I love my job as an editor-in-chief with Odyssey. I love my creators. I love my community. But like with every job, there are times when it can be trying, especially when you're trying to manage a team of 20-somethings who all have things going on outside of Odyssey. In those dark and trying times, Paris Geller becomes your spirit animal.
1. Understanding your demographic
Keeping up with what people are reading is important so that you can make your content relevant. That being said, I refuse to ever write a piece about the Kardashians. I do have morals.
2. When it's Sunday afternoon and a creator says they'll have an article in tonight
Deadline was Friday night at 11:59 but sure, snowflake. Turn it in whenever you feel like it. Because that'll definitely fly in the real world.
3. When someone can't follow formatting rules
I literally gave them to you in a step-by-step guide. What do you mean your listicle items aren't formatted in Header 2 with a period after the number?
4. When your contributing editor is *this* close to being demoted
There's a spreadsheet. It's color-coded and has a key, for goodness sake. If you can't update it, we can update your role back to creator.
5. When a creator won't share on more than Facebook
Here are five other social media platforms, suggestions of who to tag on Twitter, trending hashtags that apply to your article, the correct Subreddit, and a step-by-step guide to sharing on Instagram and Stumbleupon. Oh, it's still only on Facebook? That's cool.
6. When you've had enough
Some days, you just want to curl up in your bed and not have to deal with people because they're exhausting. They will make you wonder if you should just move to a deserted island and become a hermit.
7. When someone tells you they love you
Don't love me. Fear me.
8. When someone can't follow directions
Three tags that have to do with your article. Favorite restaurants in your city? City, food, type of food. Bam. Done. Easy, right?
9. When you can't read anything the same again
Just take a second glance before you submit something. Ask yourself if you would actually want to read what you've written. If the answer is no, chances are no one else will want to either.
10. When you set your expectations
People will always rise to the challenge, but if you set the bar too low, the challenge is gone and people will slack off. Set your expectations high, and watch your team push them even farther.
11. At the end of the day, you wouldn't change it for the world
I'm thankful every day that I get to manage this amazing team, even when they make me want to pull my hair out. I'm thankful that I get to be a part of such an amazing company striving to make our voices heard. I'm thankful for my fellow EICs for cheering each other's successes and lifting us up when we hit those lows.
