Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashli McBride.
Ashli, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I believe it was May or June of 2018 that my father, Pastor TJ McBride, got asked to preach at a megachurch in Chicago. My dad has always taught on faith, but this particular Sunday hit differently. The message was so powerful that while we were on the plane headed back to Atlanta, I volunteered to create clips of his sermon that he could post on his Instagram. That same night, I stayed up until about two in the morning trying to figure how to create the clips. I tried different apps on my phone, and I tried iMovie on my MacBook, but nothing was working on how I envisioned it.
Then I remembered an old friend telling me about Adobe Photoshop, so I immediately searched on my laptop “adobe video editing” and was introduced to Adobe Premiere Pro. Using my student discount, I downloaded the apps and created my first clip. I didn’t know how to create captions on a video or what setting to export a video that would be of good quality for social media, so I watched YouTube videos and read a few articles on those subjects. Once I finally finished the video, I sent it to my dad and went to sleep.
The next day, I woke up to the video with lots of shares, likes, and comments. My dad’s message on getting a new circle was reposted by gospel and r&b celebrities and their followers. It gained so much attention that my dad hired me on the spot and put me in charge of his social media. I knew nothing of social media at the time and wasn’t concerned with it either because I had just found this new passion for video editing. Fortunately, I was pushed by my parents to do more than only edit videos.
In August of 2018, I started my journey as the Communications Director of TJ McBride Ministries (TJMM). I managed his social media, email marketing, and created content. In 2019, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough or that my content was very stagnant. That’s when I realized I needed a refresher and to be around new ideas. If you don’t keep creativity around you, it can be easy to get bored with your passion. It’s like being in a relationship and doing the same things over and over that it becomes so routine and you get bored. I didn’t want this to end, so I chose to find a solution. To fix this, I started following other pastor accounts that had a substantial social media following like Bishop TD Jakes, Steven Furtick, Mike Todd, and many others. I would look at the content their team created and would use that as my inspiration to create content for TJMM.
To improve my skills in adobe software, I would recreate certain content or try to create different effects in premiere pro. It became a muscle that I needed to exercise every day because if I don’t challenge myself, I don’t grow. I began networking with other content creators by going to different conferences like 21 Ninety or finding events through Eventbrite. I invested in myself with equipment, software, Lynda.com, which is now called LinkedIn Learning, and “YouTube University”. I joined a membership club called the e-Brand Club by Erin Winters, who is a compelling digital storyteller. I study video editing from verified YouTubers but mainly Brittney Janae since her story is very relatable to mine, and she has become a fantastic video editor working for many celebrities. All of this contributed to where I am now, how I grew, and continue to grow.
Today, I have my own business called A. Joielle Digital, which I launched in November of 2019. I currently manage three social media accounts and create graphics and content for individuals on the side. I fell in love with creating content, editing videos, graphic design, and helping others with their digital presence on social media. Now, I plan on growing my brand and my business all 2020 so I can eventually do more in the entertainment industry.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This journey was a process. I failed plenty of times, but that is just part of learning. Like I stated before, I came into this as a video editor. I didn’t know anything about algorithms, insights, and email campaigns. I didn’t know about monetizing, subscriptions, and newsletters. I especially didn’t know about scheduling apps, graphic design, or software like adobe and Canva. Even with video editing, I was still learning from square one.
I was pushed into something I was not prepared for, and that was scary at first because now I had a responsibility to appeal to an audience that was somewhat unfamiliar to me. But I did it anyway. I taught myself how to create better videos, how to create graphics, how to use adobe software, how to appeal to different audiences, how to read insights, and a lot more “how to’s.” There isn’t always a specific way to start, and sometimes you’re forced to jump. That one video I created turned into me creating lots of content for others.
My advice to anyone reading this is to change your perspective. I used to fear failure until I changed my perspective on what failure is. Failure is something that didn’t work, and you now know how to make it work. That’s all. It’s not a negative thing; it’s just another way of learning how to do something better. When you’re unsure of something, there is always a solution, a lesson, teaching, or a video somewhere on the internet. There is no excuse not to grow when you have the resources to improve, like having a smartphone and access to google.com. Don’t expect perfection when you’re first starting. The greats do not become the greats after one year. They become great with consistency and improvement. An important lesson that I’ve learned is that you will never have all of your “ducks in a row.” Everything you need to start, you already have. This year, make it happen.
I am not at my best yet, but I have learned to appreciate the growth in every stage for myself. When you remain consistent and chose to grow, others will notice and your gift will make room for you.
Please tell us about A. Joielle Digital.
In the simplest terms, digital strategy focuses on improving businesses with the use of technology on digital platforms such as websites, blogs, newsletters, social media, television, etc. I am a digital strategist that specializes in social media management. A. Joielle Digital (AJD) is my digital strategy platform, and I offer different services to help businesses, brands, and individuals improve through social media.
I am most proud of my growth and what I am capable of creating. I didn’t have much of a plan for myself after I graduate in May 2020, so to have this as my foundation and base for where I want to go in my career is nothing but a blessing. I am also proud that I have clients who trust me with their brand, which will also build my resume.
What sets me apart from the others is that this is truly a passion of mine. I could do this forever and wouldn’t complain because this is something I enjoy. Creating is the best gift God gave us, and I’m just so grateful that I get to do it and get paid for it! Creating has become my livelihood, so I work hard, knowing that what I do now affects my future and my future family. My career goals include the entertainment industry, so my work is my life right now. I am determined to be the best me I can be in my field.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women, and especially Black women, have so many opportunities in today’s time. It’s incredible how many women are entrepreneurs, CEO’s, Editor in Chief, in a political office or a ranked high executive. We love to see it! Whatever position it may be, a woman can fulfill it and exceed the expectations. I feel that more women need to be in positions of power and particularly in political office.
Our government is too white and too male. This country is a salad bowl filled with differences, and that should reflect in our government and who we elect to represent us. The answer to that is women like Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sharice Davids, Rashida Talib, Stacey Abrams, and many more. I am proud of the women in political offices that choose to stand by the people they represent. We need more of that desperately.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ajoielle.com
- Email: contact@ajoielle.com
- Instagram: ajoielle.digital
- Other: Personal Instagram @ajoielle
Image Credit:
@ajoielle @tjmcbrideministries
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