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What makes working with us different to other marketing companies

What makes working with us different to other marketing companies

Now that you’ve decided to work with us at Strath Communications, how will it work? We work so that you have one point of contact with us and we keep in regular contact so that the work we do meets the needs of your business and customers.

Who is your main contact?

When you work with Strath Communications our founder, Jennifer Macdonald-Nethercott will be your main contact.  She’ll work closely with you to develop you marketing strategy and plan and what you need us to deliver for you and by when.   Jennifer will project manage this for you to ensure that it is developed on budget, on time and to agreed objectives.

What information do we need from you?

This can depend on what work we’ve agreed to do with you, from full marketing strategy development, where we would need to know your business plan and objectives and have access to your online analytics and current marketing activity.  Or we maybe looking after your social media accounts, so we would need full access to these accounts and agree a marketing budget for them.

How much time will you need to spend with us?

Initially we would have a meeting ideally face to face, otherwise over Skype and would suggest a couple of hours for this.  From this meeting we would agree the marketing requirements for your business and keep in touch with you by email and phone. Plus, would agree how much of your time we’d need to be able to deliver the plan.  However, the reason you’ve brought us on board is so that we can free up your time to spend working on your business while we take care of your marketing, so the more information we have on your business the easier it is to implement the marketing on your behalf that is on brand and on target.

How do you want to be communicated with and how often?

This is all down to what suites you and your business’s needs, be it by email, phone, WhatsApp or Skype.  We’re happy to use the channel that suites you and your business.

We will also provide you with a monthly report with what we’ve completed, highlight successes and what is planned for the month ahead.  You will also have a marketing plan that we’ll have created and as this is a live document we’ll share with you on a  regularly basis.  We will also share action points and success from the plan as they arise too.

We believe that the key to successfully communicating your story to reach your customers is by communicating regularly with you too.
Find out more about working with us by reading some of our other blogs or fill in the form below to arrange a call and we can look at how we can deliver more customers to your business.

Where to start writing a marketing plan

Where to start writing a marketing plan

How do you go about writing a marketing plan when you don’t know where to start.  Why do you need a marketing plan?  I’ve never needed a plan before so why now?

A marketing plan is a strategic plan to grow your business and talk to your customers.  Ultimately, it is to enable you to sell more products or services and make sure that these are put in front of your customers at the right time and in the right place.

A marketing plan will include who your target market is and the planned activity and budget on how you’re going to reach them.    Including your budget in the plan will ensure that you spend consistently on marketing and that ultimately meet your business objectives which in turn will lead to a profitable business.

So how do you start?

Review what you do now with your marketing and where you want to go with your business.  What are your business objectives for the year ahead? What are your target markets and where will you reach them?  From this you can create a plan and content to reach them and what budget you will need.

With a plan in place it makes it much easier to be reactive if an opportunity comes along or you have to change direction in your business due to outside market pressures.

Having a plan in place means that you can measure how successful it is too.  Have the marketing plan delivered the required number of leads/sales.  Has it increased web traffic or social media reach?

What do you need?

The best way is to start with a calendar and mark out all your product launches, events and key dates throughout the year that you already know about.  Are there any key target markets you are going after and what level of resources will you have to target them.

How?

You will then be able to target the right channels to reach your customers and work on the right messages to get them to buy your products and services, as ultimately that’s why you’re in business, is to make a profit and solve your customers problems.

What next?

Make sure that you implement your plan consistently as this is what will generate results and measure these results.

Review

Make sure you take time to review your plan on a regular basis as it may need amended as your business develops and you start to generate results.  With more success you may want to invest more into marketing and product development.

We’d be happy to talk to you about how to implement the above and where you should start.  Just call us today on 07738 966588.

More about me

More about me

An about us page can only tell you so much about the business or person you’re about to work with. So, I’ve created this blog which has more about me and my experience.

I went to Glasgow Caledonian University in the mid 90’s to study Leisure Management.  At this time, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do but it gave me the opportunity to live in a city I love and work in the USA for 6 months.

