Laura Anderson, Online Marketing Manager

Meet Laura Anderson, who is responsible for Craft Scotland's online strategy.

What do you do at Craft Scotland? 

I am the Online Marketing Manager for Craft Scotland, responsible for our website, social networks, newsletters and all other online campaigns.

In post at Craft Scotland since 2009, I have over seven years of experience in the Online world, and can’t get enough of it.
My time at Craft Scotland is spent writing copy, taking photographs, analysing content, tinkering with website code, playing with designs and generally trying to make the site as good as it can be. Since summer 2012 I have also been responsible for filming makers in their studios for our campaigns.

I keep up to date with the latest online trends and technologies, and try to find creative ways to utilise them for Craft Scotland and the Scottish craft community. I also analyse  how people are using the Craft Scotland website and online services, and respond to what visitors want to see.

I connect with people and places online for Craft Scotland, forging online relationships and networks and creating opportunities.

How do you help Scottish craft or makers?

I source, edit and share opportunities for the Scottish craft community on the Craft Scotland website and our social networks. I promote exhibitions, workshops, markets and other events by posting details on our website, and sending out our newsletters.

The online connections I make are invaluable for the promotion of Scottish craft, and I use social networks to help spread news and opportunities both to and for others.

What are your top three professional achievements?

1. Being awarded the AmbITion grant from Creative Scotland after several months of hard work and preparation.
2. Creating the new Craft Scotland website with the aforementioned AmbITion grant
3. Juggling a career as an Online Marketing person with a postgraduate degree.

What are your top three craft moments?

1. Attending the opening night of Meet Your Maker at the National Museum of Scotland: my first exhibition with Craft Scotland in one of my favourite museums in the world.
2. Filming makers in their studios for our SOFA campaigns: I love meeting the people behind the objects that I spend so much time writing about.
3. Taking Scottish craft to the USA for the 2011 PMA Craft Show and SOFA Chicago 2012. 

What are your top five skills tags?

1. writing
2. marketing
3. content creation
4. digital and online
5. film production and editing

What's your background?

I originally studied Mathematics and Computer Science at University, and after brief flirtations with accountancy, gallery sales and animal welfare advice, I found myself analysing website traffic at a Digital Agency.

This post quickly progressed to encompass all things related to Online Marketing, and I went on to help dozens of companies (large and small) around Scotland to improve their online presence in various ways.

In 2006, I returned to university to study a postgraduate in Screenwriting, and since then have worked to combine my geeky love of technology with my passion for words. 

Tell us something surprising about you:

I once worked in a shop that sold nothing but Star Wars merchandise, and dressed up like Princess Leia for a day.

Finally, what's your favourite beverage?

Peppermint tea, black coffee, or a nice single malt whisky in the evening.

Contact Laura:

Get in touch with Laura with any questions about the Craft Scotland website, social networks, photographs, or other online connections.

Laura Anderson
Online Marketing Manager

laura@craftscotland.org
+44 (0) 131 466 3872

Photos from Laura