Making the most of your marketing
N.B. This page was originally posted during the pandemic, but has since been updated as many of the pointers and links remain relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s summary of the 7 Ps is a really useful guide:
The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s summary of the 7 Ps is a really useful guide:
Marketing helps businesses to respond to the needs and wants of your customers and compete effectively. We often find that many of our small tourism business members are already 'marketing' without realising it.
For example,
For example,
- Many of you are communicating with your guests / customers to resolve queries, keeping in touch via e-newsletters and social media.
- Many of you have employees - remember that the way you communicate with employees is often equally as important as the public facing messages you relay to your visitors.
Thinking long-term
Set time aside to review your business and marketing plan (and get your thoughts down in writing if they’re currently in your head). Some businesses have said that having a plan helps to reduce anxiety.
Business Wales resources:
Set time aside to review your business and marketing plan (and get your thoughts down in writing if they’re currently in your head). Some businesses have said that having a plan helps to reduce anxiety.
Business Wales resources:
Improving your product and processes
As well as physical improvements to your property, consider your processes, too e.g. thinking about ways to improve ways customers can book in future.
We appreciate that cash flow may be a challenge and MWT has been working with member businesses, providing tips and solutions to see where savings may be made. We recently helped one member save over £100 a month by switching their website and booking channel to another solution. Please contact us if you would like help.
As well as physical improvements to your property, consider your processes, too e.g. thinking about ways to improve ways customers can book in future.
We appreciate that cash flow may be a challenge and MWT has been working with member businesses, providing tips and solutions to see where savings may be made. We recently helped one member save over £100 a month by switching their website and booking channel to another solution. Please contact us if you would like help.
Updating your website / photography
You might not need or be able to budget for a new website or professional photographer, but you may able to review and update your existing web content e.g. text and / or images, at little to no cost. The same goes for your listings on www.visitmidwales.co.uk / www.showmewales.co.uk
Zoe at MWT can build new websites for members from £300+VAT. Gwe Cambrian Web also offers discounted rates for members. Dan Badger can provide photography.
Please find all our suppliers in the supplier directory of your MWT Members' Area.
Zoe at MWT can build new websites for members from £300+VAT. Gwe Cambrian Web also offers discounted rates for members. Dan Badger can provide photography.
Please find all our suppliers in the supplier directory of your MWT Members' Area.
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Images of Mid Wales
MWT has undertaken photoshoots around the region and we have a library of Mid Wales images. These are available without fee for members' non-commercial usage. Please contact us with what you're looking for. You can also register for access to search and download photography at assets.wales.com (Visit Wales' national image library - images from the whole of Wales). CymruStock is also a great website for photography and footage. |
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Using technology
You might be working or socialising virtually, e.g. using Microsoft Teams or Zoom to communicate with suppliers / employees / colleagues / friends and family.
These platforms and others like them can also be used to communicate with your customers. For example, consider giving customers the option to ‘see a friendly face’ if they’d prefer to discuss booking queries via Facetime or Whatsapp.
>> Our 'How to' guide to Facebook live streaming is here.
You might be working or socialising virtually, e.g. using Microsoft Teams or Zoom to communicate with suppliers / employees / colleagues / friends and family.
These platforms and others like them can also be used to communicate with your customers. For example, consider giving customers the option to ‘see a friendly face’ if they’d prefer to discuss booking queries via Facetime or Whatsapp.
>> Our 'How to' guide to Facebook live streaming is here.
Stay in touch with your customers to build your brand
Social media posts/e-news updates are a good way to stay in touch with your customers and potential customers.
Consider a newsletter sign up form on your website.
Have a bespoke answerphone message, should you be unable to answer the phone.
Social media posts/e-news updates are a good way to stay in touch with your customers and potential customers.
Consider a newsletter sign up form on your website.
Have a bespoke answerphone message, should you be unable to answer the phone.
Training
Think about your training needs, and those of your employees (if you have any).
MWT members: If there are any training topics you are particularly interested in, please let us know: members@mwtcymru.co.uk
There are several free Business Wales events running online, covering different topics ranging from Cashflow in Crisis, Accessing Business Finance, Diversification, Social Media, etc: https://wales.business-events.org.uk/
Check out Focus Enterprise Hubs, too: https://focusenterprisehubs.wales/
Think about your training needs, and those of your employees (if you have any).
MWT members: If there are any training topics you are particularly interested in, please let us know: members@mwtcymru.co.uk
There are several free Business Wales events running online, covering different topics ranging from Cashflow in Crisis, Accessing Business Finance, Diversification, Social Media, etc: https://wales.business-events.org.uk/
Check out Focus Enterprise Hubs, too: https://focusenterprisehubs.wales/
Content Marketing Checklist
- Think like your audience
- Email your list sparingly
- Cleanse your email list
- Plan ahead
Simpleview Training / MWT Cymru Members' Facebook Group
- All members can have free virtual training to update your web listing/s on Visit Mid Wales/Show me Wales, and talk to one of the team about your marketing. Please call us on 01654 702653 or email us to arrange this.
- If you have any questions or would like to bounce ideas around, our members' Facebook group is a great place to talk to like-minded business owners and managers.