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Meet Katie Brinkley of Next Step Social Communications in Littleton

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Brinkley.

Katie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have had my “dream job” three times now. I went to college dreaming of becoming a radio reporter, a sports reporter, to be exact. Not only did I get my dream job directly out of college, but my idol was also the one who hired and mentored me. I worked at one of the top radio stations in Denver, reporting on the Broncos, Rockies, Nuggets, and Avs. I had the opportunity to go to EVERY sporting event in Denver and I had the best seat in the house. It was my dream job!

However, I wanted to grow. I wanted more air time, and that would only come with me going to a smaller station in a different city. While I sent out resumes and tapes, a friend suggested I just “practice” my interview skills and apply for a job as a flight attendant. I immediately responded, “No way! I don’t want to be a flight attendant!” but she insisted I just go out and interview, it wasn’t like I had to actually TAKE the job. Well, I got hired. I said to myself, “I’ll only do it for 2-3 years, see some of the countries and THEN get back to radio”. Haha, well, seven years later, I left my job as a flight attendant. It was a great job to have in my 20’s and I made some incredible friendships and got to see so many beautiful cities.

When I left my job as a flight attendant, I landed my next “dream job.” I was back in sports but on the marketing side this time. I was a Marketing Manager at ROOT SPORTS (now AT&T SportsNet) for 3 1/2 years. I was in charge of the social media accounts, scriptwriting, media buying, and event planning for the station. I had an incredible boss who really allowed me to grow the station’s social media presence, and allowed me to grow professionally as well. Once the AT&T/DIRECTV merger happened, I was told I was going to be laid off and I was devastated. I had found my dream job, after all.

Being laid off allowed me to say to myself, “well now what?” and do something I had always had a strong passion for, social media. I had been doing social media since the days of Myspace, but really only had been getting paid to do it for 3.5 years. I decided to just do freelance social media work until I found my next job, and now that IS my full-time job!

I started Next Step Social Communications and really can’t imagine myself doing anything else. I love working with small businesses and helping them find new clients and customers online. Next Step Social now handles a variety of digital marketing. Whether a company is just getting started and needs everything from a logo and brand kit to a website to the day-to-day marketing efforts, we can help during every phase of your digital marketing journey.

I also have a small business marketing podcast called Rocky Mountain Marketing that allows me to bring both my passion for radio and social media together. I love the opportunity to speak with other Denver small business owners and hear their stories and learn what marketing tools have worked for them.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being laid off from ROOT SPORTS was extremely hard for me. Again, I thought I had my dream job. I loved my boss, my coworkers, and what I did every day. Little did I know that it really was just opening the door for me to become an entrepreneur and start my own company doing something I am extremely passionate about. It was difficult at first, finding clients and figuring out what made me different from the hundreds of other social media company’s, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Next Step Social Communications – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Next Step Social Communications is a boutique digital marketing agency located in Downtown Littleton. We specialize in helping small and medium-sized businesses take their marketing to that “next step”. Many of our clients start out with nothing, no logo even, and it’s so rewarding to help them get online and turn an idea into a reality. I love being able to provide that sense of relief and assurance that my clients no longer need to worry about what to post, how to tell people about their business or how to get in touch with them. All they need to do is focus on what they are most passionate about with their business.

What started with just me has grown to a three-person team. The Brand Strategist/Designer I work with is absolutely incredible and has a passion for creating totally unique designs for every client. She really knows how to create a voice and distinguishable look for every client. The Social Media Engagement Specialist is one of the hardest workers I have ever known. She is always finding ways to engage our client’s social media in meaningful ways and bring the “social” back to social media, which is extremely important.

Every client is treated as if they are our only client. Unique messaging, graphics, and daily engagement is a critical part of social media and digital marketing. We truly bring the social back to our client’s social media accounts and create a community that their audience wants to engage with and be a part of.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
 I love all aspects of my job and this company. I am so fortunate to be able to do something I love every day. The best part is the flexibility to be home for my daughters. I can take them to and from school and work around their schedule. It might sound cliche, but everyday I cannot believe I get to go to my “dream job”.  

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