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What a great event. Brilliant input from everyone.

Catherine Doel
Henmore Marketing
+44 1335 289075
@IdeasStrategies

Henmore Marketing is Social Media speaker at Business Peak District event

Henmore is very proud to be speaking at the upcoming Business Peak District event:

An Introduction to Social Media

Please note, this event by Business Peak District is only available for businesses located or trading within the wider Peak District.

This seminar is designed for any small and medium-sized Peak District businesses wanting to develop online marketing who would benefit from an overview of social media to find out how it can help grow a business. No technical knowledge is required.

This seminar is presented in a jargon-free, easy-to-understand format and includes presentations from companies that are using social media in a successful way.

Network Events organised by Business Peak District

Wednesday 19th September (10 am - 12 noon)

The Royal Hotel Hayfield

'Marketing - bringing your website alive and keeping your customers happy'

details

Wednesday 26th September (10 am - 12.30 pm)

Bakewell Business & Agricultural Centre

Bakewell, DE45 1AH

'Social Media - an introduction'

booking online

Wednesday 10th October (10 am - 12 noon)

Buxton TBA

'Celebrating local food and drink supply and distribution'

Tuesday 27th November (10 am - 1 pm)

Beechenhill Farm, Ilam

'Renewable Technologies - all you need to know and planning out business risks, a survival kit'

Analytics and marketing maths

Clients know that I am a bit of a nag about testing and measuring, especially web stats.  Checking your web site analytics tool in an effective way is a vital piece of marketing house-keeping.  So why do so few SMBs actually do this?

Do you need our help to understand and interpret your web stats?

I am reminded of this because I just took a call from an online directory saleswoman regarding a business whose online advertising we manage.  With a sales script that centred on the amount of quality traffic her directory sends to the website in question she felt confident that she was on safe ground, not realising she was talking to a marketing agency.  Armed by the stats that I manage for this business, I knew she was blagging.  Checking referral traffic from paid sources is a no brainer.  We've put in place a sales tracking system which is rigorously followed.  It is our job to keep an eye on what is working and what is not. Poor telesales lady! She finished up trying to suggest the client should pay for the directory entry out of loyalty; such a desperate attempt to play on the emotions was wasted on my role. My job is to take this pressure away from the client. Looking at the stats I am certain the client would think re-booking this entry was not best use of a tight marketing budget so I politely thanked the caller and suggested she contact us again in 6 months.

Sales calls to clients are directed to us precisely because we can make informed decisions and not be bamboozled by telesales claims about Google rankings and quality traffic etc.  But clearly those sales tactics work or they wouldn't be so prevalent.  (By the way, I am not against paid directory entries - far from it, if they work it is great.)

So, please, check your stats.  Check them and use the information!  If you don't know what all those numbers mean and how to interpret them we can train you.  If you can't bear doing this sort of work then for a small fee we'll do it for you.  Either way, it is time or money well spent because the information should improve your marketing focus and maybe cut some unnecessary spend.

Thoughts on Google +

I am facilitating a training workshop this evening on Social Media Marketing, covering the basics and a bit beyond depending on the range of online marketing experience in the group.  So as I put the finishing touches to the presentation, which generally means cutting back my expectations of the amount of information I can realistically share in 2 hours, I am pondering on whether to even include Google +.  I suppose it would be wrong not to as it is now 'out there' like it or not.  In my case, right now .... not.  Obviously this will be subject to change as the market responds.

My issue is that the fine line between bartering my identity in exchange for some great free gizmos has been crossed when it comes to Google +.   I am generally a fan of Google products, but with Google + they aren't even pretending to know only a reasonable amount about you, your friends, family, business, preferences, habits.... It is no secret that your information is being pillaged, on the contrary we are being persuaded to get over it.  Probably I will in time. Just now I am imaging a future when one day when I can't decide what to wear, up will pop my Google + app telling me that it has selected my underwear ready for me to get dressed. How is that for a nightmare scenario?

