Sam Roberts is a Senior Affiliate Marketing Manager at Silverbean.
This affiliate marketing agency was founded in 2002 by Neil Robbins and is headquartered in Newcastle.
Prior to joining Silverbean in 2023, Mr. Roberts worked at Visualsoft and Brookson.
From her biggest work challenges to advice for those looking to follow a similar career path, Roberts shares her career journey and words of advice.
How did you first get into your industry?
To be honest, I was a little disappointed. I had just returned from traveling and wanted to move to Newcastle for a fresh start in a new industry. I researched top technology companies in Newcastle and joined a great company in their sales department before moving laterally back into account management.
However, this time we are focusing on affiliate marketing. Luckily I was able to progress very quickly and moved to Silverbean about a year ago and it was great.
What do you like about your job?
Honestly, there are so many great things about my job, and it sounds like a cliché to tell people, but it's so true. We have a diverse group of people with different qualities and interests, so there's never a dull day. I'm lucky enough to work with some great brands and make connections through industry events, which is also great.
Who or what has inspired you in your career?
My family is incredibly ambitious, and their own success, especially my sisters (one a plastic surgeon and one an accountant), was the real driving force behind my motivation to succeed in my chosen path. I am. I try not to have idols anymore, but I really like the idea of being my own hero. Matthew McConaughey's Oscars speech stands out as a bit of a lightbulb moment for me, years after he first said it. I would like to continue development wherever I can. We still have a long way to go!
What is the biggest challenge in your job?
The affiliate and digital industry as a whole is constantly moving and changing, which in itself poses challenges just to keep up. But I think the particular challenge, especially in the last few years, is the use of third-party data and the difficulty of understanding attribution from a broader digital perspective. That being said, these challenges aren't necessarily negative while you're at it, as they often present great opportunities to be innovative.
What skills have been most important to your success in your career so far?
Work hard and be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Once I understood them, I was able to double down on my strengths and address some of the controllable things that were holding me back. I'm also a big believer in trying different things, especially in the early stages of your career. I've strayed away from the traditional career path and tried out a few different roles, and it hasn't been in vain at all. After all, all your work experience will help you when you finally figure out what you want to pursue long-term.
What was your first salary and how much can someone entering this industry expect to earn now?
My first salary after starting my academic career was £14,000, but in a different industry. I expect any employer to at least match a living wage. I think this equates to £22,000 for an entry-level role today.
What kind of education or training would be most helpful to someone looking to follow your career path?
I don't think you necessarily need a degree, but that doesn't mean it's not valuable. In particular, many business-related degrees can give you exposure to the real world of work. However, be sure to develop your technical understanding as soon as possible, especially when it comes to technical setup and tracking. This is a very useful skill, but one that many marketers don't fully understand.
What advice would you give to someone trying to follow your path?
Let's try various things! All of them are convenient! Be open to things that are scary. You'll be surprised how quickly the more you do it, the less scary it becomes. You learn more from your mistakes, so don't beat yourself up, dust yourself off and try again. Also, if you express your opinions in meetings and study Excel, you will grow faster.
