October 29, 2024 • 17 mins
Wondering how to promote your small to mid-sized city? Tune in to hear how Livability can help, plus the perks of living in a smaller city, highlights of our research on American relocation and what we want when it comes to where we live.
Resources mentioned:
Livability’s Relocation Research
Livability’s Talent Attraction Newsletter
Have Livability Speak at Your Next Event
At Livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid-sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs.
Be sure to subscribe so you’re alerted when we release new episodes. Learn more about us at LivabilityMedia.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email host Amanda Ellis at aellis@livability.com.
Inside America’s Best Cities is produced by SpeakEasy Productions.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Amanda [00:00:07]:
(00:01):
Our clients are getting a lot of play at livability.com with their content, but it's also a lot bigger than that with us really taking a thought leadership perspective on places and really being a resource for people on that next great place to live, whether that's for them to work remotely from, you know, find a new job, retire, look for somewhere, maybe their money is going to go the farthest. All of that good stuff. That's the voice of me, Amanda Ellis. I'm your host of this podcast, but in this episode, we're turning the tables and putting me in the hot seat as the interviewee. My colleague Jordan takes on the interviewer role as we discuss our work at Livability Media and how we promote small and mid-sized cities, getting them in front of talent and the people that they want to reach. We also chat about the unique benefits of living in a smaller city and some of the highlights of our research on American relocation, and what we want when it comes to where we live. I'm Amanda Ellis, and you're listening to Inside America's Best Cities, a podcast for Chamber, Economic Development, and Talent Attraction professionals. Learn more about this podcast at livabilitymedia.com, and with that, let's jump in. Welcome, Jordan, to Inside America's Best Cities. This is the first time I've ever gotten to have one of my coworkers, and we're actually turning the tables today, and you are going to be interviewing me.
Jordan [00:01:31]:
I'm very excited to learn a little bit more about you, Amanda, and have our audience learn a little bit more about you first. My name is Jordan Moore. I'm Executive Vice President here with Livability Media. I'm a big listener to your podcast, to our podcast. But, you know, I've listened to you talk to so many different guests and organizations on the pod, but very excited to be interviewing you today, obviously, with Livability. Can you tell our audience a little bit more about what Livability is?
Amanda [00:01:56]:
Sure. We do get to talk to a lot of great people, so hopefully my being the interviewee will hold up to everyone else that we've gotten to talk to. At livability, though, we are all about small to mid sized cities in a nutshell, telling their stories, promoting them, and really just letting people know about all those great, under their radar cities across the country.
Jordan [00:02:17]:
Very cool. Can you tell the audience a little bit more about how we work with our clients?
Amanda [00:02:22]:
So typically we're going to be working with chambers or Edo's in communities across the country on content marketing that's really specific to talent attraction. So we do that through both print as well as digital platforms. So our print publications, we're doing all the heavy lifting and you're getting a newsstand quality product that really has all the most up to date information, all of the best stories that you really love about your community and the things that you would really want to push out to maybe someone who doesn't live there yet, people who want to get more information, all of that good stuff. And that also has digital tie in via our Liveability.com site, which is really one of the most unique things about working with us.
Jordan [00:03:06]:
Well tell our audience a little bit more about Livability.com and how they can find it, what they'd find if they get to it.
Amanda [00:03:11]:
Yes. So I'm the editor in chief for Livability.com, in addition to getting to do some fun extra things like hosting this podcast. But the biggest thing a lot of our listeners may be familiar with is one of our biggest pieces of content every year@Livability.com. comma our top 100 best places to live in the US. Every year we go through a very intense data driven process to identify 100 small to mid sized cities that we consider to be the best places to live in in a given year. But in general, our clients are getting a lot of play@livability.com with their content. But it's also a lot bigger than that with us really taking a thought leadership perspective on places and really being a resource for people on that next great place to live, whether that's for them to work remotely from, you know, find a new job, retire, look for somewhere, maybe their money is going to go the farthest. All of that good stuff.
Amanda [00:04:05]:
In a given year, we're reaching millions of people with that content, including that specific audience I mentioned of people looking to make those changes in a new place. And we know those are the people we're reaching from the types of search terms that tend to land people on our site, showing their people that do have relocation top of mind. So not only providing this content for the groups that we work with, but also giving it that platform where it can really reach the exact people that they want to reach around the country and even the world is really what makes working with us unique.
