Ex-journalist/marketing-what next?

[mumtorobbie]

Worked in publishing for 10 years first as a journalist and then marketing manager but when I had my DS three years ago I took voluntary redundancy as I knew a 60 hour week wad not going to be family friendly.

Since then I've worked in educational marketing ( at an FE college) and for the NHS.

I used to love the events and writing side of both jobs and would really like to work for myself but no idea what to do.

My marketing friends say it's very tough out there at the moment but ive got exceptional organisational skills and just need a few ideas as to where to go from here.

I guess I'm going to have to make a sideways move into virtual assistant type work or something along those lines?

You could be a freelance events/marketing for the markets you know/have recent experience of - so FE and the NHS? The move to Foundation Trusts could require events, public engagement, staff events?

A VA I know does lots of events stuff, she is behind the organisation of - northeastlondonbusinessexpo.co.uk/ However, I think a lot of VA's do other stuff, are you interested/prepared to do that too?

I have personally found (am a marketing freelancer) that my previous experience is the key to opening the door/securing new work. That isn't to say you cannot move into new areas, but I think when starting off previous experience is a good place to start.

I didn't know what to focus on when I started, so I chose the 3 things I am best at and set out my offer and collateral around that. I did know that it might change over time, but needed to start somewhere...

I personally would go for what you love doing/want to do.

Not sure if that helps.

WS

Have you thought about a move into charities? I'm a fundraiser, and my role requires a mix of creativity, a head for figures and organisational skills.

Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunately, I've got no head for figures at all but I had thought about going down the charity route.

Your advice has been very useful though. Given me alot to think about.

I agree with watersign - your existing skills and contacts are what are going to get you work. I wouldn't necessarily try to come up with a 'big plan' or a rebrand of who you are and what you do. I would reach out to everyone you know and see if they need any support in event management, writing projects and marketing and try to get two or three projects under your belt and see where that leads.

And/or look locally at organisations that are poorly marketing themselves (educational courses are often particularly bad IMO) and pitch them how many additional students you could get them and at what cost.