5 networking tips to help grow your business

With surveys showing that many people rank public speaking as a worse fear than dying, its not surprising that many of us try to avoid those dreaded networking commitments. But, is networking a trick that business owners can afford to be missing if they want to grow? We don’t think so!

Networking offers the chance to pitch your product or services to prospective clients and meet potential leads in the flesh. This is a unique opportunity to sell your business proposition in a compelling and authentic way. Small businesses simply can’t afford to miss out on opportunities to meet prospective clients and build brand reputation – so, business cards at the ready!

Here are our top tips for networking like a pro…

1. Set one (or two!) key goals

First impressions count so it’s important not to confuse or muddle your message. Don’t get caught up in wanting to share every single detail of your business – this will only water down your proposition.  You’re far better going in with one key message you want to communicate. Set your intention and run with it. Be clear. Be concise. Be specific.

For example, are you looking to increase sales for a new service you’re launching next week? Then actively seek out networkers who would be interested in this offering. Or perhaps you simply want to get your name out there? Then why not prepare a short introductory ‘blurb’ about your business and be armed with key points about what sets your business apart.

2. Work the room

Walking into a room of strangers and finding a friendly face to talk to can be one of the most daunting aspects of networking. In fact, this is what puts many of us off. Remember, everyone is there for the same reason: to make new contacts! The trick is reading body language and knowing how to spot an “open” or a “closed” group.

When you walk in, scan the room. Can you see any groups where people are stood with “open” body language? Are they facing outwards and creating space to be joined? These people are ready to be approached – get networking! Alternatively, can you see two people directly facing each other in deep conversation? This is what we would call a “closed” group. Perhaps one to leave for later.

Once you’ve joined a group, the next hurdle is knowing when (and how!) to move on to your next conversation. There’s nothing worse than feeling trapped in a conversation and spending the whole time attached to one person. When you think you’ve exhausted the conversation, don’t be afraid to take your leave. Using lines like “I think I’ve taken enough of your time, I’ll let you chat to someone else!”, or “it’s been great to meet you, do you have a card I could take please?” are great ways to exit.

3. Don’t forget to listen!

Forgetting to listen is one of the biggest mistakes people make when networking. Remember that it’s a two-way street. No one wants to be cornered and given an irrelevant presentation on what your business does, without the chance to even speak about theirs.

Within the first few minutes of talking, find out who they are and what they do. Make sure you know your audience and cater to them. Find out how you can be useful to them – not just the other way around. If you ask the question first, then you can tailor your answers to meet their needs.

And don’t be afraid to ask! Ask what brings them there today and what support they need at the moment. Being direct is a great way to be productive. Even if it’s not something you can help with, making recommendations and being useful is a great way to build a rapport. And, who knows, they might be able to return the favour or recommend your services to others.

4. Be prepared

Preparation, preparation, preparation. Don’t underestimate it. We’ve already covered how important it is to go with a clear message and goal in mind. But how else can you plan for a successful experience?

Is there anything else you can take with you to support your pitch, perhaps some product samples or relevant marketing materials. And don’t forget those business cards! Have these on hand to share with anyone who could be a potential lead – this will help them remember you after the event.

Some networking event organisers will release a list of attendees ahead of the event. Booking platforms like Eventbrite also show you which organisations people are attending from. If you have access to such a list, have a scan over it and see which people you might like to connect with. If any names jump out, research their business and pre-plan how you could be of use to them.

5. Stay connected 

After a hard day’s networking it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most out of your efforts. Follow up with your leads that day – don’t give them chance to forget! Send a quick e-mail including any information you promised to send over, along with a note to say it was great to connect.

Follow your new connections on social media and engage with their content. Over time, this is a great way to build and maintain a rapport.

So, there you have it – five great ways to network effectively and create those all important leads.

If you’d like to find out how else you can grow your business, get in touch with Enterprise Hub to find out what support is available to you. Email enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk or ring us on 0151 706 8113.

Advice Corner: So You Want to Get Cleaning?

If you are thinking of starting a business and trying to find a fairly low cost business idea, then domestic cleaning could be one to explore.

