Jon-Stephen Stansel on creativity & humor as a social media pro and dad

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Jon-Stephen Stansel on creativity & humor as a social media pro and dad

I’ve followed the work of social media consultant Jon-Stephen Stansel for years, so I was thrilled when he agreed to chat with me for the It’s a Lot podcast. After getting his start doing social media at higher ed institutions and government agencies, his online connections led to him working with brands like Invincible, Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Hazbin Hotel, Sausage Party: Foodtopia, and Avatar: The Way of Water. In this conversation, we talk about the joys of being creative and funny on social media, how AI lacks taste that’s necessary to succeed as a social media manager, the dark pits of the internet, and more. In the second half of the show, we also explore Jon-Stephen’s life as a dad and the joys he’s finding on his parenthood journey.

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That time Jackie Ortiz angered the birding community (and other stories from a content creator & social media pro)

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That time Jackie Ortiz angered the birding community (and other stories from a content creator & social media pro)

On It’s a Lot this week, I chatted with Jackie Ortiz (she/they), a social media professional by day and food/travel content creator by night. Their whole career has focused on building community and cultivating curiosity, which I really admire! We explore figuring out how to identify which stories will resonate with your target audience, learning to create video content, encouraging people to see familiar places differently, and lots more. We even talk about the time a small mistake in one of her travel videos infuriated the birding community!

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7 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a New Instagram Account in 2025

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7 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a New Instagram Account in 2025

So you’ve asked yourself these 5 questions and determined that Instagram is the right fit for you and your business. You have the bandwidth, you know your audience, and you have goals in mind. You’re all ready to launch. How do you launch well? Avoid these 7 mistakes when creating a new Instagram account and you’ll be golden. 

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Celebrating 6 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

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Celebrating 6 Years of Serve Me the Sky Digital

Serve Me the Sky Digital turns six today! I’m so proud to have been in business for six whole years now. I’ve been a business owner through the COVID pandemic, the death of my mom and grandma, adopting a new dog, getting an ADHD diagnosis, becoming an adjunct professor, and having my first baby. It’s a lot! I’ve learned and grown so much over the past six years. 

I’m grateful to all of the amazing clients, friends, and supporters who have cheered me on, sent me referrals, and shared kind words about me and my work. I feel seen and valued, and I hope to make those I work with feel the same way. 

My business anniversary is always a good opportunity to reflect, so today I’m sharing some of my favorite projects and experiences from the past year, lessons I’ve learned, and a glimpse at the future of Serve Me the Sky.

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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting an Instagram Account

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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting an Instagram Account

So you have a great idea for an Instagram account and you’re all ready to launch… or are you? 🤔 It’s easy to get swept away by an exciting new idea, but social media requires a significant investment of time, energy, and resources that you must carefully consider before diving in. Here are five questions to ask yourself before starting an Instagram account so you can be in the best position possible when you launch. 

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The State of Social Media in 2025

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The State of Social Media in 2025

For years, I’ve loved working in social media because it’s constantly changing and you never get bored. But sitting here in 2025, I’m starting to feel like we’ve had enough changes! Social media is getting harder and harder to keep up with, and its influence on the real world continues to grow. These aren’t just silly little apps we all waste time on; they have a massive impact on society and culture. Today on the blog, I’m sharing the latest updates on how social media is changing in 2025, my recommendations as a marketer, and my personal opinions as a human.

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A Conversation with Ella Dawson: Burnout, Boundaries, & Being a Person Online

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A Conversation with Ella Dawson: Burnout, Boundaries, & Being a Person Online

This post is a continuation of the “A Conversation With” series, where I interview smart humans about their experiences in social media and content creation. You can read past features here.

This month, I interviewed Ella Dawson, an author, digital strategist, and sex & culture critic who has an abundance of experience in social media, both personally and professionally. In this blog post, we explore personal brand, the evolving social media landscape, burnout, boundaries, and how to make money and be a person online. 

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11 Tips for Effective Social Media Management During a Crisis

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11 Tips for Effective Social Media Management During a Crisis

Crisis communication skills are becoming increasingly essential in many roles, whether you’re a business leader or a marketing and communications professional. In 2024, it’s critical that social media managers know how to navigate a crisis on social media when one inevitably begins to unfold. So what exactly constitutes a crisis and how do you do a good job handling one on social media? Today I’m sharing 11 of my best tips for social media managers to handle a crisis online. 

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A Conversation with Dr. Fran: Educating the Public & Combating Medical Misinformation via TikTok

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A Conversation with Dr. Fran: Educating the Public & Combating Medical Misinformation via TikTok

This post is a continuation of the “A Conversation With” series, where I interview smart humans about their experiences in social media and content creation. You can read past features here.

This month, I interviewed Dr. Fran Haydanek, an OBGYN and content creator who has grown a large following on TikTok. In this blog post, we explore how to decide what to share, why it’s worthwhile for physicians to show up online, navigating and combating medical misinformation, and more. 

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You Have My Permission to Leave Twitter (or rather, X)

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You Have My Permission to Leave Twitter (or rather, X)

I quit Twitter in the summer of 2021. My mom had just died, I was starting a demanding new job on an interim basis, and had experienced some hostile interactions on the platform. I thought a break would be liberating, so I resolved to step away from Twitter for three months. No announcing my departure as some folks are apt to do, I just walked away.

And I never came back.

I’ve been somewhat of an evangelist for quitting Twitter for a few years now. Once Elon Musk bought Twitter in October 2022, I became even more convinced that the platform would no longer be a viable place for meaningful conversations to thrive. Musk has implemented numerous changes in his reign so far, many of which are generally agreed to be poor choices that negatively affect user experience.

So what does this mean for you or your business? If you’ve been hanging on to Twitter (or rather, X, as Musk rebranded it in July 2023), in the hopes that it still has some kind of value, this is your sign that it’s okay to walk away. 

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