Exploring Life & Business with Emily Wildenhaus of Vertical Vibe Marketing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Wildenhaus

Hi Emily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been someone who never really knew what path they wanted to go down. At Mizzou, I went with their Journalism program and found my passion for digital storytelling. Combining my skillset in both copywriting and graphic design, I found a career in social media management. I previously managed social media, working as part of marketing teams, but I was really drawn to working with small businesses. That’s why I eventually left the corporate 9-5 and started my own marketing business, Vertical Vibe Marketing.
Something about me is that I love working towards goals – I just completed my first Ironman 70.3 and I am addicted to rock climbing, running and swimming. Starting my own business and working for myself was a goal I realized I really wanted so I worked super hard to make it happen. It was a scary start, and I wasn’t sure if it would be successful, but I knew that I at least had to try. Now I have reached my limit for social media clients but I’m keeping busy with those clients that I do have along with various graphic design projects. I love helping small businesses because it feels like my work is meaningful and I especially love making one-on-one connections with those that I work with.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I already was working with my first client for the past 2 years but getting my second client was a bit of a struggle. Just the uncertainty of knowing when it will happen, for how much I could charge, etc. It took a little bit of time but I was shocked at how quickly I was able to grow.

We’ve been impressed with Vertical Vibe Marketing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Specializing in social media management, my approach isn’t the typical “I’m online 24/7 and live and breathe social media.” I am very clear that I set boundaries on a healthy amount of social media scrolling and research. I have set time limits on my phone, I myself take social media detoxes and I value my time away to get outside and be with friends and family. I noticed that a lot of job descriptions, when I was still looking to move companies, required a “social media guru” who “lives and breathes” social media and it honestly made me question my career path. I don’t want a job that technically has no off days. That requires you to continue working after 5pm and any downtime on your phone is actually just more time to see what’s trending or updates in social media.
Vertical Vibe Marketing takes its name from my love for rock climbing. How do you get to the top? What strategies will drive you apart from your competitors? I have a deep passion for helping small businesses. I put my expertise – 4+ years working with brands across the globe – into my client’s work. I am not a believer of templated posts, of copy and pasting my strategies for each client. Everyone is unique and different, with different business goals and offerings. I tailor my work to them. This includes graphic design that I’m particularly proud of. I create brand guidelines for each client, I do my research and tell their story because I truly care about each one.
I also have seen a distinct comparison between social media managers and graphic designers. You normally just get one. I’ve been able to incorporate my design skills into my social media work and I believe that helps them stand out as well. You get someone who understands the algorithm, who knows how to draw audiences in with best practices and creative captions, but you also get a video editor, a designer and someone that you can just sit down with and talk to about your concerns and ideas.

What matters most to you? Why?
Always growing. I do not want to stay stagnant in whatever I’m doing. That’s why I’m drawn to races – like my marathon or half Ironman – because I know I can always be growing. I can do the next thing. In rock climbing, I’m pushing myself to reach the next grade. With clients, I put together yearly goals. How much did we grow? What can we emphasize more of or stop doing because it just isn’t working?
I also really wanted to work for myself because I wanted to work with businesses that I believed are doing good for their community. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to the questioning of what impact your work is making. I wanted to make sure that every project I am involved in is helping communities come together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vertical-vibe.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/verticalvibemarketing
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verticalvibemarketing