WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11

Before we dive into today’s conversation, this must be said: We are heartbroken by Hamas’ terrorist attacks on Israel. We will always use this platform to speak up for what we believe in - and what we don’t.

Rosie, TikTok & the Dire Need for Our Voices

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There is a lot wrong with social media. As the mother of four young girls, I think about this a lot. They aren’t old enough to join any platform yet but someday they will be. How will I approach it? What do I say?

Because here’s the thing. In my own life, social media has been an incredibly powerful tool.

In what feels like a prior life, I raised money for politicians I cared about. During the long summer of 2007, I joined up with a group of 20-somethings across the country ready to organize for a little-known United States senator named Barack Obama. How did we pull together events in cities across the country and convince our friends to show up? Facebook.

Later, I decided to start The Riveter. I didn’t have a marketing budget. (I mean, my husband was building desks in our first location night after night after he finished his actual job. It was a family affair.) But I did have the internet. I took to Instagram and Facebook and Twitter to talk about what I was doing and why. Not only was I able to connect with organizations who I thought had members who could become Riveter customers, but I developed a thought leadership platform that led to other things - a column in Forbes, op-eds in the Washington Post, appearances on the Today Show, speaking opportunities at Cannes Lions and more.

And then in 2020, my husband’s former employer accused him of a crime. While he was never charged, the experience wrecked us. The government seized our bank accounts for nearly two years based on secret allegations and the public nature of the accusations made work impossible. I was silent for nearly a year. But when I decided our story should be told, I didn’t call a journalist. (Frankly, I didn’t think anyone would talk to me given that the accuser - Amazon - was the primary source of ad revenue for media worldwide.) I started a TikTok. I didn’t know if anyone would listen, but millions did. Millions.

I even met Rosie O’Donnell on the app. And yesterday, she shared our story in her ONWARD podcast. (You can listen here!)

Rosie and I talked about the power of TikTok. And she said something I wanted to share with you:

“There are so many instances where women dont’ get the voice of a microphone. They dont’ get the chance. If you get the chance to use a microphone and you’re somehow in the public eye, use it. Even if its TikTok only; use it. Say your peace. Say what you feel needs to be said, what’s happening. Authenticity and truth have been so damaged in the last ten years . . . and I think it’s all people crave, it’s all humans need, it’s all that we really want. But we haven’t known where to get it or how to get it.”

I agree with Rosie. Please speak up. Always. We need women’s voices in the world.

I want to help get your voice out, too. We had an incredible free event with journalist, author and marketing expert Amy Shoenthal last week about how to pivot from corporate to consulting. And on Thursday, October 26 at 1 pm et, The Riveter will host a donation-based expert hour on TikTok 101. We’ll cover where to begin and how to grow. I hope you’ll join us. I hope you’ll share your story.

Next year, we’re launching a membership *all around* bringing women’s expert platforms into the world. We’re deep in creation mode now, but if you’re interested in joining us as we build, email me to discuss!

Amy