What's Next for Me

I'm no longer with Powered. Which means that I am working on what's next. I loved the strategy group I joined there. I got to work with awesome clients, do great work with them, and you can see more about that in my LinkedIn profile.

It was just the right amount of intense. 24/7 means the rest of the world is catching with my enviable lifestyle.

I share the news because I realize that although we let the cat out of the bag during my conversation on influence with Mitch Joel, and recently on The Bean Cast with Bob Knorpp, when I talk to people, they still think I'm part of that group.

Which means we can find more ways to work together moving forward.

Creating a job is the new career opportunity

Everywhere you turn these days experienced people smarter than I are telling you the same thing I am -- you create a job by finding a problem to solve. I feature conversations about some of those ways here. Since my head is wired to think about process, let's start with defining "creating a job".

It means finding a problem people have not solved, or that can be solved differently -- in marketing I call it white space -- and building something that bridges the need, or highlights the demand many did without, or filled with something else.

Better if it uses what gets you energized in the morning. Passion helps.

As I shared in are you missing out on connecting, you need to have a very active role in shaping what that job looks like. I created a couple inside very structured and layered organizations, and translated my skill sets in 5 industries by seeing the opportunity for demand creation and growth.

The core skills I developed also by building and testing on the side -- business strategies, network and communities, frameworks/methodologies -- for more than decade. Nothing like putting in the time. You can do it anywhere. It's portable. It depends on you.

Yes, I know, the reality of health benefits, pension plans, the need for a steady income to help family are all there. Indeed, they are there for me as well. Which is why you get creative with it, plan realistically, do, and keep reworking and asking for what you need.

Creating a job is the new career opportunity.

What's next for me

Many of you have approached me over time to thank me for my contributions to their success and asking what they can do for me. Here are a few ideas of how you can help me directly, or indirectly by spreading the word. At the moment, I'm working on:

Consulting

I'm talking with a few agencies in New York City -- and anywhere, if virtual -- about their needs for a strategist who gets results with social media and has been on the client marketing and communications side -- either as full time, or as a consultant to the agency.

It's something I have done already last summer with an agency as an extension of their team to support them with social media strategy. Both the agency and its clients got tremendous value out of it. If you thought you'd love to work with me and never asked, now is a good time to do that.

If you're a brand and want to hire or work with me, I have a trusted network I collaborate with and can easily scale a team. I also developed a methodology and framework I can apply to help you align and optimize resources behind a comprehensive social media strategy and action plan bolted directly onto your marketing and business plans.

Speaking

I'm accepting paid (+travel) speaking gigs. Find out more about topics, and what people say about me here.

If you're on the corporate side, I have facilitated thousands of ours of training, workshops, and conversations on the inside. Looking to do a panel on a topic and need a knowledgeable outside perspective? Now is the best time to book me. I have a limited number of slots for those.

Watch this space for a new initiative on this front as well.

Advisory boards

I'm interviewing a few technology companies to connect in business/brand/marketing/connection-making advisory capacity. These are teams working on a product they either launched in the last year, or is about to launch in 2011.

So far, I've identified two strong candidates and am looking to keep this a very short list. If you're such a company and feel you could use my help in taking things to the next level, let's connect.

***

Look for more opportunities to connect and collaborate in coming weeks. As I said in my last post, I'm auditioning for team roles in what I'm building. 

Thank you, as always, for your support and happy Mother's Day. Here are some business lessons I learned from my mother.

 

[image credit TDavidson @Digitini party SxSW]

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Comments

[RaynaNyc]

Valeria,
Congratulations on listening to that inner voice and setting out on a path that is right for you. I find that inspiring. I have no doubt that interesting and challenging opportunities will be coming your way, and I look forward to following that journey. I can see you in so many roles (from staff, to consultant, to 'entrepreneur in residence'). I always keep that old perl motto in my mind, 'TMTOWTDI -- There's more than one way to do it', and there is. Best of luck.

