It can be really lonely being a sole trader or leading a small business, and that’s where small business coaching can make a big difference.

The small business coaching I offer, I think, is pretty different to what’s available generally. However, I know that the support and advice I offer my clients, when followed, generates real results. This part of the blog is an extension of this – of the way I operate and the things I feel are valuable to you.

Here you’ll find tips linked to running your small business and helping it thrive, and you’ll also be able to read about small businesses who are completely nailing it out there. Many of whom I coach. And I’m very proud to be associated with.

Small business coaching can make a huge difference, however you’re looking to grow your business. Just because you’re master of your own destiny, it doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.

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Why You Don’t Need a PR Agency: The Small Business Guide to Free Press

Why You Don’t Need a PR Agency: The Small Business Guide to Free Press

If you run a small business, you already know the every penny counts.

When budgets are tight, every investment needs to actively move the needle and drive you closer to your goals. Unfortunately, traditional public relations (PR) is often viewed as a playground exclusive to big corporations with massive budgets, a luxury where you throw thousands of pounds at an agency and hope for the best.

But, you do not need to spend thousands of pounds on a PR agency to get featured in the press.

When done well, PR can reap monumental rewards for your brand awareness and your bottom line. And the best part? You can get started right now, by yourself, entirely for free.

If you are ready to stop letting a lack of budget hold your business back, here are the three essential steps to kickstart your own DIY PR journey.

1. Identify Your Gatekeepers

Before you write a single pitch or send a single email, you need to understand exactly who you are trying to speak to. Stop sending generic press releases to blind info@ email addresses. They’re a lot less likely to find the right person in a timely manner!

You need to identify the precise gatekeepers for the media sectors you are targeting:

  • Magazines and Newspapers: Look for specific section editors (such as the Business Editor, the Lifestyle Editor, or the Features Editor). If you are struggling to reach them, look for the editorial assistant of the publication first. They are fantastic allies and often help route great stories to the right desk, and also tell you who the right person is!

  • TV and Radio: Forget the presenters or the face of the show. You need to find the producers. They are the creative engines behind the scenes who actually curate the guest line-ups and choose the topics.

2. Study the Outlets

A terrible pitch is incredibly obvious. It’s usually a copy-and-paste mass email that offers zero value to the journalist. To stand out, you have to do the research time.

Pick the specific publication, radio slot, or website you want to be a part of and study it intensely:

  • What kind of recurring features do they run?

  • What specific topics does their audience engage with the most?

  • What is the tone, style, and rhythm of their content?

If you put the research time in first, your eventual pitch will make perfect sense to them. The journalist will instantly recognise that you understand their world, that you’ve done the work, and that you are there to add genuine value to their platform, rather than just begging for a free advert.

Pro Tip – Note down features and interviews you particularly enjoy/ed, this will come in useful for when you pitch as it shows you really have done the work!

3. Demolish the Fear of Rejection

Here is where most small business owners fall at the final hurdle. They do the mapping, they do the hours of deep research, and then they completely chicken out at the last second because they are terrified of getting a no.

Let me tell you something from personal experience: you will get ignored – a LOT – and that is completely fine.

Early in my career, I was ghosted more times than I can count. But every single time a pitch was met with radio silence, I didn’t view it as a failure. I viewed it as a data point. I analysed it, learned from it, and used it to sharpen my strategy for the next time. And I just kept going!

Because of that resilience, my pitch hit-rate today – and my clients’ hit-rate – is incredibly high. Rejection isn’t a wall if you don’t see it as that, it’s actually just feedback. The more times you put yourself in front of the right people, the higher your chances of success.

Building Your Asset for the Future

Even if an editor or producer turns you down initially, it doesn’t mean your effort was wasted. Sometimes your business simply isn’t a perfect fit for what they are working on at that moment, it’s a just a no for now.

However, by reaching out professionally, doing your homework, and presenting a high-value concept, you have made a great first impression. You are now on their radar. You can add them to your growing press list, nurture that relationship, and set yourself up for massive editorial wins down the line.

