Meet Jennifer Gilmour: Social Media Marketing Awards 2019 Winner

We’re always looking for an excuse to highlight incredible people in the industry, and when’s a better time than on the run up to the Social Media Marketing Awards, where we celebrate the very best of the best? This week, we’re interviewing published author, speaker and community leader Jennifer Gilmour. Jennifer (@JenLGilmour) speaks at events across the UK raising awareness and being an advocate for women in abusive relationships. She was also the winner of the Social Media Marketer for Good award at the Social Media Marketing Awards in 2019.

We asked Jennifer how it felt to win a Social Media Marketing Award, what career moment she was most proud of and what her advice would be to people thinking of entering the awards this year.

By the way, nominations and entries for the Social Media Marketing Awards 2021 are now open!

Could you tell us a bit about your journey on the run up to the awards? Had you entered any awards before and did anything or anyone in particular encourage you to enter?

I had been nominated by others and I also entered the awards myself because I felt it was a good way to raise awareness of domestic abuse in a completely different sector. I also felt that speaking with other social media marketers and managers would bring insight and intrigue to the work that I do. 

Previously I had won Most Informative Blogger at the Annual Bloggers Bash in 2018 - I didn’t attend the event because I didn’t think I belonged there or that I was that good. That was certainly a quick lesson that I learnt, but I have to admit I felt anxious when I found out that I had made the finalists. I forced myself to go along to the big event and enjoy it for the networking but it was certainly out of my comfort zone.

You came away from the SMMAs having won Social Media Marketer for Good! How did that feel? Did you share the news with your community?

I have to admit that winning was completely unexpected and someone had to nudge me to say that my name was announced, which meant I did a mini jog in my heels down to the stage. I certainly suffer with imposter syndrome and this took a while to sink in - I felt it was important to share the reality of my win with others and so I shared it in this blog post. Here’s an extract from that blog:

“Steps forward can often feel like giant leaps but they are filled with small steps forward and it’s worth working on. This is just one example of how I have felt like an imposter, it doesn’t help that I am a perfectionist and that you hear terms like ‘fake it until you make it’. I am starting to learn to be proud of my achievements and this one I am overwhelmingly honoured of. Keep on overcoming because it will be worth it in the end and live for the moment you are in.”

That’s amazing, Jennifer! So did winning the awards open up any new opportunities for you?

I wasn’t shy about taking this as an opportunity to get into the local press, I feel its a great way to get a difficult subject the awareness it needs. I was featured on That’s TV Humber, Hull Daily Mail and The Hull Hub. 

The award itself gave me the opportunity to have confidence in myself in the work I do, it was the start of a new beginning and guided me onto the path of accepting myself as a community builder.

It’s certainly helped me through the last year where I have put my community building skills to practice again by building a Facebook group to support small businesses during this time. Using social media for good is something that I am passionate about and each community I have built has been for a cause or a passion. I have been able to help others with their digital communities providing 1-2-1 training, a course on mastering memberships, community support and I’ve recently opened a website dedicated to this: communitybuildingforbusiness.com.

What moment in your career are you most proud of to date?

The moment I won the award, I felt this was a change in my direction as a person. I didn’t realise just how much my lack of confidence got in the way of my path. I have since learnt to value myself and be aligned with those who recognise the value that I hold. 

I feel this was almost like a life lesson and a process that has taken time, it didn’t come instantly, but I am proud of where I am in my journey now.

Just the year after the 2019 SMMAs, the world took a different course and we faced huge changes to the way we worked. What do you think the biggest change or challenge has been for you professionally in 2020?

My main source of income was public speaking before lockdown hit and that meant all my events were cancelled. I was thankful that I retained all my sponsors for #AbuseTalk which was a large part of the reason I won the Social Media for Good award. The challenge for me was to keep up with the demand in support for those who were experiencing domestic abuse as well as having my three children at home. Anyone can access #AbuseTalk for free including the solicitor that works with us to provide free advice and guidance. 

I had to remain positive and had to push my way through but honestly right at the beginning I thought that was the end of working for myself. The biggest change for me therefore was my mindset, it was the first time I had ever pushed through a difficult time and adapt to the change. It was a process though so it took four months to start seeing the difference that made but I am glad I was able to use my skills to help others through this time. 

And are there any campaigns or projects in particular that you think demonstrated a great use of social media for good in the last year or so? 

I think there have been some fantastic communities with the right people behind them, the communities that do well are run by those who just want to help others. They don’t have to necessarily be business-related either; the virtual choir that was all over the news or The Fiction Cafe on Facebook with over 11,000 members in their group - they are the communities that make a difference to people’s lives. 

I’ve heard that my community has made a difference to many business owners lives and I am so happy when I read messages where it has. Small Business Networking Coffee House was built to be a safe space for business owners, share concerns together but also the small wins. It now has a tonne of free resources and has 5,100 members.

Thanks Jennifer! So with nominations for the 2021 Social Media Marketing Awards opening soon, what would your advice be to people who are thinking of entering?

Go for it! What have you got to lose? It’s a great experience even from the beginning when you can reflect on your work and achievements. Don’t hold back and if you are struggling ask a trusted connection of yours what difference you make to them.

If Jennifer’s story has inspired you to take the leap out of your comfort zone and apply for your own award, head to the Social Media Marketing Awards site now. Entries and nominations are now open for the 2021 SMMAs.

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