Domestic cleaners mainly carry out work for individual households, buy to let properties, B&B's and guesthouses. It seems an easy profession to get into, however, the sector is highly competitive with an estimated 25000 domestic cleaning services in the UK.

Despite competition there is still space in the marketplace, and here are some useful tips when starting your cleaning business to ensure you can take advantage of the opportunity and build a competitive business.

1. Qualifications and Skills 

While there are no formal qualifications required you may consider looking at training opportunities to put you ahead of the competition.

Start-up Courses include:

• The Practical Cleaning Skills award at levels 1-3. This is an entry level course for those with limited experience covering the principles of cleaning which is accredited by various bodies including Edexcel and City & Guilds, green cleaning practises and teamwork.
  
• The Level 2 award in cleaning principles accredited by various bodies including City & Guilds and Edexcel. The course covers waste disposal, health and safety and cleaning of bathrooms and restrooms. 

Business Start-up courses include 

• Free webinars from HMRC, giving advice such as the ins and outs of becoming an employer. 
• Contracts of employment, recruitment and selection which is a distance learning course that costs £110 and is beneficial for cleaners wanting to recruit staff.  
• Consumer rights training which is a 35 minute online course that costs £25 and explains the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and instructs on how to deal with customer complaints, fair wording of T&C's and handling disputes.  
• Enterprise Hub offers direct training through a combination of business advice and short courses to help you through the business planning process and understand your responsibilities as a new business owner

You may also wish to keep up to date with developments in the industry on websites such as the Cleaning mag and Cleaning Hygiene today or follow Karcher UK on Twitter. 

2. Trading and Commercial 

There are a few things that you will need to think about on a practical level:

• Provision of cleaning and protective equipment including safety goggles and waterproof gloves for any staff team 
• Notifying your landlord/mortgage company should you wish to run your business from home and arranging home and business insurance.
• Setting up pricing strategy - will you charge at an hourly rate or a look for a monthly retainer? Checking your costs and ensuring you are factoring in a wage on top of those
• You might consider trade body membership to get access to online directories and discounts from industry suppliers from  www.bics.org.uk and www.fedmc.co.uk.   

3. Legal

The law is vast, but here are some key ones that effect the cleaning industry that it is worth reading up on so you don't get caught out later.

• Compliance to The Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 in terms of resolving disputes. 
• Consumer Rights Act 2015.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

Want to hear from someone who took the leap? Here is the story of Liverpool resident Sue Crawford who left her own job to become her own boss.

Advice Corner: Can I make a living cooking from home?

If you are a passionate cook and want to start your own business cooking from home, then here are 5 useful tips to get your business off the ground.

1. Choosing your market

The catering market is fairly saturated so finding your niche and a gap in the market is the key to success. The type of food you make will affect who your core customer will be which will shape your branding and marketing plan.

Catering can either be corporate or private. The former will give you the opportunity for repeat business as corporate clients prefer to have a regular supplier so if you provide a good and reliable service, you'll become an asset to them and they will call you whenever they need you, however, your food will need to be of a high quality and freshly prepared. You'll also be preparing food for large numbers of clients at short notice so it is essential to be organised especially having your ingredients ordered in time. Competition is fierce in this market so you'll have to work hard to win the trust of clients.

Alternatively, you may wish to take your service to the private market where you'll be serving at family occasions as opposed to launches and conferences. Client Expectations would be much lower but you'll still be expected to provide a good quality service and you need to be able to cater for individuals with specific needs such as vegetarians and lactose intolerant. Your scope for services aren't restricted to special occasions such as weddings as you may also wish to host themed events such as Indian nights or gourmet cuisine for dinner parties.

2. Obtaining Equipment 

Starting a business requires a lot of equipment. You will need to detail this out well in your business plan as you need to have a good balance of capital as well as specific equipment for individual events. This will also depend on the type of food you're working with and basic operation would require fridge freezers, cooking equipment such as ovens & hobs and preparation equipment such as timers, scales, cutlery, thermometers and can openers as well as other consumables such as washing up liquid & sponges, Clingfilm and food containers.  It's essential you cost this all out to understand what finance you will need to access in order to get started.

