From the classroom and into the industry, what are today’s marketing students carrying with them into their careers?

#TheGroundFloor welcomes University of Pittsburgh junior and Andrew Exler Marketing Intern Cate Cinti as she walks us through her main takeaway from her classes: the four stages of campaign planning. She discusses how to succeed in each of these steps and why they matter. She also shares some insight into facing the rapidly changing environment of the marketing industry.

Whether working with a new client or simply talking through my approach on social media, my philosophy is (mostly) always the same. It’s simple. My philosophy on social media, and in life for that matter, is that IT IS OKAY TO FAIL as long as you learn from those failures and try again. Throughout my life, I've realized that the fear of failure is often the biggest roadblock for many brands and leaders.

My philosophy is simple: embrace the fearlessness of trying, failing, and then trying again.

The digital world offers a glass ceiling full of growth opportunities in the rapidly evolving business landscape. As businesses, nonprofits, and individual professionals strive to make their presence known in a competitive marketplace, the imperative of establishing a social media presence has gone from an option to a non-negotiable necessity. This does not mean every business or organization needs an overly robust presence, but they should maintain some presence on more popular platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. Of course, platform selection is highly dependent on your target audience, but you get the gist.

In this edition of #TheGroundFloor, I share the simple, straightforward reasons why every business, regardless of size or industry, should conscientiously maintain a strategic and purposeful presence across social media platforms.

Chances are, you've come across the term User-Generated Content (UGC) or seen it thrown around in marketing discussions, but it's still a bit of a mystery. UGC has become the not-so-secret weapon for many brands in the online realm.

So, what exactly is UGC? Read the full blog to find out!

This one is for the C-Suite Executives and major decision-makers. If you don’t fall into that category (just yet), but you understand the importance of social media for a business, pass this along to the right person.

To the C-Suite Executives & Decision Makers of the world, in this edition of #TheGroundFloor, I feel compelled to share something that might not be on your radar but absolutely should be: social media. I understand that for many of you, the world of hashtags, likes, and posts may not seem too important and far removed from the core focus of your business. However, I'm here to show you why social media is a crucial tool for your brand and why hiring the right professional in this domain is a smart move. So, let's dive into Social Media 101!

The significance of a well-prepared crisis management plan for your marketing team (or the individual who manages your online presence) cannot be overstated. It becomes even more critical when it involves safeguarding your brand's reputation on social media during turbulent times. Whether you're dealing with a global crisis or a situation unique to your business, the insights shared in this edition of #TheGroundFloor will prove invaluable.

In a fast-paced digital age where information spreads like wildfire, the consequences of a crisis can be harsh and unforgiving. But don't worry, I am here to help you navigate this turbulent landscape with empathy and a bit of lightheartedness, if appropriate.

In today's interconnected world, where social media posts have the power to spark movements and Instagram stories can change lives, nonprofit organizations cannot afford to overlook the potential of social media. As someone passionate about helping nonprofits make a meaningful impact, I'm here to tell you why prioritizing your social media presence should be at the top of your to-do list.

I believe LinkedIn is the most under-utilized social media tool we have in our society. Besides health and family, your professional network is the most valuable asset you have.

There are many ways to be successful on LinkedIn & maximize your presence. There is no scientific data to guarantee your success, only personal experience and analytical data which can provide guidance.

Here are my top 3 tips to maximize your LinkedIn presence.

What is your dream job? Do you have what it takes to land your dream job at 26 years old?

#TheGroundFloor is thrilled to welcome guest contributor, Jesse Goleman, for this week’s edition. Jesse landed his dream job at 26 and he shares his secrets in this week’s blog!

Jesse is currently the goalkeeper coach at Northeastern University and the owner of Goleline, a strength and conditioning company tailored to the needs of goalkeepers. Jesse also currently holds the position of Director of Goalkeeping at Valeo FC. Jesse founded Goleline in the summer of 2019. Prior to that, Jesse has coached at Centenary University (NJ), Chatham University, Seton Hill University and Carlow University. During his assistant coaching stints, Jesse has coached over 20 all-conference selections, and one conference player of the year. In 2016, he was also on the coaching staff of the year. Jesse has also served in positions including Campus Recreation Coordinator at Centenary University, Youth & Teen Athletics Coordinator at the Pittsburgh JCC and Fitness Director at The X Health & Fitness Club in Pittsburgh.

If you’ve been following along to my business endeavors recently, you may think that things are moving a mile a minute for me. That’s because they are. Busy is a good thing.

The last 7 months of my life have been something I have strived for my entire professional career. I always wanted to have the independence to do what I thought was right, especially as it relates to my business & my professional choices. Currently, I am essentially working in three full-time roles with Andrew Exler Consulting, Lost Tribe Esports & My New Summer. The decision to take my career in this direction is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Enjoy this week’s post in #TheGroundFloor to learn how I got here!

