There are many talented people out there and we want to bring them, their work and skills into the spotlight! These interviews showcase other projects going on in the digital space and also offer some tips which fellow professionals may find useful.

1. What is your full name, job title and role?

My name is Simona Durzu. I work as a Digital Marketer & Copywriter at GWS Media. I am in charge of producing engaging and optimised content for our clients’ blogs, websites, and newsletters. Together with a stellar in-house digital marketing team, I also provide digital marketing consulting services, including creating editorial and content strategies.

2. Tell us about GWS Media, what is it and what does the company do?

GWS Media have over 15 years’ digital experience in Bristol. Starting out as web development and web design agency back in 2000, son-and-father team David and Richard Graves have built up the brand to become a digital powerhouse. We help businesses strengthen their online performance, redefine their digital identity and improve their sales figures through targeted marketing. Our in-house team consists of designers, developers, programmers and marketing strategists – so we can offer comprehensive support and direction directly from our friendly offices. We are still working with our first ever client, so we must be doing something right!

3. What does a typical day look like?

A typical day starts with a cup of warm green tea and a team chat to catch up on our latest and upcoming projects. Then comes that moment when I need to take a deep breath and dive into a sea of client and PR emails. After I’ve processed all the fresh information, I plan my tasks for the day accordingly. Here at GWS Media no day is the same: with so many different clients and so many things going on, there’s nothing typical about our working days! Time usually flies between content writing, team and client meetings, and developing and managing communication strategies and applications development for GWS Robotics – our company’s latest project which involves applications and software development for a humanoid robot!

4. How do you manage your day?

When working in a busy digital agency’s environment, it is so important to avoid getting stressed or distracted by the constant flow of activities, meetings, emails and calls. Content production and marketing strategy need deep focus and concentration, so time management is essential. I tend to write (maybe too many) lists of tasks and work through them according to the week’s goals and priorities. When it’s possible to do so, I prefer to work on my least favourite tasks first thing in the morning, and then enjoy the most pleasurable ones later in the evening. Let’s just say I like to end my day on a sweet note.

5. What are the challenges that you’ve encountered and how are you overcoming them in what you have been doing so far?

Working in the digital marketing field means that I can never get too comfortable with my professional skills and knowledge: everything changes in a matter of weeks, and finding the time to keep myself updated on the latest trends and developments can be a bit of a struggle. Finding ways to fall back in love with my job, and coming to terms with the fact that there’s no such thing as perfection when it comes to the learning process, have always been the keys to accepting all of the challenges –and the rewards- of this fascinating field.

6. What are the high moments of what you have been doing so far in your new role?

Leading a communication strategy on my own when launching GWS Robotics made me quite proud, and I’m also grateful for everything I’ve learned during the process – including making (and recovering from) some spectacular mistakes. But the thing I am enjoying the most is finding a real connection with my co-workers. Getting to know their strengths, their value, and also their little quirks and personal preferences are some of my favourite parts of the job. And working with so many clever and genuinely nice people is something I never take for granted.

7. How do you ensure brand safety when working with clients?

Making sure that content is on-brand and meets client standards is one of the challenges of the fast-paced digital world. We like to keep channels of communication with our clients open and transparent so that we get quick sign-off on the latest content or projects.

8. What do you see as the biggest challenge and opportunity for B2B communities/publishers and how can they overcome them?

Data can either be your worst enemy or your best ally: it’s all up to you! It’s hard not to get overwhelmed by the amount of information that you can access through many analytics tools, but instead of panicking over the need to control everything and analyse every single piece of data, it’s better to focus on what’s really important for your business and your content strategy goals. Data allows you to have a clear picture of your current situation: analyse your competitor’s secret online weapons, fix any mistakes and make as many improvements as you can: don’t waste the opportunity to make full use of data’s power.

9. What are your top three content tips?

           1. Stay true to yourself. Too many brands lose their uniqueness when trying to fit into current trends. It’s ok to keep your content fresh, updated, and interesting – it is something I highly recommend. But don’t make it look as if you’re trying too hard. The story of your   company, their values, their employees’ challenges and successes: these are all the things that actually differentiate you from your competitors. So don’t be shy, and avoid hiding your company’s identity behind a glossy but cold wall of trendy and cliché definitions!

           2. Invest in beautiful content. Nothing adds value to your brand like an accurate, well-crafted piece of content. The digital arena is competitive and demanding, so there’s no room for low-quality and spam copy in it. When it comes to content writing, hire someone who’s     passionate and competent, and choose them wisely: if they are not 100% convinced of your company’s worth and value, then how will they be able to attract and retain customers?

           3. Check data! Again, I don’t want to sound repetitive but this is just so important: data is an endless source of knowledge and inspiration. Never underestimate its power. It’s the fastest and easiest way to find out what your prospects are looking for, and to invite them to a rich and inviting buffet of content that provides lots of useful information. Website visitors like to be spoiled –don’t we all? Don’t miss out on an opportunity to treat them with some content that has been created with their true needs in mind.

10. And now for some fun facts about Simona…

If you could be any cheese, which one would you be and why?
Sardinian pecorino, of course! Not because it’s old and smelly but because it’s spicy and strong.
 
What’s the last movie you saw in the cinema?
The Lobster
 
What’s your favourite song to listen to at the moment?
Here Comes The Sun – Nina Simone’s version
 
Where’s your next holiday destination?
It will probably be Lyon, France!
 
 
Be sure to check out our other blogs for additional interviews and b2b marketing insights and helpful tips.
 
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