Archive for Marketing Strategy

And… Action! Enhance on and offline marketing

Apr 26 | by | Guest Blogs by Koogar, Marketing Strategy
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Marketing is about keeping ourselves in the customer’s mind’s eye, making sure that they know we are the people to come to when they have a problem that we can potentially fix.

Digital marketing as a whole has helped move the small businesses to the same level as large organisations by allowing us to target more people on a smaller budget. Social media isn’t the key to marketing, it is just one aspect. You need a good mix of different marketing components that will help trigger responses. The result is getting people to take action.

I’d like to give you 4 elements to think about when creating, designing or implementing online and offline marketing. Here is the third element:

#3: Treat them like they are VIPs (Alfie – everyone who gets in his car is treated like royalty)

Visit BizMums to read the rest of this article


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Well LinkedIn, you got me but I liked it! #LinkedInBlueRibbonGate

Feb 15 | by | LinkedIn, Marketing Strategy
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I, along with thousands of others have been sent an email from LinkedIn. Informing us that we are in the Top 1%, 5% or 10% viewed profiles on LinkedIn in 2012 and as you may have seen I shared it on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. I thought to myself isn’t that nice… Getting a Thank you from such a large organisation for being part of their community.

Somebody mentioned on Twitter that “this is Spam and to be careful“.

After sleeping on it, I feel that this is Social Media.

Social Media is about engaging your audience, getting them involved, making them feel special and that is what LinkedIn has done for thousands of its connections.

#LinkedInBlueRibbonGate – You can see the full story here by Nancy Miller: http://www.fastcompany.com/3005881/disappointing-truth-behind-your-linkedin-blue-ribbon

Most Social Media is unsolicited, unasked for but we get it anyway. For example when your friend likes someone else status and you see it in your Ticker. You didn’t ask for it, but it was shown to you anyway. Otherwise known as “Social Spam”.

LinkedIn has used the power of its users to help get the word out. They want people to come back to LinkedIn, just like you want people to come back to your Facebook Pages, Websites and Twitter Accounts.

When asked what value being in the upper crust confers on its users, a LinkedIn rep replied that “The practical upside to being the top 1% or 5% is that we believe the more engaged you are on LinkedIn, the better you will be in the job that you currently have, and the better connected when you are seeking a new job.” LinkedIn began practice of congratulating top users for their elect status in March 2011, when it surpassed 100 million users. At that point, Co-Founder Reid Hoffman sent out emails thanking the networks’ first one million members.

Taken from Mashable

So when was the last time you engaged so well with your audience, they shared a part of you or your company with other people?

When did you get them involved in the marketing of your company and most importantly when was the last time you made one of your clients feel special?

You may have heard me talk in my presentations about “the experience” and to get an experience online you need to make people feel, whether it’s good or bad.

LinkedIn has given its users the experience of feeling important and wanting them to be involved even more, which has then spurred the users on to share the news across the Social space.

So there may be sceptics out there with regards to the #LinkedInBlueRibbonGate but LinkedIn have managed to do what most companies cannot. Great Marketing!

Let me know what you think about #LinkedInBlueRibbonGate and if you got an email.

View Amanda Daniels's profile on LinkedIn


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What a Nightmare!

Nov 2 | by | 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?

  1. 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.
  2. Practice what you preach – If you say something works are you using/doing it yourself? Have you got evidence?
  3. 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.
  4. 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!
  5. 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!


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Dr.Ivan Misners thoughts on Marketing… (Interview)

Jun 15 | by | Inspiration!, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tips
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On Monday this week I got a fantastic opportunity to interview the founder and chairman of BNI (Business Network International), Dr.Ivan Misner.

He is called the “Father of Modern Networking,” Dr. Misner is one of the world’s leading experts in business networking and referral marketing.

Why?

The reason for the interview was to find out how successful business men and women like Dr.Ivan Misner promote themselves and what they think of Marketing.

I get asked questions everyday about Marketing. For example; What should I do? It is expensive, there’s no point…, I’m not sure what to do…, What do you think I should do to promote the company?… The answer will be different for every business and business owner.

A lot of business owner struggle with marketing not realising that is a necessary activity for all businesses. So, I want to help them in a different way.

How?

I thought the best way to help my clients and other business owners to understand about Marketing is by interviewing people who have been there and done it. I will be interviewing different people in different ways and sharing their thoughts with you.

Where?

This interview took place via Skype, between Liverpool (UK) and California (USA).

You can listen to the the interview below or you can view a transcript of the Interview here in PDF form. The transcript has a few links that Dr.Ivan Misner suggested you took a look at.

It’s not what you know, or who you know, it’s how well you know each other that really counts…

Koogar interviews Dr.Ivan Misner about Marketing by koogarsox

Lets us know what you think and feel free to ask questions!


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Koogar interviews Dr.Ivan Misner

Jun 14 | by | Inspiration!, Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tips
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Yesterday Koogar interviewed Dr.Ivan Misner to find out what he thinks about Marketing.

At the beginning of 2011, Koogar took a look at the new years marketing plan. One thing I took from last year (2010) and previous years in business is that there are a lot of people in business who are unsure of what marketing is and are also scared to put themselves out there, even though they are in business to make money.

