We caught up with Jade to find out more about her life in the media industry - and her new initiative to support the region's freelancers.
Did you always envisage a career in the Media industry?
My career aspirations took quite the journey. In my youth, I fancied being a lawyer for my love of debates, and then a teacher for my knack for guidance. The dream of running a stylish agency in London, likely fueled by TV and films, was next on the list.
There was no master plan (and there still isn’t), just a series of decisions that have led me here.
What has been your career path so far?
After studying for a marketing degree and graduating with a master’s from Northumbria University, I spent a few years working in-house. I started out in a general marketing role and with each job move, the role got more focused, until I was working on organic and paid search.
In 2018, I made the decision to leave the safety net of full-time employment and become a freelancer.
I’ve been a full-time, all-in freelancer for over 5 years now, supporting overstretched marketing teams with their search, PPC and paid social campaigns. I’m passionate about working alongside brilliant marketing teams who are crushing it, but need a little extra expertise to make their vision a reality.
More recently, I’ve launched the North East Freelance Network.
Why did you go freelance?
I felt like I needed to make a big change in my life, and the flexibility of freelancing and the variety that comes with working on different projects with different clients appealed to me.
I’m also very independent and wanted to take control of my day and working week rather than be micromanaged.
When I found myself unhappy in my last in-house role, I started daydreaming about living that digital nomad life – working from a beach in Bali or out of a coffee shop in Barcelona.
Instead, when I finally did make the move to freelancing, I didn’t even leave the North East. I now work from the comfort of my home office in sunny Gateshead. Not quite as bold as Bali, but a change nonetheless.
Can you tell us a bit more about your new initiative?
Through my own experience with self-employment, I saw a need for some kind of freelance database that I could refer to when I needed extra support for myself or a client.
The original plan was to create a spreadsheet for my own use but I thought making it publicly available would make it infinitely more useful for a lot of people, encourage signups beyond my personal network, and serve a dual purpose for freelancers and clients looking for freelance support.
So, after some extra time and financial investment, the North East Freelance Network was launched.
It is an online directory where freelancers across the region can submit their profile and get a free listing that outlines their skillset, the types of projects they work on, their ideal client, and, of course, their contact information.
I created this free resource for freelancers and potential clients alike to foster collaboration and promote growth within the North East’s thriving freelance community.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced so far?
Dealing with the uncertainty of the Coronavirus pandemic was definitely a big challenge. Personally speaking, I always struggle to switch off and am constantly striving to achieve something close to that elusive work-life balance.
What has been your proudest achievement?
It’s hard to think of one singular moment. But I’ve just celebrated the 5-year anniversary of being self-employed and I think the fact that I am still able to make a living doing what I love is pretty cool.
What are your future career aspirations?
Some people assume building an agency is the next logical step, but I don’t see that in my future. I’d love to continue to be able to be self-employed, to keep learning, and get better at what I do.
I hope that the North East Freelance Network helps to build a strong community and become the go-to resource for anyone who wants to find and connect with freelancers in the region.
How do you see your industry evolving in the next 10 years?
10 years is a lifetime in the digital marketing world! There are new technologies and trends emerging all the time.
I’m sure traditional search engines will continue to have their place, but chatbots, generative AI, marketplaces, and social media platforms are continuously evolving. Ultimately, wherever users go to search for information, products, and services is where businesses need to be – and that’s where I’ll be focussing my efforts too.
The quick pace of change in the industry necessitates continuous learning and training to stay up-to-date. This year, I’ve already invested in a few training courses around Google Ads, Google Analytics 4 and landing page conversion copy.
How do you like to unwind?
I still find it hard to switch off from work but when I do, you’ll find me listening to a true crime podcast, cooking, or walking the dogs along the coast – shoutout to Monty and Pickle!
jadegillham.co.uk