Oddly I stumbled upon our next featured business as I was updating my LinkedIn profile. I’ve known Gwen Morrison, Social Media Strategist & Founder of Endurance Marketing LLC. for over a year; Gwen and I are former co-workers so I was elated to see that she had moved from the corporate world into entrepreneurship. I can attest that Gwen is kick-ass when it comes to social media. She understands the strategy, the process, and can truly make a difference in your social media strategy. Check out my interview with Gwen and her initial pitch.
PITCH: Reaching your clients online is no longer a nice-to-have–it’s a must-have. As a full-service digital marketing agency we are dedicated to providing strategy and implementation services for businesses looking to fully leverage the Internet. We work with clients across North America, providing them with the tools and training they need to increase their brand awareness, reach your target audience (and convert them to customers) and increase sales. http://www.endurancemktg.com
What key piece of advice would you give to other business owners?
The one piece of advice I would give to other small business owners is to set aside time every week—even an hour—to work ON the business. We spend so much time working IN the business, our own website or marketing programs get set aside, again and again. It took me some time (and organization) to find the right balance, and it will be different for everyone. I set aside Friday afternoons for working ON my business. I schedule my morning to finish up client projects and at noon the virtual “Closed” sign goes up. I keep a list of items I want to tackle, adding to it through the week, and I try to knock off as many as I can on Friday afternoons. Things like: Writing blog posts for the following week, organizing new contacts, accounting (ick)…the list is endless!
What question do your customers ask most often? And how do you answer?
The questions I get most often is “I want to start using social media, but where do I start?” Well, maybe not verbatim, but that question comes up all the time in my business. Companies realize they need to integrate social media into their marketing but they are unsure where to start—where they should be spending their time online. My answer is always: Start with a strategy. Strategy should always come before tactics. Know what your goals and objectives are and map out a plan to achieve them. And make sure they’re measurable!
How do you define success?
Business success to me is when you are doing what you love. When you can wake up in the morning invigorated and ready to start the day.
Why did you start your business?
Here’s an interview with Pam Slim that does a good job of answering that!
Does the name of your business have a significant meaning? If so describe.
It does. I chose the word “Endurance” because to me it means “in it to win it!” and I am. And I know my clients are. They want to see results with their social media and online marketing—but it take time, patience…and endurance. This quote on my website sums it up I think:
“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that final victory comes.”
What separates your business from the competition?
My business is more than a social media agency—which there seems to be plenty of these days. We provide clients with everything they need to get online (WordPress website development / graphic design/ copywriting); optimize their presence to get found (search engine optimization), and engage with their target audience (social media training and strategies). We have the trifecta.
To contact Endurance Marketing:
Gwen Morrison, Social Media Strategist & Founder
Endurance Marketing LLC.
678-376-0100
