Aleena iftikhar’s Post

Career Epistle: A Journey of Growth and Passion 🎉 As I celebrate another year of life today, I find myself reflecting on the journey that has shaped who I am and my career. 🎂 Graduating from Bingham University with a degree in microbiology was a significant milestone, but the path that followed was anything but conventional. In a country where opportunities can often feel scarce, I found myself at a crossroads during my second year of university, seeking a way to carve out a future that aligned with my aspirations. In 2017, while still navigating the academic landscape, I took a leap of faith into the world of digital marketing. 🚀 This was not just a career choice; it was a pivotal moment that would alter the trajectory of my professional life. I embraced freelancing, eager to learn and grow in a field that was rapidly evolving and increasingly relevant. The decision was fueled by necessity, but it quickly transformed into a passion. 💻❤️ My early experiences as a freelancer taught me the importance of adaptability and creativity. I immersed myself in learning everything I could about digital marketing—social media strategies, content creation, SEO, and analytics. 📈 Each project was a chance to refine my skills and expand my knowledge. I took on various gigs, from managing social media accounts to developing marketing strategies for small businesses. Through these experiences, I honed my ability to connect with diverse audiences and understand their needs. 🤝 As I navigated this journey, I encountered challenges that tested my resilience. 💪 There were moments of uncertainty, especially as I balanced my academic commitments with the demands of freelancing. However, each challenge only fueled my determination to succeed. I learned to leverage setbacks as opportunities for growth, emerging with a deeper understanding of myself and the digital marketing landscape. Over the years, I have cultivated a diverse skill set that spans various aspects of digital marketing. 🌟 My passion for the industry has led me to collaborate with brands, contribute to impactful campaigns, and connect with fellow marketers who inspire and challenge me. I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of digital platforms to transform businesses and amplify voices, reinforcing my commitment. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I recognize the significance of the choices I've made. What began as a freelance gig has blossomed into a fulfilling career, one that I am proud to navigate every day. 🙌 I am grateful for the experiences that have shaped my path and the people I have met along the way. As I celebrate my birthday, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead. 🎈 I am eager to continue growing, learning, and contributing to the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. My journey is far from over; it is merely the beginning of a new chapter. 📖 I look forward to embracing new challenges, exploring innovative strategies, and making a lasting impact in the industry.

5 years ago I couldn't even have dreamt of where I'm at life right now. Studying Engineering was not my passion, but I was compelled to do so for some reason. During my college days my friend started his e-commerce clothing store I started to help him with the copy and branding, Then we launched and started getting results. That was the turning point for me! I knew I was build for this and how my copy can scale businesses. After that I started freelancing and started posting on social media. I got my first order from facebook, Right after I did a post about social media copy. I had to write a landing page for a sports brand. My client was amazed to see the amazing content. (No kidding 🤣) He said, "It's a very hectic task to test someone and assign new tasks daily; thank God I found someone reliable." I still remember the excitement of my first payment. My mum was sleeping, and I whispered, "Mom, I got my first payment." She was happier than me. I joined many freelance platforms: ✅Fiver ✅Upwork ✅Freelancer I completed a few projects on Fiver and Freelancer. But didn't get back-to-back projects. Then I started personal branding on: ✅Twitter ✅LinkedIn ✅Facebook I started sharing content as a full-time job. It was very hectic but I never quit. I started getting clients from Twitter and LinkedIn when my profiles were ranked in search results. I longed for clients in the early days, but now clients come to me. Now I am: ✅Managing 2-4 LinkedIn profiles ✅️Working with CEO, Founders & Directors ✅Developing a Go To Market Strategies ✅Collaorating with fellow creators ✅Working with well-known Brands ✅Doing complete end to end marekting of Brand ✅️ Putting in Outreach systems in place for clients ✅Getting consistent Sales through my systems Besides all these, Also invested in: ✅My team ✅Small Workplace ✅Tools and devices This is how effort changes everything. From nothing to something 💯 Success is not guaranteed with time. Success is guaranteed with hard work. Problems can't hinder your growth, but your excuse can. P.S. If you haven't started on anything yet, start today because it's never too late. Will you? Happy Monday ✨️ ~~~ DM me if you're looking to grow your business and Personal Brand

