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Coffee Talk

Make introductions, meet new community members and discuss ideas. Join for an engaging conversation and make lasting connections in the Arboretum.

  • 435 Topics
  • 2,513 Replies
435 Topics
Gayatri Shukla
Community Manager
Gayatri ShuklaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
15 years in and we’re not slowing down. This is Where Bold Social Starts–Are You Part of It?

You’ve seen the movement. You’ve felt the energy. Now’s your chance to be a part of what’s next. This space—The Arboretum—is where bold social thinkers like you turn inspiration into action. It’s where we unpack what it means to lead with social, not just manage it. And where we build the future of social for business…together.Why you’re hereWe launched this movement on Sprout’s 15-year anniversary as a call to action to social pros and businesses everywhere. A declaration that those who thrive tomorrow are the ones who lead with social today.Being an Arb member means you’re not just following trends, you’re helping co-create and shape them. You’re connecting with fellow marketers who get it. Who are solving the same challenges. Who know that social is no longer just a channel, but the heartbeat of modern business.Are you in? Social can’t change business until bold leaders change social. So let’s start here, and share with us:  ​What’s one bold move you’re making on social this year?Dr

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kate.meyers emery
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
New Group Alert: Join the Higher Ed Hub + Explore Other Industry Spaces!Join Now!

Looking to connect with others who really get the challenges of social in your industry?We just launched the Higher Education Hub — a dedicated space in The Arb for social media professionals working in higher ed. It’s your place to connect with peers, swap strategies, and talk about everything from admissions campaigns to student engagement and reputation management.👉 Join The Higher Ed Hub HereAnd don’t forget — we also have: The Healthcare Hub 🩺 The Financial Services Hub 💼 These groups are here to help you build community with folks facing the same hurdles and goals. Whether you’re in higher ed, healthcare, or finance, there’s a space for you.💬 Already joined one of the groups? Drop a comment below and let us know what you’ve found valuable so far!

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Community Giveaway: Share your smartest social move of the year!

We just wrapped Beyond the Benchmarks: How the City of Miami Beach Made Waves (and Went Viral)—and we want to keep the creativity flowing.What’s one innovative tactic or creative approach you’ve used to boost engagement or build community on social this year?Maybe it was a new format, a clever comment strategy, a trend you made your own, or a surprising way you brought your audience closer.💡 Drop your answer below by Monday, June 9th at 11:59pm and you’ll be entered to win exclusive Arboretum swag which includes Moleskin pen, Arboretum fleece blanket, Arboretum branded socks and 16 Oz. Glass Can With Lid. For full terms and conditions, read here. Let’s get inspired by each other. Who knows—your idea might be what sparks someone else’s next big win.

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
brelynn.hess
brelynn.hessLevel 2
posted in Coffee Talk
Do you work for a nonprofit? Say hello!

Hi everyone! I’m Brelynn and I’m the Communications Manager for Book Trust, a national early literacy nonprofit.I would love to connect with other nonprofit social media/communications professionals. If that’s you, say hello!

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kate.meyers emery
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
New Member Intro & GiveawayNew Member Introductions & Giveaway

Hey everyone! Welcome to The Arboretum—so excited to have you join us!Let's kick things off and get to know one another! Feel free to answer any of the below  for a chance to win some cool Arboretum swag! 🌟 Introduce Yourself: Tell us your name, your role, and what got you passionate about social media.💻 Favorite Platform: Which social media platform do you find most captivating and why?🚀 Campaign Highlight: Share a standout campaign you've either worked on or really admired. What made it so perfect?💡 Expert Advice: What’s your top tip for crafting killer social media content?🔮 Future Trends: What do you think is the next big thing in social media, and how are you getting ready for it?🧠 Learning Objectives: What are your goals for learning and achieving within our community?Share your answer by Friday, May 30, 2025 at 11:59pm for a chance to win 1 of 2 prizes that include Arboretum Socks, Moleskin pen, sticker and Opal Ceramic mug.  See full Terms and Conditions here.Your presenc

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
🔦 Member Spotlight – Brendan McLaughlin, Director of Social & Content, Ferocious DigitalMay Spotlight Member

