Lord Simon J.

That's me 3 years ago thinking that I'm the best at marketing... But looking back, I now know that ... 3 years ago me was a total noob. ... 3 years ago me thought I could run a business ... 3 years ago me had so many shiny object syndrome, I might as well shine a torch light into my eyes Now, with the knowledge, experience and mindset I have, I might as well be a different person. I realised entrepreneurship is literally the same as being an employee... Yes, underneath the bells and whistles, freedom and income... ... There's one thing we all have in common and that is a career ladder. People who owns a business or is freelancing might have noticed this... ...but no one starts their entrepreneurship or employee journey at the top. Millionaire entrepreneurs... Digital nomads... ...even founders of internationally known companies. They do the shitty job first... ...then move up the ladder doing more complicated tasks and being given more important decision roles as they create more awareness about themselves. The way an employee rises the ladder is to first have the intent on climbing the ladder or getting more income... And to do that, they need to make themselves known to their superiors and collect trophies and achievements along the way to prove they could do it. Eventually, they'll attract the attention of headhunters or people higher up the ladder to offer them the opportunity to make it big. On the other hand, we have entrepreneurs starting out not knowing anything and rely on trial and errors... Then they make the decision to be successful... And to do that, they make their business and skills well known to the market and their potential clients, collecting trophies and achievements along the way to prove they could do the thing. Eventually, they'll attract the attention of wealthy and important figures up the industry ladder to over them the opportunity to make it big. The scale might be different, but the requirements are the same. Just a small thought over lunch, let me know if you think so too.

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Your target audience don't think about your Brand as much as you do, infact, they rarely think about your Brand. They vaguely summarise who you are based on all their experiences with you... Which is why you need a tight positioning which guides every single touch point, so the summary of who you are increases the value of your products and services. Steve Jobs once said... "It’s a complicated and noisy world, and we’re not going to get a chance to get people to remember much about us. No company is. So, we have to be really clear about what we want them to know about us." Someone once said to me, "Brand is built when you do the right thing"... but the reality is, doing the right thing and delivering on your promises is expected. Positioning is about differentiation. And it's a strategic choice, that must be acted on by everyone in an organisation, not just the leadership team. Read the article in the comments to learn more.

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The marketing you do to your customers after buying is just as crucial as the marketing efforts before they make a purchase. The marketing you do to your customers after buying is as important as the marketing you do prior to them buying. Many brands I speak to put a lot of energy into getting people 'over the line' to buy but then go ghost once the purchase has been made. Doing do will reduce returns and increase repeat purchases. #Marketing #CustomerEngagement #CustomerRetention #BusinessGrowth

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How to Close 75% of Your Sales Calls‌ How to close: - Ideal Client Profile (ICP) A process... Discover - identify pain - get buyer to identify it -get buyer to feel the pain - and realise you can fix it Educate - personal stories - founder stories - customer stories Associate - how we can solve the problem Lead -the discussion #agencyleader #agencysales #agencygrowth https://lnkd.in/gKgXup_d

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So much of Marketing is Strategic Thinking. Thinking about your buyers. Thinking about your messaging and target audience. Thinking about how to pitch your offering in the right way, with the right words, with the right data. Thinking about your distribution strategy to maximise impact. Thinking about your qualification systems. And then Doing. Learning. Repeating. Failing Fast. There is of course a balancing act between strategy and launch. Sometimes it is just about getting the damn campaign live. But for the most part, don’t feel guilty for taking the time to think deeply in order to ramp and scale at just the right time. I know there’s often the pressure to go for the random acts of marketing. But in most cases, it really will pay dividends. ^ Musings come to me as I work through a chunky client audit this week 💭📈

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Check out our latest article on how to maximise the usefulness of your existing databases. #b2bdata

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Maintaining your brand equity when redesigning your website About 50% of the websites we create involves a modernising of the logo, we are sometimes limited in what we can do and so we always try to make changes that means it's still recognisable to the current customer base, but cleans up the logo or brings a new aspect to it and to use it more in a digital context across multiple platforms. Some are more drastic than others. This one as you'll see in the image is a fairly simple adaption. - We made the virtual half size to have the focus be on the main name of the business Curo. - We came up with and added a tag line to bring more context to what the company does. - We tidied up the little cloud icon and because of the tagline being added it lifted it up so it appeared to float a little, more in keeping with a cloud, which features on the site in different ways. - We tweaked the colours, but also provided them various colour options that could work in other contexts. - We also provided it in different shapes, square and rectangular based so the logo can fit inside circles - mainly used for Social Media channel profile images, which we will show the full variety in a more detailed case study later on. So as you can see we didn't do too much to logo, it's stilll recognisable as their brand but puts a better foot forward. We didn't play around with new fonts or a new icon as that could take it a little too far away from the essence of the original brand. By maintaining the branding connection it also means if you have printed material you don't have to throw it all out and get new stuff printed so it can save a LOT of money in the transition to a new website and when ready reprint with the new branding. Be open to changes to your logo, lots of the big companies have changed or updated their logo to move with the times or better refine their message, I'll do a post about that to show some of those off. If it's good enough for them then it should be good enough for you, but also be aware too drastic a change and you can lose that brand equity you spent so long and so much money building up. When was the last time you properly assessed your brand and if it still reflects your business? #branding #logo #website