Today marks a big step in my professional journey. After much contemplation, I've made three decisions that could change my career path: ✅ Embracing Freelancing: I've always been passionate about digital marketing, honing my skills behind the scenes. But I've never leapt freelancing, always finding comfort behind my laptop screen. Today, that changes. I'm excited to announce that I'm officially starting my freelance digital marketing business! ✅ Reaching Out: In the past, I've relied solely on inbound leads and referrals. It felt safe, but it limited my growth. Starting today, I'm pushing myself to actively reach out to potential clients. It's a bit nerve-wracking, but I'm ready for the challenge. ✅ Investing in Tools: They say a worker is only as good as their tools. After careful consideration, I've decided to invest in LinkedIn #LinkedinSalesNavigator. It's a big step, but I believe this tool will save me time and help me connect with the right people more efficiently. These decisions weren't easy, but they felt right. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and into a world of new possibilities. Wish me luck as I embark on this new chapter of my career! Here's to growth, new challenges, and exciting opportunities. Let the journey begin! #digitalmarketing #socialmediamarketing #freelancing #leadgeneration #facebookad #metaad #linkedin

They said, Give it a try for six months, & you'll see the change. Well, I did—and here I am 🙈 A year ago, I decided to take on LinkedIn. I joined Sorted Brand with 0 experience (grateful) My first drafts? Rejected. There were so many edits, but each was a lesson in itself. I learned how to research content ideas, turn them into posts,  engage with clients, and manage multiple projects. Although it was overwhelming at times, it taught me the ins and outs of LinkedIn. As I improved my abilities, I started building my personal brand. The inbound leads started coming in, & eventually, took the leap of faith & left my job to pursue freelancing full-time. What I didn’t know was how unpredictable freelancing could be. The first two months were great, but then... clients started saying no.  I found myself surviving on one client, with nothing but faith in my abilities & the content I continued to share. But I didn’t give up. Slowly but surely, I gained more clients, recognition, & opportunities. here I am today with: 🤝15K amazing followers. 🏆 Recognized among the top 2% creators. 🩷A network of friends and supporters. It wasn't always easy. There were moments when I wanted to quit, times of self-doubt, and periods of struggle.  But every challenge taught me something valuable. As I look back on this year, I'm recommitting myself to this platform. To those just starting out, remember that consistency is key. Give it 6 months, and you'll be amazed at the change. Cheers to my 1 year on LinkedIn but 6 months as a freelance LinkedIn ghostwriter. Another year of growth, learning & connection. I promise to stay active and continue sharing valuable content in the coming months. To everyone who's been part of this journey, thank you. Your support, engagement, & trust have been my motivation. I have a lot to share and will do so shortly. Stay tuned and follow Aachal Agrawal. #linkedIn #personalbranding #contentcreation #freelance

-Allow me to reintroduce myself- My entire life, I’ve been grappling with the question, What the heck is my purpose—or my ikigai—here? Is this a millennial thing? Or maybe it’s the influence of my cultural background, where I always felt the pressure to excel, to strive for something greater, even when I wasn’t entirely sure what that “something” was. I always did well in everything, but there was never that one thing that stood out, that made me say, This is it! But here’s what I do know: I’m a creative, sensitive soul. 😌 After years of navigating the twists and turns of corporate life, I finally embraced what truly drives me—creativity, flexibility, and the freedom to pursue my multiple passions. In July, I made the leap into full-time freelancing as a social media manager and tidying coach. Both roles are challenging and rewarding in their own ways, but it’s a journey I wouldn’t trade for anything. In the midst of creating so much content, and as if managing multiple accounts isn't enough, I realized I’ve been neglecting LinkedIn 😝, forgetting to share my journey with you. LinkedIn has never been a place where I’ve shared my personal story. Well, it's time to reconnect, to network, and to share the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Whether you're in the corporate world, freelancing, or somewhere in between, there's value in every step of our journey. ✨So, I’d love to hear from other freelancers— what’s your journey been like? One question I’m asked the most is, ‘How do you make yourself accountable each day to work?’ The answer is simple: passion. I even work more hours now because I genuinely love what I’m doing. When you find something that works for you, you keep investing in it. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing these past months— educating myself, learning from other creators, and honing the skills I actually want to master, not just the ones a company demands and all on my own terms. I’m determined to be great at what I do, to deliver excellence, and I’m thrilled that I’ve finally turned my passions into my profession. Otherwise, they’d have just remained hobbies… Now, I’m leveling up my content game and celebrating each small step. I’ve spent months sharpening my iPhone photo and videography skills—because let’s be honest, every great shot counts. 😜 And—🥁— both websites are live and created by myself! 🎉 It’s been a month of growth, creativity, and hard work. It feels incredible to do what I love, blending my passions and letting my creativity flow. Knowing I can thrive in both areas is truly fulfilling! 💕 Wondering what I’m up to now? 👉 https://lnkd.in/ejS-VQBm Let’s connect and support each other as we grow.

