Sonata Insights is 6 months old!
I launched Sonata Insights in April because I saw a huge need for custom research and thought leadership that breaks ground and busts myths about marketing with AI and about the impact of social media on marketing strategies
In the past 6 months I have published five white papers that I believe fully display the deep industry experience, comprehensive analysis and trusted voice that clients get when they work with Sonata Insights:
Consumer Search Behavior: What's Changing and What's Not in the Age of AI
The Pacific Perspective: Behavioral Signals from APAC’s Digital Ecosystem
Huge thank you to my clients WARC, Datos, A Semrush Company, Ascendant Network, and M7 Innovations for your support!
Between now and yearend, I’ll publish three more pieces - two with Datos and one with a notable digital media industry organization (major fangirl moment incoming!). Stay tuned to this blog and my LinkedIn for details on when they come out!
Six months is also a good time to take stock on being a solopreneur.
Building Sonata Insights has been fun, stressful and challenging. Here are a few things I have learned. Plus: Scroll to the bottom for a special thank-you gift!
1) I really like doing things for myself (even if it's not the best idea).
I made my own website. I designed my logo (thank you LogoAI) and my business cards (thank you Canva). I also printed T-shirts and discovered (oops) that they will print them exactly as you design them...misplaced logo and all. In the next 6 months I'm going to work on being better at asking for help.
2) Business development is hard!
Especially for someone who's naturally an introvert and likes to let their work speak for them, this is something I am still figuring out. I have SO much new respect for my colleagues and friends who do biz dev. Instead of saying "here's what I've done and what I can do," I know now that I also need to add "and this is why you should hire me."
3) Your business may not look like how you envisioned it.
When I launched, I thought I would spend most of my time writing research at the intersection of social media and AI (heck, I spent a lot of time coming up with that tagline!). Most of my client work has been about either social media or AI, but not both. I firmly believe there will be more demand especially from forward-thinking companies.
4) Sometimes you just have to lean into serendipity.
I'm a planner. I like to know what's coming and prepare. But running my own business means there's a lot of uncertainty. I need to be more open to new opportunities and not get so caught up in the not-knowing part.
So on that note ... I'm going to the Cannes Advertising Festival next year! It's been on my bucket list for years. I booked my flights and got my Airbnb (that's the planner in me) and now I'm looking for the right partners to develop research and presentations that bust myths and break new ground in social media or AI (or the intersection of both!).
So if you've gotten this far, I have an ask and a gift:
Ask: Are you planning your Cannes marketing activations - or can you refer me to someone who is? Please reach out. All leads welcome!
Gift: Did you know I also offer expert briefings on news developments in social media and AI ? If you book a 30-minute or 1-hour meeting between now and yearend, I'll give you a 50% discount.
