SP Diaries #10: Shannon Maher, Digital Content Executive

Here at Socially Powerful, we produce a LOT of content.

From our web page to our social channels, creating and managing our branded content is no easy feat. That’s why it takes people like Shannon Maher to keep things running smoothly.

We sat down with Shannon to find out just what being a Digital Content Executive entails, and what advice she has for people starting off in the industry.

When did you start working at SP?

I began working at SP in July 2022.

What is your role?

I am a Digital Content Executive.

What does that entail?

A whole lot of creativity! I oversee the Socially Powerful website, ensuring a constant flow of relevant trending and SEO content, which includes knowing how to run search engine optimisation and draw people in with my copywriting skills. I also oversee the company’s podcast, Behind The Screens, which involves a lot of influencer/management liaising, producing, and creating content for socials. However, my favourite part of my job is the Influencer Sessions blog series I run on the website, which allows me to reach out and interview social media influencers about their journeys to creatorhood!

What does an average week look like for you?

A lot of tasks remain the same week-on-week, but the best thing about my role is that new creative opportunities can pop up whenever! My weeks are filled with a lot of Canva creations, blog writing, influencer outreach, content planning and WordPress visits (…a lot of WordPress visits…). You’ll also find me bulk filming content for the SP socials!

Why did you choose SP/ want to work for them?

I was fresh out of university studying a master’s degree in scriptwriting for film and TV when I came across SP’s ad for a Digital Content Intern. Along with an interview, I was tasked with writing an introduction to a blog post. As soon as I realised just how much freedom I had to write about such interesting topics, I knew SP was the place for me.

What do you like about working at SP?

I love that I still have my creative freedom to this day. Anything and everything I create comes from my own imagination and everyone is super supportive of that! I also really enjoy the array of tasks I get to oversee, particularly the podcast and Influencer Sessions series.

What do you like about working within this industry?

I love how modern it is. I always knew I didn’t want to fall into a “traditional” job role and even though it’s a difficult job to explain to people like my grandparents, I really enjoy being part of the future of social/influencer marketing.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned across your career so far?

To just give everything a go! How will you know what you enjoy doing/are good at without experimenting? SP is a great place to take on new opportunities too.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome at SP?

Self-confidence and leadership skills. It’s a huge step to take from being in education and having teachers grade your work, to a career where you are left to your own devices to figure out what works well and what doesn’t. It’s all about silencing that inner saboteur.

How has your career path/vision changed over the years?

Up until I went to university, I always wanted to be in the theatre (thankfully I still get to live a little part of that dream by being in all the SP TikToks). Fast forward, and I now adore creative writing, whether that be script work, captioning social media posts, writing blogs etc. This is definitely where I want to stay for a while.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in your role?

Explore your imagination/creativity’s capabilities and stick with them! They will be your superpower in this line of work. Also don’t be afraid to try new things. As creatives, we need new avenues to explore our potential, and each failure just means you’re one step closer to finding what you love!