How do I generate leads and reach potential customers?
The sheer variety of marketing methods available to you can seem mind blowing: organic versus paid-for; online versus offline; pay-per-click versus print ads – the list is endless. The table below details a range of fantastic resources that will help you tailor your marketing campaign to your business goals.
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Marketing 101
Start Up Loans
Get started by first reading the Marketing Toolkit from Start Up Loans.
WHEN: You are drawing up your marketing plans or want to refresh your thinking.
WHY: Excellent resource on how to market your brand from the ground up.
WHAT: A comprehensive downloadable marketing pack, including market research, channels, online and traditional marketing.
Digital marketing 101
Virgin Media Business
Expand your knowledge with a guide to digital marketing from Virgin Media Business.
WHEN: You’ve just started a digital marketing campaign and want to see the bigger picture.
WHY: Learn how to be intentional about how you turn up online to connect with customers and drive conversion.
WHAT: A helpful guide with tips and suggestions for free tools.
Influencer campaigns
Virgin Start Up
See how others have worked with influencers in this case study from Virgin Start Up.
WHEN: You are considering creating an influencer campaign.
WHY: Smart use of influencers can increase sales, but it is not a straight-forward return on investment.
WHAT: An interview with Mark Dandy of ISAWITFIRST.com which provides some indicative costs and tips around when and how to use influencers.
Direct mail
OnSpot Social
Suss whether direct mail is right for you in a guide for small businesses from OnSpot Social.
WHEN: You are considering print marketing via direct mail.
WHY: You are a local business serving local customers.
WHAT: An overview of the pros and cons, plus best practices.
AdWords
Hootsuite
Give yourself a thorough understanding of Google AdWords from Hootsuite.
WHEN: You have a small budget to experiment with pay-per-click ads with Google.
WHY: Using AdWords could have a good return on investment.
WHAT: A good review of Google AdWords, which is Google’s advertising network that allows companies to bid for keywords, boosting their exposure as their website then shows up at the top of the page as ads.
GDPR
Information Commissioner’s Office
Swot up on one of the most important business practices: general data protection regulation (GDPR) from Information Commissioner’s Office.
WHEN: You are processing any kind of personal data of people in the EU.
WHY: It’s important to ensure that any personal data held by you is securely stored.
WHAT: Assessments, checklists and official guidance for businesses of all different size.
OTHER: Read the GDPR checklist for small businesses from Simply Business.