Amy Vaughan:
Hello, everyone, and welcome to our weekly power lounge. This is your place to hear authentic conversations from those who have power to share. My name is Amy Vaughn, and I am the owner and chief empowerment officer of Together Digital, a diverse and collaborative community of women who work in digital and choose to share their knowledge, power, and connections. You can join the movement at togetherindigital.com. Alright. So all of us have been there. You go to conferences and events, and there are just moments that sort of stick with you well after the sessions are over. And for me, they were plentiful at the content marketing world conference this last year, but watching Melissa Lou, come in and share she’s oh, so I had to paint the picture.
Amy Vaughan:
She’s at the content marketing world on the feature stage, which if any of you have been to this, is a 3000 person event. There are massive screens everywhere. There’s pump up music playing for everyone, and she steps up onto the stage to accept the project of the year award for sales blazer. And she didn’t just share a polished success story. Instead, she pulled back the curtain on the messy and very honest journey of creating award winning content. We all know that’s the process. Right? It’s not always perfect, but her words of persistence beats resistance really hit home with me, and I felt like it was something that, you know, our community and the women everywhere that are listening to this truly need to know and hear time and time again. We need to be reminded.
Amy Vaughan:
She is currently the senior director of content strategy at Salesforce. We are so excited to have her here on the Power Lounge to share her incredible background that has spanned the Los Angeles Times, ABC, and NPR, and she’s here to share a very unfarnished truth about turning content marketing setbacks into victories. So if you’ve ever felt stuck or if you’re wondering if you’re the only 1 struggling on a project or at work or in general, this conversation is for you. I am so, so excited to have you with us here today, Melissa. Thank you.
Melissa Leu:
Thanks for having me, Amy. That was such a nice intro.
Amy Vaughan:
Oh, you’re welcome. It’s absolutely my pleasure. I love to kinda give everybody a chance to feel a little bit of love and get cozy here and just settle in for good conversations and honest conversations because that’s what we’re really all about. And when you and I talked after your session, I so appreciate you being open because I know it was probably a lot for you to jump on stage and do all that and then be accosted and be like, be on my podcast right after. But you were so accepting, and I really do appreciate it.
Melissa Leu:
Honestly, it was a little flattering. So that was my first keynote, and so I had no idea what to expect. So to hear that someone enjoyed it, 1 person in the crowd at least enjoyed it, you know, that felt really nice.
Amy Vaughan:
Absolutely. And you’ve had quite a journey. I’d love for some of our listeners to hear a little bit more about you and where you’ve come from. So from journalism into leading content strategy at Salesforce, what kind of drew you to make that transition from more traditional media and some of those places I mentioned before into kind of more digital content?
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. So I was a journalist for about ten years, a decade. Mhmm. And I went to school for journalism. That was my passion. I love to tell stories and kind of to me, journalism is this community service. You know? It’s a republic service that you’re really kinda doing good in the world and, like, uncovering Yeah. And telling the stories that need to be told.
Melissa Leu:
Unfortunately, you know, the business of journalism is quite difficult. No.
Amy Vaughan:
No. Absolutely.
Melissa Leu:
And so after a decade in it, you know, you try all the different roles, and you kinda take a look at your life. And you’re like, okay. What is a life that I wanna lead? Mhmm. Is this kind of the balance that I’m looking for? I had reached a point of, you know, I had gone to leadership roles in newsrooms and felt like, oh, I accomplished a lot. But is this what I imagined? Mhmm. And now that I’ve gotten here, is this what I actually wanted? And then realized, you know, I think it’s time for a change. So then I luckily, you know, have a couple friends who were like, hey. I’ve been working at this company for five years, and, you know, I really love this company.
Melissa Leu:
It has great values, and it’s really all about employees and growing their employees. Like, why don’t you just look and see if there’s any jobs that you might be interested in? So I applied and, yeah, somehow got it. I don’t know how.
Amy Vaughan:
But I’ll be in a little more detail there.
Melissa Leu:
Interviews and rejections along the way. But Mhmm. Yeah. That’s how I ended up at Salesforce and content marketing.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. That’s amazing. Did you so it was just you kind of, like, set it in your resume without connections? Did you know people there? Like, what did that look like, that whole process?
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. So, obviously, when you’re making a career pivot, you kinda have to reframe your resume to whatever that job description looks like. So for me, when I was applying to different types of roles, I basically went through my resume and looked at the job description and just synced it up. And I was like, how do I paraphrase this so that I’m using similar language and similar words and just putting it on my resume with the accomplishments that I have. Yeah. So that was 1 thing I tried to do to kinda get through the algorithms of, like, getting your resume surfaced. Yeah. But I would say, yeah, unfortunately, you know, you kinda the interview processes that I got through the furthest with tech companies, at least, came from referrals.
Melissa Leu:
So, like, I had a couple friends that I reached out to on LinkedIn Mhmm. Or texted and was like, hey. I’m looking for a new role. Looks like you work at this company. Would you be interested in referring to me? Obviously, not Lauren’s like that specifically. But, and then also setting up informational interviews because Mhmm. There might be roles that you think the job looks interesting and then Yep. Kinda talk to someone about the company culture and Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
You know, what it’s like to work there. And you’re like, maybe that’s not for me.
Amy Vaughan:
Exactly. Yeah. Maybe not worth my time. I ask because this current job market is extremely flooded, especially with women who’ve kind of had a fallout from things within, like, the economy, the influence of AI on companies, and just in general, like, you know, the way things have gone in the last year. So I do think and we have a lot of, not just job seekers within the community, but, like, pivotters. Right? Women especially in digital. Right? Because it’s always evolving. And so I’ve known so many people who did not start in, like, how many people in this industry, especially our community, which our median age is, like, 35, 10 to 15 years of experience.
Amy Vaughan:
Like, there was no such thing as, like, a digital marketing course in, you know, at school. And so you have to sort of it’s not I I wouldn’t call it necessarily even pivoting. I would say it’s evolving. It’s really just the mindset, and I love how you talked about looking at what you’ve done contextually and saying, how do I make it relevant to where I want to go? Because experience is still experience. It’s all in how you’re telling that story. And I just think it’s so important for our job seekers and pivoters, revolvers, all of us to hear that and be reminded of those things, kind of given the times we’re in. And the moment you were describing there, Melissa, is how I felt when I got to, like, my title and the salary I thought would always make me, like, super satisfied. And I’m like, yay.
