Thread by @RamliJohn

As a marketer, having a side project is one of the best ways to learn new skills.

Side projects are yours, which means you’re more incentivized to learn well.

Here are five marketing skills I learned through side projects. 🧵

𝟏/ 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠

In 2013, I put up my blog on ramlijohn.com and wrote an article each week for almost three years.

I don't write there as much as now.

I was blogging a lot about Lean Startup back then.

One of my articles got noticed by the organizers of the Lean Startup Conference.

That resulted in being invited to San Francisco to give a talk in front of 6k people!

𝟐/ 𝐒𝐐𝐋 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐛𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬

In another thread, I mentioned I have a software engineering background.

But, I was coding in Java and COBOL for a large enterprise company. So I had no idea how to create a fully functional web app.

https://twitter.com/RamliJohn/status/1392553689617997825

So, with a co-founder, I created FamilyTales, an online way to create a digital baby scrapbook together with friends and family.

It's no longer up. Two single dudes working in an industry for mostly moms is a lesson for another thread. 😄

That’s the first time I really got deep into SQL, Ruby on Rails, and vanilla JS.

As a growth marketer, running ad-hoc SQL queries to get product and user data without engineering has been very helpful. It's given me an edge over others.

𝟑/ 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐝𝐬

I also ran some Facebook and Google ads with FamilyTales. That gave me the confidence to take on a few clients for content and paid marketing after we closed that startup down.

𝟒/ 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

Almost 4 years ago, I started the @GrowthToday show out of my desire to learn more about marketing.

Talking to incredibly smart and generous marketers has been one of the biggest career booster for me.

https://twitter.com/RamliJohn/status/1392553702855172096

This has helped me to help @wes_bush launch the @ProductLed podcast almost 18 months ago.

The was the first small project I did with Wes. Over time, I took on more responsibilities as a freelancer.

Now I work full-time at ProductLed!

Side project → Paying gig

𝟓/ 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

I filmed and edited a few vlogs leading up to my wedding in 2018.

Below is an example of a video of me and Joanna getting our marriage license in Toronto.

Now, I’m putting out weekly videos on product-led growth and user onboarding for @ProductLed.

Here’s an example of one I filmed and edited on three common user onboarding myths:

Other perks of having side projects as a marketer:

✅ You learn about your strengths and interests
✅ It shows to future employers that you take initiative
✅ It gives you a creative outlet
✅ One of your side projects can turn into a side hustle 💸 or full-time business

What side project are you working on, or do you want to start? I'd love to know.

Reply to this thread or DM me.

Gracias y adios!