For those astute of you, you will have realised that the weekly Zzing newsletter and blog have not been updated recently. Unlike the previous eight weekly updates, I fell short last week and now we are nearly at the end of another week.
The reason for this? Well, I haven’t won the lottery and therefore I’m not currently in the Seychelles sipping champagne and no, I haven’t managed to upset the Microsoft / O2 Broadband techie-geeks and broken my computer or broadband. The reason for my ‘slacking’ in the newsletter / blog department is simply amount of work – yes, PAID work! Can you believe it? No, I can hardly either...
My last update included the market research tender which I had just won. That was for an evaluation / market research project for se2 Partnership which is a Social Enterprise organisation in the South East. So have been designing online survey’s and telephone interviewing their network organisations – what lovely, lovely people they are in the Social Enterprise Network they are. I guess their name say’s it all, ‘Social’, but they really are. Have had lovely chats with many of them – really didn’t seem much like work at all! However, market research does take up acres of my time with the telephone interviewing and then typing up the interview notes – still, all good stuff.
I also got some great news last week. The specialist construction company which I had a meeting with decided that they liked me (without the bribery of homemade brownies I hasten to add) and I start on a monthly contract for 16 hours each week in Alton next week. Again, perhaps I have been hit with a lucky stick, but they are such nice people (or perhaps I need to change my view that all business people will be really scary and shout lots). They want me to work on their PR and marketing their company profile so really looking forward to getting on with that work. One of the directors also plays rugby (for another team) against the boyfriend, so this made me telling them that I’m going to be in Paris for a few days next week (Oui, oui! J’adore Jonny Wilkinson and all that) a bit easier!
Then today, I got confirmation of some more market research work through an introduction from an old friend Andy Knight who works for Incisive Media. I’m going to be working on some qualitative research which is going to be pretty full-on for the next two weeks. I haven’t got the contact list yet so I’m using this time to write my weekly (albeit a bit late) ramblings.
So all in all, a pretty eventful week or so! Oh yes, I am now the owner of a sparkly new Blackberry as I’ll be out and about more and so what have I been doing for the last few days? Yes, on the phone to the ‘service provider’. Well, for a start, I think it’s a slight infringement to have ‘service’ at the start of their title and if I hear one more automated message telling me that they provide the ‘highest levels of customer service’ I’ll scream (they tell you this after holding and pressing 20 different buttons for options to finally get through to a human). However, when you do, you can already hear them eating their breakfast / lunch whilst flicking through various other internet sites as well as your email account. Yes, I know you are a techie and can multi-task various programmes and internet options whilst making ‘uumph’ noises to me, sorting out your fantasy football team, ordering the new shoot ‘em up PS3 game and tap, tap, tapping on your computer – but please....just talk to me in language that I can decipher and not make me feel like some idiot who has possibly not plugged the computer in.
So in essence, I could really, really do with some additional hours in the day. If anyone has an ‘app’ for obtaining more hours in the day (I got offered some from my ‘service’ provider – I pretended not to hear them as I haven’t got a clue why I would use my phone as a compass, spirit level or want to know how to decipher what bird song I can hear – I live in Southampton, if it’s not a seagull, the bird has got lost), let me know.
On a random note, has anyone else tried the new Marmite Cereal Bars? They were handing them out free in Waterloo yesterday. Tried one. Bit dry and tasteless and I sit in the ‘Love Marmite’ camp too. Apparently, you need to post your comments on the Marmites Facebook page. Seeing they only starting handing them out this week, they have over 2,500 ‘fans’ – what a cost effective way of getting feedback on your product.
Anyway, best go, got some survey results to sift through before hockey training tonight (2 matches at the weekend, still aching slightly when I get up and three large bruises and two astro-turf burns to my left knuckle – can’t complain, one of my team mates snapped her tendon in her ankle and is now on crutches).
A bientot! (practising for Paris next week)
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Friday, 26 February 2010
Houston, we have lift off!
Well, there I was, about 30mins ago wondering what to put in my weekly newsletter. I was thinking that I needed to put in what’s gone on in the world of Zzing this week but was aware that it was starting to sound very similar to all of the other weeks – nearly there, another proposal sent out, no news yet, fingers crossed on this tender etc. etc. I could see why my Mum and Dad were getting worried that I had made the right decision to go freelance.
Then BAM!
Email comes in.
I WON A TENDER FOR A PIECE OF MARKET RESEARCH!!!!!!
Yes, you read it right - my first ‘official’ tender won. An actual tender which I completed for a company that I had never met before and they decided that my approach to the project was the best one!
I am sure I am close to how Amy Williams who won the Olympic Gold medal in the skeleton this week felt – all that hard work (OK, only two months in my case, I know she has been training for years) has finally paid off. (That little jig I did last week when I got a contract and then lost it, I am convinced is jinxed so have remained firmly in my seat, just bounced up and down a lot.)
It’s one small step for Zzing, one giant leap to hitting the annual budget!
Actually, it has capped off a very good week. I met with a really nice recruitment agency this week and they are looking for help with their PR and Marketing. This company have grown to a very stable organisation over the last few years, are expanding with focus and want some help in raising their profile. I met with the MD who was a really nice guy and, if he likes my ideas and costs, I think he and his company would be a really nice project to work on. I’m also meeting with a construction company early next week to discuss some possible freelance work for them, again PR and Marketing. I’m hoping that my previous experience in construction and recruitment will help me win some work for both of these companies, looking at what they want to achieve, I know I can help – I have my fingers, legs and eyes crossed that they want to work with me as much as I want to work with them.