Jordan [00:04:36]:
Sounds pretty fun to get to cover and learn so much about different places all across the country. In your opinion, what sets smaller, mid-sized cities apart when it comes to attracting talent?
Amanda [00:04:47]:
I love talking about this because there are several really strong reasons that I think they can be an equally as good or even better place to be starting your life or living your life in some of our country's largest metros. So some of those are in a smaller or more medium sized city, it tends to be a lot easier to get involved, get connected, really even connect with the movers and shakers in a place can be easier to grow. When you think about being the big fish in the smaller pond instead of the small fish in the big pond, so to speak, can definitely have its perks. An obvious one is they do tend to be more affordable, tend to be a little bit easier to get around. Nobody likes traffic, right? And also, nowadays, most smaller cities still have plenty of amenities and most of what you might want. And if there's something it doesn't have, many of them are still going to be within, you know, one to 3 hours of a bigger city where you could access anything that might not be immediately available that you might want. And lastly, just being able to build, you know, kind of tying into what I was talking about, being able to get connected a little more easily, just being able to build a little bit stronger sense of community, meaning and balance. A lot of larger cities do tend to be a lot more transient, with people kind of coming and going a lot or just not really staying that long, and therefore not really seeing as much point or even opportunity to invest in a really significant way. And I think that a smaller place offers that much more.
Jordan [00:06:15]:
You just kind of spoke on it. But, you know, a lot of cities have public arts and colleges and great restaurants and downtowns and affordable, etc. etc., but in your opinion, what makes a place truly special?
(00:22):
Amanda [00:06:27]:
That's a great question because it's so true. Like, a lot of great places do have a lot of those similar things and amenities. So I like to think of those as sort of a baseline. Like, they're definitely important to have those cool or interesting things that make your community give it vibrancy. But in my experience, what really makes a place special is it really is true. And I think we can all relate to this, thinking about places we've lived or places we've been, that every place kind of has its own vibe, and it's sort of intangible. So I don't know that it's something you can necessarily create intentionally, maybe over a lot of time, but every place really does have their own feel that, you know, some people are going to connect to more than others, like anything. But I think that is a big one.
Amanda [00:07:13]:
And I also think it's just in a way, our own experiences that really connect us with a place. And if you think about your own experiences, that's what makes places special to you, right? It's the memories you have there, the experience, experiences you have there, how you felt kind of going back to that vibe factor. So you can't always necessarily, like, force that or create it intentionally. But I think that's a really big piece of it and also ties into, you know, it's also what you're able to put into a place that can make it special to you. Going back to more of an ability to do that in some of our smaller cities. So those are a few things that I think, you know, set places apart, even though in a way, a lot of them do have similar amenities and similar cool factors.
Jordan [00:07:54]:
Couldn't agree more. And especially getting those stories out so people know about them and feeling that, so that other people can come experience that uniqueness about a place, in your opinion, or through Livability, what are some of the common triggers that are leading people to relocating?
Amanda [00:08:09]:
So we do a lot of our own research at livability on why people make relocation decisions, what they're looking for when they're deciding if a place would be a good fit for them. And the most common triggers for relocation that we've seen over some years of different iterations of this research, things that you would probably guess, work related reasons, school related reasons, family. So I always joke with that one that it is trying to get closer to family. I guess depending on how you feel about your family, maybe you want to get far away, but making those decisions to be closer, trying to save money in a new location, potentially. We talked about the affordability differences between some of our larger metros and one that is a little bit apart from those that I do think we all still relate to just being able to get a fresh start. We do see a good portion of moves are related to just wanting to try something different, try something new, get something fresh.
Jordan [00:09:02]:
So when they're deciding where they should go, what are some of the top priorities for that audience, and what are some of the things they're looking for in a place to call home?