I regularly attend Marketing Seminars to see what others are up to and how they go about promoting themselves as times are changing, marketing is changing and its happening quickly.

I decided to ask people who have been there and done it… I decided at the beginning of 2011 that I’m going to interview a range of successful business owners and ask them “what their take is on Marketing“, to see if they could give us an insight into what has helped them build their empire(s), and also see if they can give us some hints and tips along the way.

The first person I have interviewed is Dr.Ivan Misner who is the founder and chairman of BNI (Business Network International). BNI is the largest networking organisation in the world that help business owners come together and refer each other for business every week. Koogar has been a member in BNI Alpha in Liverpool for over 3 years and thought there was no better place to start.

The interview has been recorded and will be uploaded for you to listen to and will also be transcribed giving you some of the websites and links Dr.Ivan Misner has recommended we take a look at.

If you not currently in BNI and are looking for a new marketing stream for your business, I can obviously recommend it.

Share your stories about BNI and how it has helped you and keep an eye on our website for the full interview.


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Tips on choosing the perfect copywriter…

May 21 | by | Marketing Strategy
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Many people may be at a loss as to why they should consider hiring a copywriter.  Luckily for them we have a new Copywriting page on our web site that explains exactly what a copywriter is, what they can do and why they are so important.

However, it’s all very well and good if you decide to hire a copywriter, but how do you go about choosing the right one?

Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect copywriter for you and your business…

  • Determine your key points: Before hiring a copywriter you need to figure out what exactly you want from them.  You need to have a good idea about who you are trying to promote to your target audience, what response you are looking for from them and what your Unique Selling Point (USP) is.
  • Don’t do business over the telephone: It’s always a good idea to arrange to meet your possible copywriter in person so you gain a better understanding of them and them of you.  Although people say there is no emotion in business, it is important that you get along with each other as you’ll be working closely together.  Make sure the copywriter knows about your business and more importantly sounds interested in it as the more understanding they have of your business, the better they’ll be at writing about it or for it.
  • Remember ~ you get what you pay for: This speaks for itself, but you will always find someone who can do it cheaper.  However, why can they do it cheaper? Do they have experience, do you like them, are they professional ,etc?  A good copywriter may charge more, but you’ll get so much more out of it.

So, whether this has put your mind at rest about hiring a copywriter or not, remember the importance of wording in promoting your business and products and do not just rely on a well designed website or logo.


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The Need to Position Your Business

May 11 | by | Marketing Strategy
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As promised to you last week here is Koogar’s first guest blog on our new Business Development Forum.  Kindly written by Julie Webb, Director of Azzure Marketing and titled “The need to position your business” the blog is sure to get you thinking about how you are currently marketing your business.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Please feel free to comment on the blog.

The Need to Position Your Business…

Positioning your business correctly in today’s markets is critical. If you do, then you understand where your business is, what your objectives are, what your marketing strategies are, who your competitors are, where your target market is and how you will reach them, along with understanding the changing factors in the macro environment, which could impact your business.

It means you will be a proactive business in your market sector, building awareness and making you a confident voice, an expert in your field, which people will grow to recognise and trust. Trust and recognition helps decision-making. It is what you want to achieve to gain long-standing customer loyalty with your customers and prospects and which aides for a sustainable and profitably business for the long-term.

So do you know these things about your business, market, competitors and customers to position your business? 

Today’s markets are full and so very competitive, there are not that many markets out there where competition is low. The need to differentiate and stand out from the crowd is essential. Evaluate what you offer and what you are good at so you can create you USP’s (Unique Selling Points). This will help define you in your market place and differentiate you from your competitors.

Positioning defines your business and your image. Image is your Brand. Positioning will build a perception; perception will build your Brand.

Perception is not only how your customers view your business, but your competitors, suppliers, partners, employees and how you do as a business. You need to know what your objectives are for your business and where you want to be, to evaluate what your business ethos and values are. Understanding this will enable you to portray your business in the way you want it to be perceived and therefore how you will do business to grow the right perception from others.

When you as a person make a purchase, think about how and why you buy a particular product or service. What makes you choose a particular product, when you usually have several options available to you? Is it the quality of the product, is it the fact that you need back up after purchase and so customer service is paramount, is it location of supplier or is it price. Note however generally price alone is not one of the top priorities when making most purchases, so positioning on price alone is often an unnecessary strategy and a very risky one long-term.

Understanding your business position will assist and lead you into making better decisions and plans with regard to your marketing communications and therefore utilise promotional elements which best suits your business now and in the future.

Knowing your business position in the marketplace with have an effect on how you promote and create awareness of your business and the messages you wish to put to your market, which aligns with the brand you want to build for your business.

http://www.azzuremktg.co.uk/


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How well do you know your clients?

Dec 16 | by | Marketing Strategy
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Do you understand your client?

Had a fantastic 1-2-1 with a new member of BNI and also had a great conversation it was about knowing your clients and making sure you cater for all of them as they are all different.

Karen from Adaptive Comms split clients up into 4 categories:

  1. Peacocks
  2. Bulls
  3. Sheep
  4. Owls

Which one do you think you are? and before we carry on yea all of us have some amount of sheep within us! Its true!
Continue Reading…


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