Get to know me: my career story and how I got into UGC

Oh, boy, am I lucky! I've always known I wanted to dive into the exciting world of marketing. I mean, have you ever looked at a logo or a brand and just wanted to know the whole story behind it? I sure have! It's like a treasure hunt for me, uncovering the mysteries of every brand I come across and fall in love with.


Now, let me take you on a wild ride through my career journey. At the start, I had no idea how tough breaking into the marketing industry without a degree and experience could be. But you know what they say, where there's a will, there's a way!


I kick-started my adventure in marketing through graphic design. You see, being a marketer requires some serious skills, like analytics, tech-savviness, keeping up with trends, and nailing copywriting. But hey, let's not forget the visual magic! Graphic design was the perfect stepping stone for me. I even scored an internship with a cool sustainable fashion brand called Anakara after my course with Bristol City College.


I dabbled in some freelance work, but let me tell you, breaking into the graphic design role was like riding a bucking bronco – challenging! And to be honest, my heart wasn't fully into it. I had been down this road before.


Flashback to 2019:

I had this brilliant idea of starting an e-commerce store selling home decor on Shopify. I called it "Millennial House," aiming to attract the awesome Millennials and Gen-Z crowd who wanted to create an authentic home space for themselves. But boy, oh boy, it was one heck of a tough journey.

With no marketing knowledge, I decided to buckle down and teach myself everything there is to know about marketing. Here are the 5 things that helped me become the marketing maestro I am today, all without stepping foot into a University:


Embracing Online Learning Bonanza: 

I love learning, no matter what! I set weekly goals for myself and dove headfirst into platforms like Hubspot and Skillshare. I even got myself a Google Ads certification. Plus, I probably watched enough YouTube videos to start my own digital film festival!


Freelancing and Interning:

Experience, baby! I knew my CV needed some street cred, so I offered my services for free. Now, looking back, I realise the importance of valuing my self-worth, but those experiences were priceless. I scored a 3-month internship with a fashion brand that really beefed up my resume.


Becoming a Paid Ads Enthusiast: 

Thank the marketing heavens for a PPC agency that took a chance on me! They offered me a Paid Executive role, and I had a blast. Paid ads became my secret weapon, and let me tell you, they're a marketer's best friend. Instagram ads, TikTok ads, Facebook, and Google ads – you name it, I learned it!

Perfecting My Pitching Game: 

February 2023 was a turning point for me when I discovered UGC (User-Generated Content). My skills were already impressive, but I wanted to level up my video editing game. Pitching was a whole new adventure! But practice makes perfect, right? I researched brands inside out, had snazzy ideas ready, and kept my pitches short and sweet.

Working with Brands I Adore: 

You know that feeling when you find a brand that just clicks with your soul? Yeah, that's what I wanted in my career. So, I decided to collaborate only with brands I truly loved and believed in. Beauty, wellness, health, tech – these are my jam! If a brand is looking for some content creation and social media magic, I'm there, ready to rock and roll!


So, if you're a brand in need of some marketing wizardry, if you have a killer product, and you want unstoppable growth, let's connect! We'll talk about your audience, gossip about them a bit (don't worry, it's all in good fun!), and find out what makes them tick. It's gonna be an epic journey together! 😄🚀







Raluca Cristina Dragan

Content Creator and Social Media Manager

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