As I was up in London meeting the recruitment agency this week, I took the opportunity to pop in to Mum and Dad’s on my way back and also managed to invite myself to tea too – it would have been rude not too. I know Mum and Dad support me but they are worried that I have left a good job to start up on my own (that thought goes through my head on a regular basis too!) but I still feel that I have done the right thing (most days!) Especially today – wooop, woop woop! (Yes, still bouncing up and down in my chair, the neighbours must be wondering what’s going on)
I think I must be Lloyds TSB Banks best friend at the moment, they keep phoning me and asking for me to take part in some telephone research on their services, customer support, how they communicate with me. Obviously, being at home, I can take these calls and I think that as I agreed to take part in the first 5min telephone survey, I am on some ‘golden list’ which means that I am in when they phone and happy to take part. Mind you, I should have asked them to phone my friend Vicki from Tiger Ink for feedback, she has not had a brilliant time with Lloyds it is safe to say. In fact, I think if Lloyds called Tiger Ink and asked for a printing quote for all of their UK business, she may tell them where to stick it – well, maybe not, but she is really not happy with them. I think if I had been mucked around the way Vicki has been, the pens clamped by short wires to the cashiers desks would have been swiftly uprooted and placed in an appropriate place on the Business Bank Manager using a forceful upward movement!
So who knows what next week will bring? I know what this weekend will bring - bruises. Got a tough hockey match tomorrow with a very physical side that no one in the league likes playing AND on top of that, they have changed the match time from the morning to the afternoon. Right in the middle of the 6 nations rugby matches! Honestly, what were they thinking? England really need to win against the Irish to keep alive my dream of seeing the deciding match of the six nations live in Paris in four weeks time.
Let’s hope a few more tenders come good as if England win, the bar bill in Paris may be a bit high!
Right, best sort out my diary and work calendar for next week – this could be the start of something beautiful!
Then BAM!
Email comes in.
I WON A TENDER FOR A PIECE OF MARKET RESEARCH!!!!!!
Yes, you read it right - my first ‘official’ tender won. An actual tender which I completed for a company that I had never met before and they decided that my approach to the project was the best one!
I am sure I am close to how Amy Williams who won the Olympic Gold medal in the skeleton this week felt – all that hard work (OK, only two months in my case, I know she has been training for years) has finally paid off. (That little jig I did last week when I got a contract and then lost it, I am convinced is jinxed so have remained firmly in my seat, just bounced up and down a lot.)
It’s one small step for Zzing, one giant leap to hitting the annual budget!
Actually, it has capped off a very good week. I met with a really nice recruitment agency this week and they are looking for help with their PR and Marketing. This company have grown to a very stable organisation over the last few years, are expanding with focus and want some help in raising their profile. I met with the MD who was a really nice guy and, if he likes my ideas and costs, I think he and his company would be a really nice project to work on. I’m also meeting with a construction company early next week to discuss some possible freelance work for them, again PR and Marketing. I’m hoping that my previous experience in construction and recruitment will help me win some work for both of these companies, looking at what they want to achieve, I know I can help – I have my fingers, legs and eyes crossed that they want to work with me as much as I want to work with them.
As I was up in London meeting the recruitment agency this week, I took the opportunity to pop in to Mum and Dad’s on my way back and also managed to invite myself to tea too – it would have been rude not too. I know Mum and Dad support me but they are worried that I have left a good job to start up on my own (that thought goes through my head on a regular basis too!) but I still feel that I have done the right thing (most days!) Especially today – wooop, woop woop! (Yes, still bouncing up and down in my chair, the neighbours must be wondering what’s going on)
I think I must be Lloyds TSB Banks best friend at the moment, they keep phoning me and asking for me to take part in some telephone research on their services, customer support, how they communicate with me. Obviously, being at home, I can take these calls and I think that as I agreed to take part in the first 5min telephone survey, I am on some ‘golden list’ which means that I am in when they phone and happy to take part. Mind you, I should have asked them to phone my friend Vicki from Tiger Ink for feedback, she has not had a brilliant time with Lloyds it is safe to say. In fact, I think if Lloyds called Tiger Ink and asked for a printing quote for all of their UK business, she may tell them where to stick it – well, maybe not, but she is really not happy with them. I think if I had been mucked around the way Vicki has been, the pens clamped by short wires to the cashiers desks would have been swiftly uprooted and placed in an appropriate place on the Business Bank Manager using a forceful upward movement!
So who knows what next week will bring? I know what this weekend will bring - bruises. Got a tough hockey match tomorrow with a very physical side that no one in the league likes playing AND on top of that, they have changed the match time from the morning to the afternoon. Right in the middle of the 6 nations rugby matches! Honestly, what were they thinking? England really need to win against the Irish to keep alive my dream of seeing the deciding match of the six nations live in Paris in four weeks time.
Let’s hope a few more tenders come good as if England win, the bar bill in Paris may be a bit high!
Right, best sort out my diary and work calendar for next week – this could be the start of something beautiful!
Friday, 19 February 2010
Pouncing Tiger, sleeping proposals...
It’s been a week of up’s and down’s in the world of Zzing – and, to paraphrase Ronan Keating, (I never thought I would say that) “Life is a rollercoaster”.
Monday was full of up’s and downs. After getting back from a meeting with Vicki at Tiger Ink about her website, I got back to find out that one of my proposals had been accepted! Delirious excitement ensued with and a very odd jig undertaken around the office – you would have thought that I had won gold in the downhill skiing.
45 minutes later though, got a call saying the work was on hold, one of the Directors wasn’t sure... rollercoaster indeed. Perhaps I should refrain from jigging, it’s obviously a jinx.