Amy Vaughan:
This is it. I’ve made it. Yeah. And it’s that feeling I call it the feeling you have when you basically climb somebody else’s mountain. You’re like, wait. Now that I’m here, where’s that good feeling? Where’s that 6 that sense of success and accomplishment? Like, I’m accomplished, but I don’t. I don’t feel gratified. I don’t feel like this is the thing I was always meant to be doing. And then you’re like, why did I just spend so many years climbing that mountain that wasn’t even mine to begin with? But that’s so weird.
Amy Vaughan:
Right? Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
So, like, blinded by your goal, kinda like going straight down that path, everything out of my way for me to get there. And then you finally get there. You’re like, wait. This wasn’t what I imagined.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah. You goal blindness. Oh, that’s so true. I like that term too. Alright.
Amy Vaughan:
So during your presentation, I had remembered looking back in my notes and writing really big persistence beats resistance, and that really stuck with me and some of the other folks around me. So it wasn’t just me that enjoyed your talk. Oh, okay. Curious what I wanted I 1 of the first things I wanted to ask you was, like, okay. You could’ve just walked up and been like, I did we did this, and then we did this, and then we and so just, like, sold the story as something kind of easy breezy. And instead, you decided to share the struggle alongside the success. What inspired you to do that?
Melissa Leu:
I didn’t know the other way was an option. I love it. I was like, how do I tell a compelling story? And I’m like Mhmm. Okay. What’s a hero’s journey I could share? And, like, you know, it’s never interesting to hear someone start at the top and then keep staying at the top.
Amy Vaughan:
Right.
Melissa Leu:
And that certainly wasn’t reality in our project anyways. So yeah. Yeah. It’s funny because I worked with a speaking coach to go through and kinda, like, talk through what I was gonna say.
Amy Vaughan:
Uh-huh.
Melissa Leu:
And he was actually, like, where the talk started from where what you saw on stage was literally changing up until the, like, hours before.
Amy Vaughan:
Not nerve wracking. Right?
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. And the speaking coach basically was, like, when he looked at my first version of it, he was like, why are you just, like, cutting yourself down the entire time? Yeah. And so, what you saw was, like, a more confident version of actually what I started with. So that’s interesting that you’re like, oh, I really appreciated your vulnerability because Yeah. I’m just like, oh, don’t wanna see
Amy Vaughan:
the mess before that. Jean. You don’t wanna see draft 1. You know, maybe now I kinda do. But I would have to say kudos to your speaking coach because I will also say I’ve done a lot of speaking myself. I’ve gone through some, like, speaker coaching and things. And now I feel like I can see it when somebody has been coached, and they can feel a little overcoached. Tell your guy he did a great job outside of, like, bringing the right thing into your talk and which is that confidence.
Amy Vaughan:
I really love how, like yeah. I just love that you didn’t sound overcoached to me at all. Like, I feel like sometimes I can just be listening or watching someone on stage, and I’m like, gosh. They’ve definitely been coached. You know what I mean? You did not come across that way at all. It was still very genuine, and I think, you know, kudos to him and to you for that.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. Well, he’s also a part time therapist, so half the coaching sounds like therapy. Great. He used to be a therapist. That’s
Amy Vaughan:
amazing. Yeah. I got this guy’s number. I love that. And then I think you know? And you said this before, and I think it came from, you know, again, that bringing those strengths from 1 career path into the next, storytelling. You know? You were a journalist. You’re like, what’s the hook? What’s interesting about everything was perfect and nothing went wrong or sideways? Like, there’s nothing there’s nothing newsworthy about that. Right?
Melissa Leu:
Yep.
Amy Vaughan:
So I’m kind of curious, you know, with your background and experience kind of starting in journalism instead of going straight. We’ll get to SalesBlazer. I promise, folks. I’m curious what shaped your approach to storytelling.
Melissa Leu:
Honestly, it’s just practice. Right? Like, you start off as a cub reporter, very limited experience. Mhmm. And you’re constantly pitching stories to different editors, constantly saying this deserves to be in, like, this part of the newspaper. This deserves, like, this kind of treatment online. And over time, you do that enough. You get rejected enough. You kinda pick up, okay.
Melissa Leu:
Why did I get rejected on this 1? What notes did they have on this 1? You do it badly enough. And then once your stuff gets picked up, you’re like, okay. Why did they pick this 1 up? You look at your peers, and you’re like, why did their stuff get picked up? And you just start to pick up these little patterns Mhmm. And bring them into your process. And once you kinda get more practice, then you eventually, hopefully, are able to kind of bring your own sort of flare to it. Mhmm. But definitely, I think for me, I started off at a place where, you know, English is actually my second language. Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
When I went to kindergarten, I, like, did not know any English. All the kids knew the alphabet, and I was like, what the heck is happening? And then and then, yeah, I don’t know how I ended up in writing, but I never thought I was a good writer. And then you just do it long enough, and you fail long enough. And, eventually, you get to a point where you’re like, actually, like, I’ve learned a few things. And it kinda takes that perspective for you to look back to finally be like, oh, I landed in a place where all those little failures, all those little rejections, all the things that were bumps along the way, the challenges actually helped me hone my skills to where I am today.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. I love it. See, I think you were always meant to give that talk. It sounds like from early on, you were just okay to, like, get out there and try and fail and get up and try again. You know? And it’s a mindset shift in a society where we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others, looking at, you know, InstaPerfect lives and not seeing behind the curtain. It reminded me, and I wanna share the quote because we talked about it before we went live, it was the Nelson Mandela quote. I think you just live it. It’s like he says, I never lose.
Amy Vaughan:
I only win or I learn something. And that’s, like, really it. It’s like, okay. It’s not that I have to lose. You know? Just because it didn’t go the way I Yeah. Wanted doesn’t mean that it was a total loss. Now unless you’re, like, a brain surgeon, then maybe that might be an issue. But we aren’t doing brain surgery here, so it’s like, okay.
Amy Vaughan:
I can pick myself up, dust myself off, and say, what did I learn? And then you become better over time. Again, that persistence is gonna be any resistance thrown your way. I love that our live listeners are already writing down. You’re already getting quoted again. Aw. It’s on her desk now.
Melissa Leu:
I can’t take credit for it because I stole love from it. I love
Amy Vaughan:
it.
Melissa Leu:
I don’t know. Maybe you stole it from someone else. So You’re
Amy Vaughan:
bringing it back around. You’re bringing it back around. I love it. Alright. So let’s talk about a little bit of how your experience in traditional media outlets like the LA Times, ABC, and NPR influenced your approach to creative content at Salesforce? Because I think sometimes we forget ourselves and that, like, the outside perspective or fresh perspective from different areas or different walks of life actually do add to the equation.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. So I think through news, you’re constantly thinking about what do people care about, what do they find interesting, why is this interesting, and am I covering it in a way that’s different from what’s already been covered before?
