Erin Balsa

Content Marketing Consultant and Writer 

Navattic

Marketing Advisor

Haus of Bold

I help sales-led B2B SaaS startups in four key areas:

1. People: Hire and train full-time content marketers
2. Process: Build and optimize content marketing processes
3. Strategy: Develop a narrative-led content strategy
4. Execution: Create bold content 

Happy clients include Showpad, Intellum, SurveyCTO, monday.com and more. 

hausofbold.com

Fractional Director of Content Marketing 

The Predictive Index

The Predictive Index is an Inc. 5000 B2B SaaS startup in the HR tech/human capital management space. 

I led a 12-person team made up of editorial, graphic design, media production, and digital learning professionals. 

In 2021, PI added 2,400+ new clients and 500 new PI partners—with content playing a central role in acquisition, onboarding, activation, and retention. We also increased our high-intent hand raiser leads by 102% in 2021.

Marketing Director — Content Marketing & Brand

I grew the content team from 1 to 8 full-time employees and built an iterative, narrative-led content strategy that helped us hit our aggressive marketing goals month over month. 

Our creative content campaigns drove millions in revenue during this time period. One research report, The 2020 Remote Work Report, helped us close 114 opportunities and drove $680k in revenue.

Head of Content Marketing 

As a content team of one, I built PI's content marketing engine from the ground up. 

During this time, I worked with the executive team to write the 50-page Ultimate Guide to Talent Optimization and talent optimization market map. We used these assets to launch a new discipline (talent optimization), and rebrand our product (talent optimization platform), helping us grow from seed to Series A ($50M).

Content Marketing Manager

Erin Balsa Content Marketing

Occasional freelance writer, editor, and content strategist for B2B, B2C, and D2C brands in various industries including Software & Services, Fashion, Food & Drink, and Media. 

Clients include Shinesty, Kindred Bravely, Mightier, Accord, Rhode Island Monthly, Boston Magazine, Parents Magazine, VONA (and many more).

erinbalsa.com

Editor, Writer & Content Strategist

Brafton Inc.

Brafton is the largest content marketing agency in the United States.

I was promoted to lead the Boston editorial department, overseeing all content managers, editors, and writers. In addition to managing writer resources (to the 30-minute unit), I sourced and screened talent, trained all new employees on content marketing best practices, and traveled to meet with clients. I also wrote for the Brafton blog and edited copy to build our authority as trusted a content marketing partner.

Managing Editor, Content Marketing

I managed a team of 15 full-time content marketing writers. In addition to coaching my team and assigning work, I edited copy for 100+ clients including SMBs, early-stage startups, and Fortune 500s.

Section Editor, Content Marketing

Providence Media

Providence Media publishes four monthly lifestyle magazines. 

I edited four print magazines per month, which entailed: 

- Community-based listening to understand trending topics
- Planning issues and coming up with good stories to tell
- Managing the editorial calendar
- Assigning work to freelance writers
- Writing cover lines, headlines, and articles
- Editing copy (I did all first round edits)
- Proofing copy

Assistant Editor

Collaborative for Educational Services

I led IEP meetings for incarcerated students ages 18-22 and advocated for out-of-district students in DYS and DMH placements. In summer, I taught at DYS facilities.

Educational Team Liaison

Girls of Gold

I co-founded a scrap gold buying business. We purchased broken, unwanted gold jewelry at gold buying parties and re-sold it to a smelter.

Co-Founder

Kennedy-Donovan Center

I supervised individual home share placements.

Case Manager

Justice Resource Institute

I managed direct care workers at Meadowridge Academy, a residential school for students with behavioral difficulties and complex trauma histories.

Assistant Manager

I build and execute content marketing strategies for sales-led B2B SaaS startups that sell complex, enterprise-ready solutions.

Hey! You landed on my profile, which means one of three things:

1. You want to sell me something 
2. You know me in real life
3. You want to create better content

If you’re a two or three, make yourself comfortable — I'm happy you're here!

Looking for a director-level content pro who can help your B2B SaaS startup create content that builds loyal fans and drives business results?

