What does a Project Manager at The Online Studio do?
Being a Project Manager at The Online Studio means we manage all comms with the clients and ensure that they feel super-comfortable with the process, they get beautiful content in time for their launch date and that they know that we are the experts right the way through.
That begins with how the Project Manager handles everything from the very start over email and on the kickoff call, where we bring in the Creative Leads on the project. We are the social content experts, either making recommendations, making sure that they feel comfortable from start to finish, always getting the answers or updates they need, or knowing when to expect their work to be sent.
Even if the answer is no, we’ll find a way to say “Yes, we can do that but there might be some workarounds that we need to do.”
Also, on the other side, we make sure that our internal design team feels confident right the way through production. Making sure that they have enough time to do the work, that their questions are answered, and that they know the client’s expectations of the work as well.
It’s about making sure that everyone on both sides – externally and internally – feels good about the project and feels confident we can deliver in time – and then actually delivering it on time.
Being a Project Manager at The Online Studio means always being friendly, helpful and informing. Externally and internally I think that’s always the kind of tone, and the way that we want to come across to everyone. Even if the answer is no, we’ll find a way to say “Yes, we can do that but there might be some workarounds that we need to do.”
How important is it to you to build relationships with the people around you?
I am glad that you said that because that’s such a key element. I think for us, that just happens naturally.
Building that rapport has really helped us maintain existing client relationships and also develop new ones. A lot of the work and bigger scope projects that we’ve received have come from the relationships that we’ve built from these smaller projects. Even little things, like if we did an extra round of amends that we weren’t scoped to do, just out of goodwill, the clients remember that and it goes a long way.
And not just that, but the touches like ‘Hey, how’s your day going?’ at the start. Just more personable – we’re not just saying “here’s your work, look over it.” We’re a lot more friendly and we try to make it more of a relationship instead of just a production house. It’s about having a human touch.
What are the steps that a Project Manager takes to ensure a campaign runs smoothly?
We always make sure that our design team has all the information that they need to be able to start the project.
Obviously, making sure we’re sticking to timings and that we’re not only setting the right expectations externally with clients, but also internally with our team – I think that’s important.
And just asking questions if you don’t understand something. If the client says something on the kick off call and you’re like, “I feel really stupid for asking what that means, so I'm not going to ask it,” then something’s going to go wrong. I think you need to be confident in asking for clarification because it could be crucial.
Can you go into more detail on how you prepare before you go into production?
We’ve got into a really good rhythm when a new project comes in – what steps we need the client to take before we move onto the next phase of the project, and who from our team needs to get involved at what points depending on what we’ve been sent.
But once those do come through, it’s dissecting the brief, looking at the assets that they send over. Does what they’ve sent make sense with the brief, and passing these over to the Creative Director and our Copywriter so that we’re all in line. I always read a brief and try to have a visualisation in my head of, “OK, what is this set going to look like?”
What is your favourite part of being a Project Manager?
I do love that every day is different, and I think this is very specific to being a Project Manager at The Online Studio as well. We’re not just working with one client.
We’re working with hundreds of different brands and hundreds of different clients. So I love the variety – it is a very fast paced job.
And I enjoy building the client relationships that we have. It’s always so rewarding to see a client come back and say, “that was such a great experience” and come back for more.
How has The Online Studio developed over your time here?
Oh, my gosh. So much!
When I started, in 2017, it was just a handful of us. The company is three times as big now as it was then. It’s crazy how much it’s grown. We were in a small one room office when I first joined. And then we slowly took over the room next door, and then we moved again as we grew. I think I’ve been in maybe five offices or something. It’s just such a different place than it was from the start, but all exciting changes!
If there is a brand manager reading this right now, how would they get in touch with us?
First thing’s first – if you know any of us, just email us and we’ll jump on it right away. A lot of our work comes in this way, with Brand Managers asking to work on another brief together or moving company and then dropping us a line.
If you’re reading this and haven’t worked with us before, then send us a note on Linkedin or our website, or email us at [email protected]
About The Online Studio
The Online Studio blends creativity and technology to deliver scroll-stopping content, simply and effectively.
Through the Creative Hub, you can easily brief, view and approve creative all in one place. You’ll always have a dedicated Project Manager, and we move from brief to supply of first assets within 10 days – with every piece of our work supervised by a Creative Director.
The Online Studio is trusted by Pinterest, Walmart, Calm and many others to get their message to market faster without compromising on quality or service.
Reimagine a simpler way of working, with The Online Studio.