Friday, 9 December 2016

Social Media PART 2: Which?

Social Media for small, local businesses is about connecting you to people and organisations that will benefit your business.

So how do you do that, which social media sites should you use, why should you bother, what should you post and when should you be doing it?

Read 'How' here >

Which.

There is no need to jump on to all the social media sites and set up accounts... just find out which social media platform (or two) will be most beneficial to your business. How? Find out which one your target audience uses the most.

Finding out just involves a little research – take a look at the different social sites and see what type of people are using them and what types of posts there are. Which one matches your business objectives and your customer base best?

Here are some key facts about some of the most popular social media platforms:

Facebook
  • For sharing info, facts, stories, updates and images
  • Used by almost 50% of people on the internet
  • Used by almost 50% of all 65+ year olds on the internet



Google+
  • For sharing information about yourself and your business and linking it to Google aps (such as maps, search, etc)
  • Used by over 20% of adults on the internet
  • Over 40% of users use it to find info on businesses


Twitter
  • For sharing short info, facts and updates
  • Used by almost 20% of all internet users
  • 50% of users are under 35 years old



LinkedIn
  • For sharing information about yourself and your business
  • Over 60% of users are over 35 years old
  • Often described as ‘Facebook for business’



Pinterest
  • For sharing images (that can link to your website)
  • Over  70% female users
  • Used by almost 20% of all 50+ year olds on the internet


You Tube
  • For sharing videos (that can be linked to your website)
  • Used by over 80% of all teenagers on the internet
  • Used by almost 50% of all those on the internet in their 50s



Instagram
  • For sharing photos and very short videos (that can be linked to your website)
  • Most popular categories are food, fashion and beer
  • Over  90% of users are under 35 years old

Watch out for Part 3: Why? Coming soon...



Tuesday, 6 December 2016

Peek-a-boo. Found you!

Hi. I'm Victoria...
I am a marketing consultant and I have a lot to say about a lot of things to do with helping small businesses get new customers.

The key to winning new customers? Be seen by those customers!

Don’t hide behind your qualifications, don’t wait for your great idea to be delivered by someone else, don’t sit in your plain white van wondering how to get new customers... be seen!

Be seen through a recognisable logo, a catchy strap-line, an advert in your customers’ favourite paper, popping up in their Facebook feed, landing on their doormat, supporting their favourite sports team, on the back of their take-out menu, driving past them on the way home...

I provide the images, the messages and the tools to tell your potential customers all about you, exactly who you are, what you do and how you will provide the best service for them.

I keep it simple and effective, offering a pick and mix package of logos, leaflets, adverts, campaigns, case studies (and more) that will make you be seen and help you win new customers.

I've been marketing for two decades (and counting). I value business, I value people and I know that marketing is a very personal thing. So I listen.

I listen to what you are looking for, what you want to achieve and what your concerns may be. I then recommend exactly what will work for you and ONLY what you need. I keep the costs down and the results up.

I will make you be seen.
And seen in the right light.
And by the right people.

Tuesday, 29 November 2016

Social Media PART 1: How?

Social Media for small, local businesses is about connecting you to people and organisations that will benefit your business.

So how do you do that, which social media sites should you use, why should you bother, what should you post and when should you be doing it?

How.

The only way to be successful with your social media is to make it work for your business, and the only way to do that is to plan!

1. Define your objectives: what do you want to get out of social media?
  • Let people know about you and what you do
  • Get more people to go to your website
  • Generate new sales leads
  • Learn more about your customers’ habits, likes, needs, etc
  • Get known in your local area
  • Etc.

2. Decide how you want to be seen
  • An expert in your field
  • A local advocate for small business
  • Someone with all the answers
  • Informal, yet professional
  • Approachable and fun
  • Etc.

Knowing who you want to connect with, what you want to achieve and the type of ‘personality’ you want to portray, will define what you post and how you write your posts.

Next blog, coming soon, 'Social Media: Which?'...

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Planning to Fail or Planning to Succeed?


No matter what is going on in the  business world, what political changes are happening, the state of the economic climate or local challenges that arise, business need to plan to be successful... otherwise, what’s the point?!

