Knotch connected with Sarah Murry, Deputy Editor for The Garage by HP for our "Own Your Voice" series to hear her story, and to learn what drives Sarah in her career.
I didn't really believe I had a talent until college, when my freshman writing won an award. I found my talents lay in expressing myself on paper, and an introductory journalism class that blew my mind.
My two female professors were working journalists, and one showed me how transformative literary journalism could be, while the other was my biggest cheerleader. I hope to someday pay it forward.
My story changed when I first saw my name in print. I was hooked. That little heart-jumping thrill doesn't ever seem to fade, even if "print" is now digitally rendered.
My grandmother, Allegra Korman, was a Holocaust survivor that worked through the trauma she suffered by sharing stories about the family members she lost, the friends (and strangers) who helped her, and the resilient trajectory of her life. She taught me about the power of stories to help us find our place in the world.
More isn't necessarily better. It's really easy to fall into the trap of thinking that a packed editorial publishing calendar is evidence of success. It's much smarter to produce fewer high-quality, evergreen pieces and re-use them in smart ways, while spending time (and money?) to make sure you reach the audience you want.
Additionally, you shouldn’t be producing content only for SEO value. Yes, search is important, but it's not everything. Content marketing and storytelling oftentimes have differing goals. When they overlap, it's magic. But if you think something's important to your audience and taps into the zeitgeist of the moment, then write about it. It will help you develop an authentic voice and build trust with your readers.
The quietest voice inside is the one that should be amplified the most, since that b***h is always, always right.