“I am frustrated, tired, and I just want to give up” This is a message I received from a female friend last night. Turns out she has started making efforts to make money online. Guess what? My friend only started learning a new skill 2 months ago, and now she’s exhausted and bitterly complained that the expected results are not showing. She was expecting me to give some hacks or magic tips, but what I told her shocked her. Now, I will be sharing the same thing here. I started off as a Freelancer selling cheap and trending services. I was not focused on building solid and lasting skills, but instead, I was focused on making money. I was exploring different trending services and building soft skills in different niches. I HAD NO HARD SKILL, I was only jumping around like a balloon on the tail of a rat, lol 😂😂 To be honest, my shortcut strategy worked, but IT’S MY GREATEST REGRET IN MY FREELANCING JOURNEY SO FAR. After a few years, all my soft skills’ demand started to go into extinction. No one needs them anymore. All the untrue strategies are working no more; only true, seasoned, and refined skills are now needed. If you ask me what I would do if I start off as someone new to online money making business and freelancing, IT WOULD BE FOCUSING MY FIRST 2 YEARS ON LEARNING AND BUILDING CAPACITY ON A DEFINED SKILL. I dabbled in my regrets for a while. I wanted to give up. God knows I almost gave up. Then I picked myself up again and started building my skills in social media marketing and management. I bought courses and explored free online resources. I joined communities and participated in seminars. I started making connections with successful social media managers. Then I also discovered the secret in CONTINUOUS LEARNING. I made my friend realize freelancing isn’t a playwork, it’s an investment that requires constant buildups and long-term development. She was glad😎 and she promised to focus solely on skill development for now. Do you also have any regrets in your career? 😉😂 Share them in the comment. #freelancing #socialmediamarketing #socialmediamanager #growth

Unpopular opinion: College degrees are overrated for Social Media Managers. In my journey as a freelancer and social media manager, here’s what I’ve learned from real-life situations that no textbook could ever teach: 1. I had a client who expected me to work more than what they were paying and insisted, "This is what every freelancer gets paid." —>Lesson: I practiced saying NO and discovered the power of knowing my worth. 2. When I started freelancing, I had zero clue where to begin. Every time I fell, I had to pick myself back up and start as a beginner again. —>Lesson: It’s crucial to stand up with the same energy, no matter how tough it gets. Resilience is key. 3. As an introvert, I used to shy away from following up, thinking it would annoy people. —> Lesson: Not everyone you reach out to is a lead. Some connections are just there to build relationships and spread positivity. Value those. 4. I quit my job to focus on freelancing, but procrastination was my biggest enemy. I made excuses to avoid the tasks that mattered most. —> Lesson: Journaling helps! I started analyzing where I was going wrong, what I was missing, and used it as a tool for self-growth. 5. I constantly doubted my skills and whether I was "good enough" to start taking on gigs. —>Lesson: You’ll never feel 100% ready. The real growth happens when you dive in and learn through the process. No textbook can teach that! So, no, I didn’t need a college degree for this. I needed to experience, fail, reflect, and keep learning through the process. That’s where the magic happens. Now, I’m curious, Have you had similar experiences that taught you more than any classroom ever could? Drop your thoughts below!👇

