We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Olivia Gunn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Olivia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When you were first starting out, did you join a firm or start your own?
When I first started out, I offered many of the services provided by Olivia Gunn PR & Communications as favors for friends and associates, simply because I enjoyed doing so. I love the field of communications. My undergraduate degree is in communications and I worked in broadcast, so it was common for friends to come to me for press releases, press kits, and help with communications, and I would help at no charge. So, it’s safe to say communications is my passion.
But when the demand for my help began to grow, I realized that the “help” I was providing was something bigger. It was a business. That’s when I decided to make it official and launch Olivia Gunn PR & Communications in 2019. I know that launching my business was the right thing to do. My clientele has grown tremendously and I’m able to have structure when assisting my clients. I meet new people and prospects weekly. Even though I’ve always had jobs, I always knew that business and entrepreneurship would be my ultimate path.
I’m still within my early years in business and I’m looking forward to continued growth. It has not been easy, because even though I am a professional in the communications field, Olivia Gunn PR & Communications is my first business. So, maintaining the business requires continued learning, from marketing toe budgeting and finance. I’ve also had to learn how to draw the line between business and personal when it comes to assisting people who I know have relationships with. I had to help them understand that even though we’re friends, the services that I provide are not favors.
However, I’m enjoying the journey. So far, my diverse clients have ranged from small business owners, to nonprofit organizations and music artists. It hasn’t been easy, but with continued marketing efforts and implementing my own PR and communications strategies, I’ve managed to sustain my business and it’s motivating to say the least! I’m confident that greatness is in store for Olivia Gunn PR & Communications.
Olivia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Olivia Gunn PR & Communications makes communication easy! It assists small businesses and organizations with solutions to help grow their business with effective communications strategies. Among the services provided are media relations, public relations campaigns, social media management, and content creation. Strategy sessions are also available for those who need insight on what route to go when it comes to communications.
What sets Olivia Gunn PR & Communications apart from others is the fact that all services actually revolve around communication. Communication is key. So, clients will always be provided services that spreads their message to the masses.
I’m most proud of the results that my clients have received. Every client that I’ve had who wanted media relations earned media placements. Every client that has needed content has been able to use the content I’ve created for branding. Because of my social media management, clients’ social media presence has grown tremendously and they’ve been able to obtain a greater reach. So, I’m most proud of the success of my clients. I want my clients and potential clients know that I will always over deliver!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Fun fact, or maybe a not so fun fact: I had no clients my first year in business. My clients didn’t start coming until my second year in business. Did I think about giving up during my first year? Yes. But growth takes time and an overnight success takes years. So, I continued to work on my business EVERY day, whether it was a social media post or an update to my website. I never wasted a day, and eventually, the clients and prospects came.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think what helped to build my reputation within my market is the fact that I don’t follow trends. When it comes to marketing and promoting myself, I always do what works for me. I try to be creative and come up with unique ways to market myself. Also, being that I’m a communications professional, it’s important that I communicate effectively. I’m always in communications with my clients. I follow up and never leave them hanging. I’m pleasant and I make communicating with me easy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.oliviagunn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviagunn/ https://www.instagram.com/oliviagunnpr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OGunnPR https://www.facebook.com/olivia.gunn88
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviagunnTV
Image Credits
Brandon Rashad Photography