#DaneyForADay… a new day for Employ Daney

#DaneyForADay… a new day for Employ Daney

Hello….it’s me…(okay, so I couldn’t resist the Adele reference!), I’d like to welcome you to the brand new blog in the #Daneyblogs series.  

What a productive few weeks it has been and my upcoming weeks are showing no signs of slowing down!

First of all, let me just say, I’m absolutely delighted with how well received my #IndustryChats mini-blog series has been so far. I’d like to say thank you once again to my fantastic guest bloggers, Stacey Dent, Dylan Macdonald and Linsay Moore for sharing their graduate empowering tips. I’m genuinely in awe that people would give up their time to be part of my blog. Thank you! In total these blogs have been read by over 500+ people and counting! Amazing!

Secondly, I’ve teased on Facebook and Twitter about the next phase in Employ Daney and I’d like to use this blog to exclusively reveal more details about it… after all, the blog was where this whole journey started.

So, I’ve been having A LOT of chats with people in the industry recently. I’ve had in total 5 interviews on the back of the Employ Daney campaign starting in September. The situation I’ve been in with interviews is that I’ve been shortlisted for the position, but then narrowly losing out at the last gasp, or the interviewer has left and they’ve scrapped our applications and re-advertised the post (yes, that part is as soul destroying as it sounds!).

I’ve been wracking my brains as to why this is happening. I’m doing all the ‘right’ things am I not? I research the company fully, I dress smartly, my CV and Linkedin are up to date, I volunteer with a fantastic organisation called Changes, Musselburgh. I’ve even been pro-active and created my own PR campaign to get myself employed, showcasing my skills and passion for the industry, and got my professional peers on board through #IndustryChats to cover relevant issues for graduates, and to show how great my network is. Oh! And the Scottish Government even asked me to blog for them and it’s been shared over 50 times online so far!

I’ve came to the conclusion that I need to change the narrative on this campaign and I need to change my approach to employment. ..The perfect job for me, is one I’ve already created for me by myself…. by accident….

You’ve heard the phrase ‘it’s a full time job looking for a job’ …well, I’ve taken this literally… I’ve accidentally created my dream job- PR and Marketing freelancing. With my first client being… well… me.

As a professional, my background is both PR and Marketing. However, honestly? I am PR focussed at heart. I’m focussed on building relationships to make a difference. That’s what I’m about. I’m genuine, down to earth and speak without the jargon.  

 

What and where does #DaneyForADay come in?

#DaneyForADay is brand new initiative whereby I’ll be offering my PR/Marketing support FREE for 1 DAY to a potential, longer term client (just like you reading!) as part of my new exploratory PR/Marketing freelancing journey.

With my FREE for 1 DAY approach, I will work with you on things such as:

·         Social media training/guidance

·         Marketing strategy discussion/guidance

·         Newsletter content ideas/discussion

·         Blog writing topic generation

·         Networking guidance

****The above list is an example, and will be discussed with the client on an individual basis.

Why the FREE for 1 DAY approach?

·         It’s a quick and easy way to decide whether you’d like to work with me on a longer term basis, and see whether professionally we gel

&

·         It’s fantastic PR for your organisation. You’re getting involved in a brand new initiative (led by a graduate) which has never been done in Edinburgh before!

 

Why me?

·         With over 4 years in the PR industry and having completed projects under my belt with fantastic organisations such as Support in Mind Scotland, Changes Musselburgh and Queen Margaret University, I have a lot to offer and my person-focussed approach allows you to develop a long lasting good impression your clients will remember

 

·         Through working with me, you’re empowering a graduate, opening your mind to a new approach to working in the industry and being even more forward thinking than your peers

So…

Are you someone who would like to work with #DaneyForADay? Whereby you receive my knowledge, expertise and person-focussed approach to your business for FREE for the day?

Get in touch with me, and let’s discuss it further. I look forward to hearing from you.

#DaneyForADay

#IndustryChats......Linsay Moore, Account Manager at Muckle Media

#IndustryChats......Linsay Moore, Account Manager at Muckle Media

Hello and welcome to this very exciting, 3rd edition of #IndustryChats.

#IndustryChats is an exciting new mini blog series where I'm giving PR/Marketing professionals in employment guest spots on this blog. Their guest spots will focus on offering their expertise and advice to unemployed PR/Marketing graduates at the moment, with the aim of empowering us through tips/lessons they've learned from the industry.

So, as this blog is being led by my fantastic guest blogger with so much great advice to share, without further delay, I'd like to introduce you to the lovely, Linsay Moore, Account Manager at Muckle Media.

 

 

Linsay Moore

 

Linsay joined Muckle Media from The BIG Partnership in April this year, where she previously worked on a range of consumer, charity and tourism clients for over two years, delivering PR and event management.

