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Dee Blick is a Chartered Marketer based in Horsham. She runs her own successful company called The Marketing Gym Limited. Dee works with a diverse range of clients whether they are looking for a marketing plan, a newsletter, a PR campaign or a direct mail programme. Most of Dee’s clients work with her for one day every month on a retained basis.
I caught up with her on the 22nd July 2008 to find out how her career began and to see if she had any useful tips for people starting out in the PR and Marketing world.

1. How did you get into Marketing and PR?

At university I started applying for marketing and PR jobs. My degree was in History and Politics but I realised whilst doing this that I wanted to write stories for a living and that marketing and PR would enable me to do this. I love being creative and delivering results.
My first job was as a marketing graduate trainee for an insurance company. I realised that I loved marketing but found insurance boring.
My job before starting the business was as Company Director for a firm that sold promotional gifts and corporate clothing. My role was to build the brand, promote the company in the media and recruit franchisees before training them in marketing.
After a while I became restless. I had 24 years of marketing experience so I decided to start up my own company.

2. How did you go about starting up your own business?

I got a loan of £1000 from my Dad which paid for my website, business cards and letter heads. My husband wanted to get stuck in too so he went on an Inland Revenue course to learn about the tax side of things.
I joined a business networking group called BNI and over two months generated £5000 worth of business. It kept flowing in from there.

3. What would you say is the most important aspect of being successful in business?

Great product and services are vital. It is also important that you can reach the people that need to buy them and then communicate the benefits of what you are offering to your buyers. You have to be able to deliver your product or service.
No amount of great marketing and PR can compensate for poor products, poor service and lack of demand.

4. Have you got any exciting projects coming up in the next year?

I am currently filming with the BBC for a programme called ‘Beat the Boss’ which is due to air in January. I feature as a marketing entrepreneur working alongside two other entrepreneurs and together we use our business and marketing skills to develop a product.
My burning ambition is to get a book published on marketing and I have started exploring publishing options. I have also been asked by the NSPCC to raise awareness for Childline and I am going to do this with a team of great local business people by organising a big business networking event in November which will include entertaining speakers from the NSPCC and the world of business.

5. Do you plan to expand the company?

I will expand with new and exciting projects like my book. But in the sense of making the business bigger and employing staff then no. I am a control freak and happy running my business on my own but with great trusted partners that I can team up with.

6. What advice would you give to someone wanting a career in Marketing and PR?

Join the Chartered Institute of Marketing, which is the world’s biggest marketing organisation. Work experience is definitely a bonus. If you can get some hands on experience before you start applying for jobs that will really impress your future employer. Read widely on the subject of marketing and PR so you are knowledgeable and confident when answering questions at an interview. Apply for plenty of jobs and don’t take rejection personally. I got several rejections before getting into marketing.