Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ilona Selina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ilona, appreciate you joining us today. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?

Our agency didn’t have employees from the very beginning; it was just me in the early days. When I started Route Marketing, I was wearing multiple hats, from handling client work to managing administrative tasks. However, as the workload grew and the demand for our services increased, it became evident that I needed to build a team to help bring our vision to life.

Recruiting those first few team members was both exciting and challenging. I knew that the people I brought on board would play a crucial role in shaping the agency’s culture and success. Since we were operating as a fully remote team from day one, we needed individuals who were not only talented but also disciplined and accustomed to a remote work environment.

One of the unusual aspects of our recruitment process was the global nature of our team. We have team members located in the US, Australia, the UK, and Europe. This global approach was intentional, as it allowed us to tap into a diverse pool of talent from around the world. However, it also meant that we needed to be mindful of time zone differences and communication challenges that come with remote work.

In terms of finding the right team members, I leveraged my past network in the agency world, reaching out to former colleagues and industry contacts who I knew had the skills and experience we needed. Additionally, online communities like FFC, LinkedIn, and social media platforms played a significant role in connecting us with potential candidates.

The interview process was rigorous, with a strong emphasis on assessing not only technical skills but also cultural fit. We wanted team members who understood and believed in our agency’s vision and were driven to contribute to its growth. Additionally, we made it clear to candidates that they would have the flexibility to create their own schedules, which required a high level of self-discipline.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change our decision to operate as a fully remote team. The experience of working with a global team has been incredibly rewarding and has allowed us to tap into a wealth of diverse perspectives and skills. The tools and technology that became more prevalent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as Slack and Zoom, have been instrumental in facilitating our remote work and keeping our team connected.

While recruiting and building our team was a challenging process, it ultimately paid off as we now have a tight-knit group of individuals who are passionate about our agency’s vision and committed to its success. Operating as a remote team has opened up opportunities to work with talent from around the world, and our unique approach to recruitment has been a key factor in our agency’s growth.

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

I became an agency founder around three years ago after gaining valuable experience in various facets of the industry. Prior to founding Route Marketing, I worked at Be Social, a digital agency in Los Angeles, managed influencer partnerships at PUR Cosmetics, and was part of a fashion startup in New York City. My journey began as a blogger and content creator, and now, I’m on the brink of launching my first jewelry brand this fall. I’m a passionate entrepreneur who thrives on strategic collaboration, and that’s at the heart of what drives me.

Route Marketing was born from my desire to help startups and small businesses navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing. As a content creator and digital marketing expert, I’ve built a track record of successful integrated partnerships across digital and experiential platforms. My goal is always to find innovative ways for my clients to stand out in the crowded digital space.

What makes Route Marketing unique is our authentic approach to Influencer Relations, Social Media Management, Strategy, and Consulting. We firmly believe that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in marketing, which is why we tailor our approach to every brand and creator we work with.

One of the standout features of Route Marketing is our fusion of innovation and diversity. We have a global team that operates seamlessly from remote locations all around the world. This international reach enables us to transcend borders and connect with clients not only in the United States but also in the UK, Europe, and beyond. We pride ourselves on working with luxury brands and talent across various industries, including hospitality, art, beauty, fashion, wellness, and lifestyle, all while delivering performance-driven results.

I’m incredibly proud of the journey that has led me to Route Marketing and the diverse and talented team we’ve assembled. We’re dedicated to helping our clients navigate the digital marketing landscape and achieve their goals in a way that’s unique, authentic, and tailored to their individual needs.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I initially started Route Marketing, we had a broad range of marketing services on offer, including PR, email marketing, and social media, among others. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that we were trying to be a jack-of-all-trades, and as a result, we were spreading ourselves too thin while attempting to cater to everyone’s needs.

This realization led us to pivot in the first few months of launching Route Marketing. We made the strategic decision to narrow down our service offerings to focus on the areas where we truly excelled and consistently delivered exceptional results. Specifically, we honed in on social media management and influencer partnerships, which had proven to be our strengths and were generating a high level of satisfaction among our clients.

This allowed us to streamline our expertise, concentrate our efforts, and provide even greater value to our clients in these specialized areas. It’s a prime example of how adaptability and a willingness to refine our business model have been instrumental in our growth and success at Route Marketing.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building our reputation within our market has been a result of several key principles;

Our unwavering attention to detail with every client has played a pivotal role in establishing our reputation. We’re committed to delivering quality work in everything we do, and it’s this dedication to excellence that sets us apart from the competition. Our clients know that when they work with us, they’re getting a level of personal attention that’s second to none.

Another essential aspect is our direct, no-bullshit approach. We believe in clear and honest communication with our clients. We don’t sugarcoat things or make promises we can’t keep. Instead, we provide straightforward guidance and insights to help our clients make informed decisions.

Treating every brand we work with as if it were our own has been instrumental in earning the trust and loyalty of our clients. We go above and beyond to ensure their success, investing our time, energy, and expertise to achieve their goals. This level of commitment and partnership is what drives word-of-mouth referrals and recommendations from our satisfied clients.

To maintain the quality of our service and the personalized attention we provide, we limit the number of clients we take on at any given time. By not overextending ourselves, we can stay focused and dedicated to each project, ensuring that every client receives the attention and care they deserve.

Lastly, we prefer to think of ourselves as partners rather than just an agency. We integrate seamlessly with our clients’ teams, working collaboratively to achieve their objectives. This approach fosters strong relationships and underscores our commitment to being a true ally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.route-marketing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/route.marketing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RouteMarketing2020
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/route-marketing

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