Posts Tagged ‘Copywriting’

How a marketing company can help you move your business forward

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Smart businesses know that it is a continued level of targeted marketing activity that will keep them ahead of the competition and in their customer’s minds eye. Cutting back and reducing activity is not an option.

If your company isn’t big enough for a dedicated marketing person, you’ll find that the marketing often falls on your own shoulders. And then it only happens when you can find the time to do it, or it is reactive in response to competitor activity or when you need to launch a new product.

First Impression has launched new retainer marketing contracts to help customer’s spread their marketing spend across a twelve month period. But it’s not just about spreading cost, it’s about making sure that the activity happens and that it just doesn’t end up at the bottom of a very long to do list. And that it is targeted, relevant and part of an overall strategic plan. In our experience although a customer’s marketing spend may increase, so does the return on investment. That’s what marketing is all about; it’s about a return on investment, not a cost.

Bringing on a marketing company to support your marketing activity has many advantages but there are four key ones:

  • Targeted activities against a strategic plan
  • A better return on your investment
  • More creative ideas and structure
  • Leaves you free to run your business

A big advantage of working with First Impression is that you have a team behind you – marketing and sales professionals who can help you with ideas and structure the plan, talented graphic designers who can protect and grow your brand, copywriters who can develop your message and web developers who can ensure you are making the most of the internet. But First Impression will also look after all of your marketing needs, from advertising and PR opportunities, exhibition support, social media and internet marketing.

You only have one relationship to manage and we get to understand you and your business. In effect, we become your virtual marketing department, there when you need us, but we are working for you constantly, keeping an eye of your competitors and opportunities to move your business forward.

A retainer contract can start from as little as £800 a month, but for those companies looking to grow their business, they should be spending at least £1,000 a month. Customers also benefit from a free quarterly review to check that their marketing is on course, to review activity and results and agree the way forward for the next quarter.

If you would like to discuss how a marketing retainer could work for your business contact Martin or Helen Duncan on 01457 857111.

Are you selling features or benefits?

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

When writing content for your website, brochures or leaflets- getting the right message across can be more difficult than it sounds.

You are probably passionate about your products and services and know them inside and out. The temptation is to tell our customers all that information. But think of yourselves as a consumer. When you buy something you are rarely interested in a long winded description, you just want to know the benefits, what is it going to do for you! So when you are writing about your products and services, put yourselves in your customer’s shoes and think what is important to them – what are the benefits. Find out more here http://www.firstimpression.co.uk/resources/are-you-selling-features-or-benefits.php

Why use a copywriter?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

There is a dilemma, particularly in the small business sector. Why should you pay for a copywriter when I can write myself and who knows my business better than me? But there are a number of problems writing your own copy:

  • You’re too close to it. It’s difficult to see the wood from the trees!
  • You tend to think of what you are looking to sell rather than what your customer wants to buy so you never reach them.
  • You are passionate, there’s no doubt about that. But that means you get excited talking about what your products and services do rather than how they can benefit your customers.
  • You will probably try and make it over complicated, even trying to impress, whereas simple is far better.
  • It can often take you a very long time to do it. Have you ever taken on the job of writing content for your own website and then months later the web company are chasing you…ring any bells?

Far better to get a professional copywriter in at the start. They will write punchy, to the point copy that will get your message across. And it doesn’t have to cost alot of money. Just think of the money you could be losing with your own copy… www.copy-writer.co.uk