We’re celebrating the women at the helm of Tecmark for International Women’s Day. Sitting down with them to chat about their inspirations, obstacles and their own advice for women breaking into the industry.
Check out what they had to say (and head to their LinkedIn to see the owner behind the cat!)
Lydia Rutter
Brand marketing manager
What is it you do at Tecmark?
I am Tecmark’s Marketing Manager and my role sees me wearing a lot of different hats. Overall, I manage the Tecmark brand, including the website relaunch, our social and content outputs, internal branding, and even support at the pre-sales stage. I also project manage across many of our different services including SEO, Technical SEO, site migrations, PPC, and Content Marketing
What led you to this role?
I started out with an undergraduate degree in public relations, which led me to a love of feature writing and social media and my first job at a Bridal Magazine in the US. It was a great atmosphere but I was missing out on developing in the digital world.
My master’s degree in digital marketing helped me discover my interest in Google, both from a paid and organic search perspective. I find Google’s ambiguousness to be a welcome opponent to improving both my clients and myself. It’s no fun solving a riddle when you already have all the answers!
Have there been any obstacles/challenges within your professional life?
The main challenge I’ve had to overcome has been a sense of imposter syndrome, especially since my move to the UK! There are so many self-professed “experts” out there that it can be easy to doubt your own knowledge and experience. I’ve had to learn to trust myself more and be more vocal about my opinions in the workplace – both favourable and not. When you have a team around you who support and provide a constructive forum to bounce off of rather than suppressing ideas for fear of failure, it makes all the difference.
What advice do you have for women who want to work in your industry?
SEO can be a very subjective practice. People are quick to make opinions based on one experience or metric. If you’re joining the SEO industry, soak up as much as you can. Attend talks. Get an understanding of all areas of SEO and how they work in tandem. Develop your knowledge in practice. Experiment. And don’t be unsure about your expertise because someone is shouting louder than you are.
Are there any women who have inspired you professionally, or personally?
I’d have to say my older sister. Back in America, she’s killing it as a (soon-to-be) mother of three and Partner Marketing Manager for a global Tableau and IT consultancy firm. In her *very little* spare time, she also volunteers as the Director of Special Events at Oklahoma’s Women in Tech. She has always been a go-getter, can’t sit-stiller. She inspires me to get involved and always be bettering myself, and not let having kids distract from my goals.
Amy Jones
SEO EXECUTIVE
What is it you do at Tecmark?
I joined Tecmark as an SEO Executive, focusing on creating and executing on-page and off-page optimisation strategies and processes in line with Google best practices. This role allows me to be creative, technical and analytical.
What led you to this role?
After working in Creative Marketing for many years, I wanted to find opportunities for new learning and challenge myself and move out of my comfort zone! SEO is ever-evolving, and it’s an area I wanted to explore and expand my knowledge. I was also looking for a positive working environment where people and their values matter. Tecmark and its team tick all the boxes!
Have there been any obstacles/challenges within your professional life?
In my past career, the main obstacle I’ve come across was working in an environment that was not inclusive. This was a pivotal moment in my career and encouraged me to move on. It’s important to be part of a team with different experiences and backgrounds and where constructive challenge and collaboration promotes innovative ideas and creativity, allowing you to grow both as an individual and a team.
What advice do you have for women who want to work in your industry?
If you’re a woman breaking into the world of marketing, my advice is to quite simply work hard, learn from others and find ways to create career opportunities. Don’t limit yourself to one area of specialisation. Find ways to use your personal experience and knowledge in innovative ways. Be bold, and don’t be afraid to try new ideas. Be authentic and stay true to yourself!
Are there any women who have inspired you professionally, or personally?
I’m so lucky to have such a great role model and working inspiration in my mum. Her determination, passion and commitment are infectious, but most of all, her encouragement, support and belief has provided me with the foundation to reach and achieve my own goals. Thanks, mum!
Janie Anderson
SEO SPECIALIST
What is it you do at Tecmark?
I work as part of the SEO team, primarily looking at websites from a Technical SEO perspective, looking for opportunities for organic growth and ensuring sites adhere to best practices.
What led you to this role?
The opportunity to take the next step in my career, learn more about technical SEO and help define processes to get the best results for both Tecmark and our clients.
Have there been any obstacles/challenges within your professional life?
I’ve been very lucky in my career to have great mentors that have always encouraged me, listened to me and treated me with respect.
Over the years my main challenge has been educating prospective clients on the value of SEO, it’s why my SEO strategies are always tailored around the best ROI for clients.
What advice do you have for women who want to work in your industry?
There’s no better time to get started than the present! There is a wide range of courses online to give you a basic understanding of SEO. Plus, always ask any prospective employers about their training options when you’re interviewing to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your goals.
Are there any women who have inspired you professionally, or personally?
I’ve always been inspired by the women I work with that don’t apologise for taking space at the table and encourage other women to pursue their goals.
Niamh Hunter
CONTENT & DIGITAL PR EXECUTIVE
What is it you do at Tecmark?
I am a Content and Digital PR Executive at Tecmark. I’m responsible for the majority of the content needed at the agency such as client blog posts, website pages and press releases.
What led you to this role?
Whilst studying Broadcast Journalism, I took a PR module that I really enjoyed. Once I graduated, I took a role in digital PR and made the most of the opportunity, learning all I could about the industry.
After a while, I wanted a new challenge and after speaking to Tecmark I loved the positive work culture they were building. Their values lined up with mine, and there was an opportunity to grow in a supportive environment. Not to mention learning more about SEO from some serious pros!
Have there been any obstacles/challenges within your professional life?
Being a white woman, I recognise that I come from a place of privilege and I’m less likely to run into difficulties in my professional life. I’ve been very lucky throughout my career and I’ve managed to avoid any real external obstacles. A lot of my obstacles have come from managing my mental health issues in the workplace. But practice makes perfect, and I’ve learned where my anxiety can become an issue, and how to handle it.
What advice do you have for women who want to work in your industry?
Negative thoughts and imposter syndrome are more common than you’d think. It can get overwhelming when these thoughts begin to block you from making progress in your career.
I think the most valuable piece of advice you can pass on is – remember your worth! Knowing the value you bring as a person, and a colleague will encourage you to reach new heights instead of being dragged down.
Negative thoughts and environments don’t build you up – so work to develop positive replacements instead. Avoiding these negative vibes, whether that’s coming from your own anxieties or people around you, means you’ll get to where you want to be!
Are there any women who have inspired you professionally, or personally?
Women inspire me as a whole. Personally, I’m especially inspired by women who build up those around them and create an open environment for anyone to take up space and project their voices. Professionally, I’m inspired by my old lecturers – they’re strong women who got me excited about what my words can achieve.
We’re celebrating International Women’s Day in the office, and online this year, so check out our socials for more details. Fancy joining our team of strong women working in SEO and digital PR? Take a look at our careers!