Amy Vaughan:
Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
So I remember, like, when I was early on in my career, I would pitch a story, and they’d be like, did you look that up in the, like, in the past? Have you written about it before? Mhmm. What have other people written about it? How are you moving the story forward, and how are you, you know, kinda bringing a different angle whether through your writing or through your reporting or through the different sources that you’re bringing into the story. And yeah. Sorry. Did that answer your question?
Amy Vaughan:
It absolutely is. My train
Melissa Leu:
of thought.
Amy Vaughan:
No. No. That was so spot on. It is really wonderful. And it’s funny to hear it because it reminds me of a strategist that I used to work with. I don’t even know exactly what his initial background was, but he became, like, the head of strategy at our agency over time. And that was his favorite thing to ask everybody was, why should anybody care about this, or why would anybody care about this? And it was interesting because every time he asked it, it actually ruffled some people’s feathers. It’s like because they took it personally, like, because it’s a brand, and I do work on it, and everybody should care about it because I care about it.
Amy Vaughan:
It’s like, no. That’s a really great question. We are bombarded by content on a daily basis. Like, how can you make people pay attention and care? That’s an important thing no matter what kind of, you know, content you’re putting out into the end of the world as well. It also kind of briefly reminds me of another talk I went to at a conference that is now no longer called Brandemonium. And he talked about how, like, how much are you contributing to the pollution of the mind and the world of content by just putting out garbage. I was like, dang, dude. You’re going for the jugular, but I get what you’re saying.
Amy Vaughan:
Like, I totally if it’s not something that is going to stop people in their tracks and make them care and pay attention, like, we’re just adding to the fray. You know? Yeah. This is constantly building content, and now that we have AI to help us with it. Oh, good god. It’s just getting that’s a whole another conversation, though. No.
Melissa Leu:
I’m curious. How did you answer that question? Because I don’t know how I would answer that question.
Amy Vaughan:
I said I was guilty. I said guilty because I know that, like, in my past self, you know, junior copywriter Amy thought, you know, that my brands and the things that I was working on were the most, you know, prevalent and important things in the world. And you kinda have to, right, to Mhmm. To really lean into wanting to solve the problem with your creativity. So yeah. No. I was like, yeah. Guilty.
Amy Vaughan:
But it definitely made me think about moving forward. Okay. I have to be more intentional about what I’m pumping out into the world, and more thoughtful, you know, and and really more helpful, you know, instead of just putting out garbage for the sake of talking to myself. I had another creative director that had another very semi offensive term that I won’t say, even though I usually say a lot on this podcast, but I won’t say. Yeah. He just was like, that’s yeah. It’s like yeah. It is just so hard not to say it.
Amy Vaughan:
But it’s 1 of those things
Melissa Leu:
where it’s
Amy Vaughan:
more about brands pleasing themselves, basically. You know? And, like, the human way that people like to please themselves. He’s like, oh, that’s brand. And I was like, dude. But, you know, I understand what he’s saying. It’s, again, it’s like, you know, when you kind of forget your audience, you forget yourself, and you’re really kind of, you know, putting out a bunch of junk. So yeah. No.
Amy Vaughan:
I love that lens, and I honestly think as marketers, you know, we have a duty and a responsibility to our customers and the people that we’re trying to help with whatever product or service we’re providing to make sure that it’s thoughtful and intentional and truly right and helpful. But yeah. Yeah. Anyways, it could be like a whole another episode.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. I’m like, I always approach it almost through, like, the opposite side where I’m like, nobody wants to hear what I have to say. I don’t know what this says about me. I’m like, nobody cares about what I’m doing. Like, why would they care about this? So it’s almost like with every project, it’s a little bit approving of myself and saying, like, hey. Let me make it so beautiful, so amazing that it, like, can’t be ignored.
Amy Vaughan:
Mhmm. No. I love that. That’s great. I think that’s where, like, coming from a place of humility is not necessarily a bad thing. Right? Knowing that you’ve got something to prove versus, like, you know, crashing in and being like, yes. I deserve your attention.
Melissa Leu:
It’s like it’s that chip on my shoulder.
Amy Vaughan:
I don’t know. Right? You didn’t have that advertising kid chip on your shoulder?
Melissa Leu:
No. Unfortunately, when you come from journalism, there’s a lot of, like you get immediate feedback on the Internet.
Amy Vaughan:
Oh my gosh. Right? You can’t be precious. That was another thing I loved from another boss of mine. Be passionate, but not precious. And I’m like, you are so right. That saves me a lot of sleepless nights and makes all of the feedback that you get, you know, a little bit easier to take. Alright. Let’s get into the SalesBlazer project, and I would love for you to share a little bit about what the initial vision was and how it evolved from the first iteration.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. So, man, take me back. So we launched SalesLaser, almost two years ago, like, a year and a half ago at this point. Wow. And the intention was how can we create the largest, most successful sales community to help professionals out there learn new skills, connect with each other, and grow their career. That was essentially, like, in a nutshell, our goal.
Amy Vaughan:
Easy peasy.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. Easy peasy. You know? Our CEO basically challenged us, and he’s like, hey. Do this and do this better than everyone else, and do it now. Mhmm. And so that’s how it started. And yeah. Sorry.
Melissa Leu:
Well
Amy Vaughan:
No. You’re fine. How did it evolve? So where did you guys kinda come across your first hiccup? Or kind of I’m trying to, like, dig into, like, the picture that you painted for your talk too.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. Well, even before SalesBlazer started
Amy Vaughan:
Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
Kind of that quintessential idea or that vision was something that we had been trying to achieve for years. Right? And so a previous iteration of Salesblazer was this project called think outside the quota. And, essentially, we were going to be the next Marvel franchise for salespeople. You know, we were saying, like, everybody was gonna love this thing. We’re gonna have movie after movie after movie. And, yeah, it didn’t work out that way. But, you know, we got some great speakers along the way. We work with Tony Hawk, Daymond John, and we thought this thing was just
Amy Vaughan:
Sounds expensive. Amazing.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. Expensive. Very expensive. And our goal was like, okay. Prestige. That’ll bring people in. Right? People who other people respect and are excited to learn from. And, yeah, like, that didn’t necessarily bring in the people that we were the amount of people that we were expecting for the amount that we put in.
Melissa Leu:
Right? The effort, the resources, all of that. And so, you know, when our CEO kinda pitched this vision, we’re like, hey. We’re doing this. This kind of thing exists. And, like, don’t you think this kinda fits the bill? And he’s like, no. No. Not even close.