Amanda [00:09:12]:
So we see the things that are top of mind for people. Like, the four main factors when they're looking at a place and are like, hmm, do I think I would like living here? Or the first thing they would consider, even if they were looking at, like, a list of places and deciding in between which we do still see some remote workers doing, like, I could go, you know, it could go anywhere. Now what, what would that be sure. So again, we've talked about affordability a lot, but that's a big one. What's affordability look like in that place? What does cost of living look like in that place, you know, compared to where you're at, what your budget is, all of those things that we all have to think about. We talked about family a little bit. That is a big one, too, that people look at, proximity to family, friends, loved ones. Climate is also a big one.
Amanda [00:09:54]:
So we want to see our preferred weather, preferred temps reflected in a place. So, you know, for example, I hate to pick on winter, but if you hate, you know, winter, you're probably going to be looking at places that that's a little more mild than others and reflecting your preferences with that. And another thing that we've seen, especially during and after the pandemic, is just the amount of living space and kind of relating back to costs, like just what are you able to get for your money? And more, of course, is better.
Jordan [00:10:20]:
Well, how important are having job opportunities versus quality of life when people are making relocation decisions? Do people really up and move without a job? We're here in Franklin, right outside south of Nashville. A lot of people are coming this way, not necessarily with the job in mind.
Amanda [00:10:36]:
Yeah, well, a lot of people are coming to Tennessee in general. We've definitely been a hotspot for some of those migration patterns. But ultimately, I don't think most people are up and moving without a job. But both factors are really important. Right. You know, your career opportunity and what you're doing there to make sure you can establish, you know, all those things we have to think about, about being able to live your life. But quality of life is also very important. So most people do have that practical concern of their job or income, but at the same time, you know, if you think about yourself, you wouldn't upset your whole life and make a move to somewhere that you didn't think you were going to like.
Amanda [00:11:13]:
Right. So they both are really key and tie in together. If there was a demographic that might be more likely to just sort of like make those changes and just sort of see where they landed, I think it's probably going to be some of our folks just out of college or not too far out that don't have as many obligations and could just sort of be like, oh, I'm going to try this, see where I land. If it doesn't work, I'll go back home. So, I mean, I do think there's a small portion of people that might be open to that. But ultimately, you know, I think it's really a balance. And when I say quality of life too, I don't necessarily mean just the fun aspects of quality of life, like things to do, culture, etcetera. Although of course those are important too, but also just the basics that really going to being able to have a good life somewhere, you know, housing, healthcare, schools, infrastructure, all of that's part of the picture.
Jordan [00:12:00]:
(00:43):
Well, why don't you tell the audience a little bit about your background prior to joining Livability?
Amanda [00:12:05]:
Yeah, so I've been on the livability team for about three years now, I guess, and I so livability space in Franklin, near Nashville. But. But our team is largely remote and we've actually seen people spread out to some other cool cities, which is really neat considering what we do. And I'm actually based in Chattanooga, which is 2 hours away from the Nashville area. So I worked with the chamber here, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, for a long time before coming on board livability. I was part of their marketing team, so worked on member marketing, benefits, events, publications, and really taking that marketing role of marketing our community outside of Chattanooga, which has been a really cool transition to this role where I get to work with a lot of other different communities across the country who are trying to do that same thing. And I also briefly worked at a local pr agency in between these roles. So this one's definitely been a really cool tie in of different things that I've gotten to do.
Jordan [00:13:03]:
Very cool. Well, what's the best part of your job?
Amanda [00:13:07]:
So I have two answers to this question. The first part is just getting to really, well, we don't get to visit all of the places that we get to write about, but some of them we do, and getting to really experience some of the, again, those neat places that aren't always at the top of people's radar, but really have a lot to offer. Being able to see firsthand what that is and see how passionate the people in those places are about their place and being able to help them, you know, communicate that out to the world is really cool. And secondly, I really enjoy, since I have a background in, you know, economic development marketing, I really enjoy being able to plug into that space more. So in addition to my editor in chief role for livability.com comma, I get to lead a lot of our thought leadership resources for people in the industry. So for chamber folks, economic development folks, people who are thinking about talent attraction. So not only this podcast, but we also do a monthly newsletter that covers trends and talent attraction and retention. I'll make sure that link ends up in the show notes and being able to continue to engage with that. Provide resources for those, those folks and help them reach the mission and the goals that they're trying to reach. It's definitely a field that makes sort of an underrated impact, I think, on a lot of people's lives, and being able to be a small part of that is really cool.