During this time, I spent it working in the hospitality and tourism industry, eventually deciding in 2006 that I wanted a 9-5 job and my weekends back!  However, I did do a variety of jobs from life guard to ski instructor and event organisation, it was never a dull time and taught me the importance of customer service.  The customer may always be right as they have generally worked hard and paid a lot of money to enjoy their leisure time, so yes, they do want more in return.  And now in our world of instant gratification this has become more important if you are in the service industry.

I then moved into a marketing role within the automotive industry.  Again, very customer focused but also tied to meeting sales targets every quarter.  The planning was in quarterly cycles with two spikes every year around new car registrations.  It did mean we were reactive rather than entirely planned however it meant I had to be creative fast.

During this time the advent of social media arrived, and online marketing was being pushed as a skill on its own.  It certainly meant I could talk to our customers in a way that gets instant response and creates conversations.  Now in 2019 we’ve become used to getting a response from business almost instantly. However, your business now needs to ensure its tone of voice and branding runs through all communications channels too.

After nearly 10 years in the automotive industry I took a marketing manager’s role in the world of food and drink and worked with FMCG brands.  Being the brand guardian meant I had more flexibility with campaigns and talking direct to customers.  It also led to working in a variety of export markets and dealing with Highlands and Islands Enterprise who supported the business.

From this role it gave me the marketing knowledge and ambition to set up my own business.  I have a very clear outline of who I want to work with – entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their business and get in front of more customers more often.  They’ll be working in their own business but needing to outsource key roles so that they can get back to building and developing their business.

If this is you.  Give me a call today about how I can create and implement your marketing strategy and plan so you can continue to develop and grow your business.

I am based in Grantown on Spey, near Aviemore and work throughout Inverness, the Highlands, Moray and Elgin.

How to promote your business at a trade show

How to promote your business at a trade show

Firstly, going to a trade show can be a large investment of both time and money and the outcomes need to be considered before you even book the trade show.  Don’t let pushy sales people tell you that this is a one off deal as it’s only a good deal if your customers will be at that event!
Ensure that the trade show that you attend will generate sales leads and give your brand, products or services the exposure that will lead to the growth of your business and put you in front of your ideal client.

1. Set objectives to measure how success the event has been, generate new sales leads, take orders at the event, build customer relationships, gain exposure in a new market

2. Decide which trade shows to attend and this should be based on where your ideal client is, is the trade show happening within a new market you are wanting to develop

3. Walk the floor first. If you can try and walk the floor at the trade show before you invest in taking your own space at it.  This will give you an idea of the layout, how busy the event is in terms of footfall, the other exhibitors and how they present themselves, what types of visitors attend the show

4. Pre-event promotion, this is so important to ensure that buyers and the event organiser know who you are and what you will be bringing to the event. It allows you to maximise on pre-event PR and increase your exposure pre-event.

5. Create an engaging and brand relevant trade stand. Make sure that your stand is on brand and showcases your business and what you’re about. Customers make decisions within seconds and may decide to just walk past you if you don’t make a first impression that connects with them.

6. Staff training is key to a successful event. They need to be engaging and know stand etiquette such as not standing staring into their phones/laptops.  Any phone calls have to be taken off the stand.  If staff need to have a work discussion take this off the stand.  The stand is all about attracting your ideal customer and engaging with them, so they want to do business with you.

7. Schedule meetings prior to the event too. Most events have a meet the buyer system where you can pre-arrange meetings and take advantage of buyers who are actively looking for new business.

8. At event promotion is key to visibility around it. Ensure your talking on social media channels and using tag in the events channels too. Use hashtags so you can be found easily.  Talk about what to expect on the stand and any highlights you have at the show.

9. Network at the event too. Be this with buyers or other exhibitors, most events have networking events around them too. Make sure you are seen.

10. Data capture is key. Buy the scanner to scan name badges and have the details emailed to you.  Collect business cards.  There are apps that are easy to scan business cards these days too.

