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Over the last couple of days, we’ve been up in London at a conference, amongst Marketing Innovators and Best of Bread Marketing Tech Companies. Amazing. I have been inspired by: Marketing Technology that removes all the hard work Amazing new Direct Marketing ideas The power of Influencer Marketing A really nice Piano bar in Kensington (laugh out loud) But more than anything, I was struck by just how inadequately that brands are telling their story – even the Marketing professionals with exhibition stands at this event – where they have paid THOUSANDS to be there. The issue with not telling your story in the right way? You don’t connect with customers – and ultimately DO NOT BUILD THE RELATIONSHIP AND MAKE THE SALE…. So I thought we need to put that right, and I am offering you a FREE place …

Well, last night my sister (Laura) and I stayed overnight at a hotel. We decided to order some room service. Italian Stone-baked Pepperoni Pizza for her (yum yum) and from the comfort food section, sausage and mash for me served with herbed mash and onion gravy… just what I needed on this cold, frosty night. So Laura picked up the phone and dialled room service. A lady called Clare answered the phone to take our order and I said to Laura, “check that the pizza’s not frozen and that it is made on site and just double check the mash is actually also fresh”. This is how the conversation went. “Hello Clare, I wonder if you can just answer a couple of questions for me before I order” Q: Is the Pizza fresh or frozen? “Oh, I don’t know, I only ever …

It’s not the first, and it certainly won’t be the last time I say… “It really does take 7 to 15 interactions with someone before we are willing to consider buying from you” This makes keeping in touch really important, and a must for your Marketing Plan – and Email Marketing is perfect for this. But the thing is…. YOU NEED A REASON TO WRITE – otherwise, there is no point. With Valentines Day around the corner, I’ve had some great emails from a various companies, linking a promotion to this date of “lurrrrve” in the calendar – such as gifts, clothing, dining and the list goes on. A great fit for those businesses to this occasion. So… do you have a REASON to write, and a way to clock up those 7 to 15 interactions? A reason to write …

“I’m not a huge fan of exercise, but what with carrying an extra Winter stone in weight, it was time to bite the bullet and be the cliché….. the person that joins the gym in January. I’ve been to “Body Jam” twice so far – it’s an exercise class that is based on some rather rigorous dance moves. The problem is… it’s very fast paced, and basically results in a bunch of women with their arms and legs flailing around, trying to keep up with the routine. EXCEPT if you’ve been going for some time…. Now for those ladies, it’s a different story. They all move in harmony with the instructor; looking great and rather advanced as they piece each of the steps together pretty perfectly. It reminds me a bit of that scene in Ants! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu14oUfkN1E So for me, …

“YOU ARE THE AVERAGE OF THE 5 PEOPLE YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME WITH”. It’s the law of averages! It’s certainly worth considering this well know phrase when it comes to growing your business, because who we hang around with influences us; whether we like it or not. That influence will touch on: Our way of thinking Our self esteem Our decisions Our success Whether that influence is positive or negative, it will have an impact on these areas, and many more. So, have you got a good balance of: Those that will nurture you and help you develop: They’ve been there, don it, brought the T-Shirt They are confidants that you can seek support from They are highly skilled in an area that you are not They are positive, and have a positive outlook They are “BETTER” than you! …

Ever think…. WHEN WILL MY MARKETING START TO GIVE ME A CONTINUAL FLOW OF CUSTOMERS? The answer is….When you get the strongest of FOUNDATIONS in place. Many businesses invest heavily in Marketing that COSTS money; when there are other simple, highly important and utterly effective places to focus before ANY further financial investment. WHAT?I’M SUGGESTING YOU DON’T SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON MARKETING? Yes, that’s right! Not until you nail these 4 important foundations: 1. Tuning into your secret weapon:  A thorough knowledge of your STAR customers is your secret weapon… an in-depth understanding of what makes them tick is a must. Tuning into your customers this way will shake up your entire marketing strategy, and it’s easy to do with the right tools. Creating meaningful interactions with customers and prospects:And that means understanding that it really does take 7-15 communications for …

We all need to know where the true “VALUE” is in our business in the eyes of your customer (important distinction). If we cannot answer this for our business, then how is a customer supposed to know? Birch box is a great example… one of my absolute favourite purchases! It’s a beauty box that arrives every month with 5 of more beauty products that have apparently been selected for my needs (click here to find out more). The VALUE in the beauty box is NOT the products. When I really think about it, it is this: The delivery lady knocks on the door and it is a moment of excitement. I know the Birchbox has arrived. The Birchbox has to wait for a special moment. The twins must be in bed and Mr V out of the way. Only then will I open …

Have you ever played on those 2p slot machines? I have fond memories of being a child and playing on them. Ohhhh, the jeopardy and excitement… Making sure that you forcefully push that coin into the machine at the right time; so that it lands on the upper platform in isolation… to be able to push the existing coins forward when the platform moves backwards; creating that coin waterfall. I’ve just returned from a week in Devon with Mr V and the twins. We had a little go on “THE ROLLERCOASTER” machines…. (Anything to keep them entertained. They are FULL ON!) I still feel that excitement now… where for every £1 you put in, you might get 10p out. Yippeeeeeeee…. And even better if it all comes flooding out at once! About £8 went in all together this week. Nothing …

So you’re a business owner that doesn’t have much time on your hands for Marketing, right? Often, not only do you have to be the Business Owner, but also the Managing Director, Finance Director, Customer Service Director, Sales Director, HR Director… and the list goes on. So where do you fit in time to be the Marketing Director? I shall not deny. It’s tough. And therefore, it’s no wonder that TIME is in the top 3 answers to the question: “What stops you succeeding in Marketing?” So here’s my three steps to ensure you start to create some time for Marketing; and spend every second of that focused in the right places – and that’s making your business grow. 1. Where are you heading? You’re on a journey. But what destination are you trying to reach? How many customers? How much …

This is a real challenge for Small Business Owners. You know that Marketing is vital to bring in new customers but you’re not rich (not yet anyway!) and you may even feel overwhelmed by all the ‘Marketing’ options. We get asked this all the time: ‘How much should I pay for my website?’ ‘How much should I pay someone to do SEO for me?’ ‘How much should I pay someone to do some social media posts?’ It’s a tricky one, and there is an answer. But it isn’t delivered in pounds and pence. Where you spend your Money is much more important. Some experts say you should invest 10% of your revenue on marketing. Others say more, some say less. Already that could feel like a lot of money, especially when you don’t know what results you will get. Who …