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- Category: Budgeting (1)
- Economising your marketing spend the Guerrilla way
Jay Conrad Levinson introduced the concept of Guerrilla Marketing many years ago and it is now a huge brand in its own right. They challenge typical…
- Economising your marketing spend the Guerrilla way
- Category: Business Development (35)
- Fight Smarter not Harder
Sun Tzu said, ‘The best strategy in war is to win without a fight.’ Deciding to go where your competitors aren’t could be a potentially rewarding…
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- Make a personal investment in your prospects
In most cases where you’ve won new business there’s an element of risk for your prospect-come-client. If they’ve never had any experience of your…
- Tracking Numbers
Tracking numbers Knowing that at least half of your advertising works is a good thing… not knowing which half is working is not such a good thing. Yet…
- Get your prospect approach communication right
The key to writing an effective and compelling approach letter or email is to focus on good communication. Keep your letter specific – avoid being…
- The value of a good case study
Stories appeal to us, we like dramatic narratives. We can relate to them and generally find them interesting and sometimes entertaining. Since the time of the…
- The power of a strong brand
What is the real value of a ‘brand’? A brand serves to inspire trust and confidence in a service or product. For customers a brand often suggests that some…
- If you can’t change it, then use it to your advantage
We hear people say all the time, ‘we’re going to position our business as the market leader.’ We say to them, ‘good luck trying.’ You might think…
- Do the hardest things well
If you’re being specific and limiting your service offering to one thing, you would be wise to aim high. Why? If your business is going to be known for…
- The power of one
Good marketing starts with good positioning. Here are some very simple things you must do to achieve success for each project or campaign. Make noise to…
- There is something to be said for just being ‘good enough’
Sometimes, being the ‘best’ choice for a prospect isn’t what will ultimately decide whether you get the work. Sometimes, it may be important to be…
- Quick ideas for fast marketing results
As you start to develop your marketing strategies and begin to implement the work required, progress is 0f course being being made but some things take time to…
- What event(s) can you take advantage of as a business?
Another way to stay current and keep your customers and prospects well-informed is to respond in a timely manner to significant events or dates in the year. If…
- Spring Clean your Business
It's officially Spring. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming and generally people are happier with the lighter evenings and the dreary winter months…
- Steps to successful strategic negotiation
There are six strategic steps that are essential for effective negotiation. You are the supplier and you have to have faith in your product or service, but…
- Eeny, meeny, miny, moe – I’ll have that one..
How do you make your prospects choose you above your competitors? What reason do they have to do so? There are lots of pitch stories out there but one…
- 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…
- The power of asking the right questions
The power of asking the right questions The best way to learn about your clients (or prospects) is to get them talking about themselves. The more…
- How can you help me? Be prepared for this question!
Anyone who does business development activities needs to be prepared for a prospect asking them this question. I'm not trying to point out the obvious but…
- Role playing really works
You might look and sound silly (in your opinion) but this really works. Whether its a presenation, a phone call or a networking event where you want to try…
- Do you have marketing myopia?
Theodore Levitt coined this now famous phrase 'marketing myopia' which basically means tunnel vision. Often we are too busy keeping afloat to see the…
- Customer contact points – which one could lose you the business?
Do you know what your customer contact points are? Receiving your business card, speaking to your receptionist, receiving an email and visiting your website…
- Don’t confuse your offer, have one clear and consistent message
Have you ever tried to listen to two conversations simultaneously? You might be able to hear them, but can you really listen and process the information? It…
- Give your customers a reason to listen to you
Often, your business’s greatest competition isn’t from other businesses who want your customers but rather from life and the hectic pace of things. As you…
- The light bulb moment - when what you offer becomes clear to your prospects!
Professional services are intangible; they don’t have a defined shape or physical characteristics and no intrinsic colour, texture or flavour. More importantl…
- 11 tips for customer acquisition
Acquiring new customers is all about opening up new relationships and that is all about how you present yourself and your company. Here are eleven tips…
- How does your business respond to competitors?
Are you proactive or reactive? Are you inclined to see potential opportunities or notice another failure? Are you actively aware of what your competitors are…
- Never underestimate the value of a contact
Regardless of how unlikely it may first appear to be, anyone could be a valuable business contact. The most obvious question being, ‘How can you know who…
- 2011
As most of us return to work after the festivities, its time to get started on 2011. A new year of opportunities and a chance to decide how it will turn out…
- 2012 - make this your best year ever
Today sees the UK resume "normal business" following the festive break and as the New Year gets underway, make sure your business isn't left behind. Remember…
- Be careful – getting the business can be the first step to losing it
Be careful you don't lose the business you worked hard to win Most people work very hard to win new business and nothing is too much trouble. You can…
- Cross-selling: the ace up your sleeve?
We all know that it takes a lot more time and costs more money to win new business than to look after the clients you already have. On this basis, it should…
- Get started with your marketing NOW
Get started NOW - don't wait for everything to be perfect, because it will never be! You'll send that marketing e-shot out to the database once you've…
- Category: Lead generation (3)
- Are you an effective networker?
In order to be truly successful at networking it is absolutely critical that you keep your promises - be sure to do what you say you will do. Few things can be…
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- 5 strategies to kick-start your lead generation process
We all know what we should be doing but sometimes a quick recap revitalises our focus. The best marketers channel their efforts at the front end of the…
- Are you an effective networker?
- Fight Smarter not Harder
- Category: Collaboration (1)
- Collaboration
Do you sometimes look at larger projects and decide not to go for them because you don't have the capacity to deliver, even though the project is right up your…
- Collaboration
- Category: Communications (109)
- What marketing department?
Most of half Japanese companies do not have a separate marketing department because they believe that everyone in the company should be involved in marketing. …
- Cliches - don't over use them!
Like every one of your competitors you are 'committed to excellence', you are a 'one stop shop', you are 'proactive' etc etc - yawn, yawn, yawn! The bottom…
- Sometimes it’s all about how you say it…
Does a name matter? We think so! Flat or apartment? You say flat and an old tower block springs to mind on a not so desirable estate. Say apartment and…
- Translate your features to customer benefits
Have you ever caught yourself thinking “so what” when somebody is telling you what makes their product or service so amazing? This isn’t an uncommon…
- Don’t use 50 words when 10 will do
Sometimes we are guilty of bombarding our prospects with information that they have no interest in. Ask yourself: Is what you are telling them what YOU want…
- What event(s) can you take advantage of as a business?
Another way to stay current and keep your customers and prospects well-informed is to respond in a timely manner to significant events or dates in the year. If…
- Friday 13th
I've spoken before about using key dates and events to get in front of your prospects and when a Friday 13th comes around the media is full of superstitious…
- Three Levels of a Product or Service
Many businesses view their product or service as the tangible item the customer receives. So you buy a new car and that's the product. It's not as simple…
- Building successful customer relationships
We should all be working to build long-term customer relationships. A one-off, quick-hit sale can be easier to achieve, relatively speaking; but that sort of…
- Are you maximising every point of contact?
