“Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be heartfelt.” And that sentiment – that of people helping people by giving them valuable information that they can use to make their lives better – inspired Jacqueline Hayes, owner of Nashville based marketing consultancy Crayons & Marketers, LLC, to turn away from interruptive marketing messages and embrace content marketing, which nurtures the relationship behind the message.
“I love to write stories. From the blog posts and web copy I write on my clients’ behalf to the creative strategies I use to buy mental real estate in the minds of their audience, it all goes back to storytelling.”
And Jacqueline’s story begins in Birmingham, AL, where she and her two sisters grew up. Loved and encouraged, she always excelled in her studies. She graduated Valedictorian from her high school, earning a scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she’d later graduate with honors and the distinction of achieving the highest grade point average in the Marketing department that year. She went on to earn her MBA from Middle Tennessee State University.
Early in her Marketing career, she discovered that she had a knack for Sales, and more importantly, building the relationships that made the sale possible. The combination lead to a successful career in Customer Relationship Management and Sales Training at an affinity marketing firm in Brentwood, TN.
But it wasn’t until the birth of her daughter, Abigail, that she realized that, while grateful for the rich experiences her corporate career afforded her, she wanted to make a living on her own terms. And for inspiration, she only had to look as far as the crayons and markers moving vigorously beneath her daughter’s hands.
Jacqueline formed Crayons & Marketers in April 2013. And from the onset, she knew it would be different. “I often find that business owners think that they have to do all the latest trends in marketing to be relevant, as if having every social media icon available listed on their website or using automation software before it makes sense to do so, validates their right to be in business. And when they don’t see results, they get discouraged and quit.”
“The reality is, what validates your business is your ability to tap into people’s unarticulated needs and give them what they want, in a way that’s meaningful to them. That’s the beauty of content marketing and why it’s such a big part of the ninety day marketing plans I craft for my clients. If you educate people first and help them solve their problem, then you’ve earned the right to ask for the sale.”
Jacqueline’s passion to help people goes beyond her day to day responsibilities at Crayons & Marketers. She works just as hard to empower underserved communities in Nashville through her work with the March of Dimes, The Boy Scouts of America-ScoutReach Division, and The Salvation Army-Nashville Area Command.
She also serves as the current President-Elect of Nashville NAWBO. When she begins her term as President in July 2015, she will do so as the first African-American woman to lead the Nashville Chapter.
As for Crayons & Marketers, 2015 brings exciting opportunities to touch more people, including a new office in North Nashville, expanded service offerings for her clients, and opportunities to teach college students and young professionals the value of using networking to grow their personal and professional brands.
And for women starting their entrepreneurial journey, Jacqueline has this to say, “Being is business for yourself is both liberating and challenging. Surround yourself with good people – those who have an earnest desire to see you grow. And as you’re growing, help someone else grow, too. Business works best when we work at it together.”
Website: www.crayonsandmarketers.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jacquimba31
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crayonsandmarketers
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinehayesmba
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+CrayonsMarketersLLCNashville/posts