Marketing Guides

Your 60 minute marketing plan
You can put together a very good marketing plan for your business in just 60 minutes. It’s just a case of answering a few simple questions, doing a little bit of thinking, then adding the magic ingredient: Action! [May 19, 2009]

What is a brand identity?
One of the most important things to focus on for a brand to succeed is consistency: consistency in product, message, packaging…in everything. However, it is also about the identity of the consumer looking to buy into that brand experience, and the two must resonate if the relationship is to be a happy one. [May 14, 2009]

5 networking secrets used by professionals
When you’ve found the right networking events to go to, there are a number of secrets used by professionals to build powerful networks of relationships and turn them into significant sales. [May 12, 2009]

Top Ten Tips for delivering the best presentation
In these current economic times never has the importance of good communication been more vital. This piece provides a simple step-by-step approach to delivering the best presentation. [May 5, 2009]

Guide to getting your point across to your audience
How to avoid common mistakes that lose an audience, and how to replace them with attention-grabbing alternatives. [November 28, 2008]

Steal the big boys' methods of measuring marketing - for a fraction of the cost
Every single piece of marketing activity you do must be closely monitored and its performance challenged. Test a new idea and check that it works before spending a significant sum on it. We show you how you can take the big boys’ concepts and apply them to your small business [November 27, 2008]

Beat the recession with 10 new marketing activities
When the economy turns bad, many established companies will not be able to react as quickly as leaner, smaller operations. Here are ten suggested new marketing activities to help you stay one step ahead of your competitors. [November 17, 2008]

5 marketing essentials to head off any drop in sales
One of the main dangers in the current economic climate for small businesses is self-paralysing fear. Many businesses will lose sales over the next year, but many others will see the recession as a sales opportunity. Here are five proactive ideas to help use marketing to your advantage. [October 28, 2008]

Invest in social networking and become 'recession proof'
The founder of a leading business site says that social networking will be a "critical factor" in the survival of small companies during the current economic downturn. Includes some handy networking resources. [July 30, 2008]

Seven ways to weather the economic storm
Some expert advice for small business people who are apprehensive about the economic downturn. [May 27, 2008]

Successful networking and new business survival
Why successful networking could hold the key to survival for new businesses. Includes tips on how to implement an effective networking strategy. [May 6, 2008]

Carve out a niche for your business and you're more likely to succeed
Ever heard the saying: jack of all trades, master of none? That saying has never been more true than when it comes to marketing your small business. [April 18, 2008]

Top marketing tips for Direct Mail success
When done properly, direct mail can be a predictable and cost effective way to generate sales leads for your new business. [April 16, 2008]

How to develop a strong USP and how to use it to attract more customers
A USP is much more than just a way of positioning your business in marketing materials. It’s something that needs to be at the very core of what you’re doing – part of your business’s DNA. [April 8, 2008]

Top Ten marketing success tips for small businesses
Whatever the size of your business, successful marketing relies on a combination of long-term strategy with short-term plan of action for maximum impact. [March 7, 2008]

50 Bootstrap Marketing ideas for startups - Part Two
Here are a further 25 excellent bootstrap marketing tips for small businesses - how to publicise your business without a large budget. [January 30, 2008]

50 Bootstrap Marketing ideas for startups - Part One
The alternative to spending a lot of cash on marketing is to bootstrap it. This means marketing your new business on a very small budget. It’s about using creativity rather than cash to shout about what you’re doing. Part One. [January 28, 2008]

Exporting - A Guide to exporting for small businesses
Exporting to foreign markets seems too daunting for many small businesses but it's not as difficult as you might think. This guide to exporting covers how to develop an effective export strategy, how to finance it, and where to go for help and advice. [November 12, 2007]

Customer Complaints - How to improve customer satisfaction
Juliet Mumford explains why measuring customer satisfaction reaches far beyond counting the number of customer complaints. [October 2, 2007]