Meet Brendan McLaughlin!This month’s Member Spotlight features ​@brendan.mcl, a creative leader and digital strategist with more than ten years of experience helping businesses grow through the power of social media. Brendan believes digital marketing is about more than metrics. It’s about building meaningful connections that support long-term success.He’s passionate about learning, innovating, and sharing knowledge with others in the field. “Being spotlighted in the Arboretum is a chance to celebrate the work I love and inspire others to keep pushing boundaries in digital strategy.”Beyond the Feed: Broadway, Art, and a Love of PerformanceBrendan’s creativity doesn’t stop at content calendars. This year, he made his Broadway debut, singing backup for Kristin Chenoweth at the Roundabout Theater Gala. That unforgettable moment brought together his love of theatre and storytelling in an entirely new way.Creative Highlight: Rebuilding From the Ground UpOne standout moment from Brendan’s ca

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kate.meyers emery
kate.meyers emeryLevel 5
posted in Coffee Talk
That moment when you realize your social inbox settings were changed...

For the last two days, I’ve been surprised we haven’t really been seeing any tags in our social inbox on Sprout related to nonprofits we serve. Usually other nonprofits tag us regularly (like 100-300 times a week). But this week, nothing. I thought “wow this is so nice, I’m having such a chill week.”Turns out I completely forgot that I had turned on sorting for one tag only and because those posts weren’t tagged, I wasn’t seeing them 🫠Anyone else do this? Anyway… happy Tuesday!

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kate.meyers emery
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Anyone else going to the National Restaurant Association 2025 show?

Hi community,I’m going to be at NRA show this upcoming Monday, May 19th from 1-5pm in Booth #8544 in Chicago! Stop by and say hi!  

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ashley.manivongLevel 4
posted in Coffee Talk
Hashtags | To use or not to use

Hi all * happy hump day! 🐪 * I am currently at a crossroads of the usage of hashtags on corporate channels. What are your takes on it? Mine? Corporate channels do not need them as it may look like spam and hinder reach. Though there’s articles around the interwebs that say different. Open to hear more from you all! 

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julia.gross
Laura Porcincula
Community Manager
Laura PorcinculaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Welcome New Members - April 21st, 2025

Hey everyone! Welcome to The Arboretum—so excited to have you join us!Let's kick things off and get to know one another:🌟 Introduce Yourself: Tell us your name, your role, and what got you passionate about social media.💻 Favorite Platform: Which social media platform do you find most captivating and why?🚀 Campaign Highlight: Share a standout campaign you've either worked on or really admired. What made it so perfect?💡 Expert Advice: What’s your top tip for crafting killer social media content?🔮 Future Trends: What do you think is the next big thing in social media, and how are you getting ready for it?🧠 Learning Objectives: What are your goals for learning and achieving within our community?Your presence here is what makes our community great, we’re so happy you’ve joined us!​ @nsp.media @isabel.simpson @mahnoor.khan @rachelle.scott @janelle.cooley @kaitlyn.white @danielle.dean @sierra.stallworth @mike.suniga @wmaster-zipking @trojandb13 @HallieWiseman @melissa.hoy @alex.wendland

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
🔦 Member Spotlight – Makenzie Bowker, Senior Manager, Social Media Strategy, City of HopeApril Member Spotlight

Meet Makenzie Bowker!This month’s Member Spotlight features ​@makenzie.bowker, a seasoned social pro with over 13 years of experience in health care, nonprofit, and breaking news sectors. Whether she’s leading strategy or consulting behind the scenes, Makenzie has seen just about every corner of the social world.What keeps her motivated? Communities like The Arboretum. “It’s a chance to learn from others and cheer on the next generation of social leaders,” she says.Beyond the Feed: Knitting, Toddlers and a Historic HomeMakenzie’s creativity carries over into her personal life too. She’s a knitter, lives in a 130-year-old house in Atlanta, and spends her time chasing after her toddler while trying to convince her husband to adopt a third dog.Creative Spotlight: Faces of HopeOne of her recent proud moments is “Faces of Hope,” a heartfelt video series that highlights City of Hope’s employees and care teams. The content feels personal, uplifting, and is resonating with both staff and the w

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lisa.rodrigo
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ashley.manivongLevel 4
asked in Coffee Talk
Copywriting resources

Hi! I am looking for reputable copywriting/content certifications or resources to up level my writing skills this year :) 

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kate.meyers emery
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angeline.neoLevel 2
posted in Coffee Talk
Share your LinkedIn Profile

Hi Communities! I would love to expand my professional network by connecting with you on LinkedIn. If you have a profile, drop a link below. Would love to connect and grab a virtual coffee!

