Does your business marketing plan include blogging as part of your initiatives? If it does not, then you may be missing out on one of the easiest, cheapest ways of marketing your products or services.
Blogging (derived from the words “web log”) is quickly becoming the most preferred form of marketing for any variety of businesses.
Why Blogging Works
You might wonder why or how it can be so successful yet cost so little as far as time and money.
The answer is that blogging provides a means of social interaction with a customer you will never see face to face – the online shopper. These days, more and more consumers buy their products, and even services, from the internet. They are savvy computer users and know how to find what they want or need on the World Wide Web.
The only way a business can effectively reach them is to provide content on the internet that consumers will want to read. This is a very basic, simple concept. And it works.
What to Post
Your blog is like a sales brochure. But beware writing content that appears like a blatant sales pitch. Most people will shy away from anything overtly pushy.
In that same regard, ensure that your blogging site is professional. Do not use flashing stars or other over-the-top flash animation graphics. Your blog should reflect your brand, as outlined in your business marketing plan.
Decide where you will post your content. You have a couple options. You can create your own blog as a page on your website, or you can join a social networking site and update blog posts there. The best business marketing approach combines these two options and ensures you will reach the maximum number of possible customers. There will certainly be at least one social networking site that attracts your target market.
Give consumers information they want, or need. For instance, if your company sells lawn care products, then perhaps your blog posts could revolve around topics like when to plant grass and how to easily maintain it. In this way, you are giving out free advice, but also promoting your products in a subtle manner.
This is also a key component in ensuring that visitors come back time and again. You must post content regularly so that consumers can expect to find new and useful information often.
Blogging is a great business marketing tool. It costs only the initial annual fee to purchase the URL (do not utilise a free blogging account), and then time to create and post the content. What you receive in return will be increased interest, qualified sales leads, and hopefully, an increase in sales.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Learning English during the summer holidays
Coming to England and learning English during the holiday is a great way to brush up on your English speaking and reading skills. Coming to the Midlands Academy of Business and Technology brings lots of benefits, not only is the academy a licensed and accredited learning center for international students, but it is near to a number of famous UK tourist attractions in the Midlands, including Stratford upon Avon and Warwick.
During term time the academy teaches and prepares international students from all over the world for UK university places through our renowned and successful University Foundation Courses. Part of our teaching involves teaching English as a foreign language. (EFL or EAL) Our teachers are experienced and able to teach and improve the English skills of classes of beginners in the English language as well as accomplished English speakers.
During term time the academy teaches and prepares international students from all over the world for UK university places through our renowned and successful University Foundation Courses. Part of our teaching involves teaching English as a foreign language. (EFL or EAL) Our teachers are experienced and able to teach and improve the English skills of classes of beginners in the English language as well as accomplished English speakers.
Property Management Services
Property letting can be complicated. Finding tenants, dealing with all the legal paper work and collecting rents can make the whole thought of property investment not such a good idea.
When you let you’re a property to a tenant, you need to have an agreement for this tenancy. This is called an assured shorthold tenancy. This agreement means you have the guaranteed right to get your home back after six months, if you need it. You can charge a market rent and you can get your property back if the tenant owes you at least two months or eight weeks rent. How long an assured tenancy lasts is really up to you, you can agree for a set period or you can leave it open ended.
To get your property back, you can end the tenancy at any time after six months, providing the fixed term you have agreed has ended. You will need to give your tenant two months’ written notice. There are instances when you can end your tenancy agreement at any time, these included rent arrears, anti social behavior and damage to your property by your tenant.
Just some of the above is why people prefer to use a property management agency. A recent client is Nuneaton property management agency Homes2Let East Midlands Ltd, from their office in Nuneaton they cover the whole of the midlands including Coventry, Leicester, Derby, Hinckley and Nottingham. Not only do they find tenants for you, they do all the administration and collect rents all for a 6% management fee.
Home2Let covers the whole of the Midland’s region and has a proven working system to acquire tenants, in fact is has no vacant property at the moment. If you are thinking about letting property then Warwickshire letting agency Home2Let could be the perfect agency for you.
