easi Marketing Blog
Blogging is an excellent and informal way of providing you with my thoughts and views of the latest trends and techniques to hit the marketing profession. If you want to receive my blog or even contribute towards it, pleas register as an easi-user in the register section of this site.
Blog Entries | 70 in category.
3 Challenging Athletic Events for 3 Great Charities - 22/02/2012
Apologies for anther athletics posting, but I am once again putting my body and mind through the mill again in aid of three worthy charities; Children with Cancer, RNLI and the Kent Association for th[...]
Getting involved in Social Media, you must show commitment. - 11/02/2012
I have been making a number of presentations on marketing and in particular social media. I must admit, I have never set myself up as a Social Media Guru and I find abhorrent those individuals that d[...]
Copywriting. How to originate and write your own copy! - 29/01/2012
I have been unable to Blog on the Easimarketing website for a while. A heavy workload has delayed my next entry. However, I recently had a Eureka moment. I wondered why I can write fluently for some[...]
Kent Ultra Athlete Legend launches his own Book: 'Unstoppable! Mike Inkster's Story' - 07/12/2011
I am not sure if many of you realise, but we have a major celebrity from the ultra marathon arena on our doorstep. His name is Mike Inkster and through his business Challenge Hub, has staged major ul[...]
Klout, Is it Truly Relevant in the Real Business World? - 01/12/2011
There are a few websites out there that measure social media influence for businesses and individuals. Probably the most famous of these is Klout.com. Klout offers a score from 1 to 100 with higher sc[...]
Watch out for Bogus Callers Calling on Behalf of the Police, Fire Brigade or Even Your Trade Association. - 21/11/2011
Maybe it is the sign of the times, but I recently had a phone call from a company saying that they were working on behalf of the British Marine Electronic Association. This was strange, because I loo[...]
Create a Google+ Business Page for your Organisation...it might be a significant investment of your time. - 13/11/2011
I recently wrote a Blog about Google+, Google's challenge to Facebook. With 40m profiles so far, there is healthy debate about who is actually using Google+ outside of the social media and technology[...]
Making a Fool of Myself This Movember in Raising Awareness and Funds for Men's Health - 02/11/2011
I am going to take part in Movember, an event dedicated to growing moustaches and raising awareness and funds for men's health; specifically prostate and testicular cancer. I'm donating my top lip to [...]
Considering Moving Your Facebook account to Google+? Maybe you should think again? - 30/10/2011
There has been a lot of news generated about Google+, Google s latest pretender to Facebook's social meda throne over the last few months. There has also been quite a lot of discussion by social med[...]
Free Online Marketing Opportunity from Google for Cash Strapped Charities - 22/10/2011
I recently came across an opportunity for UK charities to gain free online advertising from Google. I wasn't aware of this opportunity so I have circulated details to the charities I have been involve[...]
Avoiding the Clichéd Use of Microphone...How to use a Microphone when Presenting! - 30/09/2011
I recently tackled the assignment 'How to Use a Microphone' at Thanet Speakers Club. My presentation was structured and although it did shoot off in several angles, did settle down to provide some t[...]
Visiting the Southampton Boatshow - A Social Media Perspective - 23/09/2011
Having visited the Southampton Boatshow today in my capacity as Marketing Manager of Icom UK, I couldn't help realize all the friends I have made in the marine industry. It was also nice to meet peop[...]
Tips for Making a Successful Sponsorship Proposal - 07/08/2011
In my day time job at marketing manager of Icom UK Ltd, I get a range of sponsorship requests from adventurers, clubs, various organisations and charities. In fact in these tough times, there are a l[...]
People You Should Think Twice About Following in the 'Twitterverse' - 30/07/2011
I love Twitter! I love the people I interact with on it. I love the amazing tips and advice I have picked up. I also love the sheer interaction...its amazing what a vibrant and exciting world we li[...]
The Rise and fall and the Rise and Hopefully Fall Again of Autocratic Suggestive Selling - 02/07/2011
Have you been to WH Smith recently? If you have, you may have mistaken if for a sweet shop or that Woolworths has returned to the high street. The shop still has books and magazines, but heavily sta[...]