Still, onwards and upwards.
I’ve been working on a really lovely project this week, writing the website body-copy for Tiger Ink, an independent printer who I have worked with for over 10 years. It was a great brief as Vicki wanted it simple, to the point and with some humour. There were, I admit, some cheesy references to Tigers (Wikipedia did itself proud for facts) but they all linked to the work so I think it worked. Sent the first draft of the copy back and thankfully, Vicki loved it so we’re just waiting to see how it looks laid out on the pages and once it’s finished, I’ll let you all know the link.
Also been doing a couple of quotes for an old acquaintance this week too so I hope that I’ve managed to get them a good deal. It was good to speak to them though and really nice that they thought of me.
Still waiting to hear back on a couple of proposals, one should be today or Monday so fingers crossed as that will be a nice piece of market research.
I did get a call however, from a really interesting guy who runs his own recruitment company in London and is looking for a contract marketing person to help out with some work for 3-4 months which would be great for me as it’s an industry I know and also it’s mainly home based. After a nice chat with him, am meeting him next week so let’s hope he likes my work and me! Perhaps I should take some homemade brownies....
I’ve been working from home now for nearly two months and I am proud to say that I have never once switched on the TV in all that time (not sure if that says much for the state of daytime TV or the strength of my willpower), however, this week I am sooooo glad that the winter Olympics are being held in Vancouver and none of the coverage is live during the day. If it were, I think I would be an expert on snow-board cross (I so want to do that) and cross country sprint skiing rather than a marketing professional. Mind you, the late nights of watching the Olympics coverage is starting to take its toll – the bags under my eyes each morning are growing ever bigger – attractive.
I have to say I am normally not stuck for adding lots into my blog entry, but this week, I’m a bit stuck, mainly as I have had my head down doing some ‘proper’ work and also I have one eye on the clock as I have some chocolate cookies in the oven, my friend Mia is coming round shortly so don’t want to burn them.
So apologies for the short and sweet entry this week, I’ve got a few other pieces of possible tender work to get out before this week has finished, but will fill you all in next week.
Remember – it don’t mean a thing if it ‘aint got that Zzing!
Monday was full of up’s and downs. After getting back from a meeting with Vicki at Tiger Ink about her website, I got back to find out that one of my proposals had been accepted! Delirious excitement ensued with and a very odd jig undertaken around the office – you would have thought that I had won gold in the downhill skiing.
45 minutes later though, got a call saying the work was on hold, one of the Directors wasn’t sure... rollercoaster indeed. Perhaps I should refrain from jigging, it’s obviously a jinx.
Still, onwards and upwards.
I’ve been working on a really lovely project this week, writing the website body-copy for Tiger Ink, an independent printer who I have worked with for over 10 years. It was a great brief as Vicki wanted it simple, to the point and with some humour. There were, I admit, some cheesy references to Tigers (Wikipedia did itself proud for facts) but they all linked to the work so I think it worked. Sent the first draft of the copy back and thankfully, Vicki loved it so we’re just waiting to see how it looks laid out on the pages and once it’s finished, I’ll let you all know the link.
Also been doing a couple of quotes for an old acquaintance this week too so I hope that I’ve managed to get them a good deal. It was good to speak to them though and really nice that they thought of me.
Still waiting to hear back on a couple of proposals, one should be today or Monday so fingers crossed as that will be a nice piece of market research.
I did get a call however, from a really interesting guy who runs his own recruitment company in London and is looking for a contract marketing person to help out with some work for 3-4 months which would be great for me as it’s an industry I know and also it’s mainly home based. After a nice chat with him, am meeting him next week so let’s hope he likes my work and me! Perhaps I should take some homemade brownies....
I’ve been working from home now for nearly two months and I am proud to say that I have never once switched on the TV in all that time (not sure if that says much for the state of daytime TV or the strength of my willpower), however, this week I am sooooo glad that the winter Olympics are being held in Vancouver and none of the coverage is live during the day. If it were, I think I would be an expert on snow-board cross (I so want to do that) and cross country sprint skiing rather than a marketing professional. Mind you, the late nights of watching the Olympics coverage is starting to take its toll – the bags under my eyes each morning are growing ever bigger – attractive.
I have to say I am normally not stuck for adding lots into my blog entry, but this week, I’m a bit stuck, mainly as I have had my head down doing some ‘proper’ work and also I have one eye on the clock as I have some chocolate cookies in the oven, my friend Mia is coming round shortly so don’t want to burn them.
So apologies for the short and sweet entry this week, I’ve got a few other pieces of possible tender work to get out before this week has finished, but will fill you all in next week.
Remember – it don’t mean a thing if it ‘aint got that Zzing!
Friday, 12 February 2010
Seeing it from the other side...
Another week, another round of proposals out for potential work and another life lesson learnt.
I spent nearly twelve years working for one of the leading construction recruitment agencies, Hill McGlynn – or should I say Randstad Construction, Property & Engineering (well, I did work on the rebrand so guess I should call it by its proper title!). When I worked there the main gripe from candidates was that recruitment consultants never called them back, never acknowledged their emails and when they did phone, the person you needed to speak to was always ‘on another call’ or ‘out of the office’. Working with the consultants I knew that many of them did work really hard and sometimes you don’t want to take the call as you have a) no news for them or b) not even with divine intervention would they get the job.
However, after scanning the plethora of job boards, there are actually quite a few marketing freelance positions out there. So, thinking it may be a good idea to have a back-up plan in case none of the proposals come off, I duly replied to all those positions which were suitable and contract based for 3-6 months. I’ve applied to 9 in total, 4 of which are exactly the same job as I had done before at Hill McGlynn – sorry, Randstad CPE – so I thought I may be in with at least a shout of an interview.
