Posts

Hi Rebecca

I find it so annoying when things that should last a long time, don't. We have gone through about three microwaves in the last 10 years,  which is madness! It is even more infuriating when an expensive item such as a TV breaks. Ours stopped working a while ago and I struggled to find anyone who would fix it because "most people just replace"!

It has got to the point now where I would rather purchase a cheaper item so that if it breaks I am not so bothered, even though my common sense tells me that's counter-productive because surely the cheaper things are not going to last as long as the expensive ones...? Some people-in-the-know  tell me that even the top manufacturers use low grade parts, so you can't really win!

I need to know who made your hairdryer Rebecca because if they manufacture other items too then I am going to fill my house with them  - they obviously build things to last!

I think that people completely underestimate the importance of gaining positive reviews for their company. I for one always refer to reviews before I buy/book anything and get a bit suspicious if I can't find any!

Always ask your clients to give you a review - it only takes seconds but can benefit you in a number of ways. Most of the time, if you have done a good job then your client will be happy to give you a review - don't be afraid to ask!

Sooooooooo useful! There really is no excuse for an elongated or stretched image now!

Thanks Steve

Hi Jessica

Sounds fantastic - good luck with the new venture! 

I've worked in Marketing for a number of different companies over the years and the ways that you can market your company hinge on how much you want to spend and how much time you want to put into it. Initially (and fairly cheaply) you could start by getting branded t-shirts/tops to wear when you are out and about. LOADS of people are going to see you on your walks so if you have your company name, phone number or website displayed well on the back then that is completely free advertising!

If you haven't got a website, then get one. You can design one yourself using a provider such as Squarespace - it is easy to do and cheap to maintain. The important bit about your website would be to have a contact form included so people can contact you if they don't have time to call you or you miss their call for some reason. The other good thing would be to have people's reviews on there - prospective new clients will always want to check you out.

Offering introductory offers or a 'refer a friend' scheme will work really well for getting new clients as everyone wants to save some cash! So offering a 10% discount to newbies or a free walk per week for existing clients if they refer one of their friends to you would be beneficial.

Good old fashioned leaflet dropping would also be something you could do easily when you are out walking your pets, and you can design these quite easily on Vistaprint or somewhere similar. Drop them through your neighbour's doors, ask if local coffee shops/pubs would put some on their notice boards/counter tops etc, ask mates to take them into their workplaces.

Overall with your marketing, find a message that will resonate with people and you can't go wrong. At this time of year maybe it is the message that you can 'brave the cold so they don't have to' (encouraging people to let you walk their dog for them on these chilly mornings) or 'ease those stressful vet visits' (by you doing it for them) or 'give your pup a Christmas haircut' (self-explanatory!). Have a think about the pain-spots that people have with their pets and put yourself forward as the one to solve them! Spread the word!!

Have you thought of printing gift vouchers at this time of year? I know for one I would love to receive a voucher that could go towards giving my pets a bit of a pampering! Just  a thought....

Good luck!

It's been a funny month all round for weather if you ask me - I am still wearing my summer clothes and IT'S NEARLY NOVEMBER!! 

I agree with Andy-C; if he is a slightly 'toxic personality' then it is probably best to keep him sweet. You could always put a time limit on it, so agree to his 'demands' but only for 6 or 12 months.

You need to work out in that time whether he is still of benefit to your business or not and then, if you decide not, upsetting him by cutting him off won't damage you or the business. 

Not an easy one - good luck!

Blimey, nowhere is safe! Thanks for the info Steve.

What what what?! It's pink and white!!

Hi

I've just read your blog and I agree that email seems to be the most used method of communication in an office environment, but wouldn't it be nice if people actually talked face to face instead?! I'm old school I guess, and I suppose that as people are so busy, firing off a short reply to an email is quicker.

One thing I would like to discuss is your point about comfy meeting furniture. Imperative for long meetings, but not ideal for a quick chat or catch up, so do consider more stand-up meeting tables so that there are no chairs at all, just a tall table to put a laptop/notepad/drawing etc down on for discussion. If no one is sitting, the meeting will naturally be shorter and I am sure there is some science somewhere that says standing up helps promote new ideas!

Just a thought, but I think that a range of office furniture that covers all the bases - long meetings, short meetings, quick chats, 1 on 1 chats, have-a-quick-squiz-at-this-on-my-laptop chats - would be fantastic.