PR isn’t about having a massive corporate bank account. It’s about strategy, research, relationships, and having the guts to show up anyway. Again and again and again!

Want to Master Your Own PR Strategy?

Learning how to navigate the media landscape and pitching your business like a seasoned pro is entirely within your reach.

For insider PR tips, actionable tricks, and deep-dive breakdowns of the marketing campaigns making headlines right now, come and join the community on Instagram! Follow along at @rheafreemanpr and let’s start getting your business the visibility it deserves.

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Let’s talk about Threads

Let’s talk about Threads

threads

Threads has been everywhere since it launched less than a week ago. With Meta’s latest app receiving 100 million plus sign ups (which is incredible) in just a few days, I wanted to share some tips and thoughts to help you get to grips with it (if you’d like to!). On this episode, I explain where it fits in the social media landscape, why I like it, what’s missing, and plenty more besides.


Exploring Threads – The New Social Media Platform

I’ve condensed this into seven questions as I’ve been doing a fair amount of TV and radio about this shiny new app, so I have picked out the recurring themes to deliver you a fast guide to help you on your Threads journey!

  1. What is Threads?Threads is a new text-based social media app closely integrated with Instagram, owned by Meta (formerly Facebook). Unlike Instagram’s focus on visuals, It emphasises text-based conversations, making it a platform for quick exchanges and engaging discussions.
  2. Do You Need Threads?Whether you need it depends on your preferences and social media strategy. I’m enjoying it and like its community-oriented approach.
  3. How to Get Started?Getting started with Threads is easy, especially if you have an existing Instagram account. The app seamlessly integrates with Instagram, carrying over your profile information and allowing you to jump right in.
  4. What Should You Post?While there’s no strict rule on what to post, focusing on conversation starters and engaging discussions aligns well with platform’s ethos. Quality conversation takes precedence over flashy visuals.
  5. What’s Missing?Currently, Threads lacks features like functional hashtag search and direct messages. However, it’s a young platform with lots of potential for growth and improvement.
  6. Do I Like It?So far, I’m enjoying it positive experience with Threads. The platform has a different vibes to others and there are some great conversations being shared.
  7. Should You Join?Whether you should join depends on your interest and willingness to explore new platforms. Being an early adopter presents opportunities to make a significant impact within the community should it become successful.

In summary, Threads offers a fresh take on social media, and really does focus on meaningful conversations over visual content. While it’s still evolving, joining early could potentially enhance your online presence and influence.

Small & Supercharged Book

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When should you work for free?

When should you work for free? Navigating the Work-for-Free Landscape

Have you ever been asked to work for free? For exposure? For reach? Most people have, and there are some good reasons why working for free can pay, as I discuss in today’s episode. I talk about seven reasons why you might want to consider working for free and seven reasons why you should run for the hills. This is a blog of the podcast- as always, there’s a lot more detail in the podcast (you can listen below or anywhere else you listen to podcasts or below!), but the blog below provides a summary.

Seven reasons to work for free

1. Building Your Portfolio: We all start somewhere, and if you’re embarking on a new journey or career, you might lack experience. Doing some free or low-paid work can help you build a robust portfolio, showcasing your skills and capabilities.

2. Gaining Experience You Lack:  Sometimes, you need evidence of your abilities in a specific area. Working for free allows you to gain valuable experience, whether it’s in photography, public speaking, or any other skill you’re looking to develop.

3. Opening doors you can’t see: Free work can open unexpected doors. You might make valuable connections, get offered courses or training, or receive invitations to events that wouldn’t be on your radar otherwise.

4. Charity support: If it’s for a cause that is close to your heart, offering your services for free can be a way to make a charitable contribution.

5. Payment in Kind: In certain situations, receiving a higher-value item in exchange for your services might be worth considering. If the item/service aligns with your needs or interests, it can be a win-win.

