We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Karen Fischrupp. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Karen below.
Alright, Karen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?
As a digital marketer, I feel fortunate to have grown up alongside the internet revolution and witnessed the rapid emergence of social media platforms and personal blogs in the early ’90s. Over the years it has been exciting to watch digital advertising and pay-per-click campaigns surpass traditional advertising metrics. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant changes, and like many, I had to adapt my career goals.
Today, our lives revolve around the convenience of on-demand services, where we expect quick access to information and immediate satisfaction after thorough research and comparison. While technology has evolved to meet these demands, many companies are struggling to keep pace.
Unlike employees who are bound by specific job duties and require extensive discussions, approvals, and meetings to deviate from their designated roles, freelancers like myself can swiftly pivot and adjust to the changing landscape. We understand the need for agility and flexibility in the face of growing reliance on on-demand services.
Businesses today require options that offer cost-effectiveness and adaptability, rather than maintaining an entire in-house marketing department or being locked into long-term contracts with agencies. As a freelancer, I embrace the freedom to present my true services to the world, determine fair pricing, and customize project durations. This empowers my clients to negotiate and shape the offerings that best suit their needs.
In this ever-evolving landscape, I am grateful for the opportunity to provide my expertise, build lasting relationships, and deliver value to my clients while maintaining control over the services I offer. Together, we can navigate the dynamic market and achieve success in a world that craves flexibility and customization.
Karen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
At the core of our human connection lies our individual experiences and narratives. It is through stories that we grow, evolve, and strive for improvement. This is why I am deeply passionate about marketing. My own personal journey has shaped me into the unique person I am today, having triumphed over challenges, embraced growth in impossible situations, and utilized my experiences to foster positive change in the world.
What sets my business apart is a foundation built on transparency, integrity, and grit:
Transparency: Trust is paramount when it comes to storytelling. To establish credibility, my clients will always be positioned as thought leaders, providing valuable insights to their audience. I am committed to ensuring that my clients comprehend their metrics and analytics, empowering them to understand their digital landscape and make informed decisions.
Integrity: This work is rooted in accuracy, usefulness, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results. I hold myself accountable to uphold the highest standards of integrity in every aspect of our services.
Grit: Fearlessly adapting, reassessing, and pivoting until the desired outcomes are achieved is the backbone of my approach. We will embrace challenges head-on, exploring new avenues, and adjusting strategies as needed to attain the results both myself and my clients require.
My true passion lies in creating brand advocates, people who become ardent fans of brands that value their own unique narratives. I find immense fulfillment in sharing the stories of groundbreaking products and services.
If you resonate with this vision, I would be thrilled to hear from you and explore how our stories intertwine. Whether we work together or not, we can find value in sharing our stories.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
I started freelancing by accident. I was laid off from a digital ad agency, and had absolutely no idea what to do with my few years of experience. However, a former client from the agency approached me with an offer to continue working together on a contract basis. Despite feeling terrified rather than excited, I decided to take the leap!
To my surprise, I started working with new clients and surpassed my previous income level. Yet, I often felt isolated and lacked confidence in my abilities. Building my own brand proved to be a bigger challenge, and I struggled with insecurity when it came to networking and putting myself out there.
While quietly maintaining my freelancing business, I returned to full-time employment as the Director of Marketing at a large software company. This experience became a significant period of growth for me. I faced new challenges, sharpened my marketing skills, and addressed personal obstacles that had held me back for years.
After a change in the company, and a pandemic that brought change to the world, I decided the time was right to bring my side hustle back to a full-time hustle. This time around, I had gained a much deeper understanding of my strengths and limitations. I was able to leverage this knowledge to offer my clients greater value and ensure a clear alignment between their needs and the services I provide.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
In my creative journey, there is one goal that drives my passion: to embrace and harness the power of storytelling. This purpose is deeply rooted in my personal experience of overcoming addiction, a journey that was significantly influenced by listening to the stories of others. I discovered the immense value of sharing narratives, as they have the ability to inspire, heal, and bring about transformation..
The importance of storytelling extends beyond personal growth; it is critical for brands to have their stories understood and embraced. Every brand has a unique tale to tell, one that captures their essence, values, and mission. When a brand’s story is effectively communicated, it creates a deep and valuable connection with their audience.
I believe that sharing stories is a powerful tool for brands to differentiate themselves, build trust, and create authentic relationships with their customers. My role is to guide brands in crafting their unique narratives, ensuring transparency, and delivering their message with integrity and creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: karenfischrupp.com
- Instagram: @kfischrupp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-fischrupp-b5173898/