My Journey as a Content Strategist at Concurate

I have heard that good things take time. But no one ever told me that when they come, they come with self-doubts, panic attacks, and reality checks, making one feel like their life is a standup comedy routine.

But here I am, two months into my new role as content strategist at Concurate, still wondering why I thought the jump from print media to B2B SaaS content marketing would be a stroll in the park. 

Spoiler alert: It wasn’t at all.

Life Before Becoming a Content Strategist at Concurate

First things first. I don’t have a literature or journalism degree; I am an engineer specializing in electronics and communication. 

Before the pandemic hit, writing was just a hobby. I used to write blogs for my non-profit Project H.E.L.P (currently inactive but trying to get it back up). During the lockdown, I wrote a lot of blogs. And that’s when I thought, why not turn this hobby into a full-time job? 

So, I joined a print media company. I spent four years there, working hard to write numerous long-form B2B articles for C-suites across APAC, Europe, and the US.

Fortunately, and surprisingly so, I got good at it.

And then, one fine day, I decided to switch (I am kidding. I had my fair share of reasons to switch jobs). I wasn’t even looking to get into content marketing. But somehow, I ended up giving an interview for the role of content strategist at Concurate, and here’s how that went.

Why Concurate?

Not gonna lie. Concurate was not the first company to which I applied during my job hunt. 

But after the first time I spoke with Aditi Syal, one of the company’s founding member, it became crystal clear that this is a place where learning never stops. 

There are no rigid hierarchies. No age barriers. You could be the company’s founder or an intern, and you’d still be learning from each other every day.

And that’s exactly what I wanted. To learn. To grow beyond just writing. And Concurate gave me that opportunity. 

I came in expecting to learn the nitty-gritty of content marketing and writing from Aditi (which I did and still do every day). But more than that, I hoped for the freedom to experiment. To work at my own pace. 

And let’s get real. That’s not something you find in most corporate offices nowadays.

But, Concurate isn’t like most companies. It gives employees the space to work the way they want. And that kind of freedom fuels creativity like nothing else. 

Knowing this, I acted like a ‘wise’ adult and accepted the job offer and joined the company as a content strategist.

Pivoting from Print Media to Content Marketing

The move was intense, to be honest.

I went from a world of paper (Ah, it reminds me of Dunder Mifflin) to a place where everything happens online. Things I never had to think about before were suddenly part of my day-to-day. Things like Ahrefs, Google Analytics, and Hubspot.

Moreover, the research, keyword analysis, content planning, writing, graphic designing, and on-page SEO were all on me.

Insider Info: Everyone at Concurate possesses various skills and is encouraged by the founders to be self-sufficient and holistic in terms of skill sets.

Was it a little overwhelming? 

Yes. Because I had the same 10-hour shift but a lot more work. 

Was it a good idea to step out of my comfort zone and explore an uncharted territory?

Well;

One Month, Multiple Reality Checks

My first day at Concurate as a content strategist? I was as optimistic as a teenage girl going to a One Direction concert, fully expecting to make eye contact with Harry Styles.

I quickly got into learning mode. In the first few days, I took a HubSpot course on inbound marketing. Took another one by Grow & Convert, and then there is one on Shane Snow’s storytelling. And the learning was beyond amazing.

But then I got a reality check.

When it came to skills beyond writing, I was way behind everyone else. Although I had four years of pure writing experience (and deep down, I still call myself a writer), I lacked the domain knowledge and content strategizing, analytics, and research skills.

I struggled to deliver on time. And for the first three weeks, I delivered nothing (nothing significant, at least).

I was scared. I was also thinking about whether Aditi doubted her decision to hire me. 

With these fears running wild in my mind, I wondered, “Was it a good idea to join Concurate?”

The Turning Point

The team supported me throughout what I will call a really stressful and anxiety-filled 3 weeks. Aditi was patient with my progress. However, there was an initial push from her side. Let’s call it constructive criticism (and trust me, she proudly owns up to the fact that she shows tough love, and we all love her tough love!) She asked me about the bottlenecks, and we solved them together.

During this time, I kept telling myself, “I have to excel. There is no looking back for me. There is nothing I cannot do.” More tangibly, I was also telling myself, “Get through the first month, and with the new salary, we’re going to get that Logitech keyboard you always wanted.”

So, I pushed myself.

I started learning the workflows. I figured out the most optimized sequence of tasks so that I delivered on time with maximum accuracy. In short, I started creating repeatable systems.

And with every new blog I wrote, my domain expertise expanded. There were fewer corrections and more confidence in the next blog. 

And now, two months later, I look back at those early struggles and feel grateful. If I hadn’t hit those walls, I wouldn’t be where I am today (and I bought that Logitech keyboard).

The blogs I wrote on Google’s first page. Numerous GenAI tools recommend my CrowdStrike content strategy and SEO analysis. Also, the graphics from our blogs show up in Google’s AI Overview, as shown below.

My peers praised my work. Aditi gained confidence in me. Attached is her feedback (tears literally welled up in my eyes while I read it).

And I? 

I felt like Doctor Strange. Stepping into a world I didn’t understand. Fumbling through ancient texts (or, in my case, content marketing and SEO guidelines) and unlocking newer spells. 

You Learn, Learn, and Then Learn Some More

Concurate’s culture is built on innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning. Every Friday, we have a meeting where we discuss something new. 

Last week, we discussed our buyers’ journey and how we can improve every touchpoint and deliver true value.

And we did this because we had just lost a client. But instead of brushing it off, we did what we do best. Analyzed, learned, and improved (and that’s what I absolutely love about this place). We don’t pretend to be perfect. We don’t expect blind trust. We make mistakes because we are humans.

And whatever we learn, we share it with our team members, peers, and sometimes even with competitors. We give B2B SaaS growth handbooks to prospects. We publish content and SEO analyses of different SaaS businesses for everyone to learn from.

So, Here’s The Thing

At the end of the day, content marketing is about creativity. If someone like me can do it, trust me, you can too.

You will just need a few things. A will to learn, power through, and take criticism. 

Also, accept that there are things you don’t know. Be humble enough to recognize your gaps. Because humility opens doors to opportunities you have never even seen before.

So, experiment with your potential. 

See how far you can push yourself.

And even if things go sideways, at least you’ll have a hilarious story to tell.

Go on now. Give it a shot. Do that one thing you’ve been avoiding. And once you do, it’s a whole new universe.