If only I knew...

Today marks 6 years since I started my own business, so I thought I would take some time to reflect…

I left my desk on 31st August 2011 (with a bottle of Jack Daniels and a bunch of flowers), but it was business as usual on 1st September as my previous employer was, in fact, my first client. I was lucky, the decision to go self-employed was collaborative and I’d had months to plan and get ready for business. By the end of my first month, I had my first new client.

But that client wasn’t really ‘new’. I had previously been employed, in the same building, by the same person, 15 years earlier. When I knew I was going freelance I let my network know my plans. Someone was looking for marketing consultancy and my name got put forward. A referral from my first boss on my University placement year, and I was back in front of a previous employer… but no longer a bar assistant – I was a marketing consultant for the University of Cambridge Estates Management division!

Here are a few things that happened next…

2012

In 2012 the opportunity came to speak at events. I’m not sure exactly how and why I thought I should say ‘Yes’ to this, but it’s probably the best decision I’ve made. I had presented at many internal meetings but this was different. The audience didn’t know me and I wasn’t talking about planned marketing campaigns; I was sharing opinion and insight. I was petrified, but the buzz afterward was worth it. I still worry, but the buzz gets bigger and preparing presentations ensures I keep on learning.

2013

For a moment I couldn’t think of anything significant for 2013; I was still working for my previous employer and the University of Cambridge along with some other new clients.

But, how could I forget… I got married... in Central Park, New York. And no one else knew about it (not even my husband) until just days before!

2014

In 2014 I realised the power of LinkedIn publishing: August is such a quiet month for business, I use it to plan and write. I realised I hadn’t posted a LinkedIn article for a while, so put together a piece entitled “Don’t let social media replace face-to-face conversation.” I posted it and started on my next task… but my notifications kept buzzing. The viewing numbers were increasing (to '000s), not only on LinkedIn but on Twitter too. Then I got a message asking for a phone call…. could I deliver that blog as a talk? Again I said ‘Yes’, and that’s how I become a CommsHero (this is one of the best marketing campaigns I have ever seen).

2015

“Hi Luan We are LinkedIn’s PR agency in the UK and wanted to get in touch to let you know that you've been selected as one of the marketing/advertising/PR sector’s most engaged women on LinkedIn….”

The same week I was featured in Insider Magazine’s '42 Under 42' listing!

I had finished working with my previous employer at the beginning of 2014; after 7 years in the world of post and direct mail, I thought it was time to move on… but an email about a project from Royal Mail was too exciting, and I spent four months of 2015 commuting to London each week.

2016

Now for the best InMail.

“Hi Luan, I'm the content manager for marketing courses at Lynda.com…”

Auditions, Skype calls, emails, documents… and I received my contract in May. I was a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and I had a producer! From June to September I had weekly Skype calls to discuss and rehearse scripts. I was set. On 14th October I arrived in Carpinteria, California to record (followed by a week’s holiday in Los Angeles… maybe life as a business owner isn’t quite so tough now!)

At the same time I had been writing my first book, Relax! It’s Only Social Media. The first copies of the book arrived the night before leaving for the US. I officially launched at the closing party of Bristol Social Media Week on Friday 18th November.

Early on in the process, my book writing coach had asked me to pick a theme tune. "Don't stop me now" came straight to mind.

2017

My first LinkedIn Learning course – Social Media Marketing ROI – was published mid- January.

And I got signed for 2 more! More writing and another US trip! Content Marketing: Videos and Content Marketing: Social Media were released early May.

And later in May, some amazing news about my book: “CONGRATULATIONS! It is our great pleasure to inform you that you are a Winner in the 11th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards.”

What’s next?

I love working with clients – business owners/managers with responsibility for marketing and marketing teams who need specialist resource around social media. I feel part of the team for every business I work with and love every meeting I have. I never want to stop ‘walking the walk’ as a marketing practitioner.

I’m writing more, I’m blogging and guest blogging; writing my own online courses as well as more courses for LinkedIn Learning (out next year).

I’ve also just shared the follow up to Relax! It’s Only Social Media – a social media planner for 2018. It’s at pre-order stage, and there’s still lots of content to prepare. I’ve also got a busy programme of events over the next few months.

After 6 years in business, what have I learned?

That it’s not easy. It’s not just ‘another job’. I need to think and act like a business owner, as well as doing the work. I need to look at the numbers, I need to do admin, I need to keep on learning. I need to keep on, keeping on… and I need to manage my time and take a day off, occasionally.

If I knew where I’d be today, 6 years ago, would I do anything differently? I don’t think so. I say ‘Yes’, and then worry about it later… and that’s stood me in great stead. There have been a few sleepless nights, but that’s just life.

I didn’t expect everything that’s happened and I can only summarise it now I’ve written this blog with a ‘wow’. 

And if you've watched my courses, heard me speak, bought my book, worked with me and/or had coffee with me... thank you.