E-Marketing vs Cold Calling vs Print Marketing vs...

[LondonK]

Hi,

I work in a small family run training company (training in health and legal).

The company has previously run as a 'one man' band and has been successful as a small operation.

I am now looking to expand the company and would like to source some form of external sales or marketing person.

So far all my leads come from previous clients or word of mouth which reinstates my faith in what we offer however I would now like to reach further afield.

The company is run from home.

Due to the fact I work from home I assume my sales/marketing options are limited to those who work from home or external companies.

Here are a few options I've been trying to research and have yet to reach a decision on:

• Purchasing a database of names to send mail shots/e-mails to
  with no marketing training I'm never sure if just sending people emails about new courses etc is the correct way to approach the matter.
• Recruiting a larger external telesales company
  to do what I assume will be cold calling (do people really pay attention to cold calls ?)
• Employ a self employed sales person (junior or experienced ?)
  who would I assume do as I have but with an understanding of how to approach the client with intent to sell.

Aside from the marketing there are other ideas toying around in my head too

Do I employ the self employed/external company first ?

Do I look for grants to get premises to employ in-house staff ?

Do I look for other companies to partner with ?

Do I look for investors ?

or do I just find someone rich to marry ?!!!

All joking aside, your input would be greatly received

 

[Alan]

Too many questions to get good answer on the forum. I would suggest focussing on the key question(s)

 

[LondonK]

Too many questions to get good answer on the forum. I would suggest focussing on the key question(s)

Thanks for the tip.

I guess the best way to condense my question down would be to ask:

What sales/marketing options would be best followed for a small company wanting to expand and with minimal sales and marketing skills ?

 

[Alan]

here is an info graphic that I produced once that might give you some ideas

http://www.roibot.co.uk/infographic-digital-marketing-roi/

Admittedly the data came from 2009 so misses out a segment on Social Media.

By the way, we use that tool all the time fo setting up and reviewing our plans, including marketing plan. The multi-level pie chart concept is a good way of visualising how you prioritise in the inevitable 100% of a circle. (if you use a plain list you can't really see if visualise if you spend more effort on one sector you need to spend less on another - which one do you sacrifiice.

 

[Silky.Johnson]

Hi,

I work in a small family run training company (training in health and legal).

The company has previously run as a 'one man' band and has been successful as a small operation.

I am now looking to expand the company and would like to source some form of external sales or marketing person.

So far all my leads come from previous clients or word of mouth which reinstates my faith in what we offer however I would now like to reach further afield.

The company is run from home.

Due to the fact I work from home I assume my sales/marketing options are limited to those who work from home or external companies.

Here are a few options I've been trying to research and have yet to reach a decision on:

• Purchasing a database of names to send mail shots/e-mails to
  with no marketing training I'm never sure if just sending people emails about new courses etc is the correct way to approach the matter.
• Recruiting a larger external telesales company
  to do what I assume will be cold calling (do people really pay attention to cold calls ?)
• Employ a self employed sales person (junior or experienced ?)
  who would I assume do as I have but with an understanding of how to approach the client with intent to sell.

Aside from the marketing there are other ideas toying around in my head too

Do I employ the self employed/external company first ?

Do I look for grants to get premises to employ in-house staff ?

Do I look for other companies to partner with ?

Do I look for investors ?

or do I just find someone rich to marry ?!!!

All joking aside, your input would be greatly received

I don't know it this will be relevant to your dilemma but I can recommend the deal of the decade if you want a B2B database.

Checkout (capital-cookie.com)

I don't know if they are still offering their special price because I bought a B2B database off them just last week for an absolute steal and most of the data was good as well.

Although there were some files that are defunct, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better database anywhere for the price I bought it for.

The guy I spoke to said they weren't data brokers and was liquidating his assets, he had this huge database that was going spare, anyway the point being I was able to bag a bargain and I'm still smiling.

Hope you get what you're after and all the best

 

[DavidBerryACMA]

Hi,

It sounds as though you are moving onto the second stage of your company's development. And that's fantastic! Most entrepreneurs now head for the employment route and think about who they can take on. Having developed a number of companies myself from scratch I would advise against this. There are a whole set of reasons why most of which lead to going bust. So stay as a solo entrepreneur and bring in experts around you. There are three things that I recommend that you do first before deciding on any action. First write down in detail what your current blueprint is. Understand in detail what you do to get clients and how you currently lead them through your offering.
Next get really clear on what you expertise is. What part of the business do you bring the most value to? Which part of the business do you really enjoy doing? Finally, use a 4-square performance improvement strategy to decide on a balance strategy that will grow you business.

This may sound complicated but it works. It moves you from stage one of your business to stage two without adding complication and massive costs to your business.

Let me know if you want more information.

 

[S-Marketing]

Hi,

Finally, use a 4-square performance improvement strategy to decide on a balance strategy that will grow you business.

Let me know if you want more information.

You wouldn't be trying to get the op to contact you by deliberately using silly phrases that don't mean anything to anyone would you?

Four square performance improvement strategy

 

[DavidBerryACMA]

I guess you understand the term blue print and how to establish the area in which you add greatest value, it was just the last term that confused you.

If you are not familiar with the PIG Grid. It is a four-box performance improvement grid that looks at Do more, do differently, start doing and stop doing. Yes, I do help clients to develop SME strategies that's my job. I have also developed many companies from scratch myself and read about this subject extensively. However, these three steps have proved time and time again to be successful.

 

[S-Marketing]

I guess you understand the term blue print and how to establish the area in which you add greatest value, it was just the last term that confused you.

If you are not familiar with the PIG Grid. It is a four-box performance improvement grid that looks at Do more, do differently, start doing and stop doing. Yes, I do help clients to develop SME strategies that's my job. I have also developed many companies from scratch myself and read about this subject extensively. However, these three steps have proved time and time again to be successful.

Don't worry about me, I'm not confused.

I was just making an observation of what I see as a rather transparent and unhelpful technique, to try to get members to contact you. Obviously this is only my humble opinion.