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I have a friend. Actually two. They can’t find a job in marketing in Green Bay.
I mean a good marketing job. And that’s the problem. It’s two fold.
One: There are so few (true) marketing jobs in this area. Two: The majority of open roles are traditional and lean toward sales.
I realize that some do find gold in terms of a marketing job in Green Bay. At our company, O’Connor Connective, we recently hired an intern, Adriana. I’m also one of those who got “lucky.”
I found an internship in 2018 for a marketing specialist role for SM Advisors. The company I would focus on most was called Stop The Vanilla. It was critical to my develop as a marketer. I built websites, wrote and edited newsletters, and co-hosted a podcast. The skills I developed during those 5(ish) years were fundamental for where I am now.
But the majority of those who desire to do marketing (or anything creative in the digital space) have a challenging time. Let me stick with the thought within the parentheses: I went to NWTC to get my Digital Media Technology degree. Out of a class of 30-40, I think maybe under 10 work in the digital space (counting me). The rarity of open jobs + sustainable jobs that help you grow make it nearly impossible for the 80% to succeed. 20% of the marketers secure the jobs.
You can argue I’m taking a scarcity mindset. Choose ABUNDANCE. Okay, maybe. But I can’t unsee this. The struggle. The eventual compromise to do something different.
It’s like when you first become aware of the extreme hunger and poverty of society. You can’t unsee the fact that 20% (or 2%) of people own the resources while the 80% fight over the scraps. The same is happening in Green Bay for marketers.
While many that have experience can secure remote jobs while working here. I recently interviewed a great human who works for an ad company out of state. He was able to transcend the horrible job market for marketers in GB and find something elsewhere to survive. My two friends aren’t.
They need the in person experience required to develop and begin creating a track record/portfolio. Like I and other lucky individuals did. It’s crucial to quick growth. Once you do that, then I see remote being an easier and even lucrative option. (Some may disagree and that’s great. I want to know why I’m wrong to develop my stance - comment please!)
Do what I did too late. Write (create content) online.
While I’ve yet to amass a large audience, I have created leverage for myself. If I would have had this at 21 when I began, I could have moved with more confidence and avoided some failures.
Here’s a practical example: Create a podcast.
You’re looking for a marketing job while working a factory gig to make ends meet. Make a list of the top 50 marketers (using LinkedIn) you would love to have a conversation with. You will then cold message these people and ask to interview them. Make it clear that your podcast is new, no subscribers, and is purely for you to learn and connect. Some will decline, others will accept.
Record conversations with the 15 that respond yes with Riverside.fm for best quality. Edit these in Riverside and then release bi-weekly as Season 1 (7 months of content for social). From these episodes, write a micro essay on the top 5 insights or pure breakdowns of the guest’s insights (use Otter.ai for transcription). This will help you retain the knowledge. Next, vow to post content on LinkedIn daily (or every other) and begin connecting with others in your space.
Then, create a new list of 50 and begin again.