Today we’d like to introduce you to Safaque Kagdi.
Hi Safaque, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Absolutely! I am a PR and marketing consultant with a knack for building meaningful connections. I started my career in 2012 at one of the largest PR agencies. However, everything changed in 2016 when I realized my potential and decided to venture out on my own.
With encouragement from loved ones, I started my own PR agency and worked hard to land my first client within 3 months. Starting small, I focused on personalized PR services with out-of-the-box ideas and innovative offline campaigns. I opted for a home-based business rather than renting out a space. This helped me trade productive hours for travel time and also save on rent and other operating costs, allowing me to provide competitive pricing to my clients.
Starting with one city, my services have now expanded to provide international PR across the US, Canada, the UK, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth roads make us complacent, but bumpy roads build resilience. While it might seem easy when I said I quickly landed my first client within three months, but those three months were filled with non-stop pitching efforts. The competition was fierce, with big organizations hesitant to trust independent PR professionals and startups lacking the budget for PR help. Despite this, I managed PR for 4-5 clients simultaneously, a significant achievement for a solo entrepreneur.
The challenges and my experience working with clients across different regions has taught me valuable lessons. For instance, India values people and emotions, while the US and Canada are more goal-oriented. Additionally, city-based PR is equally important as national PR in the US. In the Middle East, I learned that language barriers can be overcome with universal brand messaging.
Additionally, managing brands for high-net-worth individuals and global companies requires staying up to date with changing media trends and user behaviors to deliver impactful results.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a storyteller, and I specialize in sharing the stories of my clients. In today’s day and age, consumer decisions are heavily influenced by what they see and hear. The more people will see you, the more likely they are to engage with you. Hence, having a sustained PR presence is key to staying top-of-mind and driving long-term success. Over the years, I’ve collaborated with entrepreneurs, CEOs, creative professionals, and global brands across various industries like finance, technology, healthcare, and lifestyle.
My expertise lies in content writing, covering not just PR materials like press releases and articles but also factual and literary pieces. I don’t just create content; I enhance it with industry insights and academic studies. This makes the copy both relatable and informative.
What sets me apart is my commitment to research. Thorough market and industry research are crucial for making informed decisions. My solutions are grounded in extensive research, ensuring that I provide accurate information and effective strategies to address client’s needs in the short and long term.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is enjoying snow cones with my cousins at our grandparents’ house. During scorching summer days, we used to eagerly wait for the arrival of the truck while deciding which flavors we’d try each time. The mix of sweet and sour syrup on the icy treat still brings back delightful memories whenever I think about those days.
Contact Info:
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SafaqueKagdi