Facebook for business

Setting up and managing Facebook FOR BUSINESS

With more than 750 million users, you are likely already using Facebook; you may even fall in the 50% that log on every day. The question is: How well are you using Facebook for business … if at all? If you would like to know how to create a winning Facebook page, increase the number of “likes” and generate business leads with Facebook, this session is for you. You will learn:

• How to set up your Facebook page correctly
• How to manage events on Facebook
• Best practices and tips for creating engaging content
• Communications strategies for your fan base

Venue:  Dove Studio, Dove Farm, Mill Lane, off Dove Street, Ellastone, DE6 2GY
Price:  £15 + VAT

2012 workshop schedule and booking form

Other details:  Please bring a laptop computer if possible and a note of password information to any applications (e.g. Facebook) so that you can access and make changes to your accounts.

This workshop is for a small group of people so we will do our best to answer individual questions and resolve issues.

“Catherine talks common sense when it comes to marketing, which is wonderfully refreshing for a small business trying to achieve top results on a tight budget. Her practical, down-to-earth approach is both reassuring and motivating. I found her social media workshop and her general advice extremely helpful.”

Marketing & Technology - Ideas into Action

Really enjoyed the discussions with everyone at the event today.  Thanks for listening to Chris Woodhouse and me doing our best to share some ideas and strategies to use technology for marketing improvement.  Great to listen to fellow presenters Mathew (www.peakdistrictcreations.co.uk) and Paul (www.spinlessplates.com).

I promised a link to the thoughts I shared on how to make marketing work for small businesses.  This takes you to a tool I use for sharing documents - box.net.  Can be handy for sharing.  It also allows collaborators or those you share documents with to leave comments.  And it is free so hey, nothing lost.

Insights, ideas, strategies, ----> actions.
Next steps:
Here are a few ideas to encourage you to take further action - some are free, some are low cost and some are regular price but attract grant funding if you get your skates on and talk to our event hosts at Live & Work Rural.

1.     Free, anytime, LinkedIn Form:  Join our private delegate forum on LinkedIn and post questions and discussions.  We'll answer as appropriate, and maybe others will add the benefit of their experiences as well. Click for the Marketing and Technology Series forum on LinkedIn.

2.     £30 + VAT:  Workshop facilitated by Catherine and Chris
Date:  20th July from 9.30am at Riber Rooms in Cromford
Half day workshop delving into the detail of online marketing and social media. Further info: Marketing and Technology Workshop

3.     £3 approx:  Teleconference Q&A. 
Date:  Thursday 21st July from 2pm for approx an hour.
All delegates of the Live & Work Rural Event are invited to phone in and join some of the panellists from the event today.  All you need to pay is the cost of the call which the provider states is 4.3p/minute (so an hour session is approx £3).  Ask your own questions or be inspired by those of others.  We are using PowWow for this event: Telephone number is 0844 4 737373 and then you'll need to enter a PIN code. If you would like to join us on that call please contact us for the PIN (email: web@henmore.co.uk).
If you would like to submit your question in advance it may help get a more precise reply in the time available.

4.    One-to-one consultancy 
£400 + VAT for 2 x half days  (eligible for grant funding).   Training and Advice
Help to get your business properly set up for effective marketing and enabling appropriate use of technology.  Making sure you are on track with everything.  Either/both Chris and Catherine will come over and help get your business set up right for what you need to be doing. This consultancy and training package is eligible for grant funding if you're quick :-)  >

5.     Marketing Club 
£500+VAT pa (eligible for grant funding): With 6 x group sessions combined with 2 x one-to-one consultancy sessions and a supportive peer group of fellow members makes this programme excellent value for money. We have members of this year-long marketing programme who are grant funded; again, be quick applying. >  Marketing Club

And here is that thought-provoking YouTube clip, complete with cheesy music.

Ideas and strategies into action - Like!

A few months ago I ran a day's training on improving your online presence and using social media tools for business and one of the attendees was Lucy Cufflin, foodie and Cookery Writer.  In the group there were experienced social media users and total sceptics.  I hope that Lucy won't mind me saying that she came to the event yet to be convinced or the merits of any of it; persuaded to come by a business associate.  And look at Lucy today, my goodness.  She has three Facebook business pages.  And check out the comment below if you can read it. . .

Lucy posts"bring your friends, spread the word" and the reply posts says . . . . (I love this bit) "I already am! facebook definitely works, every Friday I get reminded its cake day and almost every week I'm trying a new cake from you . . ."

Lucy has found her online voice and things are going well.  I am off to check up on how the other course attendees are doing now.

Next course June 15th - Cromford Mill.

Training and thinking, marketing forum 15th June, Derbyshire

Ideas + Strategies -----> Making Connections
We are planning a new style event on 15th June at Cromford Mill. We'll facilitate IT and Marketing-based subject discussions and provide the environment for you to join other forward-thinking business owners to take a little time out to concentrate on your business, generating ideas and workable strategies.

Broadly, the morning session will cover strategic marketing and IT subjects, delving into some how-to and top tips for success with the tools and techniques we showcase:

• Ways to keep in touch with your customers and create champions and referrers.
• Seamless ways to collaborate with associates and present work to customers.
• The mindset and toolset to create a more marketing-led organisation.

. . . and it will be lively and interactive with presentations, case studies, thought-provoking exercises, peer group discussion. More than that we have built into the agenda an extended 'let's take that off-line' break-out session designed to be free flowing. Choose between the opportunity to pose detailed questions to the experts or engage in discussions and networking with other attendees.

Ideas & Strategies – Marketing and Technology

9.30am – 12.15pm Facilitated interactive sessions (as above)
12.45pm – 2pm Freeflow and break out sessions - Marketing and IT questions answered and debated.
£15 + VAT (book in advance cw@cwoodhouse.com)
Lunch and refreshments available at the on-site cafes

Why not arrive early and include some breakfast networking taking place in the same room.
7.30am - 9am Matlock Business Club – networking and business support group meets
£5 including breakfast payable at the door (book in advance web@henmore.co.uk)
Call or email us to reserve your places at these events.

Marketing & Technology Workshops - spring 2011 series

Please view/download the flyer for the Marketing and Technology tutorial events

I co-presented a workshop recently with Chris Woodhouse, an IT and technology expert.  We trialled the one event to see how it went.  Quite honestly we were quite pleased with it.  But obviously it is not what we think it is what the delegates thought of it, and it seems they were pleased with it too.  Phew!

We were delighted to receive this comment on the LinkedIn page for the event:  "Really enjoyed this workshop and came away with lots of practical ideas.  Highly recommended."

Since then Chris and I have put our heads together and the result is a number of workshops on Marketing and Technology working together. 

Is your website doing its job? Let's ask Google! - we take you through the best way to analyse your site traffic and interpret findings into a plan of action.

Grow your business using loads of free stuff  - we short cut delegates to low cost / no cost marketing tools that we know work and demo case studies of clients that are doing a good job.

Can you improve your online marketing? - we help you assess whether your online marketing efforts are working and throw in some alternatives to consider.

Business development using The Cloud technology - using case studies we explore how to make the most of the tools already at your disposal and the software and gadgets that you can add for smarter marketing and business development.

More details on all of these tutorial workshops >> Marketing & Technology
Please add your name to Henmore's mailing list to be sure to receive details of our workshops, programmes and speaking engagements. 

REGISTER - When you are ready you can book your place online.

Marketing Club 2012

Marketing Club is one of my favourite services.  I love the enthusiastic participation of everyone in the group and I am gratified by the positive steps that the business members take as a result.

Henmore's Strictly Marketing group

Business owners say they benefit from a sustained focus on their marketing over the year. Marketing Club is designed to help you find 'clarity' and 'certainty' in all areas of your business development. The primary aims of this long-term programme are to help you to do more business and to do that business on your preferred terms.

This translates to minimising wasted effort and/or budget on sales and marketing, making sure you are selling at the right price and achieving maximum customer satisfaction. We know this is aiming high, but justifiably so because our Marketing Club members are benefiting from the positive results.