Jordan [00:14:29]:
You just touched on resources there a little bit. What are some other Livability resources that our listeners might want to follow up on?
Amanda [00:14:35]:
Yes, I think I just mentioned the two that I mainly would want to mention here to this podcast, Inside America's best cities and our let's Talk Talent newsletter. And I'll make sure we get links for that. We also do. I mentioned regular research looking at different aspects of American relocation, and our newsletter is a great way to follow all those things that we're doing. One more thing, actually, that I'll mention. We also do, speaking for groups in the space, about some of that research on people's relocation decisions and patterns. You know, what really makes a place special or what makes your place special compared to others that we write about? So happy to be a resource there as well. That's always a lot of fun.
Jordan [00:15:13]:
Very cool. Well, as a listener, I know we always close with a fun question, and we know you're already based in Chattanooga. So what would be one bucket list item for someone visiting Chattanooga that they have to do have to see, have to experience?
Amanda [00:15:26]:
I have to say it is a very cute city. We're a river city, so our downtown is on the riverfront. Really pretty. Lots of outdoorsy stuff to do. I'm actually not very outdoorsy myself, so it's funny, like how much I talk about that when I'm talking about where I live, but I haven't first person engaged in a lot of it. But if I had to pick one thing, I think I would say we have a historic walking bridge downtown over the water and taking some time, especially if it's, you know, nice summer, spring or fall. Although our winters aren't bad. I'm just not a big winter person, but spending a little time outside to walk the bridge and then there's a great ice cream place on either side. So doing that and whichever side you end up on, getting some ice cream would probably be my must do if I had to pick just one.
Jordan [00:16:09]:
Well, awesome. Well, thank you so much, Amanda, for coming on our pod.
Amanda [00:16:13]:
Hey, I'm always on our pod.
But today I was in the hot seat.
Jordan [00:16:17]:
(01:04):
There you go.
Amanda [00:16:23]:
Thanks for listening to the Livability podcast, where we take you inside America's best cities. At livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow rate and review this show. Wherever you listen to podcasts, you can also learn more about us@livabilitymedia.com. have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email me at a ellisivability.com until next time. From livability, I'm Amanda Ellis, sharing the stories of America's most promising places.
Amanda [00:00:07]:
(00:01):
Our clients are getting a lot of play at livability.com with their content, but it's also a lot bigger than that with us really taking a thought leadership perspective on places and really being a resource for people on that next great place to live, whether that's for them to work remotely from, you know, find a new job, retire, look for somewhere, maybe their money is going to go the farthest. All of that good stuff. That's the voice of me, Amanda Ellis. I'm your host of this podcast, but in this episode, we're turning the tables and putting me in the hot seat as the interviewee. My colleague Jordan takes on the interviewer role as we discuss our work at Livability Media and how we promote small and mid-sized cities, getting them in front of talent and the people that they want to reach. We also chat about the unique benefits of living in a smaller city and some of the highlights of our research on American relocation, and what we want when it comes to where we live. I'm Amanda Ellis, and you're listening to Inside America's Best Cities, a podcast for Chamber, Economic Development, and Talent Attraction professionals. Learn more about this podcast at livabilitymedia.com, and with that, let's jump in. Welcome, Jordan, to Inside America's Best Cities. This is the first time I've ever gotten to have one of my coworkers, and we're actually turning the tables today, and you are going to be interviewing me.
Jordan [00:01:31]:
I'm very excited to learn a little bit more about you, Amanda, and have our audience learn a little bit more about you first. My name is Jordan Moore. I'm Executive Vice President here with Livability Media. I'm a big listener to your podcast, to our podcast. But, you know, I've listened to you talk to so many different guests and organizations on the pod, but very excited to be interviewing you today, obviously, with Livability. Can you tell our audience a little bit more about what Livability is?
Amanda [00:01:56]:
Sure. We do get to talk to a lot of great people, so hopefully my being the interviewee will hold up to everyone else that we've gotten to talk to. At livability, though, we are all about small to mid sized cities in a nutshell, telling their stories, promoting them, and really just letting people know about all those great, under their radar cities across the country.
