OMG y’all, I just realized that right around this time, TWENTY years ago, I boarded a plane from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Microsoft’s global campus in Redmond, Washington, that jumpstarted my marketing career. It was my first time in first class and I can still taste the bubbles that I sipped on during that flight. 

I had no idea that this marketing internship would quietly shape the rest of my career (and ultimately, my life). Microsoft recruited two students from colleges across the country to spread the word about their newest product, OneNote, and we spent the weekend with their genius marketing experts learning all about the creative strategies behind great marketing. The goal was to generate 1,000 downloads during that fall semester at LSU (keep reading to see if we reached it or not).

It was such a memorable experience that, to this day, I’m pretty sure that’s the reason I have never switched to Mac. I’m still a loyal Microsoft user. 

Looking back, that is probably the most important marketing lesson I have ever learned…brand loyalty. When people feel seen, inspired, or supported by a brand, they stick around. They tell their friends. They become part of the story.

Back then, there was no social media, no smartphones, and definitely no AI. Marketing was simpler. Not necessarily easier, but more human. It was about connection. About helping someone imagine how their life could change because of what you offered.

And honestly, it still is. 

Sure, the tools have evolved. We’ve gone from flyers on cars and download parties in the quad to SEO, AEO, and analytics dashboards that track every click. But the heart of great marketing remains the same: human connection.

Today, the buyer journey is more fragmented than ever. People discover you through social media, podcasts, email, referrals, or even AI-powered search. That’s why having a cohesive marketing plan matters, one that weaves them all together. SEO and AEO for discoverability, social media for connection, email marketing for nurturing, and PR for credibility, to name a few.

Each piece plays a role, but they all work best when they’re aligned (and consistent!), when every touchpoint tells the same story and reflects the same heart.

And don’t forget to look at your analytics, they still offer valuable insights. But remember, numbers don’t tell the full story anymore. Between zero-click searches, limited reach, and ever-changing algorithms, the metrics can be deceiving. What matters most is the impact you’re making: the messages that resonate, the people who reply, the trust you build quietly over time.

From that first flight to Microsoft to where I am today, one truth has never changed: the tools may evolve, but people will always crave connection.

So build your strategy around that.

Lead with empathy, creativity, and consistency, and everything else will fall into place.

Oh, and we were the second highest team with over 6,000 downloads!