Blog

02
Mar
Defining Your Brand Vision, Mission and Values

Defining Your Brand Vision, Mission and Values

If you run your own business, one of the first things you should do is define the fabric of your brand––what does it stand for? It’s pretty common for many businesses not to have already done this, but it is hugely important and valuable in defining your direction and every decision. When working out “what should we do?”, you need a brand barometer to evaluate your choices against, so you are considering “what would our brand do?”...

10
Feb
When it’s a race to the bottom, climb to the top.

When it’s a race to the bottom, climb to the top.

Current market pressures on businesses are coming from all angles: Rising supply chain costs, increased labour costs due to short supply, and rocketing energy bills. These hikes drive competition in most markets, so you need to think about how you will adapt. Cutting your prices to retain or win business is not the answer; you should be increasing them. Read more to hear why!

04
Feb
Websites That Win

Websites That Win

The winning approach to creating an excellent website for your business? One that attracts good visitor traffic and converts it into enquiries. This month we discuss the importance of having a great website at the heart of your business in an increasingly digital world.

06
Jan
Exposure that doesn't cost a penny: How to

Exposure that doesn't cost a penny: How to

Going viral is the holy grail of marketing. "Viral" content you create on social media that gets the public's attention; people then share it to their network, and those people do too. Before you know it, and in the same way bacteria multiply in a dish, hundreds of thousands to millions of people have seen your content, and it hasn't cost you anything!

15
Dec
How to create an e-brochure that wins new customers.

Creating a E-Brochure to Win Customers

This month, we look at the power of the e-brochure (and the brochure in general). An e-brochure is a digital version rather than a printed one, enabling you to utilise digital-format benefits to tell your story richer and more captivating. Plus, if you want a printed brochure, you can also do that with your e-brochure as your source file.

07
Jul
The definitive guide to creating your brand story

Who Am I? The definitive guide to creating your brand story and using it effectively.

One of the things many business owners find difficult is talking about their own business. It is incredibly common. Not day-to-day conversation but defining what their story is, what their brand proposition is and then putting that into written words. Where do you start – a brochure, a website? What do you say? How do you say it? Surely anything will do? Having a structured approach to telling your story will help you to build really strong foundations that you can build your entire pitch around.

09
Mar
Illustration of women breaking out of cage

Finding your Difference and Cutting Through the Advertising ‘Noise’

With many businesses now feeling there’s light at the end of a long and dark tunnel, companies are (or certainly should be) thinking about what they are going to do to generate new business. Whatever action you plan to take, things are going to get very noisy out there, so what can you do to stand out from it all?

22
Feb
illustration of women talking into megaphone

Meaningful marketing that hits closer to home

In a world where businesses have been forced to adapt to so many sudden changes, it is not just people’s needs and behaviours that are changing, their beliefs and feelings are too. This is a time to focus not only on our methods (and how we communicate) but the substance, tone and style of what we communicate.

22
Jan
Vector of girl walking past a sign, with two direcions:

Brand position and direction to maximise opportunity

The world doesn’t stand still and neither should a brand. Things change so fast nowadays that brands can’t simply do enough to keep up with the times and often miss major opportunities that can be exploited by a real shift in direction. This month’s article is about how your brand should evolve not only to survive but to prosper.

14
Dec
Vector of phone showing a Facebook style ppc advertisement

Harnessing web-based advertising for sales and enquiries

Internet advertising, often aggregated together under the term “PPC”, can be a powerhouse opportunity for anyone wanting virtually instantaneous product sales or service enquiries. At the same, it is a minefield, so how you determine where your budget is best spent and avoid the common, beginners’ scenario of it disappearing down a plughole with nothing to show?

19
Oct
Icon of a virus and the text

Coronavirus, Covid, and Carrying On in Business

During the pandemic, it is easy to lose sight of the way forward, with the worry of what your business' future may hold. This article is all about positive guidance to get through the tougher times.

14
Sep
Linkedin icon with other illustrations linked to social media

How to Build Your Business Through Linkedin

This article gives you the basic knowledge you need to embrace LinkedIn as a networking platform, get going and see results quickly.

23
Jul
Cartoon of man sitting at a computer having a video conference call

Getting Back to Business with a Bang

Now is the time for some introspection and to think seriously about what you can do to improve the way you retain your existing customers and reach new ones in new ways.

23
Apr
Illustration of people building the structure of a website

The Power of SEO - Part 2

In this article, we build upon the SEO basics I introduced previously, expanding on what you can do on-site and off-site, to make sure your SEO strategy a success.

23
Mar
Cogs with Dollar Signs inside, with a computer cursor clicking the top cog

Understanding PPC Advertising - What It Is & How It Works

Drawing people to your business, is becoming more critical than ever. And one sure-fire route to getting you front and centre in front of your customer is through PPC advertising.

11
Feb
The word 'SEO' with a magnifying glass and mechanical cogs

The Power of SEO - Part 1

If you can dominate Google search results, you can dominate a market. This is the power of being found first and you should make it your goal.

11
Dec
Illustration of an email on a laptop, titled

The Hidden Goldmine of Email Marketing - Part 2

Get the lowdown on what goes into creating the emails themselves and the key rules you should stick to when producing your content.

02
Nov
Illustration of an email on a laptop, titled

The Hidden Goldmine of Email Marketing - Part 1

Believe it or not, when done the right way, it can be one of the lowest cost/highest return ways to promote your business. We have seen huge returns from it over the years and you can too.

07
Oct
Illustration of three smart phones looking at social media channels

An Introduction to Social Media and Using It for Business

This article is going to explore some of the main social media channels, how to choose the best ones for your business and how to use them in the right way to get leads.

12
Aug
Illustration of an elevator pitch in a lift

The Art of Selling - Part 3

How you can improve conversions once you get to the stage that you are asked for a price, a quotation or a proposal? Find out how

02
Jul
Illustration of people signing a contract and shaking hands

The Art of Selling - Part 2

This month, I’m going to explore in more detail what to do when you find yourself in front of someone. This is more tailored to face-to-face selling but you can adapt and apply these techniques to all types of selling situations.

05
Jun
Illustration of a megaphone

The Art of Selling - Part 1

Today, this is useful for anyone selling something in person, rather than online, and even if you don't have a business, you will find tips here you could apply when selling yourself to a prospective employer in your next job interview.

25
Apr
illustration of a neon open sign

How to Drive More Customers to Your Business Website... and Get Them to Buy

Build it and they come! Actually, no, they won’t. Having a decent website is only half the battle… you need visitors or, as they’re collectively referred to, “traffic”.

08
Apr
An illustration of a rocket launching into space

Hello, World - A quick guide to getting your business online

After you have the basics of your business getting et up, next is to explore the next most important part of communicating your business to a world of prospective customers… building and publishing your website.

03
Mar
Colour palette pickers, paint brushes and a light bulb

How to Build a Strong Business Brand

Now your idea is off the ground, it's now time to discuss the topic of “the brand” and how critical it is to getting a business off on the right foot.

06
Feb
Illustration of people planning in a meeting with a projector and charts

Start your own business - the right way

From the idea stage to bringing a product or service to market, a business launch encompasses myriad steps. Darren Isaac, the founder of TFA, offers his advice on starting the right way.

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