Since joining Muckle Media Linsay has taken the lead on a variety of accounts across the corporate and consumer sectors, helping to build brand awareness, manage events and raise the profile of clients with media and key stakeholders. Linsay also works on several social media accounts, creating content and developing client’s social media presence to help raise their profile. A graduate from Queen Margaret University, Linsay has a BA Hons in Public Relations and Media.

 

Industry Chats l Linsay Moore, Account Manager, Muckle Media

 

What's the first thing you do in the morning to set yourself up for a busy day ahead at work?

As cliché as it sounds – normally I get myself a large coffee to wake me up! Usually I read through the emails from the previous night on my commute to work, which means by the time I get in to the office I’ve got a better idea of what else is going on that day. I’m also a big lover of to-do lists, hence being called ‘LOM – Linsay Organised Moore’ in my previous role! So I always start out the day by writing out my to-do list and trying to figure out how much of the massive list can be squeezed in to one working day…

How long have you worked for your organisation and what do you enjoy most about working there?

I’ve been with Muckle Media since April of this year, starting out as a Senior Account Executive and being promoted to Account Manager in only a couple of months. I love the fact that I have such a diverse job, from putting together a two day food and drink tourism event in Oban through to setting up interviews with BBC Business and launching the world’s most expensive whisky. Previously I worked in consumer PR, so it’s nice to have a bit of a mix now and broaden my strengths and experience through working with clients across a number of sectors. 

How would you say the PR/Marketing industry has changed from the first day you started your job where you are now, up until now?

I think it has changed quite a lot in the past three years. Personally I’ve seen a lot of communications change since online platforms really took off, there’s a lot more of a focus on developing relationships with bloggers, the introduction of vloggers like Zoella, and also the shift in how you position news to an outlet depending on whether your client wants to see it in print or online. I also think it’s quite interesting how social media is changing the way companies look at setting up campaigns, not only do they have to think about how to launch their new campaign to consumers via traditional platforms but they also need to consider how/if they’re going to seed it through social media. With Instagram influencers and vloggers charging thousands of pounds now to get involved in a campaign you can see that people are changing how they get their message across to consumers.

What advice would you give you PR/Marketing graduates out there who are looking to secure a role like yours?

In short? Don’t turn your nose up at internships. I’ve known a few people throughout my University course and career who say they’d rather keep looking for full time employment than take an internship. In my opinion this is the wrong attitude to take. If you manage to secure an internship then you’ll learn far more during the three to six months you’re with that company than you would spending that time searching for jobs. Coming from someone who was only a few weeks in to a work placement when they secured a full time role with the company, it really is worth it! Organisations are giving you a chance to prove yourself and show that you can walk the walk as well as talk the talk, and at the end of the day whether you come away with a job or simply more experience, it will set you up for a more successful career in the longer term.

What recommendations would you make for the Employ Daney Campaign?

I think you’re doing a lot of things right, you’re doing something different and standing out from the crowd, you’re engaging with the industry over various platforms and you’re not afraid to put yourself out there. Honestly I think you just need to keep going and continue to attend the various networking and PR events you have been going to and keep meeting new people and getting your name out there.

 

....and that's a wrap! Thank you Linsay for kindly taking time out of your very busy schedule to answer these questions. For further information on Muckle Media:

 

Check out their website: http://www.mucklemedia.co.uk/Home

Like them on Facebook: Muckle Media

Follow them on Twitter: @MuckleMedia

 

On a closing note....

 

As a PR/Marketing graduate looking for work/opportunities reading this, is there any questions you'd have asked alongside these? If so, comment below or email me daneybash88@gmail.com so that they're incorporated into the next edition of #IndustryChats

 

As a PR/Marketing professional in employment, are you reading this and would like to get involved and offer your advice and empower unemployed PR/Marketing graduates? Email me daneybash88@gmail.com. I'd love to hear from you.

 

 

#IndustryChats... with Dylan Macdonald, Founder of Innovate Scotland

#IndustryChats... with Dylan Macdonald, Founder of  Innovate Scotland

Hello and welcome to this exclusive 2nd edition of #IndustryChats.

#IndustryChats is an exciting new mini blog series where I'm giving PR/Marketing professionals in employment guest spots on this blog. Their guest spots will focus on offering their expertise and advice to unemployed PR/Marketing graduates at the moment, with the aim of empowering us through tips/lessons they've learned from the industry.

This edition of #IndustryChats takes a different approach with the questions, which focus on if you're a PR/Marketing graduate thinking of starting up your own business. If you're a PR/Marketing graduate, I'd especially recommend you read this blog. It's crammed full of useful info!

Now, without further delay, I'm absolutely delighted to hand you over to the dynamic, digital powerhouse, Dylan Macdonald.

