Today has been a fantastic day for England and the British people.
Kate looked stunning in her wedding dress and Prince William looked equally handsome in his military uniform.
The world was looking at the couple, at the Queen, at the British people celebrating with their Monarchy and sharing in undoubtedly the most important date for the British 2011 calendar.
Many countries look up to the British nation and today it was clear to see why; anyone who is British will feel the pride and love of the nation, of the Monarch and of the royal family. To see the union jacks flying, the people crowded expressing kindness and happyness and seeing the royal troops dressed so smartly sends a shiver down the spine and makes us all prowd to be part of the British empire.
As the BBC said, the tradition has been replayed for over 350 years and that makes the British stand out as unique.
The way the Monarch has been preserved and presented to the world is such a powerful marketing message to the world. All other nations look up to the British people for what we all shared in today.
Many would say that the times of having Kings and Queens has gone, that the Monarch is a drain on the countries resources and expensive. However considering the business that the Royal Wedding has brought to the nation, the many small companies that have had that much needed boost in business it certainly is welcome.
The best wishes to the happy couple; God save the Queen.
Friday 29 April 2011
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Royal Wedding
The royal wedding is getting closer and closer and it certainly going to be the most watched event ever.
The number of companies that are involved with the festivities is countless, from company's in central London right down to hog roast companies in Leeds everyone is jumping on the band wagon.
The UK is definitely split between royalists and parliamentarians. People that support the royal wedding and will watch it, and people that do not care at all and just see the event as an excuse for a holiday. Some people are going on pub crawls; some will be working in the garden and some just going on holiday to get away from the festivities. Even three and half centuries after the English civil war, the UK is still divided in its support of the monarchy.
Ever since the royal engagement was announced (or since William and Kate were dating) companies have been marketing around the couple and using the subject as a way of selling. Today there are thousands of companies selling plates, cups and all forms of memorabilia around the royal event.
Indeed the royal wedding will be immortalised by the media and something that millions around the world will be watching and supporting.
All the best to the happy couple, to the future King and Queen; God bless them both!
The number of companies that are involved with the festivities is countless, from company's in central London right down to hog roast companies in Leeds everyone is jumping on the band wagon.
The UK is definitely split between royalists and parliamentarians. People that support the royal wedding and will watch it, and people that do not care at all and just see the event as an excuse for a holiday. Some people are going on pub crawls; some will be working in the garden and some just going on holiday to get away from the festivities. Even three and half centuries after the English civil war, the UK is still divided in its support of the monarchy.
Ever since the royal engagement was announced (or since William and Kate were dating) companies have been marketing around the couple and using the subject as a way of selling. Today there are thousands of companies selling plates, cups and all forms of memorabilia around the royal event.
Indeed the royal wedding will be immortalised by the media and something that millions around the world will be watching and supporting.
All the best to the happy couple, to the future King and Queen; God bless them both!
Monday 18 April 2011
London Marathon
Excellent marathon yesterday - well done to all the runners that took part.
The weather was fantastic however the downside of this was that there were many cases of heat exhaustion and runners collapsing.
One thing that did stand out, was the number and diversity of charities that stood out. Numerous as the runners there were so many charities from YMCA, McMillan, Naomi House and 100's of others.
All charities use marketing in order to promote themselves ranging from websites (which are consistently updated) promotional literature, banners (as there were at the London Marathon) and PR.
PR for charities is a big area of marketing as they need to generate exposure and awareness for their cause. Also, to make themselves heard above the other 200.000 charities in the UK
Giving money to charities is great, it gives you a feel good factor which all humans crave (as the bible says it is better to give than receive (Acts 20:35)).
The problem is that charities spend so much money on marketing, the thought of your donation going to a website designer or advertising agency does not sound right.
Also, the larger the charity (Oxfam for example) the higher their fixed costs (cars, office rental, staff costs, expenses, marketing, TV campaigns) therefore for every £1 donated a large promotion goes to the running costs of the charity machine.
What is the answer - well there is really no simple answer, charities need marketing, marketing costs money and that money comes from only one place - you, me and other generous donors.
The weather was fantastic however the downside of this was that there were many cases of heat exhaustion and runners collapsing.
