We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tani Lamb a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tani, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

I do now manage my social media. I made my current decision earlier this year after the early termination of a contract with a social media management company. The decision was made because the company could not fulfill its end of the contract. The company was hired as a consulting firm to advise, provide feedback, and keep me abreast of current trends across multiple social media platforms. I was still responsible for creating and posting the videos. Unfortunately, the company’s communication was poor, and substantial feedback was not provided.
            I learned that social media management is a lot, even for social media managers! Unfortunately, it is very time consuming, but do as much research as you can and remember there will be much trial and error. I have also learned that each platform is its own beast, and you may need to tweak your content accordingly. Sometimes, it is not optimally efficient to post the exact same content across platforms. You may need to turn a video from one platform into a post with just pictures on another.
            Lastly, running a small business is already challenging, and adding another time-consuming task can seem overwhelming. I have encountered other small business owners who have hired social media managers to create, post, and manage their accounts, which cost a more substantial fee than what I paid. They also had to end contracts early because deadlines were not met, communication was poor, and content was subpar or unprofessional.  The moral of the lesson is to think of your social media as if you are talking directly to your future customers and current clients. Show your personality and showcase your products and skills. If you miss a few posting days, it is ok; you are running a real-life business when the camera is off, and the people standing in front of you purchasing your product, in reality, is what matters. Relax.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

      I started my publishing company, Lamb Chop Publishing, in 2016 because my joy of traveling and exploring the world inspired me to write children’s books about the destinations around our beautiful planet that I have explored. I have visited over 45 countries and 37 states, seen so much beauty, and learned many lessons. I believe it is my responsibility to share the knowledge.
*My first book, T Sees an Island, had many trials and errors, but eventually, all of the bumps were ironed out, and I have since released it in French and Spanish.
*In the spring of 2023, I released my second children’s book, The Princess of Sapphires and Sand. It is equipped with maps for the children to follow Princess Lava around the globe and a glossary for quick reference. I also released an accompaniment book containing the glossary Common Core Aligned for educators and parents who homeschool.
*My third book will be released in the fall and is a self-guided journal for Paris, France. The book is for children and adults so they will not suffer from the dreaded Paris syndrome. The self-guided journal is meant to be done before your trip to help you plan and provide more in-depth information about your destination beyond what you see romanticized in movies and on television.
*My passion for travel also nudged me to create my YouTube travel vlog, Travel with Tani, in 2017. I enjoy sharing my travels and what I learned so others can have fabulous vacations.
*This year, I also decided to expand my travel blog, AnyWhereOnce.Com. This blog will provide more details about trips, and I will offer more services, such as custom itineraries, hotel recommendations, and restaurant recommendations.
What sets me apart is that I write from real-life experience, not what I have heard about. I have also done much of my travel solo, allowing me to absorb the location’s essence more and meet local people who will share information not contained in a guidebook.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey has two goals. My mission for my children’s books is to make history, geography, and learning about different cultures enjoyable and entertaining for children. I had fantastic history teachers and professors during my educational journey, and they brought the pages of history to life. I wish to continue this for future generations.
The goal for my travel blog, AnyWhereOnce.Com, and vlog, Travel with Tani,  is to provide beneficial and realistic travel advice, reduce unrealistic destination expectations, and equip solo travelers with useful safety and travel tips. Solo travel is dear to my heart because you learn a lot about yourself and the world when you can explore on your schedule and at your own pace. You discover strengths you did not know you possessed, which may carry over into your life once you return home. You are more likely to meet interesting and free-spirited individuals and have a more memorable experience… or that has been my case. 😊

How’d you meet your business partner?

In the spring of 2017, I visited the smallest country in the European Union, Malta. The Archipelago nation had been on my bucket list for years, but the fact that it was the filming location for Kings Landing in season one of Game of Thrones escalated the island up the list. One afternoon, I was exploring the capital, Valetta, and quickly stopped at a pharmacy. While shopping, a gentleman approached me, introduced himself, and explained that he was training to be a tour guide. He offered me and my travel companion a complementary tour of the city. We did not have time then, but we met him later, and he honored his promise. He was still learning but did a decent job. He did pass his tour guide certification, and we kept in contact. His name was Pierre Mercieca.
I returned to Malta in 2019 to celebrate the New Year when I discovered that Pierre could paint. I asked him if he could illustrate my next children’s book. He hesitated because he had never done such a project but agreed.
Well, in 2020, the entire world was locked down due to the pandemic. I finished my book during this time and communicated to him what I wanted for my illustrations. He painted all 11 on canvas and scanned them for me from Malta. He did a fantastic job, and after he painted my illustrations, he began painting Maltese landscapes during lockdown and selling them at local artisan fairs and festivals. If you are traveling to Malta and need a knowledgeable tour guide and a beautiful piece of art from a local artist, Pierre Mercieca is the contact person. His Instagram handle is @tourguidemalta. Pierre is also the illustrator for my upcoming self-guided journal for Paris. Sometimes, it’s good to talk to strangers.
Safe Travels and Happy Reading!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tanilamb.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tani.lamb?igsh=MWh1d3diZnZiMjczeg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LambchopPublishing?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tani-lamb-a2b732131?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@travelwithtanilamb?si=p0sKGr5XNWp4vTXJ
• Other: https://www.anywhereonce.com/