We were lucky to catch up with Carlee Nelson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Carlee, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

My client, an online women’s clothing store, has relied heavily on Facebook and Instagram advertising for revenue generation. However, they faced challenges with (1) working with ad agencies and full-time employees for this role and (2) scaling their business with paid ads profitably.

Seeking a solution, they initially brought me (a freelancer) on board as a short-term hire as they continued evaluating their options. I ended up integrating seamlessly with their team. After a few months of working together, they were impressed by my flexibility and smooth collaboration, so they continued with my services.

Over time, I developed an effective ad creative strategy, which gave them valuable inventory insights into their business, translating into confidence for their merchandising team that then, in turn, helped us scale their business holistically.

>> Recently, we reached a huge milestone leading to 7-figure, profitable results.
>> While spending 5% LESS in their Facebook & Instagram Ads due to stronger Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) performance.

Today, I remain fully integrated with their team and ensure their continued success in the competitive online clothing market.

Carlee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Over the past 8 years, I’ve gained valuable insights from working both at advertising agencies and in-house, allowing me to acquire knowledge across various industries and digital marketing channels. Now, as a freelancer, I seamlessly integrate with your internal team, providing a personalized touch to your digital advertising needs.

Through these experiences, I’ve discovered my true passion – Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok Advertising, particularly for e-commerce clothing and beauty companies.

My expertise is most sought after by brands that generate five to six figures per month in revenue but are struggling to scale profitably. I’ll analyze key metrics in the ad account and overarching for your business to ensure our ad dollars are distributed appropriately.

Within the ad account, my approach is about creating a powerful story behind the ad creative strategy that can be translated to other areas of your business, such as merchandising, organic social, and others.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I’ve had several pivotal moments in my career that led me to become a freelancer. I pulled pieces from my diverse experiences to create my career today.

First, I began my career in ad agencies, where I worked on various projects for different industries and digital platforms. This exposed me to the fast-paced nature of the field and improved my ability to handle client relationships.

Next, I found myself in the eCommerce world, working directly with an apparel brand. This experience sharpened my focus on paid social media channels and e-commerce strategies.

Then I was briefly at a Fortune 500 company which was quite an eye-opener for me. It made me realize that I thrive in simpler settings, where I can make a direct impact without getting bogged down in layers of red tape.

Finally, I leaped into freelancing, specializing in Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok advertising for eCommerce clothing and beauty brands. This pivot allowed me to combine the best of my prior experiences and create a tailored career path.

I learned important lessons along the way and quickly adjusted my path to build a career that I’m truly passionate about.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

That success is a linear path forward- in all reality, it is quite the rollercoaster! Growing up, I used to get frustrated because I didn’t think other people faced failures and obstacles as often as I did, but with time, I learned that people don’t openly talk about them. It’s mainly the successes that get shared out in the world.

This came to a head when I started my freelancing journey when I decided that risking my income outweighed the risk of being stuck at a miserable job. I started talking to other freelancers and business owners, listening to podcasts, and hearing others share relatable stories, which made me feel like I wasn’t alone.

There will be times when you’re catapulting forward and moments that “set you back,” but come to find out, it’s opening up another door that’ll move you forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carleechristine.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleechristine/