Today we’d like to introduce you to LaTanya O”Kelly.
LaTanya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At the beginning of my career, I was a certified legal assistant. However, I was not happy working in the confines of a law firm. So after much thought, I resigned and started a virtual assisting firm. But after some time realized that I was working myself out of work. Because no one knew who my clients were! I got an idea one day to contact various media outlets in an effort to inform them about a specific client I was working with at the time, in an attempt to get her more work so that she could afford me. During my “campaigning” for my client, I called one particular magazine and the editor said “oh so you are her Publicist?” And without hesitation I said, “Yes!”
So I completed the conversation and set up a meeting with the editor for a feature for my client in the magazine. And then proceeded to research exactly what a publicist was and began to smile because I had been acting as her Publicist the entire time and after that The O’Kelly Factor was born.
In the early stages of The O’Kelly Factor, I began only working with indie artists, mostly singers and hip hop artists. But I quickly realized that indie artists either were not very familiar with what a Publicist was or they didn’t have the budget. Being one that I am not one to just quit, I started attending networking events and realized that my colleagues (other entrepreneurs need exposure as well) So I began to approach others in various industries and started to grow my brand.
To date, I have represented former NFL players, models, authors, non-profits, spirits brands, speakers and more.
Great, 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?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not!!
I believe it may be because my service is what some might call a luxury but in reality, it’s a necessity. Because if no one knows about your brand it will die!
Some of the struggles/challenges I have had along the way
Publisher vs Publicist, in the beginning, it was getting potential clients to understand the definition of each and give them a clear understanding of the type of services that I offer.
Budget – finding clients that have the budget necessary for a successful campaign. In most instances, the type of exposure they want will not happen overnight, everyone believes that their brand is going to be THAT brand that people will just be drawn too so getting them to clearly understand that it is a process can be challenging.
Past hurts – Another challenge is hearing from clients that have been burned by other people in the industry and as an entrepreneur having to assure that potential clients that I am not like the person that hurt them. And be willing to walk away if they try to dictate your way of doing business. (ex. them: I can give you a percentage of what is brought in, me: I work on retainer not commission.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Our mission is to help you gain maximum exposure for your brand.
With over ten years of experience, LaTanya O’Kelly helps her clients in gaining exposure for their brands. This is often done in numerous ways, including (but not limited) to networking both online and in person. LaTanya believes that anyone with a product, talent, or service needs exposure and that is what she helps her clients do.
LaTanya is a qualified Publicist who is passionate about helping her clients create both traditional and non-traditional campaigns to gain the maximum exposure. LaTanya began her journey out of the need to evolve. She started out as a Certified Legal Assistant, while she enjoyed the work in assisting, she soon figured out that her passion lived outside of the confines of a law firm. As her passion grew for a more creative platform, LaTanya created her own virtual assisting firm and she in essence “worked herself out of work.” So never one to run away from a challenge, she began looking for opportunities for her virtual clients to get more work, so she began to reach out to various media outlets and found that she had a knack for creating and making the right opportunities including additional work but also getting them exposure and building their brands.
The O’Kelly Factor’s headquarters are based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Consistency, follow up and follow through. No matter the type of client, no matter what size of the business or budget, I treat them all like they are A list, with respect, that I care and getting their vision of their brand to the masses.
I think another quality that I have is that I like to build relationships. Don’t get me wrong there are situations where it turns into a one and done. But I go in with the idea of a potential growing long term relationship. To help build my network and resources. Now not everyone is relationship material and when I realize that, I take my toys and go.
Also knowing when to say No! Is a big one not everyone can go and not everyone is ready.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theokellyfactor.com/
- Phone: 678-431-6462
- Email: madamepublicist@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theokellyfactor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OKellyFactor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheOKellyFactor
Image Credit:
TaMia O’Kelly
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