There are now 65 million users of LinkedIn. In the last week, I have added about 20 contacts - an increase of about 20%. As a result, my 2nd degree contacts (namely, contacts of contacts) has increased by 50%. Well that all sounds wonderful as I can now easily reach over 16,000 people but this social media platform will only add value if all these connections really start to use it.
Lots of newcomers to the platform are somewhat bewildered by its value. One clear advantage is the listing of Jobs. For a specialist in a particular field or location, the search facility gets the job hunter directly to companies seeking their skills and it may open up new avenues along the way.
Groups and their discussions are a great way to find out information on your own specialism or one you or your clients may be interested in. Searching for work colleagues and classmates just because you can puts you back in touch.
For me the ability to post Presentations, Events and link my Blog and Twitter, makes LinkedIn an efficient way of disemminating information to my business contacts with minimal effort. 10 minutes am and pm - that's all it takes.
But on this beautiful Saturday in mid April, I'm more drawn to the great outdoors! Have a lovely weekend.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Marketing Strategy Workshop
Join us for an interactive morning creating your Marketing Strategy
• Understanding your customers
• Develop a Niche
• Growing your marketing message
• Marketing medium including Social Media
• Integrating marketing into all you do
• Marketing metrics – more than just the numbers
Who should attend?
This Workshop is for owners and managers of small businesses, either starting out with a new idea, testing a new product or refining the marketing of existing products and services.
It is the essential guide to formulating a creative plan which will increase your profitability. Whatever your marketing problem, solutions will be identified and a budget set to yield measurable results.
When Wednesday, 19 May 2010 from 9.30 – 1.00
Where The Old Pump House
1a Stonecross
St Albans
Herts AL1 4EE
Cost £37.50 payable in advance on registration
To book your place today contact:
Amanda Brown
Alterra Business Consulting
info@alterra-consulting.co.uk
01707 373138 or 07947 502760
PLACES ARE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 12
• Understanding your customers
• Develop a Niche
• Growing your marketing message
• Marketing medium including Social Media
• Integrating marketing into all you do
• Marketing metrics – more than just the numbers
Who should attend?
This Workshop is for owners and managers of small businesses, either starting out with a new idea, testing a new product or refining the marketing of existing products and services.
It is the essential guide to formulating a creative plan which will increase your profitability. Whatever your marketing problem, solutions will be identified and a budget set to yield measurable results.
When Wednesday, 19 May 2010 from 9.30 – 1.00
Where The Old Pump House
1a Stonecross
St Albans
Herts AL1 4EE
Cost £37.50 payable in advance on registration
To book your place today contact:
Amanda Brown
Alterra Business Consulting
info@alterra-consulting.co.uk
01707 373138 or 07947 502760
PLACES ARE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 12
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Ignore Marketing at your peril
People buy from people they like, people they trust and who are credible
Most small business entrepreneurs and business owners are ‘doers’ rather than ‘planners’. This short talk ensures that you do not end up doing the right marketing the wrong way or the wrong marketing activities the right way.
You do not have to fell a tree to create an effective marketing plan. In fact, one day may be enough.
Step 1 – Understand your Market and your Competition
Offer what your customer wants and not necessarily what they need. Have you ever been shopping with the intention of buying a pair of jeans and coming home with shoes, a blouse and yet another pair of earrings?
Ask yourself the following questions:
• Are there segments of my market which are being underserved?
• Are these segments big enough to make money?
• What share do I need to just break even?
• Is there too much competition?
• Can I capitalise on the weaknesses in my competition’s offerings?
• Does my market value my unique competitive offering?
Step 2 – Understand your Customer
Among other things you need to know what motivates your customers to buy.
• Is it looking good, being healthy, getting rich, relieving pain, helping people enjoy their leisure time?
• How does my customer normally buy similar products – in a shop, over the Internet, from a catalogue?
• Who are the primary buyer and the primary buying influencer?
• What habits to they have?
Step 3 - Pick a Niche
It’s much easier to jump up and down in a small puddle rather than a big ocean.
Carve out a niche and then develop a 2nd but not before you’ve captured the first.
