Chris Roberts from Chris Roberts MBE PR - Summer Q&A 2021

Let's continue to celebrate the variety of business owners we have in our region and beyond. Today we're talking to Chris Roberts who is a journalist and runs Chris Roberts MBE PR, promoting businesses, people and events. she's based in the Cotswolds and covers Glos, Oxon & Wiltshire.

JUNE is the first month of Summer – what will you be doing this summer in your business?

This year, June is not just the first month of summer, it is also the first month that restrictions have been eased for businesses and events. It is great to see so many new businesses starting up and needing promoting and also wonderful to see events such as festivals, fetes, theatres, museums and sports activities resuming after being locked down. 

It has already got very busy for me being asked to promote businesses and events and I will be helping and supporting a lot of them through my contacts in the media, online media and my social media.

What are your personal plans for summer activities if you feel happy to share? 

I love my holidays abroad but, obviously, last year it was not prudent or possible to book a holiday abroad. My husband and I bought a campervan and visited areas of the UK that we had not been to before. We will be doing the same this year starting off in June on the Norfolk/Suffolk border exploring the quiet beaches, quaint villages, market towns and kayaking on the River Waveney.

June is National Smile Month. With that in mind, what things in your business make you smile? 

I love testimonials! It is always so rewarding when a client congratulates you on a job well done. I feel like grinning like a Cheshire cat for hours after receiving praise from someone.

With hospitality venues opening up again, I am looking forward to doing a review for a local restaurant. What is not to like when you get treated to a fabulous meal out and then get asked to write about it?

Are there any things in business generally which make you ‘less smiley’?

Not too much really. When I write promotional articles for businesses/people/events, I always ask them to proof read and amend anything they are not happy with. I really don’t mind amendments, as I want the client to be happy with what I get published for them. 

June is often associated in nature with growth and abundance – what are your plans for growth in your business this year? 

My workload has grown regularly and consistently since I started my own PR business in October 2020 and I am happy with the amount of work that I have at the moment. 

I would definitely consider some improvement around personal development – learning more about what I do from experts in the same field. You are never too old to learn new things and there are some areas of the journalism business that I would like to know more about.

As we hit this mid point in 2021 and we’re still coming out of the pandemic – which one business has really supported or helped you over the last quarter? 

I am eternally grateful to Fiona Scott of Scott Media. She believed in me in the beginning, boosted my self-esteem and confidence and has helped me on my journey into writing and promoting.

Have you got any events planned for the coming months which you’d like to mention – where you and/or your business will take a leading role? 

For the 2nd year running, The Cotswold Challenge (TCC) will be taking place to support students who may miss out on taking GCSEs and A-Levels again. Last year, three colleagues and I introduced TCC for students in Years 11, 12 and 13 to do something creative and win prizes. It was meant to be a one-off, but we are doing it again. 

This year, we have extended the area to Swindon schools and colleges as well as The Cotswolds and have introduced a new Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Talent. Celebrity judges this year are Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Dom Joly and Adam Henson. The Cotswold and Swindon Challenge will launch on 1st June with a closing date of 6th July. It is free to enter. I so excited to be able to help our future generation in their hour of need. www.thecotswoldchallenge.com. 

And finally: 

I do enjoy what I do. I love meeting (either virtually or in real time) new people/clients. It is so interesting talking to them finding out who they are, what they do and how I can help them. Many of my clients have ended up being good friends, so I really love this job. 

My strap line is: I like to poke my nose into other people’s business and then make up stories about them. Please get in touch if you would like me to help your business, profile or event: [email protected]. 

For more information visit www.chrisrobertsmbe.co.uk