Joe Shares His First Six Months at CFD
Posted on 7th January 2025 at 15:22
Read Time: Approx. 3 Minutes 39 Seconds
Author: Joe Weatherill
It’s hard to believe six months have already flown by since I started my Digital Marketing Apprenticeship with Customer First Digital. From day one, this experience has been amazing for my development/progress in learning, adapting, and developing both my technical and professional skills. Now that I’ve reached this milestone, I wanted to reflect on what I’ve achieved, what I’ve learned, and why this apprenticeship has been so rewarding.
Joining Customer First Digital
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I began my Digital Marketing Apprenticeship, as I knew it was a vast and ever-evolving industry. Thankfully, the team were extremely welcoming and supportive, helping me get up to speed quickly. From the beginning, I was introduced to the core aspects of digital marketing, including:
• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation): Learning how to improve website visibility and optimise content for search engines, using certain keywords and URLs.
• PPC (Pay-Per-Click Advertising): Understanding how to create effective ad campaigns and analysing their performance, as well as learning about the importance of keyword bidding.
• Social Media Marketing: Managing the social media accounts and creating engaging content for platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
• Analytics and Reporting: Using tools such as Rakuten, Shopify, Google Analytics and Google Ads to track data and measure client success with weekly/monthly reports and analysis.
The hands-on nature of the apprenticeship meant I wasn’t just watching others carry out these tasks as a way of learning, instead I was being shadowed and taught in a more practical and effective way, therefore helping me to grow my influence in the workplace.
My Biggest Challenges
One of the biggest challenges I faced during my first few months was getting comfortable with the technical side of digital marketing, especially SEO and analytics. Learning to interpret data and provide context based on changes in performance.
Another challenge was balancing the demands of work and study. As part of my apprenticeship, I’ve been completing college work alongside my role, which involves setting aside time during the week for structured learning. Staying organised and managing my time effectively has been essential in keeping up with both.
Highlights of the Journey
While there were challenges, there were also plenty of highlights that have made these six months incredibly fulfilling:
1. Hands-On Projects: One of my favourite parts of the apprenticeship has been working on my marketing campaign for Customer First Digital, and seeing how my work and planning for the project performs, as well as receiving the positive feedback from the team.
2. Learning From Experts: The team at Customer First Digital has been a constant source of knowledge and support. They’ve guided me throughout all aspects of digital marketing, while encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone.
3. Personal Growth: Beyond technical skills, I’ve developed better communication, problem-solving, and project management abilities. These soft skills have been just as valuable as the marketing knowledge I’ve gained.
4. Responsibility: As I have progressed with the apprenticeship, I have gained more influence and made more impactful decisions in various areas of the apprenticeship.
What I’ve Learned So Far
Six months in, I can confidently say I’ve learned so much more than I expected. Some of the key takeaways include:
• How to analyse data and use insights to drive decision-making.
• That digital marketing isn’t just about creativity—it’s about strategy, testing, and constant optimisation.
• The value of teamwork and open communication in a fast-paced environment.
Each team member has helped me in various ways:
Dave’s expansive knowledge in e-Commerce has helped me understand how analytics drive strategies, from sales trends to customer behaviour and conversion rates.
Suzanne has taught me the importance of Affiliate Marketing, providing clients with ready to use banners and codes. As well as how to operate the Affiliate side of Rakuten, for example approving publishers by looking into traffic and how they would fit into our clients target audience.
Lewis has helped me massively with my apprenticeship journey, showing me how the team operate, and how to use the platforms I now use daily, such as Rakuten Advertising, Asana, Similar Web, Google Analytics/Ads, Buffer, Canva, HubSpot, Skimlinks and many more.
Cerie has helped me understand how we interact with our brands, as well as how we consistently need to track performance daily.
My time at Hull College has also been very important for expanding my knowledge and skills, from learning about the concepts of marketing, to creating my own marketing project. This has helped me grow immensely in my work role, as it has given me the confidence in my own ability to take on more responsibility.
Looking Ahead
As I move into the next six months of my apprenticeship, I’m excited to continue building on the foundation I’ve established. I want to deepen my expertise in areas like content marketing and conversion optimisation, and I’m eager to take on more responsibility in managing campaigns.
Final Thoughts
The first six months of my digital marketing apprenticeship with Customer First Digital have been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and discovery. I’ve gained invaluable skills, built meaningful relationships, and found a career path I’m truly passionate about.
For anyone considering a digital marketing apprenticeship, my advice is simple: go for it. Be ready to work hard, embrace new challenges, and take every opportunity to learn. The rewards are worth it, and you’ll come out the other side with a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will shape your career for years to come.
Here’s to the next six months and beyond!
Tagged as: Digital Marketing, Team
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