What’s your business plan? What’s your marketing plan? What strategies have you got planned to achieve your business and marketing plans?

All businesses need customers. All businesses need to attract new customers. So you need to put a plan in place to do that. Your business plan lays out the goals you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve those goals. Your marketing plan outlines the promotional activities to put in place to achieve your business goals.

Your marketing plan will enable you to understand exactly who your target customers are, which in turn will enable you to send out the right messages and define the right marketing activities to attract those customers. This will become your marketing strategy.

A Marketing Plan for Small, Local Businesses

Most small, local businesses have one goal in common... get new customers (which means growing the business and generating more money). So let’s plan for that.

Who is the right (ideal) customer for your business ?

Identifying your target customer is key to growing sales. You can then focus your marketing to promote your business directly to those people.   Find out more about how to identify your target market  >

Why should those customers buy from you and not your competitors? 

You need to differentiate yourself from similar businesses, in order to stand out from the competition and attract your target customers. Find out more about unique selling points >

How do you target your target customers?

Once you know who you are trying to attract and what your unique selling points are (what makes you different/special), then you will be able to create the right marketing messages and define the best marketing activities...

What to say

Are your customers led by price? Are they affluent? Are they conservative in their approach to buying or are they quick decision makers? Do they go out or do sports or watch all the soaps?

Talk their language. 

Where to market

What local papers/magazines do they read? What social media do they use? What activities do they do? Where do they live?

Promote to their lifestyle. 

How to market

Advertise – do they read local papers? Leaflets – can you distribute to where they live? Sponsorship – do they support a local team? Tweet – can you get them to follow you on Twitter?

Talk directly to them.

So what have you got planned?




Thursday, 17 November 2016

A picture paints a thousand words


A single image used in your business can convey numerous messages, and these messages are providing your potential customers with their first impressions of your business. Creating a first impression only happens once and creating the right impression is vital.

So what does your logo say about you?

·         Will people want to know more?
·         Will people want to contact you?
·         Will people want to buy from you?

Obviously buying decisions are not (normally) based purely on a logo, but it is an integral part of a customer’s decision making process when they are deciding who to purchase from. With so many accessible offerings for people, an enticing logo, a memorable logo, a trust-inspiring logo is often a key part of the selection process, a way to narrow down the options.

So let’s take it back to basics....

What is a logo?

·         Something that tells people who you are
·         Something that represents your business
·         Something that enhances customers’ first impressions of you

Why do you need a good logo?

·         Make a great first impression – an amateurish logo makes you look amateurish
·         Make customers choose you – stand out from your competition
·         Appear bigger and more established
·         Look professional and gain trust
·         To be more memorable to your customers

What makes a good logo?

·         Easy to understand and recognise
·         Memorable in a positive light
·         Able to stand the test of time
·         Able to be used for different mediums (web, print, uniforms etc)
·         Eye-catching to your target audience

What’s an icon?

Icons are generally used to inform people or direct them:

·         Inform
o   Quickly show different types of product ranges or different areas of service
o   An extension of your brand, following the same look and feel
o   Designed to visually inform (remove the need for words)
o   Great for using on websites and on van graphics (for example)
o   Eye-catching and informative at a glance

·         Direct
o   Use as an action ‘button’ – call, tweet, click here...
o   Available to download in a variety of designs, and often free to download

In Summary...


Images are invaluable to get across information and 

messages quickly, and strong visuals will be memorable.

The right image will make customers want to know more... 

and we all want to attract our customers’ attention.

Tuesday, 18 October 2016

Don't Hide. Be Seen.


Hello. Want to get new customers?


I provide the images, the messages and the tools to tell your potential customers all about you, exactly who you are, what you do and how you will provide the best service for them.

From logos, business cards and leaflets, to advertising, case studies and campaigns, I keep it simple and effective. I will provide you with the tools you need to make you stand out and win new customers. 

Once you have the tools to go out and get those new customers, I am here (if and when needed) to support your growth, ongoing development, one-off campaigns or long-term marketing strategies. 

Plus, I will be providing endless free support, tools and advice through this blog. So if you want to be content with your content or find out why being naked doesn't get you noticed (!) and lots more, then scroll through this blog or follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook

Welcome to Don't Hide. Be Seen.





and this is me.