Jordan [00:02:17]:
Very cool. Can you tell the audience a little bit more about how we work with our clients?
Amanda [00:02:22]:
So typically we're going to be working with chambers or Edo's in communities across the country on content marketing that's really specific to talent attraction. So we do that through both print as well as digital platforms. So our print publications, we're doing all the heavy lifting and you're getting a newsstand quality product that really has all the most up to date information, all of the best stories that you really love about your community and the things that you would really want to push out to maybe someone who doesn't live there yet, people who want to get more information, all of that good stuff. And that also has digital tie in via our Liveability.com site, which is really one of the most unique things about working with us.
Jordan [00:03:06]:
Well tell our audience a little bit more about Livability.com and how they can find it, what they'd find if they get to it.
Amanda [00:03:11]:
Yes. So I'm the editor in chief for Livability.com, in addition to getting to do some fun extra things like hosting this podcast. But the biggest thing a lot of our listeners may be familiar with is one of our biggest pieces of content every year@Livability.com. comma our top 100 best places to live in the US. Every year we go through a very intense data driven process to identify 100 small to mid sized cities that we consider to be the best places to live in in a given year. But in general, our clients are getting a lot of play@livability.com with their content. But it's also a lot bigger than that with us really taking a thought leadership perspective on places and really being a resource for people on that next great place to live, whether that's for them to work remotely from, you know, find a new job, retire, look for somewhere, maybe their money is going to go the farthest. All of that good stuff.
Amanda [00:04:05]:
In a given year, we're reaching millions of people with that content, including that specific audience I mentioned of people looking to make those changes in a new place. And we know those are the people we're reaching from the types of search terms that tend to land people on our site, showing their people that do have relocation top of mind. So not only providing this content for the groups that we work with, but also giving it that platform where it can really reach the exact people that they want to reach around the country and even the world is really what makes working with us unique.
Jordan [00:04:36]:
Sounds pretty fun to get to cover and learn so much about different places all across the country. In your opinion, what sets smaller, mid-sized cities apart when it comes to attracting talent?
Amanda [00:04:47]:
I love talking about this because there are several really strong reasons that I think they can be an equally as good or even better place to be starting your life or living your life in some of our country's largest metros. So some of those are in a smaller or more medium sized city, it tends to be a lot easier to get involved, get connected, really even connect with the movers and shakers in a place can be easier to grow. When you think about being the big fish in the smaller pond instead of the small fish in the big pond, so to speak, can definitely have its perks. An obvious one is they do tend to be more affordable, tend to be a little bit easier to get around. Nobody likes traffic, right? And also, nowadays, most smaller cities still have plenty of amenities and most of what you might want. And if there's something it doesn't have, many of them are still going to be within, you know, one to 3 hours of a bigger city where you could access anything that might not be immediately available that you might want. And lastly, just being able to build, you know, kind of tying into what I was talking about, being able to get connected a little more easily, just being able to build a little bit stronger sense of community, meaning and balance. A lot of larger cities do tend to be a lot more transient, with people kind of coming and going a lot or just not really staying that long, and therefore not really seeing as much point or even opportunity to invest in a really significant way. And I think that a smaller place offers that much more.
Jordan [00:06:15]:
You just kind of spoke on it. But, you know, a lot of cities have public arts and colleges and great restaurants and downtowns and affordable, etc. etc., but in your opinion, what makes a place truly special?
(00:22):
Amanda [00:06:27]:
That's a great question because it's so true. Like, a lot of great places do have a lot of those similar things and amenities. So I like to think of those as sort of a baseline. Like, they're definitely important to have those cool or interesting things that make your community give it vibrancy. But in my experience, what really makes a place special is it really is true. And I think we can all relate to this, thinking about places we've lived or places we've been, that every place kind of has its own vibe, and it's sort of intangible. So I don't know that it's something you can necessarily create intentionally, maybe over a lot of time, but every place really does have their own feel that, you know, some people are going to connect to more than others, like anything. But I think that is a big one.
