Michelle Black : Black Cat Publicity

Black Cat Publicity offers affordable press release writing and distribution services to voluntary and community groups. Read how Michelle Black set up her business...

I am Michelle Black. I used to work as a Broadcast Journalist in the radio industry. I worked at various commercial radio stations in the Midlands. I have even tried my hand at presenting on one of them.

Four years ago, I had a career change and moved into the Voluntary Sector, working for a project which encourages young people to do voluntary activity in their local communities.

My job is very varied and flexible. I can be out and about on projects with young people one week, in the office developing the website the next or talking at a school assembly. I identified that our project and the young people were doing fantastic, positive work which the local communities needed to know about.

How it all began...

I started writing press releases and sent them to local newspapers. We started getting pieces about what we were doing in the paper. It was great, it promoted the work our project was doing and the volunteers loved seeing themselves in the paper. The articles were also used to send to our funders as evidence of the projects we were running for young people. I realised that there would be other voluntary or community groups that may need this kind of service.

My work was very supportive and encouraged me to offer my press release writing skills outside of work hours. I thought about the idea seriously, but didn’t know where to start setting up my own business. I enjoy my job, but something inside of me was itching to continue to use the skills I have gained within the media industry.

Be Your Own Boss

At the start of the year, I saw the advert for the Women’s Business Development Agency, Be Your Own Boss Course. So remembering this I decided to get in touch with WBDA as I had the idea for the business, but didn’t know what to do next in terms of being a business on my own. I believed it would work, but sometimes wondered if anybody would actually require the service.

After attending the Be Your Own Boss course it made my business idea more of a reality. Rather than me just thinking about it, I was able to take the idea forward. It was also good to meet other women thinking of starting up businesses and hearing about their ideas.

The course was half a day and gave me the opportunity to talk to other people about my idea and see what their reaction was. It also ran through what I should do to start a business. After the course I met with a business mentor, Joy Hunter, for one to one business advice sessions. After every meeting, I was keen to do something to push the business forward, even if it was only buying a website domain name or email.

We talked about my business idea and what I should do to push it forward. Joy was very helpful and knowledgeable. She sent me loads of information on further training courses, website set up and finances. We did action plans, so I had something to work towards before the next meeting. There is also a website and I signed up to some online forums.

I wanted support, someone telling me that what I was doing was right things. I needed someone to point me in the right direction. I didn’t know anything about starting up a business, so this was the first step. The Women’s Business Development Agency is a support network – now I have linked in with them, if I ever need any advice or support it is there for me. 

The idea becomes a reality

Now my business has become a reality. If I hadn’t have gone on the course I probably would have continued to think about my idea and half heartedly given it a go. I now have business cards and a website. I have successfully completed work for a couple of clients and I am hoping business will grow.

Black Cat Publicity services

Black Cat Publicity offers affordable press release writing and distribution service to voluntary and community groups. I offer a unique service. There are PR and Marketing companies out there, but you may have to buy into a whole package. I am just offering the press release to you. You don’t have to buy into a continuous contract of work. My service is great if you have a one off event, launch, funding success or positive achievement you want to publicise. I can speak to you over the phone or face to face. You tell me about your story, I ask questions, get quotes from key people and write up your story in the form of a press release. If you have a picture to go with the story, even better.

I also discuss with you if you would like it sending to national publications and relevant newsletters. The press release doesn’t stop there, it is something you can use again and again. Once the information is in place you can use it in your own newsletters and on websites.

I have become more confident and motivated since getting help from WBDA. I know where I am going with Black Cat Publicity now and what to do next in regards to making it a successful business!

For more information on the services Black Cat Publicity offers, you can go to the website http://www.blackcatpublicity.co.uk/ or email Michelle on michelle@blackcatpublicity.co.uk