Ask yourself this, ‘How many points of contact does my business have with potential customers?’ You might be surprised to see how few there really are: a…
- People buy people
At the end of the day, ‘people buy people’ is still a constant truth in business. The work does not always go to the best business on paper - sometimes it…
- Get your prospect approach communication right
The key to writing an effective and compelling approach letter or email is to focus on good communication. Keep your letter specific – avoid being…
- The power of a strong brand
What is the real value of a ‘brand’? A brand serves to inspire trust and confidence in a service or product. For customers a brand often suggests that some…
- The value of a good case study
Stories appeal to us, we like dramatic narratives. We can relate to them and generally find them interesting and sometimes entertaining. Since the time of the…
- Marketing blunders
Despite our best intentions marketing mistakes can and do happen. And they aren’t limited to the ‘little guys’ either. Below are some examples of famous…
- Tracking Numbers
Tracking numbers Knowing that at least half of your advertising works is a good thing… not knowing which half is working is not such a good thing. Yet…
- Fast and furious first drafts
Here are ten fast-fire rules for writing good draft copy. Get away to somewhere quiet - just you, the keyboard and a blank document, no distractions Be…
- Make a personal investment in your prospects
In most cases where you’ve won new business there’s an element of risk for your prospect-come-client. If they’ve never had any experience of your…
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- Manage your social media from your desktop
If you are tired of switching between LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to find out the latest news and what your contacts are doing think about installing a…
- Raise your profile
Raising your profile Reputation is very important! Think about your last significant or expensive purchase. How did you decide what to buy? If you’re…
- The only thing worse than being talked about…
...is not being talked about. Make sure your business makes the news by following these tips. 1. Is your story a story? PR is all about news, it isn't an…
- 9 ways to win media coverage without news
In a nutshell you create news! Run a survey. Choose a topic that you'd like to be associated with, that's timely and not too controversial. Design the…
- The squeaky wheel gets more business
We’ve all heard the old adage that ‘the squeaky wheel gets more grease’ - and, well, it makes sense doesn’t it. If you hear it squeaking, you’re…
- Everybody’s Talkin’ - free tools to monitor what’s being said about you online
Before you start actively blogging or using social media for your business, it’s important to put some measures in place so that you can monitor mentions of…
- Be patient - not everyone is ready to buy right now!
When you decide that you are embarking upon a business development/sales drive, remember that not all of your prospects are ready to buy on your timetable...…
- Perception IS reality…
How do you think your customers or prospects see you? Does it match with how you want to be perceived? I was recently buying a gift for someone and had…
- If your ship doesn’t come in, you have to row out to meet it
Never has this been more true than in the current climate. You can communicate regularly with your propsects, lure them within arms reach, tempt them with…
- Don't judge a book by its cover!
We are all guilty of this to a certain extent. We all have our own preconceptions and make hasty judgements on other people and businesses. You know when…
- 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…
- Customer contact points – which one could lose you the business?
Do you know what your customer contact points are? Receiving your business card, speaking to your receptionist, receiving an email and visiting your website…
- International Women's Day - 8 March 2011
Today sees inspirational and enterprising women around the globe celebrating the centenary of International Women’s Day Is there an opportunity for you to…
- What do you actually DO?
Forget what business you are in - what do you actually do? When somebody asks you this question, most people respond like this: "What is it you do?" "W…
- Are you stereotyped?
I mean in the eyes of your prospects? When I think about the following jobs, I automatically associate characteristics with people who work in those roles -…
- If people want to unsubscribe, let them...
This is a bit of a ranting post but it does carry a valid message. Respect people's privacy and don't assume that because you're sending something they want…
- As postage costs rise today, should you continue to send letters?
Today sees UK first class postage prices increase to a whopping 46p for a standard first class letter. As email marketing becomes increasingly popular, many…
- Marketing communications – going back to basics
Effective communication means getting the point across in the way you intend it to be interpreted, using your selected media platform to its best advantage. …
- I hear you... but I'm not listening
Effective listening is not a passive occupation! It requires considerable mental effort, not only to comprehend but also to sift the words for further use. …
- Get started with your marketing NOW
Get started NOW - don't wait for everything to be perfect, because it will never be! You'll send that marketing e-shot out to the database once you've…
- Develop a powerful “meme” for your business
A meme is an instantly understandable message that gets immediate attention and interest. Some people call it a strapline or a tagline but really it is more…
- No two services are exactly the same
They can't be, they are delivered at different times by different people, circumstances alone dictate that they must differ. When you ask a director/part…
- Differentiators that don’t work
When you explain why a client should use your services, make sure you don't roll-off the following "differentiators". Why? Because they are trite, overused…
- Differentiators that do work
Following on from last week's post Differentiators that don't work I wanted to talk today about those that do. You need to distinguish yourself by focusing…
- Never underestimate the value of a contact
Regardless of how unlikely it may first appear to be, anyone could be a valuable business contact. The most obvious question being, ‘How can you know who…
- What makes you 'Different' or just 'different'?
What makes you different? Better yet, what makes you Different? Have you really sat down and thought about what makes your product or service Different? Now, I…
- The light bulb moment - when what you offer becomes clear to your prospects!
Professional services are intangible; they don’t have a defined shape or physical characteristics and no intrinsic colour, texture or flavour. More importantl…
- I name thee...
It's not surprising that so many businesses put hours and hours of time into naming their products, brand or the company itself. Your name is often…
- Give your customers a reason to listen to you
Often, your business’s greatest competition isn’t from other businesses who want your customers but rather from life and the hectic pace of things. As you…
- Don’t confuse your offer, have one clear and consistent message
Have you ever tried to listen to two conversations simultaneously? You might be able to hear them, but can you really listen and process the information? It…
- Publicise your business – 10 ways to get yourself in the limelight
Here are ten ways that you can start to generate publicity for your company, which not only helps to position you as an expert in your chosen field(s) but also…
- 7 steps to kick-start your PR
Step 1 - determine your target. Make a list of all the publications in your target market area. Look at newspapers, trade magazines, local newsletters…
- 33 reasons to send a press release
PR is a great way to get coverage for your company without having to pay for advertising space and its often more credible because it appears in the main…
- Your competitor is all over the news - have you missed your chance?
If it makes you feel really upset when your competitor is featured in a story on the business pages of the local paper or business magazine - especially…
- Small business marketing strategies for tackling larger companies
Establishing your business as an alternative to the market leader in your business, and building personal credibility that can be transferred to your small…
- Category: Advertising (5)
- This company appears on practially every page I visit online...
Are you noticing that whenever you go onto different websites that a local business you know will pop up in an advertisement? It’s likely that they are…
- Tracking Numbers
Tracking numbers Knowing that at least half of your advertising works is a good thing… not knowing which half is working is not such a good thing. Yet…
- Find out if your product or service is weak…
A quick acid test to find out if your product or service is weak is to write an advertisement for it. Write the ad using your best content - you need a…
- Turn your company into a heavily quoted source
Follow these steps for making your company a heavily quoted source. Ever wonder why your competitors keep cropping up in coverage - whether it be national…
- 3 magic words that boost ad response
For the small business owner, advertising is a critical expense that helps to drive customers through the doors or to a website on the Internet in the hopes…
- This company appears on practially every page I visit online...