3. Legal requirements 

Catering Services are highly regulated under legislation governing food safety. Caterers are legally obliged to submit their registration application 28 days in advance before commencing trading.

The FSA (Food Standards Agency) is the main governing body to food hygiene alongside the Food Safety Act 1990 being the main law ensuring food is safe for consumption as well as ensuring that there are no harmful substances used in food prep.  You'll also be obliged to comply with other legal requirements such as keeping records of direct suppliers as well as information of food products regarding presentation and traceability in the event of product withdrawal or recall.

Arranging insurance is also essential as failure to do so can result in severe financial consequences.  You can find more information on getting the right form of cover here.

4. Marketing your company 

While competitive, the food industry is a thriving market providing plenty of opportunities for you to generate much needed publicity.

You may wish to attend catering exhibitions with plenty of events happening up and down the country - take time to prepare samples and take your contact details with you as you could add a range of suppliers and consumers to your portfolio to make your brand more memorable and not only obtain useful contacts, but also get your brand into an online catering directory that'll help users discover you via search engines.

Also, don't underestimate the power of social media, Instagram is the perfect place to promote your recipes as food photography is a very in-demand and exciting art form. All you need is a smartphone, good lighting and a decluttered background which can make your brand more attractive and get people talking about you.

5. Obtaining appropriate I.T equipment 

Catering businesses rely heavily on temporary workers so you don't want to be wasting your financial resources paying every single member of staff. You should contact agencies across the country to help you find temporary event staff for the necessary amount of time you need them.

Investing in time & attendance and payroll software is essential to avoid the hassle of producing copious amounts of admin and red tape involved with paying employees, this is inconvenience you don't need especially in such a stressful and high demand profession. You can find more about relevant payroll software that can fulfil your needs here.

Click here to take inspiration from Anthony and Hannah's story on how they set up their own catering business. We wish you a successful venture into catering!

5 Digital Marketing Tips to launch your new Business

Have you just started your new business but don't know where to start when it comes to Digital Marketing? Fear not because Enterprise Hub are here to help with 5 Digital Marketing Tips to get your new start-up off the mark.

What is Digital marketing and why do I need it?

So you might be wondering what Digital Marketing is and why I need it. Well, to put into context, Digital Marketing is basically the promotion of products or services via electronic means. It is a goldmine for businesses as it will enable you to interact with consumers in real time and analyse your campaigns to understand what's working and what's not. Internet is an everyday part of our lives so consumers will not only know about your brand, but also what the media, relatives etc. are saying about your brand who they are most likely to believe as they've had first hand experience of your product and user experience.

Digital Marketing can come in different methods including:

• Website (SEO content)
• PPC (Pay-per-click advertising)
• Email Marketing e.g. Mailchimp
• Social Media e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
• Online video content
• Blogs & Vlogs

Here are 5 reasons why Digital Marketing can be beneficial to your business:

1. Smartphone compatibility

Technology has evolved to the point that electronic devices are considered a necessity than a luxury. 95% of UK population aged 18-34 own a smartphone so consumption of electronic content is highly active so it is important for new businesses to adapt quickly because of it's high growth. 91% of users have their mobiles within reaching distance and regularly use them to browse the internet. Daily usage is regular so a marketing strategy that targets these devices is   essential.

2. More Cost Effective

Digital Marketing is much more cost effective than traditional marketing as less resources are needed as content is posted electronically. This will be very important especially when you start your new business as resources and capital are low. Digital media can provide you with a cheaper and more effective advertising channel which can also enable you to get your promotions out quickly without spending a penny but more importantly, it gives you a level playing field to compete with large organisation.

3. Can generate real time engagement

Digital content enable you to connect with consumers much more effectively as you can reach them much more quickly. It can also be a huge advantage to your growth strategy as social media engagement can allow you to acquire new clients as well as engage consumers through real time engagement with more likes and shares which can help your company to grow as well as building brand equity and customer trust which can lead to increased traffic to your website through positive user generated content. Most clients trust a company they can give positive feedback to so customer reviews can make or break your business.

