As a new year clocks in, I’m reminded of some important lessons that I’ve learned while working in various creative departments. It’s a list of 6 practical things I try to do throughout the year.
Why? Because in this business climate you just never know.
1. Always back up. Every 2-3 months back up your work laptop. Save every file! Trust me, your future-self will thank you for it. (And have a back up of your back up.)
2. Collect every asset. When a project is finished make sure to get all the key files that you’ll need on your portfolio site. Copywriters, grab all the design files, images, illustrations and fonts from your designer. Designers and Art Directors, collect all headlines, scripts, and site and body copy from your writer. Social Media Strategists, Developers and Project Managers, ask your creative teams for any images, videos, posts, that will help you tell the story of the project. Once you have all the key files, it will be easier to tweak things later on.
3. Document the results. In addition to saving all the important files, you need to get the final reports, healthy stats and success metrics for every project. So when a campaign is winding down, ask for these files too. After all, you can’t make a case study or a strong resume without including results.
4. Maintain your LinkedIn profile. The three most important areas are your Headline, Skills and Summary. Maximize keywords in these three areas so friends, potential clients and hiring managers can find you. Don’t forget to update your page with new projects (check this out: Copywriting Icons), periodically ask coworkers to write recommendations, and share articles. (Why not start by sharing this post?)
5. Refresh your portfolio site at least once a year. Set a date. Review your favorite projects and update the work on your site. This way, you can hit the ground running if you decide it’s time to look. Also make sure analytics is tracking the right pages and that you’re blocking spambots that are messing up your numbers.
6. Keep networking. Even if you’re happy in your job, you can still make connections that could lead to a better opportunity down the line. Plus, networking is how you find new talent to hire. Try a have one networking lunch or coffee every month. (That’s my goal for 2016)
Hope this helps. As always, please add your advice or suggestion in the comments.