LDS Tourism Move Into Social Media Marketing

We can finally reveal that our long awaited “exciting new service” has been launched for the autumn/winter of 2009/10. LDS Tourism is now offering to build effective social media marketing campaigns for existing clients and other businesses.

Whether it’s keeping a blog, showcasing an event on Facebook or using Twitter for instant announcements, we can produce high-quality, entertaining content - creating an explosive buzz in the online world.

For those who feel uneasy about dipping their toes into the vast ocean of social media networking sites, we offer a very reasonably priced Starter Package. This enables us to launch a business or enterprise on to the e-scene and, once achieved, the client can opt to take over or allow us to continue promoting their brand on a daily basis with one of our Social Application Packages.

Although most of the applications used in social media marketing are free, after chatting with customers we began to realise that integrating these tools into a corporate marketing plan can be a difficult, if not impossible task for many people.

“Social media marketing is a powerful strategy but it requires lots of time and a certain level of skill,” says Hayley, our Business Development Manager. “We have used various e-marketing techniques very successfully to promote LDS Tourism Services over the years and we are now confident that our techniques will be rewarding for others.”

To take your first step in dominating the social media landscape, please drop us a line.

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Image © Poster Web 2.0

What Makes A ‘Perfect’ Leaflet?

We put the question: “What makes a successful leaflet or brochure?” to members of LinkedIn - an online network of more than 30 million experienced business people from around the world.

"Leaflets should encourage people to visit your attraction, region or event. To be successful, the leaflet should have the right look and contain appropriate information. What, in your experience, encourages people to pick up a brochure and take it home to share with others? Is there a 'perfect' leaflet design?"

We submitted the question just under a month ago and were delighted by the sheer number and variety of responses from marketing experts, graphic designers, tourism industry insiders and others with a professional interest in promotional print.

Paul Scanlon, the Chairman and owner of CDP Print Management, raises a number of practical issues. He points out that leaflets and brochures are “two separate marketing tools, both… zero rated for VAT purposes”. He also warns businesses to “beware” of “environmental issues in design and production”.

“Simple, Clear and Memorable!” These three words make up the dictum of graphic designer, Don Wright. Whereas, “Entice, Educate, Enthuse, Entertain, Excite” is the mantra of marketing consultant, Neil Logan. The Owner and Professional Abstract Stone Sculptor of WSG Gallery, Carl Wright, says that one should always “look at who is displaying brochures and what other brochures are going shoulder to shoulder with [your own]”.

Boyd Butler, the Consultant Development Director at KAM Sports International, believes you should “ask your visitors what they want to see in a brochure” and also ensure that your leaflets are “distributed in the right place”. Very true, Boyd – and of course, this is why we play such an important role with the finished product.

Our favourite response, however, is from Nick Booker, Director of the visitor attraction and leisure consultancy, Attract Marketing Ltd. He very sensibly points out that leaflets should be the “right size to fit in [the] stands”. While this may seem obvious, it’s surprising how often we are presented with oddly shaped and sized leaflets, which are either too tall or too wide to fit into any of our standard holders without being bent over or folded in two. He also highlights issues such as adding the name of the attraction “at the top so can be seen in stands” and getting the branding right.

Nick’s answer is well worth reading in its entirety, as are the many other excellent suggestions. The question has now been closed at LinkedIn but you are very welcome to continue posting your thoughts here.

Royal Mail’s Handbook for the Modern Entrepreneur

The Royal Mail has some very interesting articles in the autumn edition its Smart Thinking, Smart Solutions magazine. On the subject of cost-effective marketing techniques, the advice is: “Whether it’s a Facebook page…, flyer or email newsletter, think about how words and images combine to reflect your company’s brand, encourage customers to respond to you and make you noteworthy.” (Time to Blossom, page 14)

Its experts make the important comment that “too many businesses spend all their money on e-marketing and find it is not effective” (The Clinic, page 22). To “really stand out and connect to your customers”, they recommend you give them “something tangible… that they will remember [i.e. sensory triggers like a striking image]”. Your promotional materials should “complement your web presence” and “tap into customers’ emotions”.

Christmas marketing ideas to make your promotional publications “stand out from the competition” (How to Plan for Christmas and Beyond, page 16) include the suggestions that you should “engage customers by offering an incentive – a money-off coupon for a limited period…” and make your URL, phone numbers and other details as prominent as possible. “The senses are great emotional drivers” they say, and one fascinating piece of information is that a recent study showed how “a US candle manufacturer increased sales by 20% after using scented ink in its catalogue”!

You can sign up to receive SMART magazine via snail-mail by dropping a line to smart@royalmail.com. The content is also available on audio CD.