Amanda [00:07:13]:
And I also think it's just in a way, our own experiences that really connect us with a place. And if you think about your own experiences, that's what makes places special to you, right? It's the memories you have there, the experience, experiences you have there, how you felt kind of going back to that vibe factor. So you can't always necessarily, like, force that or create it intentionally. But I think that's a really big piece of it and also ties into, you know, it's also what you're able to put into a place that can make it special to you. Going back to more of an ability to do that in some of our smaller cities. So those are a few things that I think, you know, set places apart, even though in a way, a lot of them do have similar amenities and similar cool factors.
Jordan [00:07:54]:
Couldn't agree more. And especially getting those stories out so people know about them and feeling that, so that other people can come experience that uniqueness about a place, in your opinion, or through Livability, what are some of the common triggers that are leading people to relocating?
Amanda [00:08:09]:
So we do a lot of our own research at livability on why people make relocation decisions, what they're looking for when they're deciding if a place would be a good fit for them. And the most common triggers for relocation that we've seen over some years of different iterations of this research, things that you would probably guess, work related reasons, school related reasons, family. So I always joke with that one that it is trying to get closer to family. I guess depending on how you feel about your family, maybe you want to get far away, but making those decisions to be closer, trying to save money in a new location, potentially. We talked about the affordability differences between some of our larger metros and one that is a little bit apart from those that I do think we all still relate to just being able to get a fresh start. We do see a good portion of moves are related to just wanting to try something different, try something new, get something fresh.
Jordan [00:09:02]:
So when they're deciding where they should go, what are some of the top priorities for that audience, and what are some of the things they're looking for in a place to call home?
Amanda [00:09:12]:
So we see the things that are top of mind for people. Like, the four main factors when they're looking at a place and are like, hmm, do I think I would like living here? Or the first thing they would consider, even if they were looking at, like, a list of places and deciding in between which we do still see some remote workers doing, like, I could go, you know, it could go anywhere. Now what, what would that be sure. So again, we've talked about affordability a lot, but that's a big one. What's affordability look like in that place? What does cost of living look like in that place, you know, compared to where you're at, what your budget is, all of those things that we all have to think about. We talked about family a little bit. That is a big one, too, that people look at, proximity to family, friends, loved ones. Climate is also a big one.
Amanda [00:09:54]:
So we want to see our preferred weather, preferred temps reflected in a place. So, you know, for example, I hate to pick on winter, but if you hate, you know, winter, you're probably going to be looking at places that that's a little more mild than others and reflecting your preferences with that. And another thing that we've seen, especially during and after the pandemic, is just the amount of living space and kind of relating back to costs, like just what are you able to get for your money? And more, of course, is better.
Jordan [00:10:20]:
Well, how important are having job opportunities versus quality of life when people are making relocation decisions? Do people really up and move without a job? We're here in Franklin, right outside south of Nashville. A lot of people are coming this way, not necessarily with the job in mind.
Amanda [00:10:36]:
Yeah, well, a lot of people are coming to Tennessee in general. We've definitely been a hotspot for some of those migration patterns. But ultimately, I don't think most people are up and moving without a job. But both factors are really important. Right. You know, your career opportunity and what you're doing there to make sure you can establish, you know, all those things we have to think about, about being able to live your life. But quality of life is also very important. So most people do have that practical concern of their job or income, but at the same time, you know, if you think about yourself, you wouldn't upset your whole life and make a move to somewhere that you didn't think you were going to like.
Amanda [00:11:13]:
Right. So they both are really key and tie in together. If there was a demographic that might be more likely to just sort of like make those changes and just sort of see where they landed, I think it's probably going to be some of our folks just out of college or not too far out that don't have as many obligations and could just sort of be like, oh, I'm going to try this, see where I land. If it doesn't work, I'll go back home. So, I mean, I do think there's a small portion of people that might be open to that. But ultimately, you know, I think it's really a balance. And when I say quality of life too, I don't necessarily mean just the fun aspects of quality of life, like things to do, culture, etcetera. Although of course those are important too, but also just the basics that really going to being able to have a good life somewhere, you know, housing, healthcare, schools, infrastructure, all of that's part of the picture.
Jordan [00:12:00]:
(00:43):
Well, why don't you tell the audience a little bit about your background prior to joining Livability?