4. Able to measure engagement and competitor actions

Online content can also give you access to various tools such as Google analytics will enable you to monitor user journey's as well as peak times which show you when users are on your website most frequently. You can use this to your advantage as you can target your customers based on their interests, demographics etc. via recommendations, specified email campaigns and so on. Analytics tools can also enable you to monitor bounce rates and identify which customers are only on the website briefly or are leaving items in their basket, you can use this will enable you to implement tactics and tailor your strategy much more effectively to optimise conversion rates which can lead to higher ROI. (return on investment)

5. Reach larger audiences

An online presence will enable you to reach a variety of audiences and is a very quick way to connect with audiences worldwide. In addition, you can be more engaging in terms of providing swift responses to relevant queries and feedback on your platforms. Also, you have many opportunities to gain publicity globally which'll help with your growth strategy as well as opening up the opportunity for influencer marketing in which you use an online influencer to promote your product on social media.

Building a PR Strategy for Launching Your New Business

While you are building your business plan preparing to launch your new business, it is worth sparing some time to think about a PR strategy for your start up.

If you get PR right it can be a great way to get a bit of 'free' advertising for your enterprise at a start up phase. Ok free is never free as time is money, but it can certainly offer a great saving while cashflow is minimal.

Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

• Put together a press release - One of the best times to put together a press release is when your business reaches any kind of milestone as journalists want to know the what, where, when and how of a story.  Day to day running of your business is difficult to make newsworthy, however 'New Business Opens in the Local Area Creating Jobs' is great news, particularly for local press. Do a bit of google research to find out the details of journalists in media outlets you want to target.  Put together the key elements of your story: when your business launched, where, why you wanted to start that type of business, what makes you unique and build them into a story to send to those key contacts.  Ensure you include a high resolution photograph as this will make their life easier when putting the story together. 

• Create a build up on social media - Before you business launches engage followers in the process.  "Look at our new office, we can't wait to show you what we've been working on" type of posts are a great way to make people feel a part of your start up experience.  Try to connect with social media influencers who talk about brands like yours to perhaps send them samples of your product, or invite them to try your service. A 'countdown to launch' reminds people when they can start buying from you, so don't be shy in reminding people '5 days to go!'. Etc. 

• Hold a launch event - This may take a bit of budget to put on some drinks and nibbles, but having an event is a great way to create a buzz about your new business.  If you have premises you could literally do an opening event with a ribbon cutting and the whole nine yards.  If you invite local dignitaries such as your local mayor, key influencers within your industry, local MP etc. and even local press contacts you can massively increase your chance of getting press coverage.  Even if not it is something to shout about online and encourage those attending to tag in your social media accounts to get them noticed. 

If you are in the process of planning a business, but needing help with elements of getting the business off the ground such as marketing strategy, finance etc. then contact our team who can offer free advice and guidance through the European Regional Development Fund supported Enterprise Hub programme.  Call us on 0151 706 8113 or contact enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk 

What You Need To Know About Being An Entrepreneur

Blog from Enterprise Hub partner; St Helens Chamber

If you have never worked for yourself before, being an entrepreneur may seem a great way to make money fast. But any self-made man or woman will tell you that there is more to being your own boss.

Start Up adviser, Stella Libertini shares her top tips for new entrepreneurs:

Do what you know and know what you do

Don't start a business because it seems glamorous or boasts assumed large profit margins and returns, a business built around your strengths and abilities will have a greater chance of success. It's not only important to create a profitable business, it's also important that you are enjoy managing and growing it day in and day out. If your heart isn't in it, you will not be successful.

Focus

Many first-time entrepreneurs feel the need to jump at every opportunity they come across. Avoid getting side-tracked or trying to juggle multiple projects that will spread your time too thinly and limit both your effectiveness and productivity. Do one thing perfectly, not 5 things poorly.

Act like a startup

Forget about fancy offices, fast cars and fat expense accounts, practice and perfect the art of being frugal. Watch where you spend every pound and triple-check every expense. Maintain a low overhead and manage your cash flow regularly and effectively.

Look after your health

You will be much more productive if you take better care of yourself. Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle, not a 9-to-5 job. Working to the point of exhaustion will burn you out and make you less productive. Don't make excuses - eat right, exercise, take time out with family, make time for yourself and recharge your batteries.

