Sonja Jefferson

Content Creator and founder of Valuable Content

Sonja Jefferson is a marketing consultant, project manager and business writer with a background in B2B/consultancy sales. She helps business owners to create and use valuable written content to grow their companies – from websites and web content to large bids and business books.

Sonja worked as a freelance content specialist and consultant for 10 years before setting up her company, Valuable Content in 2010. She specialises in creating powerful written content and showing them how to use this – on the web and offline too - to generate sales. Her clients tend to be consultancy and professional service companies of all varieties – including management consultancies, recruitment specialists, financial services firms, IT developers, communications consultants, trainers and advisers.

Contact Sonja if you are looking for help to create a lead-generating website, compelling written marketing material, sales collateral or a business book, or if you want advice on how to use what you write across the social web to generate sales.

Sonja will join it all up for you, finding and managing the team and process you need to make your project happen and get your message across.

• Join Sonja’s LinkedIn network – www.linkedin.com/in/sonjajefferson
• Follow Sonja on Twitter www.twitter.com/sonjajefferson

“Sonja is an absolutely outstanding consultant and writer. She has quickly got under the skin of our business helping to turn what we do into clear, understandable and relevant messages. Her understanding of marketing has been invaluable throughout the process and she can see things from the viewpoint of a smaller company. Perhaps most importantly – she’s really easy to work with and makes the process fun!” Jo Twiselton, owner of Twist Consultants

“Over the last few years our business has gone from strength to strength. I have no doubt that Sonja’s input on our written communications has played a real part in our success. She has helped us redefine the way we pitch. Our offer is now more obvious, more tangible and brings us greater success. We see ourselves as thought leaders in our field, and this is helping us to secure more beneficial client relationships.” Nick Walrond, MD of RSG Sanderson Plc

“Sonja, your contribution to my book must be recorded for posterity.  First, because I commented on your website, I got approached by Financial Times Prentice Hall to write a book – WOW – I didn’t think that ever happened!  Clearly, all the right publishers know you as the “go-to-gal” for great new authors. Next, because I’d no idea what to do, you patiently guided me through several iterations until I’d got the content, the tone and the message all singing in harmony together.  I simply could not have written my proposal, and therefore got a publisher, without your help.  Everybody who’s looking to write a business book needs your help with the contacts, the content and the steady hand on the tiller when we’re going through emotional trauma of yet another rewrite! Thanks again.” Lee Duncan – The Double Your Business Coach

(You can find more client testimonials here)

Sonja’s background and approach

Here is a recent interview with Sonja to give you a bit more background:

Sum up your approach to marketing in one sentence:

“Know your clients and make yourself useful; create valuable information that solves their problems and proves your expertise; share this across the web.”

Describe your career path:

“After graduating from Bristol University I worked in business development, selling first recruitment, then HR & training services and finally management consultancy to large corporate clients. I set up my own company in 1999 to provide consultancies like these with compelling sales and marketing content that helps them generate consistent business.”

What did your background in professional sales teach you?

• “That good marketing makes sales easy”
• “The importance of really listening to a client’s problem and devising a solution that accurately meets their needs”
• “How to communicate a complex proposition with clarity in a way that inspires action”
• “The power of giving away some of your expertise as a trust builder: win-win marketing – they learn; you prove your value as a knowledgeable expert”

What was the idea behind setting up your own business?

“When I worked in sales I was frustrated by the lack of useful sales and marketing collateral available to me: out-of-date or poorly written case studies, over-promotional, static websites and a pile of glossy brochures did not help me drive sales. So I started working with subject matter experts in these companies to create valuable thought-leadership-type material which solved customer problems and demonstrated their expertise: a win-win! The result was good leads which I could convert into sales, and ultimately, the idea behind my own business.

A lot has changed since 1999 when I set up on my own. Web innovations and the meteoric rise of blogging and social media have made it much easier to publish and spread valuable content today. It is now possible to establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field faster than ever before.”

Biggest frustration in marketing land?

“Form before function and over-hyped, inward-looking marketing solutions that waste client money.”

Biggest kick you get out of work?

“When action happens and progress is made: when an article goes out; when a blog or content-rich website is launched; when a business book is published; when a clear message results in sales.”

How can clients get the most out of working with you?

“Be open; share your ideas; collaborate in trusted partnership; take action.”

What did you want to be when you grew up?

“An archaeologist, digging for old fossils. Still digging!”

Where would you prefer to be right now?

“Sennen Cove or any wild, open, sandy, west coast beach with my family and friends. I love running, swimming and surfing (albeit pretty badly). Cornwall or West Wales is my idea of heaven.”

Who inspires you?

“Anyone who has the courage to follow their instincts and forge their own path in life.

Business authors whose ideas inspire me include: David Meerman Scott on the new rules of marketing ; Charles H Green and his focus on trust, Seth Godin, Hubspot’s ‘Inbound Marketing’; and my client Jane Northcote on taking action and staying focused.”

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