We were lucky to catch up with Mara Edwards recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mara, appreciate you joining us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.
In my book, failure is just part of the road to success. I heard this great quote the other day that loosely went “it isn’t a bump in the road, it’s just the road” and that hit me straight in the chest.
I started my company Gotta Know Me Social Co. over 8 years ago at 21 years old I 100000% knew nothing about business.
I knew that I loved being creative and since instagram & Facebook had really become popular while I was in high school I was VERY well acquainted. It was the means in which we communicated with each other, even then. But 5 years into GKMco. it was 2020 and our future was uncertain. I was a mother to a 1 year old & with baby #2 on the way– the social media marketing industry was no longer the “stable” industry I thought it was. I got so many messaged “mara we are sorry we love you but the world is ending we can’t pay you this month.” There was so much uncertainty– no one knew what the new normal would be and because I didn’t create my own content for my clients, I just took the content they gave me– I WAS STUCK.
What I thought was so stable nothing could ever shake it was suddenly not someone that people felt they could afford or was a priority. Now you have to remember this was MARCH 2020. THE HEIGHT OF THE FEAR of what was to come.
I did something I never thought I would do as a GUNG-HO CREATIVE who always had an idea. I closed my doors. I closed my doors form almost 4 years. I focused on motherhood, my marriage and my personal content creation.. I had another baby and now we are a family of 5. I took this time to really step back and analyze WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED???!?!? How could something I had spent so long building just crumble.
I FINALLY figured it out: — I didn’t take full responsibility.
I didn’t take the social media and ensure that I did everything in my power to make sure it went. I depended on others to shoot & edit the content and by the time it got to me 90% of the ability of this content to actually reach the ideal customer or not was already determined. It was my missing piece.
If I had not FAILED SO TERRIBLY I would not realized that my true ability is so much more than just growing an instagram page, But to create the content that makes your ideal client feel seen and heard and in return organically your product or service is then real to them…. THAT IS THE SECRET SAUCE *CHEFS KISS.
90 days ago I reopened my virtual doors and it has been nothing but week after week expansion. —- I couldn’t be more proud.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hey there, it’s your bestie, Mara – pronounced “May-Ruh,” because why be ordinary when you can be a bit extra, right? *hair flip* 💁🏼♀️
Now, I’d much rather dive into your amazing stories, but if you insist on knowing a bit about moi, here’s the scoop!
I’m happily married and we’re navigating the wild, wonderful world of parenting with three adorable kiddos in the sunny little city of Clearwater, Florida. 🌴
Once upon a time I was born in a tiny Alabama town called Albertville and lived there until I was in my early teens. I was obviously a cheerleader *second hair flip* 💁🏼♀️💁🏼♀️ #GOTEAM.
Fast forward a little bit, and I found myself chasing dreams in the City of Angels, all while secretly hoping to marry Zac Efron.
Spoiler alert: Zac and his newly chiseled jaw are no longer on my mind…
My heart now beats to the rhythm of producing 🔥 content, and I’ve been honing my craft as the organic social media queen for the past twelve years – and trust me, it just keeps getting better. If you’re not monetizing your socials, we need to talk…
I’ve had the privilege of helping folks shine in the digital realm, bringing attention to their brands and converting traffic. If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to create effects and success in the online universe.
My favorite people to work with are artists and entrepreneurs! I’m a firm believer these are the movers and shakers that make the world go round and inspire some of the biggest positive changes.
The industry doesn’t really matter to me. I’ve worked with filmmakers, photographers, entrepreneurs, lifestyle bloggers, wellness clinics, musicians, salons, cafes, non-profits, authors, fitness studios and clothing designers, to name a few.
Nowadays, when I’m not glued to a screen, I’m out there being a mama to my three mini-me’s and one fur baby, wife-ing up The Man, and doing humanitarian work along the way. 🌍 And when not doing all that (!), you’ll catch me jet-setting to LA for speaking engagements and showing my West Coast clients some face to face love. 🛫✨
So yeah, basically, I am one happy gal. Every day I put on one of my many pairs of positive pants & attempt to save the world. (Toying with the idea of getting a cape, thoughts?)
Stay tuned for more adventures, laughs, and a dash of cheekiness. Life’s too short not to have a bit of fun, right? 💃
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative to me is the creation of an effect.
Being a competent and 100% in the game for my clients is my super power. I am so there and in it that they can let loose a little bit and be themselves and communicate about their passion and purpose & that my friends is what I consider my super power.
& it doesn’t end there, I get to take that content– edit it & post it to where the clients or customers of my client can SEE IT.
LAUGH
CRY
ROLL THEIR EYES
FEEL SEEN
OR CALLED OUT.
I communicate directly to them & they get it. The content is MADE FOR THEM. & because of that it created the byproduct of sales!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
oh that is an easy one! DELIVERY A GREAT PRODUCT. Your clients will talk to their friends. Happy clients = a happy life.
Now notice I didn’t say give your services away for free because in my experience the client you give a discount to is always the one that has the most complaints. — it’s just not worth it.
A couple of ways that I get around this is:
1. Create an intro service. Something that is a confrontable amount of money, but delivers a product that shows off your skilling in a big way. Maybe it’s one reel? Maybe one blog post? Maybe it’s a “story takeover” for a day but whatever you do, dont do free work. It will come back to bite you.
2. Offer a free strategy call. Book it in your calendar for 20 min and that is all the time you have. Do your research before the call and when you hop on have the strategy ready to present if they like it then it is just a hop skip and a jump to a new client. If not or they dont see the value of what new customers or clients would bring… then you just dodged a bullet.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gottaknowmesocial.com
- Instagram: www.instagtam.com/gottaknowmara
- Twitter: @gottaknowmara
Image Credits
@fishyfoto @emilyjeanrusselphoto @gottaknowmeco