A woman with tattoos on her arms and shoulder, wearing a colorful tropical shirt and black shorts, sitting on a vintage black and wooden sofa, reading a beige Field Notes notebook, with a yellow retro rotary phone beside her, in a rustic room with peeling wall paint and yellow curtains.

Pull up a log, pass the snacks, and crack open the creative canteen! We’re trading stories by the campfire. Field Notes is where we share reflections on ethical marketing, creative ecosystems, and what it looks like to build work that cares for people and planet. These essays explore care-centered business, relational community building, and creative practices rooted in liberation and integrity. Think of this space as an evolving notebook, ideas gathered in the field and shared in community.

Field Notes

Archive

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Where the word 'brand' actually comes from and why performing your values is easier than practicing them. Read more…

Learn about what building a brand in Portland, Oregon actually requires, beyond the aesthetic. Read more…

Not all content is disposable! A platform-by-platform guide to what actually keeps working. Read more…

A sustainable approach to marketing solo, without burning out or hiring a team you don't need. Read more…

The Archives: Reflections on Ethical Business and Creative Practice

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Escape the Creative Constraints: Why Creative Freedom is Key to Impactful Marketing

Discover the transformative power of creative freedom in marketing with "Escape the Creative Constraints: Why Creative Freedom is Key to Impactful Marketing." This blog explores the significance of aligning your unique vision with authentic expression to foster deeper connections with your audience. Learn how breaking free from industry norms and societal pressures can not only enhance your marketing strategy but also cultivate a more fulfilling and impactful creative journey.

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Humanizing Your Brand: The Role of Personalization in Marketing

In a world where traditional marketing often exploits insecurities, personalization emerges as a key strategy that resonates with consumers. This blog explores the importance of personalization as a fundamental approach to marketing, emphasizing the human need for belonging, connection, and community. It highlights the emotional intelligence required to build authentic relationships with customers and underscores why the human touch in marketing cannot be replicated by AI. Readers will discover effective strategies for personalizing content, including understanding their audience, crafting tailored messages, and engaging in community-building efforts. Ultimately, this blog champions personalization as a means to create sustainable, long-lasting relationships that enhance brand loyalty and foster a sense of belonging among consumers.

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How We Elevated a Brand’s Pinterest Results for Higher Traffic and Sales

In this blog, we share how we revitalized a brand’s Pinterest presence that was struggling with a 50% decrease in reach and outbound clicks. Through a customized strategy involving detailed analytics tracking, trend analysis, and creative optimization, we successfully increased their visibility, website traffic, engagement rates, and sales. Explore our comprehensive approach and see how a targeted Pinterest marketing strategy can elevate your brand’s online performance.

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Building a Stronger Brand: The Role of Marketing Ecosystems

In this blog, we delve into the concept of a marketing ecosystem and its crucial role in achieving sustainable business growth. Learn about the interconnected elements—from content creation to customer engagement—that form the backbone of a successful digital strategy. Discover practical strategies and expert tips to optimize your marketing efforts and enhance your brand's visibility and impact online.

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Circular Economy in Marketing: Shifting Towards Sustainability and Longevity

In today's business landscape, sustainability is not just a trend but a necessity. Explore how circular economy principles challenge traditional linear production models in marketing. Discover actionable strategies to align your marketing practices with sustainability goals, reduce environmental impact, and foster consumer engagement through responsible consumption initiatives. Join us in embracing a circular approach to marketing and contribute to a more sustainable future.

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Making Your Marketing Matter in 2025: Sustainable Strategies for Creative Small Businesses

Explore a refreshing approach to marketing that goes beyond social media. This blog shares actionable strategies like long-form content creation, PR opportunities, and authentic networking to help small businesses and entrepreneurs build lasting connections and achieve sustainable growth. Step into 2025 with intentional marketing that aligns with your values and vision.

