So, what do you actually do?
I manage all Get Connected's marketing and communications, including PR, advertising, website and production.
What does your typical day involve?
I start the day by checking various online accounts. For example, I monitor the success of our pay-per-click advertising campaigns and check statistics on web and helpline traffic so we know how our marketing is working. There's usually some material in production - a new poster, an animated advert, or a new bit of the website. So some of my time each day is spent writing briefs, liaising with designers and printers, and juggling marketing budgets. I write copy for most of Get Connected's brand, so I'm often working on a newsletter, Annual Review or new bulletin to our supporters. I help our Director with internal communications and stakeholder relationships, so a bit of most days is spent talking to other departments about their needs and systems. There are always a few ad hoc requests from organisations we work with, to which I send Get Connected copy and branding to get us presence on as many sites and walls as possible.
What skills and experience do you need to do your job?
The most important thing is being good at communicating and enjoying it. I spend a lot of time talking to people and persuading them to help us whether it's on the phone, via email or in meetings. I've taken the CIM Certificate in Marketing, which has helped with the management aspects of marketing. If I continue studying I'd like to find a course tailored to the charity sector.
What has been your biggest achievement in this job?
Rebranding the organisation. Last year I supervised the process, from initial consultation with stakeholders to the launch of the new brand and a website. I conducted research amongst young people which was useful in the long run but hectic at the time! Our new brand was chosen by young people and is much better suited to enable us to achieve our objectives.
Where do you see your career heading in the future?
I'm better at planning Get Connected's marketing than my own! I'd like to stay in communications and continue working for a people-centred cause. I'm getting experience of all aspects of marketing at the moment, and might want to become more specialised later. There are plenty of communications platforms I'd like to know more about, including web and podcasting.