The experience of returning to an office job after several years as a freelance SEO and travel blogger is an important story about digital career change. In the original article, the author shared his experience joining the Marketing & Creatives team at Mekari in October 2020 as a Content Marketer, then moving to a Content Strategist position after a probationary period in early 2021. This story is not an official review of the company or a depiction of Mekari’s working conditions in 2026, but rather a direct reflection of the period the author went through.
In this updated version, these experiences are compiled into a career case study for Bloggerpi readers: how the role of a content marketer differs from that of a content strategist, SEO skills that are transferable to in-house work, and how to build a compelling portfolio. Original Instagram photos and embeds remain.
Summary of work experience at Mekari in 2020–2022
| Period | Author’s experience | Professional learnings |
|---|---|---|
| October 2020 | Joined as Content Marketing and managed the Talenta product blog | Understanding product content and user needs |
| Early 2021 | Passed probation and became a Content Strategist | Cross-product planning and coordination |
| The following year | Handling Talenta, Jurnal, and Klikpajak content | Analytics, research, and lead measurement |
| Pandemic context | Working remotely/WFH or WFA depending on the current situation | Work flexibility is a career consideration |
1. Why did the author return to full-time work?
Before joining Mekari, the author had long managed a travel blog, worked on freelance SEO projects, and created travel content. The 2020 pandemic disrupted mobility and travel activities, making remote work options more attractive. Stories about the joys and sorrows of being a blogger and the future of travel blogging help understand the context of the rapidly changing creator industry during that period.
Applying for jobs through LinkedIn and taking technical tests were part of the original experience. For today’s job seekers, the steps searching for jobs through LinkedIn and preparing for experience of online job interviews are still relevant, but each company’s selection procedures may differ. This article does not promise that the same vacancies or WFA policies will still be in place in 2026.
2. Content Marketing Jobs: not just writing articles
Early in my career, I managed the Talenta blog and needed to understand HR-related topics and market needs. Content for SaaS companies differs from travel writing because audiences often compare services, explore operational issues, and then consider vendors. Learn about the role of an SEO content writer and SEO content writer competencies to differentiate SEO article creation from creating material that supports business decisions.
In practice, a good content writer must also understand source quality standards, page structure, internal linking, relationships with product teams, and briefing. Following content planning and campaign marketing helps align the editorial calendar with business campaigns.
3. Role transition to Content Strategist
According to the original article, responsibilities expanded from one product blog to three products: Talenta, Jurnal, and Klikpajak. This made content inventory management, SEO prioritization, and cross-unit collaboration more important. Content Strategists don’t just determine titles, but also map the audience, page goals, topic structure, and evaluate results.
Content roadmap decisions need to be based on competitor analysis and topic research using keywords with buying intent. For B2B product pages, high traffic alone isn’t enough; lead quality, need fit, and the buyer journey must also be taken into account.
4. Managing traffic, leads, and marketing reports
The author describes using Google Data Studio (now Looker Studio), Google Sheets, and Zoho CRM to monitor performance and leads. This experience has fueled his interest in data analysis. However, the metrics stored in the old screenshot are records of a specific period, not a depiction of Mekari’s or its product’s current performance.
Useful measures for content reporting
| Metrics | Functions | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Organic clicks | Assessing demand from Search | Seasonal and brand queries |
| Engaged sessions | Understanding visit quality | Tracking implementation |
| Leads | Assessing prospect actions | Lead spam or duplication |
| Qualified leads | Measuring potential customer fit | Sales/marketing definition |
| Pipeline contribution | Content-sales relationship | Multitouch attribution |
To implement data-driven marketing, use digital marketing analytics and data visualization to make the report easy to read. Mastering the tools alone isn’t enough without a team-agreed definition of metrics.
5. Differences between freelance work and in-house marketing
Freelancers need to manage clients, schedules, and income independently. Within companies, teams typically have cross-functional processes, OKRs, campaign targets, and stakeholder needs. No one pattern is always better. The writer’s remote work experience during the pandemic is a personal consideration—including choosing location flexibility even though alternative offers with higher fees were available.
The experience of Indonesian travel bloggers and the development of digital creators provides a background in storytelling skills that can be applied to product content, although the targets and measurement methods differ.
6. Skills worth developing for aspiring Content Strategists
- Audience and product research: understand the buyer journey, customer pain points, and user language.
- SEO: page audits, search intent mapping, and internal linking.
- Editorial: content briefs, quality assurance, claim reviews, and style consistency.
- Data: basic Search Console, GA4, CRM, and SQL analysis.
- Communication: presenting priorities to sales, product, and leadership.
- Operational: backlog documentation, owner management, and results review.
Readers interested in moving from content to analytics can learn learn to be a data analyst. By understanding evaluating SEO performance, content strategy can be assessed through tangible impact, not just the number of articles published.
7. How to build a portfolio for a career change?
Save sample articles, briefs, keyword research, internal link structures, audit results, anonymized dashboards, and examples of data-driven decisions. Do not upload customer data or internal documents without permission. A good portfolio explains the initial problem, work limitations, actions, and verifiable results. personal branding also helps explain professional values beyond job titles.
Archive of personal experiences and original media from my time working at Mekari
The author originally intended to share experiences after passing probation in January 2021, but decided to write after working for more than a year. The original article also stated that the team’s WFH/WFA flexibility was a key decision-making factor, not the company’s promises for all positions and years.
Documentation photos, historical dashboard screenshots, and original Instagram posts have been retained. The content represents the 2020–2022 period, not current work information or official policies.
See 3 images and original Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Content Marketing and Content Strategist Work Experience FAQ
1. Does this article review Mekari’s condition in 2026?
No; the personal experiences described are from the period 2020–2022.
2. What position did the author hold when he joined?
Content Marketing, with an initial focus on the Talenta product blog.
3. When did the author become a Content Strategist?
In the original story, the role changed after probation in early 2021.
4. What is the difference between a content writer and a content strategist?
Writers produce content; strategists direct goals, audiences, roadmaps, and evaluations.
5. Does a content strategist require mastery of SEO?
Very helpful, especially for organizations that rely on organic search.
6. Is WFA still in effect at Mekari today?
Cannot be concluded from the author’s historical experience; check the latest official recruitment policy.
7. Is travel blogging experience relevant for B2B SaaS?
Research, writing, and SEO skills are transferable, but product understanding is necessary.
8. What are the key content marketing metrics?
Organic traffic, engagement, qualified leads, and pipeline contribution to goals.
9. What tools did the author use in the experience?
Google Data Studio/Looker Studio, Google Sheets, and Zoho CRM are mentioned in the original post.
10. How to prepare a strategist portfolio?
Showcase verified and anonymized issues, research, editorial decisions, and results.
11. Should a content strategist be able to speak SQL?
Not always required, but basic SQL can enrich analytical skills.
12. Is higher salary always better?
Career decisions need to consider flexibility, cost of living, interests, and responsibilities.
External references
- Mekari — official company website
- Google Search Central — SEO Starter Guide
- Google Analytics — GA4
- Google — Looker Studio
