In Your Shoes - Elaine Fleming

Elaine Fleming is the founder and director of Angus based PR agency Ginger PR. During her 17 year career in PR Elaine has worked for some of Scotland’s biggest and best creative agencies, as well as for clients such as Domino’s Pizza, One Spa at The Sheraton, Whyte & Mackay, Buchanan Galleries, Scottish Rugby and even Susan Boyle.
Passionate about delivering results that make a difference Elaine set up Ginger PR over eight years ago. Her independent agency has worked with both lifestyle and business sectors, securing front page coverage, writing newsletters and devising social media strategies for clients in and around Dundee, as well as nationwide.

 

JUGGLE

Monday and Thursday mornings mean one thing – running. Well, once I’ve dressed and fed my almost 3 year old and my 10 month old girls. We then hot foot it to playgroup where I drop the eldest and the baby and I go for a 5 mile run with the buggy.  I love being outside and taking the baby on a run is the easiest way for me to fit regular exercise in. She gets fresh air and I get an hour of thinking time, as well as some incredible views. Have you been to Montrose beach? 

We get home and there's time for a quick shower and a chance to get on top of the emails before I pick up my eldest, Penelope from Playgroup. I’ve just taken on two new clients. The initial period is always very busy as I get up to speed with their business and put processes in place to help raise their profile

In the afternoon we’re off for a playdate. Then it’s back home, dinner, bath and bedtime for the girls. Once theyre tucked up I spend another hour working. The reality of being self employed and having a young family is that you have to be flexible and fit work in at times when you’d rather be relaxing. 

DESK DAY

I love being a mum but I also love my job and today the girls are at nursery all day. I love a Tuesday! After the usual rigmarole getting out the house and to nursery, I’m back home in my office ready to rock. Tomorrow I’m holding a Ginger PR Pop up in Dundee, offering businesses in the area a free consultation to  help them find out more about what PR can do to help their business grow. I make sure everything is confirmed with the attendees and then it’s time for lunch with one of my client’s Montrose Rope and Sail. They have just created a new role in partnership with Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University to help them break into new high end markets. We go to the best lunch spot in Montrose, The Pavilion, and the newest addition to their team brings me up to speed with company news and their range of bags

Then it’s back to the desk for an afternoon of client work, updating a website, social media strategy, a few journalist calls and another client catch up.

POP UP

It’s the day of the Pop Up! I’m really lucky that my parents in law live 20 minutes away and my mother in law looks after the girls on a Wednesday. Clothes on, porridge in faces and we’re out the door. I drop the girls off and then head to The Bach in Dundee where I’m hosting the event. While I’m waiting for the first appointment to arrive I take a new business call from a prospect who found me through Instagram. It’s the fastest growing social media platform and I encourage all my consumer and lifestyle clients to make the most of this free tool.

The day goes by in a blur of coffee and a lot of talking as I give advice to variety of businesses including a First Aid training company, a specialist assistant business and a food and drink start up. It’s soon time to pick up the babes and head home to put them to bed before I’m back at the PC for an hour.

SCOUTING

Playgroup and another 5 mile buggy run. While running I think what I need to get done for the rest of the week, which also includes a lot of scout admin. I’m a scout leader too and am heavily involved in the annual Adventure Camp for 700 scouts.  We get back home and I manage to schedule some social media updates and ask a client for some key info to help me draft a press release before it’s playgroup pick up time.

The afternoon is spent with my girls, doing mum stuff (washing and tidying) and then some baking with the toddler. We’ve got three parties this weekend and are taking treats with us to two of them. I also manage to do an hour of Ginger PR admin – thank goodness for Disney!

MEDIA

I took on a new client this week that is opening several Dental clinics across Scotland, adding to their existing portfolio. After Mother’s and Toddlers, I manage to update some new patient testimonials onto their website and take a look at some branding and images which need issued to a various publications. I also confirm a meeting with business desk of the Dundee Courier for next week. Media relations (both print and digital) are the lynchpin of PR and working closely with journalists, bloggers and influencers is key.

My husband finishes a bit earlier than normal on a Friday so we spend some time relaxing as a family. Well, as relaxing as it can be with a toddler and a baby.

PARTY

Two family parties today. Firstly we set off to Fife for a get together with my Mother in law’s side of the family then it’s over to Lenzie for my sister in law’s birthday party. I’m from Kirkintilloch and am often back in the Glasgow area so travelling for a couple of hours at a time is the norm. It’s Easter weekend so there are Easter eggs to be found! Over the day I check the social media accounts for three clients making sure any messages are replied to and scheduled updates are published.

NETWORKING

We’re off to Arbroath today for the last party of the weekend. While there someone asks me about helping them to promote a new venture they’re getting off the ground. It’s food and drink related and is right up my street. Other than that, it’s a work free day and after we get home and unload the car, bath and bed the girls, we unwind in front of the tv.