One thing that did stand out, was the number and diversity of charities that stood out. Numerous as the runners there were so many charities from YMCA, McMillan, Naomi House and 100's of others.
All charities use marketing in order to promote themselves ranging from websites (which are consistently updated) promotional literature, banners (as there were at the London Marathon) and PR.
PR for charities is a big area of marketing as they need to generate exposure and awareness for their cause. Also, to make themselves heard above the other 200.000 charities in the UK
Giving money to charities is great, it gives you a feel good factor which all humans crave (as the bible says it is better to give than receive (Acts 20:35)).
The problem is that charities spend so much money on marketing, the thought of your donation going to a website designer or advertising agency does not sound right.
Also, the larger the charity (Oxfam for example) the higher their fixed costs (cars, office rental, staff costs, expenses, marketing, TV campaigns) therefore for every £1 donated a large promotion goes to the running costs of the charity machine.
What is the answer - well there is really no simple answer, charities need marketing, marketing costs money and that money comes from only one place - you, me and other generous donors.
Thursday 7 April 2011
Petrol Prices
We have seen petrol prices reach a record high this year, with a liter of diesel costing £1.40.
I remember when it used to be 70p a liter - that is now double.
The costs are split (roughly) into the following:
Who are impacted by this - well, it is mainly companies such as bus companies, haulage companies, taxi companies as opposed to general road users (that are maybe only paying an extra £10 a month overall).
Oil companies are the ones that are benefiting in this process, making billions of pounds in profit; but is this playing it's part. Are oil companies using offshore accounts in order to reduce their tax bill (and thus saving millions of pounds of tax) and are the government comfortable with this?
Oil companies do a lot of marketing via sponsorships (Formula 1 for example) billboard and other forms of outdoor advertising. They mainly use the forms of marketing that would involve brand exposure (such as PR, social media advertising).
The amusing thing, is back in that 2000 when petrol prices reached £1,00 a liter, there were blockades and uproar. Now we are paying 40% more but there are no blockades and we all seem to be fine with it.
I remember when it used to be 70p a liter - that is now double.
The costs are split (roughly) into the following:
- Tax - 40%
- Petrol - 30%
- Vat - 20%
- Retailer/Deliverer - 10%
Who are impacted by this - well, it is mainly companies such as bus companies, haulage companies, taxi companies as opposed to general road users (that are maybe only paying an extra £10 a month overall).
Oil companies are the ones that are benefiting in this process, making billions of pounds in profit; but is this playing it's part. Are oil companies using offshore accounts in order to reduce their tax bill (and thus saving millions of pounds of tax) and are the government comfortable with this?
Oil companies do a lot of marketing via sponsorships (Formula 1 for example) billboard and other forms of outdoor advertising. They mainly use the forms of marketing that would involve brand exposure (such as PR, social media advertising).
The amusing thing, is back in that 2000 when petrol prices reached £1,00 a liter, there were blockades and uproar. Now we are paying 40% more but there are no blockades and we all seem to be fine with it.
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Card Companies
Have you ever wondered why it is that there is such a buzz about occasions such as Mothers Day, Christmas, Valentines Day?
I remember my dad telling me years ago about these sort of holidays and the fact that they are an excuse for card companies to sell cards.
How much does a card cost?
OK, lets look at how much it costs to make. In bulk once printed and shipped to the shop you mush be talking less than 50p each. How much are they sold for, maybe £3.50.
That is a big mark up, and considering the millions that cards that shops do sell for seasons such as the religious festivals (Christmas, Easter) but the other made up ones (Mothers day, Fathers day, Valentines day, Halloween) they have the market cornered.
I am not a big fan of cards myself - however girls seem to love them!
But the whole of our society today seems to be worked around these sort of events, Christmas would work just fine without all the marketing of spending money. Many people go into debt around Christmas, just because of the pressure to give.
Giving is good (don't get me wrong) however it needs to be within reason.
The world does seem to have gone down a road whereby it is led by the marketing based around spending money and buying cards - not a good thing.
I remember my dad telling me years ago about these sort of holidays and the fact that they are an excuse for card companies to sell cards.
How much does a card cost?