6. Using It as a Stepping Stone: Sometimes, doing free work can serve as a stepping stone, opening doors to future opportunities or enabling you to qualify for something you aspire to do.

7. Passion: If a project or opportunity genuinely excites you and brings you joy, that alone can be a good reason to offer your services for free.

This is not an exhaustive list- at the end of the day it’s your time, and you can use it as you like!

Seven reasons not to work for free

1. Guilt Trips: If someone tries to manipulate you into working for free by playing on your emotions or making you feel guilty, it’s a red flag. Healthy discussions are fine; guilt trips, not so much.

2. Lack of Value: If a project offers no value to you, either in terms of brand promotion, personal development, or genuine interest, it might not be worth your time.

3. Extra Pressure: Taking on free work shouldn’t add excessive pressure to your already busy life. If it starts negatively impacting your well-being or other commitments, it might be time to reconsider.

4. Feeling Exploited: If you sense that someone is taking advantage of your skills and time without offering fair compensation or acknowledgment, it’s a clear sign to reassess the situation.

5. Effort vs. Payback: If the effort you’re putting into a project significantly outweighs the payback, whether in positive feelings or tangible benefits, it might not be a sustainable or wise endeavour.

6. Damaging Your Brand: If a project, whether paid or free, has the potential to harm your personal brand or professional reputation, strongly consider moving away from it (at speed!)

7. Your Gut Says No: Trust your instincts. If your gut feeling is telling you that something isn’t right or doesn’t align with your values and objectives, it’s perfectly acceptable to decline the opportunity.

In the end, the decision to work for free is yours and will be different to anyone else. It will probably depend on various factors such as your goals, values, and the specific circumstances of each opportunity. It’s crucial to know your worth, be open to discussions and, most importantly, be comfortable with the decisions you make regarding your time and energy.

Shameless plug- I wrote a book, called Small & Supercharged: Small Steps to Supercharged Your Brand on a Budget. If you’re in need of a good read to help you grow and scale your business, it’s highly recommended (by others who aren’t me!) See the Amazon reviews here!

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What are your tribe doing to you? How your circle impacts your life

What are your tribe doing to you? How your circle impacts your life

Have you ever thought about how the people you hang out with, people in your tribe, have a profound effect on so many aspects of your life? This could be your personal development, your business, your motivation and even your mental health. Surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial, and I want to delve into that today, drawing from my own experiences. This is the blog version of the podcast below. There’s a LOT more in there- listen here or subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

Does our tribe influence us?

I’ve encountered this theme many times in my life, and it continues to be a significant aspect of my journey. When facing challenges like a lack of motivation or feelings of pessimism, it’s essential to look at ourselves and what we can do/are doing, but we must also consider the impact of the people around us. The way our tribe feels and behaves directly influences us, and the ripple effect of this can be huge- whether that’s positive or negative.

One popular thought, often attributed to Jim Rohn, suggests that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. However, I believe that the influence extends beyond just five individuals. In Seth Godin’s book, called Tribes, he explains how these groups, vital for survival in the past, now represent the supportive people around us who lift us up and support our journeys.

Mastermind is a great example of the positives of a good tribe

Thinking about this, I thoughts about my experiences with Mastermind, my membership group, which is a tribe I’m incredibly proud to be a part of. This community shows, day in day out, the positive impact of a tribe. The supportive community within Mastermind facilitates learning, sharing, and overcoming challenges. Being surrounded by individuals striving for growth significantly impacts on the motivation of others. It’s magical to see. But when you see it and understand the power that the community/communities you’re involved with has, it’s a bit of a game changer.

Another example is connected to a qualification I’m working on.  I’m currently pursuing my ILM Level 7 in senior and executive business coaching and mentoring—a challenging journey (it’s the equivalent of a Masters in nine months) made better by the supportive cohort. Here, everyone brings something to the table, the vibe on our training calls is brilliant, and the Whatsapp group chat carries this on beyond the sessions too.

