Using social media for business is a fine art. Converting posts to sales is a real mind game.
We like to think of social media as digital PR, a ‘feel good’ lead into your business. It takes time, planning, consistency and is never, in reality, free.
Done with skill it will reap SO many rewards, but don’t be fooled that it happens overnight.
Here’s our big tip:
Sometimes the obvious isn’t obvious. Last week I dropped into my regular City centre Farmers Market and, on seeing a laden bread stall, impulsively decided that I needed some sourdough. ‘If this is tasty, I’ll look out for some more from these people‘ I thought, and I looked to see who they were. However, they were committing the three deadly Marketing sins: Continue reading “When the obvious isn’t obvious”
Does a business really need a website? It’s a question I’ve begun to ask myself, and other consumers, more frequently as I watch the rise in social media platforms being used for business information promotion.
One of my companies is a signposting portal that promotes great visitor destinations including events and foodie locations. We have links directly back to the Members’ websites, so that they get the direct enquiries and can also track how their marketing with us is performing. But more and more businesses are not operating with a website and want us to signpost to their Facebook page.
They include hairdressers, food & drink retailers, restaurants, events, activities and others.
How many times have you been contacted by an enthusiastic (even a not-so-enthusiastic) advertising sales exec pitching a completely random online or printed medium to you at a rock bottom ‘buy it now’ price?
They might even tell you that they saw your advert somewhere and you’re thinking ‘The only response I’ve had to that is other sales people ringing me to buy more advertising!’ Continue reading “Why Advertising Doesn’t Work”
We could learn a lot from the humble barrow boy…
Festivals, Expos, Shows and even a simple market stall are not just about taking a stand and hoping that people come to it. It’s all about making a real impact, engaging with your customers and even a little about fashion. Continue reading “NEVER BRING YOUR CHAIR TO AN EXHIBITION”
Gone are the casual days when business networking meant rubbing shoulders with some familiar faces and generally chewing the commercial cud over a few beverages or a full English. Now it’s something all together more tactical. Continue reading “10 TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING”
When I settle down with a client to compile a marketing strategy I ask them for their trading patterns throughout the year. Of course it’s getting harder to establish trends, but usually there’s some common ground in January and August, when business is in limbo. Continue reading “Business might be dead but your customers aren’t!”
So what does that mean? That the customer didn’t see anything they liked? That they were just looking with no intention of buying? That they were penniless, bored and had nothing better to do but stroll around random outlets? Continue reading “FLIRT WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS”