Spread your marketing spend
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My associates at Stop the Train have launched a unique 'Route to Market' scheme.
Simply buy a year's worth of marketing 'credits' to spend on whatever services you want, when you want, and pay monthly to make budgeting easier.
Prices start from just £20 per month.
To find out more, please phone Angela on 0845 123 5454 and quote 'Comms Plus'.
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What the People Say
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"I was recently tasked to edit some written material for Jackie. But the job really didn't need it. I didn't have to change a word! Jackie does exactly what she says, and that's writing without waffle."
Carol Ann Walters
PR Consultant
"You really have a knack with words and images." Phill Tulloch, Destiny Printers
"I don't know anyone who understands the power of networking better." Elaine King, Flexible Learning Co-ordinator, The Priory School
More reviews at:
Which Web Design Company
The Best Of Bromley
Review me at:
WeCanDo.Biz
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Really useful links
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Quick Links
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Free resources and fun stuff on my website
What we can learn from UK advertising at my Bad Ads blog
Be my friend (and play Lexulous, if you dare!)
on Facebook
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Greetings!
Following last month's 'world's worst networker' story, I had promised to write more about networking in this issue. Instead, I've decided to explain how marketing can make an impact, even when times are tough. Hope that's OK! The networking tips will be included in a future issue.
Jackie
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How a Small Change can make a BIG Difference
Most business coaches will tell you that there are three key areas of your business that you should monitor in order to measure success.
1. How many customers you have
2. How much they spend with you, on average
3. How often they order each year
The coaches will also tell you that, if you increase any one of these measures by just 10%, it will have a positive impact on your bottom line.
For example, if you have 100 customers each year, placing 2 orders and spending £100 each time, your turnover will be £20,000. If you gain 10 extra customers, your turnover will be £22,000. If you also increase the average order value (AOV) to £110, your turnover will be £24,200. And if you can increase your order frequency to 2.2, your turnover will be £26,620!
What the coaches don't always tell you, is how to achieve those 10% increases. So here are some ideas (let me know if you have more):
· To increase the number of customers - referral scheme, newsletter, website, networking
· To increase your AOV - increase prices, cross-sell services, up-sell extras
· To increase order frequency - newsletter, thank you cards, reminder service, survey
Meanwhile, you should also monitor your expenses. If you usually spend
£2,000p.a. on £20,000 turnover, your profit will be £18,000. But if you
reduce expenses by 10% to £1,800 at the same time as increasing those
three key metrics by 10%, your profit will be £24,820.
· To reduce expenses - cut costs, negotiate barter deals / joint ventures, networking
If you want to take up any of these suggestions, of course, I can help! My work is not just about making your marketing communications read well and look pretty. It's about making your business more profitable. Please ask if you'd like more information.
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By any other name...
As a writer, I am concerned with accuracy and like to dispel myths about word usage.
For example, TWAIN is an interface between image processing software and a scanner or digital camera. The name is from Kipling's 'The Ballad of East and West' "...and never the twain shall meet...", reflecting the original difficulty of connecting scanners and personal computers.
Because the brand name is always displayed in upper case, people thought was an acronym, which led to a contest to come up with a meaning. No winners were selected, but the entry 'Technology Without An Interesting Name' is commonly quoted.
It may not be a prize-winner, but I prefer it!
Original source
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On a Personal Note
I'm happy to report that people seem to want more marketing at the moment rather than less, and last year Comms Plus generated record turnover (and profit)! Long may it last.
I have, however, noticed that some clients are becoming slower to pay. I'm not the only one.
According to a poll of 400,000 companies by Experian last October, the number of days large firms take to pay an invoice has increased from 81 to 88 since June. Medium-size companies now take 66 days on average, while small firms (less than 50 people) take 63 days.
I've signed up to the Better Payment Practice Code which means I pay my suppliers within 15 days (the same credit period that I offer my clients). The website also offers lots of advice about how to get paid on time.
For 2009, I'm launching some new products, have appointed a VA to help with my admin, and am increasing the flexibility of my payment terms. I'm also reviewing my prices with effect from April, so you'd better get in quick if you want any marketing help at the current rates!
Watch this space...
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