Clare Trenholm

My main specialism is Media and Public Relations, but this often extends out to working with web, graphic design, print and marketing companies to project manage a whole strategic communications campaign.

My motivation to set up the business was that I wanted to include coaching of clients in with my services, to find out what their aims and objectives were, and what success looked like to them.  I believe that strategic communications is more than issuing a press release to everyone, and by going it alone I can make sure that the work that I do has the required effect, each and every time.

Within three years, I would like to be employing a couple of trusted media professionals, who have strong strategic alliances with appropriate companies to support the work I do and to have a regular number of young people breaking into the industry learning the ropes within my business.  To me, Paperclip Communications is about having a close professional relationship with clients, so I would never want to grow the portfolio beyond a point where it made this impossible. 

A communications campaign can be a big decision for clients, so I have to be prepared to wait anywhere up to 6 months until my clients are ready to progress.   I am a firm believer in timing being crucial for clients though, so I never want to rush anyone.  The solution is simply making sure your business can easily cope with this schedule and keeping a pipeline of new business development going all the time.

Striding Out has helped me make connections to other young entrepreneurs, both for support and for business opportunities.  It's also made use of my own PR mentoring skills so I can help people take the first steps in promoting their fledgling businesses. I spoke at a Striding Out event and i'm so proud that the entrepreneurs have taken on board what I said and are now securing their own press coverage.