Conversations with Lisa Rabey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Rabey

Hi Lisa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Nerd Girl Industries origin story:

During the early days of the Internet, I was working in San Francisco for a small internet provider. We got a lot of questions on how to use the internet, using computers, email; essentially anything technology related. I developed and taught classes on those topics and enjoyed it so much I made it a regular offering. A few years later, I moved on to a larger firm and also taught intro classes to employees on the technology and applications we used. I enjoyed seeing peoples’ faces when they “got it.”

I did a 180 degree swap and left technology for jobs in the humanities. I continued to do tech support and teaching on the side but mainly one-to-one. At the boom of social media, I was online a lot exploring new sites and making friends all over the world. Twitter was amazing and I was one of the first to have an account in 2007. I really got into social media and I was active across the major networks. When I started my MLIS (Masters in Library Science) in 2008, I got hooked up with several small Detroit based companies who needed someone to manage their websites and social media. I took my experience with teaching, my education, and my love of social media and parlayed it doing social media and website management. When I graduated from my MLIS program in 2010, my first job was a web & systems librarian at a community college. Not only did I handle the technology that runs the library applications, but also their website and social media. As I moved through my career, so did my responsibilities for small businesses and non-profits. When the opportunity to start my own firm came up, I knew this was the right time to go solo and I’ve been hustling ever since!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the early days, managing social media and website was a lot easier. Sure, there was a lot out about search engine optimization (SEO) and digital marketing but content strategy and social media management was a whole new ball game. Then, putting together a calendar and content strategy wasn’t a ton of work but today, putting a monthly calendar together, researching for blog posts and newsletters, putting together content, determining content strategy, and actually posting all the content takes up a lot of time. I’ve found most people think you just upload a viral video and be done with it. I find myself defending what I do a lot because of the conception of how “easy” and “effortless” it works. I had one client who was shocked at how much it would cost for what they want to do and asked me to cut my rate! I told them no, as I was already cut rate as it was. They did not ask again. Also, everyone wants to go viral! Research about going viral is always the same: quality content, engaging with your followers, and post on a regular basis. Whether or not something goes viral has no known variable.

Also, a lot of businesses think if you do social media / content management, you’re also a web developer or designer. Customers want an all in one package and again, think everything can be done on the cheap. I’m very clear on what my skill set is but clients still want more. Even nearly 20 years after the advent of what we know as social media is so wild west that it can be frustrating on defending and selling who you are.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Interestingly, I known for tailored research, blogging, and content organization. I say “interestingly,” because these are things I’ve been doing for years before I trained as a librarian! While my skill set is varied thanks to my divergent career path, they are related, I promise! From tech I bring technology and device training. From my librarian education, I bring in taxonomy and metadata, UX/UI, and information architecture. I’m also a published author and my first anthology came out July 9th! I’ve also published short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and chapbooks. I find inspiration everywhere! Right now I’m concentrating on contemporary romance. I write sassy, independent, and curvy heroines and men who love them.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
What I love most about what I do is that I get to meet all kinds of talented and creative people. We bounce ideas off of each other and complement each other’s work. For example, I have a few friends who are graphic designers and they have taught me so much about design and color theory. That new knowledge really enriches my work in so many ways. I’m also open to collaboration with others on all kinds of projects that brings out our creative juices. As for support, sharing my content, collaborating with me, leaving me reviews, connecting social media, signing up for my newsletter, and of course, hiring me!

Pricing:

• $200 (six hours) monthly retainer
• $50 hour of content strategy and social media managment
• $10 for my chapbok, “chapter breaks: a journey into bipolar mania”
• $19 for my anthology, “Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nerdgirl.net
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nerdgirl_industries
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/nerdgirlindustries
• Other: https://linktr.ee/heroineinabook