Amy Vaughan:
Like, well, we tried.
Melissa Leu:
And so that’s kind of how SalesBlazer was born is through that failure of learning, oh, we really need to get back to our roots, understand what we’re good at, what what people actually want from us, what’s unique about us, and how we can serve and solve their problems Mhmm. Specific to them, that we could actually solve their problems well versus what we hope to solve their problems with. You know?
Amy Vaughan:
Right. This is such common marketing. Like, I don’t wanna say faux pas, but just like a common pitfall, I guess, maybe is more of the word. Right?
Melissa Leu:
Mhmm.
Amy Vaughan:
And now that does when it happens, when we make the product, the service, or the company that makes it the hero. And then in this sense, you guys literally tried to make you’re all the hero. We are marvelous. And it’s like, well, you know what? The people that are trying to close deals day in and day out in the midst of everyday life, that’s they know that that’s not, like, that’s not realistic for them. That’s not actually coming in to solve the problem. It’s fly, it sounds like you’re gonna fly and do the thing and then fly out, and you’re not like a consistent trusted partner and ally. That’s not community either is what I would say. But it is so hard.
Amy Vaughan:
Right? You don’t wanna ever question those that are so far above you. You’re like, that’s outside my pay grade. But, I mean, I would have to say that I it’s probably insurmountable the amount of time and money that a lot of companies that I’ve even worked for have spent, you know, as an agency creative director, you know, sort of chasing down those more idealized, you know, visions of what something could be versus what it should be because we forget the customer is the hero and that we’re trying to solve problems for them, and you just can’t always fit a square peg in a round hole. So if you’re not constantly asking throughout the process, how are we making this better for the customer, how are we solving the problems that maybe we can’t even see that they’re having Yeah. Then what’s the point? What’s the point?
Melissa Leu:
I think we think outside the quota. It was a little bit about, like, how do we build a fandom? And the community will center around this fandom for this franchise. Right? But it’s like, how many people out there really like, are you going to watch a digital marketing TV series, essentially, and, like, become such a fan over, like, 10 episodes? You know? Like and is that fandom gonna translate into a true community where you’re helping and solving each other? You know? So I think that was kind of some of the thinking maybe Yeah. Kinda turned it on its head when we moved into Salesblazer.
Amy Vaughan:
Right. Yeah. It also makes me think about right? We talk about, like, the hero’s journey. I’m thinking in, like, terms of storytelling and then, like, the different archetypes. It’s funny how sometimes it’s like you can just put yourself as a brand into the wrong space, right, into the wrong character, and then trying to play a role that maybe others aren’t seeing. Or just the fact that, like, yeah, I go to Disney plus or wherever I go to watch and stream entertainment for the sake of entertainment, and it’s like you’ve kind of forgotten the desired outcome for the idea or the ideal, like, where you wanna be. And I do truly think, again, as being, you know, somebody who’s constantly working to build and grow and and really maintain community, for me, it requires vulnerability. You know? So I think there’s nothing to say that you guys couldn’t ever get to that, like, Marvel status, but, like, the way the characters in Marvel got to where they are was you saw Peter Parker, you know, lose uncle Ben.
Amy Vaughan:
You know? You saw Iron Man have a fraught relationship with his dad. I mean, they all have, you know, vulnerabilities in their story that have been shared and shown. And it’s like if
Melissa Leu:
Yeah.
Amy Vaughan:
You’re not kind of building that trust in a relationship, like, you’re not gonna get to that hero status either. Sorry if you’re not a Marvel nerd or nerdy enough to know anything that I’m talking about right now. But hey.
Melissa Leu:
I mean, I think that’s true of entertainment. But I’m wondering, like, is that true of, like, business? You know? Mhmm. Like, do people wanna build fandoms around business? I mean, I would say for Salesforce, they’ve done a pretty successful job with our Trailblazer community. Yeah. But I think the reason why that was successful was because it focused on the community putting the community first. There you
Amy Vaughan:
- Exactly.
Melissa Leu:
And I think with this series in particular, it was like, let’s focus on building the franchise and the IP first versus let’s focus on building the community first. Oh, a %. Like, that’s kind of where we switched and transitioned when we moved into Salesblazer. It’s like, okay. The community comes first. What do they actually care about? What do I actually want from us?
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. How
Melissa Leu:
Can we listen to that and kinda build from there?
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. I % agree. Listening is huge in that respect and then knowing how to respond accordingly and just, yeah, get your house in order. Yeah. Because a lot of times, I think people think that they’re just like, yeah. It’s like building it and they will come. Nope. Not exactly.
Amy Vaughan:
You really gotta make sure that you’re listening and responding to show that, you know, you’re in alignment with what they’re willing to walk in the door for. It’s a lot to get people’s attention. It’s a lot to keep people engaged in a part of a community. But I would say, you know, Salesforce is a brand. I mean, I don’t know anybody that doesn’t know, you know, in this industry what Salesforce Yeah. Who Salesforce is. And you guys have an amazing product. So, like, that is such a great place to start.
Amy Vaughan:
And we think, you know, turning it around. I’m kind of curious, like, what was there, like, a kind of pivotal or specific point in which you guys are like, okay. Like, this idea is done. We need to kind of move into, like, shifting our focus and our attention. Was there any kind of, like, specific point, or did it just slowly kind of evolve through conversations?
Melissa Leu:
I mean, yeah. It kinda came down to, like I think as many decisions sometimes come from top down. Right? They see a need for the business, and they’re like, hey. Solve this problem. Right? What you’re currently doing isn’t solving the problem. And so that’s kind of where it came through. Mhmm. Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah.
Amy Vaughan:
I think that’s where too sometimes we get a little backwards. It’s like, you know, hi. I have a business need, so I’m going to impose that business need on my customers to, like, somehow make up and manufacture a need that they don’t really have instead of constantly looking at your customers and saying, there’s a need that they have. Let’s grow our business by meeting that need.
Melissa Leu:
Yep. Well, I mean, I think that’s kinda where it comes from. Right? Like, he’s talking to customers all the time. He I mean, like, our CEO Yeah.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. Leadership.
Melissa Leu:
They’re talking to customers all the time on these calls. They’re hearing from them and saying, like, you’re they’re saying you’re in the perfect position to offer this to us. You’ve been in sales for twenty plus years. Why aren’t you giving this to us?
Amy Vaughan:
Give it to us. Oh my gosh. Come on. We’re asking for it. That’s amazing. That’s a great position to be in. Absolutely. When people are asking for it and looking for it.
