15 things we've learned as we celebrate 15 years in business!

1. Do quit your job two days before your wedding, because working for yourself is blooming brilliant. Yes, it’s hard work and yes it can be challenging, but nobody checks your holiday entitlement 😎

2. It’s ok to stay small. Our expertise has grown enormously from the news-led PR where we began, but we remain a team of 1 (supported by fellow freelance pros as needed). That’s been a conscious decision, and it allows me to build really strong client relationships as an outsourced member of your team.

3. It’s not who you know, it’s what’s you know. That’s not to say good contacts and researching and maintaining media relationships aren’t super important, but great coverage will always be about a great story. 

4. The press release isn’t dead – your strategy should be much wider but there is still no substitute for the credibility trusted media coverage wins.

5. Work with people who value you and what you do. Great client relationships are key, and that’s a two-way street.
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6. Say yes, even if it pushes you out of your comfort zone, you grow so much by embracing the new.

7. But don’t be afraid to say no. If capacity is tight or the client or project doesn’t feel the right fit, it’s ok to pass (occasionally 😉)

8. Keep learning – especially important in the fast-changing media landscape. Embrace it, it’s exciting.

9. Build a great pool of pros to call on. Because you can’t do everything and having trusty contacts you can lean on or recommend pays dividends.

10. Make time to network, not just to foster new business and partnerships, but because a coffee with like-minded freelancers is often just the ticket.

11. Don’t neglect your own PR & Marketing because you’re so busy managing everyone else’s (a  little guilty here 🙃)

12. It’s ok if you don't spend all your time on social media when you’re not at work – busman’s holiday anyone?

13. AI isn’t going to steal your job, but you’d be a fool not to learn to work with it.

14. Make sure you make time to switch off. Completely. You can take your laptop on holiday but try not to open it.

15. Do have office dogs, because all the best ideas come to you on a walk, it never fails 🐶

Here’s to us – and to all our wonderful clients, thank you to being part of our story, and roll on the next 15! 🥂