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.

Brand management - moment of amusement

This morning I received a jolly note from a client pointing out a typo in the LinkedIn event information for my business development workshop this Wednesday.  I gave myself a telling off, but then I tripped over this message from Google and now I feel a whole lot better.  This has to be a fundamental brand management error for a leading search engine specialist.  Quite fun though.

Take a netwalk

How about this for work life balance?

work bit is chatting about business and making/strengthening your connections with local business people

the life bit is enjoying some fabulous scenery and getting some exercise by walking 2.5 miles.

the balance bit is eating cake afterwards!

So this is netwalking.  Try it with Matlock Business Club on Thursday June 30 and explore an unusual part of Derbyshire. Refreshments (that's the cake bit) are included.

Rendezvous at the secluded Cliff Farm (Peak Serenity) with walking shoes laced up for 4.30 pm. Take in the fantastic views and explore the surrounding area with its woods, stone circles and mock beggars hall. We'll return to Cliffe Farm around 5.45 pm for refreshments and to carry on networking.

After a welcome briefing by netwalking leader Paul Hunt from Skylark Activities (www.skylarkactivities.com)we'll walk 2.5 miles along well defined paths and country lanes over typical Derbyshire hill farm country and through woods. A few stiles will be encountered but these shouldn't pose a barrier as you'll be in a group that helps each other and that's determined to see the points of interest in this part of Derbyshire.

Location and Directions : Cliff Farm is on the lane between Elton and Alport.

Directions : Post Code for Google Maps and satnavs : DE45 1LL

There is a small charge of £5 ,which includes refreshments, and is payable on the day to Matlock Business Club .  Book you place by email to info@colemanbradshaw.co.uk

Distance : 2.5 miles / 4 Kilometres

Terrain : Hill farm countryside of grassed fields and woodland.

Well defined paths and country lane; some wooden styles and some squeeze styles.

Points of Interest : Cratcliffe Rocks, Hermits Cave, Robin Hood Stride, Nine Stone Close Standing Stones , Harthill moor and woods

Join Matlock Business Club online > http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Matlock-Business-Club-2344019