045 Creating support networks within and around your business with Amanda Heritage

Today’s episode is an interview with Amanda Heritage.  Amanda works with her Clients to contribute to the delivery of their brand objectives and business strategy, by delivering creative, engaging and memorable messaging for their brands that drive engagement and sales growth, and ultimately to #makeyourbrandworkharder. She has worked in marketing for 23 years, the last 5 running her own digital marketing company. 

Here are some of the key takeaways from this episode:

• Amanda helps businesses to find digital solutions to work their brands harder, using her background in retail marketing.
• Amanda started her digital marketing business after learning about LinkedIn through some training, and then developing her own personal use of digital platforms.
• Amanda is Mum to a 17 year old and is loving sharing her knowledge with her son who now studies business.
• Working in the corporate world Amanda always felt the guilt of both being present for the important times in her son’s life and education, and now loves the flexibility she has of being involved whilst running her own business.
• The importance of an amazing support network. - Amanda talked about her use of LinkedIn for clients, understanding her clients target audience and making sure that they are present on those platforms.  How LinkedIn has evolved since Covid, where people have become more engaged and used it as a platform to be more honest about how they were feeling. And use of the platform as a networking tool.
• Evidencing what you deliver to clients by doing it for yourself too.
• Amanda had a burning desire to start a business but was not brave enough to take the leap for a couple of years and was worried about giving up her corporate salary. But lost her partners Mum, who was a huge support within the family. The commute and managing remote teams became a problem, pushing Amanda into a job that she didn’t enjoy.
• Whilst times aren’t always easy in Business, Amanda said that she has never looked back.  She wanted this business so much that she made it happen and made it a success, for her family and herself.
• Meeting people at networking as Amanda and I did. Some networking isn’t for you, whilst others are full of people you click with and who are in the same boat. And friendships with others who are in a similar position, who become a support network within your business.
• Creating a network of people whose skills you can utilise, share and connect with. You can grow relationships, and once your network know you, they will recommend you and connect you with other business connections who can benefit your business.
• Try to maximise the fact that you are running your own business. You are in control of your diary, so make sure that you do things for you… work the hours that work for you, book a hairdressers appointment in the week, and choose if you will work the weekend, build in time for self care. You don’t need to be tied to your desk or work to someone else’s working hours.
• Learn how to use a scheduling tool for social media. Scheduling in bulk can save a lot of time. You can do it from your phone when you have pockets of time. Meta, and LinkedIn allow you to schedule content.
• Amanda gave her book recommendations, and talked about why she loves books and podcasts by Steven Bartlett. 

Find the show notes and the links to recommended tools and books here.