My Journey to Becoming a Digital Marketing Strategist in a Design Agency

When you work at the same place for 7 years, it becomes more than just a job. It becomes your rhythm. You understand the work culture, the people, the pace. That’s what life was like for me in the EdTech industry – familiar and comfortable.

But in 2024, I made a leap.

I moved from a long-standing content role in an EdTech company to a completely new world, a presentation design agency that built visual stories for brands like Google, Coca-Cola, and more. 

And that change? 

It shook me to my core.

This blog isn’t just about that transition. It’s about discomfort, learning curves, and the truth behind what it takes to rebuild your identity as a digital marketing strategist — from scratch.

The New World I Walked Into

My new role wasn’t just about writing blogs or managing SEO strategies, I was hired to build powerful content for pitch decks, corporate presentations, and high-stakes storytelling. I was expected to ideate messaging for Fortune 500 clients. And I was reporting directly to the founder.

The expectation? 

Think big. Deliver faster. Write smarter.

The reality? I was lost.

I didn’t know how a design agency worked, what “content hierarchy” meant in a 20-slide deck, how visual storytelling worked, or what tools designers used. Unlike the blog-heavy content world I came from, this was highly visual, fast-moving, and experimental. Even their internal vocabulary was different.

There wasn’t a clear handover. No content framework to follow. I was just shown a few blogs, a couple of decks, and told, “You’ll figure it out.”

Learning Beyond Office Hours

Each day, after leaving work exhausted and unsure, I went home and opened Slideology — a book personally recommended by my CEO. It wasn’t just a book; it was a bridge to understanding the design-first world I had stepped into. That moment, him sharing a resource that shaped his own thinking, meant a lot to me. It showed he saw potential in me, even if things weren’t perfect yet.

Alongside Slideology, I dove into YouTube tutorials on brand messaging, visual hierarchy, and design psychology. My evenings, once reserved for rest, became classrooms. I was determined to learn, not because someone asked me to, but because I owed it to myself to grow. And somewhere in that silent hustle, my confidence began to return.

Wearing Two Hats: Content & Operations

When I joined the presentation design agency, I was excited yet uncertain. My role was clear on paper: content creation and digital marketing. But real-world roles rarely follow paperwork.

Just as I was adjusting to how content worked in this new visual-heavy space, something unexpected happened, I was asked to step into “operations”.

A new department was being formed. 

There was no predefined structure, but there was trust. 

I was entrusted with a variety of responsibilities: 

• Coordinating project timelines
• Documenting client updates
• Managing weekly reports
• Tracking task dependencies
• Ensuring the founders were up to date with resource availability.

It was far from easy.

Content creation and SEO were already demanding: writing pitch-perfect copy for global clients, researching keywords, optimizing pages, preparing presentation narratives. Now I was juggling all of that alongside operational workflows that needed precision and accountability.

I didn’t say “NO”.

I knew I couldn’t afford to. I was new, the expectations were high, and I was determined to prove my value. That phase demanded every ounce of my resilience. I worked 12+ hours a day (in and out of the office). Most days, I barely had time for breaks. But I never let go of the one thing that had carried me through life — MY BELIEF IN HARD WORK.

And slowly, through the long hours and sleepless nights, my efforts began to show up, not in praise or applause, but in something I knew well: DATA.

How SEO Elevated My Role as a Digital Marketing Strategist

While I was organizing projects and managing timelines on one side, I was also quietly building SEO foundations from scratch.

The website didn’t have optimized blogs, the on-page structure was underutilized, and keywords weren’t aligned with the search intent of potential clients. I began identifying gaps, creating content plans, and experimenting with formats that could help position us as a thought leader in the presentation design niche.

I structured the blog calendar, proposed target keywords for each post, introduced internal linking best practices, and ensured CTAs were aligned with our offerings. I even redesigned the briefs to ensure they reflected the agency’s tone — clear, minimal, and smart.

And then, the numbers began to shift.

• The organic impressions increased
• Bounce rate started decreasing
• Internal blog ranking improved
• Leads from SEO became measurable

My work, which had been under close scrutiny, started drawing attention for the right reasons. Slowly but surely, I started hearing “good job” from the same leaders who once sent feedback in red.

For the first time, the SEO strategy was working, not just as a digital plan, but as a business enabler.

It became clear: when your skills are rooted in adaptability and insight, they find their way to success, no matter how unfamiliar the terrain is.

From “Why Was I Hired?” to “This Is Why I Belong Here”

In the first month, I remember the founder casually saying during a conversation,
“I hired you because you’re Bengali. Bengalis are aggressive when it comes to learning. They don’t stop until they figure things out. And they write well, too.”

At that moment, I wasn’t sure whether to smile or feel the pressure. But it stuck with me.

That statement became my silent push.

Every time I struggled to write for a deck I didn’t fully understand, every time I doubted whether my content would align with the designer’s vision — I remembered those words. And I decided that if I was hired for my grit, I’d prove that grit with results.

For the first few months, I didn’t argue when content wasn’t working. I didn’t resist when people pointed out flaws. I simply listened, researched, and rebuilt.

Eventually, the SEO dashboard turned green.

• Our internal blogs started ranking on Google.
• Presentation content became sharper, more aligned.
• Case studies began reflecting client success.
• Even team members who once doubted my ability started asking me for ideas.

