Meet Stacia Crawford | Media and Publicity Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacia Crawford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business, Stay Ready Media after experiencing the challenges of a demanding career in TV news. By venturing out on your own, I created the opportunity to have more work/life balance. I can now set my own hours and have more control over my work schedule, allowing me to spend more quality time with your family and attend important events when necessary. No more working nights, weekends, and holidays.

Being my own boss also means I have the potential to earn according to my skills and efforts, without being limited by a fixed salary. I can set my rates, negotiate contracts, and grow my business on my own terms, giving me more financial security and independence. As a business owner, I have the flexibility to make decisions about my work, clients, and projects, giving me the freedom to shape my business in a way that aligns with my goals, priorities, and values.

Running my own business also gives me a level of professional and personal development I had not experienced while working in TV news. I can now choose the projects and clients that resonate with me and leverage my expertise as a media and publicity strategist to make sure my clients have an amazing experience working with me.

Life as an entrepreneur can be challenging, but it offers the potential for personal and professional growth, as well as the opportunity to achieve the work-life balance I treasure.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Stay Ready Media, we work with entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, non-profits, health care professionals, authors, and innovators to help them become better communicators and stand out in today’s complex media landscape. Whether you need to prepare for a media interview, manage a media crisis, or deliver a speech, we help you communicate your message clearly and concisely. We give you specific strategies which you can implement immediately to get greater visibility and publicity and make an impact with every interview.

We are not just publicists, we are seasoned journalists who understand how the media landscape works and we know what stories producers and editors want to cover. My 30+ years as a TV producer has positioned me to be a skilled communications specialist, media trainer, and publicity strategist.

It has not been an easy journey. I have had to rely on business coaches and mentors to help me truly understand and communicate my value in the marketplace. When I first left TV news, I was significantly undercharging for my services. It left me feeling resentful and used. Several times, I was ready to throw in the towel and go back to working for someone else. I had to learn how to value and charge for my transferable skills. I have also had to learn how to market my own services. It always seems easy for me to put others in the spotlight, after all, that’s a big part of my job. Now I make it my business to toot my own horn as well. As women, we’ve been taught to remain humble, refrain from bracing, and not bring too much attention to ourselves, but as my grandmother used to say “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.”

Publicity is not just about promoting yourself, it’s about offering incredible, engaging stories to journalists who have massive platforms to help share your message and create impact around the world. I’m learning to be my own client.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A weeklong trip to Chicago would be a blast! First, I’d take my best friend to the Chicago lakefront. A beach in the middle of a bustling city is always an incredible sight, no matter the season. There are lots of restaurants and attractions including Navy Pier, one of the most popular tourist sites in the U.S. We’d grab a Chicago style hot dog, deep dish pizza, and enjoy some Garrett’s popcorn. We’d try not to throw up as check out the fantastic city view from the top one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world. And finally we would catch a live concert because Chicago is always a concert stop for all of the best tours in the world.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shameca Tankerson, business coach and mentor

Website: https://www.beseengetbookedsession.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayreadymedia/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacia-gray-crawford/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacia.crawford.39

Image Credits
Stay Ready Media