Our Digital Marketing Agency: Staying Safe and Working 

Website Depot is still working. Right now, the fires continue across Southern California. Fortunately, we are all OK. Danny Star, CEO and Founder closed the office for the rest of the week. Each of us at our omnichannel digital marketing agency are working from home or, in some cases, the place to which we evacuated. However, no matter what, we keep working for our clients. 

As I write this, I have my “to go” bag packed next to my laptop. I don’t anticipate having to evacuate, but I didn’t anticipate any of the rest of this, either.  When I step outside, I can taste the smoke. That’s from fires near and far. As awful as this is, it’s made me realize, again, just how much I love this city. I know I’m not alone in that at Website Depot. The city will, in time, bounce back. We’ll be working all the while. 

What You Can Expect From Us 

We understand that our clients rely on us. When they sign with us, they have an expectation that we’ll keep working for them come what may. Speaking for myself, working for our clients right now is a relief. It is genuinely helpful. It takes my mind off of the fires, the fear, all of it. Moreover, I understand that I’m helping both our clients as well as our company. I know I’m not alone in that, either. 

So, while we may not be in the office, our work hasn’t stopped. Indeed, it hasn’t even paused. We’re still working, holding meetings, writing, editing, filming, strategizing, and so forth. If our clients have any questions or concerns, we’re here to answer them. 

That said, we’re also very grateful for all of our clients and past clients who reached out to us with kind words. Those are very appreciated during this time. 

Organizations and Resources 

We’ve been asked what people can do who are concerned. As a LA-based company, the first thing we can say is that, if you don’t have to go somewhere, don’t. Stay inside. The air quality is genuinely hazardous. If you still have masks, put those on when you go somewhere. But, hopefully by Friday (or Saturday at the latest), some semblance of normalcy can return. 

If you are outside of LA or just want to donate, there are many great groups that you can research and contribute to. With a tip of the cap to the good people at “We Like L.A.,” 

GoFundMe has put together all of the fundraisers that have been verified due to this time. Unfortunately, there are those who would use this tragedy for their profit and/or to push a vile agenda. 

The Mutual Aid LA Network put all of their local resources together into one Google Spreadsheet. This sheet has shelters, distribution hubs, places that animals can be boarded up, and more. Beyond that, it also has places that are looking for donations and volunteers. Every little bit helps, as you might imagine. 

The first responders have been and will contribute to be, in every sense of the word, heroes. Local food trucks and World Central Kitchen have come together to serve warm meals to first responders as well as some residents who have been displaced due to the fires. 

I personally have not done this, but many swear by the app “Watch Duty.” This seems to cover just about everything about the fire that someone in the area may need to know. Updates, alerts, evacuation as well as evacuation warning zones – it’s all there. 

A Digital Marketing Agency That’s Still Here No Matter What 

More of these are going to come along as this goes. While I’m proud to live and work in LA, I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The best thing to come out of my hometown is Mr. Rogers. His words are always appropriate at times like these: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” 

It’s too early to talk about how “we’ll all get through this” or something of that nature. Even as I was writing this blog, I got a false notification that it was time for me to evacuate. It was retracted by the authorities and I’m back to finish the blog. But, here’s the thing: I was going to finish it anyway. 

That’s the way we do things here at Website Depot. We can’t control what’s going on in the world, but we can control what we do. That was true during the pandemic, that was true during times of recession, and it’s true today. It’ll be true tomorrow, too, no matter what. Stay safe and be well.