Amanda [00:12:05]:
Yeah, so I've been on the livability team for about three years now, I guess, and I so livability space in Franklin, near Nashville. But. But our team is largely remote and we've actually seen people spread out to some other cool cities, which is really neat considering what we do. And I'm actually based in Chattanooga, which is 2 hours away from the Nashville area. So I worked with the chamber here, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, for a long time before coming on board livability. I was part of their marketing team, so worked on member marketing, benefits, events, publications, and really taking that marketing role of marketing our community outside of Chattanooga, which has been a really cool transition to this role where I get to work with a lot of other different communities across the country who are trying to do that same thing. And I also briefly worked at a local pr agency in between these roles. So this one's definitely been a really cool tie in of different things that I've gotten to do.
Jordan [00:13:03]:
Very cool. Well, what's the best part of your job?
Amanda [00:13:07]:
So I have two answers to this question. The first part is just getting to really, well, we don't get to visit all of the places that we get to write about, but some of them we do, and getting to really experience some of the, again, those neat places that aren't always at the top of people's radar, but really have a lot to offer. Being able to see firsthand what that is and see how passionate the people in those places are about their place and being able to help them, you know, communicate that out to the world is really cool. And secondly, I really enjoy, since I have a background in, you know, economic development marketing, I really enjoy being able to plug into that space more. So in addition to my editor in chief role for livability.com comma, I get to lead a lot of our thought leadership resources for people in the industry. So for chamber folks, economic development folks, people who are thinking about talent attraction. So not only this podcast, but we also do a monthly newsletter that covers trends and talent attraction and retention. I'll make sure that link ends up in the show notes and being able to continue to engage with that. Provide resources for those, those folks and help them reach the mission and the goals that they're trying to reach. It's definitely a field that makes sort of an underrated impact, I think, on a lot of people's lives, and being able to be a small part of that is really cool.
Jordan [00:14:29]:
You just touched on resources there a little bit. What are some other Livability resources that our listeners might want to follow up on?
Amanda [00:14:35]:
Yes, I think I just mentioned the two that I mainly would want to mention here to this podcast, Inside America's best cities and our let's Talk Talent newsletter. And I'll make sure we get links for that. We also do. I mentioned regular research looking at different aspects of American relocation, and our newsletter is a great way to follow all those things that we're doing. One more thing, actually, that I'll mention. We also do, speaking for groups in the space, about some of that research on people's relocation decisions and patterns. You know, what really makes a place special or what makes your place special compared to others that we write about? So happy to be a resource there as well. That's always a lot of fun.
Jordan [00:15:13]:
Very cool. Well, as a listener, I know we always close with a fun question, and we know you're already based in Chattanooga. So what would be one bucket list item for someone visiting Chattanooga that they have to do have to see, have to experience?
Amanda [00:15:26]:
I have to say it is a very cute city. We're a river city, so our downtown is on the riverfront. Really pretty. Lots of outdoorsy stuff to do. I'm actually not very outdoorsy myself, so it's funny, like how much I talk about that when I'm talking about where I live, but I haven't first person engaged in a lot of it. But if I had to pick one thing, I think I would say we have a historic walking bridge downtown over the water and taking some time, especially if it's, you know, nice summer, spring or fall. Although our winters aren't bad. I'm just not a big winter person, but spending a little time outside to walk the bridge and then there's a great ice cream place on either side. So doing that and whichever side you end up on, getting some ice cream would probably be my must do if I had to pick just one.
Jordan [00:16:09]:
Well, awesome. Well, thank you so much, Amanda, for coming on our pod.
Amanda [00:16:13]:
Hey, I'm always on our pod.
But today I was in the hot seat.
Jordan [00:16:17]:
(01:04):
There you go.
Amanda [00:16:23]:
Thanks for listening to the Livability podcast, where we take you inside America's best cities. At livability, we highlight the unsung awesomeness of small and mid sized cities across the country. We also partner with communities to reach their target companies and potential residents through digital content and print magazine programs. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow rate and review this show. Wherever you listen to podcasts, you can also learn more about us@livabilitymedia.com. have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email me at a ellisivability.com until next time. From livability, I'm Amanda Ellis, sharing the stories of America's most promising places.
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