OK, lets look at how much it costs to make. In bulk once printed and shipped to the shop you mush be talking less than 50p each. How much are they sold for, maybe £3.50.
That is a big mark up, and considering the millions that cards that shops do sell for seasons such as the religious festivals (Christmas, Easter) but the other made up ones (Mothers day, Fathers day, Valentines day, Halloween) they have the market cornered.
I am not a big fan of cards myself - however girls seem to love them!
But the whole of our society today seems to be worked around these sort of events, Christmas would work just fine without all the marketing of spending money. Many people go into debt around Christmas, just because of the pressure to give.
Giving is good (don't get me wrong) however it needs to be within reason.
The world does seem to have gone down a road whereby it is led by the marketing based around spending money and buying cards - not a good thing.
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Using Promotional Gifts To Boost Business.
It has been said over and over again, if you give you will receive.
Although this needs to be read in context, giving out promotional gifts can really help in boosting your brand's viability.
You may not see a direct result on the sales, however promotional gifts are a great way to remind people who you are and what your company offers.
The normal use of promotional items is at events and exhibitions along with product launches; however you can do them as part of a mailing. There is nothing wrong with just sending a quick message to your clients/prospects asking how things are and if you can help with anything (with a nice gift included).
Chocolates
A great idea is sending promotional chocolate to people. It is inexpensive and has a high impact (as long as you have a branded packaging design around the chocolate.
One thing to avoid however is sending chocolates in the summer (as they may well melt en-route; which could have a negative effect.
To give you an idea, a box of around 3,000 promotional chocolates can cost around £100 - so factoring in the mailing, postage you could be looking at 3,000 of your prospects seeing your name and smiling for around £500. Do this as a regular mailing once a month, and you have quite a powerful way of reinforcing your brand.
Be Creative
Every company receives the normal promotional gifts through the post (post it's, pens etc.) from recruitment companies which normally get filled under 'B.I.N' - so try to be inventive in the gifts that are selected.
It is good to try and select a gift that has some relevance to your business/product - as this will carry more weight.
Send Gifts To Named Contacts
If you can, find out who the point of contact will be at the company you are going to be mailing; otherwise the chocolate/gift will be swallowed up by reception. Even if the prospect passes it to reception after it was received - the job has been done and they have seen your brand/company name.
If needs be, use a telemarketing company to do a quick call around of prospects to get some names to get names - which will increase the hit rate of your responses.
Although this needs to be read in context, giving out promotional gifts can really help in boosting your brand's viability.
You may not see a direct result on the sales, however promotional gifts are a great way to remind people who you are and what your company offers.
The normal use of promotional items is at events and exhibitions along with product launches; however you can do them as part of a mailing. There is nothing wrong with just sending a quick message to your clients/prospects asking how things are and if you can help with anything (with a nice gift included).
Chocolates
A great idea is sending promotional chocolate to people. It is inexpensive and has a high impact (as long as you have a branded packaging design around the chocolate.
One thing to avoid however is sending chocolates in the summer (as they may well melt en-route; which could have a negative effect.
To give you an idea, a box of around 3,000 promotional chocolates can cost around £100 - so factoring in the mailing, postage you could be looking at 3,000 of your prospects seeing your name and smiling for around £500. Do this as a regular mailing once a month, and you have quite a powerful way of reinforcing your brand.
Be Creative
Every company receives the normal promotional gifts through the post (post it's, pens etc.) from recruitment companies which normally get filled under 'B.I.N' - so try to be inventive in the gifts that are selected.
It is good to try and select a gift that has some relevance to your business/product - as this will carry more weight.
Send Gifts To Named Contacts
If you can, find out who the point of contact will be at the company you are going to be mailing; otherwise the chocolate/gift will be swallowed up by reception. Even if the prospect passes it to reception after it was received - the job has been done and they have seen your brand/company name.
If needs be, use a telemarketing company to do a quick call around of prospects to get some names to get names - which will increase the hit rate of your responses.
marketing companies: Digital Advertising Billboards
marketing companies: Digital Advertising Billboards: "We have all seen the normal billboard adverts in airports, by roads (on the side of someones house) and in the London Underground. However ..."
Monday 4 April 2011
Digital Advertising Billboards
We have all seen the normal billboard adverts in airports, by roads (on the side of someones house) and in the London Underground.
