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<b>Quickfire — Q/A — Advice to those Entering the Tech/ Digital Marketing Space</b>

Late last year I was approached to participate in a survey that would be shared with College Students that had an interest in pursuing a career in Digital Marketing or Technology. Here is the transcript:

<b>1. What advice would you give to a student that is looking to venture into this field?</b>

I would advise to focus on one aspect of digital marketing per say and become an expert at it; however, I would highly recommend that you do not limit yourself to one aspect of Digital Marketing. You should be aware and knowledgeable of all aspects of what Digital Market offers to its audience. If you are a graphic designer; learn Photoshop, InDesign, but also study UX, web development, Marketing/Social Media Strategies. The more you understand of Digital Marketing conceptually and the various facets/marketing vehicles it offers and how they work; the more marketable you become as a Potential Hire. Furthermore, by learning all aspects of this field, it can help assist your creativity and/or make your Marketing strategies more effective.

Keep Learning. There are several online tools and courses available for anyone to continue their education and practice. A lot of resources are free and there are several Digital Marketing Experts who have insightful online blogs, courses, Twitter Chats, etc. that one can take advantage of. The Tech and Digital Marketing field is constantly changing; so staying connected, learning and practicing is highly recommended.

Other factors to consider:
<ol>
 	<li>Keep your portfolio up to date and easy to access.</li>
 	<li>Request testimonials and referrals from your clients.</li>
 	<li>Network, Network, Network. Attend meetups and conference or join online Groups of different Creatives. Another great way to stay abreast of what is trending in the industry and these also offer potential partnering or employment opportunities.</li>
 	<li>Research and monitor Employers that you would like to work for one day. Study their Marketing/Social Media strategies and identify patterns of success and engagement. This will provide you great insight for any potential interviews.</li>
 	<li>Learn about how Contracts work. If you are an Independent Contractor — this is vital. Know your rights. Protect your work.</li>
 	<li>Do your own Salary Surveys so that you understand the market. This also provides you a realistic view of Salary Trends in your field. Important when targeting new jobs….</li>
</ol>
<b>2. When reviewing applications and potential candidates to work with, what is something that stands out to you?</b>

I think someone who is confident, who is willing to learn and that is a good team player. In our industry, a Designer, Video Producer, Web Developer, Social Media Strategist is one member of "the team." Communication skills and willing to work with others is key. Also, having a good understanding of UX and the importance of establishing goals, objectives and ways to measure success for any design, strategy, tool is also important. We want someone who isn’t just looking to create something; but someone who can understand an objective, create with a purpose and track its success. Work should be relevant to the client’s objectives.

<b>3. What are the creative steps you take when working with a new client?</b>

It depends on the project/Digital Marketing Vehicle we are producing, but typically we follow this workflow:
<ol>
 	<li>Define Statement of Work — Objective/Deliverables/Establish Metrics for Success</li>
 	<li>Establish Timeline</li>
 	<li>Needs Assessment — Review Existing Client’s metrics, Branding Assets, Successes. Conduct Client Surveys to obtain feedback on Target Audiences, Branding Requirements, etc.</li>
 	<li>UX — create Wireframes or drafts of concepts</li>
 	<li>Design/Produce — create the Design with full creative assets (fonts, imagery, texture, taglines, call to actions)</li>
 	<li>Client Review</li>
 	<li>Adjust</li>
 	<li>Test</li>
 	<li>Deploy/Launch</li>
 	<li>Monitor</li>
 	<li>Report</li>
 	<li>Assess/Modify if necessary.</li>
</ol>
These were my quick fire answers. I am always interested in feedback. I personally have been in the tech field for over a decade working as a Project/Program Manager. I would love to hear from you (melissaadame@webheadtech.com)

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