Hi. I'm Victoria...


I am a marketing consultant and I have a lot to say about a lot of things to do with helping small businesses get new customers!

I've been marketing for two decades (and counting). I value business, I value people and I know that marketing is a very personal thing. So I listen.

I listen to what you are looking for, what you want to achieve and what your concerns may be. I then recommend exactly what will work for you and ONLY what you need. I keep the costs down and the results up.

It is my mission to make ‘Don’t Hide. Be Seen’ a successful business providing small, local businesses with the essential marketing knowledge and tools they need to get new customers. With a smile and a good listening ear, I will use my extensive experience of small business development and start-up business needs to provide the right marketing solutions at the right price for my customers. 

I keep things straightforward, clear and effective and I want you to love my work as much as I do.

Get in touch and we can chat about your business how to get new customers:

m. 07908 676 888
e. victoria@DontHideBeSeen.co.uk

New logo, business card and leaflet... just £300?



As part of the lauch of Don't Hide. Be Seen. and as a 'hello' to all you start-ups and small businesses out there, I am offering a great package deal on the 'must have' marketing tools you need to help get you new customers:


  • Logo
  • Business Cards
  • Leaflets


I will design a new logo, design a double-sided business card and produce a leaflet (all the right words and images) for you for just £300

The price does not include the print costs, but these are not high. I am happy to organise the print for you, or provide you with the finished artworks to send to printers of your choice.

The idea is that you will have what you need..

  • to be effective
  • to look the part
  • and generate leads

This offer is just for orders placed during October 2016. So give me a call or drop me an email today:

07908 676 888
victoria@DontHideBeSeen.co.uk



Monday, 17 October 2016

A little leaflet goes a long way



With small budgets come big dilemmas – you need to spend money to make money, but you haven’t much money to spend. You are not alone and there is often a fine line between bravery (confident decision making) and recklessness (making the wrong decisions) when things are new.

You need to promote your business in order for people to know about it. It is that simple. So the methods to promote your business need to sit within your budget and be effective. No method should work in isolation – all your activities should be designed to support, complement and enhance each other, further increasing positive results.

Moving past the absolute ‘must have’ essentials of strong logo, informative website, brilliant business cards, professional letterhead (for quotes and invoicing) and active social media, leaflets are a very strong contender for getting on the ‘must have’ list as a strong marketing tool at a relatively low cost.


So what’s so special about a leaflet?

·         Makes you look professional
·         Supports your sales
·         Promotes all your services/products
·         Provides reassurance
·         Provides information
·         Promotes social media and website
·         Increases awareness of you
·         Relatively low cost
·         Strengthens your brand (recognition)

An effective leaflet will generate leads...
...if you know what you want them to do

Before you do anything, ask yourself the following questions:
1.       What do you want your leaflet to do?
Generate sales; get people to an event; get people to contact you; etc
2.       Who do you want to pick up and ready your leaflet?
Who is your target audience?
3.       What do you want to tell these people?
How fab you are; new product; range of services; testimonial; etc.
4.       What do you want these people to do?
Contact you; visit website; come into store; attend an event; etc
5.       How will you get them to do it?
Call or email you; social media; entice them with a voucher; provide a discount code; etc.
6.       Where will you be distributing the leaflets?
Through letterboxes; at an event; in the street; etc.

The answers to these questions will define the content, look and size of your leaflet, in order to get the leaflet to be seen, read and be kept so that they achieve your objectives.

An effective leaflet will generate leads...
...if it has the right words

By answering the above questions you will know:
·         What you want to say
·         Who you want to say it to
·         And what you want them to do

This sets the message, the tone and the actions. Read more in ‘Content with your content?’ >

The golden rules of leaflet content are:
·         Be direct
·         Be concise
·         Be yourself
·         Be enticing
·         Be contacted
·         And NO TYPOS!!!!!!

Be direct:
You know who you want to attract with this leaflet, so talk to them direct with messages that will grab their attention.
Don’t make your content generic ‘catch-them-all’ messages.