I wasn’t just a content writer anymore. I was a digital marketing strategist in every sense — someone who could think across platforms, understand performance metrics, and optimize for real business goals.

Lessons I’ll Always Carry Forward

Working in a presentation design agency taught me things no textbook, college degree, or previous job ever could. If you’re someone building a career in digital marketing or making a leap into a completely new industry, here are a few powerful lessons I learned the hard way:

1. Every Company Has Its Own Language

Whether it’s a tech firm or a creative agency, each organization has a distinct voice, workflow, and culture. If you want to succeed, don’t expect them to adapt to you. Instead, observe how they communicate, understand their brand tone, and tailor your skills accordingly. Flexibility is a superpower.

2. If There’s No Process, Create One

When I joined, there wasn’t a structured content workflow for SEO or presentation projects. So I created briefs from scratch, initiated performance tracking, and suggested blog formats that matched both SEO goals and visual storytelling. If you don’t see a system, build one. That’s what digital marketing strategists do — they solve problems, not just follow tasks.

3. Be Open to Wearing Multiple Hats

You may be hired for one thing, but don’t be surprised if you end up doing two. I was hired for content, but also found myself handling operations, coordinating tasks, and planning timelines. It stretched me — but also elevated my profile and helped me grow into a multi-skilled contributor.

4. Let Performance Speak for You

When words aren’t enough, let your work do the talking. Your traffic growth, blog rankings, bounce rates, or conversions — they tell a story no resume can. That’s how I turned skepticism into support. Results are your most powerful feedback.

5. Stay Grounded, Always

Whether you’re a rising content creator or aiming to be the best content writer in the world, remember: consistency matters more than applause. Don’t chase validation. Let your calm, ethical approach shape your brand.

Advice for Young Professionals

If you’re just starting your digital growth journey, here’s what I’d tell you:

• Learn beyond work hours. Curiosity builds careers.
• Accept feedback — it sharpens you.
• Track your wins — they’ll lift you during doubt.
• Ask questions, but first, do your homework.
• And most importantly — trust your journey. It’s yours for a reason.

The Intersection of Design and Content

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned here is this: content and design are no longer separate silos. They are two sides of the same brand coin.

No matter how beautifully a deck is designed, if the messaging lacks clarity or storytelling, it won’t convert. Likewise, great words without visuals are just plain text.

As a digital marketing strategist today, I look beyond blogs and keywords. I now consider content hierarchy in decks, client messaging in proposals, narrative tone in LinkedIn posts, and even the psychological impact of colors and fonts.

That’s the beauty of working in a presentation design agency — it forces you to think like a marketer, a creator, and a storyteller all at once.

Finding My Footing: From Chaos to Clarity

Looking back, the first three to four months felt like a whirlwind; filled with confusion, pressure, and a relentless urge to prove myself. I was adjusting to a new industry, a new city, and a company culture that was vastly different from what I had known in my seven years of edtech experience. 

Every day felt like a test. But I kept showing up. I kept learning, even when I failed. 

And most importantly, I kept believing that my work would speak for itself.

Today, I can finally say I feel settled.

The content processes I helped build are now running smoothly. Our SEO performance is strong. I’ve earned the trust of the founders, and I now work with more clarity and confidence. I’m no longer constantly second-guessing myself. The sleepless nights spent reading about design strategy, the endless rewrites, the internal pressure, it’s all starting to feel worth it.

This company once felt like a tough mountain to climb. But now, it feels like a place where I belong. Not because everything is easy — but because I’ve grown strong enough to handle the hard things.

And that’s the most satisfying part.

Final Thoughts

Shifting from a long-term career in EdTech to a fast-paced presentation design agency wasn’t just a job change, it was a complete reset. I had to rebuild my confidence, relearn my craft, and reshape my mindset. But in doing so, I also discovered parts of myself I hadn’t met before, the strategist, the problem solver, the operations handler, and most importantly, the learner who never gives up.

Yes, the beginning was chaotic. I was misunderstood, corrected often, and pushed out of my comfort zone. But if I hadn’t embraced that discomfort, I wouldn’t be where I am today, confident, curious, and clear about the value I bring.

To anyone out there transitioning into a new industry or role, let this be a reminder: growth rarely feels like growth when you’re in it. It feels messy, tiring, even thankless. But when you keep showing up with humility, hunger, and heart — the results will speak for you.

I don’t know if I’m the best content writer in the world, but I do know I’ve come a long way. And that, to me, is success.

FAQs

1. How is digital marketing different in a design agency compared to EdTech?

Design agencies focus heavily on visual communication and brand storytelling. Digital marketing here requires more integration with design thinking, content hierarchy, and real-time branding needs.

2. What skills helped you succeed in the transition?

Adaptability, deep SEO knowledge, content marketing strategy, operational coordination, and a strong willingness to learn beyond work hours were key to succeeding in this new space.

3. How did SEO play a role in your agency’s success?

By restructuring blogs, optimizing on-page SEO, and aligning keywords with user intent, I helped boost organic traffic, reduce bounce rates, and bring in measurable leads.

4. What advice would you give someone entering a new digital marketing role?

Learn obsessively, stay patient, accept feedback, and track your progress. Your performance — not your title — builds credibility. Let your results do the talking.