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Digital Alphabet: “D” is for Digital Marketing

Nov 24 | by Amanda Daniels | Business Forum

Digital Marketing is essentially:

Anything you do to arrange the sale of a product or service using a computer and/or mobile device.

So, you could actually create a whole digital marketing strategy of your own as well as a traditional marketing strategy.

Within that strategy you would have elements like;

Website(s)
Mobile Website(s)
Blogging and Articles
Email Marketing
Video Promotion
Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Foursquare
Apps
Directories – FreeIndex, Yell.com

And more… like PowerPoint Presentations and Slide shows – Flickr

Your marketing plan shouldn’t just contain the traditional or “offline” methods of Marketing; it should contain elements from both methods.

We are currently in a digital era and there should be no excuse for us not to understand what’s going on, but because focus is currently on Social Media doesn’t mean that advertising, flyers, sales letters have stopped working.

How do you tie in digital marketing together? because one element alone isn’t what grabs your potential clients attention. So, the question is “Which part of your marketing is grabbing their attention?”

The biggest advantage of digital marketing over traditional is that we can monitor and track what is happening. Who is using it, how are they using it, how long for, where do they go next, what are they clicking on?

Digital marketing isn’t the answer, but it does help! Not being there is just giving them the opportunity to find your competitors.

Your potential customer needs to see your message between 5-12 times before they are ready, don’t give them the same message on the same platform. Mix it up a bit and show them your whole offering over a range of platforms.

What a Nightmare!

Nov 2 | by Amanda Daniels | Marketing Strategy

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Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) - "A Nightmare on Elm Street."

The amount of stories and problems I have heard recently and over the years about awful customer service or none to be exact!

The Web Design/Development industry isn’t regulated in anyway and anyone can become Web Designers or even Marketeers.

Lack of communication, non-delivery of goods, not getting the results, over promise under deliver; it’s a nightmare out there!

I am sure you have come across “rouge traders” in your time but then found someone who can actually do the job you needed really well.

Some of the stories and problems I have heard:

Non-delivery/go-live of a website for two years

Functionality paid for but doesn’t work properly or at all!

Can’t get access to what I need

Waiting weeks for a response

The web guy wants me to come up with the ideas for the design…

The list goes on… and because of this, potential customers start to believe websites and marketing doesn’t work for them, which is a real shame because it does.

So, how do you stand out from these other companies who make a mockery of your industry?

Be honest – If you’re not sure about something, check it out first and then give an answer. Don’t pretend you know the answer if you don’t.
Practice what you preach – If you say something works are you using/doing it yourself? Have you got evidence?
Offer advice – Give a helping hand to those who have had bad customer service or experience. Show them why your different and why they should be working with you.
Walk your talk – If you say you’re going to do something and do it! Don’t over promise and under deliver, trust is the biggest thing when it comes to relationships!
Prove yourself – Show testimonials or case studies from others and examples of your work.

We would like to hear about some of your nightmares… and also the ways you make your self stand out from “the others”.

Don’t make your service, experience or company out to be a nightmare for your customers, make it beau-tiful!

Recession proof your business!

Oct 23 | by Amanda Daniels | Inspiration!, Marketing Strategy, Training/Workshops

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What do we currently know?

We know that we are in a recession and businesses start to tighten up on a few things. Marketing and Training are the first things to go out of the window, would you agree?

These are two things we don’t think we need to keep on top of while money is tight and other things rise on our “To Do Lists”, like the work!

Recently attended a seminar and the Council spokes person mentioned that companies who do not Market their companies or Train their staff when in a recession can potentially go under.

At Koogar, I’m keeping up to date with training on Digital Marketing as I will be flying to Amsterdam tomorrow night. I’m attending the iStrategy Conference which is about Global Digital Marketing and how to monetize it.

iStrategy is an inspirational, two-day, digital media conference for senior executives who believe that the success of their business requires a sound digital strategy. More about the event

Knowledge isnt power, its what you do with the knowledge!

