We were lucky to catch up with Jonathan Coleman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jonathan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

I believe I started my business at the right time, however I wished I learned all these valuable lessons that helped me to improve my business earlier. I’ve always been in the field of public relations on and off throughout my life, first starting as an errand boy for a local talent agency that had it’s own PR department, and throughout my 20s I had several jobs outside of my PR business, such as working for call centers and companies like Convergys (OnStar) and iQor, I was working on my PR business on the side while working a regular 9 to 5 until I was able to fully transition over a run my business full time. So I guess in a way I wish I was able to start sooner, but really if I could turn back the hands of time I would have done a lot of things differently as far as how I operate my business, etc.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve been working in public relations and in the media for close to two decades on and off. I started my journey in this field at the age of 19 when I was an errand boy for a local Artist Development and Entertainment company that did local artist showcases, events, etc. and they had its own PR unit where I assisted with various tasks and learned the business moving forward. Throughout the years I’ve had several jobs and different career paths but I would also find myself back in this world. While working for an outsourcing company called iQor, I worked on building my own Public Relations & Marketing business on the side until I was eventually able to make the transition to doing it full time.

The Media Blast PR provides services to assist our clients with generating more publicity and creating awareness for their brand and business using the media such as press release distribution, EPK and bio writing, having articles about our clients placed on various websites, blogs, e-magazines, etc. assisting the client with booking podcast, live stream and radio interviews, organizing events to help them build a presence in the community and relationship with the general public and more! For more information please contact Jonathan Coleman for The Media Blast PR via email at Info@TheMediaBlast.net

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best two sources for new clients, new leads, etc. so far has been social media (primarily Facebook and Instagram) and referrals. I admin several Facebook Group and I pretty much use it as a lead generating machine. I post group and topic discussions that ultimately lead back to the people in the comment section inquiring about my services or services of my clients, etc. I also use Instagram to post screenshots of testimonials from people that have used my services as well as photos at some of the events that we organize to draw in more people. I’ve tried other ways to attract leads, but social media has gotten the most results in that regard by far. 2nd place goes to good ol’ fashioned referrals.

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

Social Proof. Business owners often underestimate the importance and usefulness of social proof. Nobody wants to eat at an empty restaurant. Nobody wants to attend a party where there are very few people. I don’t care how much of an individualist you are we are all programmed and wired to follow the herd in some degree. We are tribalistic by nature and when people see that OTHER people take a liking to you and your business the people that witness that want in on it! I make it a point to take photos with satisfied customers, highlight conversations with the people that I’m working with, so evidence that other people work with me and that in return makes more people want to work with me. I encourage other entrepreneurs to not shy away from doing that. Take photos, take screenshots of comments and conversations (with the other individuals consent of course) and show people that you and your brand are well liked by others. Take photos of the crowd at the events, show people smiling at you, do a Facebook / Instagram live while talking to collogues, get the people you are in business with to give you video shout outs or audio drops. All that works!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.TheMediaBlast.net
• Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/JayForNow
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthEastHipHopMagazine

Image Credits
Tiffany Brown of The Alter Ego Project took the photo of me in the white shirt, the main image I wanted to use. The rest were regular cell phone photos taking by regular attendees and not professional photographers. Some are screenshots.