Now I know that I am getting old, when I say “where has that time gone?” This blog has been running for more than six years! It doesn’t feel like it as I love writing and sharing experiences, but so much has happened to me in that time. Starting this blog is one of the most life changing things that I have ever done. With encouragement from my mentor, the incredible Christina Lattimer who helped me to create a website with all the techie stuff, we now have an incredible brand known around the world, and is my 24/7 shop window.
When I started, I was sceptical as to who wanted to read my work, and was it worth all the effort I put in? I went for neutral colours and branding, just to ease my way into the market, and as we went from strength to strength I saw no reason to change. But this year I realised that my blogs are read by so many people and I have become a focal point for change and improvement within the cancer community. They are shared across websites around the world, for clinicians, charities and patients. I am now speaking regularly with senior people across the globe, with offers of sponsorship coming frequently.
The peaceful, neutral branding is no longer reflecting me or my work. Through my cancer experience I have become a very influential advocate for people affected by cancer and am now a ‘kick ass’ person. No time to waste with ‘tummy tickling’ people or organisations, who want to keep me onside for my marketing skills. Everyone I work with must be giving something back, I have been doing it too long for anyone to take, take, take!
The cancer world already knows about what I do, and I am very comfortable with the Chris’s Cancer Community brand. Now, with this new bold branding I will be building a stronger presence to achieve much more for people affected by cancer. The NHS and many large charities seem to have run out of ideas, because they just do not engage with people in the right way. The danger is that they are blocking all innovation that comes from outside their own organisations. Not only that but they are sucking so much money from the system to be spent on much more self fulfilling advertising.
You can’t miss our new bold, bright and loud branding! It is now a much more accurate reflection of me and my work and hopefully you like it!! Please feel free to let me know below, what you think.
I am an official support partner of the Grove Hotel in Bournemouth. The only hotel in the UK specifically for people affected by cancer and other life limiting conditions.
Looks good Chris. I resonated with the life changes a blog site can bring. Keep going! I’m also concerned about my own one-way street!
Thanks so much Ronny. Naturally I am always happy to help, but unless the street runs both ways then it isn’t happening! Many people in the cancer sector get well paid to do less than me. I will give the time to my own charity rather than do work for people who spend millions on marketing and don’t even share a tweet. Have the confidence in what you do Ronny, you are an expert and should be treated that way.