A Day in the Life at 316 Strategy Group: My Shadowing Experience

Marketing student Hannah McWilliams sits in the iconic orange chair during her shadowing experience at 316 Strategy Group

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Posted by 316 Team

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September 3, 2025

By Hannah McWilliams

My name is Hannah McWilliams, and I had the incredible opportunity to shadow Bailey Quarles, the social media manager at 316 Strategy Group, and spend the day with their talented marketing team. This shadowing experience at 316 Strategy Group gave me a firsthand look at what it’s really like to work inside a creative marketing agency in Omaha. From content shoots to video production, every moment was filled with energy, insight, and collaboration.

Behind the Scenes at a Creative Marketing Agency in Omaha

Hannah McWilliams capturing content with a smartphone and ring light during her social media shadowing at 316 Strategy Group — **Hands-on with content creation—Hannah experiences the tools and techniques behind 316 Strategy Group’s award-winning social media strategy.**

The day began with a team meeting where everyone discussed the week’s wins, ongoing projects, and upcoming tasks. I learned about each person’s role within the company and how their unique skills contribute to the agency’s ability to grow businesses through digital marketing and social media.

What stood out most was the genuine collaboration. Even though each team member had specific responsibilities, their teamwork and communication were essential for success. The team dynamic at 316 Strategy Group was impressive—structured, yet warm and uplifting. It was a reminder that behind every successful marketing company is a team that trusts and supports one another.

The Value of a Shadowing Experience

Hannah McWilliams speaking into a podcast microphone during her shadowing day at 316 Strategy Group — **Hannah steps into the spotlight with 316 Strategy Group’s podcast setup—experiencing the agency’s creative process firsthand.**

Spending a day shadowing a creative team is incredibly valuable for students like me who are exploring careers in marketing or media. It bridges the gap between classroom theory and real-world execution. Observing client interactions, strategy sessions, and content development offers insights you just can’t get from textbooks.

Shadowing at a marketing agency like 316 Strategy Group also helps students understand how social media strategy, brand storytelling, and creative production all work together to grow businesses. It was clear that success in this space comes from both talent and trust.

A Photoshoot Experience Like No Other

One of the most fun parts of my day was participating in a brand photo shoot around the office. I posed in front of a mirror, sat on the podcast couch, used a ring light, and even acted as an interviewer. But my favorite moment? Sitting in the iconic orange chair, a tradition for every business owner who works with Omaha's premier marketing agency.

Getting to be a part of this visual branding ritual was something I’ll never forget. It showed me how branding isn’t just about visuals; it’s also about culture, consistency, and memorable experiences.

Social Media Strategy in Action

Next, I got to spend focused time with Bailey, the social media manager at 316 Strategy Group. She walked me through her workflow, how she manages client accounts, and what metrics matter most when it comes to social media success.

I was able to see how strategic thinking, content planning, and real-time engagement all come together to support client goals. Whether it’s writing captions, planning campaigns, or tracking analytics, Bailey showed me how much thought goes into every move behind the scenes.

Content Creation at All American Burger

Brooklyn Riggles takes a bite of a burger during a video shoot at All American Burger, with Hannah McWilliams collaborating behind the scenes as part of her shadowing experience at 316 Strategy Group — Brooklyn Riggles stars in the Omaha Food Magazine video at All American Burger—filmed with support from Hannah McWilliams during her shadowing day with 316 Strategy Group, giving Hannah a firsthand look at the fast-paced world of food content creation.

My favorite off-site part of the day was having lunch with the team at All-American Burger. But this wasn’t just a casual lunch—it was a live content shoot. The team created a video reviewing the food, giving me a chance to see the full production process in action. At the time of this writing, that video had already amassed over 85,000 views for the client, which shows just how impactful strategic content can be when executed with creativity and purpose.

Each person had a role—from script ideas to camera work to editing—and it was amazing to watch them create fun, high-quality content that promotes local businesses. It helped me understand that content creation isn’t random—it’s intentional, strategic, and collaborative.

Final Reflections on Team Culture

Hannah wraps up her immersive day at 316 Strategy Group by taking the lead behind the camera—fully engaged in the agency’s creative culture and client storytelling. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with collaboration, mentorship, and hands-on learning, where she didn’t just witness the brand-building process—she became part of it.

By the end of the day, one thing was clear: 316 Strategy Group isn’t just a marketing company—it’s a family. Their team culture is built on trust, positivity, communication, and constant encouragement. They don’t just grow businesses—they grow people and relationships.

This shadowing experience helped me see what’s possible when creativity, strategy, and culture come together. I’m incredibly grateful for the warm welcome from Bailey and the entire team. Thank you for making me feel like I belonged.