Amy Vaughan:
Because, again, I think something like community I mean, I’m hoping that over the next few years, especially, I feel like there’s just been more conversation about community as of late, especially at the start of the year, because people need it, you know, more than ever. You know? We feel more isolated than ever whenever we’re doing work in life. And I think, you know, once you understand the power community holds or the ways in which it can propel you forward and then all of us at the same time forward, then you’re like, oh, I didn’t. People say this about Together Digital so many times over and over. This is the thing that I didn’t know that I needed.
Melissa Leu:
I don’t
Amy Vaughan:
I know if your Salesforce people probably feel that way or sales blazer people feel that way, but I can only imagine because I’ve worked a minute in sales, and it’s just so hard. You know? It’s
Melissa Leu:
It’s really tough.
Amy Vaughan:
Right? Rejection after rejection. You talk about resisting resilience and persistence.
Melissa Leu:
Like, Yep.
Amy Vaughan:
There’s a lot to be said for that. And so to have community and know that you’re not alone in that, like, endeavor and struggle, but then you can also have people to, like, celebrate, and then we’ll celebrate with you your wins because also sales can be highly competitive. I really, really love this idea. I’m so glad that you guys went off and did this. So I’m kind of curious, you know, once you decide, okay. Hey. The customers are asking for this. What were some of the things that you guys put into practice or into play within Salesblazer, that had a lot to do with your customer feedback.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. So I would say, like, the biggest components of this program are content, community, and product. Right? And a lot of our customers were coming back and saying, hey. Why is it so hard to figure out and get my questions answered? Is there 1 place for me as a salesperson to come through? So we have that for admins and developers. Right? Like, trailblazers all dedicated towards admins and developers of Salesforce. But the end users, a lot of the end users are in sales. Yeah. And we didn’t necessarily have that same community for the salesperson.
Melissa Leu:
Gotcha. And so, it really centered from that idea. How do we bring it all together? We created a central hub, where we could bring the best of Salesforce into 1 place. We integrated Salesblazer into the product Perfect. Where we’re like, hey. Look at these resources that are available to you. And then we built a community online and in person where folks could come together, not only talk about how to solve their problems within Salesforce, but also if it was really about professional growth. Right? How could we all grow together and share the knowledge, get to know each other, and be each other as kind of partners as we go through this journey? And probably the re the the part of this program that keeps me going is when I meet sales blazers in real life or over Slack and
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
They’re like, thank you so much for putting this program together. Like, I met so many people. I’ve, you know, expanded my network or I found a new job. Yeah. So it’s been incredible to kinda see not only the macro picture of the numbers coming in, but also on the person to person level, you could see the impact happening in real life.
Amy Vaughan:
Oh, I love it. Yeah. That does feel good. Right? Those fringe benefits of community are comp-like, just priceless. They’re absolutely priceless. And it’s, like, cool to know that, you know, by building and creating and facilitating community, there’s, like, an abundance now of, like, opportunities and positive things happening for people that otherwise without the community would just not have ever come to fruition. I don’t think we forget that we need each other sometimes or that we do. You know? I love that, and I agree with you kind of going from that online off online to offline and seeing in those relationships, you know, and meeting people.
Amy Vaughan:
It is. It’s such a cool feeling. I love it.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. It almost feels like a class reunion sometimes at their events because a lot of these folks meet for the first time
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
At these events , they’ve been, like, chatting online for a while. Oh, yeah. So it’s pretty cool to see those reunions.
Amy Vaughan:
Uh-huh. It’s and it’s interesting too in this era of remote and hybrid where people seem to think that it’s like, oh, I can’t make professional or adult grown up friends, you know, through channels like these or communities. And I’m like, guys, like, we’ve got people who meet and fall in love online and get married. Like, do you not pay attention to the online dating world? Like, I can’t think of any bigger, like, more potential long term commitment than that. So I’m like, why couldn’t you form these bonds and relationships? And I believe I mean, it sounds like they’re happening all the time with the SalesBlazer crew and then definitely here within our community as well. So I love, love, love it. Alright. Let’s go back to a little bit of, talking about mindset and a framework that you’ve talked about, and share how you look at setbacks as opportunities.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. Dive into that question a little bit more. Like, what are you, what do you hope to learn?
Amy Vaughan:
Right. So I think that the key to this question is, you know, you have the best of attention. You’re doing the work you think the way you should, and then some they say somebody comes in and says, this is not what I wanted. This is not what I expected. Or you get told no by somebody that is integral to making the thing happen. Like, if you can think of an example, maybe maybe it’s more for, like, a, like, give us an example question of, like, how you’ve gotten a setback kind of thrown in your face and how you’ve been able to turn it into an opportunity.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. Yeah. I think it was the word framework that kinda threw me off. Threw you off? Like, I don’t I don’t know
Amy Vaughan:
if you evolve what you show you what you’re sharing into maybe a framework. Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
I don’t know if there’s an official framework.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
You know? It’s like Yeah. You encounter a setback. Mhmm. And I’m like, what are the steps that you do? You just, like, you think about taking a step back. You look at the vision. Are we all still trying to get to that vision? Okay. So then what do we learn from this setback? Mhmm. And how can we take that forward with us and constantly continue to experiment and push forward to get to that vision? Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
I think for me with SalesBlazer, it was, you know, learning after learning after learning. Right? And I think that phrase as I’ve been in tech, the longer I’m in tech, I’m like, oh, yeah. Like, fail fast because then you really do, like, learn very, very quickly.
Amy Vaughan:
Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
And you’re not spending so much of your time on an initiative or a project that won’t necessarily get you to your ultimate vision. Yeah. And so for me, it’s like making sure you have that clear idea of where you’re trying to get to Yeah. And dust yourself off whenever something doesn’t necessarily go your way because it is an opportunity to learn. Yep. It’s an opportunity to take that forward with you and kind of make whatever you’re doing a little bit stronger. So I guess that that’s the framework.
Amy Vaughan:
You see? I knew. I’m just gonna answer this, and we’ll have it. And I feel like I’m seeing a little bit of that journalist come out in you again too. Right? And I say this often. So it’s like an official Amy quote of don’t get furious, get curious. You’re looking at it and you’re going, well, what is happening here? What’s really happening here? Why have we become misaligned? What needs to be done, or how can we make this to where now we take this negative and work it into a more positive? And so it’s, like, almost like that who, what, where, when, why, how sort of approach. And you get curious and you ask more questions versus just getting angry, throwing your hands up, and saying, this is the way it was supposed to go. This is the way it’s always going to go, and I’m not going to bend or flex.