To find out more please visit their website www.home2letinfo.co.uk
When you let you’re a property to a tenant, you need to have an agreement for this tenancy. This is called an assured shorthold tenancy. This agreement means you have the guaranteed right to get your home back after six months, if you need it. You can charge a market rent and you can get your property back if the tenant owes you at least two months or eight weeks rent. How long an assured tenancy lasts is really up to you, you can agree for a set period or you can leave it open ended.
To get your property back, you can end the tenancy at any time after six months, providing the fixed term you have agreed has ended. You will need to give your tenant two months’ written notice. There are instances when you can end your tenancy agreement at any time, these included rent arrears, anti social behavior and damage to your property by your tenant.
Just some of the above is why people prefer to use a property management agency. A recent client is Nuneaton property management agency Homes2Let East Midlands Ltd, from their office in Nuneaton they cover the whole of the midlands including Coventry, Leicester, Derby, Hinckley and Nottingham. Not only do they find tenants for you, they do all the administration and collect rents all for a 6% management fee.
Home2Let covers the whole of the Midland’s region and has a proven working system to acquire tenants, in fact is has no vacant property at the moment. If you are thinking about letting property then Warwickshire letting agency Home2Let could be the perfect agency for you.
To find out more please visit their website www.home2letinfo.co.uk
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
What Will Marketing Consultancy Do For Your Business?
Every business needs to spend time and money on developing their presence and increasing customer awareness but few owners have the experience to do it as well as a marketing consultancy can.
You may have wondered if hiring an outside firm is worth the money involved. The first thing to consider is that no one person can be good at every aspect of business. You would not think about hiring anything less than a professional for your sales team or to manage operations, so why would you want to take over the marketing tasks yourself? A marketing consultancy provides a wealth of knowledge, guidance, and expertise that ensures results.
Market Analysis
A good consultant will begin with a thorough analysis of the overall industry market and the existing state of affairs within your company. They will examine the products or services you offer, how your operation stacks up against the competition, and where your pricing and quality standards fall on a continuum.
Spend Advertising Money Where It is Most Effective
This is a key benefit of using a consultant for marketing your business. As someone without any particular knowledge of marketing and advertising, many owners may throw their money out here and there hoping something will eventually stick. Obviously, this is not the most cost-efficient way to develop a market presence.
A marketing consultancy firm will first identify the demographics of your target market. From there they will develop a plan to reach these potential clients and place advertisements where they will produce the greatest amount of interest.
Develop a Marketing Message
What is it that your company wants to say and how should it be said? This is a key aspect of any effective marketing plan. In conjunction with pinpointing this message, a good marketing consultant can offer advice on creating a brand, and collateral which is appropriate to the identity.
Market position is another aspect of your company’s message. Where in the market should your company be placed based on your target audience and the message you wish to send them?
Utilise Marketing Tools
Of course no marketing plan is worthwhile without a way to ensure that the strategies are executed. Your marketing consultancy should include the provision for tools that you and your entire team can use to keep the sales coming and your name at the forefront of the customer’s mind. These tools address such tasks as generating leads, follow up on prospects, and the best way to pitch sales.
Obviously, a marketing consultancy firm has much to offer any type of business. Consider hiring an expert in the field in order to get the most return on your investment.
You may have wondered if hiring an outside firm is worth the money involved. The first thing to consider is that no one person can be good at every aspect of business. You would not think about hiring anything less than a professional for your sales team or to manage operations, so why would you want to take over the marketing tasks yourself? A marketing consultancy provides a wealth of knowledge, guidance, and expertise that ensures results.
Market Analysis
A good consultant will begin with a thorough analysis of the overall industry market and the existing state of affairs within your company. They will examine the products or services you offer, how your operation stacks up against the competition, and where your pricing and quality standards fall on a continuum.
Spend Advertising Money Where It is Most Effective
This is a key benefit of using a consultant for marketing your business. As someone without any particular knowledge of marketing and advertising, many owners may throw their money out here and there hoping something will eventually stick. Obviously, this is not the most cost-efficient way to develop a market presence.
A marketing consultancy firm will first identify the demographics of your target market. From there they will develop a plan to reach these potential clients and place advertisements where they will produce the greatest amount of interest.
Develop a Marketing Message
What is it that your company wants to say and how should it be said? This is a key aspect of any effective marketing plan. In conjunction with pinpointing this message, a good marketing consultant can offer advice on creating a brand, and collateral which is appropriate to the identity.
