Olivia Sothmann has carved out a niche in online marketing for businesses
“B2B Online Marketing” is the phrase on her website. Behind it is a comprehensive offering, from analysis and consulting on digital marketing strategies to content planning and implementation. Olivia Sothmann, from Goslar, enjoys tackling specialised cases. Her clients are businesses that struggle with online marketing because their products require explanation and their target audience consists of business customers. With more than 20 years of professional experience in sales, product management and marketing at various industrial companies, Olivia Sothmann knows what she is talking about. On 15 August 2020, she took the step into self-employment with her company SOWEB and, despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, has not regretted it.
Why B2B in particular?
SOWEB’s target group is clearly defined: businesses that work exclusively with other businesses—in short, B2B (Business-to-Business). There are good reasons for this focus. For one, Olivia Sothmann knows this field, understands how sales work and how products requiring extensive consultation can be promoted successfully across several channels. For another, she enjoys the challenge, because marketing in the B2B sector is considerably more complex than communicating with end customers. “With my clients, decision-making groups have to be convinced with relevant content,” says Sothmann. “And generating contacts that can be followed up is the priority.” In the process, she has also carved out a niche. Marketing consultancies with practical experience in B2B and sales are particularly rare in our region.
Self-employment as a plan for the future
Olivia Sothmann made the decision to become self-employed rather spontaneously. While studying “E-Commerce & Online-Marketing” alongside her job, she decided on a career change and resigned from her position. Her research for her master’s thesis, “The Use of Social Media Marketing in the B2B Purchasing Process,” then brought her first project prospect and the idea of becoming self-employed. Through WiReGo’s startup modules, which she heard about in the newspaper, she gained important foundations and information for setting up her business. The business plan gave her the opportunity to plan her company in concrete terms and align it strategically.
Starting in August 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, was not easy. However, local networks and freelancer platforms helped her win her first client projects. Project-based clients have since become long-term clients who turn to her first for every marketing initiative. Her strategy of focusing especially on businesses in the region has paid off. Her satisfied clients include several hidden champions from sectors such as mechanical engineering, recycling, renewable energy and IT services, whom she helps achieve greater online visibility and success.
Photo: © Olivia Sothmann
