Olivia Hanlon on Career Advice To Digital Marketing Newbie
A portfolio doesn’t need big names to stand out; it just needs to show your skills and thinking process.
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Today’s series is direct and packed with insights—read through carefully and be sure to take notes!
Q1: Can you please introduce yourself and share a bit about your journey in the marketing world?
Olivia Hanlon: I’m an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, and podcaster, but above all, I’m someone who’s passionate about making marketing more accessible and inclusive. My journey began over seven years ago, and in 2019, I founded Girls in Marketing as a small community initiative. I didn’t start with a big audience, but it’s grown to over 300,000 marketers who connect, learn, and inspire each other. Building this community and raising over £130,000 to scale it has been an incredible journey. Being named in Forbes 30 Under 30 was a proud moment, but it’s always been about the people we’ve impacted and the knowledge we’re sharing.
Q2: What key traits or skills do you believe are essential for success in marketing, and how can beginners start developing these early in their careers?
Olivia Hanlon: Curiosity, resilience, and a knack for learning are the backbone of a good marketer. Things move so fast, so the ability to stay curious and adapt is huge. Beginners can start by trying out their skills in real ways—whether that’s launching a small blog, helping a friend with social media, or diving into online courses. It’s all about practicing, making mistakes, and learning as you go. Communication skills and understanding trends are also essential, so keep reading, experimenting, and building that foundation.
Curiosity, resilience, and a knack for learning are the backbone of a good marketer.
Q3: What steps would you recommend to someone trying to build credibility in marketing when they lack extensive work experience?
Olivia Hanlon: Building credibility when you’re new can feel intimidating, but it’s absolutely doable. Start small: share what you’re learning on social media, connect with others in the field, and don’t be afraid to document your journey, even if it feels early. Volunteering or working on small projects (even unpaid ones) is valuable, too. I’ve mentored people who went on to achieve amazing things by taking on the right opportunities and staying open to learning and sharing—credibility often follows when people see your passion and progress.
Q4: As a leader in the marketing space, what’s one common mistake you see new marketers make, and how can they avoid it?
A big mistake I see is focusing on surface-level metrics, like follower counts, without understanding what actually drives results. Vanity metrics can be tempting, but they’re only part of the picture. If you want to make an impact, focus on engagement, ROI, or actual conversions—anything that shows real results. Knowing what matters will help you stand out early on and give you a stronger understanding of effective marketing.
Q5: What are some practical ways that aspiring marketers can grow their professional networks, and why do you think networking is so important in this industry?
Olivia Hanlon: Networking matters because marketing is a relationship-driven field, and so many opportunities come through connections. Start by attending online events, joining communities, and engaging with people on platforms like LinkedIn. I’ve found that simply sharing your story, asking questions, and showing genuine interest in others can make networking feel natural and less intimidating. It’s less about collecting contacts and more about building real, valuable relationships.
Q6: With marketing evolving so quickly, what strategies do you use to stay relevant, and how can new marketers ensure they’re always learning and adapting?
Olivia Hanlon: To stay relevant, I’m always reading, attending events, and connecting with others in the industry. I also dedicate time each week to learn something new—whether that’s diving into new tools, watching webinars, or even asking my network what’s new in their world. Joining communities like our Girls in Marketing membership can be helpful, as we share insights and support each other’s growth. New marketers should embrace that learning never stops—stay curious and keep applying what you learn to real-world scenarios.
Q7: When building Girls in Marketing, what challenges did you face, and what were the most impactful actions you took to overcome them? How can budding marketers apply these lessons to their own growth?
Olivia Hanlon: One challenge was scaling Girls in Marketing without losing the supportive community feel. Growing a business can sometimes feel like a balancing act, and finding ways to stay true to our values while expanding was key. Focusing on quality content, forming strong partnerships, and being mindful of our community helped us grow in a meaningful way. For anyone just starting, take things step-by-step and stay true to what makes your work unique—slow and steady wins the race.
Q8: How would you advise someone to approach portfolio-building in marketing if they’re just starting and don’t have case studies or big-name clients yet?
Olivia Hanlon: If you’re just starting, create your own projects! Run a blog, create a social media campaign, or do mock projects for brands you love. Volunteer or offer to help small businesses with their marketing; real experience is what counts. A portfolio doesn’t need big names to stand out; it just needs to show your skills and thinking process. Focus on showing creativity, strategy, and problem-solving, and clients will see what you can bring to the table.
A portfolio doesn’t need big names to stand out; it just needs to show your skills and thinking process.
Q9: Finally, what advice would you give to someone who feels overwhelmed by the competitive nature of digital marketing? How can they maintain confidence and focus on long-term growth?
Olivia Hanlon: It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed in a field as fast-paced as marketing. Remember that everyone’s journey is different. Instead of comparing yourself, focus on small, consistent growth, and celebrate your wins. Marketing is a marathon, not a sprint, so embrace the long-term process. Staying confident in your unique skills, setting personal goals, and connecting with a supportive community can make a world of difference. Keep learning, keep moving forward, and trust in your journey.
Instead of comparing yourself, focus on small, consistent growth, and celebrate your wins.
And speaking of celebrating wins, I achieved my first major reach on LinkedIn two weeks ago while sharing about the DDMB series featuring Aparna Allam!
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Career Advice from 5 Top Marketers Worldwide Series 3 with Seun Odegbami
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Food For Thought
Exciting News!!!
Dear Digital Marketing Newbie is hosting its first-ever virtual event this February 2025! Stay tuned for details - expect expert insights, valuable knowledge, and incredible networking opportunities. You won’t want to miss it. Register Here.
See You Next Thursday at 13:00 for the last series on Career Advice from 5 Top Marketers Worldwide with Tosin Thomas, Head of Marketing at Financial Cents, Canada.
Best,
Success Lawal
Your Marketing Buddy.
Even while we are in a fast-paced environment , it is do able
Mind-blowing insights!🥰🥰