Secrets to SEO success…
Sophie is a Senior SEO Manager at Absolute Digital Media where she manages a team of Account Managers and Content Account Managers while working across all areas of SEO. Her background in Journalism and Media Law along with her experience in content marketing has enabled her to build results-driven strategies for a wide range of clients while sharing her knowledge as an industry speaker -you can catch her speaking at brightonSEO in March!
Now to the interview, we asked these questions to find out more about Sophie’s journey into SEO, so you can be inspired in your own career. After reading, make sure to follow Sophie on Twitter as she’s always sharing her knowledge and behind the scenes campaign insights! Over to you, Sophie:
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Lawyer/Journalist
What was your very first job?
Waitress & bartender
How did you first discover digital marketing?
I first discovered digital marketing after progressing from a career in music journalism in Central London interning for the likes of Kerrang! Magazine and Grazia, and venturing into online content creation in a similar field. Having moved from London to Chelmsford in Essex, I frantically applied for any content-related job I could find (to get me out of the dreaded bar work!) and ended up interviewing for a Digital Copywriter position at Absolute Digital Media. Safe to say my love for digital marketing grew from there!
Share a mistake you made or an event you regret from your career
I don’t like to regret anything, I like to learn from mistakes and grow through experience. If I had to pick something, it’d be overpromising clients when first moving into account management, simply through a lack of understanding of the time, it can take for an SEO campaign to come into full fruition. But as my knowledge of the industry grew, so did my ability to better manage client expectations and deliver the right results.
Jumping in a time machine, what advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Own the room.
Don’t shy away from making your point especially if you are confident in your own abilities, no matter whether you’re talking to your boss, a board of directors or a colleague/friend.
What industry skill do you wish you’d learned sooner?
More intricate technical SEO, Google Tag Manager and Data Studio. Tech is SO important and where my background is heavily in content, I always steered towards my comfort zone. Getting a better understanding of technical SEO has allowed me to further improve client campaigns and really get into the nitty-gritty of any sticking points within a website.
And let’s just say, GTM and Data Studio are real lifesavers and can save TONNES of time with automation. No more copy & pasting GA data into PowerPoint Slides!
Who are you inspired by in the digital marketing industry?
Aleyda Solis – I love her energy, passion and her knowledge is out of this world!
If you were to publish an autobiography in 20 years time, what would it be titled?
The Short One With The Big Mouth
What’s the one thing you want to be remembered for from your career, and why?
Great campaigns that make a real difference to businesses.
(….and for not taking no for an answer!)
Thank you, Sophie, for taking part in our series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your journey into SEO, it just goes to show how many different routes there are into this sector. Continue owning the room and we’re really excited to see what else you’ve got up your sleeve!
Keep an eye out for more of the MOAM series as I regularly publish new editions from other inspiring digital experts.
Could your career story encourage others to further their digital marketing careers? Or, do you know someone whose story needs to be told? Feel free to fill out our new MOAM questionnaire or get in touch with me directly via emma@clockworktalent.com. Alternatively, if you’re looking to explore your options in digital marketing, visit our job board or upload your CV.