Social Media Etiquette: How to Avoid Becoming a 'Billy No Mates' - 16/06/2011
I have written many blogs about social media and if you are new to this area and aren't quite sure on how to handle yourself, you should check out my Blog, 'How to Conduct Yourself Online'. However to[...]
Considering Online Business Directories? - 31/05/2011
I have been inundated over the last couple of months with constant calls from online business directories. Each directory claims to be able to get me to the top of Google in our search terms as well [...]
Is Paper.li and LinkedIn Today the Answer to Personalised News Content? - 19/05/2011
Have you ever wanted your own personalised newsletter? Well some social networks allow you to produce such a thing and tailor content around your connections and the subjects that you are interested [...]
Staying Positive During the Economic Downturn! - 13/05/2011
If you believed the media, you would think that the future for business is truly bleak. One thing is certain, if you do believe it, the future will be bleak. There is an alternative. If you change yo[...]
My Brighton Marathon Running Experience - 19/04/2011
Thanks for all the good luck and well done messages from friends, family and business acquaintances regarding the Brighton Marathon. As you would have probably gathered it was a really hard race for e[...]
You have got to be in the game, to have a chance of winning! - 07/04/2011
I recently had two pieces of good news. The first piece of good news was that I have won the South East District Award from the Association of Speakers Clubs for the work that I had done to promote Th[...]
Empower your staff...give them responsibility to go that bit further! - 19/03/2011
I recently visited a 'Little Chef' on the way home from a day out with the family. I have wanted to try the restaurant chain for sometime after seeing Heston Blumenthal's TV documentary about bringin[...]
The Importance of a Good Business Logo - 08/03/2011
Over the past twelve months, I have assisted in the launch of several new brands. The one thing that has struck me more than anything is, unless you have a strong brand identity, you will be fighting[...]
The Do's and Don'ts of Conducting Yourself at a Business Meeting - 19/02/2011
I recently had a meeting with a senior businessman, who literally had come to the meeting totally unprepared and in an incredibly bad mood. A mood so bad that he proceeded to take a call midway throu[...]
The Benefits of a Website Content Management System - 12/02/2011
If you are planning a website that requires numerous pages, needs constant updating, then you should consider a website Content Management System (CMS). A CMS site allows anyone including non-technica[...]
Beware of Bogus Marketing Invoices - 02/02/2011
Today, two rather unusual invoices found their way onto my desk. They were unusual because both were for entries into business directories that I had no knowledge of and had never booked...they were [...]
Taking on the Brighton Marathon in aid of the Kent Association for the Blind (KAB) - 25/01/2011
Those that know me will know that I took up running a couple of years ago, mainly to get rid of the weight. I joined my local athletics club, Thanet Roadrunners and since then have become fitter and [...]
The Importance of Pictures for Press Releases, Case Studies and Business Articles - 24/01/2011
I recently took part in a photo shoot for the launch of a multiday ultra marathon called the Kent Ultra Challenge (www.kentultrachallenge.co.uk). It is Southern England's first multi-day marathon eve[...]
Let the Website Link Reciprocation Begin! - 10/01/2011
How many times have you received a phone call from a marketing agency saying that they can optimise your website to the top of Google? I get this a lot and when you start asking simple questions, you[...]
Be careful how you treat people on your way up, because you might meet them again in the future! - 01/01/2011
I have often written that life is cyclical. What goes around always tend to come around again. The other day I got a 'friend request' on Facebook from someone who I use to work with during my retail[...]
The Impossible 30 Hour Day! - 23/12/2010
Christmas is a time when we all reflect about our lives. Like everybody, I am looking for that magical 30 hour day when I can fit everyone and everything in. Truth be told, at this special time of t[...]
Public Relations in a Recession! - 14/12/2010
Virtually all companies are looking to cut costs externally and internally during this current economic climate and the easiest budget to cut is usually the marketing budget. The rights and wrongs of[...]
Back and blogging with Easimarketing.com - 27/11/2010
It's been a long time since I have written a blog about marketing on my website www.easimarketing.com. It's not that I don't care, trust me I do. The reason for my delay in adding content to this si[...]