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Is it possible to double your prices, completely level up your brand, book 2 dream clients and secure an amazing PR opportunity IN TWO MONTHS? Yes, yes it is. In fact, my client did exactly this in 6 weeks! This was via a 2 month Voxer support experience. No long Zoom calls to schedule in (she has a baby and pre-schooler so finding time for Zoom calls was tricky!). What did we do? 🌟 We worked on her big VISION and goals to create a strategy that was fully aligned to her and her values 🌟 Adjusted and uplevelled her offer suite, messaging AND improve the content she was sharing on social media 🌟 Overcame confidence and mindset blocks with some really effective tools and routines that I personally use (I NEVER ask my clients to do anything that I've not personally tried myself) 🌟 Created content pillars and a whole library of content ideas so she won't ever be stuck for what to post again! 🌟 Boosted her visibility by showing up more consistently and being in the right places with the right messaging (and keeping her accountable to this - when you work with me, I want you to get results so no slacking on my watch!) 🌟 Pitched to a blog and magazine and not only secured a guest blog post but also a regular magazine article feature! (I'm no PR expert but I AM great with ideas and messaging so once you feel confident as your next level self - you have that confidence to do things like this to boost your visibility! I helped my client with her article to ensure it was showing off her awesomeness) 🌟 We set up her automated client onboarding process to free up more time AND create a more professional experience for her clients. PLUS we even started mapping out ideas for a passive and semi-passive income stream. Before working with me my client was feeling stuck, not knowing what she should be doing and had even considered giving up. I am SO happy she didn't because her business is absolutely flying now!! Would you love to get these kind of results in just 2 months?? My Voxer support experience is perfect to help you get results over the summer (even if you have little ones and holidays to fit in!). Message me for details! #personalbrand #personalbrandstrategist #brandstrategist #businessmentor #femaleentrepreneur #smallbusinessowner

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The word for last week has to be FOCUS as I've really been focusing on work for new, current and prospective clients, which is what business should really be about. I'm really enjoying the SEO work I recently started doing for a client, getting into the reporting tool I've commissioned has re-engaged the nerdy side of me on this subject. It's given me the boost I needed to do some focused work on a the Red Knight Solutions website and other clients will benefit too. This fits in with another project I have on the back burner that will be of interest to many, so watch this space for future updates. I had some really enjoyable client meetings this week, one was to further develop content ideas and another was a kick-off meeting for a new project I'm working on with them. They're in a really niche business with very close links to a major employer in the area, so I'm really looking forward to expanding my knowledge to help them. Last week was quieter on the general meeting front, but Stuart McIndoe came to the office on Friday. We're both in BNI but in different local chapters so it was good to get to know more about each other's businesses and to start exploring some possible collaboration opportunities. Other work included completing post-production on the latest episode of Discussing Digital. The conversation I had with Kimba Cooper-Martin was really interesting, as she is a gamification specialist. One of the many things we spoke about was how she got herself into the habit of producing reels / short-form video, which became a marketing campaign that's lead to being nominated for an award. I know this is an area I need to improve on so will be looking at Kimba's work to see what I can "borrow". How was your week? What do you have planned for this week?

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You deserve this. You've worked so bloody hard but something is missing Clients LOVE the work you do for them and you deliver such impact. There's no way to avoid consistent and predictable leads without crystal-clear messaging. That speaks to the very heart of how your dreamiest of ideal clients are feeling because they need your help. They just don't know about you yet. Cat was crystal clear on what I stood for and what my strengths were, because of my strategic storytelling. So much so that when we were discussing the ups and downs of running a business, she told me: "I'd love to get you sorting out my messaging and content for social media." If you're getting in your own way with marketing and you need a warm hug and a gentle shove in the right direction - My 🔥 Master Your Message 🔥 in person session gives you: ➡️ Total clarity on what to share and how - to turn followers into fans and lurkers into leads ➡️ A practical plan of attack so you can take action and start showing up strategically + 30 day follow up & accountability call ➡️ Tasty treats, beverages and a bloody good dose of energy, expertise and enthusiasm 🩷 £495 + VAT (pay in 2 plan available) Note - I only have 4 slots in January because of the amount of time and energy I pour into the prep, our time together and your action plan of dreams.  DM me MESSAGING if you're ready to invest in your storytelling and sales success 🙌