Amy Vaughan:
Do you know what I mean?
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. I mean, part of it is also I’m, like, very stubborn, and I’m, like, also single-minded towards, like, accomplishing what I wanna accomplish. And I think that’s also just part of my natural drive. Yeah. But I think, how to make it executable for, like it it’s just like yeah. You just have to, you just have to keep trying, I think. Like, for example, with thinking outside the quota, when we think we created the best thing ever and someone tells you, no. That’s terrible.
Melissa Leu:
Throw it out. You just spent, like, a year working on it. You know? But as much as, like, you mourn the loss of the efforts that you put in and what you thought you accomplished, you know, those learnings helped create Salesblazer, which ultimately led us to, you know, project of the year and, like, quarter of a million community members. It’s like that. It’s like the scale of SalesLaser was nothing we could have even imagined
Amy Vaughan:
Oh, that’s so great.
Melissa Leu:
Think outside the quota. You know? So Yep. Yep. Hopefully, something’s always better around the corner, and you take what you learn.
Amy Vaughan:
I love it. That’s so great and super, super inspiring because I think you’re right. It is hard when you spend, you know, a year plus on something, and it all kind of goes to the ground. But you’re right. Like, from those ashes comes something better. You know? And I think always having that mindset of, okay. Yeah. Well, that was a good first draft of a year that I just spent on this first draft, but, like, hey.
Amy Vaughan:
That means the next one’s gonna be all the better. And I love that you’re able to, like, quantify and qualify and see the results of all that hard work because it was all still the work. Right? Like, failing is a part of the process, folks. We have to remember. It’s not all about perfection every time because you’re not gonna end up with an optimal product or service by the end of that. Right? It’s gonna just kinda be subpar or okay. And, clearly, the time and energy that you’ve put into it and the learnings that you’ve taken have been a big part of that success. And without that failure, there would have been no learning.
Amy Vaughan:
So I love it. When it comes to community and creating content, the word authenticity gets thrown around quite a bit. I’m kind of curious, you know, how you have tried to work towards doing that, especially while scaling because, obviously, you guys have grown quite a bit as a community, and the amount of content you’re doing has probably grown along with it. Yeah. What are some things that you’re kind of putting into place to make sure that it stays true to, you know, Salesforce and the vision and, you know, for the community too. Right? So they really truly feel that sense of connection.
Melissa Leu:
I think it’s really just putting your community at the front, right, to maintain that authenticity. Mhmm. Because for us, it’s like, if our goal is to really help sales professionals
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
Then we need to give them a platform. We need to give them the resources. Like, we need to be giving more than we’re taking.
Amy Vaughan:
Yes.
Melissa Leu:
And so, yeah, like, if you look at our content, the vast majority of our content includes someone quoted from our community.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
If you go into our Slack, you’ll see, like, we’re constantly engaging, answering questions, making sure that, you know, the dialogue keeps going. Yeah. But a lot of it is also community driven. Right? We have these community group leaders who are like, yeah. Every quarter or every month, I’m gonna throw my own sales blazer event. Right. And that’s really what I love about it. Awesome to see
Amy Vaughan:
that progression.
Melissa Leu:
Right? Yeah. So, yeah, it just kinda goes back to how do you, it’s like we could be as I guess, our authentic goal is we wanna help them.
Amy Vaughan:
Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
And so the best way to achieve that is putting them in at the front of that and helping and then giving them stuff. So I don’t know if that answers your question.
Amy Vaughan:
It did. No. It absolutely did. I’ve said it so many times before too, being someone who likes my whole but my whole business is a community. Right? And I am constantly saying without you, there is no me. You know? And when it comes to community, the people within the community, they are the product. You know? And so it can either be really good or really bad. And it’s you know? So it’s 1 of those things that I think, like authenticity and creating the right kinds of content that is reflective of, you know, of the people that you’re trying to help and support.
Amy Vaughan:
It makes all the sense in the world, Melissa. That is a perfect answer. Alright. I wanna remind our live listening audience that you all have the chance to jump in and ask questions just through the chat. So just open up your chat window and drop questions in if you have them. I’ve got 1 or 2 here left for you before we go into the power round. So I’m curious. What surprised you the most about the elements of Salesblazer that resonated the most with your audience? Was there anything that kinda fell into that facet?
Melissa Leu:
You know, I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am surprised constantly when, honestly, like, when the community just wants to talk about our product. Yeah. Because, obviously, I come from the perspective of, like, oh, I’m always trying to get people to talk about our product. Mhmm. But, like, when it naturally comes and they have a natural passion for being that evangelist in their organization, or they have a passion for figuring out how to improve or learn best practices around developing processes or, like, you know, just making how the product functions better in their organization.
Amy Vaughan:
Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
And it’s been inspiring to see people connect around that. Mhmm. Totally on their own. Like, we may have created the working space, but they’re the ones directing the connections and the conversations. And so that’s really cool to see. Mhmm. Yeah. That’s probably the best part.
Amy Vaughan:
I love it. It is so good to hear. When people are authentic, okay. I can say this. I know. It’s Friday. Authentically advocate for your business. Because, again, like, their words, their testimonials, that talk about total authenticity and, you know, believability and building that loyalty and all of that trust, all these things that, you know, brands are constantly trying to work towards.
Amy Vaughan:
Community is such a great way to get there, but you, again, you can’t make it about you. Right? It’s like this weird backwards thinking. Actually, you’re giving me ideas. Also, friends, those of you that are listening, total, like, slight segue, content marketing world for 2025. They’re speaking, like, applications are open. So, Melissa, I hope you’re gonna go apply because we think you should be on that stage again. And then all of our listeners, like, people need to be hearing from you too. So I’m gonna encourage you all to check it out and apply.
Amy Vaughan:
And I’m gonna do the same because I’m not just gonna tell everybody else to do it. I’m also gonna do it. And, actually, as we’re talking, I’m getting ideas. So I might reach out to you, and maybe we’ll make it like a duo. Yes. Because this whole idea of community and how to do it right, and how to build loyalty through community by not putting yourselves kind of center stage. Yeah. My brain’s, like, already building the PowerPoint in my head, so we can talk about it.
Melissa Leu:
It. Let’s do it.
