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PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR MARKETING

Professional Marketing Support from PIUK

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PIUK differs from many other organisations in so much as it offers dedicated marketing support to members for free, to include tips, techniques, tricks and tools of the trade, which, will enable you to get the most out of your business and stay one step ahead of your competitors. Whether your already a seasoned expert or established agency doing well, we still hope you will be able to take something away from this feature that may help you.

Many of the articles you'll see here will be authored by PIUK's founder, Chris Seagal. Chris  has 15 years extensive knowledge and experience in sales and marketing at senior level working with Blue Chip companies. Chris is also a Fellow of the Institute of Sales & Marketing Management.

Some of the topics we will be covering include;

1. Stationary and branding of your company
2. Advertising and marketing
3. Google Adwords
4. Google tips & tricks
5. Professional admin
6. Do's & Don't's
7. First impressions last
8. KISS (keep it simple stupid)
9. Managing your business/diary
10. Meetings with clients (How to win the client)
11. How NOT to deal with clients
12. Marketing letters & brochures
13. Competitors
14. Websites
15. SEO
16. How to make an impression
17. How to make your competitors work for you
18. Competition is good
19. Telemarketing
20. Google Ad Sense
21. Business directories
22. Email & signatures
23. Repeat business
24. Etiquette
25. Routines & Schedules
26. Getting paid
27. Paying your suppliers
28. And more...

Even if you only put 25% of the above into practice and follow the guidance, I am convinced your income will increase by the same.

The guides and support are deliberately written to be easy to understand and follow without any previous sales or business knowledge whatsoever. The key is to take your time, don't try and rush by doing everything at once. Start with one subject and see it through to completion and you will see the results.

SI Ltd started out in business from a hallway cupboard and now has a dedicated head office and associate offices around the world. You won't get rich overnight (in fact you may never get rich from this business) but you will steadily grow your business into a profitable and worthwhile venture. Please feel free to rate this page by clicking here

Please feel free to take what you will from this information, all we ask is that you respect copyright laws and refrain from distributing, copying or duplicating this information for any other purpose than for your own personal/business use.

Are you ready, let's get started...

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Stationary & Branding
How to brand your business

Stationary is a crucial element in any business development or indeed start up. It acts in so many different ways to provide an image to your clients, get it wrong and they may not come back for more! In my humble opinion, unless you have the skills or know how to create your own slick and professional looking logo then I recommend you enlist the services of a professional to assist you. It doesn't have to cost the earth but it will be the face of your business for many, many years to come, so a wise investment indeed as it will also play an important role in all your stationary and marketing. Logo design is important, you want something clients can (if possible) associate your logo with your industry or job role, this helps when you become more established as clients who may have only used you once will recognize this and understand that you have gone to great lengths to grow your business, which, also states you are successful. It is also a reminder to clients that your image is bold and stands out form the crowd (not too much mind you) but enough to get you noticed and offer a professional impression.

Branding will present your business image to clients, it will make it recognizable and distinguishable, hence the importance of getting it right. There is a more in depth article on this published on the PI-Telegraph news site, click here to read more. Remember, your branding (logo) will be on business cards, letter heads, brochures, compliment slips, web site, email, forums and more, so you see why it is imperative to invest wisely.

more...

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Advertising & Marketing
A brief introduction to advertising your agency

Some people believe advertising and marketing a business can be costly and a hefty budget is required to keep your head above water in terms of gaining new clients. I disagree, advertising and marketing can be hard work, especially when you adopt the use of external advertising companies such as Google Adwords (more on this later). In reality, and when you are still in the early days of setting up business I would always favor the old fashioned approach, believe me, nothing is more powerful than leaving a "face to a name" than it is to post a letter and a business card.

We humans are, apart from overly intelligent, have a tendency to deal with issues as quick as possible and move onto the next, the same applies with approaching a new client, you have to appreciate they are approached sometimes as many as 10 or 20 times a day by prospective rep's who all want their business. I have always strived to try and avoid being the typical sales type of person. I offered myself to clients with a, "If you want to see me then great, you benefit, I benefit, we're all happy, if not, I will go somewhere else and let them benefit" - it may sound bizarre but the key behind it is that you NEVER show you're desperate. The minute you do, is the minute they shy away; why is he/she desperate? is is because they are crap at what they do? is the product/service sub-standard? You can see what I mean can't you. Keep things simple as well, don't over complicate the issue

more...

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Google AdWords
A brief introduction for the newcomer

Some people think of Google AdWords and immediately look baffled or confused, agreed, it can be a daunting experience, similar to online gambling, one would say. With a little patience, knowledge and understanding, Google AdWords can work for you as it does for so many.

The secret to Google AdWords is a bit like gambling, start off little! - I always say to people to start off with a few quid, let's say £20.00 per week to begin with and only use the major keywords in your business or services offered, for example; if you offer Process Serving as a service then aim to concentrate on the keywords relevant to this service and your area.

For example;
If a client wants a process server in Devon, they are likely to enter "Process Server Devon" - simple! If the bid on your keyword is greater than anyone elses then you will likely be at the top of the sponsored listings. However, with a limited budget you are only ever likely to show up once or twice a day. But remember, when someone clicks on your ad they immediately go to the page you designated in the link (Google AdWords Ad) of the page of your site, whether it's the index/main page or another page dedicated to "Process Serving" make sure it captivates their attention, I don't mean laden it with tacky effects, in fact keep it simpe and to the point, highlight your strong points and benefits over the competition. Dont be cheesy by offering discounts or prices either - a big No, No!

So, if you were a process server living in Devon, you could simply use the keyword above, ensuring you set the bid right you would expect to receive on average around 10 - 15 enquiries per week. Not bad when you think out of those 10 - 15 you could secure instructions for let's say 50%, meaning you will be instructed around 7 times. Depending on what you charge and your lifestyle commitments, I am sure this would pay most agents bills for the week! Once you have mastered one, two or even half a dozen keywords, you can move on to more, as time progresses you would need to up your bids, your budget and your "stake" in order to get noticed or you could see your bids going up and your enquiries going down, this is due to "prospective" buyers, not serious law firms who need your services but people trawling through the listings to see if they can find prices, or to compare services, usually typical behavious from the general public.

SUMMARY
So in an ideal world you need 1, 2 or even up to 6 keywords to begin with, keep them relevant to your industry and area, i.e. Process Server Devon, Private Investigator Devon... (replacing Devon with your area or town obvioulsy!) and if you can place the highest bid you can to keep you on page one, you'll find this is usually between £0.40 - £3.00 for some of the more sort after and competitive areas such as London

more...

 

 

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