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Ish Verduzco

Head of Social @ a16z crypto

prev. Head of Growth @ Crave It, Diversity Brand Partnerships Lead @ Snap, Global Social Lead @ LinkedIn

What’s the backstory of how you got into social media?

After graduating from UC Merced in 2014, I struggled to find a job.

I ended up moving back in with my parents and working at a gym.

I caught a lucky break when a friend of mine was working a contract gig at LinkedIn.

I asked him for two or three months to get me a connection.

Eventually, I got the chance to pitch myself over the phone, emphasizing my enthusiasm and work ethic despite my lack of experience.

This led to an in-person interview in San Francisco, where I ended up staying on a friend's couch.

The interview didn’t go amazing, but they saw potential and created a new event coordinator contract role.

I was making about $24 an hour in San Francisco, but it was my foot in the door to the tech world.

From there, I took on numerous side projects.

While working as a full-time events coordinator, I noticed an opportunity in social media for recruiting.

Back in 2014, social media for recruitment wasn't really a thing beyond LinkedIn.

I saw a huge white space to use Instagram to target university students looking at potential workplaces.

I started building out this strategy at LinkedIn, using Instagram and Twitter to showcase what it was like to work at the company, focusing on company culture and employer branding.

I eventually became the head of social for LinkedIn Talent Solutions.

I put a lot of effort into creating content about my own experiences and journey.

I hired a videographer to follow me for 24 hours to create a "Life at LinkedIn" video.

It went viral internally and helped me build relationships within the company.

I also shared my experiences as a DJ on LinkedIn, which opened up conversations with executives that I never would have connected with.

What was your approach when you started?

When I joined a16z crypto, my approach was methodical and focused on understanding our unique position in the market.

Here's how I tackled it:

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