I have wanted to attend this for a while and I believe I’ll come back with lots of new knowledge and ideas that I will share with you once I’m back and have digested it all.

So, one thing to help keep your company going through these tough times is to train yourself as well as staff members so you and they can handle enquires, customers, and products in the right way showing your company in the right light!

What could you learn today?

Marketing Booster Excels Business Prospects!

Oct 3 | by Amanda Daniels | Case Study's

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After months of ad hoc marketing and several networking events a week Traci Williams, Managing Director of Excel Ace, decided to trial the Pride Marketing Booster, Social Media Marketing and Training from Koogar.

The result? Well it has definitely made its mark on Excel Ace.

This case study was done in July 2011, which was the 3rd month in which the Marketing Plan had been executed.

“It’s given me the consistency and focus that I was desperately lacking.”

Traci Williams, a self-confessed geek looking to make spreadsheets fun, is Managing Director of Excel Ace, specialists in spreadsheet development; tailoring them to meet your business’ needs.

Whilst marketing Excel Ace herself Traci understood that it was about more than just the hard sell, but admitted that any marketing she tried was “inconsistent and based on guesswork.”

However, the Pride Marketing Booster from Koogar, which looked at Traci’s target market, financial goals and also set up a 12 month marketing calendar, has really helped to focus Traci’s marketing strategy.

“I think it actually takes me more time now…but this time is focussed and purpose driven, as opposed to just chancing it like I did in the past!”

Although the client analysis, which looks at the demographics of your target audience, showed Traci was targeting the right market for her product it highlighted that she was not making the most out of her existing clients. The new focus Koogar has provided has seen Traci reduce the time she spends networking, concentrating instead on raising her business profile through social media; another aspect of the business that was inconsistent.

“I used to use social media constantly, but then got so busy that I’d stop to concentrate on getting the work done. Then of course, it would get quiet again and the whole cycle would start over.”

Through Koogar’s Marketing Booster Traci has now automated and interlinked her Social Media campaigns including E-Mail Marketing. Updating people with latest products, workshops and free Excel tips, Traci’s Social Media campaigns are generating a hugely positive response. A move that has not gone unnoticed by her followers and clients.

“Koogar’s Marketing Plan has completely changed my business. The consistency of Social Media and E-mail Marketing has raised the awareness of Excel Ace and I have even been in contact with a company in California, who have agreed to refer work to me if and when the opportunity arises!”

With her marketing plan carefully mapped out for the next 12 months Traci knows exactly what she should be doing, when to do it and most importantly, how.

It has taken time to build momentum, Traci is now in her third month of her new marketing plan, but the results have definitely been worth it in terms of boosting business and helping Traci to develop her focus and consistency when marketing Excel Ace.

“It’s still early days for me using Koogar’s Pride Marketing Booster, but it’s brilliant and I wouldn’t want to not use it!”

Additional Quotes

“The continuous review of the strategy, where we tweak the plan if something doesn’t appear to be working as it should, is brilliant.”

“When I first discussed marketing with Amanda I was hoping to outsource this element of my business, as I didn’t consider this to be one of my strengths, but Amanda has taught me how and what to do…and it’s working!”

Digital Alphabet: “C” is for CMS (Content Managed Systems)

Oct 2 | by Amanda Daniels | Business Forum

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You might have heard us say “We create websites you can edit yourself…” in a Networking Event sometime.

A CMS or otherwise known as “Content Managed System” website allows the user/client to update the website as and when you want without having to constantly ask your web designer for assistance.

Over three years ago Koogar recognised the advantages of CMS for our clients and other business people.

Not having to wait 3-6 weeks for the update to happen – For example; you would have the ability to add special offers on the website for a certain period of time
SEO – (Search Engine Optimisation) Friendly – Search Engines like websites with constantly changing content they will come back more often to find out what your up to and then report back to HQ and help your website move up the ranks.
Become the person to speak to – By changing your content frequently, you will be keeping your followers, clients and potential customers up-to-date with whats happening within your company, if you have a new product or if you have a special offer on.
Long term saving of money – It might be more expensive to have a CMS built for you but it WILL save you money in the long run. Think about it, your company will grow, get more products to sell, staff to help out. Thinking of the bigger picture sooner is always better. P.P.P.P.P.P – Perfect planning prevents p**-poor performance!