Market position is another aspect of your company’s message. Where in the market should your company be placed based on your target audience and the message you wish to send them?
Utilise Marketing Tools
Of course no marketing plan is worthwhile without a way to ensure that the strategies are executed. Your marketing consultancy should include the provision for tools that you and your entire team can use to keep the sales coming and your name at the forefront of the customer’s mind. These tools address such tasks as generating leads, follow up on prospects, and the best way to pitch sales.
Obviously, a marketing consultancy firm has much to offer any type of business. Consider hiring an expert in the field in order to get the most return on your investment.
Monday, 9 March 2009
The Benefits Of Getting Business Advice
You know your business, so why would you need business advice? Because you can't think of everything and a seasoned business consultant can help you move your business to further success and profitability. Whether you are selling services or products hiring a small business consultant is a good investment in the future of your business. Think of your consultant as a mentor whose goal is to help you do better and to achieve your goals. You need support while you improve your business and consultants can help with all the tasks you need to manage. Here are some areas where getting business advice can help.
Many times, moving your business to the next level depends on marketing and promotion. This can take a number of forms. An experienced consultant will have worked with a range of businesses and will know which strategies work best for what type of business. The consultant may recommend rebranding, changes to marketing material, overhauling your customer communication channels and more. Perhaps the consultant will suggest new ways of marketing yourself, such as a targeted email campaign. This business advice will not exist in a vacuum. Your consultant will review your entire business before selecting the strategies that are most appropriate for you.
Preparing For Growth
If you are preparing for expansion, then getting business advice from a consultant could help you to secure the funds you need to grow. Getting investment often depends on having a sound business plan and knowing how to present it. Your consultant can help you with forecasting and models and can use his contacts to get your plan in front of the right people. This is one reason to get business advice from someone with experience in similar business types – networking can be invaluable when you are ready to grow.
Perhaps you just need to find a way to become more efficient at managing your business. You might need advice on controlling cash flow, converting leads and enquiries to sales or setting up a web sales portal that sells your business as well as your products. All of these are areas where you may need business advice. A consultant can take an objective look at your business to see where you can save time, money or both. At the end of the process, you will have a more profitable business that is poised to dominate your chosen niche. Isn't that a great reason to pay for business advice?
Many times, moving your business to the next level depends on marketing and promotion. This can take a number of forms. An experienced consultant will have worked with a range of businesses and will know which strategies work best for what type of business. The consultant may recommend rebranding, changes to marketing material, overhauling your customer communication channels and more. Perhaps the consultant will suggest new ways of marketing yourself, such as a targeted email campaign. This business advice will not exist in a vacuum. Your consultant will review your entire business before selecting the strategies that are most appropriate for you.
Preparing For Growth
If you are preparing for expansion, then getting business advice from a consultant could help you to secure the funds you need to grow. Getting investment often depends on having a sound business plan and knowing how to present it. Your consultant can help you with forecasting and models and can use his contacts to get your plan in front of the right people. This is one reason to get business advice from someone with experience in similar business types – networking can be invaluable when you are ready to grow.
Perhaps you just need to find a way to become more efficient at managing your business. You might need advice on controlling cash flow, converting leads and enquiries to sales or setting up a web sales portal that sells your business as well as your products. All of these are areas where you may need business advice. A consultant can take an objective look at your business to see where you can save time, money or both. At the end of the process, you will have a more profitable business that is poised to dominate your chosen niche. Isn't that a great reason to pay for business advice?
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Beat The Recession – Invest In Consulting
The economic recession may be the best time to invest in consulting, if you do it the right way. Most people are not looking to spend additional money now, but if you hire a consultant who gets paid when you get results, you have absolutely nothing to lose. In fact, you could end up a winner, by creating a lean, mean business machine which can react quickly to new opportunities as they arise. Here are some of the ways in which investing in consulting can help you to ride out the recession.
Don't Flash The Cash
There's never been a better time to control your cash flow. Is the right amount of money coming in each month? Have your expenses spiralled out of control? Are your suppliers being less flexible than they were, putting the squeeze on your bottom line? Hiring a business expert who offers consulting services will help you to identify strengths and weaknesses. The consultant will review your business and will help you to see where you can improve. Even better, the consultant will give advice on how to make those improvements, making your business much more efficient.