I'm a builder, strategist, and doer. And I'm obsessed with metrics that matter, like: 

- Pipeline generation: I helped increase high-intent request demo leads by 102% in a year. 
- Revenue creation: One of my research report campaigns drove $680K in closed won revenue.
- Happiness quotient: I assume positive intent, lead with empathy, and try to be a joy to work with.

My 13+ year professional content marketing journey took me from writing a personal blog to leading a 12-person content marketing engine at The Predictive Index (an Inc. 5000 HR Tech startup). In January of 2022 I took a leap of faith and went out on my own as a Fractional Director of Content Marketing. 

Three-and-a-half years later, and I have codified my expertise into a repeatable system I use with clients:

🔮 The Bland to Bold Framework helps B2B marketers create content that stands out and builds trust — so they make it onto their ideal buyers’ Day One Lists. It breaks bold content down into four key elements: originality, novelty, proof, and depth. Each element is represented by its own spectrum. 

🔮 The Bland to Bold Content Assessment™ is a 27-question survey that allows me to measure a brand’s content for originality, novelty, proof, and depth. Each question represents one content marketing competency, and the output is a list of strengths and gaps. 

🔮 The Bland to Bold Blueprint is a customized action plan that outlines a path forward, based on your assessment results. (Lots of people think they need to create more content when really they need to take a step back and build a stronger foundation.)

🔮 Execution is where I roll up my sleeves and get shit done! Because an action plan is just words on a page.

If you've made it this far, why not say hello? 

To avoid any generic banana "I see we both work in advertising services" messages, let's play two truths and a lie. One of these statements is false:

- I've been held up at gunpoint.
- I've traveled to 10 countries this year.
- I've taken roadkill to the taxidermist. 

Have a great day (or have the day you deserve, depending on the circumstances)!

Content Marketing Consultant

I build and execute content marketing strategies for sales-led B2B SaaS startups that sell complex, enterprise-ready solutions. 

Unlike some strategists and agencies, I don't hand you a content strategy and say, "Best of luck!" I ensure your success by helping across four buckets:

▶ People 
▶ Process 
▶ Strategy
▶ Execution 

Learn more and read client testimonials at: hausofbold.com

Michael Eckstein, EA

Resting Business Face

🚀 Business Consulting 🚀
No one taught you business strategy and finance. And, now that you’re working for yourself, you’re overwhelmed. 

You have the client work under control (that’s not the problem), but something about the business glue that holds it all together is escaping you. Everything you try doesn’t work. And, you’re stuck spinning your wheels. You just need the dots connected and you’ll be right back at it.

Consider me your personal dot connector. We’ll discuss your business, strategy, finances, and find the missing pieces that’ve been eluding you. And, not in a squishy business cheerleader-y way. There’s nothing cheerleader-y at Resting Business Face. We’ll be digging thru financials, reviewing processes, and uncovering hidden issues.

🏛️ Tax Compliance 🏛️
aka – reactive accounting to keep the IRS off your back

Let’s call it what it is – you don’t get your taxes done because you loveee it. You do it because the IRS told you to get your taxes done (or else).

And, you’re looking for a new accountant because your current accountant sucks. They never get back to you. They never answer your questions. And, they always make you feel like a dummy.

Well, congrats, you found me. I actually care about getting your taxes done accurately, deducting as much as legally possible, making sure you’re audit-proof, and explaining things along the way.

Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Working with Michael has been amazing. Two parts Real Talk, one part Therapy, with just a drizzle of sass. You are getting exactly what you think: the Edna Mode of Business Consulting."

"These kinds of conversations can feel overwhelming or stressful, and Michael offers such clear and actionable advice, wrapped in a fun and easy to chat with package, I wouldn’t trust anyone else as a business advisor going forward!"

Owner

Eckstein Tax Services

A local accounting practice helping Long Islanders and local small businesses with their tax returns, accounting, and tax problems. 

Services:
• Personal/Individual Tax Preparation
• Business Tax Preparation
• Outsourced Accounting/Bookkeeping
• Tax Representation and IRS Problem Solving

Big wins:
• Saved a client $24,000 using a mortgage forgiveness exclusion loophole
• Reversed an IRS bank account levy (aka they drained his accounts) and got my client on a payment plan
• Saved a client $23,000 using a NYS income sourcing loophole

Owner/Enrolled Agent

Let's just skip the whole sales-y 'About Me' section BS (you know the one, where you're just trying to figure out what their headline means but it feels like you're reading a sales page 🤢) and get straight to the point, kk?

