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Neuromarketing’s Future in Digital Media

The last Internet and Social Media blogging assignment of the semester is here, and it’s a podcast! But, don’t worry, it’s a short one.

Neuromarketing‘s Future in Digital Media Will Ardently Pursue Podcast

My reflection and predictions of where the future of digital marketing will go (based on the topic of neuromarketing).

I’m interested to see where the world of social and digital media will take us next. With technology constantly changing, it is sure to be a short time before changes come our way.

Sending blessings to you and yours!

-Bri

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Manipulated Media

Media can be manipulated in a multitude of ways, and one of those ways is called a deepfake. Deepfake combines deep learning and fake artificial intelligence to learn the many unique visual or oral characteristics of a subject and map that information onto another subject. This form of artificial intelligence has taken social media by storm through applications that allow you to deepfake actors or influential people to the mapping of art shows to create new visual experiences. One interesting form of deepfake that I have seen is the manipulation of Vincent Van Gogh’s artwork to create a unique visual take on his art. One example can be found at https://www.instagram.com/p/CL_Ee8Ejkq6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link, and while it is a remarkable interpretation of Van Gogh’s art, it is also a manipulation that utilizes AI.

Screenshot of the Instagram video from the link above.

The idea of using this deepfake came to me when I recalled that I had seen a video of a deepfake that was made of many influential artists. One of these influential people was Van Gogh, but since I could not find that video, I opted to look at the manipulations that have been created from his art to create a new form of art installation. I chose this form over false or misleading media because I was having difficulty finding something that I could also find the original un-manipulated content of, and I found that searching for “fake news” did not boost my overall mood. However, the manipulation of Van Gogh’s art is something I am very impressed with and find inspiring.

Starry Night Over the Rhône (Ramirez, 2017).

Above, you will see an image of Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent Van Gogh, which I found in an article by Ramirez (2017) titled “Gallery: What Van Gogh’s most famous paintings look like in real life.” It matches the manipulated media found within the Instagram video of the Vincent Van Gogh art installation that is enhanced by AI. The Instagram video that I found has had over 2,000 engagements, but this video is not from the @vangoghmuseum, which has 2 million followers, or the @vangogh.experience, which has 121K followers. Instead, the experience is where Van Gogh’s art comes to life through AI.

The audience obviously realizes that this “new” installation is altered, but it is largely accepted as a new way to experience famous art. While it is not the original artwork, it creates a way for people to immerse themselves within the artwork. On the other hand, it does not allow a person to see the individual brushstrokes and the time put into creating the original art. Due to this fact, I think it is vital for people to realize how influential AI and media are on our perceptions and the way we view the world around us. We must remember to enjoy not only the creations of the future but also those of the past. Through an appreciation of the past, we are forced to reflect on life’s original, un-manipulated facts.

References

Ramirez, F. (2017, August 8). Gallery: What Van Gogh’s most famous paintings look like in real life. Chron. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.chron.com/news/slideshow/Gallery-What-Van-Gogh-s-most-famous-paintings-160505.php.

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Social Media, Today

Today, there are many different social media platforms. Three platforms that are currently offered to the masses are YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Of these platforms, I utilize Instagram the most, but I also have accounts on the other two platforms as well. Each of these social media platforms allows companies to use different visual tools to reach their target markets and enhance their brand effectively. To demonstrate this, I have chosen three different companies (one on each of the listed platforms) to help explain how these various platforms are used.

All three of these social media platforms are often used on mobile devices.

One company that I follow on Instagram is Mary Kay (@marykayus). Mary Kay uses images, stories, Reels, and Series to generate consumer interest in its brand. These are forms of content marketing, but they help provide information to the consumer and express the Mary Kay brand. Through Reels and Series, consumers get a better idea of not only how to use the products, but they are also introduced to a more personalized introduction of the company’s personality and voice. These videos allow Mary Kay to share recommendations, facilitate sales, and demonstrate products. Additionally, Mary Kay uses the Story option of Instagram to actively engage with its target market. They also use this feature to provide information on new products, capture consumer feedback, and facilitate lead generation. Overall, Mary Kay is excellent at using social media to enhance its brand and communicate with the target market. I honestly cannot think of any other visual tool that Mary Kay could adopt to help them create more effective and engaging posts.

