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reading time: 3 minutes

I have a secret…and when given the task to make my writing a little more personal, I was excited but nervous. For most of my life, I have done my best to keep my two worlds separate. By day I am a writer and social media manager. I have always loved to write. Something about a blank piece of paper (or empty Facebook status box) makes me feel so free. I love my job, and wouldn’t change it for the world.

But by night, I am a hip-hop dancer. Yes, laugh if you’d like. I do not fit the mold. But that has never stopped me, and I’ve made it my mission to break into the professional dance industry here in Atlanta. And I did.

Like I said, I’ve done my best to keep my worlds separate. But the reality is, dance and social media really aren’t all that different. Both require the same sort of skills…

  1. Both Require Telling a Story

    I’ve never stepped on stage without having a story in my mind. I am a character, and my mission is to portray whatever I am feeling through movement. Usually, the story in my head is this— “I am a powerful woman and I have a secret that you will never understand.” This allows me to exude confidence, a requirement for any audition or performance

    The same goes for social media marketing. Your mission is to tell your brand’s story. With every post, you are sharing a piece of a larger tale. You must stay in character, keeping your voice consistent to portray a believable character. Don’t think of marketing as just selling, but rather story telling. I promise, it will change the way your audience interacts with you.

  2. Both Require Inspiration and Creativity

    To be great at social media marketing, you must stay inspired. You’ll know you’re doing it wrong when you post the same message—in the same format—week after week. A great way to stay inspired is to follow brands that you respect and are doing it right. You must stay current in your industry!

    The same goes for dance. A lot of my time is spent watching YouTube videos of other dancers and performances. I am continuously scanning my environment, then giving it back to the world through choreography or performance.

  3. You Must Remain Flexible

    As a dancer, my schedule is constantly changing.  The day of my birthday last year I got a call that the Jonas Brothers needed me for their music video shoot in New Orleans. The kicker…my flight would be taking off from Atlanta in 3 hours. I immediately rushed to the airport, canceling my birthday plans with friends. The moral of the story—dance requires flexibility.

    When you’re managing social media accounts, you must stay on your toes. Be prepared for anything. I recommend keeping a document on your desktop with “emergency content” you can pull whenever necessary. Also, if a new social media site is on the rise, don’t be afraid to jump in!

When I’m on stage, the world is still. I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Luckily, I have found a day job that allows me to feel the same way. A job that I love so much, I lose all track of time.

I hope this post gives you a fresh perspective. I would be interested to know if other social media lovers find themselves immersed in artistic industries. As always, I’d love to hear from you!