Ejournal #3 — How Meaningful Connections Drive Success
Digital marketing is always changing, and success isn’t just about knowing the latest trends. It’s also about building real relationships and growing as a professional. Two amazing speakers, Jacqueline and Adriana, shared insights that changed how I see influencer marketing and career growth. Their experiences showed me how important it is to build strong professional connections, push myself out of my comfort zone, and recognize my achievements.
The Power of Relationship Management in Influencer Marketing
Jacqueline, a campaign manager at Studio71 Canada, talked about the importance of managing influencer relationships in a way that benefits both the brand and the creator. Before her talk, I thought influencer marketing was mainly about engagement and content, but she opened my eyes to the long-term strategy behind it.
She emphasized that strong influencer relationships aren’t just about one-off deals, they’re about partnerships that help both sides grow. Making sure brand values align with influencer content, setting clear expectations, and keeping communication open are all key to a successful campaign.
I resonated with this because I want to start working with influencers more on my work projects. Now, I know I need to do more than just reach out, I need to build real connections. Moving forward, I’ll be more intentional about networking with influencer agencies and making sure collaborations are built on trust and mutual goals.
The idea of building partnerships doesn’t just apply to influencer marketing, it’s essential in all areas of business. Whether it's working with clients, agencies, or even within a company, strong relationships create long-term success. If both sides feel valued and supported, the results will be better, whether it’s a marketing campaign or a business deal. Going forward, I plan to take this same approach in all my professional interactions, ensuring that I’m not just completing tasks but fostering meaningful collaborations that lead to future opportunities.
Pushing Myself to Network and Grow
Adriana’s talk was all about stepping out of your comfort zone and putting yourself out there to grow in your career. She shared how networking and mentorship played a huge role in her success, and honestly, it made me realize I haven’t been prioritizing those things as much as I should.
One thing she said that stuck with me was the idea of celebrating your wins instead of waiting for someone else to recognize them. It’s so easy to just focus on the next goal without taking a second to acknowledge how far you’ve come.
Her advice inspired me to start being more proactive about networking. I plan to attend more work events, introduce myself to people in my industry, and reach out to experienced professionals for guidance. I also want to start setting small personal milestones, like successfully managing a campaign or building a new skill, so I can appreciate my progress instead of just moving on to the next thing.
Turning Insights into Action
What I took from both Jacqueline and Adriana is that relationships, whether with influencers, colleagues, or mentors, are what drive success in marketing. Knowing strategies and trends is great, but if you’re not actively building connections, you’re missing out on huge opportunities.
These lessons are already changing the way I approach my career. Instead of just focusing on marketing strategies, I’m making it a priority to nurture long-term professional relationships. I’m also pushing myself to network more and step into spaces that might feel intimidating at first.
At the end of the day, success isn’t just about skills, it’s also about putting yourself out there, building trust with others, and recognizing your worth. And that’s exactly what I plan to do moving forward.