11. Post-event follow up is the number one thing to do on return to the office. Email/phone all contacts made with any action points you agreed.  Follow up and set up meetings, get information out.  The first few days/weeks are key when you are fresh in the buyer’s mind.  Remember they attended as they want to do more business.

Lastly enjoy it. Customers want to be there, and you want to be there.

How will we work together to create your marketing strategy?

How will we work together to create your marketing strategy?

Now that you’ve decided to work with a marketing consultancy, how will it work? I know that you have questions, so I’ll answer some of the key ones here.  If I don’t cover them all send me a quick email and I’ll come right back to you.

Who is your main contact?

When you work with Strath Communications our founder, Jennifer Macdonald-Nethercott will be your main contact.  I’ll work closely with you to scope out what you need us to deliver for you and by when and she’ll project manage this for you.

What information do I need from you?

This can depend on what work I’ve agreed to do with you, from full marketing strategy development where I would need to know your business plan and objectives and have access to your analytics and current marketing activity.  If you’ve asked me to look after your social media, I’ll need full access to these accounts and agree a marketing budget for them.

How much time will you need to spend with me?

Initially I would have a meeting ideally face to face, otherwise over Zoom and would suggest a couple of hours for this.  After this initial meeting agreeing the scope of the work I would keep in touch with you by email and phone and would agree how much of your time I’d need. However, the reason you’ve brought me on board is so that I can free up your time to spend working on your business while I take care of your marketing.

How do you want to be communicated with and how often?

This is all down to what suits you and your business’s needs, be it by email, phone, WhatsApp or Zoom.  I’m happy to use the channel that suits you and your business.

I will also provide you with a monthly report with what I’ve completed, highlight successes and what is planned for the month ahead.  You will also have a marketing plan that I’ll have created and as this is a live document I’ll share it regularly with you.  I will also share action points and wins as they arise too.

I believe that the key to successfully communicating your story to reach your customers is by communicating regularly with you too.

Developing your Marketing Strategy

Developing your Marketing Strategy

When we work together there is information that you already have and use as part of your business that make writing and developing a marketing strategy and plan, extensions of your business planning process.

The marketing strategy will only work if it is aligned to your current business  objectives.

So what do we need to be able to develop your marketing strategy?

  • Copy of your business plan and current objectives
  • Access to any market research that the business currently has on who is buying the product and the market share
  • Access to any insights such as Google Analytics/social media insights/email database
  • New product launches planned
  • Current marketing activity

Through the above we will agree the marketing priorities for the business and key target markets.  We will write the marketing strategy and plan and create a discussion document so that we can agree the strategy along with the plan in line with any sales plan.

An initial meeting to discuss the above should only take a couple of hours, plus a couple of hours preparation time on our side to find out more about your business to ensure that from our initial meeting we can create your marketing strategy and develop a marketing plan.

We believe in results and will create a dashboard that we can review so that the marketing is on track in line with the business and sales plans.

Plans and objectives so change and being agile to be able to adapt to this when it comes to marketing is all part of a Chartered Marketers skill however it’s much easier to be flexible if there is an overall marketing and strategy to follow in the first place. It means that when adhoc opportunities come along you are much better placed to maximise on these.

Just email us with any questions you have about working with a marketing consultancy, we’d love to hear from you.

If you want to know more about why to hire a marketing consultant read our blog here. Alternatively drop us a line to find out how we can work together to grow your business here.

Why do I need a marketing plan?

Why do I need a marketing plan?

Why do I need a marketing plan?  How do I go about writing one, as

I don’t know where to start?

If you find yourself asking these questions there really is only one thing to do and that is find an expert to help you.

A marketing plan is used to grow your business and talk to your customers using the right channels at the right time.  Ultimately it is to enable you to sell more products or services.

The marketing plan will include who your target market is and planned activity on how you’re going to communicate with them.  It will also include your marketing budget which will be required to deliver your marketing plan.  Ensuring that you spend consistently on marketing will ensure that you ultimately meet your business objectives.

So how do you start?

