Photographer: Tomas Garza
“Working in Public Relations, my job is to make other people (or their products and services) famous. And likewise, through my lifestyle blog, OhSoCynthia.com, I bring my readers stories about “Dallas’ hottest events and coolest people”.
Meet Cynthia Smoot
Instagram: @ohsocynthia
#COSIGNed by: @ericcabranch
Website: www.ohsocynthia.com
Say hello to your new go-to-girl for everything Dallas, Cynthia Smoot! Cynthia is a Marketing Strategist, Publicist and mother of Oh So Cynthia, a lifestyle blog about Dallas and what makes it fabulous.
Cynthia received her Bachelor’s Degree from The University of North Texas in Clothing and Textiles, which she says, taught her how to get a stain out of something and arrange things in a pretty way. After graduation, she landed her first sales position at the Dallas Observer and realized that her dad wasn’t the only person she could persuade into giving her some dough. She’s always been a natural marketer and by leaning on that unforced talent, she was promptly applauded as one of the leading salespeople for the company. Because Cynthia has always been keen to diversified marketing platforms and proposing new ways to advertise a certain brand, she looked into different blogs to grasp the business aspects of it and she has been blogging ever since.
Cynthia works at Gangway Advertising creating social media strategies and handling media relations for her clients. Gangway is a full-service marketing agency like most, but what sets them aside from the competition is, the “comprehensive array of marketing assets from graphic design to website development, and social media marketing to public relations. We are able to look at each client individually and create a comprehensive plan tailored to help them meet their goals- and then execute it”.
Her start at Gangway has been a monumental milestone in her career. In 2007, she was employed at D Magazine as an Account Executive but when her husband commenced Gangway Advertising, he was administering graphic design services and wasn’t big on the social media side. With the word-of-mouth deviating from in-person to online, Cynthia began freelancing with him to show him how social media would be beneficial to his clients. She eventually had an amazing chance to run social media for Bread Winners Café & Bakery, which expanded her professional connections. At this point, she was working two jobs and her blog. She says, “Ironically, my boss at D Magazine found out about my side gig and fired me….I just took a deep breath and thought, ‘You can do this’ and I’ve never looked back. It was the best thing that ever happened to me”.
Photographer: Thomas Garza
You absorb a lot when dealing with different clients on a daily basis but Cynthia has learned that “It’s natural for clients to want to get all they can from you, but again, I’ve learned that it’s okay to say “No.” Sometimes, “Hell, no.” (Laughing) This theory also applies with my work on the blog. It’s important to stay true to my brand and what I represent than to take on a project just because it pays well. Fans and followers can sniff out insincerity and it’s critical to maintain the respect of my readers.” In the beginning, she was so eager to make a sale, get a new client and potentially work hard on a service or project that she didn’t fully relate to or support. Now, she sets boundaries and focuses on work that she truly believes in and respects.
Cynthia combines her work from Gangway to her blog and keeps people on their toes by providing the scoop of Dallas and marketing local brands. She has reached a hefty percentage of professional accomplishments like being featured on CultureMap, WFAA, Dallas Child, CW33, Fox 4 and more, but nothing has been more meaningful than raising her son! Cynthia says, “In the end, it’s not about how much stuff you’ve accumulated. It’s about how you made people feel. I want people to say that I made them feel heard, respected and loved. That I made them feel like they mattered and brought some joy to their lives”.
Visit her blog at www.ohsocynthia.com to discover the latest Dallas events, ranging from arts and culture, to fashion, food, charity and ways to advertise. And check out one of her most publicized upcoming events below!
Upcoming Event:
Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo
When:
September 30, 2017
Registration opens at 5:30 AM
Ride begins at 7:30 AM
Event closes at 2:30 PM
Where:
Dr. Pepper Ballpark, 7300 Roughrider Trail, Frisco, TX 75034
Event Description:
Join Emmitt Smith on September 30 for North Texas’ premiere charity cycling event. The Gran Fondo courses are designed to accommodate the most avid of cyclists to the casual weekend rider. Emmitt Smith designed these routes with a nod to his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys by paying tribute to his football number, #22. There are five routes to choose from; the Gran Fondo-100 mile timed route with a $10,000 purse, a 100k, 45-mile and 22-mile route along with a 2.2-mile family ride. Plan to stick around for the post-race party and enjoy a beer garden, live entertainment, family activities and awards ceremony. Proceeds will benefit Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities. Costs range from $10 to $120. For more information on the event, route information or to register, visit http://www.emmittsmithgranfondo.com.
Event Website:
www.emmittsmithgranfondo.com
Registration: Click here to register.
Event Contact:
Lauren Parker
972-584-0525
RaceDirector@ejsmithenterprises.com
We #COSIGN Cynthia because of her skillful means of integrating advertising, marketing and blogging to reach a larger audience.
Who does Cynthia #COSIGN?
@LeeAnneLocken
@ToriGonzales_
@JaneMcGarry
@CarolineKraddick
@HeidiDillon_HFD
@TGarzaPhotog
@TheLeahFrazier
@HamiltonSneed
@AmyVanderoef
@DrMelanieMills