Screenshot of marykayus Instagram featuring a Series, Reel, and Image on the top row (from left to right).

From the three social media platforms listed above, TikTok is my second most used. However, I do not spend much time on TikTok, and I honestly do not typically follow companies on this platform. Therefore, it took me some time to decide which company I would follow and write about for this post, but I did choose an organization near to my heart. Through my research of companies on TikTok, I found that the San Diego Zoo is an active TikTok user.

TikTok is an application where users can create and share short videos. The San Diego Zoo creates fun, shareable videos of the animals that reside within its zoo. Through TikTok, the San Diego Zoo can actively engage with its followers by posting requested videos of various animals. They also demonstrate their expertise by using these short videos to teach the public about different animals. For example, one video that the San Diego Zoo posted was about the difference between black and white rhinos. Both of these rhinos are actually grey, and the difference between them doesn’t have anything to do with the color of their skin. Black rhinos have pointed prehensile lips, while white rhinos have wide square lips. The video also mentioned that the white rhino’s name might come from the mistranslation of the Afrikaans word for wide. While this is just one way that the San Diego Zoo demonstrates its expertise, provides information, and expresses its brand, it is an effective marketing tool to reach the current and prospective audience. I think that the San Diego Zoo could benefit significantly from using TikTok to create a call to action for its contemporary viewers that would help facilitate donations for its organization. Overall, I have enjoyed watching these videos that highlight the San Diego Zoo animals.

Screenshots of the San Diego Zoo White and Black Rhinos.

Out of the three social media platforms that I first listed, YouTube is the platform that I use the least. However, my husband uses it often, and due to his influence, there are a few companies that we regularly follow on YouTube. They are smaller in size compared to my first two examples, but the company that I chose is an active creator on YouTube’s platform. This company goes by Good Mythical Morning (GMM), and its hosts are Rhett and Link.

YouTube is a video hosting site, which allows its creators to house their content in one place while also creating and increasing brand exposure. YouTube videos are shareable and can be made for a variety of reasons. If you follow Good Mythical Morning on YouTube, you will find that it currently has over 17 million subscribers and is on season 20 of its Playlist career. Good Mythical Morning creates content that interacts with its fans and followers. This content is often based on polls that followers participated in, but they also include videos at the end of each show that highlight the fans of GMM. Good Mythical Morning has a very distinct brand, and their media creations express this through design, personality, and look/feel. Due to this expression, GMM has fostered a space for its community. And through the Good Mythical Morning content creations, Rhett and Link are able to share recommendations, demonstrate products, offer proof points, create a shopping experience, and facilitate sales. Due to Good Mythical Morning’s wide range of topics, I honestly cannot think of another visual tool that GMM could adopt to create more effective and engaging posts. I believe that as GMM has aged, it has taken into account the different forms of visual tools and has created a plan that works for the company right now. I’m certain that as media changes, GMM will also adapt to fit the new mold.

Screenshot of a YouTube episode of Good Mythical Morning.

On the flip side of social media, you find the micro- or nano-influencers who have smaller followings but are still valuable social media players. I follow many of these influencers, especially on Instagram, and can easily find two with a quick scroll. The two that I saw first were the donaghe.dwelling and kithandkinroastingco (both on Instagram). Jade Donaghe, Home Decor and DIY guru is the owner of the donaghe.dwelling handle. I follow her because she is a friend and because she has created a beautiful home for herself and her family, which she shares on social media. Her home has gone through many changes in the short time they have lived there, and I am in awe of her ability to create fabulous living spaces. Jade typically endorses home improvement projects and DIY projects. For example, in a recent post, she promoted Rustoleum, which she used to transform a dresser. In addition, Jade often takes an active approach towards engaging with her audience. Through polls and questions on her Instagram stories, Jade often asks her audience to help make home improvement decisions. Jade also provides information on her projects, shares recommendations, and demonstrates her expertise to her followers.

