Our magazine wp unboxed, e-books, the WordPress newsletter, social media channels... As the number of customers grows, so do the demands on our marketing. Now, with Annie, we have active design and content support. Welcome to the best WordPress hosting team!
So far, Torben, Leefke and Michael are responsible for all content, graphics, ads, SEO, videos and the design of Raidboxes and wp unboxed. The multilingualism of our magazine and content marketing in particular take up a lot of time. That's why we are delighted to have Annie on board. You can find out more about working at Raidboxes in our interview with her.
Raidboxes continues to grow - be part of it
Content marketing at Raidboxes
Annie, what tasks do you take on in the Raidboxes team?
Together with Leefke and Michael, I take care of content marketing. Our centerpiece is the magazine wp unboxed. As editors, we not only write our own articles, but also work closely with guest authors - including web designers, agencies and experts from a wide range of disciplines.
We share the latest content about WordPress & Co. in our bi-weekly newsletter and on our social media channels - Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. I've also been supporting our team in these areas since November. It's incredibly fun. The exchange with the WP community and our readership is also pretty exciting.
Initially a working student, I've been at the start full-time for a good month now. Since then, I've been devoting more and more time to our visual content: For example, I draw illustrations for our blog posts and assist Torben with the layout and design of print and online media.
In the future, I will also be more involved in design. I am particularly interested in optimizing the usability and user experience of the Raidboxes dashboard.
Layout and design
How did you come to specialize in design during your studies?
I completed my Bachelor's degree in Design at the FH Bielefeld. You choose your specialization, in my case photography and visual media, when you apply. Especially in the creative field, it's not the numerus clausus that determines your place, but your own motivation. This means that you have to pass the so-called artistic-creative aptitude test. In Bielefeld, your (portfolio) portfolio and (design) homework must first be accepted - only then can you take the practical exam the next day.
The whole application process was not only a lot of stress and pressure on site, but also an immense amount of time beforehand. Back then, I created my portfolio at the same time as my internship at Studio Toelle - it was draining, but I was one hundred percent sure that I wanted the place. And that's why I went through with it.
Thanks to the many interdisciplinary modules, the course was super rich, individual and free. There is a broad spectrum of creative disciplines beyond your own field of study: In addition to moving image, documentary photography, media technology, picture editing & co, I also took some seminars in communication design, digital media and fashion.
I always found this context, the close mentoring by professors and the interdisciplinary collaborations very inspiring and lively. My final project last year, for example, was created in collaboration with the graphic artist and book designer Carolin Hartmann.
Working at Raidboxes
What is your first impression of Raidboxes?
It's amazing how creative, motivated and open our team is: I notice every day how much we push each other and give our best every day. I like that we prefer to say "and" instead of "but" or "no". And I like how many interesting people from different disciplines come together here.
What are you most looking forward to? Also with the WordPress community?
I've already heard a lot about the WordPress community. Nevertheless, I'm very excited to see what's in store for me at WordCamps, meetups and similar events. I'm really looking forward to meeting so many new, exciting faces. Especially because I'm a newcomer to the WordPress environment and still have a lot to learn. With curiosity and empathy, I think I can fit in well with the WordPress community.
The first WordCamp I'm attending is WordCamp Europe 2020 - unfortunately only online this year. I'm really looking forward to the presentations, the exchange of ideas and lots of input. Even though I would of course have preferred to experience all of this face to face in Porto.
Why Raidboxes?
You had several options to get started right after your studies - why did you choose Raidboxes?
Many start-ups advertise fantastic benefits for their employees. In fact, I don't know of any company that is as broadly positioned in this respect as Raidboxes: flexible working hours, exceptional team events, an incredible range of further training opportunities and much more.
But that's not what motivated me to apply - above all, I was inspired by the holacracy company model: all employees work precisely in the field where their own passion and individual expertise lies. Each individual makes a huge difference and contributes their knowledge and opinion directly. If someone has a new idea in mind, they present it to everyone for discussion.
Holacracy is a great new challenge for me because I am a very passionate but introverted person. Having so much responsibility and decision-making power in the work environment is new for me. Raidboxes is definitely a unique company. I am very grateful to be a part of it.
What do you do when you're not writing or designing for Raidboxes?
I prefer to be out in nature and in the fresh air, whether it's cycling or running. For example, I'm currently trying my hand at inline skating - it's slowly getting better, even if I'm admittedly a bit clumsy. And I've already stood on a friend's e-longboard a few times.
Before the coronavirus, I maxed out my Urban Sports Club membership and tried my luck at CrossFit, Ninja Sports and Pilates. I love trying new things from time to time - even when cooking, I usually only make each recipe once.
I also volunteer as part of the marketing team at TechLabs - a non-profit organization for digital education, especially for tech skills. I recently completed the User Experience Design learning path myself as a participant in our program. I enjoyed the whole thing so much that I will soon be joining the Web Development track in the backend.
When the opportunity arises, I really enjoy traveling. My parents converted a Magirus Deutz back then - my sister and I grew up with it, so to speak. In summer, we used to spend weeks on the rugged coasts of France. On later trips, I was particularly impressed by the countries of Moldova and Slovenia. I find it super exciting to immerse myself in other cultures and discover unknown landscapes.
