I'm a writer and social media strategist. I craft quality social media content and audience - driven strategy for small businesses, start-ups and non-profits. I’ve worked as a community manager for higher education and mid-sized consumer brands. I’ve written for Chicagoist, Time Out Chicago, and Not For Tourists about everything from rock concert poster art to Chicago soul food.
I'm also well-versed in digital analytics and measurement. I also train bloggers, businesses and non-profits on how to use digital analytics to optimize their web presence, and how to create an online content strategy. I teach workshops and classes via Mediabistro.com and Dabble.com.
My blog, The Learned Fangirl, is focused on social media and online fan culture. We've grown to 7 regular writers, and has led to speaking engagements at MIT and appearances on Chicago Public Radio.
Recent speaking engagements include:
# MIT Media in Transition - 2013
# “Rights, Ownership, and Identity in Social Media” Symposium – John Marshall Law School - 2013
# Midwest Law and Society Retreat - 2012
# Chicago Writers Conference - 2012
# BlogHer - 2012
# Chicago Social Media Summit - 2011
# BlogHer - 2010
# eduWeb - 2009
# Girl Scouts of Chicago
# International Women's Press Association
# Making Community Connections, Chicago
# MIT Media in Transition - 2011
# Publicity Club of Chicago
I completed a B.A in Communications at Beloit College and an M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In 2009, I was a recipient of Community Renewal Society's 35 Leaders Under 35, which honors individuals who work in nonprofit fields.
I'm also a musician but you won't hear about that here.
Advanced Web Analytics online course
Social Media Analytics - Social Media Bootcamp online course
Consultant on social media strategy and content. social media/digital analytics reporting dashboards
Chicago Booth School of Business, NCAA Div. II, University of the Arts, Southern Illinois University, and State University of New York
Co-founder and editor of web publication on internet fan culture and social media.
Focused on music, technology/social media, Chicago arts and culture.
Writing Credits:
ALARM Magazine
CenterstageChicago.com
Chicagoist.com
Diversity MBA
Food Genius
Time Out Chicago
VenusZine.com
Visual.ly
Editing Credits:
Clamor Magazine
Third Coast Press
By Raizel Liebler At the point that it seems like everything has been franchised in media, from public domain works like Sherlock Holmes, to Star Wars, to Angry Birds. But the cultural production — and continuity issues involved — are rarely analyzed outside of tight-knit fan communities. Derek Johnson’s Media Franchising: Creative License and Collaboration [...]
An awkward and miserable wedding that had the distinct feel of a funeral, plus a “wedding” night where the sex toys were leeches. Not every little girl’s or boy’s dream. It’s all in “Second Sons” (Season 3, Episode 8). Join us in a shot of mead and enjoy the perspective of three fans from very [...]
While awaiting the release of The Korean Popular Culture Reader from Duke University Press in fall 2013, and generally wondering where all the books are about PSY, I was reading one of the few books in English about Korean pop culture that hasn’t been reviewed yet on The Learned Fangirl, Hallyu : Influence of Korean [...]
by Keidra Chaney I realized a couple of weeks ago that between Revenge, Scandal, and Nashville, ABC single-handedly brought new life to the nighttime soap opera, and I am not mad at that at all. Never a huge fan of crime procedurals, reality TV, or medical shows, I’ve watched more TV in the past season [...]
By Vivian Obarski I don’t know how to start this nicely, because I’m fed up. Not my usual fed up that I can break down into a nice simple logical and reasoned argument as to why I’m irritated. No, this is something entirely different — a visceral, emotional reaction that’s me being upset for no [...]
Incremental progress this week through “The Bear and the Maiden Fair” (Season 3, Episode 7). Herein, the ladies speculate on the necessity of a Game of Asses drinking game to get them through this slow, slogging mid-season. Join us in a shot of mead and enjoy the latest installment in TLF’s weekly recap featuring three [...]
The things we do for love. Or honor. Or power. Or money. But does anyone ever get what they really want? Such are the questions raised by “The Climb” (Season 3, Episode 6). Enjoy the latest installment in TLF’s weekly recap featuring three fans from very different perspectives: Laura Fletcher, a casual fan of the [...]
by Kristin Bezio First and foremost, HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!!! If you haven’t played the game and want to know if you should, my answer is YES! Go buy it, go play it. It’s totally worth it. But from this point on, there will be nothing held back for the sake of those who have [...]
We are sharing the written version of our MIT8 Presentation with everyone who wasn’t able to come to this amazing conference. We (at least one of us) have presented earlier versions before at several other conferences, including the Third Annual Internet Law Work In Progress Symposium. As always, we are open to comments and suggestions – [...]
Swordplay Lots of fun with swords both real and metaphorical filled this week’s episode. Enjoy the latest installment in TLF’s weekly recap, this week featuring two fans from very different perspectives: Cheryl Collins, a TV show fan who has never read the book series upon which it’s based, and Corrin Bennett-Kill, a hardcore fan of [...]