Kith+Kin Roasting Co, the owner of the Instagram handle kithandkinroastingco, is a company that might have a smaller following but an extensive reach. Coffee shop, bakery, sandwiches, and desserts, dare I say more? Kith+Kin roasts their coffee fresh in-house, which is an experience in itself. One of the reasons I follow this company is that it is local and I frequent the shop often. It is also a great place to study and meet up with friends and family. But I also believe that they have the best coffee, atmosphere, and employees in town. Kith+Kin Roasting Co typically promotes their fresh roasted coffee, fresh-baked bread, local fundraisers, sandwich specials, and housemade ice cream, to list a few. When not endorsing their products, K+K will provide additional information and recommendations to its followers while also demonstrating expertise regarding coffee knowledge. K+K is a company that has grown its brand and, through the help of social media, has been able to express its brand through a recently updated design and look to its shop.

Nano-influencers kithandkinroastingco and donaghe.dwelling on Instagram.

I think that at some point, everyone has the idea that they want to have an influence and be a part of a community. However, to become a nano-influencer, one would first have to decide what content to create. Then after deciding what that content will be, you must decide what platform to use that will help reach your target market. For example, if I were to attempt to become a nano-influencer, I would look into the health sector of Instagram. I would base my strategy on sharing recipe recommendations, demonstrating recipes and workout plans, and providing information on products and services that I use. I think that an active approach should be the goal of nano-influencers because it will help drive engagement. It is also essential to reach out to complementary influencers to help you create your base and grow your following through partnerships. Social media’s primary goal is to make connections and build communities, which is what nano-influencers do. This is why they are valuable to marketers.

Remember to lead in love,

-Bri

The Virality of Doritos Super Bowl Campaign

Nowadays, almost all companies have an online presence. It is practically a necessity, and the companies that don’t have any social media presence often do not do as well as their competitors. This is because digital marketing allows marketers to create connections and understanding between the business and its customers. To make this connection, companies use digital marketing and social media to market content in the form of videos, blogs, images, infographics, and case studies. This content marketing aims for the consumer to see it and hopefully share the information either by word of mouth or online.

Sometimes companies have a stroke of genius, which leads to viral content. This means that their online content was shared from person to person in such a way that it could be considered contagious. One such viral social media campaign was the Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” Series, which ran from 2006 to 2016. In 2013, Doritos utilized YouTube to present the winner(s) award in a short video, which has a current total of 1,308,528 views. This video can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ciwjIpVipk

Screenshot of the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl 2014 advertisement.
Screenshot of the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl 2014 advertisement.

The Super Bowl advertisements became something that everyone talked about. Watching the Super Bowl was no longer just about the game. It was also about the best Super Bowl ads. These ads were something that people connected over, during the game, and even after. But the Doritos commercials became even more talked about because they were created by the public, which is something that I remembered while searching viral social media ad campaigns. While the Doritos campaign is not the only Super Bowl ad that saw success, it was one that the public could join in on for several years.

One of the many Doritos Super Bowl ads shared was the ‘Ultrasound’ video by Peter Carstairs. According to Nut (2016), this ad was “the most shared Super Bowl ad” that year, “with nearly 900,000 shares.” Nut (2016) also mentions in the article that Carstairs was one of the three finalists that year. You can watch Carstairs’s (2015) Doritos advertisement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugn_qmQ0NFo , which has 13,203,267 views to date.

According to Witt & Nichols’s (2016) case study, the Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl” campaign was created in 2007 and went viral sometime between 2007 and 2009. Part of the reason for its virality is because, in 2009, Doritos decided to raise the stakes by “offering one million dollars to the fan whose ad took USA Today’s No. 1 spot in the Super Bowl ad meter” (Witt & Nichols, 2016). Another reason for its virality was the emotion that the advertisements elicited among the public. The most memorable were often humorous, like the ‘Ultrasound’ ad. I also think that the creation of these “stories” helped spread the Doritos advertisements. They started conversations among people, which helped Doritos reach more consumers through the sharing of the videos.