However advertising has taken a step forward with digital advertising.
This can be used for outdoor advertising or indoor, the advantage being that they can fit in more adverts without changing them one by one.
I have noticed these starting to occur more and more in the London underground - as you are going up the escalators they occur every couple of meters and are also at the main stations such as Waterloo and Leicester Square.
Advantages?
Cost - They are cheap to update with new adverts in a rotation (as they are all done via computer rather than some poor chap changing each unit.
ROI - As the adverts rotate every 3 seconds or so, the advertising company can charge more per campaign as they have more advertisers during each day/advertising period rather than just one static advert banner.
Disadvantages?
Well there are not really all that many to be honest, apart from the setup cost and monitoring, but surely this is cheaper than getting posters printed and paying someone to update each unit whenever a marketing campaign changes.
These units are all very strategically placed, getting millions of views each day per unit even though the views will look and forget, it is about branding and brand exposure. A difficult thing to track branding and brand advertising is all about getting your name and brand 'out there' so that people come to recognise you
However advertising has taken a step forward with digital advertising.
This can be used for outdoor advertising or indoor, the advantage being that they can fit in more adverts without changing them one by one.
I have noticed these starting to occur more and more in the London underground - as you are going up the escalators they occur every couple of meters and are also at the main stations such as Waterloo and Leicester Square.
Advantages?
Cost - They are cheap to update with new adverts in a rotation (as they are all done via computer rather than some poor chap changing each unit.
ROI - As the adverts rotate every 3 seconds or so, the advertising company can charge more per campaign as they have more advertisers during each day/advertising period rather than just one static advert banner.
Disadvantages?
Well there are not really all that many to be honest, apart from the setup cost and monitoring, but surely this is cheaper than getting posters printed and paying someone to update each unit whenever a marketing campaign changes.
These units are all very strategically placed, getting millions of views each day per unit even though the views will look and forget, it is about branding and brand exposure. A difficult thing to track branding and brand advertising is all about getting your name and brand 'out there' so that people come to recognise you
Sunday 3 April 2011
What Is Marketing About
Many people say that marketing is misleading.
This is sort of true, but needs to put into context. Most of us (in the UK) do not need 10 pairs of shoes, new clothes each week, upgrading our car every few years - but advertising does say otherwise. It has to, if the economy is going to come out of recession, the government needs people to spend spend spend.
Without this, businesses will not sell their products, tax will not be collected and the government will loose income.
Is Marketing Misleading?
Lets consider a few different examples that will use marketing to sell their product.
Supermarkets
Supermarkets always have offers on, 2 for 1, buy 1 get 1 free etc.. Often the prices are manipulated so that sometimes you are spending more but thinking you are getting a good deal.
Marketing is all about packaging; making something seem attractive and appealing.
British Armed Forces
The armed forces are doing a lot of advertising on TV to bring in new recruits.
The army do not advise that you are in a job role that will very likely require you to put your life on the line for king and country - and you may well get killed.
This is the nature of the role, a soldiers job is to follow orders and either kill or be killed.
However the army kind of miss this point, focusing on the chance to travel, to be part of a team, learn skills and to have a prosperous career.
Bank Loans
Banks love people that get into debt - as they will pay money in interest. They market loan deals that may require you to pay back twice the amount you borrow.
This of course has been in the spotlight in recent months - but the fact remains that banks need money to exist, and they way they get money is from lending money.
Junk Food
We all know that junk food is bad for us; however the way the marketing is done, a different picture is painted.
McDonald's had a recent advert that had a great scene of families laughing in their restaurants, eating salads and drinking juice. The main products of McDonald's are burgers - which we all know are low in nutrition and high in salt.
This is not clear in the advert or in their marketing, it is focusing on health and happiness painting a picture that we all will like.
Marketing is about giving a message, whether this is 100% true or 100% accurate sometimes questions do need to be asked (for any marketing message) by the consumers.
This is sort of true, but needs to put into context. Most of us (in the UK) do not need 10 pairs of shoes, new clothes each week, upgrading our car every few years - but advertising does say otherwise. It has to, if the economy is going to come out of recession, the government needs people to spend spend spend.