- Category: Branding (10)
- Develop a core marketing message
Central to any company’s effective marketing is a message that speaks powerfully and consistently to your existing and potential clients. Work through…
- Gregg's to rename its Cornish Pasty
Sometimes decisions outside of our control can impact significantly on our own products and services. This is a good example of a national company being…
- Sometimes it’s all about how you say it…
Does a name matter? We think so! Flat or apartment? You say flat and an old tower block springs to mind on a not so desirable estate. Say apartment and…
- The power of a strong brand
What is the real value of a ‘brand’? A brand serves to inspire trust and confidence in a service or product. For customers a brand often suggests that some…
- Marketing blunders
Despite our best intentions marketing mistakes can and do happen. And they aren’t limited to the ‘little guys’ either. Below are some examples of famous…
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- Rebranding - Starbucks drops name from logo
Starbucks has dropped the name from its logo as the company prepares to expand its product range. The Starbucks Coffee name that encircled the green mermaid…
- Positioning yourself in the market
We work with many clients who assumed they were positioned at a certain level in their chosen markets. However, when you start to analyse the market dynamics…
- Develop a powerful “meme” for your business
A meme is an instantly understandable message that gets immediate attention and interest. Some people call it a strapline or a tagline but really it is more…
- I name thee...
It's not surprising that so many businesses put hours and hours of time into naming their products, brand or the company itself. Your name is often…
- Develop a core marketing message
- Category: Copywriting (21)
- 3 killer content moves to convert buyers
By now, everyone knows effective content is essential for educating, engaging, and converting readers into customers. This is an article that was published…
- Fast and furious first drafts
Here are ten fast-fire rules for writing good draft copy. Get away to somewhere quiet - just you, the keyboard and a blank document, no distractions Be…
- Marketing blunders
Despite our best intentions marketing mistakes can and do happen. And they aren’t limited to the ‘little guys’ either. Below are some examples of famous…
- Get your prospect approach communication right
The key to writing an effective and compelling approach letter or email is to focus on good communication. Keep your letter specific – avoid being…
- The value of a good case study
Stories appeal to us, we like dramatic narratives. We can relate to them and generally find them interesting and sometimes entertaining. Since the time of the…
- How to… write a great case study
Case studies are a common element of proposals, discussions and presentations. Most people just produce them without having a strategy behind the development…
- Marketing power words – 14 most powerful words in marketing!
What are the most powerful and effective words in marketing? Interestingly, "sale" isn't one of them. It’s really interesting how the brain works and…
- Guerrilla brochures and how to produce them
Most of you will have heard of Guerrilla Marketing founded by Jay Conrad Levinson "The Father of Guerrilla Marketing". This was an email received from them…
- Crafting a successful offer
A good offer, which is compelling, persuasive and leaves the recipient with a clear notion of what they must do, can make all of the difference in the overall…
- Don’t use 50 words when 10 will do
Sometimes we are guilty of bombarding our prospects with information that they have no interest in. Ask yourself: Is what you are telling them what YOU want…
- Translate your features to customer benefits
Have you ever caught yourself thinking “so what” when somebody is telling you what makes their product or service so amazing? This isn’t an uncommon…
- What is the AIDA principle and why is it important?
All communications should follow the AIDA principle. Do yours? A - Attention. You have to get the attention of your prospect before they do anything…
- Sales letter basics
The letter is usually the first thing that your prospect will read, even in you accompany it with a brochure. You need to make it relevant. Know your…
- Write a winning sales letter
Direct mail can be extremely effective but companies waste thousands of pounds sending out inappropriate material to their existing and potential customers. …
- The "simple" business card
Do you proudly deposit your business card into the hand of its intended recipient - or do you hand it over with some trepidation, hoping the other person…
- 10 attention-grabbing headline formulas
It makes sense that 80% of your success will be down to your headline so you need to put some work into making sure yours are attention-grabbing and appropriate…
- Give your customers a reason to listen to you
Often, your business’s greatest competition isn’t from other businesses who want your customers but rather from life and the hectic pace of things. As you…
- Don’t confuse your offer, have one clear and consistent message
Have you ever tried to listen to two conversations simultaneously? You might be able to hear them, but can you really listen and process the information? It…
- Simple techniques to improve search engine ranking
Keyword optimisation is one way to improve your search engine ranking and you don’t need to be an expert to make some simple improvements on your use of…
- Write a great sales proposal
Tips for writing a good sales proposal 1. open with a situation summary - you are summarising your understanding of your prospect’s plight and demonstratin…
- Write an attention grabbing headline
Put yourself in a situation where you desperately need help. For example you are stranded on a motorway in bad weather with no mobile phone and only a marker…
- 3 killer content moves to convert buyers
- Category: Design (3)
- Guerrilla brochures and how to produce them
Most of you will have heard of Guerrilla Marketing founded by Jay Conrad Levinson "The Father of Guerrilla Marketing". This was an email received from them…
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- The "simple" business card
Do you proudly deposit your business card into the hand of its intended recipient - or do you hand it over with some trepidation, hoping the other person…
- Guerrilla brochures and how to produce them
- Category: Direct Mail (10)
- Don’t use 50 words when 10 will do
Sometimes we are guilty of bombarding our prospects with information that they have no interest in. Ask yourself: Is what you are telling them what YOU want…
- "Sorry they don't work here anymore, in fact they left two years ago..."
How embarrassing would this be when you are making a sales call? Your list is THE most important tool you own for prospecting. If this isn't up to date…
- Getting the subject line right in your email campaigns
There's a lot to consider when you're planning a subject line for your marketing campaigns. They convey important information that helps the recipient to…
- Get your prospect approach communication right
The key to writing an effective and compelling approach letter or email is to focus on good communication. Keep your letter specific – avoid being…
- Write a winning sales letter
Direct mail can be extremely effective but companies waste thousands of pounds sending out inappropriate material to their existing and potential customers. …
- If people want to unsubscribe, let them...
This is a bit of a ranting post but it does carry a valid message. Respect people's privacy and don't assume that because you're sending something they want…
- As postage costs rise today, should you continue to send letters?
Today sees UK first class postage prices increase to a whopping 46p for a standard first class letter. As email marketing becomes increasingly popular, many…
- Sales letter basics
The letter is usually the first thing that your prospect will read, even in you accompany it with a brochure. You need to make it relevant. Know your…
- The light bulb moment - when what you offer becomes clear to your prospects!
Professional services are intangible; they don’t have a defined shape or physical characteristics and no intrinsic colour, texture or flavour. More importantl…
- Don’t confuse your offer, have one clear and consistent message
Have you ever tried to listen to two conversations simultaneously? You might be able to hear them, but can you really listen and process the information? It…
- Don’t use 50 words when 10 will do
- Category: PR (10)
- Raise your profile
Raising your profile Reputation is very important! Think about your last significant or expensive purchase. How did you decide what to buy? If you’re…
- The only thing worse than being talked about…
...is not being talked about. Make sure your business makes the news by following these tips. 1. Is your story a story? PR is all about news, it isn't an…
- 9 ways to win media coverage without news
In a nutshell you create news! Run a survey. Choose a topic that you'd like to be associated with, that's timely and not too controversial. Design the…
- The squeaky wheel gets more business
We’ve all heard the old adage that ‘the squeaky wheel gets more grease’ - and, well, it makes sense doesn’t it. If you hear it squeaking, you’re…
- International Women's Day - 8 March 2011
Today sees inspirational and enterprising women around the globe celebrating the centenary of International Women’s Day Is there an opportunity for you to…
- Publicise your business – 10 ways to get yourself in the limelight
Here are ten ways that you can start to generate publicity for your company, which not only helps to position you as an expert in your chosen field(s) but also…
- 7 steps to kick-start your PR
Step 1 - determine your target. Make a list of all the publications in your target market area. Look at newspapers, trade magazines, local newsletters…
- 33 reasons to send a press release
PR is a great way to get coverage for your company without having to pay for advertising space and its often more credible because it appears in the main…
- Your competitor is all over the news - have you missed your chance?
