Nurturing Skills: My Journey from Learner to Earner

Hey there, fellow learners. So, imagine you’re on this exciting journey of growing a new skill.

It’s not just any skill, it’s your baby, your passion. Now, fast forward a bit.

You’re eyeing internships or jobs that align with your newfound expertise, ready to dive into the real-world application under someone’s watchful eye.

But here’s the kicker, it’s all about starting small, working for a modest salary, and soaking in that hands-on experience.

Building Blocks

You’re probably wondering, how do you kickstart this journey?

Well, first things first, you gotta reach out.

Craft those emails to companies or agencies related to your skill.

But wait, before hitting ‘send,’ you need something that speaks volumes about your capabilities, a portfolio.

Cracking the Portfolio Code

Now, building a portfolio might sound daunting, but trust me, it’s a piece of cake. And here’s my secret sauce, I share my journey on LinkedIn every single day as I learn the ropes of my craft.

It’s like a live diary of my progress, complete with tips and tricks on applying my skills to real-world scenarios.

Becoming the Skill Storyteller

When you send your resume over to a potential employer, make sure they see more than just a piece of paper.

They should see a storyteller, a storyteller who crafts engaging posts and blog entries about the nitty-gritty of the skill.

Sure, we’re talking about internships or low-paying gigs, but here’s the magic, they know you’re fresh in the game, and that’s an advantage.

Getting Paid to Learn

Here’s the game-changer.

Those low-paying opportunities?

They often come with a hidden gem, companies ready to invest in your growth. 

They might foot the bill for a course, skill development, or even your learning space. And guess what? You’re getting paid to learn every day.

Google Maps and the Magic of Google Script

Feeling lost in the sea of companies?

Fear not, Google Maps is your treasure map. But wait, how do you find contact details? Enter Google Script.

I’m no coding whiz, but with a little help from ChatGPT, I mastered the art of extracting email addresses. Easy peasy.

To make your life a little bit easier, here is the script that I use to collect emails from a website.

function getEmailAddresses() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet();
  var data = sheet.getRange("F2:F" + sheet.getLastRow()).getValues();

  for (var i = 0; i < data.length; i++) {
    var url = data[i][0];
    var emailAddress = getEmailAddress(url);
    sheet.getRange(i + 2, 7).setValue(emailAddress);
  }
}

function getEmailAddress(url) {
  var originalContent = fetchUrlContent(url);
  var contactContent = fetchUrlContent(url + "/contact");

  if (!originalContent && !contactContent) {
    return "No Email Found"; // No need to proceed if both contents are empty
  }

  var emailAddresses = findEmailAddresses(originalContent).concat(findEmailAddresses(contactContent));

  if (emailAddresses.length > 0) {
    return emailAddresses.join(", ");
  } else {
    return "No Email Found";
  }
}

function fetchUrlContent(url) {
  try {
    var response = UrlFetchApp.fetch(url);
    return response.getContentText();
  } catch (error) {
    console.error("Error fetching URL:", url, error);
    return ""; // Return an empty string in case of an error
  }
}

function findEmailAddresses(content) {
  // Find all mailto links and extract email addresses
  var mailtoRegex = /mailto:([^"'\s]+)/g;
  var matches = content.match(mailtoRegex);

  if (matches && matches.length > 0) {
    // Extract email addresses from mailto links
    return matches.map(function (match) {
      return match.replace("mailto:", "");
    });
  } else {
    return [];
  }
}

The Daily Drill

Now, about those emails. You want to be strategic. Aim for 25 to 30 emails daily using Google Mail. Trust me, you don’t want Gmail giving you the cold shoulder.

Script to send mail automatically.

function sendEmails() {
  var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
  var data = sheet.getDataRange().getValues();
  
  // Get the current date
  var currentDate = new Date();
  
  // Loop through each row in the sheet (assuming headers are in the first row)
  for (var i = 1; i < data.length; i++) {
    var row = data[i];
    
    var recipientName = row[0]; // First Name
    var recipientEmail = row[6]; // Email
    var rating = row[1]; // Rating
    var reviews = row[2]; // Reviews
    var category = row[3]; // Category
    var url = row[5]; // URL
    var resumeLink = "https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kCoIPffpoEfMKgLjTz54EWoaefS95XQ0KjLR12lCV_c/edit?usp=sharing"; // Resume Link
    
    // Create the email body with the provided formatting using HTML tags
    var emailBody =
      "<p>Dear Hiring Team at " + recipientName + ",</p>" +
      "<p><strong>I hope this message finds you well.</strong> I am writing to express my strong interest in pursuing an internship at " + recipientName + ".</p>" +
      "<p>As someone who has successfully completed over 300 copywriting projects on Upwork with a 100% job success rate and Top Rated status, I am eager to transition my skills and expertise into the field of digital marketing, and I believe that " + recipientName + " is the ideal place for me to learn and grow in this exciting industry.</p>" +
      "<p>I have been following <strong>" + recipientName + "</strong> for some time now, and I'm impressed by your agency's outstanding reputation.</p>" +
      "<p>According to my research, " + recipientName + " has a rating of <strong>" + rating + "</strong> based on <strong>" + reviews + "</strong> reviews.</p>" +
      "<p>Your agency's comprehensive services in the <strong>" + category + "</strong> category, showcase your commitment to providing top-notch solutions to your clients.</p>" +
      "<p>Furthermore, your website at <a href='" + url + "'>" + url + "</a> offers a comprehensive look at your portfolio and services.</p>" +
      "<p>You can find my resume here: <a href='" + resumeLink + "'>Biddrup's Resume</a></p>" + // Updated hyperlink text
      "<p>Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of joining " + recipientName + " and contributing to your team's continued success.</p>" +
      "<p>Best regards,<br/>Biddrup</p>";
    
    // Send the email
    GmailApp.sendEmail(recipientEmail, "Inquiry About Internship Opportunities at " + recipientName, '', { htmlBody: emailBody }); // Use htmlBody to send HTML content
    
    // Update the Google Sheet with the current date in the H column
    sheet.getRange(i + 1, 8).setValue(currentDate); // Column H corresponds to index 8
    
    // Pause briefly to avoid Gmail's sending limits
    Utilities.sleep(1000); // Sleep for 5 second
  }
}

My inquiry email

Troubleshooting Pit Stops: Let’s Navigate Together

If you find yourself at a crossroads, drop a comment below. I’m here to guide you through the twists and turns of this journey.

So, fellow skill cultivators, if you’ve developed a new skill, shout it from the digital rooftops! Post about it daily on social media, collect those email addresses, and hit send every day.

Your journey from learner to earner is just a few strategic steps away. #SkillDevelopment #LearnerToEarner #CareerGrowth