How did you hear about the Skills Bootcamp Programme?
From a friend who previously completed this course.
Can you provide some background information on your previous education / training / employment.
I am a freelance 3D artist and motion designer working primarily in advertising and education. I have a BA degree in Digital Animation and have worked with numerous high-profile clients including Siemens and the BBC. I am very skilled at my profession but lacked the marketing knowledge to properly promote myself to my target audience.
Why did you decide to do a Skills Bootcamp? (What makes it different?)What did you hope the course would help you achieve?
I hadn’t heard of them before in the area, and I had heard good things from people who had done this particular one. I figured my knowledge was too technically and creatively focussed and I needed a business/marketing perspective, for which way to proceed.I wanted to learn how to promote the business in the most optimised way to increase exposure and awareness of the business, increase engagement in my web traffic and to understand the best strategies for reaching my target audience and approaching new clients.
Have you met any challenges and how have you overcome them?
Challenges have been getting to talking to the right people. I’ve found that using things such as LinkedIn to find different decision makers in the company and having a casual chat without pretence seems to have the best effect
How did you manage balancing the course with your job / family life?
Good, the course was very flexible. When I couldn't attend one session I was able to jump in on another.
What was the best thing about the course?
Focusing attention and really drilling down into important aspects that hadn't been thought about previously. Allowing us to get into the shoes of customers, especially as a creative you can often forget what you're making things for
What has the Skills Bootcamps programme helped you to achieve for example: new skills, a new job role or completely new career?
The course really helped me to build my marketing strategy of selling myself, not just my work. Before, I was making content but not focusing on how to advertise it, and now, I’m 50/50 split between branding myself, and making content alongside. I’ve got a strategy that I’m putting in place. I’ve made a spreadsheet with lead marketing managers for different companies and sectors, I’ve built an email marketing list, and am doing the background checks and with a more focused approach with the projects I’m working on. The email marketing skills learnt on the course are crucial for this. With my improved SEO skills, it is easier for people to find my website when searching for the services that I offer, and LinkedIn and email marketing skills have helped me to network with other businesses, promote my services and maintain contact with interested parties.
Do you have any other career ambitions?
To have a company working in the creative digital sector that can be carried out from Cornwall.
Do you have any advice for anyone who would like to develop their skills but might be hesitant (for various reasons)?
Do it! You’ll learn things you know but you’ll learn so much you didn’t. You’ll gain different perspectives and up to date information on how to make the best of your talent and skillset.
Is there anything else you would like to say?
Thanks for such a great course!