Sophie Crenigan is the Digital Marketing Manager at LEP Digital, a digital content marketing agency based on the Central Coast of NSW. On the side, she also works as a freelance copywriter.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your background and career?
I was born in London and spent a lot of my childhood moving to various countries and cities.
My family settled back in Australia for the second time in 2005, where I grew up and finished high school in Sydney.
I completed my Bachelor of Communication at UTS and my Graduate Diploma in Communication from Deakin University.
I’ve always found myself drawn to the media and communications sector and subsequently, have developed a diverse career portfolio that spans across marketing, PR, advertising and events.
I’m deeply passionate about storytelling and love writing. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than executing projects, digital campaigns and events that bring brands and businesses to life.
2) What is your current role and what does it entail on a day to day basis?
I’m currently the digital marketing manager at LEP Digital, a content marketing agency based on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
I primarily design, oversee and implement digital marketing strategies for a variety of clients and work closely with a team of fellow marketers, content producers and creatives.
Our clients work across a range of industries – everything from tech start-ups and financial institutions right through to real estate, fashion and lifestyle.
3) What does a typical day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
A typical day starts with a coffee (or two) and a quick get together with the team. It’s here where we plan and prioritise our tasks for the day.
I then spend half an hour going through my emails, touching base with clients, ensuring that everything is up to date and ready to go.
Every day is different and always full of variety. It might include briefing our creative department on client projects, putting together proposals for prospects or attending strategy meetings.
I could then spend a few hours on content development, copywriting projects or digital reporting.
Before I know it, it’s 5.30pm. I’ll sign off for the day, head to the gym, cook something delicious for dinner before settling into a historical drama or murder mystery on Netflix.
4) Do you have any tips, tricks or shortcuts to help you prioritise your workload?
I try and look at everything ‘big picture’, so I don’t feel overwhelmed. It’s all in the planning.
I consider what needs to achieve across the week or even the month and then space out tasks accordingly – being flexible and adaptable certainly helps.
I’ve learnt very quickly how to grasp time management and the art of juggling, which is incredibly important in the industry we’re in.
5) In between your job, life and all your other responsibilities, how do you ensure you find some sort of balance in your life?
It’s important to know when to take time out and switch off.
We’re in an age where information overload is at its peak. I’m a big believer in practicing self-love and making sure that I allocate enough time for myself.
There’s nothing wrong with turning the phone off for a few hours, making a cup of tea and settling in with a good book.
That also extends to my friends, family and loved ones. When I’m with them, I keep the phone at bay and give them 100% of my attention.
6) What are some of the things you do to take time out and recharge?
As a self-proclaimed ‘foodie’, I love cooking and going out to restaurants – there’s nothing more relaxing than being with those you love, sharing a delicious meal and a bottle of wine.
I love travelling and have a rather long bucket list of destinations, so I’m always researching incredible hotels, locations and attractions to see in my spare time.
I’m getting married in November and will be honeymooning in Chile. I’ve been busy practicing my Spanish and scoping out wineries to visit.
I’m also a bit of a gym junkie and make sure that I work out a few times a week. I recently engaged a personal trainer to help me along my fitness journey, which has been wonderfully rewarding.
7) What do you think are some of the best habits you’ve developed over the years to help you strive for success and balance?
Firstly, be trusting. It’s extremely important to be open with your team and have faith in their capabilities.
Everyone brings their individual strengths and ideas to the table.
As Helen Keller once said, “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.
If you try and take on all the work and be the hero, you’ll eventually burnout and hinder yourself from ever finding balance.
A strong unit that works together means that responsibility is shared, and no one is ever feeling overloaded. At LEP Digital, we really look after each other.
Secondly, be resilient. When challenging situations occur, it’s important to not break and crumple, otherwise you’ll send yourself into a frenzy of stress – something I learnt through personal experience.
It’s those challenging environments that can actually make us better people, teaching us to be mentally strong and provides us with opportunities to bounce back.
Thirdly, never stop learning. In my opinion, those that are successful, proactively expand their minds.
I was once told that you can never ask too many questions or read too many books. Strive to master new skills, have your eyes and ears open and keep learning from those around you.
8) What is the number one thing you do to make sure you get the most out of your day?
I keep myself organised. I’m thankful for Asana, my to-do lists, auto-reminders and my calendar!
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