Hmmmmm, I have had ONE reply email, and that was automated. Called all 9 agencies – funnily enough the consultants are a) on the phone and will call back, b) away from their desk or c) out on a client visit. Perhaps I’m just considered as ‘unemployable’
It’s a very different world sitting on the other side....still, I plough on.
Went to the 3Market Social Enterprise exhibition this week, mainly to catch up with Linda from Total Coverage who has been a gem in passing leads of possible work onto me (oh, and apologies, I linked her website wrong last week, its www.totalcoverage.coop) and also to catch up with my mate Vicki from Tiger Ink who is my printing guru – www.tigerink.co.uk (what Vicki doesn’t know about printing is not worth knowing or they haven’t invented it yet). To be honest, the event wasn’t what I had expected, most people seemed to know each other and so there wasn’t really much networking, however, there was a seminar from Wayne Hemmingway (Red or Dead fame now an urban designer) which was actually very good. He was presenting on how to grow and build your business within the social enterprise sector and told the audience that he had never had to pitch for work in his life – he obviously got hit with the lucky stick on the way out, mind you, he does produce excellent work.
Not much else really to write about this week though as three of the days I’ve spent cold calling businesses – eughhhhh! Hate cold calling. Still, building up a nice little database of ‘we may have something in the future’ companies. Don’t worry, I’ll be bothering you next month, and the month after that, and the month after that....you WILL have a newsletter written, you just don’t know it yet!
I guess love is on the air this weekend with Valentine’s Day on Sunday (yes, to all the boys reading M&S is open until late) but more interestingly the England Rugby team will be giving the Italians a little lesson in love over in Rome (33-6 my prediction) after their campaign got off to a good start last weekend against the Welsh. Also the start of the Winter Olympics and as I have no hockey match to play this weekend, in between cooking a sumptuous valentine’s meal for the boy (thanks Jamie Oliver) I’ll be stuck on watching sport.
However, for those of you who think Valentine’s Day is a commercial ploy, you could instead celebrate Pancake Day and to get you in the mood, here’s the following (apologies to my Irish friends, especially Eoin who will lynch me for posting an Irish joke).
A Scotsman, an Englishman, a Welshman and an Irishman are in a bar, talking about their children.
The Scotsman says:
“My son’s called Andrew. We called him that ’cause he was born on St Andrews Day.”
The Englishman speaks up:
“What a coincidence – my son was born on St George’s Day, so we called him George.”
The Welshman replies:
“That’s incredible – my son, David, was born on St David’s Day”.
The Irishman, who has been listening in growing amazement, bursts out:
“I can’t believe it – wait till I get home and tell Pancake!”
Happy Valentines / Pancake Day x
I spent nearly twelve years working for one of the leading construction recruitment agencies, Hill McGlynn – or should I say Randstad Construction, Property & Engineering (well, I did work on the rebrand so guess I should call it by its proper title!). When I worked there the main gripe from candidates was that recruitment consultants never called them back, never acknowledged their emails and when they did phone, the person you needed to speak to was always ‘on another call’ or ‘out of the office’. Working with the consultants I knew that many of them did work really hard and sometimes you don’t want to take the call as you have a) no news for them or b) not even with divine intervention would they get the job.
However, after scanning the plethora of job boards, there are actually quite a few marketing freelance positions out there. So, thinking it may be a good idea to have a back-up plan in case none of the proposals come off, I duly replied to all those positions which were suitable and contract based for 3-6 months. I’ve applied to 9 in total, 4 of which are exactly the same job as I had done before at Hill McGlynn – sorry, Randstad CPE – so I thought I may be in with at least a shout of an interview.
Hmmmmm, I have had ONE reply email, and that was automated. Called all 9 agencies – funnily enough the consultants are a) on the phone and will call back, b) away from their desk or c) out on a client visit. Perhaps I’m just considered as ‘unemployable’
It’s a very different world sitting on the other side....still, I plough on.
Went to the 3Market Social Enterprise exhibition this week, mainly to catch up with Linda from Total Coverage who has been a gem in passing leads of possible work onto me (oh, and apologies, I linked her website wrong last week, its www.totalcoverage.coop) and also to catch up with my mate Vicki from Tiger Ink who is my printing guru – www.tigerink.co.uk (what Vicki doesn’t know about printing is not worth knowing or they haven’t invented it yet). To be honest, the event wasn’t what I had expected, most people seemed to know each other and so there wasn’t really much networking, however, there was a seminar from Wayne Hemmingway (Red or Dead fame now an urban designer) which was actually very good. He was presenting on how to grow and build your business within the social enterprise sector and told the audience that he had never had to pitch for work in his life – he obviously got hit with the lucky stick on the way out, mind you, he does produce excellent work.
Not much else really to write about this week though as three of the days I’ve spent cold calling businesses – eughhhhh! Hate cold calling. Still, building up a nice little database of ‘we may have something in the future’ companies. Don’t worry, I’ll be bothering you next month, and the month after that, and the month after that....you WILL have a newsletter written, you just don’t know it yet!
I guess love is on the air this weekend with Valentine’s Day on Sunday (yes, to all the boys reading M&S is open until late) but more interestingly the England Rugby team will be giving the Italians a little lesson in love over in Rome (33-6 my prediction) after their campaign got off to a good start last weekend against the Welsh. Also the start of the Winter Olympics and as I have no hockey match to play this weekend, in between cooking a sumptuous valentine’s meal for the boy (thanks Jamie Oliver) I’ll be stuck on watching sport.