Review what you do now and where you want to go with your business.  Who are your target markets and where will you reach them?  From this you can create a plan and content to reach them and what budget you will need.

With a plan in place it makes it much easier to be reactive if an opportunity comes along or you have to change direction in your business due to outside market pressures.

What do you need?

The best way is to start with a calendar and mark out all your product launches, events and key dates throughout the year that you already know about.  Are there any key target markets you are going after and what level of resources will you have to target them.

How?

You will then be able to target the right channels to reach your customers and work on the right messages to get them to buy your products and services, as ultimately that’s why you’re in business, to make a profit and solve your customer’s problems.

What next?

Make sure that you implement your plan consistently as this is what will generate results and keep you in front of your customers.

Review

Make sure you take time to review your plan on a regular basis as it may need amended as your business develops and you start to generate results.
I’d be happy to talk to you about how to implement the above and where you should start. 

Just contact me today.

Why should I hire a marketing consultancy?

Why should I hire a marketing consultancy?

By hiring a marketing consultancy this allows you to focus on the running of your business and developing it further.

A marketer has invested a lot of time and money into their training and development so you don’t have to. At Strath Communications, Jennifer is also a Chartered Marketer, which means a programme of CPD (continuous professional development) each year to ensure that she stays up to date with the latest issues that affect marketing today.

Marketers ensure that they are upto date with the latest trends and channels that your customers are spending time in so that you don’t have to.  The world of marketing has changed so much over the past 20 years. Facebook and Twitter weren’t around, Mark Zuckerberg was only 3 years old!

Why should you hire a marketing consultant?

They will come to your business and find out what your strategies and objectives are, who your target customers are and the best channels to reach those customers through.  A Chartered Marketer has gained this knowledge through years of training and experience to do be able to do this for you.

Where do I find one?

Through your own networks. Ask other businesses who they are working with, who are you connected with on social media, who do your friends and family know.  Have you tried Google?

These are the best ways to find someone to work with who has the same outlook as you and will want to develop and grow your business with you.  Recommendations are one things but also check out their credentials online, can you find them, do they have a website, are they on social media?

What can they do for me?

A marketing consultancy will work with you and your business to create a marketing strategy that links with your business strategy and objectives.   They can also do the following for you too:

  • Setting objectives for your marketing and ensuring that these are delivered
  • Marketing planning and implementation
  • Content marketing for your website, social media and email
  • PR management
  • Social media management
  • Email marketing
  • Product launches
  • Packaging design management

This means that you can focus on the development of your business, be that new products, making it more profitable or increasing and developing sales.

A marketing consultant will keep you involved in the marketing through regular meetings, sharing content, sharing successes and monthly reports.  Marketing is important but it is also creative and fun too and we understand this.  So will keep you involved as much or as little as you want.

What next?

Review where your business is at and where you want to go with it.  Then get in contact with us at Strath Communications and we will work with you on the next stage of your business journey.

5 simple tips to kick start your marketing

5 simple tips to kick start your marketing

There are some key areas you need to know to really get the most out of your marketing and communications. Once you know these areas you’ll be able to measure effectively if your marketing is working and driving traffic/enquiries/sales to your business.

1. Know who your customers are. It is essential that you know who your target market is. Who is buying your products or services and how often?  Are they loyal and repeat consumers?

2. Find out where your customers hang out. Is it on or offline? It’s probably both but you need to know where to be able to target them and it will give you an idea of their interests.

3. Plan, plan and plan. You need to know what you want to achieve and how you are going to achieve it.  Set objectives so you can measure and get a plan put together.

4. Create great content targeted at your ideal customer. Content is great for SEO, the Google bot and sharing across your social media platforms and email channels.

5. Share your content everywhere, online, on your website, on your social channels in your emails.

If you don’t know where to start that’s where I can help you.   I’ll work with you to find out who your ideal customer is, where they are and develop a plan to target them.  I will even create the content and deliver this so your customers know who you are and how your product or service is right for them.

Get in touch today and we can have a chat about where you are at with your business and where you want to go and let’s build a plan to get there.