Bill Combes

Sometimes I like to look at what others are doing. Using the Google Ads Library or Facebook ads library are both great ways to see what your competition or even others in your industry are producing on the paid side of their marketing efforts.

Make the immediate change to optimize it for mobile. 90+ (probably more) of digital marketing happens on a mobile device. The only people on desktop are the marketers and people over 65 years old. This is critical to the success of any digital marketing campaign or strategy. Mobile is critical, and you will not see the results you desire until you are fully mobile-optimized. There are a ton of tools available online to make sure your content and images are mobile-friendly. If you are running paid ads, this is also a must.

Bookwork - vs. real world - The reality is that you have to begin to show results. Digital marketing is very broad, but in my opinion, the paid ads side is where you can make the most impact. There are two paths here as a recent graduation. The first is to start taking on projects highlighting your skills and adding those to your resume. This will help you land a job at a bigger company if that is the route you want to go. The second would be to immediately start working for an agency and work your way up. I would learn as much as you can along the way and again, I think there is a huge gap in paid marketing skills - especially with Facebook which is still a very relevant platform. Be a sponge and go for it!

Maximize Existing Networks: Contact old colleagues, classmates, or network contacts for introductions or information on local events and groups in your new city. Update your LinkedIn to show your new location and industry focus. Engage in industry groups and discussions to enhance your online visibility. Discover Local Opportunities: Join local professional organizations and chambers of commerce for networking events, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. Keep up with local industry news and events by subscribing to publications and event calendars, attending relevant meetups, and industry gatherings. Engage with the Community: Offer your skills to volunteer for causes you're passionate about.

Using a combination of brand advocacy and social. Cultivate your community to transform members into brand champions. An engaged, positive environment turns satisfied customers into vocal supporters, enhancing your brand's visibility through their endorsements. On the social proof side of things, community interactions and testimonials serve as powerful social proof, enhancing your brand's trustworthiness and appeal to prospective customers.

Plan the work and work the plan. I would implement two things. Use a board to track tasks. We use Toggl at our company, but something like that or Trello would be great. The second thing I would do is time block. Take the top one or two tasks that need to be completed to help you reach your goals and put them on your calendar to complete. No questions asked - no distractions. You must work on them until completed or a milestone is met. If you take these few small actions, you will be well on your way to hitting your goals. It's all about focus.