However, for those of you who think Valentine’s Day is a commercial ploy, you could instead celebrate Pancake Day and to get you in the mood, here’s the following (apologies to my Irish friends, especially Eoin who will lynch me for posting an Irish joke).
A Scotsman, an Englishman, a Welshman and an Irishman are in a bar, talking about their children.
The Scotsman says:
“My son’s called Andrew. We called him that ’cause he was born on St Andrews Day.”
The Englishman speaks up:
“What a coincidence – my son was born on St George’s Day, so we called him George.”
The Welshman replies:
“That’s incredible – my son, David, was born on St David’s Day”.
The Irishman, who has been listening in growing amazement, bursts out:
“I can’t believe it – wait till I get home and tell Pancake!”
Happy Valentines / Pancake Day x
Friday, 5 February 2010
Getting ready from the scrum down...
Blimey, it’s been a busy week and hopefully next week even busier! With the Six Nations Rugby tournament kicking off tomorrow, it feels like I’m getting nearer to that try line to secure that first elusive signed contract.
Kicked off the week with my speed dating networking event. Imagine the most random business people in one room and you have two and a half minutes to talk to them about your business and they then do the same. After an hour and a half of this, I was shattered – seriously, there are only so many times you can say ‘Hi! I’m Penny from Zzing Marketing etc etc etc’ whilst keeping a fixed smile on your face before you get lock jaw. Still, it was a good event and I have spoken to several of the contacts I met, some for possible supplier work and one which may come to fruition for some work – fingers crossed.
Also went to the ‘Meet, Greet and Prosper’ networking event – hmmmmmmm. Not as useful as the other networking event, the seminar was more like a TV American Preacher (“let’s give each other a big round of applause...”) but still, you have to try these things.
Had an interesting day in London with Steve Garratt of the Giggle Group on Wednesday – Steve is a great guy, (fantastic animation work from the Giggle Group – take a look at their Giggle Spots www.thegigglegroup.com) and he very kindly has got me compiling some proposals for some projects he’s working on so have been busy working on them. Lovin’ Steve’s work!
Next week I’m off to the 3Market event with my mate Vicki from Tiger Ink Print. It’s a social enterprise /trading exhibition and event for community enterprises and groups – a different world from the normal corporate clients I work with but one of my other contacts who has been really helpful in passing on leads for potential work, Linda Bratcher of Total Coverage Design, www.totalcoverage.co.uk is exhibiting there. As I’m learning very quickly, different markets and sectors work so differently and demand and expect different ways of working, but once you get in, you’re in. Fingers crossed and here’s to the next box of business cards being used.
The week hasn’t all been sweetness and light – Tuesday was rubbish, got knocked back on three tenders within the space of an afternoon, all a bit depressing and made me wonder what I had got myself into with this world of freelance marketing but then Wednesday with Steve reaffirmed why I started off on this crazy journey. The buzz and challenge of working on several projects in totally different market sectors is what floats my boat.
And with that, I’ve got to go! Most Friday’s have been a wind down to the weekend so writing this weekly newsletter has been a bit of a labour of love each week, but with the proposal work and research list ever increasing, I’ve got stuff to do before clocking off!
Enjoy the rugby this weekend if you are watching – I’ll be catching up with one of my business guru’s, Sylvain Boutellier of the venue finding company Nexus Venue www.nexusvenue.co.uk next week. Not only does Sylvain kindly check in with me each week to see how I’m getting on in business and provides me with brilliant words of wisdom and advice, but he is also a huge French Rugby fan, so we’ll be dissecting the games results early next week! (Nexus Venue is also on Twitter too now so follow them to keep up to date on the latest news and offers in the venue industry). England vs Wales is the big match for me though, for those of you not into rugby and can’t quite understand what the fuss is all about, here is a quote from Elizabeth Taylor who is obviously a classy lady.
"I prefer rugby to soccer. I enjoy the violence in rugby, except when they start biting each other's ears off." - Elizabeth Taylor (1972)
Kicked off the week with my speed dating networking event. Imagine the most random business people in one room and you have two and a half minutes to talk to them about your business and they then do the same. After an hour and a half of this, I was shattered – seriously, there are only so many times you can say ‘Hi! I’m Penny from Zzing Marketing etc etc etc’ whilst keeping a fixed smile on your face before you get lock jaw. Still, it was a good event and I have spoken to several of the contacts I met, some for possible supplier work and one which may come to fruition for some work – fingers crossed.
Also went to the ‘Meet, Greet and Prosper’ networking event – hmmmmmmm. Not as useful as the other networking event, the seminar was more like a TV American Preacher (“let’s give each other a big round of applause...”) but still, you have to try these things.
Had an interesting day in London with Steve Garratt of the Giggle Group on Wednesday – Steve is a great guy, (fantastic animation work from the Giggle Group – take a look at their Giggle Spots www.thegigglegroup.com) and he very kindly has got me compiling some proposals for some projects he’s working on so have been busy working on them. Lovin’ Steve’s work!
Next week I’m off to the 3Market event with my mate Vicki from Tiger Ink Print. It’s a social enterprise /trading exhibition and event for community enterprises and groups – a different world from the normal corporate clients I work with but one of my other contacts who has been really helpful in passing on leads for potential work, Linda Bratcher of Total Coverage Design, www.totalcoverage.co.uk is exhibiting there. As I’m learning very quickly, different markets and sectors work so differently and demand and expect different ways of working, but once you get in, you’re in. Fingers crossed and here’s to the next box of business cards being used.
