Articles in the Category 'Marketing Explained'
Are non-paying customers worth anything?
Can it ever be worth giving away a good product for nothing? Here are five reasons to consider a creating a completely free version of your online offering. Read more »
Published on 14 September 2011
It’s not luck, it’s good marketing
It's often said that sales is about timing. If you're lucky enough to land on the right desk, at the right time, you'll be considered for that whopping new contract. But, what if luck has nothing to do with it. Read more »
Published on 1 August 2011
How to generate awareness for your small business
There are two critical ingredients to getting noticed. They are 'frequency' and 'impact' - you need both in your marketing if you're going to get people to pay attention and remember your small business. Read more »
Published on 20 July 2011
20 common profit leaks in small businesses
Putting your hard-earned cash into new marketing activities or generating new leads can often be less effective than plugging one of these 20 common profit leaks. Read more »
Published on 15 June 2011
Finding the cheaper alternative when marketing your small business
We can't all afford sexy advertising campaigns, but we do all need to get the word out. If you're a small business with a modest marketing budget, here are some lost cost marketing ideas that get great results. Read more »
Published on 6 May 2011
The buying decision – it’s a Quick Step not a Power Walk
People very rarely power their way through a considered buying decision. They take two step forwards, one step back - often for up to six months. Your marketing needs to keep them dancing all the way through to a sale. Read more »
Published on 13 April 2011
8 tips for video marketing with va-va-voom
A guest blog from Mendip Media with 8 tips on creating powerful marketing videos for small businesses. Used well, video marketing can be as powerful as a TV campaign. Read more »
Published on 7 February 2011
A day in the life of a small business tweet
A step-by-step scenario of how Twitter can be used as part of a wider marketing mix to generate tangible sales results for small businesses. Read more »
Published on 21 December 2010
Reduce, re-use, recycle – a philosophy for small business marketing
Get more for your small business marketing budget. Reduce - say less more often. Re-use - ways to get more from a piece of content. Recycle - the end of a campaign mindset. Read more »
Published on 1 December 2010
The benefits of case study videos in small business marketing
Three reasons why video case studies are a great tactic for small business marketing. And, why everyone involved can benefit from what is produced. Read more »
Published on 17 November 2010
Why keep marketing when you’re already busy?
Break the cycle of feast and famine in your business by maintaining marketing momentum whatever your workload. Essential marketing advice for growing businesses. Read more »
Published on 28 October 2010
Brand guidelines, why are they so important?
This is a guest blog by Andy Fuller of Designbull Ltd. Andy tells us about the importance of brand guidelines in creating a strong, consistent visual identity for small businesses in today's marketplace. Read more »
Published on 12 August 2010
Three is the magic marketing number: Part 3/3
This is the final piece in a three part series of blogs on the rule of three in marketing. This concluding blog gives you tips for effectively applying the rule in your day-to-day marketing activities along with some fun examples of famous trios. Read more »
Published on 23 July 2010
Three is the magic marketing number: Part 2/3
This blog is the second in a three part series looking at the rule of three in marketing. It introduces you to practical uses of the rule and is accompanied by examples from the marketing world. Read more »
Published on 14 July 2010
How much should you pay a marketing consultant?
How much your business should spend on a marketing consultant will depend on how much you already know and what you want them to do. This article talks you through what you get for your money and what questions to ask to make sure you get best value. Read more »
Published on 7 July 2010
Three is the magic marketing number: Part 1/3
Rules of three are everywhere; in social media, networking and public speaking to name but a few. This blog is the first in a three part series looking at the rule of three in marketing. Part-one introduces you to the concept and the theory behind it. Read more »
Published on 30 June 2010
Three reasons NOT to blog
A piece looking at three reasons why some businesses choose not blog, which goes on to discuss and dispel the myths behind those reasons. Read more »
Published on 21 June 2010
Coordination equals colours; Integration means business
An article that looks at the crucial difference between coordinated and integrated marketing, showing how small businesses need to run campaigns that support the whole sales funnel. Lead generation is a waste of money if sales can't or won't follow them up. Read more »
Published on 1 June 2010
The anatomy of a Tweet – what do all those symbols mean?
A blog from Clear Thought's marketing trainee and relative newbie to Twitter, discussing the journey of a Tweet, the mechanisms of communication and the style of language used to most effectively harness the power of this social media channel. Read more »
Published on 28 May 2010
Mind your ‘I’s and ‘We’s – 3 reasons to present your company as a team
This blog discusses the reasons why inclusive language is important to your business and gives you 5 tips on how you can sound like your brand to present that all important company image. Read more »
Published on 12 May 2010
Three ways we use Twitter as a business tool
As an integral part of social media, Twitter can be used for many strategic functions. Described as a fantastic tool for doing business, it's one to put on your 'to do' list for 2010. This blog details how the Clear Thought team do it, why they do it, and why you should do it too. Read more »
Published on 5 May 2010
Why marketing is like DIY – 5 tips to avoid costly mistakes
Has it ever struck you how similar marketing is to DIY? The more effort you put into planning and preparation, the easier the implementation is. And, the better the results. In this blog, read Clear Thought's 5 top tips for better marketing preparation. Read more »
Published on 20 April 2010
10 signs that you could do with strategic marketing advice
10 signs that your small business could do with some strategic marketing advice. Essential marketing advice for small businesses. Read more »
Published on 5 April 2010
Copywriting: Seven reasons why medium matters
Seven reasons why medium matters in copywriting. A guest Blog from Emily Cagle providing excellent advice for tailoring content to work effectively in an online and offline context. Read more »
Published on 31 March 2010
Key types of marketing content – tips and definitions
Quick definitions of typical types of marketing content used in thought leadership campaigns, with practical advice as to how to use them. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 14 March 2010
Mind your Meta Data – how hidden web copy impacts social media success
An article that explains how the meta data, hidden copy, on your website is used in social media. With practical advice for making your site social media friendly. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 16 February 2010
Your marketing questions answered
The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. In this Blog, Cheryl Crichton jots down the answers to 10 marketing questions she's been asked recently. What is CMYK anyway? Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 16 February 2010
Content marketing – why you need to ask permission
In this article Bryony Thomas explains why marketers need to ask permission before they share their marketing content with people. Not only because it is the law, but because it is polite and it will help you meet your marketing objectives. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 28 January 2010
10 ways in which marketing is like exercise
We all know that to loose weight takes time and patience, the same is true of marketing. It takes time for your marketing efforts to gain momentum, give up too soon and you'll have wasted effort. Expect results too soon and you'll be disappointed. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 12 November 2009
The Jamie Oliver approach to marketing
This article compares the way that marketers like to feed sales people with leads based on life-time-value to Jamie Oliver's crusade to get kids eating healthy food. Do you need to wean your sales team off a metaphorical diet of chips and turkey twizzlers. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 2 October 2009
What shape is your marketing budget?
This article gives you practical advice as to how to structure your marketing budget across the sales funnel for better justification of spend and decision-making. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 9 July 2009
A typical thought leadership campaign
This article outlines the typical components of a thought leadership, or content marketing, campaign. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 3 June 2009
What’s more important to marketing success – science or creativity?
This article looks at the careful balance between science and art in truly excellent marketing. Read more »
Published on 5 November 2008
What to say when – managing marketing content through the sales funnel
An article that looks at the tone and detail required at each stage of decision-making, allowing marketers to develop appropriate content to support each step of the sales process. Essential marketing advice for any small business. Read more »
Published on 29 October 2008
