We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittany Donnelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittany below.

Brittany, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

I first got into marketing as a job (no sights set on career… yet). I worked in the office of a small Italian restaurant running their social media as well as office administration duties. I knew instantly I had an eye for social media the way that most didn’t. Even on my personal Instagram account, I was able to make content that my followers couldn’t get enough of. Posting my daughter and me and my single mom life, people were drawn to what I had to share. So, I set my sights on something a little bigger. I applied for a social media management position for a row of wineries in Temecula and beat out over 15 others applying for the job- all who had a lot more experience than I did. It was only a temporary position to promote an event coming up in a few months, but I was determined to make something more out of this opportunity. I was approached after my contract ended by one of the wineries and 5 years later, Fazeli Cellars is still one of my clients to this day!
A few months later I received a position with a new boutique marketing agency and hit the ground running. From newsletters, to marketing strategies for new businesses, to creating events– I had a hands-on learning opportunity to all things digital marketing and more. As a loyal, easily-taught employee that I am, I would have stuck this position out to the end, but instead of acknowledging the hand I had in this company’s growth, I felt slighted. I was doing all of the work for someone without any reward. I wasn’t being paid enough, given the opportunity to grow, or even acknowledged for all I had poured into the business.
So, with a lot of encouragement from my boyfriend (and lots of wine), I set out to do it on my own. All I wanted was to be able to use my knowledge to help small business. I saw this now as the opportunity to have control to work with brands I liked and more specifically with brands that I knew needed me. I reached out to two companies that I had followed for some time that I knew I could do more with their social media than they were doing and just when I braced myself for the let down, I had three clients within a week.
My plan was to stay small, but when word starts traveling of your talent and what you are doing for other companies’ online presence, it’s was near impossible. Within months I had 15 clients and was busier than I ever imagined I could be.
I kicked off my company without any marketing, without a website and without a social media presence. But, what I did have was a domino effect of clients who trusted me to help build their brands. Through word of mouth and a few pitches to dream partnerships, I went from those 3 clients to over 15 in a matter of months— and On Brand Marketing was born.

What sets my company apart from other agencies is my passion for people. I love what I do and I love my clients. They put everything they have into their businesses, and I want nothing more than to showcase them to the world — because if I’m obsessed, everyone else should be too.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Everything has a brand. Even you have a brand. I like to joke with my friends when they do something that embodies their personality, “that is so on brand for you.” The name seemed perfect for my company.

Ive been in the industry for over 5 years and started my company in 2018. We’ve worked with an array of clients to provide *super* thorough solutions to their marketing woes. If we had a dime for every time a business owner told us “I thought I could run my own social, but it is too much work.”— we would be in the Bahamas right now.

That’s why we are here. To take the weight of social media off your shoulders, so you can focus on the important things… Like running your bad a$$ business— DUH.

First, we get to know your brand (beyond a first-name basis, of course). We’re talking who you are, why you started your business, goals, hopes and dreams, all that deep stuff. Then, we design a digital marketing and advertising plan — tailored to your brand and your brand only — that focuses on building awareness and a community of people who love your brand just as much as you, and we, do.

Once we have a game plan set, we hit the ground running. We are talking photoshoots, content calendar, reputation management— you name it! All you have to do is sit back, relax, and watch your business become the star you always knew it was meant to be.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been two things: Authenticity and Passion.

When people ask that question, “what is your favorite thing about yourself?” my answer has always been that I am real. (and funny lol) But, being true and authentic has carried over into my business in the best way possible. I don’t oversell. I don’t push anything that I wouldn’t want myself. I tell my clients the truth. Even so, that if a business reaches out to hire me and they are already killing it on social media, I will tell them no. “What do you need me for?! Your social media is AMAZING! Save your money.” Has it cost me money? Sure. Has it allowed the universe to bless me karmically for my honesty? And then some.

My passion and drive for my business comes from wanting my clients to succeed. I see what they have put into their business and I want the world to know about it. Social media is hard, but starting a business is harder. I want each and every small business to be as successful as possible and I’ll be damned if I don’t give my whole heart to make that happen for my clients.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I don’t know if I am drawn to clients that will inevitably become my friends or that I do something that makes them all become my friends, but here we are haha! I have made very close relationships with every single one of my clients and I want to say that comes from my work, but I think it comes from my heart. I start each working relationship with honesty and cheerleading for their brand, which turns into a trust that allows them to be themselves and openly communicate with me. I am never not available- they can call, text, email me. I believe that seeing my business as helping small business, rather than an income stream has made my connection with my clients deeper than an average working relationship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getonbrandmarketing.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/onbrandmarketinginc

Image Credits
@sageandhoneyphoto @ashleyrosephotographyy @britneymoorephoto