It’s our goal at Upmarketry to help startups and SMEs grow by offering our marketing help and advice. But just giving our own advice would be quite limiting. So, we’ve started a new series here on the blog to introduce you to some passionate, fearless and incredible business owners. Their stories will hopefully inspire you as you continue on your journey towards success.
First up, it made perfect sense for us to speak to an influencer. After all, these days in digital marketing, they’re the dream connection for a lot of growing businesses.
Meet Lynn James
Lynn is CEO and Founder of Mrs Mummypenny, a personal finance and lifestyle blog. She inspires over 13,000 people over Twitter, Facebook and Instagram alone. She’s also written a book Blogging Your Way To Riches (available from Amazon) which offers the best advice on how to monetise your blog. From pitching to SEO, goal setting to networking.
1. Why did you start Mrs Mummypenny and what were you doing before?
I started Mrs Mummypenny as a hobby five years ago whilst on maternity leave. I had always shared my money saving and financial tips with my friends so thought why not share it with the world on the internet. I went back to work in my full time commercial management role and carried on the blog as a very part-time hobby. I always knew I had an amazing idea with very few other people doing it, but the only way I could do it was to get some money. The gift of redundancy came along three years ago giving me around 12-18 months of money to pay the bills whilst I built the business. My previous job was financially and commercially focussed so I was well placed to run a business with knowledge, experience and mentors.
2. What were the biggest sources of inspiration and support when you were starting out?
When I started out I had some advice from some incredible business people. Those who had taken a risk and created their own businesses. I was given the best advice. Make as much money as possible and spend as little as possible! And get your name out there. This was the big focus for my first year, getting out there, pressing palms with brands and PR companies and getting people to know who I was. In my first year of blogging I realised there was a community of fellow bloggers! They became my guidance and inspiration. It’s key to have partners in business who know exactly what you are going through and have been successful at the thing you want to be successful at.
3. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt since starting the business
The biggest lesson learnt has been to only listen to trusted advisors! I had so many people trying to offer me advice on what to do, who to work with, what to do next, where to spend money. But really you just need a couple of trusted advisors and your gut. Cash was a challenge during year 2 of my business and I very nearly ran out. Actually, correction, I did run out and ended up with a chunk of debt. But I had faith, the business turned suddenly into me earning more than I needed for the basic bills. So much that £10k of the debt has been repaid in one year. If you know in your heart that your business is amazing and commercially viable then keep going. You just need to reach that magic tipping point where you are known to the right people, and your income exceeds your expenses.
4. What has been your proudest moment or biggest achievement so far?
Oh wow so much has happened that I am astounded and proud of. I became brand ambassador and bill board model for Pensionbee in 2017. I’m now considered a blogging expert in the world of Energy working on many campaigns for brands, Smart Energy GB and Energy Savings Trust. I have written for or been quoted in Huffington Post, I Newspaper, Woman’s Own, Mail Online, Mirror to name a few papers. I was guest on Radio 4 Money Box January 2018. Also, I got to watch Grace Jones in the press pit at Standon Calling festival. I have met countless celebrities, just flick through my Instagram profile!! So much to be proud of.
5. What piece of advice would you give to anyone starting out?
To not expect the riches and returns from day 1. It’s taken me three years of full-time blogging to get to this point of success and it’s been a lot of hard work along the way. Take time to write incredible content that people want to read and share. Get out there and meet people at events, press launches, conferences. Build your social media to a decent level..10k is a bit of a magic number. But keep it real with good engagement!
6. What piece of investment did you make in the business that was worth every penny?
I have spent some money investing in courses to help me set the strategy of the business. A course called PR from the Heart from Kat Byles was brilliant during 2017 and really helped me clarify the true direction of the business. In addition I would say the large amount of money that I spent on travel during my first year, which ended up being a loss making year was worth it. If you meet someone and make an impression with your dazzling personality, they will remember you, simple.
7. Which element of marketing has made the most impact to your business?
Hmm tricky one. Probably my social media knowledge of sharing content and building up my following has a big impact on my business. My SEO skills which have been self-taught are now paying dividends as my SEO traffic is pretty amazing to my blog. And the creation of a product, the Blogging Your Way To Riches book gave me an authority in the blogging world. A Facebook group was created off the back of the book which I now use for Blogger Outreach, another income stream.
8. What does 2018 look like for you?
The core of my business is the creation of genuine, honest and helpful content for my readers so this will be what I do every day in my business. I have lots of exciting campaigns lined up for the first half of the year and much continuing work with my regular clients including Pensionbee, Aldi, Octopus Energy, Smart Energy GB to name a few. There will be a lot more media appearances, newspaper and magazine work, radio and TV. And a strong possibility of more products to add to the Mrs Mummypenny armoury. And who knows what else!
You can follow Lynn’s story at www.mrsmummypenny.co.uk.
