Author Archives: Marie

About Marie

I started Elite Edge at the end of 1999 and I am still as passionate about marketing today as I was then - probably more so because I consider myself very lucky to do a job that I love every day! My area of specialism is strategic planning but like most people these days, I wear many other hats too!

Using your networks properly

It’s not uncommon these days for a business owner / manager to be a member of 20+ networks – the question is whether they are passive members (one that gets email updates of activity but does not participate) or an … Continue reading

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How current is your market knowledge?

Think about the type of people you are trying to sell to.  Do you know what is going on in their world?  Do you understand what is important to them and what worries they have right now?  Are you familiar … Continue reading

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The importance of customer testimonials

We’ve all been to the website of ‘Company A’ and clicked on the page that says “see what our customers say about us” and have seen the following: Great service, would recommend – Mrs B, London Cheapest price around and … Continue reading

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Make promotional products work

You can spend a lot of money on promotional products.  If they are relevant they can be very effective.   But, some people don’t put much thought into the type of promotional products their target audience and customers would actually find … Continue reading

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The power of free trials

Do free trials really work? Are they cost effective? Whether you’re considering a free trial or sampling of some kind, keep in mind that many products are best “experienced”. For example, its difficult to know whether or not you’ll like … Continue reading

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3 tips to shake up sales

Give your business a boost in a slow market A slow market can be especially tough on small businesses, as they are often run on a shoestring budget which leaves very little room for the cost cutting and expense reductions … Continue reading

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Do free consultation work?

Do Free Consultations Work? It’s not unusual for someone setting up a service business to be advised to give a free consultation as a way of winning business. In the coaching world in particular (and many other service businesses) this … Continue reading

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Collecting information on your competitors

Discover the Do’s and Dont’s of competitive intelligence. Collecting information about your competitors makes good business sense. However, you must do so in an ethical and reasonable way. Competitive intelligence from public sources, customers, and third parties can help businesses … Continue reading

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Understanding Search Engine Optimisation

SEO is not a process which delivers instant results. To see any change in your performance will take time. Your wait may be proportionate to how small you are and how new you are to doing business online. SEO is … Continue reading

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Welcome complaints – yes, really!

Do you have customers that leave suddenly?  You’ve been doing this outstanding job for them, lavishing them with excellent service and yet they’re gone without a word? Something went wrong and you know nothing about it.  No matter how successful … Continue reading

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