Manchester’s reputation as a centre of tech excellence is due, in no small part, to the impressive number of agencies that are based here.
Many of Manchester’s top digital and tech talent have started their career in an agency.
If you're thinking about doing the same or have always wanted to know what it is like to work in an agency, you’re in luck as our series, Agency Life, will take the time to catch up with people currently working in a Manchester-based agency to find out, what agency life is really like.
This week is the turn of Rebecca Christofides of Bliss.
First thing’s first...
MacBook on, coffee brewing, and Twitter open - that’s how I start every morning as a Content Marketing Executive. Before I even check my emails I always have a scroll through the Twitterverse, just in case there’s any breaking news stories or trends that are about to crash the internet. I do this to see if there’s anything our clients can jump on and be involved with online, relevant ones only of course - not sure how we would crack on with a trend like the @world_record_egg!
Once I’ve reached my Tweet limit, emails are up next, followed by a regular morning meeting where the team get together to talk about what they were working on the day before and what they have planned for the day ahead. These meetings (we call them stand-ups even though we’re sat down) come in very handy to have a constant overall picture of what everyone is up to and plus it gives us time to come together as a team to see how everyone’s doing.
You’ll find me making GIFs somewhere...
Now, it’s time to start creating some content. The types of content we produce can vary from live Google maps to social media campaigns, down to ad copy and blog posts. There’s no boundaries when it comes to the creation of content - if you can think of it, we create it.
Each day is different in a digital agency because you have a number of different clients with different needs. When I talk about needs this can vary from tone of voice, colour schemes, writing styles etc. That’s one of my favourite things about working in an agency - you can never predict what you’ll be working on.
You could walk into the office and all of a sudden social media has gone crazy over the Matilda challenge. Then the next thing you know, you’re running around trying to find someone to turn the lights on and off or shake a cushion - all in the name of staying on trend with content. No day is the same because content creation is always evolving and your variety of clients are always after something new.
Not everyone’s content cuppa tea...
Many people have the perception that working in an agency environment is very cut throat - I was one of those who had that opinion before I swapped in-house for agency. Surrounded by talented people day-in-day-out and having the opportunity to collaborate on creative ideas together on a daily basis is why I know working in an agency is where I want to be. If you’re after creativity and exploration, then agency life is for you.
You’ll never be bored and you’ll find yourself referring to yourself as a content chameleon - one day you’ll be impersonating a shark and the next you’ll be telling families where to go on holiday.
Like any job there are always challenges, and not just about which filter to put on your client’s latest instagram post. When first starting at an agency, the biggest challenge straight away is understanding the ins-and-outs of different clients. Of course, the only way to get over this challenge is by creating content and learning from it. And, that’s what working in an agency is like, you throw yourself (and your content) in from the very first day and you’re on your way.
Working with clients can also pose a challenge. It’s vital that communication is clear and constant. Without communication, things can get clouded and could also affect the quality of content that’s produced. Having weekly phone calls with clients works wonders when it comes to keeping a constant stream of communication. The most important thing to remember when working with a lot of different people from different industry backgrounds, is that it’s okay not to be everyone’s favourite brew…
Don’t forget to update your LinkedIn profile…
There’s so many ways working with an agency environment has not only benefited my career, but me as a person, too. It builds your confidence by meeting new people and working with different people every day, which you’ll carry into your personal life, too.
As you’re surrounded by colleagues with different talents, you have the most amazing opportunity to learn and develop new skills. From learning how to code or how to come up with creative strategies - your LinkedIn skills profile never looked so good!
The ultimate benefit of working in an agency is the development of your own creativity. Working in content, you’re seen as a creative, and working in an agency gives you the chance to really experiment with creative ideas. This can range from online to offline, video production or even guerilla marketing.
Digital agencies are a learning hub for anyone who’s ready to jump into the pool of content, tech, and innovation and swim right to the top with passion, creativity, and determination.
From me to you…
So, if you’re thinking about starting a career at an agency, here’s my top 5 tips…
- Stay on trend. Keep updated on any industry news. Is there a new social platform that everyone’s going crazy about - TikTok, I see you.
- Be online yourself. If you want to be part of a digital agency, it’s important you have an online presence yourself, too. You’ll be able to connect with colleagues, other agencies, and stay on top of any breaking news.
- Open your mind. Now, this one’s a bit of a cliché I know, but having an open mind helps for incredible ideas and projects to come to life.
- Apologies for including this one, but networking. Prepare yourself for networking events. Not all of us are pros at these (I don’t think I’ll ever be a pro), but making sure you attend and meeting other industry members will leave you in good stead in your agency career.
- (Time to inject some cheese into the content now)… Just go for it!
What you’ll find when you’re settled into your new job at an agency is that you all become like one big crazy family. You go through the highs and lows, and the pressures and achievements together. Afterall, you do spend nearly every day with the team and you’ll come to learn that it’s the people that make an agency. So, go become one of those people!
If you would like your agency staff to feature in Agency Life, contact thom@manchesterdigital.com
