Since starting my company, I get a lot of questions on what running a business is like. I’m often asked how I got started, what it’s like working for myself, and how to balance it all. This is Part II of answering some frequently asked questions. This set came from reader and friend Aislinn. 🙂 See Part I here! Let’s go!
Q: What type/title position did you begin your career with? Did you have previous experience or did you learn more on the job? I know you began with Boston Burger Co. and read about your transition into your current business, but I’m more so interested in how you landed there and where the journey in marketing really began for you.
A: I always enjoy telling people that I have my Bachelor’s in Spanish. I had all intentions of entering a Master’s program for legal translation, but by the time I graduated my plans changed. I did use my degree for the first few years out of college, but as my interests and jobs changed, so did my career path. And meanwhile, I had started my healthy living blog which was a huge part of why I eventually took an interest in all things marketing. My initial job at Boston Burger Company was actually a hybrid sales & marketing role for their salsa brand, and while in that role, I convinced them to let me take over their social media. No one was really running it, and at the time, Instagram was becoming so huge that it was a waste not to be utilizing the platform. During this time, the team saw that my greatest strengths were on the marketing side, and I slowly took on more projects. Eventually they created the role of “Director of Marketing” which was the position I was in before I went out on my own. There are more answers to this here!
Q: On that same topic, how did you market yourself to positions? I find experience has been key, but for someone with limited experience, I’ve always felt capable and confident enough in myself that I could learn the things I needed to succeed after securing on job. Was there a certain way you highlighted your abilities to potential jobs that you think was key in getting you where you are?
A: At any job I’ve held, I’ve always been someone to ask for more projects and take on more responsibilities. I don’t like to be idle, so I was always eager to be doing something in addition to my usual work. A huge part of it is curiosity, but also expressing the willingness to learn, that people will recognize. As far as finding work for my current business, the vast majority of my projects have been word of mouth while a good chunk has been through Upwork.com, a fantastic resource for freelancers.
Q: What creative marketing skills do you find the most valuable and/or useful? Whether this be using an editing software, photography, writing, analytics, etc. In other words, what is something most worthwhile learning?
A: I think it depends on what kind of marketing role you’re in, but in my opinion, it’s the ability to write. We’ll never not have to use words to express ourselves, whether that’s in writing blog posts, sales copy, newsletters, advertisements, etc. Learn how to write, and learn how to write well. Best way to do that? READ more!!! Or be super dorky like me and actually buy books on grammar and vocabulary. 😉
Q: What do you wish you had known before entering marketing?
A: There are times when I wish I had taken some marketing courses in college, but to be honest, I don’t think I even knew what marketing was until I was already doing it for my blog. To me, marketing is learning the psychology of how people work and what makes them interested in specific things. Learning how to pique someone’s interest and make them take a specific action is what you have to figure it out.
Q: What are your best pro-tips to new marketers? This can be related to the job itself, life in general, or anything in between.
A: A BIG piece of advice — seeing as how I did not major in anything related to what I do now — is that YOU CAN LEARN SO MUCH ON THE INTERNET!!! All caps because it’s true!! I would never tell anyone not to go to college, but holy moly, between online courses, podcasts, webinars, YouTube, and blogs…it’s a gold mine of education.
Hope these answers helped some of you! Always feel free to send more my way! <3