#95: How In-Person Events Build Community

#95: How In-Person Events Build Community

Hosting an event is easy. Building a community that people return to month after month is much harder. In this episode of Workfluencer, Rhona sits down with Chasselle Gazelle, founder of Jacksonville Bestie, to explore what separates unforgettable in-person events from forgettable networking mixers. Chasselle shares how she turned casual brunches with friends into one of Jacksonville's most recognizable community brands, why relationships matter more than transactions, and how businesses can use recurring in-person events to strengthen their brand, grow loyal audiences, and create genuine human connection. Whether you're in Talent Acquisition, HR, Marketing, Employer Branding, or you're building a business around community, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately. What You'll Learn: * How to use in-person community events as a long-term brand and business growth strategy * Why recurring, scheduled events build real culture faster than one-off activations * The professional harasser method for maximizing attendance without annoying your audience * How to negotiate revenue splits with bars and venues to earn beyond ticket sales * Why word of mouth still drives more growth than paid advertising * What separates events that build community from ones that just fill a room * How remembering names and personal details creates the belonging that keeps people coming back Resources Mentioned: * Chasselle's Website: https://www.chasellegazelle.com [https://www.chasellegazelle.com] Connect with Us: * Connect with Chasselle: https://www.instagram.com/chasellegazelle/ [https://www.instagram.com/chasellegazelle/] * Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#94: What Makes a Great DisruptHR Talk

Most people spend months preparing for a single DisruptHR presentation. Ashlynne Valdez delivered two different talks in 30 days, won Best Speaker at one event, and helps select speakers for DisruptHR Las Vegas. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of DisruptHR to explore what separates a good talk from a great one. Ashlynne shares how she develops topics, finds a disruptive angle, prepares for the fast-paced five-minute format, and what organizers are really looking for when reviewing speaker applications. Whether you're thinking about applying to DisruptHR or simply want to become a more impactful speaker, this conversation offers a rare look inside one of the most unique speaking formats in the workplace community. What You'll Learn: * Why a five-minute talk is harder than an hour-long presentation and how to prepare for it * The three things Disrupt HR selection committees look for in speaker applications * How to find the disruptive angle in any topic, even one that seems overdone * Why "less is more" is the most critical principle when the slides are beyond your control * How to use LinkedIn content to test and validate your talk ideas before you even submit * How to take a narrow, specific topic and make it land for every person in the room Resources Mentioned: * SoundHR Website: https://www.soundhr.com/ [https://www.soundhr.com/] Connect With Us: * Connect with Ashlynne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlynne-valdez-phr-295706219/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlynne-valdez-phr-295706219/%E2%81%A0] * Connect with Rhona: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠⁠ [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#93: How to Stand Out on LinkedIn

Most LinkedIn advice teaches you how to fit in. Jillian Richardson believes the opposite. In this episode of Workfluencer, Rhona sits down with one of LinkedIn's most recognizable ghostwriters to discuss why being a little weird might be your biggest advantage online. Jillian shares the story behind her viral "Be Weird on LinkedIn" movement, what founders get wrong about personal branding, and why authenticity is becoming the best defense against AI-generated content. They also discuss employee-generated content, ghostwriting, creator monetization, brand partnerships, and the realities of putting yourself out there online. If you've been playing it safe on LinkedIn, this episode will challenge you to rethink what professional content should look like. In this episode: * Why blending in is becoming riskier than standing out * The real meaning of "being weird" on LinkedIn * How founders and executives can create more engaging content * Why employee-generated content builds more trust than corporate messaging * How ghostwriting actually works behind the scenes * The relationship between authenticity and AI-generated content * What creators should know about negotiating brand partnerships * How to find your unique voice on LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: * Jillian's Website: https://www.makelinkedinweird.com [https://www.makelinkedinweird.com] Connect With Us: * Connect with Jillian: ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abiadamson/]https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatjillian/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatjillian/] * Connect with Rhona: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit ⁠workfluencermedia.com⁠ [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#92: How to Write a Book About Workplace Culture

What does it take to turn years of workplace observations into a published book? In this episode of Workfluencer, Abi Adamson shares the story behind her debut book, Culture Blooming: Nurturing Workplaces Where People Grow. From witnessing favoritism, discrimination, and toxic leadership to developing her own workplace culture framework, Abi explains how she transformed real-world experiences into a book designed to help leaders create better workplaces. Abi pulls back the curtain on the publishing process, including how she landed a publisher through LinkedIn, rewrote her entire framework, worked through multiple drafts with her editor, and balanced personal stories with practical advice. She also shares some of the workplace experiences that shaped both her career and the book itself. Whether you've considered writing a book, building a thought leadership platform, or simply want a deeper understanding of workplace culture, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to turn expertise into intellectual property. What You'll Learn: * How to get your first book deal * Why you do not need a finished manuscript to approach a publisher * What it takes to write a business book that is accessible to people with dyslexia, non-native English speakers, and first-time managers * How to honor creative rest without losing momentum, and why forcing writing produces content that reads like filler * How to balance personal stories with practical workplace advice Resources Mentioned: * Pre-Order Abi's Book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/824116/culture-blooming-by-abi-adamson/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/824116/culture-blooming-by-abi-adamson/] Connect With Us: * Connect with Abi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abiadamson/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abiadamson/] * Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#91: How to Monetize a Podcast Without Losing Your Integrity

Most creators think they need a massive audience before brands will take them seriously. Chad Sowash says that's nonsense! In this episode of Workfluencer, Chad shares how he and his co-host, Joel Cheesman, built the Chad & Cheese podcast into a profitable business from day one, why most creators dramatically undervalue themselves, and what brands are actually buying when they sponsor content. We discuss why niche audiences outperform vanity metrics, how to create sponsorship packages that deliver real value, and why some of Chad's strongest sponsor relationships started after publicly criticizing those companies. Chad also explains how he evaluates HR tech vendors, why creators have a responsibility to vet the products they promote, and the rules he follows to protect audience trust. If you've been wondering whether it's possible to make money from content without becoming a spokesperson for every brand that waves a checkbook, this conversation is for you. What You'll Learn: * Why Chad built his podcast as a business from day one * What brands actually want from creator partnerships * The biggest mistake creators make when pricing sponsorships * Why niche audiences are often more valuable than large audiences * How Chad handles disagreements with sponsors * The role creators play in vetting AI and HR tech products * Lessons learned from nearly a decade of podcast monetization Resources Mentioned: * Listen to the Chad & Cheese Podcast: https://www.chadcheese.com/ [https://www.chadcheese.com/] Connect with Us: * Connect with Chad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadsowash/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadsowash/] * Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/] Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com [https://workfluencermedia.com/] to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]