Picture this: You’re knee-deep in international politics and diplomacy, picking up a degree in Politics and International Relations, and mastering speaking French fluently. The world of digital marketing is light years away, right? Wrong! If my journey from a politics enthusiast to a digital marketing aficionado has taught me anything, it’s that life is full of delightful and crazy surprises. So, grab your favourite beverage and settle in because I’m about to spill the tea on how I ventured into the exciting world of digital and social media marketing.
The Brussels Breakthrough 🇧🇪
Let’s rewind a few years. I was a student, wide-eyed and eager, just starting my study abroad in Brussels, Belgium. My days were just about to be filled with classes on international diplomacy and evenings exploring cobblestone streets. Amidst all this, I had a light bulb moment – why not start a blog to document my adventures and insights?
Little did I know that this simple idea would be the key to unlocking my passion for all things digital. My blog became my canvas, and each post was a stroke of creativity. As I navigated the intricacies of website building, I stumbled upon the marvellous world of WordPress. It was like magic – with a few clicks, I could create a platform to share my thoughts with the world.
Instagram: More Than Just Pretty Pictures 📸
Now, let’s fast forward to 2020 and my realisation that simply having a blog wasn’t enough if I wanted to widen my horizons; I needed to bring readers to my corner of the internet. Enter Instagram – the holy grail of visual storytelling. At first, I was a bit baffled. How on earth do you grow a following? But as I started posting pictures of Belgian waffles and picturesque canals, and infographics about current affairs topics I was passionate about I discovered the power of hashtags and engaging captions.
Soon enough, my follower count started to climb. I realised that Instagram wasn’t just about pretty pictures; it was a digital stage for personal branding. I began to apply the same passion I had for politics to crafting engaging content. Each post became a political campaign, with me as the candidate seeking followers’ votes with my content.
Bridging the Gap 🌉
One skill led to another, and before I knew it, I was dabbling in various aspects of digital marketing. I explored the art of storytelling, honed my SEO skills, and even tried my hand at email marketing. And through that I managed to land my first-ever marketing role working as a ‘Digital Marketing Executive’ for a food start-up! My background in Politics and IR turned out to be a blessing, something which I shared in my previous blog post which you can check out here. Turns out, my analytical thinking and communication skills I had cultivated from my degree were the perfect tools for this new adventure.
Moral of the story 🤓
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that it’s never too late to start a whole new path in life. Sure, I started with a blog in a foreign land, but look where it got me! From Instagram to website building, and now more than two years solid experience in digital and social media marketing – it’s been quite the adventure.
So, if you’re considering dipping your toes into the digital marketing pool, I say go for it! The internet is a vast playground of opportunities, and you never know what skills and passions you might uncover. Don’t be afraid to take the plunge, learn from your experiences, and remember that even the most unexpected backgrounds can become an asset in this ever-evolving digital world.
In the end, life’s journey is a bit like navigating the web – full of surprises, twists, and turns. Embrace it, enjoy it, and who knows, you might just discover your own unexpected path to digital greatness! 🚀✨
Bisous bisous!
Elda xx