Be concise:
Keep it short and to the point. Write down what you want to say and then remove and rewrite all unnecessary words... and then add a touch of humour or drama.

Take:


And turn it into:




Be yourself:
Stay loyal to the rest of your marketing material (your brand) – being consistent with your messages will make you memorable and strengthen your brand.

Be enticing:
Give your target audience a reason ‘why’ they should do what you want them to do.
·         Provide a discount code
·         Include a voucher
·         Put ‘for a limited time only’
·         Offer a free gift with purchase

Be contacted:
Always give provide clear contact details: tel, email, location
Provide further information points of contact: website, social media

And NO TYPOS!!!!!!
You only get one chance to make the right (very best) impression, so don’t let misspelt words or bad grammar let you down.

An effective leaflet will generate leads... 
...if it is delivered in the right way

The best leaflets in the word are worthless if they do not get into the hands of your target audience. Think carefully about how to get them in the right hands and at the right times:

·         Get out and about - put on your comfortable trainers and head door-to-door yourself, go round events or hit the High Street (or use a company that offers targeted distribution services)
·         Carrier bags! Talk to a retail outlet (that ervice/product) and see if you can get your leaflets put in their shopping bags
·         Post up on notice boards – where do your target audience shop, hang out, spend their free time, get their dental treatment, get their newspaper, go for coffee, etc
·         Utilise the postal service – Royal Mail offer a number of leaflet distribution packages
·         With your local newspaper
·         Send out with quotes and invoices

...and make sure you get the timing right! What’s the best day of week, best time of year, best time of the day, etc

An effective leaflet will generate leads...
...if it has the right look

If you know where (and how) you are distributing your leaflets, you will be able to determine the size needed:

·         Handing out at an event – make them easy to fit in a pocket or bag
·         Dropping through letterboxes – make them small enough to fit through but large enough to not get lost amongst the mail. (Also, make sure they are thick enough to not crumple when posted!)
·         Mail out with quotes or invoices – make sure they fit the standard envelopes you use
Make them stand out so that people actually choose to pick them up and take a look:
·         Strong colours – avoid being garish, but be bright and be bold
·         Keep it clean – not just the language (!), but the layout. Messy, overcrowded layouts will turn people off.
·         Images speak a thousand words – the right images will work much better than most words. Grab attention and show off your business

So you see, a little leaflet can go a long way... if done properly.


Content with your content?


Marketing messages are used across such a variety of mediums in business – they are in the words on your website, the posts on your social media, the slogan on your vans, the footers of your emails, the text of your leaflets... so how effective are your marketing messages?

Strong, clear and consistent messages are needed across your business in order to sell yourself to your target audience... to get their attention and guide their actions. Your messages need to be just that – YOUR messages. They should be unique to you as they will be the reason for a customer to engage with your further.

So it’s vital that you have the right messages.

Messages need to be:
·         Engaging
·         Clear
·         To the point
·         Memorable
·         ...and evoke the desired reaction (action)!

And here’s how you do it.

The objective of your marketing messages is to grab your target audience’s attention and get them to react in the way you want. To do this you need to be telling them how you will help them and why they should choose you.

1.       Show them you understand them
a.       What are your target audience’s problems or desires
b.      Which do your products or services solve/fulfil?
2.       Show them you can make life better for them
a.       What benefit will you provide
3.       Show them you are special
a.       What makes you unique
b.      How do you differ from your competitors
4.       Show them they can trust you
a.       Evidence of success stories (testimonials)
b.      Evidence of qualifications and accreditations (you are the expert)
5.       Show you are talking direct to them
a.       If you are promoting dog collars, lead (no pun intended!) with: For all dog lovers...  
b.      Give them a personalised call to action: Get on the dog and bone! Call us on...

Time to turn your target audience from potential customers to actual customers...

·         Be believable - don’t create expectations you cannot fulfil
·         Focus on the ‘you’ not the ‘we’ - focus on the customer not your business
·         Keep it simple – be concise and to the point (grab attention quickly)
·         Get the right reaction – use imagery and words to evoke emotions and feelings
·         Be versatile – make sure messages can be used across different mediums (professional websites to twitter tweets)
·         Be consistent – use the same messages across your business