Reaching the five-year mark here at Mountain Laurel Digital feels a little surreal, in the best way. If you had told me when I started that this young copywriter would be sitting in the role of Content Director, I’m not sure I would have believed you! But growing at MLD has been humbling, abundantly joyful, and an opportunity that I’ll never take for granted.

It’s offered me a front-row seat to incredible growth, both my own and the team’s, and I’ve learned that at the heart of great content is the people you create it with. So, here’s a look at how the years have shaped, challenged, and inspired me, as well as what a day in my life at MLD looks like.

When Faced With Challenges, Roll Up Your Sleeves

Growth sometimes meets you face to face, and the only thing you can do is dig in and embrace it.

Starting as a copywriter with (admittedly, now looking back) little digital marketing experience, I had a lot to learn. It was a whole new, interesting world learning how SEO and content work hand in hand, the strategy behind it, how to write to get results, and content's role in the larger digital marketing sphere. I remember feeling this overwhelming sense of pride the first time my work showed up on the 1st page of Google. It was like winning a prize.

Being surrounded by the brilliant minds of this team kept me hungry to learn more and learn fast. So not only was I honing my craft as a writer, but I started learning how to be a holistic digital marketer too — paying attention to the lingo, learning from strategy presentations, and asking a lot of questions.

From there, and in the years following, I started owning content strategy, which is a whole different ballgame than just writing. It really sets the stage for how content is going to perform, leading the charge on keyword strategy, staying on top of SERP and algorithm changes, and tackling competitive research, which I have all found to be fascinating.

Taking on strategy and moving into a director role also came with learning how to manage others, navigating how to lead with kindness, and at times, offering constructive feedback, which wasn’t always easy. But from these experiences, I’ve learned how to be more patient, how to communicate more effectively, and how to better be there for others as a mentor, as a leader, and most importantly, as a friend.

More Change Means More Growth

One thing that I love most about MLD is that our culture has always supported professional development. So when I asked four years in if I could try my hand at project management, it was a yes without hesitation.

I know what you’re thinking. Why would someone who’s been entrenched in the writing world for a decade want to be a project manager? The truth is two-fold — I love any opportunity to refine my skills and grow, of course, but I deeply love getting to talk and connect with people too.

It’s people that fill my cup.

Full Days & No Dull Moments

Now, for the real question. What does a day in the life look like in this somewhat unconventional role?

Well, my days consist of being one part writer, one part strategist and director, and one part account lead. And I can tell you the days are never dull, but I wouldn’t have them any other way.

Mornings start with a BIG cup of coffee. Then, it’s time to tackle the first mountain of the day… my inbox (hence the need for caffeine.) Next, it’s checking the calendar to get ready for meetings. Often, that means putting together call agendas, checking on work plans, preparing for strategy presentations, or going over our monthly analytics reports.

I love meetings, though, because it’s face time. I love getting to hear what our sweet clients have been up to, sharing the work we’ve been doing, and brainstorming ways we can continue to add value together.

In between meetings, I’m checking on work tasks, organizing Asana boards, and seeing if there are any questions I need to answer or ways I can be helpful to our team. This is Account Lead, Jenny.

*Brain switch. Now it’s time to go into writer mode. While I don’t write deliverables (think blogs or landing pages) in the same capacity that I used to, I do still get to write a bit, which I enjoy.

Writing is a skill that needs to be constantly worked (kind of like a muscle) so you don’t lose it, so I try to keep a few writing tasks to keep me fresh, but the majority of my work is giving content and/or SEO recommendations from a strategic level. And that’s when *brain switch* again I go into Content Director mode.

In this part of my day, I’m doing keyword research, maybe tackling a competitive analysis of content that’s performing, optimizing content for search and AIO, adding strategic thoughts to one of our digital audits, or getting to read and give feedback on some of the FANTASTIC work our contract writers do for us.

Suffice it to say, this is a lot of different hats to wear, but that’s also the beauty of it. My days are never one in the same.

If I have time, getting 30 minutes of exercise during the day helps so much to refocus my brain. I’m also lucky to have one of the cutest co-workers out there — my three-year-old Golden Retriever, Cove, who never skimps on cuddles when I need them. But what I really love at the end of the day is getting to cook something new and delicious. I know that may seem odd, but I’ve found that my little ritual of lighting a candle, putting on some jazz music, and trying a new recipe has been therapeutic.

So there you have it. A day in the life of Content Director & Account Lead. Always busy, at times chaotic, never boring, and immensely rewarding.

…. And Here’s to the Next Five!

Truly, I don’t think I’d be in this role anywhere else, and I’ve thought about that often. How lucky I am to have gotten the chance to grow, take on more responsibility, and be supported every step of the way.

I owe a lot to this place and to this team — for taking a chance on the young, fresh copywriter at the start to helping me grow into a leader at year five. At every milestone, this team has been cheering me on, whether through frustrations or celebrating wins.

Our team has shown up every day with kindness and patience, inspiring me to want to serve them better, our clients better, and help continue to grow this beautiful culture and legacy of what is Mountain Laurel Digital.

I firmly believe happiness comes from those you surround yourself with, and I’ve been so blessed by the people I get to work with every day and clients I love getting to work for.

So, here’s to the next five. I have no idea what they have in store for me, but I do know this…. I’m excited about it.

Half a Decade of Learning & Storytelling: Inside Life as MLD’s Content Director