If it makes you feel really upset when your competitor is featured in a story on the business pages of the local paper or business magazine - especially…
- Small business marketing strategies for tackling larger companies
Establishing your business as an alternative to the market leader in your business, and building personal credibility that can be transferred to your small…
- Raise your profile
- Category: Presentations (4)
- 4 tips to writing an instant speech
Last month two clients asked us to help in this area following last minute requests for them to deliver presentations. We’ve not come across a more simple…
- Role playing really works
You might look and sound silly (in your opinion) but this really works. Whether its a presenation, a phone call or a networking event where you want to try…
- International Women's Day - 8 March 2011
Today sees inspirational and enterprising women around the globe celebrating the centenary of International Women’s Day Is there an opportunity for you to…
- SlideShare – a great resource to help get your material out to the world!
SlideShare - see for yourself what it can do I tend to use SlideShare for uploading presentations and sharing them with delegates who attended one of my…
- 4 tips to writing an instant speech
- Category: Promotions & Incentives (12)
- Can you use promotions for business development?
You are probably thinking “merchandising” and if you are offering a service may feel this is not for you. Don’t dismiss it just yet, read on! Merchan…
- What is the AIDA principle and why is it important?
All communications should follow the AIDA principle. Do yours? A - Attention. You have to get the attention of your prospect before they do anything…
- Crafting a successful offer
A good offer, which is compelling, persuasive and leaves the recipient with a clear notion of what they must do, can make all of the difference in the overall…
- Tracking Numbers
Tracking numbers Knowing that at least half of your advertising works is a good thing… not knowing which half is working is not such a good thing. Yet…
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- 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…
- Impulse buys – what could yours be?
Impulse buys make up a significant part of retail revenue – whether its due to the product placement, the promises it makes or the promotion its part…
- Give your customers a reason to listen to you
Often, your business’s greatest competition isn’t from other businesses who want your customers but rather from life and the hectic pace of things. As you…
- Don’t confuse your offer, have one clear and consistent message
Have you ever tried to listen to two conversations simultaneously? You might be able to hear them, but can you really listen and process the information? It…
- Do free consultation work?
So should you offer free consultations? Think about the things that you need to take into consideration with regards to what is best for your business.
- The power of free trials
Do free trials really work? Whether you're considering a free trial or sampling of some kind, keep in mind that many products are best "experienced".
- Promotional domain names
Often we work with clients to promote new services, seminars, events or launches as part of their marketing strategy. If we are developing a campaign-specific…
- Can you use promotions for business development?
- Category: Selling (23)
- Steps to successful strategic negotiation
There are six strategic steps that are essential for effective negotiation. You are the supplier and you have to have faith in your product or service, but…
- Make a personal investment in your prospects
In most cases where you’ve won new business there’s an element of risk for your prospect-come-client. If they’ve never had any experience of your…
- Sometimes it doesn’t all add up - why don't your customers behave "normally"?!
We expect clients and customers to be reasonable and practical - to weigh up all the features and benefits of our product or service, evaluate that against…
- People buy people
At the end of the day, ‘people buy people’ is still a constant truth in business. The work does not always go to the best business on paper - sometimes it…
- Are you maximising every point of contact?
Ask yourself this, ‘How many points of contact does my business have with potential customers?’ You might be surprised to see how few there really are: a…
- Common Sales Mistakes - Part 6 of 6
Not developing a new business mindset Not developing a new business mindset may make an already difficult task nearly impossible. If you and your colleagues…
- Common Sales Mistakes - Part 5 of 6
Don’t fail to follow-up One of the worst things anyone can do to impede the sales process is to fail to follow-up. Whether you are acknowledging an email,…
- Common Sales Mistakes - Part 4 of 6
Be sure to take notes so you can refer back to important information Probably one of the simplest things, yet one which many people fail to do. You should…
- Common Sales Mistakes - Part 3 of 6
Not showing prospects the investment you’ve made in winning their business Before you can expect a prospect to make an investment in buying your products…
- Common Sales Mistakes - Part 2 of 6
Not properly understanding your customers’ needs Not understanding the actual needs of your customers or prospects is a fundamental mistake. This usually…
- Common Sales Mistakes - Part 1 of 6
Failure to appreciate the need to actively look for new business One of the first mistakes people can make regarding sales is failing to appreciate the need…
- Translate your features to customer benefits
Have you ever caught yourself thinking “so what” when somebody is telling you what makes their product or service so amazing? This isn’t an uncommon…
- Selling services is different from selling products
Selling the invisible can be harder than selling a physical product. If you are a service-based business then the ability to sell is vital to your…
- Top 10 sales mistakes and how to avoid them – part 2
After spending time looking around various websites on this topic it seems that the following are the most common mistakes that salespeople make - part 1 was a…
- Write a great sales proposal
Tips for writing a good sales proposal 1. open with a situation summary - you are summarising your understanding of your prospect’s plight and demonstratin…
- 3 tips to shake up sales
Here are three things you can do today to shake up your business and stir up some sales if you find yourself in a slowing market.
- Top 10 sales mistakes and how to avoid them – part 1
I've just spent some time looking around various websites on this topic and it seems that the following are the most common mistakes that salespeople make. …
- Cold calling – the hardest thing really is getting started…
The list is made. You know exactly what you have to do. You have 30 people that you want to contact with your great special offer. They have been…
- Category: Negotiation (2)
- Steps to successful strategic negotiation
There are six strategic steps that are essential for effective negotiation. You are the supplier and you have to have faith in your product or service, but…
- Netotiation, negotiation, negotiation
In a previous post we discussed steps to strategic negotiation, here we simply give you some areas of potential negotiation to consider. Think about your…
- Steps to successful strategic negotiation
- Category: Pitching (5)
- The reason why
Why should your prospects buy from you? Why should they select your product over that of your competitors? Why is it better for them? You need to be…
- People buy people
At the end of the day, ‘people buy people’ is still a constant truth in business. The work does not always go to the best business on paper - sometimes it…
- There is something to be said for just being ‘good enough’
Sometimes, being the ‘best’ choice for a prospect isn’t what will ultimately decide whether you get the work. Sometimes, it may be important to be…
- Make a personal investment in your prospects
In most cases where you’ve won new business there’s an element of risk for your prospect-come-client. If they’ve never had any experience of your…
- Eeny, meeny, miny, moe – I’ll have that one..
How do you make your prospects choose you above your competitors? What reason do they have to do so? There are lots of pitch stories out there but one…
- The reason why
- Category: Proposals (4)
- There is something to be said for just being ‘good enough’
Sometimes, being the ‘best’ choice for a prospect isn’t what will ultimately decide whether you get the work. Sometimes, it may be important to be…
- Make a personal investment in your prospects
In most cases where you’ve won new business there’s an element of risk for your prospect-come-client. If they’ve never had any experience of your…
- “Send me a proposal” – music to your ears?
Or not? Sometimes when a prospect says "OK, send me a proposal" we go into panic mode. Whereas these words should be music to our ears! The…
- Write a great sales proposal
Tips for writing a good sales proposal 1. open with a situation summary - you are summarising your understanding of your prospect’s plight and demonstratin…
- There is something to be said for just being ‘good enough’
- Steps to successful strategic negotiation
- Category: Sponsorship (1)
- Struggling to get in front of your target markets?
