October 21st, 2009
by Sarah Caminker
Wild Web Woman Amy Swift is the Founder of SMARTY, a Resource for Entrepreneurial Women
At Web Marketing Therapy we cannot get enough of successful and inspirational women who rock the social web and are committed to doing great work!
The Wild Web Women absolutely adore Amy Swift (@SMARTYAmy)–founder of SMARTY. Not only is Amy a super savvy Wild Web Woman, but her passion lies in giving women a creative, supportive and “smart” community to launch and sustain their businesses.
Amy offers great advice for small businesses, entrepreneurs and marketing professionals. Read on for your dose of inspiration!
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1. Why did you choose your current career and how did you get started?
I started as a copy writer. So I’m sort of a “creative” who had to transition into being an “entrepreneur” and business owner. There’s a really big difference. I never had a network of other creatives that were that generous with helping me in terms of contracts and figuring out the ins and outs of doing business. It wasn’t a bad thing, but there was no network. I worked with a company called Ladies Who Launch for many years as
their founding editor in chief and we co-authored a book together, and I’ve also just been at the beginning of many great businesses so it all came together to start a women’s network for people like me - non-joiners who don’t want to network, in the typical sense, as much as learn, connect and keep growing.
2. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Diplomatic. Creative. Curious.
3. What online social media platform are you most addicted to? (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Digg, Linkedin…etc).
I’m not addicted - but at the beginning of any of them I’m an addict. First it was FB and now I’m more of a Twitter person, but only because it benefits my business so much and there’s a conversation there that I like to hear (read?!?).
4. What are some of the valuable mistakes you have made in the past regarding online marketing/social media marketing and what have you learned from these past setbacks?
I’ve made a lot of mistakes—silly things like having the wrong links or being a real freshman and not knowing how to shorten URLs properly–things like that. But mostly what I do when I don’t know how to do something is watch someone who does so that I don’t fall on my face with it. I’m an observer and then an executor.
5. Please share a professional phobia or obsession….confession session!
Phobia or obsession….I’m truly obsessed with Smartiquette - IE, business etiquette. I see so many small businesses or service providers miss the boat on this. Whether it’s being disorganized, being continually late, not having appropriate contracts, not having a good relationship with money and value - I could go on. This is why I’m launching Smartiquette, a business advice and etiquette blog/vlog/podcast about modern entrepreneurial blunders and how to avoid them.
6. What is your favorite word or phrase? Why?
My favorite word right now is shizzle. IE, “I’m the shizzle.” I like it because it’s an old reference and it’s silly. Got to keep it light.
7. What do you believe successful “Wild Web Woman” traits are?
Successful WW traits are consistency - having a message with a through-line that makes sense to your constituents, and relevance - saying things that apply to current news or conversation. People need to be told the same things in many different forms and WWW do this over and over, but keep it fresh and engaging. Another is that just because you’re smart at something doesn’t mean you’re good at explaining it. WWW are great articulators!
8. Do you have a personal mantra that you would like to share with other Web Marketing Therapy readers?
My personal mantra is you really are your brand all the time. I loathe the word brand, but I’ll use it for the purpose of just being simple. What you say, how you look, what your company looks like — it all sends a message, so make it what you want.
9. How do you indulge yourself (every once in a while!) to stay healthy and balanced?
Indulge myself? Hilarious! Taking bath’s are my biggest indulgence. Baby sleeping. Book in hand. Quiet.
*For More Insight on Social Media and the Wild Web Check Out Part Two of Amy Swift’s Interview!
Web Marketing Therapy Related Links:
- Featured Wild Web Woman Wednesday Interview with Small Business Expert Amy Swift (Part Two)
- Featured Wild Web Woman Wednesday Interview with Shelly Kramer (Part One)
- Featured Wild Web Woman Wednesday Interview with Shelly Kramer (Part Two)
- Featured Wild Web Woman Wednesday Interview with TV and Web Series Writer, “The SlackMistress” (Part One)
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(October 21st, 2009 at 12:55 pm)
Social comments and analytics for this post…
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Lorrie Thomas
(October 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm)
Amy Swift is the Schizzle!
Nicki Gauthier
(October 21st, 2009 at 2:52 pm)
One of my favorite words is “shizzle” too! I always say “for shizzle” which means “yes, of course”. Great blog post and super inspiring! I look forward to Part Two.
Amy Dunn
(October 21st, 2009 at 3:04 pm)
Great interview! I love this segment you are doing. Amy Swift is a great inspiration.
Kelly Kohen
(October 21st, 2009 at 5:33 pm)
Amy, you are such an inspiration! We love you, SMARTY and all the incredible SMARTY women you have introduced us to! Love your comment about being your brand all the time! As much as we may not want to admit it, it’s true! Thanks for the reminder!
Laurie March, @EvangelistaLA
(October 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 am)
Love the discussion on “Smartiquette” in conjunction with the web. So many blunders can be made online and with contact information. It’s great to see you’re addressing these things!
Great discussion, Sarah and Amy.
Sarah Caminker
(October 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 am)
Hi Laurie, Thanks for commenting on our blog! “Smartiquette” is so important, and the “rules” apply equally online and offline. Luckily, Amy’s new blog and fresh perspective will keep us on toes!