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FORMER FIREFIGHTER TRIUMPHS AT NATIONAL INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING AWARDS

how2becomeA Kent-based publishing company, founded by a former firefighter turned millionaire, has won two national accolades at this year’s prestigious Independent Publishing Awards.

How2Become.com was originally launched by Richard McMunn when he realised that there was a lack of resources and help for people who were keen to join the Fire Service and get through the very competitive recruitment process. Richard then started helping applicants find employment in other fields and pass tests used by the Police Service, armed forces, train operating companies and airlines before setting up his career guides publishing arm. Since then Richard has become a multiple, best-selling author.

How2Become received the Nielsen Digital Marketing Award for the second year running and How2Become.com Operations Director Joshua Brown from Tonbridge was named the Ruth Killick Publicity Young Independent Publisher of the Year.

How2Become.com is based in Kings Hill, near Maidstone, and employs nine staff. Richard left school at 16 with three GCSEs and then joined the Royal Navy spending four years aboard HMS Invincible.

Richard then applied to be a firefighter and gradually worked his way up the ranks. After 17 years he decided he wanted a change of direction and wrote his first guide about how to become a firefighter.

The judges of the Nielsen Digital Marketing Award were impressed by a number of campaigns including YouTube videos and a new ‘customer funnelling’ strategy which led to a steep rise in sales – more than half of which were made direct to consumers from the company’s website.

The judges said: “A lot of big corporates could learn from the way How2Become  segments audiences and uses non-traditional channels. For a company of its size the marketing is a massive achievement.”

Joshua Brown gave How2Become a second win when he scooped the Ruth Killick Publicity Young Independent Publisher of the Year. He drove a record year of turnover for the company and impressed the judges with his rise from temporary admin assistant to Operations Director in less than three years. At age 25, Joshua now has a vast remit including sales, marketing, title management and recruitment.

The judges said: “Joshua achieved so much in 2016 and did remarkable things in some non-traditional publishing environments. He’s a real rising star.”

The IPG (Independent Publisher’s Guild) represents over 600 independent publishers, providing huge support for each member in this exciting, but challenging industry. The IPG Awards is held every year to acknowledge publishers in 13 different categories who have excelled within their field in the publishing industry.

How2Become.com Managing Director Richard McMunn said: “All the staff at How2Become were incredibly proud to return with both the awards we were shortlisted for. We are striving to become the UK’s top careers and educational destination website and this recognition will help us towards our goal.”

How2Become Ltd is an award-winning careers specialist and publishing company. For the past 12 years, How2Become has helped thousands of people in their journey towards a new career.

How2Become-award

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