After finishing my graduation at 21, I had no idea what to do. The excitement of completing my degree quickly faded as I faced the harsh reality of the job market. Despite my efforts, I found myself unemployed for 5 years. During this time, I was stuck in a loop of reading, watching TV, and endlessly scrolling through social media feeds. Each day felt like a copy of the last, and I struggled to find direction and purpose. One day, while scrolling through my feeds as usual, I came across a post about freelance opportunities in social media management. Intrigued, I decided to explore this further. I started learning about the field, taking online courses, and experimenting with managing small social media accounts. Slowly but surely, I began to build up my skills and confidence. Eventually, I landed my first freelance gig as a social media manager. It was a small project, and my first payment was Rs.2,250/-. It wasn't a huge amount, but it felt like a significant milestone in my journey. I finally felt like I was on a path that had potential. As I took on more projects, my skills improved, and so did my earnings. More importantly, I discovered a genuine passion for the work I was doing. I loved the creativity, the strategy, and the impact I could make through social media. Now, I’m loving what I do. The struggle of those five years seems like a distant memory, and I am excited about the future and the possibilities it holds. I'm grateful for the job, but lately, I've been feeling stuck in a loop. Like I'm not moving forward, you know? And I think a lot of people can relate to that feeling. It's like we get into these routines and they become comfortable, but at the same time, they can be suffocating. We start to feel like we're not really living, just going through the emotions. So what do we do about it? Well, for me, I'm trying to shake things up. Trying new things, taking risks, and stepping out of my comfort zone. It's scary, but it's also exhilarating. And who knows? Maybe it will lead me to something even better than what I have now. If you're feeling stuck in a loop too, don't be afraid to take that first step. It could be something as simple as trying a new hobby or taking a different route to work. Whatever it is, just remember that life is too short to stay in one place forever. So let's push ourselves out of our comfort zones and see where it takes us. #linkedinmarketing #linkedincreators #linkedin

Why, I am here? The reason is Covid-19 Before Covid-19, I was a Math lecturer in college and my monthly salary was 35k. And when Covid-19 came, all the colleges were closed. During Covid-19 I was completely free because there was no work to do. Then, I discovered freelancing. I started my freelancing as a math tutor But the opportunities in this field were very few at that time. Then, I worked on quite a few skills like ♦ Graphic Designing ♦ SEO ♦ Content Writing ♦ Social Media Marketing ♦ Personal Branding And I got very good clients in these fields But it was very difficult to work within all these fields at the same time. So, I choose only one field into which all the fields would be merged That was "Personal Branding" Then I worked on "Personal Branding" In personal branding, I always focused on quality rather than quantity. And now I am earning very well in this field But, I never gave up my passion I still teach other but my way and my field is different • I teach others, how to grow on LinkedIn through my content. • I answers other people's questions at my event on Facebook and LinkedIn. • I teach people why this is important within my LinkedIn course. Because I believe, "If you want to grow, share what you have with others" I hope you liked my story P.S. When did you start your freelancing career?

It's my 4th birthday! 🎈 Today marks 4 years since I began my freelancing journey - and what a journey it's been so far! Reflecting back, it's a madness it all started in the height of lockdown at my Mum's house - I had just finished my Undergraduate degree from the University of Southampton Business School, told my grad scheme had been cancelled and faced the very real problem that 2020 graduates were facing - what the hell do we do?! I couldn't get a job - so I made my own! Since then, I've done a mixture of... 🎓 Studying a MSc, using freelance work to live during my degree ✨To full-time work and working on my business in the background... 🩵 To taking a break and working solely full-time to focus on my well-being... 🎉 To now being completely freelance full-time! What an absolute whirlwind of successes, mistakes, highs, lows and meeting a bunch of absolute legends along the way. 🩵 I can't wait to see what the future holds and I hope you'll come with me to continue my journey! *** Hey there, I'm Sophie, a passionate freelance Social Media and Influencer Marketer with four years of industry experience. Looking to reach new audiences by organic means? Drop me a DM and let's connect! 👋 #Freelancer #BusinessAnniversary #SocialMediaMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #Freelance