Promote Yourself
When you hire a consulting service, you may learn new ways of promoting and marketing your business. The consultant has worked with many businesses and has picked up information on best practices. That means there's a shopping list of options for you to select. Perhaps there are networking events in your niche that you should be attending. Maybe you need to make contact with new suppliers or potential customers. It could be that your website and sales brochure need an overhaul. All of these are services that a consultant can provide. They will expand your market reach, boost your market presence and give you a new look that will appeal to your customers.
Plan Ahead
Perhaps your competitors are being short sighted in closing down some services. This could be a good time to snap up a bargain so you are ready for the upturn. One of the advantages of consulting is that it helps you to plan for the future, starting from where you are now. You will end up with a feasible plan for the development of your business which will make it stronger and more effective. There are always new opportunities around; your consultant can help you to identify the right ones so that you can gain the most value for your business.
Summary: Is the recession getting your down? Inject some new life into your business by investing in consulting services
Don't Flash The Cash
There's never been a better time to control your cash flow. Is the right amount of money coming in each month? Have your expenses spiralled out of control? Are your suppliers being less flexible than they were, putting the squeeze on your bottom line? Hiring a business expert who offers consulting services will help you to identify strengths and weaknesses. The consultant will review your business and will help you to see where you can improve. Even better, the consultant will give advice on how to make those improvements, making your business much more efficient.
Promote Yourself
When you hire a consulting service, you may learn new ways of promoting and marketing your business. The consultant has worked with many businesses and has picked up information on best practices. That means there's a shopping list of options for you to select. Perhaps there are networking events in your niche that you should be attending. Maybe you need to make contact with new suppliers or potential customers. It could be that your website and sales brochure need an overhaul. All of these are services that a consultant can provide. They will expand your market reach, boost your market presence and give you a new look that will appeal to your customers.
Plan Ahead
Perhaps your competitors are being short sighted in closing down some services. This could be a good time to snap up a bargain so you are ready for the upturn. One of the advantages of consulting is that it helps you to plan for the future, starting from where you are now. You will end up with a feasible plan for the development of your business which will make it stronger and more effective. There are always new opportunities around; your consultant can help you to identify the right ones so that you can gain the most value for your business.
Summary: Is the recession getting your down? Inject some new life into your business by investing in consulting services
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Tips to Market Your Business
The Internet
When I give business advice to a new client the first question I am asked is ‘How do I increase sales?’ My first consideration is to look at the competitors to a business. The usual first point of research for this is to undertake a search on Google and Yahoo. Not only looking at the organic listings, (these are the ones that appear on the left hand side) but also to look at the advertising businesses. I can gain a lot of useful information about the potential market place for a business very quickly through this.
Using freely available SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) tools allow me to view very quickly the basics of why a website ranks in search engines. After considering which of those appearing in the top pages of search engines are the main competitors, my next study is my client’s own marketing. Online marketing can be very quickly evaluated. Is my client’s website getting visitors? If so what is the conversion rate of visitors to customers. If there are low visits and low conversion, it’s then about looking for the reasons why. If you would like to know more about SEO tools and how to use them please email me through my website.
So what are the reasons for low visitor numbers? Quite often these are easy to spot. Low visits can be due to poor ranking. A key cause of this is poor use of content. What I mean by this is – think about a newspaper, some stories you will read some you won’t, what makes the difference? It is the same for a website it needs to be interesting and engage your visitor. As well as this the content needs to include words that your potential customers will be searching for. Quite a few websites have content that sometimes reads like an in house company magazine. Great for those in the know but could be totally negative for the searches that potential customers are inputting into search engines.
So how do you choose appropriate content? Again look at your competitor’s websites, with a few clicks of your mouse you can reveal what keywords your competitors see as important for them and then look to include these in your content. Although you need to make sure that these keywords are relevant today for your business.
So will you see a quick benefit?
You should do, although there is a bit more to SEO and content writing and website design. After completing these you are then at the mercy of search engines getting around to cache the website, but the quickest that I have had a website from completion to front page Google has been 6 days - so it can be done if you know what you are doing.
If you would like to know more about how my business advice can make that all important difference to your sales line, please do email me through my website.
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