Mia Lloyd has guiding clients in building and protecting their brands since 2013, through innovative and sound public relations strategies. Get to know her today!
When did you start your career in public relations?
I literally fell into the “PR pool” in 2013! I had been a successful realtor for 14 years but in 2011, I was in a bad car accident and was down for 7 months. During the time that I was incapacitated, I started to realize how much that I had stopped enjoying real estate because it didn’t allow me to express my creativity. After talking it over with my husband and expressing my desire to write, I quit the industry in 2012.
I began taking refresher writing classes and was really excited again for the first time in years. One of the assignments in my magazine writing class, was to interview someone, so I went after a very well known jazz musician in my area. Three months after the interview with him, he called me and offered me an opportunity to be his publicist. He said he liked the way I interviewed him in addition to my bubbly, fun personality. My initial response was no way because one: I had no clue what a publicist did and two: I only wanted to write. However, after meeting with him and his band, I said yes. I did my homework and that same week of being hired, I booked the band an appearance on a local morning show, and that was just the beginning.
While working with them, a local promoter introduced me to a Hollywood comedian who had been a regular on SNL in the early 2000’s who was in town for a big show. While we all were at breakfast the Sunday before his flight, I asked did he have a publicist and he said no, so I offered my services.
I never felt right calling myself a “publicist” until I started working for more clients and took on an amazing mentor.
Tell us about some of the services you offer.
In addition to public relations, we offer Brand Development and Brand Management. We help businesses and individuals get started and established. That includes our “TEG Jump Starter Program” for potential business owners who need advice for how to get started and structure their new business.
Voice overs, bios, content creation as well as personal styling for photoshoots and public appearances. These are just a few of our services.
What are some of the things you consider when taking on a client?
One of the things that my business partner and I decided when we created our company, was that if we felt that if a person or a brand wasn’t a fit for us, we wouldn’t take them as clients. We truly believe the saying, “not all money is good money” and we stick to that. We have had businesses or individuals approach us whose brand just weren’t ready for PR. We also discuss whether the potential clients has a brand that we believe in. I know personally, if we don’t believe in your brand creatively, there is no way that we can promote you.
Name some people who inspire you and why?
There are many, many people who inspire me, but Ava DuVernay is definitely one! Not only is she an amazing story teller and director, she started as a publicist. My dream is to one day produce, direct and write for TV and film.
What separates your company from others in the field?
We are storytellers. Everyone in our company is very creative. As a writer, I have been able to write articles about some of our clients. Also, our niche is taking a small business from start to finish. We handle all aspects of branding – the logo, the slogan down to writing and producing commercials for your brand.
Who have you worked with as far as clients?
I absolutely love the culinary world and have had the amazing opportunity to work with many Food Network chefs. Also have done some consulting with a Broadway and Hollywood Director and Choreographer. One client, is a celebrity TV doctor and a New York Times Best Selling author.
Do you have any advice would you offer aspiring publicist?
- Get a mentor. Get someone who can really help you hone in on your skills. Someone told me, “PR isn’t just sending emails to people” and they were right. So I started taking classes and had a mentor and I finally feel that I know all aspects of the business.
- Continue to learn as much about the industry as you can! I belong to the Women in PR Group – I highly recommend joining them! Always do your homework, because things change. What you knew yesterday, might not be the way it is done today.
- Build good and healthy relationships with people! Nobody wants to work with arrogant and rude people. Relationships are key in this business, especially with journalist, bloggers and even fellow publicist!
