I feel sure that most businesses in the UK found the last quarter pretty heavy going. With reference to the playwright Jim Cartwright, the first three months of the year was a little like walking through raw meat in high heels.
Today's GDP figures show that the UK's economy grew by 0.5% in the first quarter of 2011, avoiding the so-called double-dip recession. That, in spite of the dreadful December weather and the anticipated dread of financial cut-backs.
The Chancellor is still exercising caution, and warns that "we are not out of the woods yet".
Now seems a good time, therefore, to remind you that we have a few schemes and events aimed at helping the small business to look forward with optimism and make the most of any market activity.
Free Marketing Review
We are offering any small business a free review of their current marketing activity. All you need to do is complete a short questionnaire, and we will provide a report that gives a n objective overview of your current marketing activity and makes suggestions and recommendations for other activities that may wish to try or improve. No catch here; simply a third-party look at what you are doing and what you could improve without wasting money.
The questionnaire can be found at http://www.argentrammedia.com/questionnaire
One-to-One Start-Up Consultation
From a logistical persepctive, we can only provide this free service to Kent-based businesses.
You may have a really good idea for a new business, and be very good at what you do, but very few would-be entrepreneurs have all the experience and confidence they need to get up and running. We have been there, and we know what is expected and what needs to be done.
Whilst there are some very good sources of advice, such as Business Link, sometimes it helps for an individual to sit down and get some personal, impartial advice that takes into account all the skills and shortcomings of each individual. We know that you can't be great at everything, and we aim to guide you through some of the pitfalls.
Simply give us a call, and we will arrange a free 30 minute face-to-face chat that should give you more confidence and some additional knowledge to get you up and running.
Call Lorraine Baker on 01580 761000.
Marketing in a Difficult Economy - Seminar
On Wednesday 18th May, we are holding a seminar in the beautiful surroundings of the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent.
The seminar runs from 09:00 - 11:00, and is aimed at any small business who wants to ensure that they are getting the best out of their marketing activities. Marketing has changed dramatically in recent months, as the emphasis is very much on in-bound activities rather than the traditional, interruptive methods such as telesales/telemarketing, email blasts and mailshots. Engagement, customer-service and customer loyalty are top of the tree, and you need to explore the many new ways of ensuring that your marketing messages get seen by the right people. Without accepting that marketing strategy is changing forever, you run the risk of having your market share pared down to critical levels.
There is a charge for the seminar of £15.00 + VAT per head, and this includes breakfast. Two speakers will present their insights into cost-effective new marketing methods that could make the difference between your company success or failure.
For booking information, please contact Lorraine on 01580 761000 or email lorraine@argenttrammedia.com
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
There's nowt so funny as folk
Some local businesses are funny, and I don't mean that patronisingly.
I have been doing some tele-marketing this afternoon (I know! I apologise to all those people who hate cold-callers). I have been approaching small businesses who do not have websites at all, or whose websites are an abomination (again, with apologies to those affected!).
I am surprised by the numbers of people who seem totally disinterested in the concept of a website. That said, I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised, as the fact that they care so very little about their internet presence tells me a lot already.
I appreciate that there are some businesses who have a very steady level of existing clientele, and feel no need to try to entice in new customers. But no matter how successsful you are, customers do drop off at some time or another (The Leaky Bucket - tell me if I have lost you at this stage). These customers do need to be replaced or you end up with an empty bucket.
Having a good website is such a simple thing, and need not cost the earth. Once there, it is your invitation to new customers. It shouldn't be a financial drain if designed and built properly, but will keep your leaky bucket nicely topped up. A poorly designed website shows a lack of care, and WILL deter prospective customers from contacting you, and I know that in this day and age, very few businesses can afford to be that cavalier.
Even the mighty Tesco admits that "We can do better and we are taking action.....to improve the sharpness of our communication to customers.”
Acknowledgment - Marketing Week:
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/3025629.article?cmpid=MWE01&cmptype=newsletter&email=true
I have been doing some tele-marketing this afternoon (I know! I apologise to all those people who hate cold-callers). I have been approaching small businesses who do not have websites at all, or whose websites are an abomination (again, with apologies to those affected!).
I am surprised by the numbers of people who seem totally disinterested in the concept of a website. That said, I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised, as the fact that they care so very little about their internet presence tells me a lot already.
