Tag: Marketing Blog - Page 5

Have you ever worked with a marketing firm and felt as though you were kept in the dark? This is probably occurring because they do not want you to know what they are doing or how well their efforts are performing. We’re going to look at a few ways to establish a open, honest, and transparent relationship between you and your clients.

The world of public relations can be summed up in three words: chaotic, wild, and tedious. Don’t get me wrong, public relations is an exciting facet to the marketing mix, but it isn’t for everyone. After personally delving into the world of PR and having several press releases published, let’s take a look at a few key takeaways from my recent experiences.

What are some reasons why you would shy away from looking into an outsourced marketing firm? Is it cost? Is it a bad experience previously? Or is it simply not trusting anyone outside the confines of your business?

Marketing is one slippery slope to take on. No matter how much time one can invest in understanding marketing, there will always be more to learn, especially with technology leading the way and evolving ever so relentlessly. With that being said, let’s take a look at some common problems that businesses come across when outsourcing marketing.

Do you currently have a solid sales process in effect? If not, it might be time to examine your sales and pipeline process. Far too often we see businesses have great marketing and lead generation success, but end up with no real customers. Fortunately, we are going to examine what a proper sales process looks like and how it can feed your lead generation and lead conversion rates.

You have already created the ad script, the ad objectives, and the ad design...and you’re probably thinking “once this gets posted we are all set to start seeing results”. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. In most cases, developing an effective ad is much more than just aesthetics. In this blog we will examine 5 key parts to drive best practice advertising.

Have you ever walked up to an electrician and told him “I think you should cross those two wires?”...the answer is probably no. Why is this? Because in that situation you are not qualified to make that sort of suggestion and he is the expert. However, in many businesses - especially small ones, everyone offers up their ideas freely on what marketing should be doing.

Here are 3 reasons why you should not let this happen to your business:

As the end of the year is rapidly approaching, businesses are scrambling to finalize their budgets, projects, and overall 2016 business goals.

Unfortunately, many businesses get lost in the chaos of closing out the year and forget to fully prepare a marketing strategy for the upcoming year. Hit the ground running in 2017 with a strategic marketing plan designed to guide your company to the next level.  

Recently, I ventured out to a Turkish Hamams as part of an off-site adventure organised by a conference that I attended in Istanbul.

As I readied myself for the excursion, I packed a bathing suit, took off my makeup and put on some comfortable clothing attire. That's what you do, right? Well, almost.

The bathing suit is not required. In fact, if you bring it along, and you go to a traditional hamams you may be confronted with an old Turkish woman telling you to put the bathing suit away "not needed". Then what do you do? You are there for an experience, right?

It's a lesson that I learned far too late in the game, but nevertheless, I have learnt it and am reaping the rewards.

When clients are rolling in the door, most entrepreneurs are counting the dollars and working out ways in which to service them.

In the past, I have said 'yes' to far too many dodgy characters - people who I knew would never pay their bills, liars and people who just don't fit in with our brand and culture. Every single time, it ended in disaster.

X-FACTOR - DO YOU HAVE IT?

Have you ever walked into a room and everyone has turned to stare at you?

Have you ever started a speech and known that every single person in the audience is holding onto every last word you say?

Do your staff proudly tell the world that they work for your company?

Are you customers skiting over the fact that they use your company's services?

If you are Mel B, she proudly proclaims that she knew she had the X Factor when she first started with the Spice Girls. More modestly, Ronan Keating from the X Factor believes that you never really know but people may start asking for your autographs or listening to your songs. The X Factor show has been a phenomenal success showcasing the talents of people with talent. The winners have the 'X Factor' and often go on to be highly successful. Think Susan Boyle.