In the words of a Marketing Club Member:

Strictly Marketing has provided me with the know-how and motivation to develop and implement a structured and focussed marketing strategy for my business.

Catherine’s step-by step approach, one-to-one mentoring and engaging group sessions enable businesses to adopt a professional approach to DIY marketing. It saves time and gets results. Highly recommended and great value. Chris Mills, Barlow Associates


What we cover in Marketing Club?

During the group sessions and in the one-to-one sales & marketing consultancy sessions, we build knowledge and improve techniques in the following marketing essentials:

• Know the customers you want to win
• Establish a strong brand and generate strong sales leads
• Understand the available methods to reach your customer types
• Position your products and services to wow your prospective customers
• Communicate effectively with prospects and customers
• Convert more sales, doing business on your terms
• Evaluate what works and what doesn't
• Help your customers become your champions
• Extend your successes further into the market and/or enter new market segments

Workshops are held six times a year on dates/times agreed with the group.  There is networking and meeting room space available before and afterwards.  We meet at Dove Studio, Ellastone, DE6 2GY.

Enjoy the extra encouragement via the peer support and feedback of other group members.  Come along and address those hard, strategic questions: is your business approaching the best customers, in the best way, at the best time, with the best products?  Is there more you could be doing?  How will you find out what is working and what needs improvement? Make sure your ideas are put into practice in a structured way.

More Marketing Club Members' comments:

"Many thanks for the speedy response - and really useful feedback. It's so hard to be objective when promoting your own business."

"I think there's a lot of 'marketing tips' on offer through events and online, and people tend miss the point - one size does not fit all, and though general advice can be helpful, successful marketing needs to be right for your business and you personally. In the same vein, although a 'quick hit' can be effective, keeping your marketing going is crucial, and this is where ongoing support, that can be tailored to your particular circumstances, is invaluable...and where Marketing Club really fits the bill."

"Marketing Club is good use of my time and budget"

“I am a member of Catherine's Marketing Club which is a fantastic opportunity to receive professional marketing advice, expertly tailored to my business, at a reasonable cost. The club consists of a group of businesses with bi-monthly meetings facilitated by Catherine. These meetings are highly practical, informative and enjoyable. Club members also benefit from regular a one to one session with Catherine. These are an excellent follow-up to the group sessions. I can really see how my business is benefiting from this regular and focussed input. I also very much value the input of the other group members and find it an ideal forum to get honest feedback on my ideas and strategies. All in all, highly recommended.”  A recommendation from Frances Taylor, Brightspark Training, posted on our LinkedIn page.

Venue:  Dove Training Suite, Ellastone, DE6 2GY.  To join one of these programmes please email us on web@henmore.co.uk or call Catherine on 01335 289075

Social Media for Business - marketing training event

Social Media - your business voice

Social media has revolutionised small business marketing. There ever never before been such a cheap and easily accessible set of tools. More and more small businesses are seeing the benefits of social media to help increase awareness, create and nurture relationships, generate new leads, increase search engine placements, monitor marketing effort ... all with reduced expense.

It takes thought, so many organisations are not yet effectively establishing and managing a strong social media presence, let alone keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of social outlets and tools.

Henmore's interactive, hands-on workshop session covers:

• Social Media Basics & Beyond: Understanding key social media outlets, emerging trends and new tools and communities to consider in your social media plans
• Creating Your Social Media Strategy: Developing and implementing a social media strategy that supports your specific brand voice and vision, takes into account your day to day realities,  identifies which tools make sense (and which don’t) for your business.
• 5 Marketing Questions to ask yourself: What you need to consider before diving into specific social media outlets - and tips for making your effort worthwhile when you do.
• Tips, Tricks & Real-world Examples - ideas, practices and lessons learned from helping clients with their marketing on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, Blogging, and more.

Our social media session is always one of the liveliest. We share our knowledge and give you tips
and tools to help you get started, grow and solidify your social media strategies.

2012 Social Media Workshops - schedule and booking