In the spring of 2018, I began working with Social Motion Skills in a contract consulting capacity to help with marketing and communications. Social Motion is a 501(c)3 non-profit in Houston. The organization offers classes in social skills and job transition services to individuals with autism or similar special needs. It is also home to Aspire Accessories, a work program where artisans with special needs create handmade jewelry, home accents, corporate gift items, and clothing.

Initially my role was limited to writing press releases and reaching out to local publications. I helped secure an op-ed placement for the Executive Director, Wendy Dawson, in Houston Business Journal in April 2018 for Autism Awareness Month. At the same time, I was enrolled in the Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives (LINE) program in the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. Completion of this program required a practicum with a local non-profit. For my practicum, I chose to work with Social Motion on strategic planning, with a special focus on digital marketing.

After completing the practicum and earning the LINE certificate from Rice, I worked with Social Motion from October 2018 to early April 2019 to implement the marketing initiatives in the strategic plan. This work included:

• Designing an editorial calendar template for social media
• Training staff to use the editorial calendar
• Creating promoted content on social media for paid ads
• Managing paid ad campaigns
• Training staff in Facebook and Instagram paid advertising
• Creating and implementing a Pinterest strategy for Aspire Accessories around online retail holidays
• Composing long-form, thought leadership content on Medium
• Writing and disseminating press releases
• Attending job transition fairs in the special education market
• Reaching out to potential collaborative partners in the community
• Obtaining a Google Ads grant ($10K/month) for search advertising
• Securing local press coverage for Autism Awareness Month in April 2019