The Real Truth About the First Few Years in Digital Marketing
Specials

The Real Truth About the First Few Years in Digital Marketing

4th August 2015

Our 2015 Summer Series, where we give young talent in digital marketing a chance to shine in front of State of Digital’s audience, continues today with Stephanie Lamerton from Liberty Marketing.


 

typewriterSo, you’ve heard of Confessions of a Shopaholic and Confessions of a Call Girl. Well now it’s time for the turn of the digital copywriters, and the honest ramblings of this newbie on the scene, me, Steph.

Want to know the real truth about getting a job in digital marketing and the first few years in the industry? Well, here is my tell-all biography.

Here’s A Little Background Knowledge First…

…My name is Steph and I am a 23 year old SEO copywriter in Cardiff. I work for an amazing company (it’s not bragging if it’s true) called Liberty Marketing.

We’re Wales’ largest digital marketing agency and I’m lucky enough to work with a variety of clients in numerous industries; everything from home removals services and high-priced luxury property, to big data and commercial storage solutions.

And when I’m not busy squirreling away and writing, you’ll find me hunting out a bargain online or eating sugary cupcakes at my desk of organised chaos.

So, How Did I Get into Digital?

Well, back in summer 2013, I was just finishing off my BA in Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies at Cardiff University. I’d finished my dissertation and had no exams, so I found myself twiddling my thumbs during the long wait before graduation.

However, there’s only so much Jeremy Kyle and Homes Under the Hammer a girl can take, so I decided to get up off the sofa (to grab my laptop) and get proactive!

That’s when I signed up to Go Wales, a work experience placement service for students and recent graduates, which has now sadly gone out of action. After applying for around a dozen placements throughout the South Wales area, I finally got the offer to do a few days’ work experience at Liberty Marketing.

It wasn’t until the next week when I turned up at the Cardiff office’s front doorstep that the anxious excitement kicked in. But as the saying goes, there was nothing to worry about. Everyone was kind, welcoming and I settled in really quickly.
So, well in fact, that when it came to the end of my time at the company they asked me to stay for longer. Then just before my graduation in June 2013, they offered me a job as a junior copywriter!

Admittedly, I’d applied for what seemed like thousands of job advertisements with little or no response, so I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I couldn’t believe it – I had a proper grown up job!

The Early Days in Digital

I have to admit it, I knew nothing when I first started at Liberty. Though, at the time you think you know a lot more than you do, of course.

One moment will stick in my head forever. In my first few days, my team leader Lianne asked me if I’d used a project management system before, to which I blurted out “I’ve used WordPress before”. Oh, the shame. Unsurprisingly, she took me under her wing, and with the help of my knowledgeable colleagues, they trained me up to where I am today.

I’m not going to lie, it took a lot of spelling mistakes, gentle chastising and team building nights out, but I’m now an established part of the Liberty team. But I still have plenty to learn!

Looking back now, I realise I was extremely lucky to get a job in my desired career area. I have friends from university that after months of trying gave up and are now working in banks or retail. So, I will be eternally grateful to the company for taking me on when they did.

2 Years On

Working in digital marketing is fast paced and ever-changing, one day I’ll be handling our company Twitter account (@LibertyOnlineUK) and updating our blog, the next I’ll be writing website copy for a brand new website for a promising start-up. But, I like it that way. It keeps things interesting.

It takes a lot of hard work in the first few years in digital. At points you feel like your mind is going to explode because you’ve crammed so much information in there in such a short period of time. But trust me, its well-worth it in the long run.

I often think, if I could jump in a time machine and go back 2 years, what would I tell myself. Well, sadly I can’t do that. But, I can impart some knowledge on those just starting out.

My top tips for graduates who are starting a career in digital are:

  • Listen – And make sure to take plenty of notes. It’s a lot to take in, so ensure you have something to refer back to when you get stuck further down the line.
  • Don’t Stress – You’re new to this. No one expects you to know it all. Just try your best; that’s all that can be expected of you.
  • Enjoy Yourself – I really got to know my colleagues and build friendships when we stepped outside of the office. I’m not suggesting you should swap broken heart necklaces and start plaiting each other’s hair, but attending a networking event with staff members and the odd drunken night out can be both great fun and team building.

So, What’s the Real Truth About the First Few Years in Digital

Well, for me, the first few years were brilliant! And I’m not just saying that because I wanted to get on this site. They genuinely were. And I hope there’ll be many more.

And your first years could be just as good, if not better. Just follow those 3 simple points above!


 

About The Author

StephStephanie Lamerton is a 23 year old SEO copywriter at Liberty Marketing Ltd, Wales’ largest digital marketing agency.
TwitterWebsite

Tags

Written By
This post was written by an author who is not a regular contributor to State of Digital. See all the other regular State of Digital authors here. Opinions expressed in the article are those of the contributor and not necessarily those of State of Digital.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.