Consider sponsorship. I don't mean the high profile TV ad type of sponsorship (unless of course you have the budget and it works for you), I mean sponsor an…
- Struggling to get in front of your target markets?
- Category: Telemarketing (1)
- Cold calling – the hardest thing really is getting started…
The list is made. You know exactly what you have to do. You have 30 people that you want to contact with your great special offer. They have been…
- Cold calling – the hardest thing really is getting started…
- Category: Viral Marketing (4)
- Consolidate your marketing
Being busy doesn’t always mean being effective! By being a business that is clear on what you offer, you will beat the competition that has a…
- What is viral marketing?
The great thing about viral marketing is that you keep your distribution costs to a minimum! You get your customers, colleagues, contacts etc to recommend…
- How viral marketing works online
Many companies do some form of viral marketing without being aware they are doing so! If your email has a link to your website or a promotional message as…
- 7 tips to run your best ever viral marketing campaign
There is no magic formula to make a viral marketing campaign successful but I will give you some tips that will ensure yours is planned properly. Each…
- Consolidate your marketing
- What marketing department?
- Category: Customer Satisfaction (14)
- The reason why
Why should your prospects buy from you? Why should they select your product over that of your competitors? Why is it better for them? You need to be…
- Three Levels of a Product or Service
Many businesses view their product or service as the tangible item the customer receives. So you buy a new car and that's the product. It's not as simple…
- There is something to be said for just being ‘good enough’
Sometimes, being the ‘best’ choice for a prospect isn’t what will ultimately decide whether you get the work. Sometimes, it may be important to be…
- Don't forget the simple things
It doesn’t matter how great your business is, if the impression you leave with clients is that you’re too busy being great to pay attention to things like…
- How do you achieve client satisfaction with a service-based business?
If you work in a service-based business you will know how difficult it can be to achieve client satisfaction. It can even sometimes be difficult to properly…
- 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…
- How NOT to attract new clients!
We’ve focused on how to go about winning new clients in previous posts so thought I’d just clarify the best ways NOT to attract them - the deadly sins to…
- Don't judge a book by its cover!
We are all guilty of this to a certain extent. We all have our own preconceptions and make hasty judgements on other people and businesses. You know when…
- 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…
- Customer contact points – which one could lose you the business?
Do you know what your customer contact points are? Receiving your business card, speaking to your receptionist, receiving an email and visiting your website…
- 11 tips for customer acquisition
Acquiring new customers is all about opening up new relationships and that is all about how you present yourself and your company. Here are eleven tips…
- Show me you care! Dealing with post-purchase dissonance
I spoke about giving your customers a reason to buy from you in a previous post The Reason Why and wanted to expand on this theme today. Once you've given…
- A butterfly named Roger
Roger Azzam's Butterfly Effect This is a story written by Harry Beckwith, a services marketing guru, about how one man's exceptional customer service led…
- The power of free trials
Do free trials really work? Whether you're considering a free trial or sampling of some kind, keep in mind that many products are best "experienced".
- The reason why
- Category: Customer Service (11)
- The customer is the boss
"There is only one boss: the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company, from the chairman down, simply by spending his money somewhere else." Sam…
- The two words any customer loves to hear
No problem. Even if there is a problem, your customer doesn't care - he is interested in getting the goods or service you promised him full stop. Your job…
- Getting customer service right
Customer service can be the difference between you and your competitors winning the business As a business you need to embrace the core principles of…
- Building successful customer relationships
We should all be working to build long-term customer relationships. A one-off, quick-hit sale can be easier to achieve, relatively speaking; but that sort of…
- Don't forget the simple things
It doesn’t matter how great your business is, if the impression you leave with clients is that you’re too busy being great to pay attention to things like…
- How do you achieve client satisfaction with a service-based business?
If you work in a service-based business you will know how difficult it can be to achieve client satisfaction. It can even sometimes be difficult to properly…
- Don't judge a book by its cover!
We are all guilty of this to a certain extent. We all have our own preconceptions and make hasty judgements on other people and businesses. You know when…
- If people want to unsubscribe, let them...
This is a bit of a ranting post but it does carry a valid message. Respect people's privacy and don't assume that because you're sending something they want…
- Show me you care! Dealing with post-purchase dissonance
I spoke about giving your customers a reason to buy from you in a previous post The Reason Why and wanted to expand on this theme today. Once you've given…
- A butterfly named Roger
Roger Azzam's Butterfly Effect This is a story written by Harry Beckwith, a services marketing guru, about how one man's exceptional customer service led…
- Be careful – getting the business can be the first step to losing it
Be careful you don't lose the business you worked hard to win Most people work very hard to win new business and nothing is too much trouble. You can…
- The customer is the boss
- Category: Digital Marketing (13)
- Manage your social media from your desktop
If you are tired of switching between LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to find out the latest news and what your contacts are doing think about installing a…
- Consolidate your marketing
Being busy doesn’t always mean being effective! By being a business that is clear on what you offer, you will beat the competition that has a…
- Get your chosen image to follow you anywhere on the web
Whether its a logo or a photo if you comment on blogs, websites or are involved in social media where your image is displayed against your profile, sign up to…
- Category: Social Media (11)
- Flush out your Twitter Qwitters!
If you want to know when your followers abandon you on Twitter then this ones for you... They can hide no more! Qwitter lets you know once a day who jumped…
- Manage your social media from your desktop
If you are tired of switching between LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to find out the latest news and what your contacts are doing think about installing a…
- QR Codes. QR What?!
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a machine-readable barcode that is designed to be read by smartphones. It is a two-dimensional code that is able to…
- Do you have Klout?
Measure your own Klout! Rob Baker of Artisan Marketing Communications brought this tool to our attention. In essence it analyses your social media…
- Generate your own QR code FREE!
This is our QR code to this blog! Go to this website to generate your own for use on your marketing material.
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- Social media - a whistlestop tour of what's out there
When people say "social media", Facebook and Twitter spring to mind immediately. Facebook is a social network and Twitter is a micro blogging service. …
- Google+ in a nutshell
With all the publicity that is out there right now about Google+ - its being cited as "the new Facebook" - I was going to write about it and then I got an…
- Manage your desktop social media from one place
This week I thought I would share some useful tools that make life that little bit easier. Seesmic is a really useful desktop tool that allows you to…
- How to use QR Codes to make your marketing more effective
Here are 9 ways to use QR codes effectively in your marketing: Increase online sales. Drive traffic to your website. QR codes can link to…
- Category: LinkedIn (1)
- 10 (actually 13) ways to used LinkedIn
Here is a great summary of how to use LinkedIn - the article was orginally written by Guy Kawasaki and it has been updated by Jason Alba for 2011 - there are…
- 10 (actually 13) ways to used LinkedIn
- Flush out your Twitter Qwitters!
