Get your bearings on a new project (with Joanna Leigh Simon – The Digital Project manager

Audio Transcription:
Ben Aston:
Thank you for tuning in. This is the Digital Project Manager Podcast. I’m Ben Aston. Today I am joined by Joanna Leigh Simon. Joanna Leigh Simon is famous for her great pen giveaway of 2017. Keep watching. Joanna might have something to give away today, which is likely. She always has something to share with us. So, Joanna.
Joanna:
Hi Ben. Thank you so much for having us again.
Ben Aston:
Cool. Today, we’ll talk about what happens when you get dumped on a project. Sometimes we get dumped on a project. Sometimes it’s a good thing to be landed on a new job, but sometimes it can be quite difficult. We’ll be discussing some of the things we can do to get our bearings, and get the projects in order so we can manage them.
I find it stressful to take on projects for others, or even start projects. We’ll be discussing ways we can make it easier for ourselves and make it less stressful. Joanna, let’s talk about you.
Joanna:
Sure. I am currently a producer and project manager based in Philadelphia. I have been working in small agencies for the past eight years. I started in public relations and advertising firms. Then, I moved into video production and then, finally, to a graphic design and branding company. Each gig has had a heavy digital component. It is the 21st Century. I am currently in the process of waiting to find out my next job. Consideration of a possible move out of Philadelphia.
Ben Aston:
It’s exciting times. Joanna is available for hire if you are listening to this and thinking, “Oh, I want to hire that girl.” Joanna is available to hire. Joanna is available for hire. I see that you mentioned some of your hobbies in your bio. I’m curious how you manage that process.
Joanna:
It was the holidays, so I had to give myself some time to relax. I highly recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity. Surprisingly, I also stayed very busy.
I have been doing a lot freelance work which has been really exciting. I specialize in brand strategy, which is something that I love to do. It’s been great to work with people in my area, as well as clients from California and other places. It’s all about trying to do all the things you can’t do when you have a full-time job. It’s been all things. I have gone to the doctor, run errands, and fixed things around my apartment. It’s been great to be able take care of all that administrative stuff.
Ben Aston:
It’s funny, I know. It’s not a full-time job, but living life.
Joanna:
It is.
Ben Aston:
As with going to the dentist or the doctor, you need to get yourself organized for your next big thing. I am interested, though, because I… I see in the Remote PM Channel one of the topics that comes up in our Slack group quite often. Your perspective is greatly appreciated. People often ask me how I get work as a freelancer or contract manager. It seems that people with the right connections can get their own gigs. It’s amazing that you were able to find work. How do you find work?
Joanna:
To be co