#TheGroundFloor is thrilled to welcome guest contributor, Ethen Ostroff, aka “The TikTok Lawyer”, for this week’s edition.

With over 212,000 followers and more than 6 MILLION likes on TikTok, Ethen has built his strong personal brand utilizing social media while continuing his full-time role as an Associate at Ostroff Law.

I am very excited to welcome Ethen to #TheGroundFloor as he shares his story where he discusses what it takes to start a personal brand.

Have you ever wondered who the people are behind your favorite business or brand account on social media? It is essential to have the perfect person running your account. There is so much that goes in to running a social media account (well), that it’s easy to forget the work it takes to be GREAT!

In partnership with Growth10 (G10), I am happy to present my next collaboration with Co-Founder, Tom Healy, where we discuss why it is ESSENTIAL that you are careful in selecting who is running the social media account(s) for your business. Growth10 is the #1 community for entrepreneurs and as their mission states, Growth10 wants to help entrepreneurs grow faster and have a greater impact on the world. As part of your G10 membership, you will be providing a needs-based scholarship for an entrepreneur to be in the G10 Community. I am a proud member & contributor of the Growth10 community and I invite you to test it out with a 7-day free trial! You won’t regret it!

Enjoy this week’s video blog!

Social media doesn’t need to be intimidating. There are a few simple things to focus on to improve your social media RIGHT NOW!

In partnership with Growth10 (G10), I am happy to present my next collaboration with Co-Founder, Tom Healy, discussing 3 things that small businesses can do RIGHT NOW to improve on social media. As their mission states, Growth10 wants to help entrepreneurs grow faster and have a greater impact on the world. Enjoy this week's blog which includes a video conversation with Tom, as well as a link for a FREE 7-day trial with Growth10!

As part of your G10 membership, you will be providing a needs-based scholarship for an entrepreneur to be in the G10 Community. I am a proud member & contributor of the Growth10 community and look forward to providing more excellent content for Tom and the G10 family!

In partnership with Growth10 (G10), I am happy to present my next collaboration with Co-Founder, Tom Healy, discussing 5 mistakes that small businesses make on social media. You may recall our last piece, “Why Your Business Should Be On Social Media”. Growth10 is the #1 community for entrepreneurs and as their mission states, Growth10 wants to help entrepreneurs grow faster and have a greater impact on the world. Enjoy this week's blog which includes a video conversation with Tom, as well as a link for a FREE 7-day trial with Growth10!

As part of your G10 membership, you will be providing a needs-based scholarship for an entrepreneur to be in the G10 Community. I am a proud member & contributor of the Growth10 community and look forward to providing more excellent content for Tom and the G10 family!

In a brand new partnership with Growth10 (G10), I was thrilled to spend a quick 10-minutes with Co-Founder, Tom Healy, discussing why businesses need to be on social media. Growth10 is the #1 community for entrepreneurs and as their mission states, Growth10 wants to help entrepreneurs grow faster and have a greater impact on the world. It’s 2020 and social media is an essential place to be for any business, regardless of size. Enjoy this week's blog which includes a video conversation with Tom, as well as a link for a FREE 7-day trial with Growth10!

As part of your G10 membership, you will be providing a needs-based scholarship for an entrepreneur to be in the G10 Community. I am a proud member & contributor of the Growth10 community and look forward to providing more excellent content for Tom and the G10 family!

It appears that social distancing is going to continue through at least the month of April & it is important to continue to take care of yourself. Some days fly by while others drag on. Days are molding together and sometimes weeks are flying by. Right now, your best bet is to physically & mentally prepare for another month of isolation.

The ENTIRE world had to adjust their normal routines. WHEN this all passes (not “if”), we are going to find ourselves living in a world that may seem totally different. What has helped you get through this thus far?

Enjoy this week’s post in #TheGroundFloor for some additional tips & insight to help keep you moving forward!

Work-Life Balance. You hear it all of the time. A phrase used so often in today’s working world, but what does it mean? Does everyone have a work-life balance? How do you obtain the PERFECT work-life balance? These are some of the most common questions asked when determining what makes this balance possible, if at all.

In this week’s blog post of #TheGroundFloor, I explore how to obtain a work-life balance that works for YOU, including my top 5 tips to get yourself there!

From my (current and future) family to yours, happy holidays from Andrew Exler Consulting!

“Ghosting”, is a term generally used to describe a relationship of some sort that ends without warning without any communication. Sadly, this happens way too often in the professional world. Ghosting can take an emotional and mental toll on someone who may need your assistance more than most people. You never know.

What does it mean to be a mentor or a mentee? Dive in with Andrew in this week’s post of #TheGroundFloor to read more!