Canva templates are a truly amazing launch point for creating graphic designs — especially for beginners. But they should only be used as a starting point. Far too often, I see flyers and notices in coffee shops using the exact same Canva template — fonts and all! As a professional graphic designer and daughter of a graphic designer, I must remind myself that the rules of hierarchy, contrast, and alignment aren’t innately in everyone’s brain at birth. I realize it can be intimidating to mess with the presumed perfection of a plug-and-play Canva template. However, it’s necessary so your design ..read more

Influencers face a unique dilemma: How much of their personal life should they share with their followers? The lines between the personal and the public are often blurred if not entirely erased. My journey through a tumultuous period of my life, which resulted in a divorce, exemplifies the challenge. 2020 was the year everything changed for me. It marked the beginning of my career in social media, a realm where I found not merely an audience but a community. Instagram, a space for making connections, became my platform of choice as a social media expert—and my online business flourished beyon ..read more

At #Strella, we realized that in our quest to perfect our clients' social media presence, we were ignoring our own.  It's time for a change. So, prepare to see what happens when social media experts fire up their skills on their own brand! A Fresh Start for #Strella — and Added Value for You We’re revamping our approach to our company’s social media channels so that our efforts will be as dynamic and effective for us as they are for our clients.  What does this mean for you?  Anticipate vibrant displays of life at #Strella that give you an inside look into our team dynamics and ..read more

Starting college is like stepping into a whole new world — more freedom, more responsibility, more uncertainty. I began college just before the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the pandemic was not a good thing by any means, it actually saved my college career. A Rocky Start Throughout much of my freshman year, I felt lost most of the time — like I didn't belong anywhere. It got so tough that I seriously considered dropping out, not because the classes were too hard but because I couldn't find my groove socially. No matter how many A’s you have, eating dinner alone most nights doesn’t m ..read more

March 1, 2023, started like any other day in our household. The sun peeked through the curtains as my younger son, full of his usual morning energy, jumped out of bed and headed straight for his favorite spot in the living room to catch up on his favorite YouTube videos. Little did we know, our world was about to change forever. As we sat nearby, sipping our morning coffee and starting our days, a haunting, rhythmic knocking sound echoed throughout the house. Rushing to investigate, we found our son convulsing uncontrollably on the floor with his head hitting a wall. He was caught in the grip ..read more

Tarte Cosmetics decided to whisk away influencers to Bora Bora, and backlash ensued as the internet lost its collective mind. You may be thinking, “Who wouldn't want to live vicariously and watch their favorite beauty gurus sip champagne on a private jet while we're over here debating if ordering extra guac is worth the price? Well, it turns out that many of the brand’s social media followers found the trip tone-deaf.  But before we grab our pitchforks and storm the Tarte headquarters, let's take a look at the bigger picture, shall we? Who is Tarte Cosmetics Anyway? If you're not up to s ..read more

As some of you may know, I suffer from profound hearing loss. This topic is timely, as today is World Hearing Day, founded with a mission of “Changing mindsets: Let’s make ear and hearing care a reality for all!” Hearing loss has impacted my life in many ways for so long that I don’t remember what it was like to have full use of my hearing. For anyone unfamiliar with the different types of hearing loss, they include: Conductive (related to problems in the outer or middle ear), Sensorineural (involving damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve), and  Mixed (a combination of both).  ..read more

During the Grammys on February 4th and the Super Bowl on February 11th, my friends and I (who all work in marketing) were immersed in watching the ads as intently as we did the music awards and the big game. We were eager to see where marketers had devoted their budgets and time and which brands would stand out. Advertising during those high-profile, mega-viewer events enables brands to reach a massive audience, so I had high expectations.  But I found that overall, the ads fell short this year. I didn’t feel as excited about them as in the past. “Mediocre” (at best) is how I would descr ..read more

Does anyone else remember the playground taunt, “Your picture is in the dictionary next to gullible”? It was thrown at us when we stupidly believed something ridiculous someone told us, such as alligators roam throughout the NYC sewer system, getting bitten by a bat could turn you into a vampire, or the gym teacher lives at the school. None of it was true, but our child-sized brains believed the tall tales because they were salacious and exciting. Lately, it appears our brains have reverted back to that same level of gullibility—and I blame that on our dependence on electronics. With social m ..read more

It's no secret that video content is vital on social media these days. Unfortunately, many people let their fear of being on camera stop them from getting the reach they desperately need. I get it. Stepping in front of the lens can feel like stepping onto a stage with a spotlight aimed right at your double chin.  I imagine many people watch Reels and TikTok videos, thinking everyone they see has an exceptional talent for performing on camera. The truth is, they're probably just really good at editing. It's not about having the perfect words or a flawless delivery. With a few editing tric ..read more