I appreciate that there are some businesses who have a very steady level of existing clientele, and feel no need to try to entice in new customers. But no matter how successsful you are, customers do drop off at some time or another (The Leaky Bucket - tell me if I have lost you at this stage). These customers do need to be replaced or you end up with an empty bucket.
Having a good website is such a simple thing, and need not cost the earth. Once there, it is your invitation to new customers. It shouldn't be a financial drain if designed and built properly, but will keep your leaky bucket nicely topped up. A poorly designed website shows a lack of care, and WILL deter prospective customers from contacting you, and I know that in this day and age, very few businesses can afford to be that cavalier.
Even the mighty Tesco admits that "We can do better and we are taking action.....to improve the sharpness of our communication to customers.”
Acknowledgment - Marketing Week:
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/3025629.article?cmpid=MWE01&cmptype=newsletter&email=true
We only want to be liked!
As you may now be aware, we have finally launched our new website, and have sub-sites in the pipeline for our Dental Marketing and Estate Agency Property Management Systems.
Argent Ram Media
The design of the new site has been kept simple and to the point, as we endeavour to practice what we preach! Hopefully, the four core areas of our business are made immediately evident:
Hopefully, the design will grab your attention and there are clear Calls-to-Action.
The importance of a website to any business cannot be emphasised enough, and although we always see our site as a work in progress, we hope it does the trick and you like it!
If you'd like to keep up to date with all our goings-on, do please hook up by any of the following means:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Or give us a call - 01580 761000.
Argent Ram Media
The design of the new site has been kept simple and to the point, as we endeavour to practice what we preach! Hopefully, the four core areas of our business are made immediately evident:
- Website design and development;
- Screen Marketing and Digital Signage;
- Search Engine Marketing and Promotion;
- Branding
Hopefully, the design will grab your attention and there are clear Calls-to-Action.
The importance of a website to any business cannot be emphasised enough, and although we always see our site as a work in progress, we hope it does the trick and you like it!
If you'd like to keep up to date with all our goings-on, do please hook up by any of the following means:
Or give us a call - 01580 761000.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Think Screens!
"Digital signage is an unbeatable way to reach an audience. Used by retailers around the world, it reaches customers at the exact moment purchase decisions are made, delivering an attention-grabbing, high-impact message.
Provide information in a format that entertains, informs and engages audiences – and that gets results. Deliver the right message, at exactly the right time, to the right people. And where the costs of updating printed signage can add up, going digital can earn a pleasingly quick return on investment."
So says Hewlett Packard, but it is a message that sums up the power of digital signage.
Screens are now affordable enough for even the smallest business, so if you are spending money on advertising (local press, magazines, posters and leaflets) think about the power of increasing customer spend-per-head at point of sale.
Our prices for a full system - 32" screen, media player, installation - start at just £17.95 + VAT per week.
Call Lorraine on 01580 761000 or email lorraine@argentrammedia.com for further details.
Provide information in a format that entertains, informs and engages audiences – and that gets results. Deliver the right message, at exactly the right time, to the right people. And where the costs of updating printed signage can add up, going digital can earn a pleasingly quick return on investment."
So says Hewlett Packard, but it is a message that sums up the power of digital signage.
Our prices for a full system - 32" screen, media player, installation - start at just £17.95 + VAT per week.
Call Lorraine on 01580 761000 or email lorraine@argentrammedia.com for further details.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Two invitations...
Would you like to step back and have a little think about some of the methods you are using to market your business?
We have a couple of schemes that might help you:
1. We are offering a free review of your marketing activities and strategy. Nothing too complex or daunting, but a few suggestions as to additional ingredients that you can throw into the marketing pot to ensure that your profile doesn't fade into obscurity. If you would like to receive this review, all you need to do is fill in a simnple questionnaire:
http://www.argentrammedia.com/questionnaire/
2. If you would like to enjoy breakfast in the beautiful surroundings of the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent with a seminar on "Marketing in a Difficult Economy", and an opportunity to network with a few other local business people, then let us know!
We are holding a seminar on Wednesday 18th May at the Hop Farm, with breakfast included. Please contact Lorraine on 01580 761000 or email lorraine@argentrammedia.com for further details.