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Nobody actually reads all that nonsense on your website. You knew that already right? Oh...I'm sorry...you thought they ACTUALLY read it ha ha ha... They know it's all been considered and edited accordingly. They dont actually read it for that reason. You might get enquiries through your website if you position well, have a unique problem solving product or you really know what you're doing. For everybody else...it's just an absolute waste of time, effort and money. That is not how you get new customers in 2024. Actually it stopped working round about 2017. You might be doing it for SEO purposes....but nobody apart from a bot...is ever going to read that stuff. You're just wasting your time. Don't ask me how I know. I'll just shock you. There's a link in the first Mike Herberts comment that shows you a better way. #sales #prospecting #marketing

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Calculating rate cards for your agency isn't difficult but it needs some logic, understanding if the how and some basic information To be as accurate as possible you need the below: - list of staff with salary, job title, FTE % - utilisation data for each staff member for as long as you can - agency recovery data - actual or preferably budgeted overheads for the year - ability to use a spreadsheet (preferable Google sheets!) If you have this you have everything you need to at least calculate what they could be. It doesn't mean you can sell at those amounts, but with the data you will be able to price more strategically, knowing where margin is higher etc If you need help calculating your rate cards please get in touch. #ratecards #agencyfinance #finops

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Avoid these common lead generation pitfalls ⤵ ▪ Skip cold lists. Build real connections. ▪ Cover all funnel stages. Engage every buyer. ▪ Use social media wisely. Choose platforms well. ▪ Optimise blogs. Include clear CTAs. ▪ Tailor landing pages. Guide actions effectively. Ready to boost your strategy? Contact Parklink UK today! 📞 #HolidayHomeSales #QualityLeads #LeadGeneration

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Think of email marketing as your car's steering wheel... Your brand needs it to thrive. And at a time when Ad costs are going through the roof and competition is getting tougher ... Having a good customer list and compelling email copy that drives conversion.... Will make all the difference for your brand. Own your customers. Sell smarter.

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Go deeper, take it further to build true brand value. Work with your team and your stakeholders to deliver the promises. Don't let a living document die on your desktop. Activate the brand and go go go!

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Managing social media effectively can be SO time-consuming - from strategising, doing market research, creating content, analysing competitors, optimising posts, understanding channels, reviewing the analytics, planning for growth… there’s a LOT that goes into professional social media management. Most business owners don’t have nearly enough time to do this themselves, and don’t want to assign a part- or full-time salary to a member of the team to do it for them (and deal with all that comes along with that...) 💡 This is where outsourcing can be the perfect solution. Collaborating with experts in the field who have the knowledge and expertise to get you ahead, make an impact on your online presence, and help grow your business, can be a huge asset to your company. If you’re wanting to discuss how my social media team can help you get ahead of your competitors online, get in touch! #foxgraphics #followthefox #socialmediamanagement #socialmediaagency #marketingstrategy #socialmediagrowth

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It’s shocking that “only 20% of businesses use Voice of the Customer strategies” The scary part… 90% of the best campaign ideas start here. Nobody questions using testimonials because we know using your customers own words taps into their true desires. But this stat tells us that most are only scratching the surface and limiting results. The good news? It’s an easy fix… For each customer who reaches out, look for things that: ↳ Offend the CEO ↳ Upset the product team ↳ Delight the customer These insights can be the difference between sparking stronger marketing ideas or shooting in the dark. What companies do this extremely well? 💜

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the Website is Not Enough eBook is for anyone looking To Build, Launch and Run a Profitable Website. It’s an 87-page book that goes over the system I developed over the course of last 10 years, saving my clients thousands of pounds in design and marketing fees using this model and helping them attract new customers every month. Here’s a few things you’ll discover in the pages of the Website is Not Enough eBook: ✅ **The Little Known Loophole/Trick To** Creating a Godfather Offer and Writing Proposals That Will 4x Your Profits While Bringing Clients Maximum Value, That They Can’t Help but Accept. - All Explained in CHAPTERS 12 and 13 ✅ **The Secret Behind** ESTABLISHING YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE So You Can HIT THE FLOOR RUNNING even before you launch a website - All Explained in CHAPTER 7 ✅ **A Total Breakdown of Steps** I Took to Write this SELL-OUT eBook in Under 30 Hours and How You Can Too + Template To Use to Get it Done, included in MODULE 4 **A SEQUENCE of 8 EXERCISES** - That when completed will transform your struggle to find new projects into a calendar full of booked appointments from eager clients ready to work with you. All of this is revealed in the **87 page** WEBSITE IS NOT ENOUGH eBook in step-by-step detail, Making it a Counterintuitive Approach to Building, Launching and Running a Profitable Website for The Person That Seeks to Leverage Their Skills, Serving Clients From Anywhere in the World and **Without Investing Thousands** Into Website or Expensive Coaching Programmes. Link in comments.

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