If you liked these top tips and are looking for more, be sure to keep an eye on our blog for business tips!

And if you are looking for support and advice to start your business - get in touch with Enterprise Hub today! Email us on hello@thewo.org.uk or ring is 0151 706 8113

Networking? Top Tips From St Helens Chamber

Blog from Enterprise Hub partner; St Helens Chamber

Networking and speaking to new people in a business environment can be daunting, especially if you don’t have much experience. However, getting to know people and promoting your business face to face could win you new customers and raise your profile.

Start Up adviser, Stella Libertini gives her tops tips on networking successfully:

Push yourself and commit

The hardest thing about networking can be getting out there. Make sure to schedule events on your calendar so you’ll go even when you don’t feel like it. You could also try taking a networking 'wingman/wingwoman' and together you can naturally draw others into your conversation and give each support.

Have two key questions ready

Instead of looking at networking as an open-ended exercise, choose one or two questions you’re genuinely interested in asking people when you meet them. If you make the questions count and make them meaningful, for example 'What inspired you to start your business?' or 'What impact do you hope to make in the industry?', you are more likely to create connections with people whose answers inspire you.

Focus on giving not getting

The best way to network is to give before you get. It’s good practice in life and generally everything you give you get back tenfold. This is a great way to network because you don’t have to be nervous about “the get” or asking for a favor. You’re simply offering your help which will almost always be embraced with open arms, just don’t offer too much.

Don't forget members of St Helens Chamber can attend networking events like our Business Breakfast for free. Membership for Start Ups, coming through our programme is priced at £25+VAT for the first year. 

If you liked these top tips and are looking for more, be sure to keep an eye on our blog for business tips!

And if you are looking for support and advice to start your business - get in touch with Enterprise Hub today! Email us on hello@thewo.org.uk or ring is 0151 706 8113

How Good Is Your Customer Service?

Blog from Enterprise Hub partner; St Helens Chamber

How Good Is Your Customer Service? 

If you are new to running a business, you may think that there are a hundred things that come before good customer service. However, word of mouth and recommendations are one of the most powerful marketing tools around.

A glowing review of a product or service from a friend will make you more likely to use the same company. On the other hand, bad reviews because of a poor product or customer service experience can be really detrimental.

People are increasingly now leaving positive and negative reviews online which can be seen by countless people so it's important to get your customer service right.

Start Up adviser, Stella Libertini gives her top tips for good customer service:

- Know everything about your product or service.

- Ensure every aspect of your business is up to standard. When you have good products, services, shipping and returns policies, etc your customers will naturally assume you have good customer service as well.

-The customer isn't always right but never be pulled into an argument with a customer, however tempted you are to prove you are right.

- Smiling and staying calm will go a long way

- Make things easy for your customer engage with you and your business, pay you and contact you. Include contact details on your website or social media pages.

If you liked these top tips and are looking for more, be sure to keep an eye on our blog for business tips!

And if you are looking for support and advice to start your business - get in touch with Enterprise Hub today! Email us on hello@thewo.org.uk or ring is 0151 706 8113

5 Key Inspirations We are Taking from Start Up Day At Liverpool Central Library BIPC

Start-up Day at Liverpool Central Library was the event pencilled in every local budding entrepreneurs calendar this month, as the day promised to be jam packed with enterprise expertise, and it definitely did not disappoint.  If you missed out, here is a flavour of what happened throughout the day, and some key takeaway tips to help you move your business idea forward. 

Opened by Assistant Mayor and enterprise champion Councillor Gary Millar, the day kicked of with the Enterprise Hub Start-up Conference hosted by Bernie Cox from Enterprise Hub lead The Women's Organisation.

Sabah Shams from Enterprise Hub with Councillor Gary Millar

Starting by 'thinking outside of the box' Bernie got people thinking about how they can exercise the skill of lateral thinking to the benefit of their business. 

“Advice given was a great help” said one person who attended the session. 