The week hasn’t all been sweetness and light – Tuesday was rubbish, got knocked back on three tenders within the space of an afternoon, all a bit depressing and made me wonder what I had got myself into with this world of freelance marketing but then Wednesday with Steve reaffirmed why I started off on this crazy journey. The buzz and challenge of working on several projects in totally different market sectors is what floats my boat.
And with that, I’ve got to go! Most Friday’s have been a wind down to the weekend so writing this weekly newsletter has been a bit of a labour of love each week, but with the proposal work and research list ever increasing, I’ve got stuff to do before clocking off!
Enjoy the rugby this weekend if you are watching – I’ll be catching up with one of my business guru’s, Sylvain Boutellier of the venue finding company Nexus Venue www.nexusvenue.co.uk next week. Not only does Sylvain kindly check in with me each week to see how I’m getting on in business and provides me with brilliant words of wisdom and advice, but he is also a huge French Rugby fan, so we’ll be dissecting the games results early next week! (Nexus Venue is also on Twitter too now so follow them to keep up to date on the latest news and offers in the venue industry). England vs Wales is the big match for me though, for those of you not into rugby and can’t quite understand what the fuss is all about, here is a quote from Elizabeth Taylor who is obviously a classy lady.
"I prefer rugby to soccer. I enjoy the violence in rugby, except when they start biting each other's ears off." - Elizabeth Taylor (1972)
Friday, 29 January 2010
A month in and I’m still cold!
Well, I’ve made it a month being self-employed. It’s been a month of steep learning, getting to grips with setting up on your own, the discipline that comes from working at home and not managing to waste several hours trawling the internet mindlessly, working out budgets and watching your spending when no actual cash is forthcoming and getting used to ‘selling’ yourself at every opportunity and not be embarrassed by it.
What I have learnt over the last four weeks is that I do have many friends and acquaintances that have given great advice, support and also pointed me in the direction of potential work and for this, I’ll be forever grateful. I’ve also learnt that even double-glazed houses get REALLY, REALLY cold during the afternoon when the heating hasn’t been on since 8am that morning. Yes, I am writing this with the blanket around my legs – the woolly hat also made another appearance this week, it was last worn at my desk when the snow was here.
However, if anything, the last month has proved to me that (barring another global economic meltdown) is that I may just make it in this freelance world. From both perspectives, I have seen how some businesses have been set up from home and, over 15years later, are employing a team of staff and are very successful - Sue Sowerby of Sowerby Advertising is a prime example. I’ve also witnessed (on my legendary Tax workshop) how other businesses are set up, managed without any book keeping or common sense, pay hefty fines to the taxman AND still make profit. Both examples, in their own way, make me think that I may just be alright! (let’s hope that I emulate the Sowerby model and not the tax-paying-fine one).
This week has mainly been about mailshotting, cold calling and getting ready for next week’s activities. I have just sent out a large mailshot to local recruitment agencies in Southampton which won’t have their own dedicated marketing department. As mentioned last week, I did start cold calling Estate Agents, however, most of their marketing is done internally or by the property papers which they advertise in and whilst they admit it could be better, they won’t pay money to have this done for them. Dammit.
So I’m now going to play to my experience and hit the recruitment agencies. I’ve called a couple up and I have to say, one of them was immediately struck off the list. He wanted free internet job postings, fair enough, but he wanted me to set it up for him as he didn’t know how to – however, he wouldn’t pay me to manage this ‘Because I want FREE postings, I don’t want to pay you or the job board’. Needless to say, I politely told him I would put something in the post. Hmmmm, not going to waste a stamp on that one...
Next week though looks to be an interesting one. I’m going ‘Speed Dating Networking’. Yup, off the success of speed dating (has it honestly ever worked for anyone?), Business Link have set up an evening of speed networking for local businesses. Now, it could turn out to be a bunch of people, like myself, who have just set up, not got much business and are hoping that this event is going to the holy grail of getting new contracts. However, I think it will be more like a game of ‘see who can get rid of the most business cards’ evening. I’ll be practising my business card shuffle tonight...
I’m also attending another ‘networking event’ later on in the week (honestly, they are like buses these events...) and this is dynamically titled ‘Meet, Greet and Prosper’. Now, it’s safe to say, I’m a little more worried about this one that the speed dating networking one. Meet, Greet and Prosper. Is it me, or does it sound like something out of Star Trek? Am I going to turn up to some convention with middle aged sci-fi enthusiasts clutching prized signed photos of Mr Spock?
Oh well, I’ll boldly go and you never know, they may want a monthly newsletter written and published...
Speaking of which, (apologies for the blatant hard sell here to all my friends who loyally read this each week and have no requirements for marketing, but hey, pimping oneself out is the name of the game and all that) I am offering a 10% discount on all copywriting booked before the end of February. It could be for a newsletter, brochure copy, online website copy, mailshot, press release, love letters (Valentines Day is just around the corner), parole requests (well, I have a wide readership audience).... the list is endless.
So with a Zzing in my step (geddit?!) but with the slight hesitation that next week I am going to be attending a speed dating networking event and a Sci-Fi convention for people who speak Klingon, I spring into February and all that it brings!
What I have learnt over the last four weeks is that I do have many friends and acquaintances that have given great advice, support and also pointed me in the direction of potential work and for this, I’ll be forever grateful. I’ve also learnt that even double-glazed houses get REALLY, REALLY cold during the afternoon when the heating hasn’t been on since 8am that morning. Yes, I am writing this with the blanket around my legs – the woolly hat also made another appearance this week, it was last worn at my desk when the snow was here.