- Manage your social media from your desktop
- Category: Email Marketing (4)
- 11 email marketing terms you need to know
We came across this article from VerticalResponse and felt it was worth sharing. They've provided a low down on some popular terms that you will need to be…
- Getting the subject line right in your email campaigns
There's a lot to consider when you're planning a subject line for your marketing campaigns. They convey important information that helps the recipient to…
- Get your prospect approach communication right
The key to writing an effective and compelling approach letter or email is to focus on good communication. Keep your letter specific – avoid being…
- Consolidate your marketing
Being busy doesn’t always mean being effective! By being a business that is clear on what you offer, you will beat the competition that has a…
- 11 email marketing terms you need to know
- Category: Events (8)
- 4 tips to writing an instant speech
Last month two clients asked us to help in this area following last minute requests for them to deliver presentations. We’ve not come across a more simple…
- What event(s) can you take advantage of as a business?
Another way to stay current and keep your customers and prospects well-informed is to respond in a timely manner to significant events or dates in the year. If…
- Friday 13th
I've spoken before about using key dates and events to get in front of your prospects and when a Friday 13th comes around the media is full of superstitious…
- International Women's Day - 8 March 2011
Today sees inspirational and enterprising women around the globe celebrating the centenary of International Women’s Day Is there an opportunity for you to…
- Exhibitions - getting the most out of them as a visitor
Today and tomorrow sees the Business North West 2011 Business North West 2011 exhibition taking place in central Manchester. Two days of exhibitor promotions,…
- Category: Exhibitions (1)
- Exhibitions - getting the most out of them as a visitor
Today and tomorrow sees the Business North West 2011 Business North West 2011 exhibition taking place in central Manchester. Two days of exhibitor promotions,…
- Exhibitions - getting the most out of them as a visitor
- Category: Meetings (2)
- Are you an effective networker?
In order to be truly successful at networking it is absolutely critical that you keep your promises - be sure to do what you say you will do. Few things can be…
- Get the most out of your meetings
When you have a meeting, how do you handle it? Do you research everything in advance or simply turn up and "wing it"? I'm not just talking about new client…
- Are you an effective networker?
- Category: Webinars (1)
- Webinars - the basics
Webinars have been around for at least ten years now and have advanced from the "dubious" dial-up connection, where people were unsure how much it would cost…
- Webinars - the basics
- 4 tips to writing an instant speech
- Category: Internal Marketing (2)
- What marketing department?
Most of half Japanese companies do not have a separate marketing department because they believe that everyone in the company should be involved in marketing. …
- Consolidate your marketing
Being busy doesn’t always mean being effective! By being a business that is clear on what you offer, you will beat the competition that has a…
- What marketing department?
- Category: Market Development (3)
- Fight Smarter not Harder
Sun Tzu said, ‘The best strategy in war is to win without a fight.’ Deciding to go where your competitors aren’t could be a potentially rewarding…
- The power of one
Good marketing starts with good positioning. Here are some very simple things you must do to achieve success for each project or campaign. Make noise to…
- Entering new markets
When considering entering new markets, companies need to make sure that their approach is properly planned. Each will have different reasons and…
- Fight Smarter not Harder
- Category: Marketing (22)
- Consolidate your marketing
Being busy doesn’t always mean being effective! By being a business that is clear on what you offer, you will beat the competition that has a…
- 11 email marketing terms you need to know
We came across this article from VerticalResponse and felt it was worth sharing. They've provided a low down on some popular terms that you will need to be…
- The power of one
Good marketing starts with good positioning. Here are some very simple things you must do to achieve success for each project or campaign. Make noise to…
- Do the hardest things well
If you’re being specific and limiting your service offering to one thing, you would be wise to aim high. Why? If your business is going to be known for…
- If you can’t change it, then use it to your advantage
We hear people say all the time, ‘we’re going to position our business as the market leader.’ We say to them, ‘good luck trying.’ You might think…
- The power of a strong brand
What is the real value of a ‘brand’? A brand serves to inspire trust and confidence in a service or product. For customers a brand often suggests that some…
- Branded content (PDFs) for effective communications
We've developed a checklist of sorts to walk you through the process of content generation - this should help you avoid making it a real chore. We recommend…
- Make a personal investment in your prospects
In most cases where you’ve won new business there’s an element of risk for your prospect-come-client. If they’ve never had any experience of your…
- Fast and furious first drafts
Here are ten fast-fire rules for writing good draft copy. Get away to somewhere quiet - just you, the keyboard and a blank document, no distractions Be…
- The value of a good case study
Stories appeal to us, we like dramatic narratives. We can relate to them and generally find them interesting and sometimes entertaining. Since the time of the…
- Don’t confuse your offer, have one clear and consistent message
Have you ever tried to listen to two conversations simultaneously? You might be able to hear them, but can you really listen and process the information? It…
- How to use QR Codes to make your marketing more effective
Here are 9 ways to use QR codes effectively in your marketing: Increase online sales. Drive traffic to your website. QR codes can link to…
- Positioning yourself in the market
We work with many clients who assumed they were positioned at a certain level in their chosen markets. However, when you start to analyse the market dynamics…
- The power of free trials
Do free trials really work? Whether you're considering a free trial or sampling of some kind, keep in mind that many products are best "experienced".
- Do free consultation work?
So should you offer free consultations? Think about the things that you need to take into consideration with regards to what is best for your business.
- 8 tips for marketing a start-up business
Understand what marketing is Many start ups use the terms marketing and advertising interchangeably. Advertising is only a small part of…
- Give your customers a reason to listen to you
Often, your business’s greatest competition isn’t from other businesses who want your customers but rather from life and the hectic pace of things. As you…
- I name thee...
It's not surprising that so many businesses put hours and hours of time into naming their products, brand or the company itself. Your name is often…
- The light bulb moment - when what you offer becomes clear to your prospects!
Professional services are intangible; they don’t have a defined shape or physical characteristics and no intrinsic colour, texture or flavour. More importantl…
- Face your biggest marketing challenge
Is there one thing that you keep putting off that you know if you tackled it you would get great results? Is this your biggest marketing challenge? It…
- Are you riding on past glory?
When was the last time you really scrutinised your website and marketing materials? Are they still relevant and do they still represent what it is your…
- Get started with your marketing NOW
Get started NOW - don't wait for everything to be perfect, because it will never be! You'll send that marketing e-shot out to the database once you've…
- Consolidate your marketing
- Category: Networking (6)
- Are you an effective networker?
In order to be truly successful at networking it is absolutely critical that you keep your promises - be sure to do what you say you will do. Few things can be…
- Can networking help your business?
Without a doubt I would say yes. However, as somebody who has been actively networking since 1998 you can also waste an awful lot of time. I have been a…
- The "simple" business card
Do you proudly deposit your business card into the hand of its intended recipient - or do you hand it over with some trepidation, hoping the other person…
- Using your networks properly
Be genuine and honest when networking and make sure you follow up - you'll be amazed at the results of a methodical approach. It's not uncommon these days…
- SlideShare – a great resource to help get your material out to the world!
SlideShare - see for yourself what it can do I tend to use SlideShare for uploading presentations and sharing them with delegates who attended one of my…
- Business Networking Events – get the most out of them
Whether you are a natural networker or you attend events and mingle with strangers under duress, have a read of this post to help you to get the most out of…
- Are you an effective networker?
- Category: Personal Development (8)
- Are you an entreprenuer?