Initially a CMS website will cost extra as it takes longer to setup for the clients requirements. Once the bulk of the site is set up and the client is trained you can then add as much or as little as you like. Remembering Search Engines like changing content/text.

At Koogar we also provide an “After Care Plan” that is there for us to make sure your site is running as smoothly as possible but to also be there to answer any questions and amend other parts of the site that may need technical attention.

Digital Alphabet: “B” for Blogging

Aug 29 | by Amanda Daniels | Business Forum

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A blog is short for “Web Log”. Its basically an online diary where you can keep track of what your company has been up to or to tell people about what you can do for them.

Why should I blog is one of the main questions I get asked on a regular basis and there are many reasons to blog.

One of the main reasons is to educate your audience to understand what you or your product can do for them.

Getting new business is a key to survival in business and sometimes you may come across people who don’t really understand what you do and how you can help them. Answering questions for them is a great way to help them understand, as I said education is the way to go.

So what questions do you get asked on a regular basis?

We always get “So how much is a website?” and our reply, 99.9% of the time is “It depends on what you want and what your company needs. We can give you a guideline/ball park figure but really it would be best to sit down with you to find out all of your requirements”….

By blogging and answering the questions you get asked on a daily basis you will slowly build up an FAQ, which can be used again and again. Go to our Blogging Page to find out more…

Whats your Purple Cow?

Aug 25 | by Amanda Daniels | Book Review, Inspiration!

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I have finished this remarkable book called “Purple Cow” by Seth Godin and I wanted to share it with you…

I first heard of it on Redshift Radio as one of the presenters who comes on once a month reviews books and he shared the story about the “Sneezer’s” which I now refer to all the time. I wanted to know more about this book so I preceded to visit my local library to see if they had it for loan , and they did.

It’s taken me a month to read the book I read it slowly to make sure I took in the books message and answered some of the questions he puts to you. The book is written by Seth Godin and you can find him on Facebook and many other places. his website is: http://www.sethgodin.com/sg/

I have taken a few things from this book.

Be Remarkable!
Otaku
Risk
Sneezers

Be remarkable; is the books theme. It wants you to take a look at your company and don’t be standard or just very good… It wants you to be remarkable and helps you understand how you can do it and why your should do it.

Otaku; is a japanese word for obsession, and everyone has one but they will all be different. I suppose I have one for “black & white” and “cats”. If you can find out if your audience has one for your product you need to move towards them getting them wanting more.

Risk; If you don’t try you’ll never know! Which is one thing my Mum said to me all the time while growing up. By taking a risk you open up opportunities for you, your company and your products/services.

Sneezers; Find out who these people are and make sure they tell everyone about you and what you can do for them. They are the high end word of mouth referrals, better than Networking by far! These are people who are wanting to share you and your product with people to show how you helped them.

I’m also working out what I sneeze about too. Is this something I want to promote? Do I believe in it that much to tell other people about it?

Fantastic book!, which I do and will carry on recommending or should I say “Sneezing” about and will read again in the future. This is one to buy and keep on my shelf…

If you have read it let me know what you thought and which golden nuggets you have taken away from it and if you know what your purple cow is?

Guest Blogger: HR – Benefits of a Social Networking Policy by Danielle Platten

Aug 23 | by Amanda Daniels | Business Forum

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A SOCIAL NETWORKING POLICY: MORE RED TAPE OR A TOOL TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS REPUTATION?

Every week there seems to be a new story about employees misusing social media – regardless of industry or role… whether they’re a Premiership footballer, CEO of a software agency or a flight attendant.

The role of social media has blurred the lines between our personal and professional lives and behind each of these stories is a business who’s sadly been damaged by the online conduct of an employee.

