Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Campbell.
Julia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started my own business out of necessity – I was laid off from my nonprofit development job at 8 months pregnant with my first child. You can call me an accidental consultant – but I would never go back! I love being self-employed. I received my Bachelor’s in Journalism & Communications from Boston University and earned a Master in Public Administration from Old Dominion University as well as a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Tidewater Community College. I served in the US Peace Corps from 2000-2002, and that it when I became interested in working for NGOs. In 2010, I started my current business, J Campbell Social Marketing, which combines my passion for digital marketing and social media with my talent for telling great stories and crafting marketing messages. My services have evolved from doing bespoke social media management services to speaking nationally, providing workshops to large audiences, and publishing – I published my first book, Storytelling in the Digital Age: A Guide for Nonprofits, in June 2017. I absolutely love being self-employed, even though it definitely doesn’t make my schedule more flexible (a common misconception). I also love being a mom and spending as much time as I can with my 3-year-old and 8-year-old. I advocate for several social causes and I am an outspoken activist in my spare time.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being self-employed is never smooth sailing, and anyone who tells you this is either filthy rich or lying! When I was laid off from my full-time nonprofit job, I never thought I would go off on my own. It wasn’t something that we were taught in school. It wasn’t something that I saw in my own friends and family – just never something that I considered as a career move. I still struggle with imposter syndrome – every time someone says they have read my blog, seen me speak, watched my videos, or purchased my book, there is always a small part of me that can’t believe it. I invented my own way of doing business, I carved out my own niche, and I do what I love on a daily basis – the definition of success in my book!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with J Campbell Social Marketing – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I help nonprofits tell their stories using digital storytelling techniques and tools. I perform social media audits and workshops for organizations large and small, and I create strategic, actionable plans for them based around their organizational goals and staff capacity. I passionately believe in the power of technology to help even the smallest of nonprofit accomplish their missions. I come from the third sector – I’ve been a one-woman development/marketing department – and I also started my career right when email marketing and social media were exploding in popularity. I feel uniquely qualified to do what I do. My business consists of just one person, myself, and I stay true to my personal values. I also have fun! I love seeing my clients use digital tools to create social change! I have also increased my speaking engagements this year in order to reach even more nonprofits, and while the travel can be grueling, reaching more nonprofit professionals with my message is rewarding.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am VERY excited to be working on two amazing projects this summer. The first is the first Lady Boss Marketing Boot camp in June, which I am hosting with my good friend and video marketing expert Meaghan Corson. I do so many Facebook Live streams, webinars, and other virtual events, and I wanted to host an in-person event with other female entrepreneurs and business owners to get them comfortable with marketing! We will be in Peabody for a half-day of video marketing, social media, and personal branding strategy, all on June 29. I am also thrilled to be planning an extensive series of online courses for nonprofits with TechSoup. These will be released in August, and there will be more details to come as they are finalized!
Pricing:
- My services start at $1500, but I am willing to work with all budgets and all size organizations.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.jcsocialmarketing.com
- Email: julia@jcsocialmarketing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliacampbell77/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jcsocialmarketing
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/juliacsocial
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliacampbell/
Image Credit:
Renee Gannon of Make Unicorns Great Again
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