As more and more people class themselves as entrepreneurs, more and more opinions and controversy appears around this topic. At one point it was up to others…
- Barriers to successful implementation
You allocate time, begin the task(s) and then wonder why things have not progressed accordingly. Here are some of the most frequently encountered…
- Grab those opportunities
Somebody once told me to imagine my path towards a goal as a straight line with A as the start point and B as the finishing point. He told me to imagine myself…
- I hear you... but I'm not listening
Effective listening is not a passive occupation! It requires considerable mental effort, not only to comprehend but also to sift the words for further use. …
- Finding your own and understanding different personality styles
Find out your own personality style by doing a simple exercise People communicate in predictable patterns or styles. There are clues in what people say…
- Personality styles – descriptives common to each
Here are some attributes usually associated with the different personality styles. DRIVER DeterminedThoroughDecisiveResponsible PushyDominatingHarshSev…
- How you can deliver to each personality style
Whether you are a driver, amiable, expressive or analytical personality style, this grid will help you to understand what a person with a given style is…
- Four strategies for cutting your to-do list in half (article by Michael Hyatt)
Michael Hyatt’s revelations below about time management are very easy to appreciate, and the ‘Two Minute Rule’ from David Allen is a real gem – and so…
- Are you an entreprenuer?
- Category: Planning (36)
- Get to know your competitors
Many companies don’t gather competitor intelligence because they fail to recognise the value of doing so. If you decide that you are going to monitor…
- What will you do with the last few months of 2012?
There’s a lot you can do to leave the current year on a good note and set up the next year to produce better results. There are just over 70 days to the end…
- Spring Clean your Business
It's officially Spring. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming and generally people are happier with the lighter evenings and the dreary winter months…
- What event(s) can you take advantage of as a business?
Another way to stay current and keep your customers and prospects well-informed is to respond in a timely manner to significant events or dates in the year. If…
- Marketing blunders
Despite our best intentions marketing mistakes can and do happen. And they aren’t limited to the ‘little guys’ either. Below are some examples of famous…
- If you can’t change it, then use it to your advantage
We hear people say all the time, ‘we’re going to position our business as the market leader.’ We say to them, ‘good luck trying.’ You might think…
- Keep things running smoothly over these shorter work weeks
As we begin a run of three and four day work-weeks in the UK due to bank holidays, how will you ensure that your team stays focused and activities continue…
- Do the hardest things well
If you’re being specific and limiting your service offering to one thing, you would be wise to aim high. Why? If your business is going to be known for…
- Develop a core marketing message
Central to any company’s effective marketing is a message that speaks powerfully and consistently to your existing and potential clients. Work through…
- Barriers to successful implementation
You allocate time, begin the task(s) and then wonder why things have not progressed accordingly. Here are some of the most frequently encountered…
- Friday 13th
I've spoken before about using key dates and events to get in front of your prospects and when a Friday 13th comes around the media is full of superstitious…
- Quick ideas for fast marketing results
As you start to develop your marketing strategies and begin to implement the work required, progress is 0f course being being made but some things take time to…
- Your profession is stereotyped
Almost every well-known service suffers from a well-known stereotype. Accountants are humourless. Lawyers are greedy. Collections agencies are…
- The importance of continuity and consistency – maintaining momentum
One of the most difficult challenges of any marketing, communications or business development campaign is maintaining momentum. These activities tend to…
- Differentiators that don’t work
When you explain why a client should use your services, make sure you don't roll-off the following "differentiators". Why? Because they are trite, overused…
- Differentiators that do work
Following on from last week's post Differentiators that don't work I wanted to talk today about those that do. You need to distinguish yourself by focusing…
- 2012 - make this your best year ever
Today sees the UK resume "normal business" following the festive break and as the New Year gets underway, make sure your business isn't left behind. Remember…
- What makes you 'Different' or just 'different'?
What makes you different? Better yet, what makes you Different? Have you really sat down and thought about what makes your product or service Different? Now, I…
- How does your business respond to competitors?
Are you proactive or reactive? Are you inclined to see potential opportunities or notice another failure? Are you actively aware of what your competitors are…
- Focus + strategy = success!
The most effective means of driving sales and creating a continual flow of new business is focus. It is easier to focus with a strategy. A good working…
- Collecting information on your competitors
Collecting information about your competitors makes good business sense. Here are the 'do's and dont's' of competitive intelligence and the guidelines for the…
- Four strategies for cutting your to-do list in half (article by Michael Hyatt)
Michael Hyatt’s revelations below about time management are very easy to appreciate, and the ‘Two Minute Rule’ from David Allen is a real gem – and so…
- No two services are exactly the same
They can't be, they are delivered at different times by different people, circumstances alone dictate that they must differ. When you ask a director/part…
- How you can deliver to each personality style
Whether you are a driver, amiable, expressive or analytical personality style, this grid will help you to understand what a person with a given style is…
- Personality styles – descriptives common to each
Here are some attributes usually associated with the different personality styles. DRIVER DeterminedThoroughDecisiveResponsible PushyDominatingHarshSev…
- Finding your own and understanding different personality styles
Find out your own personality style by doing a simple exercise People communicate in predictable patterns or styles. There are clues in what people say…
- Big impact doesn’t have to mean big bucks
Effective marketing campaigns don’t need big-company budgets. By being smart at the outset and taking the necessary time at the planning stage, you can coax…
- Throw out the rule book!
Who decided the way your industry should work? Give yourself permission to think in a different way. There are no rules so throw out the book and…
- Grab those opportunities
Somebody once told me to imagine my path towards a goal as a straight line with A as the start point and B as the finishing point. He told me to imagine myself…
- Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results
Do you need to shake up your marketing? Is it still producing results that you are happy with? If so then great but if not, make sure you are not doing the…
- Explore the best way to grow your business with Ansoff’s Matrix
Ansoff’s Matrix was first published in the Harvard Business Review in 1957. Since its publication, it has given generations of marketers and business…
- Marketing communications – going back to basics
Effective communication means getting the point across in the way you intend it to be interpreted, using your selected media platform to its best advantage. …
- Are you stereotyped?
I mean in the eyes of your prospects? When I think about the following jobs, I automatically associate characteristics with people who work in those roles -…
- What do you actually DO?
Forget what business you are in - what do you actually do? When somebody asks you this question, most people respond like this: "What is it you do?" "W…
- Find out if your product or service is weak…
A quick acid test to find out if your product or service is weak is to write an advertisement for it. Write the ad using your best content - you need a…
- Do you have marketing myopia?
Theodore Levitt coined this now famous phrase 'marketing myopia' which basically means tunnel vision. Often we are too busy keeping afloat to see the…
- Get to know your competitors
- Category: Research (6)
- Get to know your competitors
Many companies don’t gather competitor intelligence because they fail to recognise the value of doing so. If you decide that you are going to monitor…
- Surveys made easy
Surveys made easy with Survey Monkey Survey Monkey is a great tool to gather information from your customers, prospects, colleagues or partners. It’s easy…
- Marketing blunders
Despite our best intentions marketing mistakes can and do happen. And they aren’t limited to the ‘little guys’ either. Below are some examples of famous…
- The power of asking the right questions
The power of asking the right questions The best way to learn about your clients (or prospects) is to get them talking about themselves. The more…
- 10 things you really need to know about your competitors
Having competitors is a fact of life for most businesses; few can genuinely claim they have none - and if they do they must question why. You have to be…
- How does your business respond to competitors?
Are you proactive or reactive? Are you inclined to see potential opportunities or notice another failure? Are you actively aware of what your competitors are…
- Get to know your competitors
- Category: Resources (11)
- Doodle - great tool for scheduling events
This is a super free tool and is quick to create an account. It lets you schedule meetings and events and you simply send a link for your event to those…
- Do you have Klout?