Google Digital Garage Session

Next up digital giants Google held a Digital Garage session looking at 'How to build a social media strategy' which proved very popular, packed out with local budding entrepreneurs hoping to soak in their knowledge. This session was closely followed by a choice between hearing from the brilliant Nicola Wass (CEO of So-Mo) talking about her journey as 'The Unexpected Entrepreneur', having a look into 3-D printing with a display by MeLT or getting serious about Business planning through a focussed workshop.

“Very useful event.  The speakers were insightful and the content was all relevant.  Well organised and I will recommend future events” said one delighted visitor.

The afternoon was packed with more brilliant inspiration for local businesses featuring talks from Barrington Powell, a profesional entertainer, Garth Dallas offering his key tips to success, founder of PLACED Jo Harrop sharing her insights, and the return of Google for another session around understanding your customer.

Thanks too to Councillor Gary Millar and the mentors who ran the entrepreneurs clinic, Peter Dunning of Digital Config who offered Website advice and Dr Les Pritchard from Culverstons who was on hand to talk all things IP. 

“Very good.  Inspirational is an understatement” said one of the thrilled attendees

The day culminated in a brilliant pie and networking event featuring pies and inspiration from the fantastic 'Homebaked' a local co-operative bakery talking about their journey from start up to success. 

Some of the comments at the end of the event were:

“Excellent and inspiring” 

“Great initiative.  Very inspiring.” 

5 Key Tips to Takeaway
If you missed the event, all is not lost.  Here are 5 useful business tips taken from the themes covered that you can apply to your business idea:

1. Strategise your social media - Don't just add your business to every social media channel because 'everyone is doing it'. Work out where your customer can be found and focus your effort on those few channels so you can reach the right people well. 
2. We are all in the same boat - feeling like an 'imposter' who is going to be found out, or wondering if you are alone in feeling like you may be out of your depth is typical for a first time business owner.  Just know EVERYONE goes through it, but keep your confidence growing, talk to others at the same stage and take comfort that you are not alone and that you will get past this phase. 
3. Network - In business it is often the truth 'not what you know but who you know' that can be key to success. Get building relationships, and be specific. You never know who in your network may be the key to linking you with the right connection for your business so let them know who you are trying to reach. 
4. Protect your ideas and your business - If you have a business name, logo, product or service that you don't want anyone to copy, then ensure you get expert advice around Intellectual Property Rights. Also check you aren't infringing on anyone elses by always asking permission before using others images etc. 
5. Don't forget SEO - If you are going to have a website for your business, don't assume it will just be found. Look at key Search engine optimisation principals, or bring in an expert to ensure search engines like Google pick it up and it isn't languishing on page 27 of results. 

Massive congratulations to the team at Enterprise Hub Partners Liverpool Central Library Business and IP Centre for putting together an amazing day.

If you are thinking about starting a business and would like additional help then contact the Enterprise Hub team for advice and support on 0151 706 8113 or enterprisehub@thewo.org.uk. 

Enterprise Hub is part funded by European Regional Development Fund and draws together expert organisations from across the Liverpool City Region to offer a simplified approach to business support for local residents wanting to explore their ideas. 

We Asked 'Is Freelancing for Me?' during Enterprise Hub Start Up Week

Kicking off Enterprise Hub Start Up Week was a brilliant 'Is Freelancing for Me?' event with Enterprise Hub Partners The Women's Organisation! Local business women Heather from Blue Tang Marketing and Jenny from Jenny Ball - Life & Business Coach for Women shared their experiences of getting started and promoting yourself as a freelancer. 

If you are thinking of becoming a freelancer and missed out on the event, here are some quick tips to takeaway:

1. Always put a contract in place - Managing expectations on both sides is key and ensuring you have a written agreement avoids any misunderstandings
2. Take a down payment - Where possible ask for a percentage up front. It can take a long time to finish a project, so ensure you have cashflow to keep you going
3. Showcase your work - Build a portfolio of examples as you go from previous work and ask for testimonials
4. Ensure you are insured - Depending on the type of work you are doing you will need different business insurances. Get some advice to make sure you have everything you need
5. Network for the next project - While you may be busy now, don't lose sight of the next project.  It can take a while to bring in new work, so plan in time to promote while you are working on other things

A fantastic morning was had by all with some real food for thought taken away.  Some of the women who attended the morning said:

"This has been the kickstart I need- everyone input was invaluable" 
"Really well presented good time to explore options" 
I enjoyed "Hearing from other entrepreneurs  their stories advice and experience" 
My favourite thing was "Being able to speak to others in similar situation in a relaxed environment" 
"Really liked the talk from new starter." 
I enjoyed the "Positive attitude and experience"

The next similar event will be the Enterprise Hub Start Up Conference on 10th October, so if you are looking for help to get started follow this link to book. 

