People define marketing in many different ways, often relating to their own experiences and business sector, but most share a common goal – a means to develop and grow their business.
The definition of marketing as stated in the Oxford English Dictionary is ‘the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising’. In short, getting your name out there!
10 years ago products and services
were mainly marketed through
traditional advertising in just a
handful of key media channels
depending upon budget, audience
and target area: Broadcast – TV &
Radio; Press – Local, Regional &
National; Outdoor – Poster sites,
Bus backs plus exhibitions and
branded promotional items.
Today’s marketing & advertising
landscape looks very different; there
are many more spokes to the
marketing wheel. Consumers are
less likely to be influenced to
purchase by straight- forward
advertising where messages are
‘pushed’ out and instead use
alternative channels to conduct their
own research and ‘pull’ in
personally relevant content.
Digital Media has given us all the
opportunity to become
commentators, producers,
influencers and contributors.
We trust and are more assured by
recommendations and referral from
our peer groups and digital, social
communities; we read reviews, we
check ratings and then make a
more informed decision as to the
next step before leaping into the
untried and untested. In the
business world it is what we hear
and read about a company that will
have a greater impact and influence
our actions, whether in newspapers
& magazines or through the
Internet.
So creating great stories will get your business noticed and create opportunities for people to share your news and spread your words.
Everyone has a story to tell but not everyone knows how. Marketing Stockport has teamed up with Souter PR to show Stockport businesses why and how they can produce and publish their own stories. Together we are hosting a free workshop on Thursday 13th June at Pepper House in Hazel Grove where business owners will discover how to identify and create a story ready for publication. To register for this event please email news@marketingstockport.co.uk or telephone 0161 457 4522