Chris's Blog

Telling vs. selling

Have you seen this site? ( Click here) It's a bit of fun. But it raises an important issue.

You could save yourself thousands!

How?

Historically many companies have been paying huge sums to agencies for years to come up with catchy slogans to sell their products. But how many can we remember?

‘Beanz Meanz Heinz’? ...then you start to struggle.

Tom Peters said that unless you can create a slogan of 8 words or less then you don’t have one.

It’s an advertising device that says influence is all about:

You (Advertiser) have knowledge
Me (Prospect) has empty head
You tell prospect what to believe and do (i.e. put knowledge into empty head)
Me-I will act on it and buy.

But consumers are savvy now aren't they? This is 2008.

Head First believes powerful stories are a more compelling way to build your business, your reputation (‘brand’), and service ( ‘experience’).

It’s said the best form of promotion is word of mouth- which usually takes the form of someone telling a good story about a product, service or ‘offer’ they thought was exceptional, and sharing it with friends, family or colleagues. I can talk for Waitrose, First Direct, the village electrician, local Apple centre and even BT -they talked me through installation of a product they don’t even support! Oh, and also my local farm shop.

So why spend big money on talking at people (the advertising strategy) when your business has compelling stories to tell (the PR strategy)? Stories that have the potential to influence more powerfully and effectively than an expensive advertising slogan?

If you still believe the advertising route alone is best, save yourself some money and go to this site ( click here). It’ll enable you to meet your objectives for a fraction of the cost of employing an agency and have a lot more fun.

And if you really want to engage and influence people, use a mix of marketing and effective PR.

Our expertise can get your news into the relevant press- and tell your stories more effectively than any expensive short-lived slogan.

Click here for all our news stories
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Head First Marketing & PR, Gloucestershire. We get your news into the press.

Head First hits a rolling nick

Head First is excited to be sponsoring the Junior Squash Elite at Cheltenham's East Glos tennis, squash and hockey club.

The team boasts a number of county players, and it's great to see club coach Jon Gallacher attracting and developing juniors to such a high standard.

Winning is about strategy, skill and stamina...

So, good luck for the season!

For more Head First Marketing client stories click here. For visible links and all Head First Marketing stories click here.

It's official-gobbledegook is bad for you

Today’s report by Investor’s in People confirms what Head First has believed for a long time-gobbledegook and corporate prolixity are damaging business and increasing the divide between management and staff.

Clear and concise communication that everyone understands is paramount in every organisation.

I always return to Ben and Jerry as a prime example. In a world where so many corporate mission statements are riddled with business drivel, and fail to inspire any employee, B &J's original sentence remains concise and motivating,’ Let’s make nice ice-cream’.

Now Unilever have changed all that. 'Nuff said.

Gobbledegook and George Orwell

There have been lots of articles, books and even TV shows about 'Offlish', Business BS and 'Balderdash and Piffle, but this piece about the euphenisms, acronyms, buzz words, prolixity and process in today's workplace is spot on. Forget Martin Lukes. Apparently George Orwell said that "the great enemy of clear language is insincerity".

Simple, effective and to the point- that's our mantra.

So what is Head First all about?

Briefly,

Head First uses grey-matter, clear thinking and common sense to offer practical and effective marketing advice and services to help businesses grow and prosper.

We work with businesses of all shapes and sizes. Large organizations to small enterprises. Retailers, publishers, internet businesses, start-ups, SME's and those in the B2b sector- as well as professional service firms and Public Sector bodies- to stimulate and revitalize business, sales, communications and customers.

We offer strategy, branding and communications services that include design, research, promotion, print, PR and internet/new media....as required.

So if you’re not getting the results you're looking for, or need to invigorate your business or sales, we are the catalyst you need.