23 Jul Getting to Know Our Owners: An Interview with Matt & Tiffany
Getting to Know Matt McWilliams & Tiffany King
We are so excited about our recent merger with TK Creative Co. and have already begun to reap the benefits of this incredible partnership. For this month’s blog post, we sat down with our co-owners, Matt McWilliams and Tiffany King, to learn more about their personal and professional lives, as well as the future of McWilliams Media.
What inspired you to get started in this field?
Matt: One of my heart’s desires when I was completing my degree in business administration was to help other businesses succeed. I had always thought that I might someday be in a consulting role. Website design and marketing were such a natural fit. How better can I help others succeed than to manage their digital presence?
Tiffany: I’ve always enjoyed storytelling. The more I learned the power of marketing strategy, graphic design, and copywriting, the more I wanted to fine-tune it to become the best at it I could be.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Matt: Getting to connect with our clients on a personal level. To hear them share their goals and dreams and to know that we get to be a part of that is incredibly fulfilling.
Tiffany: Helping people craft their messages in all the specific ways (8 words or less on a billboard, website home page main header section, 30-second social media video ad, etc.) is not only a fun challenge for me but also a fulfilling result for our clients.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in this industry?
Matt: It’s constantly changing. For us to stay ahead of the curve we must always be learning. I try to take the lead on that by watching training videos and following others in the industry that I trust.
Tiffany: The natural ebb and flow of business is always a challenge when developing new team members and enhancing existing services. As far as industry-specific challenges…ever-changing algorithms – the continued learning and adjusting it requires for myself and the team.
What is one trend in the media industry that excites you?
Matt: I’m excited to continue to find ways to utilize AI in our industry. I think it can be effectively leveraged but delivered with a personal touch. I know we’re just on the cusp of what it can do. We have to be forward-thinking and embrace the ways it can make us more efficient.
Tiffany: Ooohh – I love a new trend (I guess you have to, to make it in this industry) – more authentic, behind-the-scenes content. I am excited to see that less curated content continues to gain traction and prove effective.
What is your favorite media platform and why?
Matt: I personally spend the most time on YouTube. I am a learner by nature so I watch and listen to hours and hours of video. Everything from industry-related content to personal growth to entrepreneurial content.
Tiffany: Instagram – I LOVE stories and the stickers (poll, slider, Q&A box) have a lot of great algorithm benefits for our clients. 🙂
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Matt: This is a hard one because I feel like I’m such an open book. I’m probably a little more direct than most people know. I think people are surprised when I speak my mind. However, as a leader that just comes with the job.
Tiffany: I’m a total TYPE A – I know…an organized creative, we’re unicorns for sure! I love a time-blocked schedule, a minimalist office, and an organized to-do list. But yet I love color and patterns, and I could spend 100 hours putting together creative font pairings.
What is one piece of technology that you can’t live without?
Matt: My Macbook, I take it almost everywhere. I always have my phone with me also but I enjoy sending emails and messages on my Macbook the most.
Tiffany: iPhone 100% – I’m on it all day every day.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Matt: Be where you are. I was told this on a mission trip several years ago and I’ve tried to incorporate it into my life ever since. If we are always thinking about the regrets of the past or stressing about the future we don’t fully give our attention to what we can affect that’s right in front of us.
Tiffany: My 11th-grade English teacher at Broken Arrow High School read this quote to us: “People will forget the things you say, and the things you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” That’s the best advice I’ve received. And I’ve taken it into both my personal life and career life.
Now, the best advice I give others is: show up (that’s really half of it), work hard, and have a good attitude. Those three things combined have taken me really far in life (so far!).
What is your favorite way to spend a weekend?
Matt: In the swimming pool with my kids or watching college football on my back porch.
Tiffany: A slow morning – there’s nothing better than a warm cup of coffee on the comfy couch with a good book and my puppy dog. Then thrift/antique shopping with my husband. Hosting a themed dinner party for my friends.
What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of McWilliams Media?
Matt: I think we’re just scratching the surface of what we can accomplish as a company. We have an amazing team and the future looks bright. We are in the right place at the right time. I expect continued growth both within our team and within the businesses we work with.
Tiffany: (cue the trending audio: oh em gee I looovee this quesstiioonnnn) The opportunity to make an impact – not only in our client’s lives as we partner alongside them to help their business grow, but also in our team member’s lives as they grow their skills alongside us.