Measure your own Klout! Rob Baker of Artisan Marketing Communications brought this tool to our attention. In essence it analyses your social media…
- QR Codes. QR What?!
A QR code (Quick Response code) is a machine-readable barcode that is designed to be read by smartphones. It is a two-dimensional code that is able to…
- Generate your own QR code FREE!
This is our QR code to this blog! Go to this website to generate your own for use on your marketing material.
- Quora - think Wikipedia, but different
http://www.quora.com/ Quora is a website where you can ask, answer and edit questions once you're registered. You can follow people who talk about what…
- Get the most out of your website or blog using Google Analytics
Google Analytics can help you make intelligent decisions Unless you know and understand who is visiting which pages of your website and / or blog and what…
- Manage your desktop social media from one place
This week I thought I would share some useful tools that make life that little bit easier. Seesmic is a really useful desktop tool that allows you to…
- Get your chosen image to follow you anywhere on the web
Whether its a logo or a photo if you comment on blogs, websites or are involved in social media where your image is displayed against your profile, sign up to…
- Stumble onto great web pages
StumbleUpon allows you to set your personal preferences about they type of websites you are interested in viewing. You can install the StumbleUpon toolbar on…
- Dropbox - a simple and effective tool for sharing files
Dropbox is a great tool with multiple uses. I use it to back up blogs, "park" files I'm going to need at clients' instead of bringing my laptop or memory…
- How to use QR Codes to make your marketing more effective
Here are 9 ways to use QR codes effectively in your marketing: Increase online sales. Drive traffic to your website. QR codes can link to…
- Doodle - great tool for scheduling events
- Category: Strategy (15)
- The power of one
Good marketing starts with good positioning. Here are some very simple things you must do to achieve success for each project or campaign. Make noise to…
- Do the hardest things well
If you’re being specific and limiting your service offering to one thing, you would be wise to aim high. Why? If your business is going to be known for…
- If you can’t change it, then use it to your advantage
We hear people say all the time, ‘we’re going to position our business as the market leader.’ We say to them, ‘good luck trying.’ You might think…
- The value of a good case study
Stories appeal to us, we like dramatic narratives. We can relate to them and generally find them interesting and sometimes entertaining. Since the time of the…
- What will you do with the last few months of 2012?
There’s a lot you can do to leave the current year on a good note and set up the next year to produce better results. There are just over 70 days to the end…
- What is strategy?
We are often asked to define what we mean as strategy. It provides a sense of unity, direction and purpose for an organisation and the marketing strategy…
- Positioning yourself in the market
We work with many clients who assumed they were positioned at a certain level in their chosen markets. However, when you start to analyse the market dynamics…
- Give your customers a reason to listen to you
Often, your business’s greatest competition isn’t from other businesses who want your customers but rather from life and the hectic pace of things. As you…
- Don’t confuse your offer, have one clear and consistent message
Have you ever tried to listen to two conversations simultaneously? You might be able to hear them, but can you really listen and process the information? It…
- Focus + strategy = success!
The most effective means of driving sales and creating a continual flow of new business is focus. It is easier to focus with a strategy. A good working…
- Bringing new products to the market
A 10 step plan on how entrepreneurs can deal with their ideas, how to execute them well and how to get other people on board with your ideas.
- Small business marketing strategies for tackling larger companies
Establishing your business as an alternative to the market leader in your business, and building personal credibility that can be transferred to your small…
- Being the (second) best
The benefits of employing a “Pepsi” strategy for your small business. There may be a great opportunity for competing agents in taking up an alterative…
- Collecting information on your competitors
Collecting information about your competitors makes good business sense. Here are the 'do's and dont's' of competitive intelligence and the guidelines for the…
- 3 tips to shake up sales
Here are three things you can do today to shake up your business and stir up some sales if you find yourself in a slowing market.
- The power of one
- Category: Technology (2)
- Manage your social media from your desktop
If you are tired of switching between LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to find out the latest news and what your contacts are doing think about installing a…
- Life without email or internet access – does this delight or terrify you?
I would be in the terrified camp! Although I can see some benefits as I have to turn Outlook off when I need to concentrate on the job in hand because I am…
- Manage your social media from your desktop
- Category: Uncategorized (3)
- How to improve the performance of your sales force
It is far easier to sell something you believe in. If your sales force is struggling, it may be that they lack conviction or a unified belief and vision. Your…
- Buyer beware - What sounds like a good idea sometimes isn't
Lately I have been doing a lot of research for one of my clients - mostly on various online marketing or promotional opportunities they have been aproached…
- There's something new coming out every week - where do I start?
It is easy to get overwhelmed when you are trying to pull a marketing strategy together for your business. You are living and breathing it and sometimes you…
- How to improve the performance of your sales force
- Category: Video (2)
- Understanding Search Engine Optimisation
Learn about why is SEO is important and how you could see changes in your performance overtime by staying committed to your SEO as an ongoing process.
- The benefit of video for SEO performance
The benefit of video content might not be immediately apparent to everyone; but as soon as you consider that YouTube is the second largest search engine behind…
- Understanding Search Engine Optimisation
- Category: Websites (9)
- “Mobilegeddon” is coming on April 21 – are you ready?
"Mobilegeddon" is happening soon with a date of April 21. Are you ready? If your website isn't mobile friendly by April 21, you will notice a dramatic decline…
- Promotional domain names
Often we work with clients to promote new services, seminars, events or launches as part of their marketing strategy. If we are developing a campaign-specific…
- 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…
- Get the most out of your website or blog using Google Analytics
Google Analytics can help you make intelligent decisions Unless you know and understand who is visiting which pages of your website and / or blog and what…
- Stumble onto great web pages
StumbleUpon allows you to set your personal preferences about they type of websites you are interested in viewing. You can install the StumbleUpon toolbar on…
- Websites – if your content isn’t relevant, forget it!
Having a successful website requires you to align your content with the needs of your target audience. No matter how visually attractive your design may be…
- Simple techniques to improve search engine ranking
Keyword optimisation is one way to improve your search engine ranking and you don’t need to be an expert to make some simple improvements on your use of…
- Understanding Search Engine Optimisation
Learn about why is SEO is important and how you could see changes in your performance overtime by staying committed to your SEO as an ongoing process.
- The benefit of video for SEO performance
The benefit of video content might not be immediately apparent to everyone; but as soon as you consider that YouTube is the second largest search engine behind…
- Category: SEO (4)
- “Mobilegeddon” is coming on April 21 – are you ready?
"Mobilegeddon" is happening soon with a date of April 21. Are you ready? If your website isn't mobile friendly by April 21, you will notice a dramatic decline…
- Simple techniques to improve search engine ranking
Keyword optimisation is one way to improve your search engine ranking and you don’t need to be an expert to make some simple improvements on your use of…
- Understanding Search Engine Optimisation
Learn about why is SEO is important and how you could see changes in your performance overtime by staying committed to your SEO as an ongoing process.
- The benefit of video for SEO performance
The benefit of video content might not be immediately apparent to everyone; but as soon as you consider that YouTube is the second largest search engine behind…
- “Mobilegeddon” is coming on April 21 – are you ready?
- “Mobilegeddon” is coming on April 21 – are you ready?
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