Episode 176: How a Qualified Marketing Expert Can Transform Your Business with Dee Blick

Join Debbie Gilbert from The Business Awards Show as we discover How a Qualified Marketing Expert Can Transform Your Business with Dee Blick.

Dee is a multi-award-winning marketing expert, and author of six bestselling books. Crucially, she is one of only 3% of marketers globally to hold Fellowship status with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

With 41 years in marketing, Dee evolved from working in "big glossy businesses" to becoming a passionate advocate for SMEs. A natural writer who "tumbled into marketing," she continues writing for magazines, as well as her books, combining her twin passions seamlessly.

Key insights from this episode:

• Why "marketer" has become misappropriated: web designers to promotional gift sellers claim the title without proper training or understanding of marketing fundamentals 

• You have to put in the hard yards to become a Fellow: Dee submitted a rigorous dossier proving decades of grassroots work 

• Unregulated industries are a problem: many businesses have spendt £20,000+ with "marketers" (actually web developers) pushing expensive websites without the right marketing analysis

• Good marketing advice is unbiased: it should prioritize client success over selling schemes, memberships, or specific services

Book Awards vs Business Awards:

Unlike business awards, book awards often nominate works independently. Dee won awards from independent review sites, Guardian Top 10 Reads for Entrepreneurs, and magazine writing awards; all without entering. The Business Book Awards, however, requires a written entry but features rigorous judging where every book is read and assessed on content quality, not sales figures or publisher prestige.

"You're The Best!" - Dee's Latest Book:

Born from a dream (literally!), this personal branding guide distills Dee's 40-year template for moving from "seeker of opportunity" to "sought after." Written against the backdrop of AI "bleaching" authentic brands, it celebrates authenticity and provides a step-by-step roadmap to building your brand without selling expensive schemes.

Dee's Essential Marketing Tips:

Strip back to basics: identify your target audience, overcome barriers to sale, and create wow moments throughout your client journey. Additionally, review marketing spend: small amounts add up to thousands when misaligned with your target audience. And if you don't have time to do marketing, bring in a specialist, even for 10-15 hours a week. It will pay dividends.

About Dee

Dee is a multi-award-winning Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. She is also a #1 bestselling marketing author of books including, The 15 Essential Marketing Masterclasses for Your Small Business (Wiley), winner of the Bookbag non-fiction award. Her previous book, The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book, hit the Amazon charts at 150 before remaining a top 10 category bestseller for 5 years. It was even translated into Chinese after Dee was offered a publishing deal by CITIC Publishing.

She has just launched her fifth marketing book, You're the Best! How to Build an Authentic and Magnetic Personal Brand. It offers 13 chapters of theory-free wisdom and experience so you can move from "seeker" to "sought after". On Amazon pre-release it was #1 in 6 categories. It is essential reading for any founder wanting to be a magnet for clients, introducers, and influencers on a shoestring budget.

Throughout a 40-year career, Dee has worked with clients from all sectors,helping each one to build their personal brand and become a key person of influence. Consistently, she has followed the same process, delivering considerable success.

 

 

{2:20} Dee's business journey.

{3:22} What made Dee go into marketing.

{4:33} Working with a diverse range of customers.

{6:05} Why the Chartered Institute of Marketing is so essential.

{9:58} The worrying growth of unqualified marketeers.

{13:20} Dee's experience of book awards.

{20:27} You're the Best! The book to build your personal brand.

{28:37} How awards and personal branding align.

{29:36} The Boutique - Dee's work of fiction.

{32:28} Dee's top marketing tips.

 

Connect with Debbie at: https://thebusinessawardsshow.co.uk

                                        https://bestsmeawards.co.uk/                                       

Connect with Dee:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/creativemarketer/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dee.blick

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blick.dee/

You're the Best!: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Best-Authentic-Magnetic-Personal/dp/1917534078

15 Essential Marketing Masterclasses for Your Small Business: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Essential-Marketing-Masterclasses-Small-Business/dp/0857084402