It is 4 years already.

I know it is cliched, but I really cannot believe it at all.

When you start to work for yourself you have a steep learning curve and boy it was. You also have to establish a reputation, one distinct from anywhere you have worked for in the past – it takes time.

I still have a steep learning curve ahead of me.  When I started PR was more firmly rooted in traditional media.  The armoury was the press release and the article.  Now things have changed.   Yes those things are important, but the emergence of social media as a form of communications has really revolutionized my role and offering – and is doing so all the time.

When I started I had nought, not even business cards.  But I established a reputation where today I get approached by businesses needing PR as well as being proactive myself.

At first I was disappointed not to be called “Artisan PR” as it was taken by an Edinburgh based agency.  Now I am glad to be called “Artisan Marketing Communications” as the brief has changed: it is about a rounder , broader approach where not only traditional PR has to be implemented well, but also social media and this includes an understanding of techniques such as video and in the near future, mobile.

The PR role is more exciting than at any time since it first emerged to any degree (that I know of) in the 60s.

Not only do I have to execute PR campaigns, but I also have to learn about how the media world is changing as well as promote Artisan.  It is more than a full-time job, and one that might require some help- I am hoping to take on an apprentice one day soon.

Any regrets?

Another cliche: I wish I had started much earlier.  But perhaps the timing wasn’t right.  Do things happen for a reason?  Maybe my timing was right this time.

Many thanks to everyone that has supported me: friends, family, networkers, clients.  I have been lucky that I have had many, many people on my side.  I hope that I have returned that warming approach to a good degree.

A little note: Is agency the right word in the title?  I wasn’t sure.  But if I do recruit then perhaps I will meet it on the technicality.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 12:01 pm and is filed under ArtisanMC. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.