Today we’d like to introduce you to Virginia English
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013 with a B.S. in Applied Learning and Development. As an educator, the psychology of learning fascinated me. I loved to study research on instructional methodology and to test it by putting it into practice. When I was teaching at a Title I school, I noticed a lack of adequate learning resources, so I began creating my own. I started with basic designs using PowerPoint and Pages. I shared everything I made with my colleagues, and they encouraged me to sell my digital products on a new website called Teachers Pay Teachers. This was the beginning of my journey in content creation.
A few years later, I added another side-hustle to my plate in the form of a blog and influencer portfolio called Meet Virginia. I grew an Instagram handle to about 12k followers, designed a website, and partnered with brands like Walmart and Cecelia New York. Just as things were ramping up, my account was deactivated. (Note to self: do not ever use the word “dupe” on social media.) I didn’t know it at the time, but that redirection was truly a blessing in disguise and an invaluable motivator in my career.
Doors close so that new ones can open, and I transitioned from being the face of a platform to directing behind the screen. I worked as a freelancer for Communities Foundation of Texas and began perfecting my video storytelling skills. With more experience under my belt, I accepted my first full-time social media manager position.
Those outside of education may be surprised to discover the number of commonalities between teaching and marketing. In its truest form, an excellent educator is a skilled marketer and vice versa. I chuckle when I see a post touting ‘storytelling’ as the latest innovation in marketing. In my training and experience, storytelling has always been at the core of high-quality work. If you Google ‘lesson plan,’ the first step will encourage the use of a ‘hook,’ another social media buzzword. Moreover, every Reading or Language Arts teacher from Kindergarten to high school will spend weeks teaching the critical elements of a story and its effective delivery to an audience. Just as our students need engaging learning experiences, our customers require engaging, easily digestible content that is designed through psychology-based methods.
Creating content is certainly not a one-size-fits-all formula, but I know and possess the key tools. The precision and skill that I used to facilitate learning in a classroom and the strategy implored to drive results with students translates seamlessly to content creation. The act of influencing is a practice I learned at UT, and having a robust and diverse set of experiences to glean from is one of my greatest assets.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As a young person, I had no idea what I wanted to do for work and did not know what to study in college. Looking back, I wish I had the opportunity to explore different courses and to choose a Major at a later date. Changing careers is not an easy feat, but I am grateful for my unique path which has shaped me into a resilient and open-minded individual.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a full-time content creator, freelancer, consultant, and UGC creator. I love to work with all kinds of businesses to create meaningful social media content that delivers results. My speciality is in short-form video and graphic design, and I provide services that include content strategy, content creation, copywriting, and social media management. I am proud of my ability to adapt and tailor my strategy based on the unique needs of a client. If I am creating content for a project, no matter the type, I will use the backwards design method. The ideal customer (formerly the learner) will stay at the forefront of everything. This customer-centric approach sets me apart from others and has been a key indicator of my success.
What does success mean to you?
Success is multi-faceted, but the quote that has resonated with me through my education-to-marketing journey is this:
“Tell the truth, but make it fascinating.”
I hope to continue to develop my skills as a creative and to remain steadfast in honest, transparent, and engaging information-sharing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veryvirginia_
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@veryvirginia_
Image Credits
Profile Photo: KSTU Photography.
Virginia English