Taking on the Role of the Small Business Champion for the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Are you an organisation that can help? - 31/10/2010
I have recently taken on the role of Small Business Champion for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) in the South East of England. This voluntary role is part of the Chartered Institute of Mark[...]
Afraid Of Public Speaking? Come to Thanet Speakers Club Open Evening! - 03/10/2010
Thanet Speakers Club are holding an open evening for all those interested in public speaking or those who are afraid of the thought of public speaking but want to give it a go. The club who meet fort[...]
Ask yourself the question, why are you going to that exhibition? - 23/08/2010
Have you ever asked yourself the question, why are you going to a business or consumer exhibition? This may seem a strange question to ask, but there are some companies that go to exhibitions for all[...]
How to conduct yourself online! - 13/08/2010
I was recently contacted by a former customer on LinkedIn, whom I last spoke to professionally over a decade ago. Remembering him as an amiable chap, I thought long and hard about connecting with him[...]
In Case you're Unsure - The Potential Dangers of Spam! - 10/07/2010
I am, like a lot of other people, getting email 'notifications' from Microsoft about this or that which needs updating for my protection. In case you are still unsure, Microsoft doesn't send broad[...]
How to Write a Good Creative Brief! - 16/06/2010
In my professional life, I have to brief a lot of companies. Some work has involved briefing creatives, which is a skill and a half in itself, because creatives can be highly strung and need clear gui[...]
The Unrecognised Sales Force - 05/06/2010
In an organisation there are many types of sales professionals. There are those on the road who interact with customers, develop relationships and then secure the sale. There are order takers who bu[...]
The Parallels Between Sport and Business - 29/05/2010
Running around Thanet, training for my next Half Marathon, I was thinking to myself that those business people who have never taken to sport may have missed out on some vital life lessons. I was[...]
Death by Powerpoint and How to Avoid it! - 10/04/2010
A while back, I wrote a Blog about everything you needed to know about preparing for a PowerPoint Presentation. If you don't know what PowerPoint is, it is a presentation program by Microsoft which i[...]
The Merits of using Linkedin as a Professional Business Tool - 31/03/2010
If you don't already know it, Linkedin is a professional social network which allows business people to connect with each other. Most people, when they set up their Linkedin account, expect it to wor[...]
How to use Social Media more securely. - 20/03/2010
I've written a lot about the positive side of social media, but as with all things in life, there is a downside. There are unscrupulous and quite sophisticated people out there who are trying to lure[...]
The Future of Direct Mail - 12/02/2010
When you think about it, we don't get as much Direct Mail as we use to. This is because it can be expensive and companies have given up sending it as it has been tarnished by the media as 'Junk Mail'[...]
How can I use Article Marketing? - 03/02/2010
Article Marketing should never be scoffed at. Article Marketing can play an important party in the Marketers arsenal and what more, it is totally FREE. The only thing you need to do is organise your[...]
The Danger of Social Networking sites for Employers - 26/01/2010
It always amazes me the posts that some people put on social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkedIn. You know what I mean, users who put inane comments such as 'I am going to mak[...]
Running the Silverstone Half Marathon in aid of Pilgrims Hospices - 26/01/2010
Forgive me for this shameless plug. My colleague Jerry Kelk (from Icom UK) and I will be running the Silverstone Half Marathon in aid of Pilgrims Hospices. We are both newcomers to road running[...]
Business Qualifications vs. Business Experience? - 18/01/2010
I recently had some great news. I was awarded the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM). To say I was thrilled would be a massive under[...]
The Trouble with New Years Resolutions - 10/01/2010
Everyone I know makes a New Years resolution, and a few weeks into the New Year, the majority break them. Come February, the new years resolutions are a just a memory waiting to be reawakened the fol[...]
A Beginners Guide to Running - A Tale of a Thanet Roadrunner - 01/01/2010
I was recently asked to write an article for the Thanet Roadrunners newsletter. The remit was to write something from a beginner's perspective, so that hopefully anyone who has never run before could[...]
