I am a freelance marketing consultant and content writer, based in Bristol, UK. I help busy small business owners to communicate what they do and grow their companies with powerful sales and marketing material.   I write web copy, articles, case studies, white papers, business books and tenders that get client attention and lead to sales. I've been running my own business for over 10 years.

• Read useful articles on my blog to find out about my approach to marketing with content.
• Have a look at my Linked In profile for my professional career summary and recommendations.
• Follow me on Twitter
• I am an expert contributor to The Marketing Donut - a website for packed full of advice and resources small businesses. You'll find articles by me on the site and its sister site Start Up Donut.
• See my Google Profile

SOME OF THE THINGS I BELIEVE IN:

• Marketing - it's not just for the big guys! Small companies should and can market themselves, and it works.
• The power of articles and  'thought leadership' content as lead generation tools
• Involving your customers - ask them what what you do and what they want
• Be a specialist, not a generalist to win at sales
• A business book is the best calling card ever, branding you as a true expert in what you do
• Show don't tell - with vivid testimonials and case studies
• The purpose of marketing is to simply to make selling easier
• Take control of your website: invest in content management
• Don't forget your existing customers - keep contact or they'll forget you exist
• Think content first, then get the web designers in
• Blogging
• LinkedIn and Twitter as a valuable marketing tools
• Business writing that gets to the point, in Plain English

You'll find articles in the Resources sectionand on my blog that back these up.

MY BACKGROUND IN SALES

I started my career in professional sales. After graduating from Bristol University in 1990 I worked for professional service companies for 10 years selling technical recruitment, IT services and management consultancy. I progressed from a script-based telesales role to major account and sales management.

To be successful in complex sales you need to show that you understand your clients' needs, tailor your approach to their requirements and clearly state your offer in a way that they buy into. These are also essential attributes for all good marketing communications.

FOCUS ON RESULTS

As a sales person I know that a relevant case study, a useful newsletter or a thought-provoking article helps to impress clients and win new business. I want to create valuable collateral that gets results.

For me, the real purpose of marketing is to make selling easier. I'm skilled at writing sales and marketing material that improves the chance of sales success.

PRACTICAL MARKETING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

I chose the freelance route in 1999. My aim is to help small professional businesses to grow by giving them powerful written communications tools that demonstrate their knowledge and prove their expertise.

Most MDs and sales directors are extremely busy; they find it difficult and time consuming to write about their own companies and need objective help (See this brief case study).

I work for small to medium sized professional companies who need this kind of practical sales and marketing support. My mission is to help them to devise and create well-written, authentic marketing content that clearly expresses what they do, educates and informs their clients and generates sales.

• Contact me sonja@sonjajefferson.co.uk.