We have a couple of schemes that might help you:
1. We are offering a free review of your marketing activities and strategy. Nothing too complex or daunting, but a few suggestions as to additional ingredients that you can throw into the marketing pot to ensure that your profile doesn't fade into obscurity. If you would like to receive this review, all you need to do is fill in a simnple questionnaire:
http://www.argentrammedia.com/questionnaire/
2. If you would like to enjoy breakfast in the beautiful surroundings of the Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent with a seminar on "Marketing in a Difficult Economy", and an opportunity to network with a few other local business people, then let us know!
We are holding a seminar on Wednesday 18th May at the Hop Farm, with breakfast included. Please contact Lorraine on 01580 761000 or email lorraine@argentrammedia.com for further details.
Winds of Change?
I don't know about you, but for us this last week has seen a marked increase in client enquiries and orders.
From early December, when business was definitely affected by the weather, we arrived at a period of Small Business Gloom. I have no doubt that this was fuelled by a combination of seasonal ennui, general economic inactivity, spending cuts and another budget.
The cuts are now beginning to be felt on a very personal level, and I must admit I did think that this would have a further significant effect on small business confidence and activity. However, as has happened in the past, the thought process appears to have been one of "let's wait and and see and then make a decision."
Small Business waited for the budget to see if this was the last nail in their collective coffin, but have made the decision to come out fighting. We can all sit there fearing the worst, but for how long?
It is now up to the small business to steer itself clear of these troubled waters. I have learnt from the past that very few people are there to help you, and it is up to us to create our own opportunities and our own success.
Spring is here, financial news can hardly get any worse for the small business, so now is the time to pick ourselves up, think positively, fine-tune our sales and marketing strategy and get out there in front of our new, existing and past clients.
From early December, when business was definitely affected by the weather, we arrived at a period of Small Business Gloom. I have no doubt that this was fuelled by a combination of seasonal ennui, general economic inactivity, spending cuts and another budget.
The cuts are now beginning to be felt on a very personal level, and I must admit I did think that this would have a further significant effect on small business confidence and activity. However, as has happened in the past, the thought process appears to have been one of "let's wait and and see and then make a decision."
Small Business waited for the budget to see if this was the last nail in their collective coffin, but have made the decision to come out fighting. We can all sit there fearing the worst, but for how long?
It is now up to the small business to steer itself clear of these troubled waters. I have learnt from the past that very few people are there to help you, and it is up to us to create our own opportunities and our own success.
Spring is here, financial news can hardly get any worse for the small business, so now is the time to pick ourselves up, think positively, fine-tune our sales and marketing strategy and get out there in front of our new, existing and past clients.
Friday, 8 April 2011
Free Review of your Marketing Activities and Strategy
I am sure that none us needs reminding that the economy is not helping the small and medium-sized business very much at the moment. It is at times like these that we all need to look very hard at our marketing activities and assess what works and what doesn't. We need to generate more revenue for less cost, and this can take a lot of creative thinking.
In this week's Kent Business, PR Guru Max Clifford is quoted as saying "Businesses might be very good at what they do, but they are not good at getting the message across."
We, at Argent Ram Media, would like to offer you some help.
A FREE, no-obligation review of your marketing activities and strategy.
We will look at the following areas of your business, and make recommendations based on current trends and anticipated return-on-investment:
The next steps:
Complete a very short questionnaire by clicking here.
We will prepare and send you a free report providing you with our suggestions and recommendations for ways to market your business without a prohibitive increase in overhead.
The rest, as they say, is up to you....!
In this week's Kent Business, PR Guru Max Clifford is quoted as saying "Businesses might be very good at what they do, but they are not good at getting the message across."
We, at Argent Ram Media, would like to offer you some help.
A FREE, no-obligation review of your marketing activities and strategy.
We will look at the following areas of your business, and make recommendations based on current trends and anticipated return-on-investment:
- The effectiveness of your website;
- Social Media and the ways in which this might help open up new routes to market;
- Brand visibility and PR;
- Printed collateral;
- The ways in which you engage and communicate with your clients and customers.
The next steps:
Complete a very short questionnaire by clicking here.
We will prepare and send you a free report providing you with our suggestions and recommendations for ways to market your business without a prohibitive increase in overhead.
The rest, as they say, is up to you....!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
