Why I joined a tech startup - Episode 40
I had always been intrigued by startup culture and after a few years working in publishing, I was approached about a job in tech.
Today I thought we’d dive into my time spent working at a tech startup and discuss how I got the role, how it differed from my time in editorial and why I think it’s important to shake things up in your career every now and then.
Create & consume
What Austen is creating this week: A day in my life mini vlog for Instagram and TikTok
What Austen is consuming this week: A medley of TV! The Bachelor, Love is Blind, The White Lotus and The Traitors.
In this episode:
How I got the job
A friend from college reached out to me on Twitter and shared the opportunity with me, which led to a coffee meeting with the founder.
Around the same time, my freelance work was also shifting because an editor at one of my top publications moved on, and I was starting to feel burnt out from chasing assignments that didn’t pay much.
To get a feel for the role, I did a two-week trial run before committing to the job full-time.
When I joined, part of my package included the option to purchase stock in the company, which is typical for startups.
What the company did
Jumprope was an app designed to teach people how to do anything. It functioned as both an editing tool and a social media platform, making it a unique space for creators to share step-by-step tutorials.
Skills I learned
I am so grateful for the fact that I truly learned SO much in this job.
At magazines I was great at execution but in this role I was constantly inventing my own systems and finding creative ways to market the app.
These are some of the top skills that I learned that make me a better content creator today.
Marketing
Learned to think like a marketer, not just an editor
Recruited creators at scale:
Hosted Facebook Lives in creator groups
Led Zoom presentations for influencer communities
Ran influencer marketing campaigns
Promoted the app in Clubhouse rooms, workshops, and tutorials
Copywriting
Wrote emails updating users about new product features
Developed brand voice for social media
Created clickable, engaging subject lines
Presentation development
Learned to make engaging PowerPoint/Canva presentations
Branding
Understood the importance of consistent branding
Realized I was not a great graphic designer but mocked things up anyway
Also hired Cheryl from Made on Sundays to design my own branding
Goal setting
Set and tracked quarterly goals
User testing & troubleshooting
Worked with engineers on app design and bug fixes
Helped improve user experience by suggesting button placements and layouts
Community-building
Hosted Clubhouse rooms
Organized IRL events:
NYFW breakfast with an influencer agency and their creators
Office-warming party
Invited creators to record content in our office
Social media management
Ran brand accounts instead of just my own
Managed both the @letsjumprope and @jumpropebeauty Instagram accounts
When I knew it was time to go
At first, I had exciting in-person meetings with brands like Glossier and L’Oréal, but eventually, everything shifted to remote work.
I spoke with many successful creators and learned from their experiences, which inspired me to explore new opportunities.
I had also saved money and invested in courses on YouTube and SEO.
Meanwhile, the app felt like it was at a crossroads—was it an editing tool or a social platform?
My day-to-day responsibilities kept changing, and some of my ideas, like creating top-of-funnel social content, weren’t being heard.
In April 2021, I decided to put in my notice and pursue content creation full-time. In August 2021, the app closed, and I was fortunate to have left before I was laid off for a third time.
In summary
Even though the startup didn’t last, I’m grateful for the experience.
I learned so much, met incredible people, and had a stable job during COVID. Sometimes, a career shake-up is exactly what you need.
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