Amy Vaughan:
You know? And we can kind of bring those 2 different angles where it’s, like, 1 really big kind of, like, company and brand and then this other more kind of mission based, but but there’s still, like as you’re speaking, there’s so many alignments and similarities in the ways in which we have managed to kind of maintain throughout a pandemic, nonetheless, you know, a very, very amazing and effective community that is truly making differences in people’s, not just their careers, but their lives. Yeah. And it’s like, but that’s not without intention. That’s not happening by accident. So I think, yeah, there’s definitely an opportunity for us to maybe collaborate together if you want.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. I would love to, Amy. I mean, you built such an amazing space for people. And so yeah. I appreciate it. For so
Amy Vaughan:
many people. It wasn’t just me. It totally takes a village, so I can’t take all the credit. It’s like, seriously, I’m a product of the community. I was a member first. So I wouldn’t even be sitting here owning and running a business, much less producing a podcast if it wasn’t for the women that surround me, the amazing, intelligent, awesome women that surround me. So yeah. Alright.
Amy Vaughan:
Well, I don’t see any questions yet in the chat, but I do see lots of them ready to come and see our talk. That’s good. That’s exciting. Alright. Well, let’s get to the power round questions. And then, again, folks, we usually go for about an hour. So if you’ve got a question that you wanna ask, don’t be shy. It’s okay.
Amy Vaughan:
We like questions. Right? Alright. Most overrated content marketing trend right now. What would you say?
Melissa Leu:
Most overrated marketing content marketing trend. I mean, I don’t know if this is overrated, but the big trend is AI. Right? Like, that’s, like, the trend in this world. I think I’ll listen. Like, my company is all about AI. Mhmm. And so we’re banking, like, our future on AI. Sure.
Melissa Leu:
And to me, I’m like, I would love to see a world where we can rely on AI Mhmm. To kind of revolutionize how we do it right now. Mhmm. I think I haven’t yet seen that with the tools for content marketing specifically.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah.
Melissa Leu:
But it’s been a great opportunity to, honestly, be able to save some time on, like, outlines or, like, idea generation. Mhmm. But, yeah, I know. I can’t say it’s the most underrated. I know. The trend that I like. I get
Amy Vaughan:
- It’s like you love it. It really is true, though. I think we’ve especially as marketers, I think we’ve hit, like, our maximum threshold. And in my opinion, for generative AI conversations because AI does so much more than just create bad copy. You know? There’s so much more that it can be leveraged for that I think as marketers and even some business owners, we’re just not yet getting through. And I’m ready for it to not be I’m with you. I’m ready for it to no longer be the shiny object and just be the thing and the tool that is doing what it needs to do to help make our lives easier so we could be less robots and more human.
Amy Vaughan:
You know? I’m ready to be there.
Melissa Leu:
Yes. You took the words right out of my mouth. I wish I had said what you said. Oh, that’s
Amy Vaughan:
Okay. You know what? I think we can do some fancy editing and make that happen. Alright. We did get a question from Jillian. Thank you so much for asking. She wants to know, do you have any daily habits that help you succeed?
Melissa Leu:
Oh, daily habits. I don’t know if this is daily. Well, actually, no. It is definitely not daily, but I do think about working out. Yes. That’s great. So my New Year’s resolution this year is to work out 3 to 5 a week Uh-huh. Previously from 0.
Melissa Leu:
Okay.
Amy Vaughan:
I like that it’s a range too.
Melissa Leu:
So, but what I’ve noticed, it’s, like, been so hard to keep it up. But what I’ve noticed is I tend to have more energy. Yes. After my workouts, I tend to be in a better mood. And Mhmm. I feel like I read more about working out than I actually work out, but they also have to say, like, the science of working out is, like, it helps you be more productive and helps you be more on top of things and more alert and whatnot. Mhmm. So yeah.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah.
Amy Vaughan:
I guess working out. I don’t know. You. I’m with you. Honestly, I have swapped the notion that I am working out for my physical health. I have said it’s for my mental health. And, honestly, it’s easier for me to feel motivated, especially when I wake up and it’s, you know, 5 degrees outside. And I’m like, I don’t wanna get out of bed.
Amy Vaughan:
But I’m like Yeah. I know this weather and the darkness is gonna just pull me down. If I go work out, I know at the end mentally, I’m going to feel so much better and have so much more clarity. So I think that’s a
Melissa Leu:
great cancer.
Amy Vaughan:
And it doesn’t have to be killing yourself on any kind of crazy machines or some, you know, excruciating workout. Exactly.
Melissa Leu:
It could literally just be a walk. Yes. A
Amy Vaughan:
%. Like, let’s just not go from 0 to 60 because that’s just setting yourself up for failure.
Melissa Leu:
Oh, actually, the other thing I would say, morning routine. Like, having a morning routine. I Oh, yeah. I got into coffee. I was never a big coffee person until last year. Mhmm. And just like the routine of making your coffee in the morning, sitting down for breakfast, like, getting yourself giving yourself some space before you just roll into work. %.
Melissa Leu:
For some reason, that really puts me in a good headspace before I do anything for the day.
Amy Vaughan:
Yes. Prime yourself for the day. 1 of my good friends, Lucretia, was listening live. She already put some little clappy hands in there. She is, like, so great at morning routine, by the way. So as soon as you said that, I’m like, I can just feel her going, yes. Morning routine. Because she does. She has her ritual.
Amy Vaughan:
She shares lovely pictures about it on Instagram that I think probably help keep her accountable. At least that’s how I sometimes use Instagram when I’m like, I did my come up. Yeah. Meditation. I’m gonna share it because I did it. Yay me.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. And it’s like it really is that, like, yay me feeling. It’s like you could make your morning routine just brush your teeth. Uh-huh. And, like, you’re like, I brush my teeth. Pat myself on the back. That’s my morning routine.
Amy Vaughan:
1 of my favorite talks was from a I think he was a retired army general who talked about why you should make your bed every morning and how, like, no matter how sideways the day goes, no matter what happens in that day, at the end of it, you come back to a bed that was made. And you’re like, I might have gotten anything done today, but that bed was made. I have made my bed every day since. And it really takes
Melissa Leu:
me Gotta go make my bed, which is, like, right next to me.
Amy Vaughan:
It does. It’s so subtle. I have to find the talk and share it with you all. Maybe we can put it in the show notes, but I’m not gonna lie. It really makes a difference. And the days that I come back and the bed’s not made, I’m like, oh, man. It wasn’t made. And that’s usually because I left before everybody else was gone, and the kids, like, came in and messed up the bed or my husband was sleeping in.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. But, anyways, I I’m a little
Melissa Leu:
more What are your daily habits to succeed? I’m curious.
