PR consultant and copywriter Jade Liana March is celebrating two years of braving the self-employed life.
Jade launched her freelancing venture Jade Liana Communications in 2023 after spending more than 12 years within the industry.
Jade has worked for various high-profile names, including championship football clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United in in-house press office roles.
As well as working in football media, Jade has worked with clients across professional services, charity, sport, healthcare, hospitality and education.
Jade is passionate about working with clients who understand the importance of strong communication and value its importance in their business strategy.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
Jade Liana Communications offers a range of services across the broad umbrella term that is communications.
From traditional PR, strategic communications, internal messaging, social media creation to copywriting for brochures, annual reports and award submissions – I offer a versatile spectrum of services tailored to a range of businesses and organisations.
I understand that client needs change over time which means I offer a completely flexible way of working to ensure we’re all on the same page. A client can sign up for a retainer of work or we can work on an ad-hoc basis.
I build strong relationships with my clients and offer a proactive and valued service.
- How did you get into the industry?
I’ve always been obsessed with the media and ever since year ten media studies, I will still analyse a TV show or film like it’s an exam!
My love for media went on to university where I graduated with a 2:1 in PR and Media Studies.
After several work placements and internships, I’ve held roles in both in-house press offices and management roles within a leading PR agency.
2023 was the year I knew I was ready to take the plunge and set up on my own. I’m so proud that I am still standing here, better than ever.
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
There are challenges in every industry but the one that sticks out to me in the communications space, is how most of our work is always out there for scrutiny.
Whether it be a website blog, a social media caption, content creation, a press release or a piece of copywriting, our work is out there for the whole world to see.
Even the most experienced and well-versed communications professional can make mistakes (we’re all human after all!) and no one will be more annoyed about that mistake than them.
Trust me, I’ve made mistakes, my team have made mistakes, and my previous managers have made mistakes. It’s not the errors that define us though, it’s how we deal with them.
This is where client management comes in. It’s important to not go in on how sorry you are as soon as you are aware of the mistake. It’s best practice to provide a solution and explain how it will be rectified. Own it.
Clients respect honesty and so do your teams. It’s fine to apologize but it’s important to show how you are going to manage the error and rectify it as soon as possible.
- How would you describe your leadership style?
Real.
In past leadership roles, I managed people how I like to be managed. I am relaxed and relatable in the way I communicate with my teams.
I ensure my teams are fully briefed on their work and that I’m approachable if they have any questions.
I guide them with best practice, and we work in collaboration to get the job done.
- How do you get the most out of the people who work for you?
It’s so important to celebrate team members’ achievements and to acknowledge development and progress.
People respect honesty and fairness, and I have always tried to manage people in a way that I like to be managed.
I know that I don’t respond well to scare tactics or dictatorship, so I talk to team members in a normal, human manner. We’re all people – we’re just at different stages of our careers – no one is better than someone just because they are a few years down the line.
I want to be a positive role model for people in my industry and mentor them in the right direction.
- What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
Communication and relationship building.
Not only is communication at the heart of my business in terms of my service offering, but good communication with clients and my network is crucial to ensure its success.
My mantra has always been ‘be in your client’s inboxes’ and it’s how I approach my work now as a self-employed consultant.
Above all metrics and results, the clients that I work with value good communication, reliability, quality work and execution.
Fostering positive relationships with current clients and future ones is at the heart of my business. I take great pride in getting to know the people I work with. I never feel like I work on my own as I surround myself with such a positive network of people – both clients and supporting connections.
- How has the past 12 months been for you?
January 2025 marks two years since I went self-employed and it’s safe to say this has been the best year yet in my career.
I have had the opportunity to work with a range of high-profile clients and worthy charities and 2024 saw my client base grow to capacity.
Over the past 12 months, I have stepped it up and not only do I offer my core business services I also launched a bespoke in-house training and mentorship programme aimed at university students and people starting out in the industry.
I also launched a charity partner initiative where I gave away my services for a full month to Grow UK.
On a personal note, we welcomed our baby daughter into the world as well – so it truly has been a fantastic year.
- What will the next 12 months look like for your business?
On the back of a very successful 2024, I am looking ahead to the next year in the same way I started the last.
One of the perks of my self-employed venture is that it can take me down paths I don’t expect.
I’m looking forward to continuing to work with my fantastic clients, working with new people and expanding my services.
- What are the highlights of your career so far?
The biggest highlight of my career so far is setting up Jade Liana Communications. Before 2023, there was always something holding me back. The worry of not having a paycheck at the end of the month, the false sense of security a traditional job gives and the admin of setting up a business. But those things were just excuses.
Back then, I gave it a go and now I’m here in January 2025 talking about how the last two years have been one giant highlight.
Other highlights include working in the press office at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. I worked there for just under three years and it genuinely set me up for life.
At the age of 24, I was working at one of the most historical football clubs in the world. From managing players’ press conferences, to writing copy for the matchday programme, website and social media accounts, I found my grounding at SWFC.
Even in the most stressful days, I was learning so much about best practice that I still use today.
I also have to say my team there – led by Director of Communications Trevor Braithwait – made it some of the best few years of my life and Trevor really is a true leader and inspirational manager who I took so much from.
- What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
Taking everything to heart.
In the communications business, you have to develop a thick skin. I had a very thin skin when I started out. I won’t lie – I still take things personally, but I am much better in the way that I deal with it.
‘We are in PR not ER’ and although I know that my heart will still drop if something goes wrong.
However, mistakes and taking things to heart early in my career have led me to better handle them now. I take a step back from the situation, assess it and then provide a solution.
We have to remember, that we are all human, we’re all trying to do our best, and we’re doing it in a fast-paced digital world. Sometimes we just need to slow down and approach it in a level-headed manner.
- What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
‘What have you got to lose? Just go for it!’
When weighing up my employment options two years ago I had a chat with a previous work colleague who helped me feel empowered to just do it and go for it.
That’s exactly what I did and I am so proud to be here today.
I always think – if things don’t pan out – I’ll ‘just get a job’.
But for now, every day I am inspired, motivated and proud that I can call Jade Liana Communications my own.
Jade Liana Communications’ social media accounts:-
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jade-liana-march.