Dylan Macdonald

Dylan Macdonald is the Founder of Scotland’s entrepreneurial hub, Innovate Scotland. Alongside this, Dylan is currently the Marketing & Social Media Representative for Europe’s biggest tech start-up, Clear Returns.

Despite only achieving his HND in Marketing in the summer of 2015 and being a BA (Hons) student at Glasgow Caledonian University, Dylan knows the entrepreneurial and Marketing/PR communities as well as some of our most experienced business minds.

A regular business volunteer for Scottish based charities, Dylan also works closely with the world’s largest entrepreneurial accelerator, Entrepreneurial Spark.

After watching Dane’s campaign flourish so far, Dylan decided to offer his support for the ‘Employ Daney’ campaign by taking part in #IndustryChats.

Enjoy.

Websites – https://innovate.scot and www.clearreturns.com

Email – dylan@innovate.scot

Twitter - @Dylan_Mac95

LinkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/macdonalddylan

#IndustryChats Questions

Can you tell us more about how Innovate Scot came about? When was the light-bulb moment to create such an exciting community?

Innovate Scotland had been an idea myself and a small group came up with around 6 months ago. We knew it was a good one but needed all of the right tools in place to take things forward in order to have a better chance of success along the way, examples of this being having the right people and organisations on board in the planning and early launch stages.

Luckily, I’ve managed to surround myself with a talented group of experienced and up & coming business minds, which of course include my Co-Founder, Colin Adam. Despite only launching 3 months ago, we have managed to attract some of Scotland’s most exciting organisations such as MadeBrave, This Is Milk and the Entrepreneurial Spark chiclet businesses based all over the country in their hatchery facilities.

What’s the first thing you do in the morning to set yourself up for a busy day ahead with Innovate Scotland and Clear Returns?

Every morning is different for me, which I love.

Whether it’s getting up to head to a lecture/seminar at University, heading into Clear Returns HQ or an early morning Innovate Scotland meeting, making sure that passion and drive gets you up from bed is the most important thing. Without that, you may as well stay there.

Personally, being prepared for any situation is an early morning habit of mine. Getting up, sitting with a cup of tea and doing reading or research in advance of my day is a strange (so I’m told…) passion of mine.

Preparation and passion make those dull Glasgow mornings much easier for myself. However, living in such a diverse and exciting city also helps!

In the ever changing digital marketing landscape of today, what skills and knowledge do you think graduates must possess in order to succeed in digital marketing job positions/ventures?

Experience, enthusiasm and a mentor.

One thing I tell my fellow students or marketing professionals seeking employment, is that giving up your time for free IS worth it. Going through my final year of my HND last year, I accepted the voluntary digital marketing role at Scottish charity Cure Crohn’s & Colitis (C3), this position enhanced my CV and gave me the opportunity to not only learn from more experienced business volunteers but make important contacts for the future. I still volunteer with C3 to this day and it’s something I’d highly recommend as it emphasises your passion for the industry and social aspects to potential employers.

What advice would you give to a PR/Marketing graduate if they were thinking about starting up their own PR/ Marketing business instead of pursuing the traditional employment route?

Plan. Plan. Plan.

The success of Scottish based digital/marketing and PR agencies is something to be celebrated and I’m lucky enough to know and work with a lot of them around the country. However, it can be a very saturated market at times and unless you know that you have a distinct niche that is desired by a sizeable/profitable target market, I’d be wary of jumping in too deep at first.

However, gaining experience in some of these workplaces can set you up for entrepreneurial success in the future. The new found experience, contacts and knowledge will give you a much better chance of success! 

What recommendations would you make to the Employ Daney campaign?

Network on a regular basis and stay relevant to your target audience (potential employers).

Employers want to see (through your CV and even your social media channels) that you are the best individual for the role and through syndicating the correct content and writing catchy blog content, this should stand you out against the rest.

A small social media tip? Utilise live chats on Twitter. Some are fantastic for networking on social and LinkedIn, which could potentially lead to a meeting regarding a job post or a recommendation.

What’s next in the pipeline for you, Dylan?

Well, it’s safe to say in my short career so far, it’s the busiest I’ve ever been and to say I’m loving it is an understatement. I couldn’t have asked for a better and more exciting two years in the business and I can’t wait for many more to come.

For me? I’m hoping to achieve my BA (Hons) Marketing in 2017. Alongside this, Clear Returns continue to go from strength to strength and it’s been the perfect job for myself over the last 6 months after having my own start-ups towards the end of my teenage years. Our talented team continues to grow as does our impressive client list. It’s a great place to be (Europe’s best tech start up!) so I consider myself a very lucky guy and hope the good times keep on coming. Innovate Scotland is going from strength to strength. Where it will be in the next 6months to a year? Looks like everyone will just need to stick with us and find out!