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brelynn.hess
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angeline.neoLevel 2
asked in Coffee Talk
Making the most out of the Arboretum Mentorship Network

With the next mentorship sign-ups coming up, any advice on how to get the most out of the mentorship program at the Arboretum? What questions did you find most helpful? What were the highlights from your previous Arboretum mentorship experience? 

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angeline.neoLevel 2
asked in Coffee Talk
Do you have a favorite social media/marketing podcast or Youtube videos?

Drop your favorite podcast or videos in the comments below to share it to the community: 

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kate.meyers emery
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Welcome New Members - April 7, 2025Introductions

Welcome everyone, we are excited to welcome you to The Arboretum! To kick things off, we'd love to hear a bit about you. Please introduce yourself below, here are some questions for inspo.Introduce Yourself: Tell us your name, your role, and what got you passionate about social media.Favorite Platform: Which social media platform do you find most captivating and why?Campaign Highlight: Share a standout campaign you've either worked on or really admired. What made it so perfect?Expert Advice: What’s your top tip for crafting killer social media content?Future Trends: What do you think is the next big thing in social media, and how are you getting ready for it?Learning Objectives: What are your goals for learning and achieving within our community?  Our members are what makes The Arboretum so special, we can’t wait to get to know you!​ @rina.gluckman @gary.petit @sara.smith @aldona.tront-cortes @katelyn.louis26 @george.diguido @makala.bitzer @holly.pankhurst @linda.rodziewicz @ivina.pros

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ajl3photo
ajl3photoLevel 4
posted in Coffee Talk
Did you catch the latest episode of 'The Rookie'?

Did you watch the latest episode of The Rookie? I'm starting to pull clips from Season 7, Episode 12, titled April's Fools, so I can use them in upcoming presentations. This episode is a perfect case study on why social media needs to be taken seriously. It makes the point on why social media management is not an intern's side task, and why it needs to be a strategic leadership role that requires real expertise. Go check it out! 

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ajl3photo
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Join us at Vantage Tour Chicago!RSVP NOW

Save your spot for Vantage Tour Chicago!The Vantage Tour continues in the Windy City! Join us in Chicago on Wednesday, April 16, from 1 PM – 6 PM CT for an afternoon of fresh social insights, expert-led discussions, and meaningful connections. Explore the latest trends in influencer marketing, gain actionable strategies to elevate your brand’s social presence, and enjoy immersive experiences designed to inspire. Reserve your spot now! Register for Vantage Chicago here (https://events.sproutsocial.com/vantagechicago)Check out the full tour lineup for 2025 (https://events.sproutsocial.com/2025vantageroadshow)

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Member Spotlight – Jeremy Kohm, Manager, Creative Development at Condé NastMarch's Member Spotlight

Meet Jeremy Kohm!This month’s Member Spotlight features ​@Jeremy, a Creative Development, Manager with a passion for social storytelling, visual innovation, and bringing fresh perspectives to content development. With a career shaped by learning from others, Jeremy is all about giving back to the social media community and sparking meaningful conversations. Let’s dive into his world. Beyond the Screen: Baking, Surfing & TravelWhen he’s not developing social content, you might find Jeremy baking up something delicious, traveling, or out in the water surfing. Recently, he’s been getting more into hiking, embracing the outdoors whenever possible. But one thing he definitely doesn’t love? Shopping.Creative Spotlight: The Death of a LawnOne of Jeremy’s standout projects was "The Death of a Lawn," a short-form video exploring the history of the American yard and why the pursuit of the perfect lawn is often unattainable. By reframing what could have been a mundane topic into something tho

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jessie.bruce
Laura Porcincula
Community Manager
Laura PorcinculaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Welcome New Members - March 24, 2025

Welcome everyone, we are excited to welcome you to The Arboretum! To kick things off, we'd love to hear a bit about you. Please introduce yourself below, here are some questions for inspo. Introduce Yourself: Tell us your name, your role, and what got you passionate about social media.Favorite Platform: Which social media platform do you find most captivating and why?Campaign Highlight: Share a standout campaign you've either worked on or really admired. What made it so perfect?Expert Advice: What’s your top tip for crafting killer social media content?Future Trends: What do you think is the next big thing in social media, and how are you getting ready for it?Learning Objectives: What are your goals for learning and achieving within our community?Our members are what makes The Arboretum so special, we can’t wait to get to know you!​ @CHFmedia @alexandrabelen @alenj682 @TheBuzz @TIMESOFT @gabaccia.moreno @christinagarza @amberoconnor @vabarger @KimberlyKee @slide9.agency @visitoverlandp