Amy Vaughan:
I am with you on the working out. I, you know, I come and fall on and off the wagon constantly like everybody else, but I do find that I have greater mental clarity, stamina, emotional stability, especially in the wintertime when I am working out because I am a nature nerd, and I love the outdoors. And so when it’s cold and I can’t get out in the sunshine, I definitely feel a difference. But, yeah, no. Through that journaling, you know, kind of on and off, especially since I’m more seasonal. I definitely feel like I have more ritual and routine during this time of the year. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio, so it gets darker earlier. It’s colder.
Amy Vaughan:
I’m getting less sunlight. So for me, like, meditation, journaling, working out, I’m much better about being routine with those in the winter months. And then in the summer months, it’s usually actually spending as much time as I possibly can outside. That would be my routine. It’s like, how do I get outside
Melissa Leu:
of that? I love that.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. No. Those are kind of my favorites. Alright. It’s funny because, the next, power on question, I’m gonna mash with Julian’s question here, and, Julie, I’ll get to your question too. Don’t worry. I love that you guys are sending us so many questions. We joked about AI being the most overrated marketing trend, and yet the 1 tool you can’t live without was my next question.
Amy Vaughan:
And I’m like, is it gonna be AI? I don’t know. But Jillian wants to know, of course, do you have any AI tools that you use or would recommend?
Melissa Leu:
Well, the tool that we’re I don’t want I don’t think I can promote another company. I don’t know about you. That’s fair. That’s fair. Yeah. That’s fair. But, yeah, we use some internal AI tools. Okay.
Melissa Leu:
Actually, you know what the best AI tool in my life is right now? I just thought of it, and it’s, like, kinda perfect. It’s Slack. Like
Amy Vaughan:
Yes. Thank you.
Melissa Leu:
I don’t know. I don’t use email anymore unless it’s with external people. Mhmm. And everything I need to do is in Slack. Yep. And then now I’m gonna sound like a corporate shell. I’m like but, honestly, like, co coordinating, collaborating, our cam our documents, Like Mhmm. Everything is in Slack.
Melissa Leu:
And it also has AI summaries where I don’t have to read through all the messages I missed. I could just read the recaps. Like and then, it also has integrations where, like, it’ll tell me, what I missed or, like, things that I need to do. So, yes, that’s the AI tool that I literally can’t plan my day without.
Amy Vaughan:
I love it. That’s so wonderful. I agree. Our Together Digital community is on Slack too. We’ve been on it since 2016 and, you know, just leaps and bounds with the abilities, the integrations, the automations that just make life easier. Alright. Julie had 1 more question, and we’ll end it there. Do you have any recommendations or suggestions or resources for portfolio development? She says most of my content is older and from sites that have since turned over, which, honestly, that could have been a year or two ago.
Amy Vaughan:
I’ve worked on websites that were huge lists, and they’re like I go back, and I’m like, you redesigned again? We’d spent a year, and
Melissa Leu:
It lasted a year.
Amy Vaughan:
In more recent years, I have been doing more long form copy, more for journalism and trade publishing.
Melissa Leu:
Well, I can say when I had a portfolio Mhmm. Well, okay. Let me answer that question with the present. I honestly think LinkedIn is the best place for your portfolio now. Like, unless your role that you’re applying to is, like, a creative creative role Mhmm. Like, LinkedIn is kinda where I go to first when I’m going through people’s work and just trying to see what they’re talking about, what they’ve posted, what kind of, you know, projects that they’ve put up there to take a look at. That being said, though, when I did have a portfolio, outside of LinkedIn, I would say the problem that you’re encountering is very common. For you have all this content that you put out there that you have your name on that suddenly disappears on the Internet.
Melissa Leu:
So if you can, you can go to this website. What’s it called? Oh my god. Internet archive. You can go to the Internet archive. Yeah. Put in that website, that link if you still have it Mhmm. And see what the page looks like. You can copy that page.
Melissa Leu:
Yeah. You can take that content, put it onto your website Mhmm. And just do, like, a screenshot so, you know, you have that proof that it did live somewhere Right. At some point. It was real. And then, to answer your question, if your content is older, you know, what if there is something stopping you from, you know, publishing newer stuff, like, ask yourself, what is that thing that’s stopping you? Because I will say as I’m evaluating, I do look for what you have done most recently.
Amy Vaughan:
Mhmm.
Melissa Leu:
And so just Yeah. Just some thoughts for you. Hopefully, that helps you.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. Yeah. I was gonna say, I think there’s, like, a website, a website, a time machine site too. I’ll have to dig in and put it in the show notes where you can kind of find things like that and go back and kind of see this site as it existed. But Way back it’s somebody’s gonna come in and save us here. Yeah. And then power the community.
Melissa Leu:
If you need permission from your publishers, my recommendation would be to put your website, certain pages on your website behind a password protected page. And that way, it’s not you’re doing it for the Internet because no one’s coming after you for republishing something.
Amy Vaughan:
It’s a great strategy, Melissa. I love that. That’s a perfect idea. Yeah. You’re sending it to specific people. You’re not blasting across the Internet. Just make it password protected, and then you don’t have to worry about them kind of getting their hands on it. Great strategies.
Amy Vaughan:
Yeah. All of this, the mindset, hearing your story, learning more about you. It’s been so much fun. Thank you so much again for showing up and being with us today.
Melissa Leu:
Thank you, Amy, for inviting me. This was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to do our presentation at Content Marketing World. Let’s do
Amy Vaughan:
- Let’s do it. I’m so excited. It was really good this year. I was kinda nervous about coming out of Cleveland and going to the West Coast, and it’s like, it’s gonna feel different. It’s gonna but the people are all the same, and they’re so lovely. And we have such a blast. There’s such a great micro community.
Amy Vaughan:
And all the Amy’s all
Melissa Leu:
the Amy’s that are there. My god. So Amy’s. It’s kind
Amy Vaughan:
weird. I know it’s not, like, that special of a name, but it’s just I’ve never been in the same room as so many Amy’s. But on that note, we’ll call it a day. Thank you again so much for being here with us. Thank you to our listeners for joining and asking your very thoughtful and amazing questions. We always appreciate you, our listeners, and those who ask. Next week, come back and see us again, same time, same bat time, same bat channel. We’re gonna be talking about social media, sanity, and you.
Amy Vaughan:
And this is 1 of our members, Robbie Schneider, who basically took a goal last year with our authentic ambition goal setting cohort and took her experience in health care and mental health and social media and created a book out of it. So we’re excited to get in, dig into that with her, celebrate her, and learn more how to manage social media in our sanity. Alright. Everyone, thank you again for joining us. We’ll see you next week. Until then, keep asking, keep giving, and keep growing.
