Be positive in your marketing

Negative marketing rarely works. To use a negative message you really have to know your stuff – be an expert in the rules to break them.

I had a conversation today with a friend who was organising a flash mob to inspire people to be more proactive about climate change.

She wants to use the event to engage with people on a one-to-one basis (or: ‘go out and talk to people’) on what more they could do to have a positive effect on the environment because, she said ‘it’s fixable.’

This kind of positivity is so important. Not just for climate change, but for any form of communication.

Become great at your own marketing

It’s why a lot of people have signed up to our news list.

And we’re happy to share tips and advice on this blog and give away free guides.

But nothing beats a bit of real life learning, and the ability to ask – how does this work for my business? Will this plan fly?

So we’ve organised a Secret Agent School course:

Marketing for Beginners
Tuesday 29 May 2012 10am – 4pm

http://www.secretagentmarketing.com/pages/secret-agent-school.html

“I don’t believe in good ideas” – Discuss and Do event

 ”I don’t believe in good ideas,” said Gavin Eddy, director of Forward Space and award winning business mentor, speaking at yesterday’s Discuss & Do festival event in Frome, Making it as an Entrepreneur.

So what’s the big problem with good ideas? Why are they the bane of entrepreneurialism?

Because, Gavin explained, they – or the lack of them – is the excuse people use not to start their own business. Or because they are worried their big idea will fail.

And here is why he thinks you don’t need a ‘good idea’:

Swindon Business Show

Alongside the solicitors, accountants and financial services (though don’t get me wrong – these services are indispensible!) you meet some really unusual and innovative businesses.

The stand-outs for me today were:

Gibbons Gardening who gave me a packet of meadow seeds and had a conversation about how wrong it is to weedkiller nettles. And anyone who has a monkey for a logo can do no wrong…

e-motion electric vehicle company who sell electric bikes. This may be the way forward for someone like me who lives in the middle of the countryside.

Red Penguin consulting for having a randomly coloured animal as a name.

CS Handwriting Analysis – though I was too frightened to show Christina mine…

Young at Heart – who will do an artery age check to see if you are furry on the inside

Inner Flame – who do team and confidence building through fun activities for 14-19 year olds

Solomon Training – who help unemployed people with their basic (and beyond) maths English and IT skills.

Severnprint for their total commitment to quality and eco-friendly printing (and because they gave me lots of free notepads).

And also: Frank Stobrawe from PAT Testing Services who gave me (dare I admit it) some handy tips on marketing via Amazon and QR codes!