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Q1 Wrap-Up! Giveaway Alert!Giveaway

We’re already wrapping up the first quarter of 2025, time flies in the world of social! As you look back, what’s one key insight or takeaway from your social media strategy so far this year?Maybe it’s a trend that took off (or flopped), a campaign that exceeded expectations, or a lesson learned the hard way. Share your reflections in the thread, and keep the discussion going by engaging with others!To make it even more exciting, three participants will be randomly selected to win exclusive Arboretum swag including An Arboretum Sweater, socks, Fleece blanket, notebook, moleskin pen, sticker and pin! 🎉Let’s close out Q1 strong...drop your insights below! Submit your answers by March 27, 2025 at 11:59pm. ⬇️ For more information, please check out the giveaway terms and conditions here. 

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ajl3photo
annarangos
annarangosLevel 3
posted in Coffee Talk
Careless People: A New Exposé Book on Meta’s Power and Failures

Hi!I just finished reading Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams, Meta’s former Director of Public Policy. I’d love to know if anyone else has read it or plans to.This book has me really grappling with my role in social media, especially since I work with clients who advertise on these platforms. It’s a pretty damning look at Meta’s foreign policy, their impact on the 2016 election, and what they knew (or didn’t know). I think it’s an essential read for anyone in the field—because, candidly, we understand these platforms better than anyone. We should be speaking up about what’s happening on them, from the rise of extremism to rage bait and misinformation.There are also some really thought-provoking takeaways about being a woman in the workplace and the idea of silence as a means to succeed. It made me reflect on how corporate culture often discourages speaking out, especially for women in leadership.I’d love to hear your thoughts i

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
Calling All FinServ Social Pros – Join Your Exclusive Group!New Group Launch

Navigating social media in financial services comes with unique challenges—compliance, trust-building, and audience engagement, to name a few. That’s why we’ve created the Financial Services Group in The Arboretum, a space designed just for you!By joining, you’ll:💡 Gain Industry-Specific Insights – Stay ahead with tailored discussions on compliance, content strategies, and emerging trends.🤝 Connect with Like-Minded Pros – Network with peers who understand the challenges of financial social media.📈 Share & Learn Best Practices – Exchange strategies for growing engagement, handling regulations, and proving social ROI.🚀 Exclusive Peer Group Events – Participate in discussions, guest speaker sessions, and problem-solving meetups.Whether you’re looking to level up your strategy or simply connect with others in the industry, this is the place for you. Join the Financial Services Group today!Join today:https://community.sproutsocial.com/groups/financial-services-hub-85 

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
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Agency Partner
chelsea.giacchiAgency Partner
asked in Coffee Talk
Pricing Strategies - Community Management

Wondering how agencies are pricing their services for community management and response/engagement? We’ve typically included community management within our overall social media marketing pricing, but we have a potential onboarding for community management outside of typical business hours. How do you price out community management for outside of your usual business hours/weekend?

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Laura Porcincula
Community Manager
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Coffee Talk
👋 Welcome New Members & Swag Giveaway!Introductions & Giveaway

Welcome to The Arboretum!We're so glad you're here and excited to help you connect, learn, and grow with our community. To get started, we’d love to hear from you! Reply to this message to introduce yourself, share your goals, or let us know what excites you most about joining us.Some ideas to get you started:1️⃣ What inspired you to become part of the Arboretum community?2️⃣ Do you have specific areas of interest or expertise in social media marketing?3️⃣ What challenges or goals are you looking to tackle with the support of our community?4️⃣ Share a fun fact about yourself unrelated to marketing.5️⃣ Are there any social media marketing topics that you're eager to explore and discuss here?As a welcome bonus, everyone who replies will be entered to win one of three Arboretum giveaways, featuring a Arb notebook, Moleskin pen, socks, fleece blanket, Arboretum sticker. Perfect for sparking new ideas! Contest Terms and Conditions here. ​ @Tyler Schow @Stgt70376 @giselle.villeta @erik.bjork

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chelsea.von kaenel
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