“Thanks, Beth.” If I sipped slowly enough, I might not finish it.
She smiled. “Thanks for helping.”
“It’s an honor.”
“Let’s get started,” John said.
John and Mary explained what they hoped to achieve and what my role would be in helping them. The foundation was originally just for local recipients in Parker County, but it’d grown so much they wanted to include the adjacent counties this year.
“We’re not expanding much this year, but we’re adding two scholarships, thanks to Blake.” Blake blushed and looked down. She’d donated fifty thousand dollars to fund the scholarships for kids who needed help with college tuition.
“We’d like to include all of Texas next year or the year after, and add more scholarships if we can,” John added.
It was ambitious, but given the foundation’s growth in three years, I thought the goal was attainable.
Emily’d redesign the website, and I’d update and run their social media accounts. Hearing them say they wanted me to maintain it was a relief; it meant a steady paycheck, even if it was small.
“How many hours a week do you think you’ll need?” Mary asked.
She had a Facebook page for Grannie’s, but rarely posted. As a local and tourist favorite, customers posted more than she did. SSI had a website, recently updated by Emily, but no social media presence. Which meant that neither John nor Mary understood what it took to grow a business via social media.
Which is why I’m here.
“It depends on how many media sites and what kind of engagement you want, and how fast you want to grow.” Steady, focused engagement would grow the foundation faster, but it’d still take time.
Mary looked at John, then at Emily. “We have no idea.”
“Why don’t you draw up a proposal with the different levels of service, and your rates, and we’ll go from there,” John suggested.
“When do you want the proposal?” I asked.
Ideas flooded my mind as I thought of different ways I could engage the audience with regular posts, features, livestreams, and recipient followup interviews.
Creating content was easy. It was the business aspect that I’d struggle with. My boss always did that part.Look on the bright side; it’s good experience for when we start our company.
“If I may?” Blake asked.
“Of course,” Mary answered.
“Ashley, can you include market research on which sites would best serve a nonprofit as well?” Blake asked. Fresh out of law school, Blake understood social media better than the Sheppard parents.
“Of course. Do you know your target audience? Having the demographics of your biggest donors would help too.”
“I’ll send it by the end of the day,” Blake answered as she jotted down notes on her yellow legal pad. Blake hadn’t been with the foundation long, having only passed the bar a few weeks ago, but it was clear she’d done her homework and was in her element.
“I don’t have any more questions,” I said as we wrapped up. “When would you like the proposal?” I asked again, because we’d moved off topic before anyone had answered.
“How about a week from today? We’ll meet here next Thursday,” Mary said. “Does that work for you, John?”
He pulled up the calendar on his phone. “I’m free before eleven.”
“Will nine work?” I asked, hoping they wouldn’t want to meet earlier. I hated not having a job, but loved sleeping in.
After we agreed, I hugged the girls goodbye.
Mary held me a little tighter than usual and whispered, “I’m here if you want to talk.” Of course, she’d noticed I wasn’t myself.
“Thank you. I’m fine. Really.” I lied.
