Time for my close up

I spent this morning at the Careers Info HQ being interviewed on camera about becoming an entrepreneur and working mummy.  Apparently I’m an excellent case study for both… J

Careers Info are an amazing skills and careers media production company who specialise in making films about apprenticeships, entrepreneur’s, careers and everything in-between.  They produce an informative, interactive and FREE resource for schools called CareersBox that allows students to engage with possible employers, apprenticeships and universities, enabling them to explore all options as school leavers interactively.

I was at their Cambridge based studios today working with Noah and Dion on a piece of film highlighting the benefits (and challenges) of starting your own business and discussing the juggling act that is being a working mum.  I haven't done any presenting to camera work before so I was pretty nervous.  It's so different to public speaking but Noah and Dion settled my nerves and I really enjoyed the experience, although I wasn't loving how I looked on screen!

The film will be available to view soon so watch this space!

For more details on Careers Info and their fantastic resource that is CareersBox please visit www.careersinfo.co.uk, email James Lawrence on james.lawrence@careersinfo.co.uk or follow them on twitter @careers_info 

Thanks guys!

Masters at Motivating

I was at The New Players Theatre today to attend the first session of The Marketing Masters Series with Kimberly Davis of Sarsaparilla Marketing and The Apprentice 2009.

My goal was to turn my baby brain back into a business brain after having the last 6 months off on maternity leave and with a new client now on my books, a refresh was needed!

I have to admit, I was expecting a full day sales pitch with not much content but was proved wrong and am pleased and extremely grateful to come away fully charged and ready to take action of my own marketing freelance service.  Yes, there was the option at the end to take advantage of special day rates for further master classes and one-on-one sessions but that most certainly wasn't the focus, unlike other master classes I have attended.  I found Kimberly to be an extremely warm, informative and funny speaker, giving great marketing advice to small business owners.

We also had the pleasurable experience of hearing motivational speaker Brad Burton, author of 'Get Off Your Arse'. Wow, this guy is wicked! He has been there, right at the bottom and shared with us his amazing success story with fabulous humor and straight talking!  A breath of fresh air compared to the normal, suited and booted, stiff talking you get from other motivational speakers. Brad will, in no uncertain terms, motivate you!

I'd really suggest small business owners understand what marketing needs their company has before approaching someone, like myself, to execute it for them and attending one of these sessions will do just that.  It could be the motivation you need to put those thoughts into actions!  As Kimberly touched on today, it is important to understand all aspects of your marketing but you shouldn't do everything yourself if you don't have the expertise!  It will cost you less to get it right first time professionally than to have to re-do marketing mistakes. Present yourself as you wish to be perceived.

For more info on Kimberly Davis go to http://www.sarsaparillamarketing.com/ 
For more info on Brad's book 'Get Off Your Arse' go to http://www.bradburton.biz/