Step 4 – Develop your Marketing Message
1) Your short and sweet 30 second statement of what you do
2) Longer message
a) Proof that the prospects’ problem is so important it should be solved now, without delay
b) Why you are the best business to solve their problem
c) Benefits they will receive
d) Examples and testimonials from existing customers
e) Explanation of prices and payments terms
f) Your unconditional guarantee
Step 5 – The Marketing Medium
Printed (portable and flexible)
Business cards
Brochures, flyers, catalogues and postcards
Newsletters
Articles
Signs and posters
Gift certificates
Direct mail sales letters
Competitions
Advertising
Newspaper, magazines
Printed directories such as Yellow Pages
Press releases
Advertorial
Hoardings
Window displays
Verbal/visual
Telemarketing
Networking
Seminars, talks and presentations
Agents
Special events
Charity events
Trade shows
Radio and TV appearances
Internet
Website
Email
Directories
Social media
Blog
Ezine and ebook
Personal
Word of mouth
Referral
Step 6 – Set Goals
Make some estimates of what you want. Make sure they are SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely. Put processes in place to measure how you are doing.
Step 7 – Develop your Budget
If you have been trading for a while, review your accounts to establish how much it has cost you to acquire each client. Then decide on how much each extra client is worth to you and therefore if it is profitable to invest additional resources to gain additional clients.
This is all about running a profitable business – it is no good throwing good money away developing a product or service which is losing money IF you have undertaken all the low cost marketing you can.
20% of your efforts will yield 80% of the results. If one marketing method works for you, do lots more of it. Don’t think ‘Leafleting is my best form of marketing. I’ll just try an advert to see if it’s better’. Only when you have the resources to expend on advertising or capacity to copy with the additional sales should you add another medium.
People buy from people they like, people they trust and who are credible
Most small business entrepreneurs and business owners are ‘doers’ rather than ‘planners’. This short talk ensures that you do not end up doing the right marketing the wrong way or the wrong marketing activities the right way.
You do not have to fell a tree to create an effective marketing plan. In fact, one day may be enough.
Step 1 – Understand your Market and your Competition
Offer what your customer wants and not necessarily what they need. Have you ever been shopping with the intention of buying a pair of jeans and coming home with shoes, a blouse and yet another pair of earrings?
Ask yourself the following questions:
• Are there segments of my market which are being underserved?
• Are these segments big enough to make money?
• What share do I need to just break even?
• Is there too much competition?
• Can I capitalise on the weaknesses in my competition’s offerings?
• Does my market value my unique competitive offering?
Step 2 – Understand your Customer
Among other things you need to know what motivates your customers to buy.
• Is it looking good, being healthy, getting rich, relieving pain, helping people enjoy their leisure time?
• How does my customer normally buy similar products – in a shop, over the Internet, from a catalogue?
• Who are the primary buyer and the primary buying influencer?
• What habits to they have?
Step 3 - Pick a Niche
It’s much easier to jump up and down in a small puddle rather than a big ocean.
Carve out a niche and then develop a 2nd but not before you’ve captured the first.
Step 4 – Develop your Marketing Message
1) Your short and sweet 30 second statement of what you do
2) Longer message
a) Proof that the prospects’ problem is so important it should be solved now, without delay
b) Why you are the best business to solve their problem
c) Benefits they will receive
d) Examples and testimonials from existing customers
e) Explanation of prices and payments terms
f) Your unconditional guarantee
Step 5 – The Marketing Medium
Printed (portable and flexible)
Business cards
Brochures, flyers, catalogues and postcards
Newsletters
Articles
Signs and posters
Gift certificates
Direct mail sales letters
Competitions
Advertising
Newspaper, magazines
Printed directories such as Yellow Pages
Press releases
Advertorial
Hoardings
Window displays
Verbal/visual
Telemarketing
Networking
Seminars, talks and presentations
Agents
Special events
Charity events
Trade shows
Radio and TV appearances
Internet
Website
Directories
Social media
Blog
Ezine and ebook
Personal
Word of mouth
Referral
Step 6 – Set Goals
Make some estimates of what you want. Make sure they are SMART – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely. Put processes in place to measure how you are doing.
Step 7 – Develop your Budget
If you have been trading for a while, review your accounts to establish how much it has cost you to acquire each client. Then decide on how much each extra client is worth to you and therefore if it is profitable to invest additional resources to gain additional clients.
This is all about running a profitable business – it is no good throwing good money away developing a product or service which is losing money IF you have undertaken all the low cost marketing you can.
20% of your efforts will yield 80% of the results. If one marketing method works for you, do lots more of it. Don’t think ‘Leafleting is my best form of marketing. I’ll just try an advert to see if it’s better’. Only when you have the resources to expend on advertising or capacity to copy with the additional sales should you add another medium.
People buy from people they like, people they trust and who are credible
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