Natalie Bowman knew it was time to move on when she was getting bored with making TV ads in her advertising career. Social media was a new territory for brands and an innovating and exciting place to be.
Exciting, indeed. Natalie's job as the social marketing director for Bing and MSN has taken her to the White House, five continents, the Grammy's and a meeting with Martha Stewart. Her day-to-day includes overseeing a team of people — including the brands' social communities and Bing's sponsorships, like Sundance Film Festival and the Seattle Seahawks.
While her work keeps her busy, Natalie avoids the term "work-life balance." Instead, she says her key to managing priorities is having a supportive husband, who manages their household and cares for their daughter, while she focuses on her career.
Openness to feedback and the willingness to constantly improve yourself is what sets successful people apart from the rest.
What drew you to your job?
After working in advertising for the majority of my career, I was getting bored with making 30-second TV ads and was ready to move into the next generation of marketing. Social media is new territory for brands and is an exciting place to be.
What does your job involve on a daily basis, and what types of responsibilities do you have in your position?
I manage a team responsible for managing our social communities and creating buzz for both Bing and MSN. On any given day, my team could be sparking a Twitter war with Beliebers, talking elections with Jimmy Carter or covering the Oscars Red Carpet. We also manage sponsorships for Bing, which include partnerships with the Seattle Seahawks, Sundance Film Festival and more -- anything that helps us spread the word.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Being on the forefront of marketing trends, getting to work with great bloggers, presenting at conferences like Altitude Design Summit and the fact that using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vine are considered work-related activities.
What challenges keep you awake at night?
Finding more ways to be innovative in social media.
Is work/life balance ever a problem with you? If so, what is one no-fail tactic you use to create balance?
I don't really like the phrase "work-life balance." It implies some never-ending teeter-totter to equalize two things that are not meant to be equally distributed. I think it's more about managing your priorities. My no-fail tactic is having a supportive husband. We are a team. He manages our household and cares for our daughter, while I focus on my career. We both know that I'm doing as much for my family by leaving for work each morning as I would be if I were home every night making dinner. And because he doesn't become frazzled about any of it, neither do I.
Was there ever a moment in your career where you’ve thought, “I can't believe I have this job?" What was it?
It happens often -- because of my job, I've visited the White House, traveled to five continents, attended the Grammy's and met Martha Stewart.
What are some of the rules you live by?
Trust your instincts.
Don't second-guess your decisions. Worrying is a waste of time.
Speak up, but know when to shut up.
What qualities does one need to possess to be successful in your line of work?
Creative vision, an understanding of what interests and engages people and the ability collaborate with different personalities.
What one piece of advice do you wish you could tell a 21-year-old version of yourself?
I would tell her that feedback is a gift. In my 20s, I didn't know how to graciously accept feedback without becoming defensive. Openness to feedback and the willingness to constantly improve yourself is what sets successful people apart from the rest.