You're here reading this because you have 5 questions.

1. Who is Michael Eckstein?
2. Why's he call himself LinkedIn's Cutest Accountant?
3. What does he do?
4. What's all that cost?
5. How can I contact him (eg, hiring him, collaborating, having him on my podcast, etc)?

🤓 𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝙀𝙘𝙠𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙞𝙣?
I'm Michael Eckstein. I'm an accountant for marketing agencies and consultants that wanna run their agencies on more than just ✨vibes✨

I've been quoted by dozens of websites, guested on podcasts, was named on CPA Practice Advisor's '40 under 40' accountants list, am the Treasurer of a local nonprofit, blah blah blah, other very impressive brags, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, etc. You get it. 

😍 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙙𝙄𝙣'𝙨 𝘾𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩?
When I started hanging out on LinkedIn, every accountant was 'The World's Most Interesting/Fun/Extroverted/Super Cool Accountant'. So, I jokingly called myself 'LinkedIn's Cutest Accountant' and it stuck.

💪 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤?
I do 2 things:
🚀 Strategic Accounting 🚀 - Implementing financial best practices and overarching business planning to improve cash flow, profitability, and overall business health (so you can finally feel comfortable in your business)
•Structured finance consulting (aka, I set strategy & keep you on task)
•Unstructured consulting (aka, you have questions; I have answers)
•Weekly guidance (aka, structured check-ins and unlimited email support)
•Year-round tax support (aka, help with all those little tax questions)

🏛️ Tax Compliance 🏛️ - Taxes, accounting, and payroll to keep your business on the IRS's good side
•Business tax returns (incl S-corps & partnerships)
•Personal tax returns (incl sole prop/SMLLC)
•Outsourced accounting

💸 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙨𝙩?
🥇 Proactive Partner: $1195/mo+
incl, weekly guidance on day-to-day issues, annual growth forecast, quarterly calls + tax essentials

🥈 Tax essentials: $300/mo+
incl, business return, personal return, quarterly estimates, and year-round tax support

🥉a la carte
•S-corp / P-ship: $2,000+
•Personal: $1,000+
•Consult: $350

📞 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢?
You can reach me by DMing me here on LinkedIn, emailing me at michael@restingbusinessface.com, or scheduling a call at restingbusinessface.com/pricing

PS, if I just sent you a connection request, I promise I won't pitch you 🤞

There's nothing wrong with $50k revenue. Or, $100k. Or, $250k. Or, $500k.

Entrepreneurial media makes it seem like you're a failure for not scaling to a gazillion dollars.

But, you probably started your business for:
💸 Flexibility
💸 Choosing who to work with
💸 More money than your last job

If you're hitting those goals, you're killing it.

#RestingBusinessFace - accounting for agencies

Tax therapist to marketing agencies 😌 | Returns filed, books kept, estimates paid, & questions answered so you can escape the ceaseless tax anxiety for like 5 min

Sunday Scaries means I don't like my job?

God forbid, a guy just wants to drink beers in the sun and not work on Monday. Like, I love helping clients with taxes. But, have you tried a beer in the sun? It's sunny and 70 here. That's so much better than taxes. 

Don't make me go inside and check email, pls 😩


#RESTINGBusinessFace - mad scared on Sundays

If Harry & David can charge this much for a pear, I can charge whatever the hell I want for a tax return, thank you very much

 #RestingBusinessFace - tax returns & therapy for marketing consultancies

Looking for a quick deduction before year-end? Let me introduce you to - paying your contractors 😍

You get:
😍 A tax deduction
😍 Fewer bills on your desk on Jan 2
😍 A warm fuzzy feeling

#RestingBusinessFace - tax returns & therapy for marketing consultancies

It's okay. Whatever tax situation you're worried about, it's okay.

😟 Haven't made quarter estimates? It's okay, you can pay them today.
😟 Haven't started running S-corp payroll? It's okay, you can get started today. 
😟 Haven't finished paying last year's bill? It's okay, you can set up an installment agreement today.
😟 Haven't filed the last few years? It's okay, you can find an accountant today.
😟 Haven't figured out how taxes work? It's okay, you can schedule a tax consult today.