A Christmas Message from easimarketing.com - 21/12/2009
This is just a short blog to send my best wishes to you all for this festive period. With all the preparations that are going on for the big day, you can appreciate that there may be more important t[...]
Motivating Channel Partners! - 11/12/2009
I have just been working on a promotional mechanic to incentivise our dealer base to purchase more of our products...a tricky task during a recession. This work has got me thinking about the wider sub[...]
The Trouble with Virtual Exhibitions - 03/12/2009
I got a call today from a company inviting me to take part in a virtual exhibition. I was amazed to get this because the sales patter sounded much like that from the dot com boom when everything that [...]
The Value of Promotional Gifts - 22/11/2009
Love or hate them, promotional giveaways play an important part in the promotional mix. This promotional mechanism is very versatile and can be given to a variety of customers including business clie[...]
Exhibiting on a shoestring - 12/11/2009
There are many reasons why companies go to exhibitions. Some go to sell, to launch new products, to promote the brand or some or all of these reasons. One thing for certain, is that exhibiting is an[...]
Procrastination let me down...tips to avoid putting those jobs off till later! - 05/11/2009
One of the biggest threats to any business is the great art of putting things off till later...Procrastination. Procrastination means avoiding doing tasks which need to be done, sometimes doing them [...]
Marketing opportunities that are too good to be true - 27/10/2009
I recently made a presentation to an audience of marine professional at the British Marine Electronic Association (BMEA) conference in Southampton. The presentation was highlighting free marketing op[...]
Some Tips on Booking Exhibition Space - 14/10/2009
In some markets, booking an exhibition space is extremely expensive, so getting your choice right is important for your investment. If you are lucky, you may be receiving priority stand allocation an[...]
Branding beyond the Boundaries - The Kent Annual Marketing Lecture - 07/10/2009
I am going to host the Kent Annual Marketing Lecture tomorrow night. It is a great privilege and honour to do this, especially as I am no longer part of the Kent CIM set up, having been moved upstairs[...]
Keep on Blogging - 01/10/2009
As you can see, since I launched this site, I have tried to regularly add content. Part of my mandate is to offer a blog, tip and couple of links each week. My theory is that after a year of posting [...]
Preparation for PowerPoint Presentations - 27/09/2009
As some of you may be aware, I have always been the biggest proponent of the Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC). In my time with the ASC, I have met some fantastic people, found the confidence to sp[...]
Planning a Social Media Campaign - 18/09/2009
Most companies approach a social media campaign in the wrong way. What I find is that you get a couple of people that get really excited about the latest technology and jump in with both feet, forget[...]
Join the Party - Get Involved with Social Media - 13/09/2009
Getting involved with social media is very much like hosting a party. The goal for you and your guests is to have fun and to do this you need to get everyone mingling and chatting. Above all you mus[...]
Poorly researched sales calls, do you get them? - 01/09/2009
I get numerous sales calls asking if I need either a stand builder, or if I want to advertise in a publication or whether I want to purchase a new range of promotional gifts. Most of these calls a[...]
Is email marketing still a credible business tool? - 14/08/2009
We all get a huge amount of emails sent to us, including Spam, and it is sometimes difficult to sort out the important emails that may be pertinent to your business to the ones which are blindly sent [...]
Marketing in a Downturn! - 28/07/2009
A lot of budgets have been squeezed at the moment. However it is generally the rule of thumb, that company's that maintain their budgets and brand presence usually come out stronger that those who cu[...]
To Twitter or Not! - 28/07/2009
Some say that Twitter is a fad. Well the uptake worldwide of this online phenomenon is proving the doubters wrong. As a marketer I am finding that Twitter is another part of my marketing arsenal pro[...]
The Value of Public Speaking - 28/07/2009
One of the best things that I have ever done was to visit a public speaking club. I learnt a huge amount of skills, made a lot of friends and improved my confidence immeasurably. It has also given me[...]
The Value of Entering Business Awards - 06/06/2009
As Chairman of the Kent CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) we were invited to participate as a supporting sponsor in the KEIBA's (Kent Excellence in Business Awards). This got me thinking about[...]