Thank you to the DWF Foundation who match funded this event which was offered as part of our Enterprise Hub programme, part funded by European Regional Development Fund. 

Got A Blog? Top Five Beginners Blogging Tips...

It’s no big news that blogging is great for your business! It can drive traffic towards your website, help you build a relationship with your customers and clients and lets you share your news in an interesting and creative way.

Top Five Beginners Blogging Tips

Create a Blog Personality – Don’t formulate your posts. Let your voice shine through. Give your blog a personality.

Be Consistent – When starting out, try to post at least three times a week, preferably every other day. Even if you can’t post every other day, once a week is great!)

Keep It Simple – Don’t get caught up in the length of your posts. They don’t have to be long. They can be random thoughts or titbits of news regarding your industry. The key is to make them interesting

Allow Comments – You can moderate comments, but comments create the viral effect by allowing your readers to interact with you. You will also want to research and comment on relevant industry related blogs.

Focus On Your Title – Titles draw traffic. Be creative. Not only do they capture the attention of potential readers but those search engines love blog titles. A rule of thumb is to keep your title under ten words.

Digital Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

More people are searching, comparing and buying online than ever before, making online marketing more important than it’s ever been. With social media and other forms of online marketing changing so often, it is constantly providing new ways for businesses to reach and connect with their customers.

Before talking about ways to improve your online presence however, it is important to be aware of what opportunities you miss out on if you don’t plan your social media strategy properly:

• If you don’t have a proper plan in place, you risk getting lost amongst the crowd. There are many businesses on the same platforms fighting for the same customer base. Having a clear plan helps you identify your unique selling points to make you stand out.
• Failing to use social media means you miss out on the opportunity to connect with a much larger customer base than you would expect to find just using more traditional forms of marketing (which of course are still important!).
• Finally, it is easy to waste time and money on social media if you don’t know who you want to reach and how you are going to reach them.

Focus:

Many small businesses struggle online because they’re not entirely sure who they want to target. Once you have decided the type of customer you want to attract, it becomes much easier to work out how to reach them. This gives you an idea of what sort of content they are interested in, which leads me nicely to my next point.

Content marketing:

Content marketing involves you creating and sharing valuable, and of course free, content to attract and convert followers into customers, and current customers into repeat buyers. The content you share should be closely related to your product or industry, as to make it interesting for the people who choose to connect with your online channels.

This type of marketing is very powerful because it shows you as an educated business that they can follow, like and trust enough to do business with you.

Content can include anything from weekly blog posts responding to relevant and industry specific news articles, to sharing links, videos and photos. It’s important to remember content should be focused on quality information, not your product.

The advantage of being a small business is that you can bring a personal touch that bigger companies can’t always achieve. You should also utilise the fact you are local and becomes a valued member of the community.

Engage with your customers:

Social media provides you with the perfect platform to talk to your customers which is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions. What do they enjoy? What would they like to see more of? Is there anything they would change? Regardless of your industry, you can be the expert. Answer your followers’ questions, be happy to talk to them and show it. It’s all part of the customers experience after all.

Measure your results:

It’s important to keep track of what works and what doesn’t. What type of posts do people respond to? Digital platforms all for quick change, which means if something didn’t quite get the response you were expecting, learn from it and change it moving forward.

Digital marketing is vital to small businesses, no matter how resistant some may be. If you identify what platforms potential customers are using and how they communicate, this will have a huge impact on the success of your business. With a well thought out digital marketing strategy, businesses of any size can really thrive and achieve amazing results.