business model and work out the finances, marketing, and product. It made me interested in the marketing aspect of a business and what that entails.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far in your life?
I have learned that every person is different and has an unique skill set. It taught me that comparing myself to others is not helpful or productive.
If you could describe Ryan Barton in three words what would they be?
In 3 words, I would describe myself as determined, thoughtful, generous.
What are your goals for your time at Front Porch Marketing, Ryan?
My main goals are to get experience in marketing and seeing if it is something that I would be interested in pursuing in the future.
If you could go to dinner with one person living or dead who would it be?
I would go to dinner with my Taylor Swift. I grew up with older sisters so her music was constantly on and she has become a huge inspiration in my life!
What is a fun fact about you, Ryan?
One of my favorite foods is Caesar salad! I had one in New York when I was 10 and have loved them ever since!
We’re So Happy You’re Here, Ryan Barton!
Of course this summer we had to have a #swiftie as an intern. Of course! We are looking forward to seeing how your future develops, Ryan, and hope that your time at Front Porch Marketing is valuable to your career path. Welcome!