Since Doritos allowed the public to create content and decide the winner, the campaign ran successfully for ten years (Witt & Nichols, 2016). Throughout the years, the campaign offered different awards to actively engage with the audience, which is why Doritos was able to run the campaign for so long. “In order to reach their target audience, they targeted college newspapers, top film schools and the largest universities, utilized viral video/photo sites; targeted blog and podcasts for core consumers, film makers and ad industry, generated news around finalist grassroots and social networking efforts” (Witt & Nichols, 2016). But these were just a few ways that Doritos reached its target audience. To gain new viewers and convert them to loyal followers, Doritos asked consumers to vote on the final five, and then the top two would air during the Super Bowl. This interaction by the consumers helps create the sense of relationship, where the consumer feels included in who won the top two spots and, in turn, watches to see the final two ads. Through this relationship, the consumers share with others who will also watch the Super Bowl and be influenced by triggers that will remind them of the Doritos brand.

References

Carstairs, P. (2015, November 11). Doritos ultrasound – youtube. YouTube. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugn_qmQ0NFo.

Doritos. (2013, September 26). Doritos® crash The Super Bowl 2014 – YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ciwjIpVipk.

Nut, A. (2016, February 5). Update: Aussie-made Dorito’s spot leads all Super Bowl ads in shares: The work. Campaign Asia. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.campaignasia.com/article/update-aussie-made-doritos-spot-leads-all-super-bowl-ads-in-shares/425801.

Witt, E., & Nichols, R. (2016, February 24). The importance of including social media as seen in “Crash the super bowl” Doritos campaign. Penn State. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://sites.psu.edu/comm473/2016/02/25/the-importance-of-including-social-media-as-seen-in-crash-the-super-bowl-doritos-campaign/.

The Influence of Social Media

We can learn a lot about a person, business, or organization through their social media presence. However, if the organization, business, or person is influential enough, there might be more than one social media page where information is shared. Take New Mexico State University (NMSU); for example, they are a large organization with more than one social media page and operate on more than one social media platform. Three Facebook pages that are linked to NMSU are the NMSU College of Business, NMSU Department of Student Life, and New Mexico State University (the official page for the college). While each of these pages relates to the main campus, it is evident from the branding elements used that different people handle each page. Similar branding elements that can be experienced from these pages are an official tone of voice and the use of the school colors and school logo within the shared media. Differences found are the infrequent postings on NMSU College of Business compared to the frequent posts on the other two pages. Also, the College of Business only uses an official tone of voice, while the other two pages often express excitement to engage their audience. The main difference between the official NMSU page and the Department of Student Life is the frequent use of videos on the official page.

The “Official University Logo”
New Mexico State University (2020).

Since resuming my college career, I made it a point to join the NMSU College of Business group. I felt that it was important to join this group primarily due to my degree in Business Administration. I want to make the most out of my experience and education; therefore, I believe that it is vital to be as informed as possible in the area of study one might be interested in. I don’t think that anyone is ever too old to learn something new. Instead, I believe that it is essential to continue learning because the world changes every day, and I don’t want to be left behind. That being said, I plan to be a part of this Facebook community as an avid learner to increase my skill and knowledge.

To continue with the trend of learning, businesses should learn from other businesses. The world of social media is here to stay, and innovative firms know that they can utilize social media platforms to connect with their target market. Learning from others is essential in the world of business. We learn from the mistakes and successes of our competitors and other business owners. People and organizations can also learn from the company or groups that they find inspirational and engaging on social media. For example, the Nuclear Waste Partnership does an excellent job creating social media content for their Facebook page.

Find the Nuclear Waste Partnership FB page here!

https://www.facebook.com/nuclearwastepartnership/?ref=page_internal

Through frequent and consistent updates, the Nuclear Waste Partnership updates its followers with a variety of content. They include everything from the recognition of employees and interns to what the company is doing within their local communities. Often, the organization will post about the company history and remind the people of their company mission. They also provide media of their community outreach programs and company events. They create sentiment, awareness, and communication with their target market, which are best-practice tactics that other companies could learn from the Nuclear Waste Partnership.