However, if anything, the last month has proved to me that (barring another global economic meltdown) is that I may just make it in this freelance world. From both perspectives, I have seen how some businesses have been set up from home and, over 15years later, are employing a team of staff and are very successful - Sue Sowerby of Sowerby Advertising is a prime example. I’ve also witnessed (on my legendary Tax workshop) how other businesses are set up, managed without any book keeping or common sense, pay hefty fines to the taxman AND still make profit. Both examples, in their own way, make me think that I may just be alright! (let’s hope that I emulate the Sowerby model and not the tax-paying-fine one).
This week has mainly been about mailshotting, cold calling and getting ready for next week’s activities. I have just sent out a large mailshot to local recruitment agencies in Southampton which won’t have their own dedicated marketing department. As mentioned last week, I did start cold calling Estate Agents, however, most of their marketing is done internally or by the property papers which they advertise in and whilst they admit it could be better, they won’t pay money to have this done for them. Dammit.
So I’m now going to play to my experience and hit the recruitment agencies. I’ve called a couple up and I have to say, one of them was immediately struck off the list. He wanted free internet job postings, fair enough, but he wanted me to set it up for him as he didn’t know how to – however, he wouldn’t pay me to manage this ‘Because I want FREE postings, I don’t want to pay you or the job board’. Needless to say, I politely told him I would put something in the post. Hmmmm, not going to waste a stamp on that one...
Next week though looks to be an interesting one. I’m going ‘Speed Dating Networking’. Yup, off the success of speed dating (has it honestly ever worked for anyone?), Business Link have set up an evening of speed networking for local businesses. Now, it could turn out to be a bunch of people, like myself, who have just set up, not got much business and are hoping that this event is going to the holy grail of getting new contracts. However, I think it will be more like a game of ‘see who can get rid of the most business cards’ evening. I’ll be practising my business card shuffle tonight...
I’m also attending another ‘networking event’ later on in the week (honestly, they are like buses these events...) and this is dynamically titled ‘Meet, Greet and Prosper’. Now, it’s safe to say, I’m a little more worried about this one that the speed dating networking one. Meet, Greet and Prosper. Is it me, or does it sound like something out of Star Trek? Am I going to turn up to some convention with middle aged sci-fi enthusiasts clutching prized signed photos of Mr Spock?
Oh well, I’ll boldly go and you never know, they may want a monthly newsletter written and published...
Speaking of which, (apologies for the blatant hard sell here to all my friends who loyally read this each week and have no requirements for marketing, but hey, pimping oneself out is the name of the game and all that) I am offering a 10% discount on all copywriting booked before the end of February. It could be for a newsletter, brochure copy, online website copy, mailshot, press release, love letters (Valentines Day is just around the corner), parole requests (well, I have a wide readership audience).... the list is endless.
So with a Zzing in my step (geddit?!) but with the slight hesitation that next week I am going to be attending a speed dating networking event and a Sci-Fi convention for people who speak Klingon, I spring into February and all that it brings!
Friday, 22 January 2010
A balancing act...
Apparently the key to running a successful business is balancing the books. Well, I haven’t got much to balance at the moment, several tenders for work out this week and waiting to hear if I am successful so the expenses definitely outweigh the income at the moment. I took a big breath at the start of the week and, through my hands over my eyes, opened up my bank balance to see what hideous impact Christmas and the last few weeks have had on my finances. Breathed a sigh of relief that the mortgage had gone through and bills were all paid.
Realistically though, even if every tender came good, I won’t be paying myself a wage for a few weeks so I need to remain being “self-employed frugal”. During lunch, I scour the paper and internet for savings to be had and ‘money-off’ coupons – I’m turning into my Mum. (Mind you, I got 50% off my MOT which is due next month so can’t be all bad). I’m used to just buying whatever I fancy in the supermarket, but now you will find me stood in the aisle with a pained expression on my face trying doing mental arithmetic working out the value of two for one offers.
Balance has also been a theme of my work this week, mainly in proposal and tender work. I have no problem in putting together creative marketing campaigns or a full breakdown of how I will undertake the work but when it comes to costing out my time, I’m still learning. Many people advised me when I first set-out on this self-employed quest “don’t undersell yourself”. Good advice one would assume. However, the balancing act I’ve been learning is trying to sell yourself at an attractive rate in order to have a shot at winning the work whilst also trying to make a living.
Had a coffee this week with an old buddy of mine Gus. He’s a one-man-fundraising-machine and for those of you who have had the pleasure of travelling on the Red Funnel ferries to the tropical Isle of Wight, you may have seen a crazy man either sitting on a rowing machine or push bike on the top deck of the boat (in all weathers), rowing and cycling stationary thousands of miles and raising thousands of pounds for charity. I’m going help Gus out with some PR for one of his next challenges of rowing 100k for Sport Relief – hats off to you Gus. Follow Gus’s challenges on www.bombayduckchallenge.com
In between proposal and tender work this week I’ve also been climbing the social network ladder (to all of the fans of Zzing Marketing on Facebook now – howdy campers!) Yup, the Facebook page for Zzing is set up and linked to Zzing’s Twitter site (@zzingmarketing) and LinkedIn profile. But for all of you techie-kids out there, tapping away on your Macbook or zipping away on your i-phone, Zzing now has a blog too – www.zzingmarketing.blogspot.com ; again linked to all the other Zzing sites and where you can read this rambling montage of a diary online at your leisure.
It’s damn time consuming though. Online marketing is cost effective in comparison to other forms of promotion, however, as I discussed with another good friend Abi Hillier this week - who runs a very funky company called Grasshopper Porridge www.teamgrasshopper.com (beautiful pots of goodness whenever you want) - the real cost to any company is the time it takes to manage your online presence on a daily basis. It’s also a bugger to understand the language and instructions to make the most of your online promotion. Now I know that a lot of the techie-world are Star Trek geeks fans, but do they really need to speak in Klingon when writing online instructions? I’m sure it’s just a cunning ploy to keep tech support people in Atlanta in a job.....