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Redefining Engagement: Building a Human-Centered Online Brand Community

What if we stopped chasing likes and started cultivating relationships? In this blog, we explore what engagement really means for purpose-driven brands—and how to shift from surface-level metrics to meaningful, human-centered interactions. You'll learn how to grow an online community based on trust, connection, and shared values, not just visibility. With practical tips and a mindset refresh, this guide helps you build engagement that feels good, makes an impact, and supports your brand’s long-term vision. Perfect for creatives, small business owners, and conscious entrepreneurs ready to build with heart.

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How to Get Into a Creative Flow for Monthly Content Planning (Without Burnout)

Learn how monthly content planning can help you align your digital presence with your life’s rhythm, avoid burnout, and stay inspired. This guide is perfect for creatives, slow-living enthusiasts, and small business owners looking for sustainable and effective content strategies. Explore actionable tips and creative solutions to create meaningful, authentic content that resonates with your audience.

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A Behind-the-Scenes Look Into Our Notion Content Management System for Marketing Departments

In this blog post, we delve into the transformative power of Notion as a content management system for marketing departments within creative businesses. Learn why Notion's customization, user-friendly interface, and collaborative features make it an ideal choice for managing marketing efforts. We outline the key components of a robust marketing management system, including research and strategy, content calendars, resource centers, and channel-specific databases. By following our structured content management flow, you can streamline your marketing processes, enhance audience engagement, and ultimately elevate your brand's presence in a competitive landscape. Join us as we explore how implementing effective systems can lead to sustainable growth and creative liberation for your business.

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Refresh or Rebrand? How to Know What Your Evolving Business Really Needs

Wondering whether it’s time to tweak your brand or start fresh? If your visuals feel out of step with your current energy or you're craving a deeper shift in your business, you’re not alone. In this blog, we break down the difference between a brand refresh and a full rebrand, with clear examples and signs to help you decide which path is right for you. Perfect for creative entrepreneurs, evolving brands, and anyone who's ever felt boxed in by an outdated identity. Discover how to align your brand with who you are now—without confusing your audience or losing your roots.

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How To Grow Your Small Business On Pinterest in 2023

Pinterest is a visually-driven platform. For anyone who enjoys creating visually exciting content, is into design and aesthetic, or just is already an active Pinterest user, it is definitely worth it to consider using the platform for your business (so long as your target audience is also actively hanging out there!).

Learn my top tips for using Pinterest to grow your small business. There is a ton of potential in Pinterest, but there is also a lot of stuff that goes into seeing success in growing your business there. Let's get into it.

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Diversify Your Content Distribution Strategy for Creative Freedom

In a time when social media feels increasingly unreliable and draining, many creatives and business owners are looking for alternative ways to grow their reach without sacrificing their values. This blog explores how to diversify your marketing strategy with a robust content distribution plan that prioritizes platforms you enjoy using. Learn how to cast a wide net through repurposing and redistribution while working smarter, not harder. It’s time to step away from platforms that don’t align with your vision and embrace strategies that foster creative freedom and meaningful connection.

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Elevate Your Marketing with Authentic Branding in 2025

In a world saturated with content, effective branding is more crucial than ever for small businesses. This blog explores the difference between branding and marketing, emphasizing the need for a strong brand identity to enhance marketing efforts. By understanding the authentic brand development process—encompassing internal strategy and external aesthetics—businesses can create meaningful connections with their audience. Readers will learn actionable steps to refine their branding, including defining their brand story, articulating their values, and creating engaging content. Elevate your marketing by investing in authentic branding that resonates with your audience and drives long-term success.

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Creating a Human-Centered Marketing Journey: How to Build Trust Without Salesy Tactics

Marketing doesn’t have to feel forced. If traditional sales funnels feel too cold or transactional, it’s time to rethink your approach. In this guide, we’ll break down how to build an ethical, sustainable customer journey that nurtures potential clients with care, thoughtful UX/UI, and seamless brand strategy. Learn how to create an experience that guides—not pushes—your audience toward working with you in a way that feels natural, aligned, and deeply human.

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You’ll notice many of these essays circling shared questions around ethical marketing, creative ecosystems, and what it means to build business at a more human pace. We hope you enjoy.