Content Manager @ Landscape Management Network (LMN) with Aja Jones
Aja and Blair discuss how saying “Yes!” to opportunities got him to where he wants to be–without him knowing he wanted to get there, what content marketing is and how to do it; and, how being confident in yourself and what you do doesn’t mean being arrogant.
In his year one, Aja Jones has been working in community management and content marketing at Landscape Management Network (LMN), a B2B SaaS software company for the landscaping industry. Some of the things that Aja and Blair discuss include how saying “Yes!” to opportunities got him to where he wants to be–without him knowing he wanted to get there, what content marketing is and how to do it; and, how being confident in yourself and what you do doesn’t mean being arrogant. Oh yeah...there’s also the time he worked at Drake’s mansion and was a stand-in–or fake Drake–when filming a music video.
About Aja Jones
(He says a lot in a few words 😆)
Just an SEO dude who writes stuff that people want to Google. I can also cook up a mean fried rice.
The Highlights and Hottest Takes 🔥
How Aja Got the Job
Aja got connected with Creative Circle, a recruitment company, and the first job he applied for through them was with LMN. He interviewed with the CMO then the Director of Content Marketing on the same day, and 48 hours later he was hired:
“To be honest, I think I was hired based on personality. I’m a good person, I was sociable, I cracked a few jokes in the interviews.”
Mistake Made
Watch your tone of of voice. "I could have used a more professional tone on some internal email communication in my early days with the company."
Lesson Learned
The hardest part of the job search is mental. When I had to accept the dream job of advertising copywriting wasn’t going to happen, so I had to make the psychological pivot to a different, but related, path into digital marketing.
Pro Tip
Be a "Yes!" person. Find your confidence in year one–ask questions, make an impact on your team, and own it if you make a mistake. Confidence doesn’t mean arrogance. Be open and willing to learn. This goes with being a “Yes person”.
Segments
Aja's Year 1ne @ LMN | 1:12-13:45
LMN is a B2B SAAS company providing business management software for landscaping (lawn care, hardscaping, irrigation) industry. It’s been “baptism by fire” for Aja in his first year with the acquisition of another company, LMN has grown from 50 people to 150 people resulting in different opportunities.
Aja was “hired with the expectation to contribute on day one”; he started doing community management using social networks and community review platforms to connect with the landscaper community, and project management for product launches, marketing communication campaigns. Now as content manager, Aja’s focused on content marketing that involves SEO and content creation of writing blog articles, eBooks and whitepapers as well as a podcast.
Content marketing is fundamentally about understanding what people are searching for and being the first thing that people see to help them. At LMN they want to be leaders in educating landscaping companies how to manage their business so they grow together. I understood how organic SEO, search phrases and keywords, and content marketing works. Then I added the context of the landscaping industry when I started here.
"I became landscaping expert without picking up a shovel”.
Getting to Day 1ne: The Job Search | 13:46-36:09
Aja started working in TV advertising production, so getting into digital marketing was a career pivot. However, it wasn’t his first choice, he wanted to get into copywriting for advertising, but he needed a portfolio (a “book”) of his advertising work. There was an internship opportunity at an advertising agency that didn’t work out.
Thinking about other options, Aja saw a job posting for social media manager working at a local deli. His “favourite restaurant in neighbourhood!” So, he walked up, introduced himself, asked for the job and was hired on the spot as a freelance social media manager. To supplement his income at the same time Aja did freelance blog article writing for Squad State, a gaming and esports media company…which he still writes for “because it makes me happy.”
The move from from freelance to full-time work happened after completing a digital marketing postgraduate program at George Brown College. Aja got connected with Creative Circle, a recruitment company, and the first job he applied for through them was with LMN. He interviewed with the CMO then the Director of Content Marketing on the same day, and 48 hours later Aja was hired. “To be honest, I think I was hired based on personality. I’m a good person, I was sociable, I cracked a few jokes in the interviews.”
The hardest part of the job search for him was mental when he “accepted the dream job of advertising copywriting wasn’t going to happen.” Aja switched his mindset to reposition his skills and interests to digital marketing. It was still important for him to be himself because at the end of the day:
“If you work doing something you love; you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Aja’s self-reflection at different moments in the job search asked three (3) questions:
- Where have you come from? (progress made, lessons learned)
- Where you’re at?
- Where do you want to be? (next steps)
Things I've Learned in Year 1ne | 36:10-41:25
Be a "Yes!" person. “I hate being a ‘Yes-man’, but there’s a difference between somebody who’s always reaffirming another person’s ideas (usually someone in a more senior role) vs. saying “Yes” to opportunities that are presented to you:
“I always say Yes to stuff. Some things will work, and some won’t, learn from these experiences."
Find your confidence. Ask questions, make an impact on your team, and own it if you make a mistake. Confidence doesn’t mean arrogance. Be open and willing to learn. This goes with being a “Yes!" person.
Re(Sources)
- Connect with Aja Jones: LinkedIn | Website
- Brands/organizations: Landscape Management Network (LMN) | George Brown College | Cossette | Zulu Alpha Kilo | Creative Circle| Squad State
- Connect with The Year 1ne’s host Blair Smith: LinkedIn | Website
Credits
- Created and Produced by Blair Smith
- Hosted by Blair Smith
- Mixed and Mastered by Ray Harripaul
Sponsor(s)
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