I’ve been on the phone quite a bit this week, catching up with contacts and suppliers, but most of my phone bill this month is going on cold calling as the follow-up to last weeks mailshot to the local politicians. In my previous job, I could tell a cold call from the first utterance the cold-caller made – “Hi! How are you? Did you have a good weekend? Isn’t this weather terrible?.... “ yadder, yadder, yadder. A horrible and ineffective way of trying to make me your best friend and buy your product. But I had to call the politicians up this week so deep breath and dialled the numbers.
Not one of the buggers was in. What do they do all day??? What do we pay our taxes for??? (Oh, I forgot, I can’t grumble about that for a while).
I hate cold-calling.
Next week, Estate Agents! (No, I don’t know why, working as my own boss, I have chosen this as my second target market either).
Mind you, it’s all about building the brand which I am taking the first steps in doing for Zzing. The strength of branding was underlined this week with the story about Cadbury’s being bought by Kraft. The UK public obviously have a huge affinity with the Cadbury brand (or are we all just addicted to Dairy Milk?) and the outpouring in the media from the public about not letting one of the UK’s best loved brands be sold was interesting to see. I’m sure the Radio 2 listeners wouldn’t be as incensed with Greggs the Bakers being taken over by MacDonald’s.
I should use this last point to outline my services in helping building your companies brand to the same echelons’ of Cadburys - but you know the score, give me a call....
Realistically though, even if every tender came good, I won’t be paying myself a wage for a few weeks so I need to remain being “self-employed frugal”. During lunch, I scour the paper and internet for savings to be had and ‘money-off’ coupons – I’m turning into my Mum. (Mind you, I got 50% off my MOT which is due next month so can’t be all bad). I’m used to just buying whatever I fancy in the supermarket, but now you will find me stood in the aisle with a pained expression on my face trying doing mental arithmetic working out the value of two for one offers.
Balance has also been a theme of my work this week, mainly in proposal and tender work. I have no problem in putting together creative marketing campaigns or a full breakdown of how I will undertake the work but when it comes to costing out my time, I’m still learning. Many people advised me when I first set-out on this self-employed quest “don’t undersell yourself”. Good advice one would assume. However, the balancing act I’ve been learning is trying to sell yourself at an attractive rate in order to have a shot at winning the work whilst also trying to make a living.
Had a coffee this week with an old buddy of mine Gus. He’s a one-man-fundraising-machine and for those of you who have had the pleasure of travelling on the Red Funnel ferries to the tropical Isle of Wight, you may have seen a crazy man either sitting on a rowing machine or push bike on the top deck of the boat (in all weathers), rowing and cycling stationary thousands of miles and raising thousands of pounds for charity. I’m going help Gus out with some PR for one of his next challenges of rowing 100k for Sport Relief – hats off to you Gus. Follow Gus’s challenges on www.bombayduckchallenge.com
In between proposal and tender work this week I’ve also been climbing the social network ladder (to all of the fans of Zzing Marketing on Facebook now – howdy campers!) Yup, the Facebook page for Zzing is set up and linked to Zzing’s Twitter site (@zzingmarketing) and LinkedIn profile. But for all of you techie-kids out there, tapping away on your Macbook or zipping away on your i-phone, Zzing now has a blog too – www.zzingmarketing.blogspot.com ; again linked to all the other Zzing sites and where you can read this rambling montage of a diary online at your leisure.
It’s damn time consuming though. Online marketing is cost effective in comparison to other forms of promotion, however, as I discussed with another good friend Abi Hillier this week - who runs a very funky company called Grasshopper Porridge www.teamgrasshopper.com (beautiful pots of goodness whenever you want) - the real cost to any company is the time it takes to manage your online presence on a daily basis. It’s also a bugger to understand the language and instructions to make the most of your online promotion. Now I know that a lot of the techie-world are Star Trek geeks fans, but do they really need to speak in Klingon when writing online instructions? I’m sure it’s just a cunning ploy to keep tech support people in Atlanta in a job.....
I’ve been on the phone quite a bit this week, catching up with contacts and suppliers, but most of my phone bill this month is going on cold calling as the follow-up to last weeks mailshot to the local politicians. In my previous job, I could tell a cold call from the first utterance the cold-caller made – “Hi! How are you? Did you have a good weekend? Isn’t this weather terrible?.... “ yadder, yadder, yadder. A horrible and ineffective way of trying to make me your best friend and buy your product. But I had to call the politicians up this week so deep breath and dialled the numbers.
Not one of the buggers was in. What do they do all day??? What do we pay our taxes for??? (Oh, I forgot, I can’t grumble about that for a while).
I hate cold-calling.
Next week, Estate Agents! (No, I don’t know why, working as my own boss, I have chosen this as my second target market either).
Mind you, it’s all about building the brand which I am taking the first steps in doing for Zzing. The strength of branding was underlined this week with the story about Cadbury’s being bought by Kraft. The UK public obviously have a huge affinity with the Cadbury brand (or are we all just addicted to Dairy Milk?) and the outpouring in the media from the public about not letting one of the UK’s best loved brands be sold was interesting to see. I’m sure the Radio 2 listeners wouldn’t be as incensed with Greggs the Bakers being taken over by MacDonald’s.
I should use this last point to outline my services in helping building your companies brand to the same echelons’ of Cadburys - but you know the score, give me a call....
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