[Jonasthanatos]

Dear Valeria,

I have been following you and your blog for quite some time now. I have learned so much, your blog, I have said it before, is one of the most "relevant-information-rich" blogs out there, and completely up my alley. I thank you for all the great work you've done and wish you continued success in your new endeavors. I'm optimistic about people coming to you in hordes with propositions. You are great at what you do, so keep doing it. ;-)

I happen to be entering a new stage in my life. I just got out of the hospital, I broke the tibia and fibula in my right leg and was hospitalized for nearly two months. I got all my stuff moved into a new place while I was in the hospital - which was very hard to coordinate! - and when I got here, the basement was inundated. I lost 20 years' worth of notebooks, years of research, and some great books. Nature decided I was doing some spring cleaning. But mostly I'm just exhilarated about starting over again. You've helped shape the meaning I attach to social media, to just contributing great content to the Webosphere, to always giving my best. So I wish you the best, anyway, or how we say it here in Québec, "Bon courage!". :)

Sincerely,

Alex

[Danny L. Smith]

Thanks Valeria. I've been following you for sometime on Twitter and enjoy reading about your conversations.

Praying for you "next." Been there, am there. Embrace it well.

Danny

[Peter Rodgers]

Dear Valeria,

You are an inspiration and catalyst for many of my personal and professional approaches to life and business. Thank you for the incredible work and insights you share. The personal brand you have built focusing communication arts is extraordinary.

I look forward to your next steps and will be watchful of opportunities for collaboration and sharing with you.

My best,
Peter

[Melody]

Valeria,
Just wanted to wish you the best of luck on your next adventure following Powered. I'll be following right here on your blog to see where you are taking the conversations.
~Melody

[Valeria Maltoni]

Indeed, often I hear that I know too much for my own good. It's mother's day, so I'll quote mine once again. She taught me that knowing more means doing more. Certainly, I am lucky to be able to look to all the wonderful opportunities I've had in my life to touch the lives of others. Because at the end of the day, connecting is what we seek, doing meaningful work, finding ways to love and be loved. Simple and easy though can be at odds ;-) Thank you for your well wishes. BYOJ = build your own job

[Valeria Maltoni]

It sounds like you could use a hug, Alex. When I made my move over from Italy, I ended up putting all my stuff in boxes and storing them in my mother's garage to gather dust. Notebooks filled with ideas, plans, research, my own poems, books, etc. Mom and I laughed when I finally decided to go through them and lighten her load -- I rediscovered all of that informed my thinking without me even looking at them once over the years. I'm sure it's the same for you. I know it doesn't make it all great to have lost the physical objects of your work... when you think about it, they were ways you used to process how to get yourself to where you are now. And here you are.
Glad to hear you're healing from your leg fractures. Thank you for the well wishes. Well wishes to you. There is so much to people beyond wall updates, I see it. I know you see it, too. That's a great start already.

[Valeria Maltoni]

I'm sure you've also seen me go from zero to Italian on there :) Thank you for your kind words and well wishes to you as well.

[Valeria Maltoni]

Glad to be helpful, Peter. Saving the best stuff for later is akin to never wearing that new outfit for fear it will get ruined -- it's the "wear" that determines and often increases the value. Especially in age where knowledge depreciates so fast in isolation. You, this community, continue to teach me invaluable lessons with your engagement, views, and support. Thank you. To more opportunities for us all.

[Valeria Maltoni]

thank you, Melody. I'm very lucky to have met people like you. Excited about all the connections this next phase will activate ;-)

[Joe]

Congratulations Valeria!

I admire and applaud your Courage. The world needs more of you, and YOU are scalable! You just needed to step out, step up, step to a different tune...lost the metaphor. I look forward to seeing what IS next for you.

Cheers,
Joe

[mark ivey]

Valeria- Good luck wherever your new journey takes you. I've long admired your blog and thinking, and you've obviously picked up a huge, loyal following. Your timing should be good, with the tidal wave of interest in social media and all your knowledge. My dad (who died a long time ago) said, "things always work out, you just don't know how." That's what makes it interesting, creating your own path in an ever-changing world.

[Seth Goldstein]

Valeria,

You've always been an inspiration to me. It takes guts and a little bit of spunk to change course and try something different. I know you will find something that is prefect for you.

I will keep my eyes and ears open for you as well.

Best of luck! Love the blog!

-Seth

[Valeria Maltoni]

thank you, Joe. A fascinating process for sure.

[Valeria Maltoni]

or when ;-)

[Valeria Maltoni]

thank you, Seth. Appreciate the encouragement.