Picture from the NWP company picnic in 2021. (Nuclear Waste Partnership, 2021).

However, as I said before, it is not only companies or organizations that can have a social media presence. People of all backgrounds also have social media pages. One common trend on Twitter is for public figures and CEOs to use the micro sharing site to state opinions, information, or inspirational posts. A CEO that I follow is Sonja Santelises of the Baltimore City Public Schools. I followed her because I honestly did not know that there was the title of CEO within a public school district. I find it inspirational that she has received that honor and seeks to inspire others through her position. She recently sent out a tweet of recognition for the work and heart of one of her employees. The act of recognizing another person’s accomplishments is something everyone should aspire to do. Through this small act, I believe that Sonja will inspire others to express the same kindness and appreciation that she has shown.

Tweet from Sonja Santelises

While on Twitter, I also followed the Artesia Public Schools. This is an organization that I have always believed that I would work for one day. Both of my parents worked there, and I found the work they did very meaningful. The district is in a rural area, so their social media content would mostly be considered the conversationalist group. They post updates, but they don’t interact much outside these updates. I believe that they could learn how to increase their social media presence from other organizations, but I also know that it might take some convincing that the action is necessary.

Looking into the different industries and their use of social media only proves to me that any business can use social media to increase and benefit their community network.

Your lifelong learner,

-Brianna

References

New Mexico State University . (2020). Official University logo: New Mexico State university – all About discovery! Official University Logo | New Mexico State University – All About Discovery! Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://brand.nmsu.edu/official-university-logo/index.html.

Nuclear Waste Partnership . (2021, August 24). Log in or sign up to view. Facebook. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.facebook.com/nuclearwastepartnership/?ref=page_internal.

Learning from the Professional via LinkedIn

Are you a professional in your preferred industry? If you are a business professional in this current age of social media, it is often recommended that you market yourself and your skills on some form of media platform. Right now, the social media savvy business professional is likely to use LinkedIn. According to LinkedIn Corporation (n.d.), LinkedIn is “the world’s largest professional network with 774+ million members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.”

LinkedIn was created for the professional and is “commonly used by individual employees and job seekers to grow their career” (Luenendonk, 2019). This growth can be done in many ways, but the most common is through the connection aspect. After an individual has created a LinkedIn profile and added content relevant to their professional career, they can begin to connect with other professionals through invitations. These connection invitations can be sent to professionals you already know, you work with, or who work in industries you are interested in. Through these connections, you can learn more about your peers’ professional life and what is happening in their industry. Professional, informational content is the name of the game when creating media for LinkedIn. This content can help professionals get noticed, recruited, or even promoted if it matches a company’s values and needs.

But how does a person just stepping into their preferred industry stand out among the crowd of professionals? For me, as an undergraduate at New Mexico State University, this is a serious question. One which my Internet and Social Media Marketing class has nudged us to answer. For this, we were challenged to connect with professionals in an industry we would like to work in after graduation. For me, my chosen industry is Business or Marketing related. And although my degree is broad and there are many individuals with which I could connect, I found this task daunting.

This fear of connection mainly came from the fact that many of the people I already know and could meet with to discuss my chosen industry do not have LinkedIn or are not avid users. Due to a lack of professionals on LinkedIn that I might already know, I sent invitations to people I did not know but who provided insight on opportunities within the Business and Marketing industries. I also utilized Facebook to request help from people who might have LinkedIn profiles and worked either in Business or Marketing. In other words, I decided to grow my professional social media connection through the connections I had already made but didn’t yet know about on LinkedIn.

Fear: a mixed feeling of dread and reverence.

(Oxford Dictionaries, n.d.)

So, who did I connect with? Well, for the purpose of privacy, I will address them here as the Coordinator and the Producer. I chose the Coordinator because he works for a company I might like to apply to after graduation. He also attended NMSU and has a broad range of experience in Business Management and Marketing. The experience listed on the Coordinator’s profile gave me insight into his progression through the Business industry. From his work experience, I was able to see how an individual might start in a Research Marketing role and gradually gain experience in Communications, Social Media Marketing, Project Management, and Business Management and Planning. Based on where he started and where he is now, it was evident through his timeline of events that he was passionate about media and created his career through this passion.

