Due to time and budget constraints, small businesses often overlook the significance of marketing. Here’s why we think you shouldn’t, especially now that the government has launched the Growth Vouchers programme.
Why ask for marketing advice?
A marketing plan helps make sense of your business environment – understanding your customers, your competitors, how to operate, and sell your product and services effectively. In today’s crowded marketplace how you position your brand and communicate, and on what platforms, is critical to success.
Too often, marketing is overlooked or left to someone who has little marketing experience. Increasingly, operations need to be lean and efficient, particularly for starts ups and small businesses. However, considering marketing as an area that does not merit investment can be detrimental. You wouldn’t leave your accounting to someone with no finance experience (we hope!).
Time and time again we have been approached by businesses that have realised they need a marketing intervention. Often, they have spent time and money inefficiently trying to do their marketing themselves with little knowledge or experience. Often, they realise that they need to backtrack and start from scratch, clarifying what it is that they want to achieve. Marketers can help you realise your goals without the pain of trying to struggle through it on your own, optimising your investment.
Effective marketing isn’t achieved through ad hoc actions or a cowboy approach. There’s deep thought and well-researched planning that backs up a smart strategy or successful campaign. Hopefully, this shouldn’t come as a surprise, as it pertains to every other area of running a business.
How can we help?
We will work with you and advise on how to develop an effective, sustainable marketing strategy. With 18 years of experience, our team can provide invaluable expertise, such as PR & media planning; branding & identity; social media and digital advertising.
As a small business you can benefit from the resources of a full-service agency with precise, targeted campaigns and strategy. You’ll be able to draw on the knowledge of all our team members, each with years of experience in their fields. And as a Growth Voucher Adviser, you can receive excellent value for your investment with Sans Frontiere with government subsidies.
About the Growth Vouchers programme
The government’s £30m Growth Vouchers programme delivers support to small businesses in England through the use of subsidised business advice. You could get a voucher to help pay for business support in Marketing & Customer Services.
As an approved Growth Voucher Adviser you can solicit the services of Sans Frontiere and receive 50%, up to £2000, back from the government. You will have to be able to match the amount with your own funds.
The Growth Vouchers programme is available to small businesses in England who are actively selling goods and/or services, have a turnover no greater than £45m, own 75% or more of their business, and have 250 employees or less.
Learn more about the Growth Vouchers programme
Business Advice on Marketing, attracting and keeping customers
Chantal Yeung Dresner is the Digital Marketing Manager at Sans Frontiere. You can contact her at chantal@sansfrontiere.co.uk or call 01273 487800.