As we navigate through life, sharing our highs and lows with our immediate circle, we must observe how their responses affect us. If our tribe is supportive and genuinely excited for us, it positively influences our motivation and energy levels. Conversely, a negative or pessimistic tribe can weigh us down, even affecting our pursuit of ambitious goals.

Tribes extend to social media too

Expanding this concept to social media, the content we consume and the people we follow contribute significantly to our mindset. Being mindful of the impact of online connections is crucial. If our feeds are filled with negativity, it can seep into the way we feel and think. And this isn’t OK.

The people we surround ourselves with, both in-person and online, influence our mindset and, consequently, our success and happiness. It’s crucial to assess the impact of our tribe and, when possible, curate a positive and supportive circle that aligns with our goals.

Shameless plug alert! I mentioned Small & Supercharged Mastermind earlier, but it really is an incredible place to learn, develop and grow your business. Find out more here.

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How to get national PR for free

Do you want to feature in the national press? Let’s talk about how to get national PR for free!

Ever thought ‘I wonder how I can be featured there?’ Well, if your ‘there’ is in the national press (whether this is radio, TV, newspaper, magazine or website) then you’re going to LOVE this blog, and the corresponding podcast that you can listen to below (or on Apple/Spotify/wherever you listen to podcasts).


Featuring in the press can do wonders for your personal brand, business, and overall visibility. It can elevate you to a status of your own, establishing you as an expert and boost your credibility. Now, you might be thinking, “Sounds great, but isn’t it expensive?” Well, here’s the secret: it doesn’t have to be.

Get featured in the national press for free

In fact, I’ve been featured in various national press outlets, and on this episode of the podcast, I’m going to spill the beans on exactly how I did it.

But before we dive in, if you find this exciting and are looking for more in-depth guidance, check out the Small and Supercharged Mastermind group on my website. It’s a fantastic community where we delve into detailed marketing masterclasses each month.

Back to the juicy details of securing national PR. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not as daunting as it seems. The key is putting in the effort, and let’s face it, what worthwhile achievement doesn’t require some work?

You can pay for leads, or find your own

You can approach this in two ways: throwing money or throwing time. If you’re swimming in cash, you could hire a publicist or have an in-house PR expert. Buying ad space is also an option, but here’s the thing – I’m here to tell you that you don’t need a massive budget to get featured in the national press.

So, how did I do it? Over the past few months, I’ve secured features in Metro, Stylist, GB News, The Independent, iNews, and Thrive Global, just to name a few. And guess what? I did it all for free with a bit of time and effort.

Let me take you back to how it all started. While I’m deeply immersed supporting my clients and helping them find opportunities to grow and promote themselves, my personal promotion often takes a backseat. But during the holidays, when things quieted down a bit, I decided to explore what I could achieve in a short amount of time.

Being a frequent guest on local radio and a regular contributor to various publications, I was no stranger to media exposure. However, I felt the urge to venture more into the mainstream media. So, I turned to Twitter and started engaging with journalist requests.

#journorequest is a secret weapon

The #journorequest hashtag on Twitter is a goldmine for opportunities. Journalists, both local and national, use these requests to find people for interviews and insights. The beauty of it is that it’s accessible to everyone, and it’s free. It’s a platform where journalists broadcast their needs, seeking experts, opinions, and personal stories.

Now, not every response was met with positivity, but that’s part of the game. You don’t always have to talk about your business; these requests often centre around personal stories and experiences. For instance, I shared insights about being a mum and even discussed my dog in response to a question about 2022 highlights.

Be aware of what journalists want and need

Timing and responsiveness are crucial in this game. Journalists work on tight deadlines, so being quick and concise in your replies is paramount. While not every pitch will land you a feature, don’t be discouraged. The ones that do can open doors to unexpected opportunities.

It’s a really good idea to follow journalists posting these requests. Engage with them beyond just responding to requests; show genuine interest in their work. Building a rapport can increase your chances of being on their radar when relevant opportunities arise.