It's all okay, and it'll all be okay. And, not in a 'grand scheme of the universe' way or in a 'if it doesn't matter in 5 years' way. But, in a 'we can fix this tomorrow' way. 

#RestingBusinessFace - accounting for agencies

Tax isn't a natural science. God didn't create it on the 8th day. 

Most of our tax code was written by some old guy in Congress.

There is no natural logic behind it. There's only tax logic. And, in tax logic, the answer is never what you want it to be.

(And, if we're talking CA/NY tax logic, the answer is a more straightforward 'screw yourself'.)

 #RestingBusinessFace - accounting for agencies

sometimes, I go for a hike and don't even turn it into a business lesson for LinkedIn 😌

Now is the time to look for a new tax accountant. Don't wait until tax season, especially if you want any sorta advice. You may be able to finddd an accountant during tax season. They won't have time for a calm discussion about tax planning tho. Like, I'm sure I'll take a few more simple corporate returns in January but I won't be sending any legit advisory proposals after December 15th. 

If you look now, you'll:
🤓 Get your bookkeeping caught up
🤓 Have time for year-end tax planning 
🤓 Be ready to send 1099s
🤓 Coast into tax season

If you look in February, you'll have a lot of ignored emails. 

#RestingBusinessFace - accounting for agencies

Don't wish me a Happy Holidays 😤

It's a Merry Year-end 🎅

#RestingBusinessFace - accounting for agencies

I'm not doing a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale. Maybe that's bc I would never discount my expertise or the value I provide clients. Maybe that's bc I'm miserly. We'll never know. 

Instead of a sale tho, let me lay out how I can help (at full price 😓):

In short, I help small marketing agencies & consultants (revenue < 1.5mil) manage their tax anxiety. Returns filed, books kept, estimates paid, questions answered, that sorta thing.

That typically looks like:
🤓 Starting with an intro consult(s) to bombard me with tax/finance questions. That could be anything from 'should I be an S-corp?' to 'how do I get payroll set up for a new employee?' to 'whats the difference between retirement accounts?' to 'howd you get so handsome?'
🤓 Ending the year with a tax review, where we check for planning opportunities, make sure you're using the best tax entity, and project your April tax bill
🤓 Quarterly estimate reminders before each due date with how much to pay and where (so you can prepay tax bill and avoid underpayment penalties)
🤓 Year-round tax support, for all the tax questions that pop up
🤓 Answering (and explaining) any IRS/state letters so you aren't worrying or sitting on hold with the IRS
🤓 Filing your 2025 business, personal, & state tax returns, including a QBO/Xero review to find any errors and last-minute tax planning 

That might also include bookkeeping and consulting but that's another post.

If you're looking for a tax weight off your creative shoulders or know someone that desperately needs tax help, DM me. 

And, if you aren't, where's your fav place to eat in Austin? Bc, I'm driving over in a few weeks (and your comments feed the algo, which gets this post in front of other peeps, helps me pick up new clients, pay the bills, and keep making dumb lil math jokes on this cringe lil platform). 


 #RestingBusinessFace - tax returns & therapy for marketing consultancies

The tax brackets are marginal. That means every -additional- dollar is taxed at the new rate. 

Earning into a new bracket doesn't pull allll your income into the next bracket. It only taxes the new dollars at that new rate. 

So, we don't have to aggressively spend to avoid a higher bracket. It doesn't do that much for us. Spending $10,000 won't create an outsized savings by pushing all your income into a lower bracket. It's just spending $10,000 and owing a bit lesson tax day.



** There may be some situations (like, with the Child Tax Credit, QBI, health insurance subsidy clawback, or the 'SALT torpedo') where there's an outsized savings. But, you should find an accountant with a reallyyy good calculator to help you with that.

 #RestingBusinessFace - tax returns & therapy for marketing consultancies

taplio

The Battle

Erin Balsa

Michael Eckstein, EA

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreMichael Eckstein, EA's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Erin Balsa

Michael Eckstein, EA

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Michael Eckstein, EA's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMichael Eckstein, EA's LinkedIn Performance