Life & Work with Lidiia Akientieva

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lidiia Akientieva.

Hi Lidiia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Ukraine. In this wonderful country, I lived until the age of 23, received a master’s degree in marketing and worked by profession. Filming was my favorite hobby. I was very interested in this business, took several courses and constantly made content for myself, for the company I worked for, for friends and for customers. But, unfortunately, the war began. And my life, like the life of most Ukrainians, was divided into before and after. I was broken because my brother is in the military, my parents live near the war zone. I lost my favorite job, but luckily I didn’t lose my skills. My friends organized a charitable foundation, my task was to build and develop social media so that we could help more people. It was very difficult for me, as a creative person, to create in an atmosphere of constant shelling, alarm sirens and rockets that flew overhead. But I understood how important my work and the work of the entire charitable foundation.

After several months of the war, Ukraine became very unsafe. I learned about a special US program to help Ukrainians. The decision to apply for a humanitarian password was very difficult for me, but I understood that I had no other choice and my life is the most precious thing I have. The first month of my life in Los Angeles, I was constantly frightened by the noise of helicopters that flew over Downtown. But at last, I was safe. In the first days, I wrote an announcement in Facebook groups that I could be an operator and edit content for social networks. People began to contact me asking for help, I was pleasantly surprised. At first, I was able to cooperate only with people who speak my language, after half a year, when I improved my English skills, the Americans began to invite me as a photographer and videographer. There are not many such orders, but I strive to improve my skills. I also started my blog about life in America, I talk about my failures and achievements, how I adore Americans and how my life in America differs from life in Ukraine. The coverage of my videos on YouTube in general is about 15.6 million views. I am sure that over time I will be able to achieve the goals that I want, make new friends and have more opportunities to help my homeland.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest difficulty in adapting and achieving your goals in a new country is the language you speak. When you come to a country where people, culture, traditions are completely different, you must be flexible, open to new things, you must learn to adapt, live by new rules. When I first arrived, I felt like a little kitten who got lost. I didn’t even know what websites I could find work or housing on. But fortunately, I always met people who helped me. They gave advice, shared information and useful contacts. I am still pleasantly surprised at how sympathetic people are in America.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an advertising and content specialist. My work consists of such duties:
• Targeting an audience analysis;
• Social network management;
• Creating a content plan;
• Writing a video script;
• Shooting, editing selling videos for social networks;
• Creating ads (Facebook Ads Manager);
• Advertising settings;
• Controlling running campaigns;
• Finding new ways to achieve results.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
First of all, I would like to thank my family and boyfriend who always believed in me and urged me not to give up and continue to do what I really like. I also want to thank Xenia Park, she was my mentor in the field of photography and video production, she shared useful contacts and recommended me to customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.canva.com/design/DAFVVFQLwe8/i2875zQ-cDDlY3x8jpjo3w/view?utm_content=DAFVVFQLwe8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton&fbclid=IwAR2-IsyeHkD3GE0l6bnls7wPmv3pWqzv2O2PKe8vFWinjyAQbajU28w_IYA
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rooooodjer?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004743572654&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lidiia-akientieva-633498159
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rooooodjer
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@america.shock?_t=8aLgwsJaMfK&_r=1