It’s taken a lot of time in the evenings and during holiday’s to complete it but I’m delighted to say that my first book is about to be published.

Around 50 business owners are are going to joining me for the evening and I have made 10 additional spaces avilable if you would like join me.

My book is called ‘The Marketing Launchpad’ and the launch takes place on Monday July 12th from 6pm till 8pm at the Angel Hotel, High Street, Market Harborough.

The evening includes a 1 hour seminar on topics such as branding, advertising and niche marketing.  It will be followed by a Q & A session and a book signing.

Taken from the files of the Ideal Marketing Company and drawing on over 20 years experience in the in the marketing industry, The Marketing Launchpad is designed for small business owners who want to kick start their new business campaigns without breaking the bank.

Admission is free of charge, however entrance to the event is by invitation only.  Please confirm in advance if you are able to attend as places are limited.

If you are able to attend you can expect an evening of inspiring ideas and practical solutions. To reserve you place please e-mail launch@idealmarketingcompany.com or call 01858 44 55 43.

If you would like a copy of the book but are unable to attend on the 12th it is now available on Amazon by following this link.

The Marketing Launchpad

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/brands/top-10-mistakes-marketers-make-when-rebranding-%E2%C2%80%C2%93-and-how-to-avoid-them/3014666.article

In my experience it can pay huge dividends but it’s easy to underestimate the time and effort that may be involved.

Hothorpe Hall

The latest Marketing Mentor seminar took place yesterday and thanks to everybody who came along.  Here is a selection for feedback from this seminar:

“A great venue and very positive event”

“So many ideas that I can personalise to my business.  I’m really excired about finding my niche and deciding the new branding for my business”

“A fascinating introduction to marketing that has focused my thoughts and enable me to start with a proper marketing plan”

“Lots we can do and lots that we can do better – powerful information”

“The seminar has helped me re-focus on my business and look at how to grow, especially in niche areas”

“An Inspiring day that makes me want to take action now”

The next marketing Mentor event takes place in September but places are limited so apply now to make sure that you receive your funding.  The Marketing Mentor 1 day marketing seminar is the start of a 18 month programme that comes with 100% funding from Train to Gain.

Call 01858 44 55 43 or e-mail alastair@idealmarketingcompany.com

Alastair Campbell

What can you achieve in a 1 hour free marketing consultation?  In some ways, not a lot, but it others you might be surprised.  I arranged one of my free 1 hour consultations this week with Russell Davis from London – this was his feedback.

“Hi Alastair. Thank you so much for your time on Wednesday.  I sent an email to the head teacher of a local high school with some suggested assembly and teacher training topics (catchy headline and bullet points – thanks for the tip about titles).  I got a response today asking me to go in and meet with the senior team to take further!  Thank you for your advice, questions and nudging.  I got so much from that short time.  It has helped my take my marketing to the next level, even things I have been doing for some time such as blogging – I now blog with keywords in mind instead of just seeing it as new content for the site”.

15 places have now been booked for the next one day marketing seminar running at Horthorpe Hall.  Previous versions of the seminar have provided popular with some of the best feedback we’ve ever heard from live events.

Full details of what is covered on the day are listed on the Marketing Mentor site.  If you employ at least 4 staff in your company the whole programme is funded through Train to Gain.  If you don’t qualify for funding, we are now making the seminar available as a stand alone event for £127 (plus VAT).

To find out more or book call 01858 44 55 43 – and you’ll receive a special bonus gift of the day.  Just mention that you read this blog post to qualify.

Marketing Seminar Top Tips

1. It is wise to know your market and competitors – find out who they are and what they do

2. Have a plan and direction in which you would like your company to grow

3. Develop insight on your existing and future customers

4. Match your marketing and media to your target audience

5. Reduce wastage on all marketing expenditure: e.g., is national advertising the right place to reach your customers? Could they be targeted more carefully?

Alastair Campbell runs the Marketing Mentor programme which offers a free one day marketing seminar followed by a free 17 month marketing support package for company owners or their senior staff. Visit www.themarketingmentor.co.uk to or call 01858 44 55 43 to find out more.

Sales Growth

Direct Marketing simulates Sales: Survey

With majority of recipients making a purchase, Direct Marketing remains one of the best ways of generating sales as figures suggest.

Almost three-quarters of people who received direct mail advertising from a business responded while the success rate for television was ten per cent lower according to ExactTarget’s 2009 Channel Preference Study.
Print media channels such as direct mail is more popular among younger people.

Robert Keitch, chief of membership and brand at the Direct Marketing Association, told the website: “Direct mail has long been the most effective of all direct marketing channels, which explains why the medium still accounts for 25 per cent of all direct marketing spend.”

Also the consumers are more likely to respond to direct mail promotions.

PMDG Marketing Communications is launching a direct mailing campaign to encourage more Mexicans to cross the border to shop in Texas, according to Business Wire.

I still think that direct marketing is the most effective of all marketing channels and is still popular among the youth. This survey shows further proof that it still works for improving sales.

Northampton Marketing Seminars

Just arrived back from a morning seminar I was asked to run for the FSB in Northampton.  The event took place at the Northampton cricket club.  With around 60 business owners present it was a goodoppertunity to talk about the ’9 steps to successful marketing’ that I recently completed a tips booklet on.  If you were one of the people there I hope you found it useful.  I actually recorded the talk and plan on creating a CD and transcript out of it later this month.

What I always find interesting about these lists is how some things which seem harmless to me WILL cause offence in others.  Also how some very uncontroversial products of service will rely on sex or violence to sell. Judge for yourself at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8020881.stm