I chose the Producer because he is someone that I know and is an experienced professional who works with a top-tier company in Media and Marketing. His work experience also led me to believe that his passion for media was the driving force behind the jobs that have shaped his career. He went from an Intern and Assistant Editor, to the creator of commercials and motion graphics, to broadening his education through research which he implemented in the fields of Communications and Marketing. From here, his career began with a new company that provided him with the opportunity to move up and gain insight into the world of business and project management—followed by his current position in Business Management and Marketing as a Producer for Apple.

Thoughts while viewing the work experience of business professionals on LinkedIn.

So, what type of background do the company’s that these two professionals work for require for new hires? Well, the Coordinator works for the Nuclear Waste Partnership, LLC, which is formed by Amentum and BWX Technologies, Inc. “to support the DOE Office of Environmental Management and Carlsbad Field Office in achieving WIPP and National TRU Waste Program goals” (Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, 2019). These companies work with the government to operate the WIPP site; therefore, they usually require new hires to obtain at minimum their Bachelor’s degree and/or certificates in the fields where they hire. They also prefer new hires to have experience in their field. Since the Producer works for Apple, it is well known that they only accept the brightest talent. Their requirements are a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, but they often prefer a Master’s degree and sometimes require additional experience.

Group: a number of people or things that are located close together or are considered or classed together.

(Oxford Dictionaries, n.d.)

Another way to make connections is through joining Groups on LinkedIn. Groups can give more insight into your career choice or an industry that you are interested in. Members of groups post discussions on topics related to the industry to help members grow in their professional inquiries. I decided to join three groups because they are related to my professional area of interest: Advertising & Marketing Industry Professionals; Human Resources – Recruiting for Startups; Travel & Tourism Industry Professionals Worldwide. I chose these groups because they are related to the Business and Marketing industries. Travel and tourism make up a large part of the Business industry and are areas that I am interested in. My degree specializes in Marketing, so I thought it would be beneficial to learn more about the different types of marketing from professionals in this field. And professional development related to HR is essential for any business professional. Unfortunately, I have not learned much from these groups so far due to the wait time associated with being accepted into the groups by group admins. However, I plan to participate in these groups by following discussions to enhance my understanding of current industry events and help me to become a better leader.

Remember to lead in love,

-Bri

References

LinkedIn Corporation. (n.d.). About LinkedIn. https://about.linkedin.com/.

Luenendonk, M. (2019, September 18). How to use linkedin for business purposes. Cleverism. https://www.cleverism.com/linkedin-how-to-use-business/#:~:text=PURPOSE%20OF%20LINKEDIN%201%20Networking%20on%20professional%20level.,…%203%20Research.%20…%204%20Hiring%2Ffinding%20employment.%20.

Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC. (2019). Partners. Nuclear Waste Partnership. https://www.nwp-wipp.com/partners/.

Oxford Dictionaries. (n.d.). Dictionary. Bing. https://www.bing.com/search?q=fear%2Bdefinition&cvid=477dc5fad90c48b49aef09554ecf5f2b&aqs=edge.0.0j69i57j0l7.2951j0j1&pglt=299&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=LCTS.

Oxford Dictionaries. (n.d.). Dictionary – group. Bing. https://www.bing.com/search?q=groups%2Bdef&cvid=a86d5bbc753a4507aae40fb58d00e4df&aqs=edge..69i57j0l8.2230j0j1&pglt=299&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=LCTS.

Comparison and Individuality

Have you ever typed your name into a search engine to see what would come up? Part of human nature is our intense curiosity and determination to procure knowledge. What comes up when you search your name? Well, for me, the first search produced the obituary of a young OSU college student, the second search lead me to a YouTuber with over six million subscribers, and my third search gave my name’s origin and meaning. I’m sure I could continue my search until I finally found an article about myself; however, I would have to be much more specific than just typing my name into a browser.

