PAM PERRY, Branding Accelerator

PAM PERRY is an award-winning communications professional. She teaches and mentors authors, speakers and entrepreneurs on how to build a platform and attract major media and publishing contracts. She is also the publisher of SPEAKERS MAGAZINE and co-founder of Digital Business Acceleration.

After working with Pam, her clients have been featured on CNN, TBN, The Word Network, Radio One, Oprah Magazine, Tom Joyner Morning Show, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, PBS – and many other major media outlets. Her clients have been offered major publishing contracts, and have created successful fulltime careers as “authorpreneurs” earning six-figures.

She has been called by Publishers Weekly a “PR Guru” and featured in many major publications (including several covers), and on more than 100 radio and TV programs. She also has a 20+ year career expertise in marketing, public relations and journalism in Detroit; including work with The Detroit Free Press, WNIC, The Edge with Jeffrey Miller, Radio One, Michigan Chronicle, WNIC and TheHUB Detroit magazine.

Pam has worked with many nonprofit organizations, like the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, developing their social media presence, online brand and digital marketing programs. She is also author of Synergy Energy: How to Use the Power of Partnerships to Market Your Book, Grow Your Business and Brand Your Ministry.

Known as the master of connecting the right people, for the right project, at the right time – Pam Perry PR works hard to help her clients brand (and get paid) like a superstar.

Pam had the following to share with SISTAH Talk:

SISTAH Talk: What is your background relative to Public Relations & Marketing?

Pam: I am a graduate of Wayne State University School of Journalism - with a concentration in Advertising and Public Relations. I graduated with Honors many moons ago and while at Wayne State I worked at the school newspaper, radio station, WDET, an advertising agency. Before I graduated, I got a job at the Detroit Free Press. Going to a school in the city offered me "real world" experience in a major media market. PAM PERRY

PAM PERRY

SISTAH Talk: What made you decide to go in the Public Relations & Marketing?

Pam: It was something I felt “called to”. I am very good at promoting. I noticed it when I was a teen at Cass Tech and while I was a member of my childhood church, Corinthian Baptist Church. I was the person people called on to promote something, write something or bring people together for an event. I was always a "people" person and loved to write. I had the gift of communication.

SISTAH Talk: When did you decide to start your business?

Pam: I always wanted to have my own business. I started three (3) businesses before I started the one I now have had for over 20 years. My first business was when I got fired from an agency - and I started "PPC" - Pam Perry Consulting. Never registered it. Just got business cards. I was 28 or so. It was a mess. Then I started Special Events & Meeting Planners (SEMP) at 30 - that was a hot mess too. I hated planning events - I only really like promoting them. So that didn't work out. Then I worked with my husband, we owned Perry Marketing Group. It was an ad agency - and I was the VP of Public Relations. After our daughter was born, I left my job as Public Relations Director of The Salvation Army and joined Marc at PMG. I did that for four years before the company went out of business. I really was developing my business idea while at PMG. The agency worked with automotive type of clients - and I wanted to work with nonprofits, churches and Christian authors/speakers. So, when the business closed, I opened up Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc. - and we've been going ever since. That was in the year 2000.

SISTAH Talk: What has been your biggest challenge?

Pam: Picking the "wrong" clients or team members. I'm a really trusting and giving person - but I had to realize that people will take advantage of you. Not only does that hurt but it costs me money. Just because someone says they are a Christian - doesn't guarantee they have the character to do business with you.

SISTAH Talk: What has been your greatest victory?

Pam: It's a blessing to be a blessing to see my clients soar. I've won a lot of awards too - but the greatest victory is running my "home-based" business, being happy, raising my daughter - and seeing her graduate from Michigan State - and working for one of the country's largest ad agencies. I always wanted to have an exciting career and raise a happy family - and have success at both. That's my biggest victory.

SISTAH Talk: What do you believe is the most important aspect of branding?

Pam: Consistency - and being authentic. There's so much fake out there - it's crazy!

SISTAH Talk: What do you believe is the biggest mistake people make in branding and marketing?

Pam: Not knowing their "target market" - not knowing their "why" - and not taking the introspective time to discover these essential elements. It's the key to what will keep you going when things get tough.

SISTAH Talk: Tell us how "Show Up to Go Up" factors into branding and marketing?

Pam: You have to be bold and show up BIG and you will "level up" in your life and business. You have to have faith and courage to put yourself out there!

SISTAH Talk: For those who are reinventing and/or rebranding themselves, what helpful hints would you give them to encourage their journey?

Pam: Find a mentor. Pay for a coach. Quit trying to "DIY" and "Google" Your way to through - I have paid coaches thousands of dollars over the years and it has helped my business grow and prosper. I mentor authors/speakers in my membership program and I have a Branding Accelerator Program where I mentor them personally for three months in a small group. It's important to get wise counsel - and do what they say! Be an activator - not just a "collector of information."

SISTAH Talk: Many see reconstruction as failure because the first thing did not work. How does reinvention and rebranding strengthen a brand?

Pam: We "tweak" as we go. No one starts out perfect. Success comes when you start – not when you just talk about it. If something doesn't work out – you then have more insight into what WILL work out.

SISTAH Talk: What encouragement would you offer those who struggle with marketing, branding and how they can get started on a small scale?

Pam: I would say read marketing books, watch marketing videos and find a good mentor or coach you trust to help you. I always say, you either learn from mistakes or mentors. Mistakes are costly and mentors will open doors of opportunity for you - if you are a good mentee.

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