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special offer!
Each month Alice the office dog brings you a very special offer
2 for 1 postcards
A great offer in the runup to Christmas. Our high quality postcards are a great way to promote yourself and now you can get Two Times the Postcards for One Times the Price.
It's available on A6
Full Colour
400gm,Unlaminated, Gloss, Matt Laminated Postcards up to a required quantity of 5,000 (ordered quantity 2,500).
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Issue 12: November 09 |
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welcome to hot off the press!
It's been a whole month since we took the plunge and changed the name and boy what a month it's been! We've been Tweeting and Facebooking, attending (and exhibiting at) exhibitions, networking events, the opening of envelopes, all in the name of getting the new name out there. It seems to be working as we have been very busy on the work front too (poor Alice has even been missing out on the odd W.A.L.K it's been so manic) not that we will ever complain about being too busy (she might though!)
This month we tell you a bit about what we've been up to with the YMCA, our new team member Trevor introduces himself, we have a guest article from Kelly Stevens of The Women's Business Clubs and a buy one get one free offer on postcard printing. It's all go!
Roll on next month ! 
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what we've been up to...
It's been a rather exciting time with lots of new prospects on the horizon, but the biggest project this month by far has been the Redhill and Reigate YMCA's Annual Review (and no it's not all about dancing in dodgy costumes!). This was our second year of designing this very important brochure, on behalf of our friends at Revelation, and as always it was full on!
After a few false starts on the overall design theme, we finally hit on a scheme that the client loved, and captured the energy and vibrancy of the organisation, young and fresh, but also attractive to potential and current donors, helpers and funding bodies.
 With the usual tight deadline and the need to get as much information and as many photos in as possible, while still making it look great (and keeping the page count down!), it was a challenge. However we got there in the end. If you're interested in finding out about all the good work done by the YMCA, why not visit Redhill and Reigate's website. |
This month, for a change, we have a guest article, from Kelly at the Women's Business Clubs. When I saw it, it definitely struck a chord as many of our clients baulk at the idea of having their phone number on every page of their website. Seems obvious but you'd be surprised!
where's your phone number?
This question was recently thrown at me by one of our Premier Club members when she popped into our offices. What she meant was where on our website was our phone number?
"It's on our 'Contact Us' page" I replied.
"Two clicks from any other page", she pointed out. "That's no good, it's got to be on every page of your website and really easy to find. Top right hand corner!".
I filed the thought away in the back of my head, and decided that on our next website rebuild we would make sure that it was where she suggested.
A week later I was reading an article about how two much smaller US companies are leaving two much larger competitor businesses behind when it comes to online orders. Experts are putting a large part of this success down to them having their phone number very prominently on every page.
US online analyst company Nielson's studies have shown that with just a tiny number of exceptions, the websites with the top conversion rates have the phone number listed on every page of their website. Obviously it makes life much simpler if your customer wants to call you, but also it gives them more assurance when they are buying online. If they need you, they know that they can easily contact you.
Needless to say, the TWBC office number appeared on our home page about 15 minutes later.
So where's your phone number? |
introducing Trevor
Last month I announced the exciting news that along with our new name and look, we have a new partner, Trevor Heley. Rather than me waffling on all about him, I thought I'd let him take the floor and do it himself!
Hi there
Sam suggested I give our readers a quick potted history for this the second edition of the Hot Sand Design Newsletter. So here it is.
I am not going to bore you with my CV but I guess I'll start by saying that I have been involved in sales and marketing for over 25 years. Of course it is not the fact that I have been round the block a few times that matters but what I have learnt during that time that is valuable to our customers.
Well I have worked for small UK based companies, the subsidiaries of international companies and large global corporations. That has taught me to be very flexible in my thinking.
I have delivered and commissioned sales and marketing activity so I know what works and how to control what can be a very expensive activity; as well as an understanding of why marketing is so important to growth, especially to smaller companies.
I helped develop pioneering Internet products in the mid 90s, developed and launched countless other products and rebranded a lot of companies from the inside and outside. All of which needed a lot of creativity and frankly nerve, which my greying hair is testament to!
I have spoken at international conferences, written for newspapers and journals. Lead on takeovers and been part of a small team creating a multi-billion dollar IPO. All of these taught me to listen hard and adapt to different audiences to get a messages across.
What does all that mean to you though? I think my answer would be "No theory just practical advice, successful delivery and a passion to help customers be what they want to be". Oh yes and just because something is serious there is no reason why it should not be fun as well.
Trevor
PS. In the coming editions I will be giving you some useful marketing tips. Let me know if there is any topic you would especially like advice on.
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Best wishes
Sam & the Team
Hot Sand Design! | |
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