Without this, businesses will not sell their products, tax will not be collected and the government will loose income.
Is Marketing Misleading?
Lets consider a few different examples that will use marketing to sell their product.
Supermarkets
Supermarkets always have offers on, 2 for 1, buy 1 get 1 free etc.. Often the prices are manipulated so that sometimes you are spending more but thinking you are getting a good deal.
Marketing is all about packaging; making something seem attractive and appealing.
British Armed Forces
The armed forces are doing a lot of advertising on TV to bring in new recruits.
The army do not advise that you are in a job role that will very likely require you to put your life on the line for king and country - and you may well get killed.
This is the nature of the role, a soldiers job is to follow orders and either kill or be killed.
However the army kind of miss this point, focusing on the chance to travel, to be part of a team, learn skills and to have a prosperous career.
Bank Loans
Banks love people that get into debt - as they will pay money in interest. They market loan deals that may require you to pay back twice the amount you borrow.
This of course has been in the spotlight in recent months - but the fact remains that banks need money to exist, and they way they get money is from lending money.
Junk Food
We all know that junk food is bad for us; however the way the marketing is done, a different picture is painted.
McDonald's had a recent advert that had a great scene of families laughing in their restaurants, eating salads and drinking juice. The main products of McDonald's are burgers - which we all know are low in nutrition and high in salt.
This is not clear in the advert or in their marketing, it is focusing on health and happiness painting a picture that we all will like.
Marketing is about giving a message, whether this is 100% true or 100% accurate sometimes questions do need to be asked (for any marketing message) by the consumers.
Friday 1 April 2011
Following Up Sales Leads
Marketing people tend to not be very good at following up sales leads - which is ironic as they should know how to do this (due to being involved in marketing).
The problem is, that marketing companies tend to deal with 'briefs' - which are outlines of projects that are definitely going ahead.
The thing is, not all 'sales leads' are certain projects; some are considering, some are comparing prices, others are still in the planning stage.
Sales leads tend to vary in status (from cold, warm, luke warm, hot etc.) so care does need to be given as to how leads are approached.
If a client is considering options (say for example they have used a designer for the last few years but are thinking about changing due to increased prices) and put feelers out - how would they feel if they got a chief designer phone them up and starting a pushy sale (with the attitude that they are going to place the work). Then how would the client feel if the designer then got grumpy and called them a time waster when they did not agree to a meeting the next day?
Some clients are busy, and expressly ask for contact via e-mail (due to being in the early stages of the sales process, or just busy) then 2 or 3 marketing companies call them up asking for a meeting or a detailed discussion 'to discuss their brief'.
This does happen, and many good sales leads are ruined from the wrong approach.
Getting your sales approach when following up leads is key, otherwise you can ruin perfectly good leads for yourself and anyone else following them up by irritating a potentially interested client.
For help and advice on follow up sales leads, telemarketing companies are well positioned to be able to help - as they are following up leads every day and are well positioned to be able to gauge approach techniques.
The problem is, that marketing companies tend to deal with 'briefs' - which are outlines of projects that are definitely going ahead.
The thing is, not all 'sales leads' are certain projects; some are considering, some are comparing prices, others are still in the planning stage.
Sales leads tend to vary in status (from cold, warm, luke warm, hot etc.) so care does need to be given as to how leads are approached.
If a client is considering options (say for example they have used a designer for the last few years but are thinking about changing due to increased prices) and put feelers out - how would they feel if they got a chief designer phone them up and starting a pushy sale (with the attitude that they are going to place the work). Then how would the client feel if the designer then got grumpy and called them a time waster when they did not agree to a meeting the next day?
Some clients are busy, and expressly ask for contact via e-mail (due to being in the early stages of the sales process, or just busy) then 2 or 3 marketing companies call them up asking for a meeting or a detailed discussion 'to discuss their brief'.
This does happen, and many good sales leads are ruined from the wrong approach.
Getting your sales approach when following up leads is key, otherwise you can ruin perfectly good leads for yourself and anyone else following them up by irritating a potentially interested client.
For help and advice on follow up sales leads, telemarketing companies are well positioned to be able to help - as they are following up leads every day and are well positioned to be able to gauge approach techniques.
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