National or niche?

National press coverage is lovely, but the power of niche press can also do great things. Your target audience might be more engaged with specialised publications that directly relate to your products or services.

Getting featured in the national press doesn’t have to be an unattainable dream. With a bit of time, effort, you can elevate your personal brand and business without breaking the bank.

Shameless plug alert- want to know more about how to grow your brand on a budget? You’ll love my best-selling book, Small & Supercharged- small steps to supercharge your brand on a budget. Enjoy!

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8 ways to achieve your dreams in 2023

8 ways to achieve your dreams8 ways to achieve your dreams in 2023

Big title, hey? Well, it’s 2023 and on the very first episode of the New Year I’m sharing eight tips to help you achieve your dreams in 2023. And spoiler alert, it doesn’t involve New Year’s resolutions, because I don’t believe in them and rarely see them succeed without a proper plan.

From sacking off resolutions to finding a supportive community, I’m hoping this podcast will be a helping hand for the start of 2023.

Why I’m against New Year Resolutions…

In short, I think they set you up for a fall! Usually, New Year Resolutions aren’t set properly (as in, through proper goal setting), and there’s no plan, which leads me to my first point…

8 ways to achieve your dreams this year

1- Set goals, not resolutions (there’s different, honestly)

2- Make a plan around how you’re going to get to this dream and break it into small steps (break them down, that’s a plan, a big goal is just a wish!)

3- Find a community to support your endeavours (yep- shameless plug for Small & Supercharged Mastermind right here!)

4- Don’t worry if you don’t know how to do everything along your journey, that’s OK! (no one does, but there are loads of opportunities to learn out there)

5- Celebrate your micro-wins (big goals take time, and celebrating the little wins along the way will help keep your motivation up)

6- Push that comfort zone (comfort zones are cosy but not places for growth. The stretch zone is the dream)

7- If something goes wrong, don’t throw in the towel (there’s no point, things will go wrong, just look for the learning, pick yourself up, and crack on)

8-It’s OK to change course (if your learning and the steps you’ve taken change your goal, embrace it- you’ve learnt and grown along that journey and it’s good to adapt)

Hopefully you’re feeling rested and excited after Christmas and the New Year, and this episode might just help you along your way to achieving your big goals and ambitions in 2023…

Small & Supercharged Book

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5 reasons to invest in yourself

 

5 reasons to invest in yourself

The media is full of negative news- there’s no denying that- but even with all that’s going on, today, I want to urge you to not skimp on investing in yourself. More than that, I want to encourage you to invest in yourself more than ever. Don’t worry- I haven’t completely lost my mind, there are LOADS of ways you can invest in yourself for free, and there are loads of them in this podcast!

5 reasons to invest in yourself

 

With everything going on in the world at the moment, you may have decided to cut any learning budget in a bid to save money. I’m not here to say you must spend money on your growth and development if there’s nothing left in your budget- but what I will say is stopping all forms of training and investment in your personal growth is never a good idea.

The good thing is, you don’t have to spend a fortune on training- really, as with a lot of things in life, you can generally invest time or money (and maybe even both!) to broaden your horizons. From super high ticket courses through to free podcasts, audiobooks, video trainings, books, webinars- the list is nearly endless and there is plenty out there to suit any budget. I promise.

Why should you invest in yourself now?

