We were lucky to catch up with Julie Nichols recently and have shared our conversation below.
Julie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.
When Sarah Earll first reached out to me about the St. Louis Empowerment Center, I could immediately see both the challenges and the incredible potential. Here was an organization doing vital work for St. Louis’s unhoused population, but they struggled to build the donor base they needed to sustain and grow their impact. As we sat down for our initial consultation, I knew we had an opportunity to create something special.
The Center’s digital presence wasn’t telling their story effectively. Their branding was inconsistent across platforms, their website wasn’t optimized for donor engagement, and they lacked the systems needed to build and maintain relationships with supporters. But beneath these technical challenges, I saw an organization with powerful stories to tell and meaningful work to share.
I approached the transformation holistically, starting with the foundation: the brand itself. Working closely with Sarah and her team, we developed a new visual identity that would resonate with potential donors while staying true to the Center’s mission. This included a fresh logo, a carefully chosen color scheme, and fonts that struck the perfect balance between professionalism and approachability.
But I knew that beautiful branding alone wouldn’t be enough. The heart of any nonprofit’s appeal lies in its stories, so I helped coordinate the creation of fresh photography and videos of their work in action. I wanted potential donors to see the impact of the Center’s work through the faces and voices of staff and clients. These authentic moments became the cornerstone of our new narrative approach.
The website redesign was particularly exciting for me. Rather than just creating a prettier version of their old site, we rebuilt it from the ground up with donor engagement in mind. Every element – from the navigation to the content hierarchy – was crafted to guide potential supporters through the Center’s story and make it easy for them to get involved.
Following our SEO optimization efforts and the site relaunch, we saw a 13% increase in website traffic within days. Even more gratifying was seeing how the Center’s brand presence came together across all their digital platforms – website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Finally, their online presence matched the professionalism and dedication I saw in their day-to-day work.
We did hit an unexpected bump in the road when an IRS administrative issue temporarily prevented the launch of the donation system. However, I’ve learned that setbacks like these are just part of the journey. Once the issue is resolved, we’ll be ready to launch email and social media campaigns to build their subscriber base and begin accepting donations through their new digital infrastructure.
Working with Sarah and her team has been incredibly rewarding. As she kindly put it, “Julie Nichols Marketing is fun and easy to work with… She has a personalized approach that has really worked for our organization.” But the truth is, it’s been my privilege to help transform their digital presence into something that genuinely reflects the vital work they do.
The St. Louis Empowerment Center’s story is still being written. While we’ve laid a strong foundation for their digital presence, I’m excited to see how they’ll use these new tools to expand their impact in the community. This project reinforced my belief that when you combine powerful storytelling with strategic digital marketing, you can create something that looks beautiful and drives real change in the world.
Julie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My path to marketing strategy wasn’t conventional, but that’s exactly what makes my approach unique. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Directing and over three decades of experience as a professional actor, director, and award-winning playwright, I learned the art of storytelling from the ground up. Little did I know that this theatrical background would become the foundation for helping businesses tell their own compelling stories.
The transition from stage to marketing might seem unexpected, but to me, it was natural. Both fields are fundamentally about connecting with an audience, understanding human psychology, and crafting narratives that resonate. My theater training taught me how to capture attention, build emotional connections, and deliver messages that stick – skills that prove invaluable in today’s crowded digital marketplace.
Why Marketing Leadership?
Over the past 13 years, I’ve immersed myself in every aspect of marketing – from social media and email campaigns to SEO and brand messaging. But what truly sets me apart is my experience running a small online business from my home office for six years. This hands-on entrepreneurial experience taught me lessons no textbook could convey. I’ve faced the same challenges my clients encounter daily, which allows me to offer solutions that are not just theoretically sound but practically proven.
As a marketing strategist and fractional CMO, I bring both creative vision and analytical precision to the table. Think of me as someone who can paint a beautiful picture and know exactly where to hang it for maximum impact. I’m equally comfortable crafting high-level strategy and rolling up my sleeves to implement it. This dual capability means my clients get both the “what” and the “how” of marketing success.
My Marketing Approach
What makes my approach different is my commitment to integration. I don’t believe in isolated tactics or one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, I look at how digital marketing, traditional marketing, networking strategy, and business strategy can work together harmoniously. This comprehensive view ensures that every marketing dollar you spend contributes to your larger business goals.
I’ve built a network of trusted creative professionals who share my commitment to excellence and reliability. When you work with me, you’re not just getting one person – you’re getting access to a carefully curated team of experts who can bring any vision to life. As your project manager, I ensure everything comes together seamlessly, on time, and within budget.
Your Transformation Partner
My greatest satisfaction comes from watching clients transform from feeling overwhelmed by marketing to becoming confident in their ability to attract their ideal customers. I understand the unique challenges small businesses face because I’ve lived them. This perspective allows me to develop strategies that are not just effective but also practical and affordable.
Whether it’s producing podcasts, creating online courses, or developing comprehensive marketing strategies, my goal remains the same: to help you find more of your perfect clients and scale your business to the next level. I combine the storytelling power of theater with the precision of digital marketing to create strategies that not only work but resonate with your target audience.
What Sets Us Apart
The magic happens at the intersection of creativity and strategy. My background in theater brings a unique perspective to brand storytelling, while my experience as a small business owner ensures that every solution I propose is grounded in practical reality. I understand that marketing isn’t just about attracting attention – it’s about attracting the right attention from the right people.
When you work with Julie Nichols Marketing, you’re partnering with someone who sees the big picture while appreciating the importance of every detail. From crafting your brand message to implementing comprehensive digital strategies, we focus on creating sustainable growth through integrated marketing approaches that align with your business goals.
I’m here to be your trusted marketing advisor and guide, helping you navigate the complex world of digital marketing with confidence and clarity. Together, we’ll transform marketing from a source of stress into a powerful engine for your business growth.
Let’s tell your story in a way that captures attention and converts interest into action. Because, in the end, that’s what great marketing – like great theater – is all about.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I always tell my clients when starting social media to start small. Start with just one platform. Get really good at that platform, and then consider adding a second platform. I did this with LinkedIn. I knew that as a marketing strategist looking to work with professional services businesses, my audience was hanging out on LinkedIn. I started posting a few times a week and leaned in on leaving quality comments on others’ posts. Engaging in the comments of posts that your target clients will notice can do wonders to expand your reach. I started gaining followers and connections and people started mentioning my posts when I’d see them in person. I always tell my clients to “remember the lurkers”. There are a lot of people who see your posts who never comment or like any of them. But they are watching! Don’t get down on yourself if you don’t see crazy engagement for a while. Social media momentum takes time, but most of all it takes consistency. Show up on a regular basis and you will see the payoff over time.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
My entrepreneurial thinking has grown from the guidance of a business coach. I started working with Kim Kleeman at Accelerate Successfully immediately upon launching my business. It was the best decision I made for my new business. She helped me dodge some big pitfalls and grow my business for long term success. I still work with her today and will continue to for many years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.julienicholsmarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julienicholsmarketing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julienicholsmarketing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienicholsmarketing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieNicholsMarketing
- Other: She Built That with Julie Nichols Podcast – https://www.julienicholsmarketing.com/podcast
