Like pretty much everyone else on the planet, the past year has forced me to reassess my priorities, in both life and work.
Far from diminishing my ambitions, 2020/21 strengthened my resolve to think bigger. Widen my impact. Dare courageously. As Marc Andreessen said, it’s time to build.
I have always been driven by the impact I can have - whether that’s on people, companies or industries.
That's why, after two and a bit amazing years leading Netsells' marketing efforts, I will be stepping down as Marketing Director at the end of May.
In all honesty, it's a bittersweet moment. I will be leaving behind a company that has given me so many opportunities to grow and a fantastic team who are going from strength to strength. I can’t wait to watch the company continue to grow and thrive.
So what comes next?
I am founding a Marketing Consultancy to provide strategic marketing support to ambitious technology companies looking to scale.
Developing my own marketing outfit has been an ambition of mine for a long time and I can’t tell you how excited (and let’s be honest, terrified) I am to finally jump out of my comfort zone and strike out on my own.
If the pandemic has taught me anything, it’s that there is no perfect time to take a risk. There will always be curveballs and unexpected events - the important thing is your ability to stay agile and able to adapt.
Alongside the “if not now, when?” question, I’m also driven by the fact that our industry is filled with mediocre marketing. Every company looks the same, speaks with the same buzzwords, and utilises the same website layouts. It’s boring for our customers and hardly sparks excitement for our staff or investors.
What I offer my clients is clarity and creativity. Clarity on their proposition, positioning and ideal customers, coupled with creative approaches to expressing their unique value and reaching the right audiences with messaging that hits the mark.
My approach to marketing doesn’t consist of one-time hacks or repackaging generic marketing advice. It’s based on years of experience, agile methodologies, rigorous focus on the data and a deep understanding of what it takes to design and execute on marketing strategies that actually generate ROI.
Initially this will be a solo venture, but my ambition is to tap into the amazing talent we have in Yorkshire. I want to build a business that provides opportunities for young people in the region to break into the world of technology and marketing.
I’ll be sharing my journey as I work towards this goal, so make sure you check back for updates as I progress (you can also sign-up below to get news directly via email).
The Brave & giving back
Alongside building my consultancy, I’m also excited to continue growing my podcast, newsletter and speaking work.
There’s a lot of hype around the creator economy at the moment and while I’m unlikely to make a full living from my writing or speaking, I’m extremely passionate about sharing positive, inspiring stories and championing the people, initiatives and companies that are building a better future for us all.
(If you would like to get involved as a guest or sponsor, please do get in touch!)
I’m also proud to be continuing my work as a member of City of York’s Skills and Employability Council and help mentor the next generation of marketing leaders as a Women in Tech SEO mentor.
I’ve always been a big believer in giving back to my industry and wider community. So many people have helped me throughout my career, so it’s only fair I pay it forward.
Interested in working together?
I’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch on bethan@bethanvincent.com, or contact me here.