“Why do you so earnestly seek
the truth in distant places?
Look for delusion and truth in the
bottom of your own heart.”
― Ryokan

The results from my search don’t really say much about who I am, and why would they? There are billions of people on this planet, each with their own ancestry. We all have different traits, values, and passions that create a unique individual. However, the results don’t mean that I miss the similarities in my life. From my first search, I relate heavily to the loss of a life too young. Though we may share a name, my loss is different. While I did not lose myself, my loss was also one that I was also unprepared to handle at such a young age. So, I guess you could say that I relate more to the writers of my results than the person in question. My second search led me to the YouTuber, and though I am not big on creating videos, I understand her role as a media producer. Creating engaging content is a skill, and I often lend my experience in photography and graphic creation to help organizations or businesses apply new media to their social media platforms. While I have never heard of this YouTuber before, I appreciate the time she puts into shooting, editing, and uploading media for her many viewers. The third and final search is one that I have specifically looked into before, producing the results of my name’s origin and meaning. A girl’s name of Irish heritage, meaning “strong, virtuous and honorable,” is what Nameberry (2021) says about the name given to me at birth.

I would like to think that I am strong, virtuous, and honorable. I would state that I am, in fact, strong, but aren’t we all? We all go through hardships that shape us and make us different, yet similar in some way. But it is how we process the difficulties where the decision is made about the status of our virtue. To be virtuous is to have or show high moral standards (Oxford Dictionaries, n.d.). In my opinion, my name is fitting because I hold myself to having high ethical standards in all circumstances. But my reflection now leads me to honor. Honor is something that I think we will always strive for until our dying breath. We might have moments where we know that we have done something honorable, but then tomorrow comes, and we start all over again. So until the close of our story, we should always strive to be honorable for our friends, family, but most importantly, for ourselves.

Honor can be defined as to “regard with great respect” (Oxford Dictionaries, n.d.). In our efforts to be honorable, I think it is also essential to honor ourselves. Part of honoring yourself can mean treating yourself with respect and understanding your value. Therefore, do not compare yourself to others. For comparison is the thief of joy, as noted in Galatians 6:4-5 of the Bible, where it is mentioned to “pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” When we fall into the trap of comparison, we can begin to believe the lie that we are not good enough. For example, I could have viewed the YouTuber with her six million subscribers and thought that I could never achieve such a feat. However, that is not where my mind went because I do not want comparison to have a hold on me. Honestly, I applaud her for her achievements and success. My hope for her is that she continues creating around her passions to find joy in every moment. To do what I enjoy and find true happiness doing is a life goal in my book, and I would hope that it is something that everyone strives to achieve. Because why would we ever want to settle for any less?

Honor (verb): regard with great respect.

Oxford Dictionaries

I suppose the real question is, if I am not looking at the works of others, what am I doing that makes me unique? I think that the values, passions, and gifts we each have lead to creating a unique individual. Answering questions like what you are good at, what you value, and what your passions are can help in understanding what makes a person unique. So how am I unique? I am unique in my mind because I rely on my faith in God no matter the situation. I am unique because I place importance on my family. I am unique because I value good mental health for myself and others. I am unique because I enjoy helping others. I consider many things about myself unique, but some people might not think that these things are unique at all. To counter this line of thinking, I have found that the situations, memories, and building blocks behind our answers show just how remarkable a person truly is.

“Joy is but the sign that creative emotion is fulfilling its purpose.”
― Charles Du Bos

So now I ask myself, do I have any goals in terms of changing how I appear to others online and in-person? I’m honestly not sure how to answer this question. Yes, I have goals to connect with others on a more personal level. Humans live for connection. To be seen and heard but primarily understood. While I have never liked being in the center of the spotlight, I think that sometimes telling your story and making a connection can lead to healing and growth, not only for yourself but also for others. So, if taking the spotlight now and then helps me connect with others, then that is what I will do. Because I believe that we are here to enrich the lives of others and lift each other up – let’s stop the comparisons and instead celebrate the individuality of others.

Lead in Love,

-Bri

References

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