August 7, 2014
Skye Wayte, PR & Social Media 101
At a Glance
Bio The path that led her to this point
I have been working in marketing since I graduated University (although I have an English degree so never thought I would find myself in this industry!).
I originally started in Direct Marketing, then from there found myself as Marketing/Events Coordinator for the AMA(WA) before I started to find my niche working in digital marketing in a number of organisations including Federal Politics and local government.
The position that cemented my passion for digital marketing was as Global Digital Marketing Manager at Trafalgar Tours - an exciting position that saw me manage digital marketing for a global company.
The company had 7 websites, 2 blogs, 15 social media sites and a huge global audience - it was an amazing challenge.
However, when my son was born in March 2013 (and probably while I was pregnant) I realised that I no longer wanted to work for other people.
I wanted to work for myself, with other businesses, and that is when I made the decision to start my own business.
I worked with my first client when my boy was just 5 weeks old, and since then I haven't looked back.
I am now working 2 days a week at my office, and the rest of the week I am both mum and business owner.
Every day is different, and I can honestly say I love what I do.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
Starting my business and training small businesses in digital marketing.
Small business have very little resources to help them establish themselves online, and the courses I run help them have more confidence with website and social media.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
Having a newborn and working out how I was going to juggle a baby with a new business has definitely been a challenge. Plus moving house when my son was 4 months old and reestablishing a VERY new business in a new city has kept me on my toes!
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Definitely ensure I am charging enough for my services.
A number of times I have done publicity work for theatre shows and because I'm trying to help an under-funded industry, when I have worked out the hours worked and amount charged - I've ended up working for nothing!
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
Definitely the Mashable blog. As I'm a social media business, I need to be up to date with all social media/technology news.
I'm on this site EVERY day, keeping an eye on what I should be aware of and whether this should be communicated through my social media, blog or even to clients.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
Lorna Jane is an amazing brand.
Started by one woman with a passion for fitness and now its a national brand. Plus she used social media to help build the brand - she's an absolute inspiration.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
It's an amazingly competitive industry, and you have to be ready to WORK hard to find clients.
Unlike the medical or legal industry - there are a lot of unqualified hacks who give the industry a bad reputation. Sometimes it feels like I'm having to defend my industry when looking for clients.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I became a trainer with Digital Biz WA.
It opened my eyes to small business and also allowed me to establish my office at the Rockingham Incubator.
I now have a number of clients through this program and continue to be inspired by small business and start ups.
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