What happened in 9/52?

Welcome back to another edition of our weekly review, where I provide you with a detailed recap of the previous week and share the lessons I have learned. For a TL;DR (too long, didn't read) version, please scroll to the bottom. Feel free to comment and share this with your network, as it may be helpful to others.

If you're new here, I'm Charles, a 28-year-old marketing professional who recently left his secure corporate job to pursue self-employment. My goal is to make marketing fun and accessible for everyone. In case you missed it, you can read my previous article about what happened in 8/52.(https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/what-happened-852-charles-malapitan--qguqe/?trackingId=odk%2FBCYLSxyRwcysPCaIaQ%3D%3D). Enjoy!

9/52 started off on a productive note as I finalised the paperwork to officially establish Made Marketing Easy as a limited company. Although the process was fairly intuitive, I still felt some apprehension, as this step meant turning my words about starting a business into a tangible reality. It was a gratifying moment when I received the final documentation from Companies House, officially recognising Made Marketing Easy as a registered company.

With the paperwork in order, I turned my attention to setting up accounts on various social media and marketing platforms. Before registering the business, I wanted to ensure that the domain for Made Marketing Easy was available, and fortunately, it was. I promptly purchased it alongside the registration process. Next, I created profiles on popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. I encourage you to follow and like these accounts to stay updated on our content. Unlike other accounts that simply copy and paste, we strive to provide unique and engaging content on each platform.

The next step was to define our branding guidelines and web designs. While many successful businesses have recognisable and distinct branding, for someone like me, it was not as simple as it appeared to be. I found myself trapped for several days, grappling with ideas about the values I wanted to convey and how they could be reflected in the company's branding. This confusion also affected the freelance graphic and branding designers I was working with, as they struggled to understand my vision. After spending considerable time scribbling ideas and pondering, I had an epiphany. It doesn't have to be overly complicated. As a new company, I have the flexibility to make changes to the branding whenever necessary. The key is to have an original logo and an aesthetically appealing colour palette to build our content around. Once I embraced this mindset, the headaches started to fade away. I realised that I was the one causing my own problems by overanalysing every detail.

By now, you may have noticed the colour palettes accompanying these articles. These are our branding colours, and I would love to hear your thoughts on them. They reflect our brand's identity and purpose. Remember, it's just the start of our journey, and as we grow, minor refinements can be made. Let me know what you think!

For all you badminton enthusiasts out there, I had the pleasure of meeting Derby's very own Donna Kellogg, MBE, an accomplished athlete who has achieved remarkable feats in the sport. As a Commonwealth Gold Medal winner, European Champion, and World Silver Medallist, she has left her mark on the badminton world. Not only that, but Donna is an exceptional coach and a devoted mother. Our paths crossed when I began my studies at the University of Derby in 2013, a mere five years after she won Gold in the Mixed Doubles World Championships and represented England in the 2008 Olympics.

Donna, being the incredible person she is, took on the challenge of coaching me despite my complete lack of experience in badminton. Her patience and dedication were unmatched as she tirelessly guided me through early morning training sessions, helping me improve my skills and overall fitness.

During our encounter, Donna mentioned her latest venture, Bright Star Sports. It's an organisation she founded, bringing together a group of Olympians who aim to inspire young children and adults by sharing their experiences and love for sports. I couldn't contain my excitement as I shared my own journey of still playing badminton and venturing into self-employment in marketing. I offered my assistance to Donna in raising awareness of her organisation and enhancing its success.

Let's show some support for Bright Star Sports, as they offer coaching and workshops in Derbyshire, Hampshire, and Hertfordshire. With their expertise and passion, they provide a platform for young individuals to develop and explore their own love for sports.

Above are some of the brands we have in line to make some amazing content around and with the help of Wilde Studios and Purely Digital [give these guys a follow] I am very excited to see where it goes. I can't say much more right now, but it is all very exciting stuff coming along!

This is the last one I promise, I'm thrilled to have Wilde Studios and Purely Digital are part of my latest projects. They have been instrumental in helping me bring my visions to life. Archie Wilde from Wilde Studios and Andrew Edmondson from Purely Digital are both consummate professionals, and I couldn't be more grateful for their collaboration.

Very excited to announce https://mademarketingeasy.com/ is officially live (ish). Exciting news! I know! Website development is almost complete and currently aiming for a full launch by the end of the month. Keep your eyes peeled for updates as we prepare to bring you expert tips and tricks, valuable resources, and much more.

As the development of my website, Made Marketing Easy, nears completion, I'm diligently working on creating engaging video content for our channels. Admittedly, it's been a challenge for me to overcome the self-consciousness I feel in front of the camera. However, with guidance from Archie, I've managed to find a rhythm and capture the content I envisioned. Rest assured, there will be some blooper reels to share as well!

Throughout the ups and downs of this journey, I am filled with gratitude for the people around me and the opportunities I've been fortunate to have. If you're enjoying the articles, I kindly invite you to show your support by liking, sharing, and commenting.

Thank you for your time, and I hope you've enjoyed joining me on this adventure so far!

TL;DR: 9/52 marked a significant leap for Made Marketing Easy, officially becoming a limited company, setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead. The quest for a unique brand identity led to valuable lessons in simplicity and flexibility, culminating in a color palette that represents our core values. Engagements with inspiring figures like Donna Kellogg of Bright Star Sports underscored the importance of community and mutual support. Meanwhile, the near completion of our website and collaborations with Wilde Studios and Purely Digital are setting the groundwork for impactful content and services. Through the ups and downs, the support and feedback from our growing community have been invaluable, reminding me that entrepreneurship is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.