  1. If you’re not learning, you’re going backwards. If you’re not trying to grow, develop and upskill, you’re losing ground if your competitors are committed to learning. Just because you’ve stopped, it doesn’t mean everyone else has. You don’t want to be lapped by taking your foot off the pedal when it comes to growth, training and personal development.
  2. You’re not alone. If you work for yourself, particularly if you work from home on your own, it can be really lonely. But the thing is, what you’re experiencing won’t be unique to you- you’re not alone. If you invest your time and/or your money in a community full of likeminded people, you will reap the rewards, feel more supported, be able to find shortcuts and expedite your growth.
  3. It can save you time. If you learn from others and their experiences and mistakes, you’ll likely save yourself a huge amount of time. The investment needed for this benefit is time. If you opt for a group like Mastermind, it’s money too, but if you go for a free group, it’s time. You can also get involved with free online trainings, books and lots of other methods to help progress your learning and save yourself a lot of time.
  4. Community and connectors creates opportunity. Connecting with people, whether in real life or through groups, can lead to huge opportunities. It’s a side benefit of why you should invest in yourself- time or money- because just one connection can make an introduction that can change the trajectory of your business, maybe even your life!
  5. It can help your business to grow in challenging times. We all need inspiration to help us grow, but particularly when times are tough, it can be harder to ‘dig deep’ and find these. That’s why investing in yourself is key. Investing in your education can help encourage different thoughts, new ideas and connections. And these are vital to surviving and even thriving when times are tough.

 

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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Should you join a membership group to help your business?

Are you part of a membership group? Have you considered joining one? This is the podcast for you!

Should you join a membership group to help your business?

As you’ll probably know, I run the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group- which is a membership designed for small business owners with equestrian, rural or country connections- but what makes a membership (any membership) worth joining?

In this episode of the podcast, I talk about what to look for in membership groups to make sure they’re going to deliver what you need. I also talk about how to assess the training offered and who the group is being led by.

Memberships can provide more than education- they can also provide community, opportunities and so much more. So if you’re thinking of joining a membership or you’re interested to learn more about what you could gain, or you just want to know more about how they work, this is for you!

Membership groups have continued to grow in popularity over recent years, and it’s easy to see why. In addition to getting valuable training, the right memberships can also provide members with supportive communities and the possibility of business (and maybe even life) enhancing connections too.

But not all memberships are created equal. Having run the Small & Supercharged Membership group for a few years now, and seen many others in action, I have packed this episode with tips to help you find the right membership group for you- that is, if you’re interested in them at all.

And, of course, if you’d like to find out more about the Small & Supercharged Mastermind group, you can do that here 

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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Is it all about the money?

Is it all about the money

What does success look like to you? Is it all about the money, or is it about something else?

Is it all about the money?

In this episode of the Small & Supercharged Podcast, I talk about finding out what matters to you, not letting someone else’s definition of success dictate your actions, and that all important profit vs. turnover discussion.

This podcast isn’t saying it’s right or wrong to have big money goals, far from it. It’s more about looking at those numbers to make sure it’s a true number not a vanity metric, not comparing yourself to someone’s else’s definition of success, and making sure that what you do makes you happy. However that looks.

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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Do you say ‘no’ enough?

 

do you say no enough

It might only be a two letter word, but for many of us, ‘no’ can be the hardest word to say. So much so, that instead of saying no when we don’t want to do things, we say yes, because it’s easier. But the thing is, it’s easier in that moment, for that split second, but the ongoing feeling that’s left when you know you said something you really didn’t mean lasts a whole lot longer. So do you say no enough? This podcast might help…

Do you say no enough?

When you say ‘no’, how does it make you feel? For many of us, saying no to opportunities, to work, can fill us with fear from all sorts of angles, and can make what should be a ‘no’, a resounding ‘yes!’. But is that a good thing? I don’t think it is.

Of course, the reason you want to say no has a huge bearing on this, but if you’re saying yes because you feel you should, then this one is for you.

We all have 24 hours in a day, and it’s important we use our time well. Not just for work, but for all the other bits that make life brilliant for us. Each time we say ‘yes’ to something, we’re saying ‘no’ to something else, because part of our time for the day, week or month has been eaten. Which makes it all the more important that our ability to say no really is as good as it can be, so we leave space for the game-changing amazing stuff, politely decline the things that don’t light us up, and push forward towards our goals.

Wow- that two letter word really does have a lot of power, doesn’t it?!

Small & Supercharged Mastermind

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