With the flight attendant story, Simonetti reportedly wrote a blog where she posted photos of herself in unbuttoned uniform and leaning over aircraft seats showing parts of her underwear which ultimately resulted in her dismissal.
However this throws up a real problem for employers… would you feel comfortable handling such a situation? Would your managers? How would their colleagues treat them before the investigation was resolved?

You should be aware that Employment Tribunal rulings show employees’ misuse of social media doesn’t always constitute gross misconduct and summary dismissal (not a fair dismissal anyway).

Quote: KOO1410 you will get your policy for £49!

However don’t worry – there are some steps you can take to make sure you’re not at risk of having to deal with these difficult decisions.

Most importantly you should have a social networking policy
Avoid jargon in your policy – remember managers do not have the time to read endless pages of complicated policies and procedures
Be specific yet draft your policy to cover new technology and forms of social media not yet created
Regularly review your policy
Treat any allegation of breach of policy in a fair and reasonable manner
Good communication is essential to prevent situations that can damage your business reputation so help staff understand the impact their actions can have.

Social media is a great tool for helping businesses grow and through this approach our clients have found they can concentrate on using it to engage with customers and not worry by reducing the risk of damaging incidents happening in the first place.

[1] Simonetti v Delta Air Lines – http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/16/business/16pose.html?_r=2

Find out more about Danielle Platten and HR Angels Consultancy on their website: http://www.hrangelsconsultancy.com/

For a Social Networking Policy Package from Danielle, email her now on danielle@hrangelsconsultancy.co.uk to put yours into place.

Quote: KOO1410 you will get your policy for £49!

Guest Blogger: PR – Dispelling the Myths by Clare Delve

Aug 8 | by Amanda Daniels | Business Forum

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Have you ever been on the outside of a situation and thought – “how cool is that!” without knowing the full background? I have, but I’d never considered people thinking that way about my career until I became a radio journalist and someone presumed I only worked five minutes an hour because that was when I presented the news!

“Must be such a cushy job that.” they said to my total astonishment.

So I have become very defensive of my craft, particularly when I moved into the world of Public Relations. I guess it sounded oh so very glamorous, a world filled with absolutely fabulous champagne, designer shoes and air kisses “Mwah Mwah daaahling! Must dash, lunch soon yah!”

Hmmm, can’t remember the last time I did that… I’ve done lots of standing in the cold, asking total strangers what their opinions are on strikes, public services and movie stars; and I’ve sat writing press releases at midnight because it’s been important to a client but the champagne? Well OK, maybe once or twice over the years…. if I’m honest.

When people ask me to describe what PR is – which they inevitably do because it’s not like saying you’re a hairdresser or a solicitor – I say it’s basically it’s about the ability to tell a person’s story. It’s not dissimilar to journalism in that way when you get down to the fundamentals, you are giving someone a voice. You can bet that this is the same principle for anyone, whether they’re a big business or just a resident involved in their own community.

Now here’s the crux of it… not everyone is good at telling stories. Picking out the important bits and putting them first, getting another person’s point of view across in such a way that people can relate to it, promoting people or businesses in a positive way… I’m just getting started but being a good communicator is harder than you think.

The way I see it is that you wouldn’t expect the butcher to cut your hair or the baker to do your tax return so why would you expect someone with no experience or training in that area to communicate your key messages about your business?

So think of it this way, not as Public Relations and the mythical Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley world, but as communication, whether about your business, your latest endeavour or project and what it and you can do.

At the end of the day it’s your voice, and only you can make sure that it’s being heard.

Find out more about Clare Delve and PR on her website: http://claredelve.com

Blog

Digital Alphabet: “D” is for Digital Marketing

What a Nightmare!

Recession proof your business!

Digital Alphabet: “C” is for CMS (Content Managed Systems)

Digital Alphabet: “B” for Blogging

Whats your Purple Cow?

Guest Blogger: PR – Dispelling the Myths by Clare Delve

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