Hi, my name is Christopher Dolan, and I will be your Social Media Marketing contact at Ravoo.com – I want to tell you a little bit about myself. I have enjoyed success at the highest level of consulting working with blue chip companies in the UK and internationally during the past 20 years. My career has been split more or less evenly between helping UK Building & DIY Product Manufacturers and helping Software developers.
Building & DIY Product Manufacturers
I started my career working for a leading building materials supplier, and a few years later joined an international fmcg manufacturer supplying products to the DIY and Building Materials sector in the UK. I later returned to work for a leading UK Builders Merchant as a Buyer, and after a number of succesful years in this role returned to work with the leading Private Label Manufacturer of Paint to the UK Market.
After producing outstanding results over a 3 year period I was headhunted to lead a specialied headhunting company that focused on the Building & DIY Product Manufacturers marketplace. I led the business to record results during a 5 year period and managed the IT operations of another group business.
Software Developers
In 2001 I began developing my own IT business to help Software Developers to grow in the UK, USA and international markets. I have been working as both a developer and consultant to this sector ever since.
What this means for you
I bring an in depth knowledge of two distinct but interlinked business fields. So if you are a Building or DIY Product Manufactuer, I will understand quickly your goals, structure, resources and marketplace.
If you are a Software Developer, equally I understand the complex development process, the routes to market, and the factors that lead to success or failure in this ever evolving business.
Combined Skills Deliver Results
My combined skillset will deliver results. I have a team of programers, and marketers who work with me to ensure that your Social Media Marketing targets will be achieved consistently. My success depends on yours, so we share our goals, and will accomplish them together. Think of me as a vital cog in your marketing machine, but one that doesn’t tie up a valuable resource in your team.
The Crisis Challenge – We Meet It Head On!
There is no doubt that the current economic crisis is a challenge to the world. Yet it is clear that a shift from internal resources that need to be trained and carry a high overhead towards specialised outsourced service providers saves business money, but more than saving money delivers results. Rather than limiting your impact, you can set out what you want to achieve, the budget available, and agree a highly focused campaign that will deliver the highest possible ROI.
While preparing a new report it is clear that UK manufacturers are holding back from getting social. There are so few manufacturers that are using Social Media Marketing (Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Linked-In) that you could count them in a few seconds. So what holds the UK marketplace back. Or rather what attitudes make the move into Social Media Marketing less appealing.
1. The unknown
The number 1 reason for holding back is a lack of understanding of what social media marketing means to the manufacturer, and how they should use it. If you don’t know what you are going to do with it why do it in the first place. Although that sounds reasonable it is often the pioneers who dominate the market – so wait and see, is like saying wait and wave goodbye.
2. The cost/resource
The second reason for holding back appears to be the cost/resources involved. Budgets are shrinking and ROI is vital, so when you combine the unknown nature of Social Media Marketing together with the fear of budget wasteage, then it is less than surprising to find the UK Manufacturers holding back.
But is the fear factor a solid basis to not experiment, or not use Social Media Marketing?
The simple answer is No. But to overcome any fear you need to work with people who can get you through the fear, showing you how to monetise the marketing activity, how to capitalise on the lack of competition in this new media, and to work through the serious long term opportunities that come from getting closer to your customers.
Did you know that your local Pizza Restaurant is more likely to utilize Social Media Marketing to earn money than major UK manufacturers, sad to say it is true. Small business owners are far more savvy when it comes to the new marketing methods. Next time you order a pizza online, see if they have a Twitter link, and Facebook profile. They might well offer you a voucher for passing on your mobile number, that way when they run a special they can mass SMS all the people who gave permission (in exchange for the voucher) … Yes the local Pizzaria is more likely to know how to use this than you.
But it doesn’t mean you need to be left out.
Find out more by writing to me (chris.dolan@ravoo.com) for a consulation on your needs, and the Social Media Marketing opportunities that you may be overlooking.
Marketing on facebook, myspace, linked-in and twitter has been discussed over and over again on the internet. There is such a great amount of content touching on this, that you would think Social Media Marketing would be something every small business owner would be embracing.
Sadly even the major manufacturers and developers have yet to seize the tremendous opportunities offered by Social Media Marketing platforms to interact with and build better relationships with clients and suppliers alike.
A recent report from Deloite suggested there is still enormous potential. So what holds decision makers back? In reality it is one thing to know an opportunity exists, and yet quite another to know how to exploit that opportunity. And this is where the Social Media Marketing Consultants can help – because they don’t burden your business with a high overhead, that has to be directed towards ever changing and developing platforms, rather they sit alongside your existing team, as the outsourced solution provider.
The cost is incredibly low for what can be accomplished. But you have to be ready to put your toe in the water if you are going to get wet.