Fathers Day

Dads Know Best: The best advice our fathers ever gave us

Dads say the darnest things, but sometimes they say the sweetest. Just in time for Father’s Day, #teamME spent some time reflecting on the best advice our dad’s ever passed down to us.

Enjoy the wealth of #teamME dad wisdom:

“The man who knows how will always have work. The man who knows why will be bossin’ the jerk. And the one who knows why and can make it sell, will run the company, and be rich as well.” – Marie Keister, President + CEO

 

“My Dad has always told me (in my career and personal life) to appreciate people for who they are and not try to change them. I think this has really taught me to be compassionate to others. He also leads by example with this, he has never tried to force me into any decision and trusts in who I am. I think that’s pretty awesome.” – Erin Hanna, Art Director

 

“I was sobbing after my third car accident in about 6 months during college when I called my dad who had just moved out of state. He said, “Are you hurt? Is the other person hurt?” I said no one was hurt, but proceeded to tell him my car was un-drivable. Dad told me that’s what insurance is for and to call my agent. He knew how to put things in perspective and focus on the positive which he did for me right up until he died on Father’s Day in 2012.” – Cindy Byington, Senior Account Manager

 

“The best advice my dad has given me is to take on opportunities that bring me outside my comfort zone, because it’s those experiences that will help me grow as a person.” – Mitchell Isler, Intern

 

“Slow down and take life one day at a time,” and “Make sure you’re changing your furnace air filter every 4 months.” – Nick Hoffman, Account Manager

 

“My dad was always advising me to be patient – a skill I’m still learning to master to this day I regularly hear one of these when we’re together:
“Mindy, remember patience is a virtue”
“Don’t forget that patience is bitter, but it’s fruit is sweet”
“Say your prayers Mindy: Lord give me patience, and give it to me now” – Mindy Justis, Senior Account Manager

 

“The best advice my dad ever gave me was when he told me that when something bad happens or goes wrong, you have the choice to either dwell on it or move on and overcome it. He suggested that I to do the latter.” – Joey Hart, Intern

 

“Ain’t No Problem” – Missi Burris, Art Director

 

“I was having a teenage moment back in high school (probably about an A- on a test) and I asked my dad how he handles life’s ups and downs. He told me without hesitation, “Easy, just be a shark.” Immediately after my initial thoughts of “okay my dad is officially losing it” and I’d rather be a mermaid, he explained, “Every shark has a fin on its back to keep itself stable and persist forward no matter what waves they are navigating—and you have the power inside to do just the same.” – Angela Delbrocco, Account Manager

 

“No matter if my dad is talking to my siblings and I or the players on his teams, he has always said, “Good things happen to good people.” – Tim Bates, Account Coordinator

What’s the best advice your dad ever gave you? Tag @murphyepson and share the wisdom. While you’re here, take time to get to know a little more about our team and the work we do. Or, “like” us on Facebook to stay in touch!

The Worst Advice We’ve Ever Heard About Social Media

We all know that one person who travels once and becomes an expert on all things foreign. Or that one person who has a kid and becomes an instant expert on all things parenting. It’s slightly exhausting for all involved and can quickly lead to eye rolls and frustration.

That’s how social media specialists can feel when Aunt Viola or Cousin Lyle decides she or he is an expert on all things Facebook. So before you add Aunt Viola as an administrator on your Facebook Page, read on to hear the worst advice we’ve ever heard about social media.

“Hire an intern to handle it.”

Speak these words and watch every social media specialist cringe before your eyes. Although interns can be vital to the day-to-day operations of a business, and, in turn, a business can be vital to their learning, social media should not be something you hand off to the youngest member of your staff. Because social media is one of the newest elements of digital marketing, (or marketing in its entirety) many companies assume the newest members of their team should handle it. But social media specialists, like any occupation, have studied and trained on how to handle the digital voice of a company. Social media is an extension of your customer service and the public-facing aspect of a company – don’t handle it lightly.

“Sync your platforms so that when you post on Facebook, it automatically posts on all of them.”

This is the part of the scary movie when everyone’s screaming “don’t go in there!” But seriously, step away from the auto-post. Instagram loves hashtags. Eleven to be exact. But if you post eleven hashtags on Facebook, people will raise a brow. Not to mention, if the same person follows you on three platforms and they’ve seen your post once, they are going to breeze right through it on your other platforms. That’s why social media specialists frame one post differently across all networks. What works on Instagram – from the size of your photo to the length of your copy – will not work on Twitter.

“You have to join Snapchat.”

No. No, you don’t. You don’t need to join any networks that don’t target your desired audience or fall within your capabilities. If you don’t have the manpower (or womanpower!) to manage seven platforms, then don’t create a presence on seven platforms. Not to mention, new platforms are trending every few months. But if they don’t serve your mission or vision, they aren’t for you. If you only have a few hours a week to dedicate to social media, choose one or two platforms and rock them like it’s nobody’s business.

“Don’t worry so much about responding to messages or comments.”

Not only is Facebook watching – they time you from the message you receive to your first reply – your audience is, too. When someone comments or messages your platform, this is your chance to shine. Respond timely, concisely and thoroughly. All in all, consult the experts when it comes to social media. You don’t think twice about it when it comes to your personal health. So why risk it when it comes to the health of your brand?

 

Voted Most Likely to Cheer You Up in Under 140 Characters, Rachel Sharkey is our social media strategist by day and cake pop master by night.

While you’re here, we recommend you read 3 Tips for Working with Creatives When You Have an Engineering Mind.