Activate BD Blog

As we gear up for 2025, the key to successful marketing lies in planning and consistent execution. A strong quarterly marketing plan aligns with your vision and mission and breaks ambitious goals into actionable steps.

As businesses continue to navigate economic challenges, including rising employment costs highlighted in the recent Autumn budget, many are rethinking their operational strategies. One area under scrutiny is marketing: should you keep it in-house or consider outsourcing?

In a world filled with marketing messages, it can be challenging for businesses to stand out. However, when done right, email marketing can be a powerful tool for nurturing long-term relationships with customers

For small and local businesses, building a strong reputation and visibility in your community is essential. Two of the most effective tools to help achieve this are Google My Business (GMB) and Google Reviews. Here’s how you can leverage these tools to enhance your business's reputation and improve local SEO.

In the fast-paced world of small business, having a strong product or service is only half the battle. The key to sustainable growth and staying ahead of the competition lies in a well-thought-out marketing plan. A solid marketing plan not only ensures that you reach the right audience but also helps you make smarter decisions about your business.

Comparing Scott's and Amundsen's expeditions to the South Pole offers fascinating insights into strategic planning, execution, and adaptability, which can be applied to how companies plan and implement marketing strategies and tactics. Here’s how their differing approaches can be understood and how Amundsen's method, particularly his consistent "20-mile march," offers valuable lessons for business, especially in marketing.

In today's competitive business landscape, having a well-thought-out marketing strategy is essential for success. Whether you’re launching a new product, entering new markets, or trying to increase your brand awareness, a strong marketing plan aligns your business goals with the right audience and channels.

In the dynamic landscape of modern marketing, small businesses often find themselves navigating a labyrinth of media options to effectively reach their target audience.

Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a budding entrepreneur, understanding the intricacies of strategic marketing analysis is crucial for driving growth and staying ahead in the competitive landscape.

Porter's Five Forces is a framework developed by Michael Porter that helps analyse the competitive intensity and attractiveness of an industry. Here's how you can use the framework to review your market attractiveness and strength of proposition:

SOSTAC is a strategic planning framework developed by PR Smith in the 1990s. It stands for Situation, Objectives, Strategy, Tactics, Action, and Control. Each of these elements represents a stage in the planning process, and the framework is designed to provide a systematic approach to developing and implementing marketing plans.

As a consultant helping clients navigate the complexities of marketing, it's our responsibility to ensure that these goals are not only ambitious but also realistic and actionable. One effective framework for goal-setting is the SMART criteria. In this blog post, we'll explore how we set SMART goals for our clients' marketing efforts.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software plays a vital role in helping businesses streamline their sales processes, improve customer interactions, and boost productivity. But with a plethora of CRM options available, how do you choose the right one for your small business sales team?

In today's crowded marketplace, standing out from the competition is more important than ever. That's where your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) comes into play. A USP is the unique factor that differentiates your business from others in the minds of your customers.

In the fast-paced world of marketing, success isn't just about pushing out content and hoping for the best or as my first manager used to say, 'if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick! It's about crafting a cohesive strategy that revolves around three crucial elements: purpose, audience, and plan.

In today's fast-paced business world, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of implementing various marketing tactics. However, before diving into the tactics, it's crucial to lay a solid foundation by developing a comprehensive marketing strategy. In this article, we'll explore why starting with a marketing strategy is essential and how it can set you up for long-term success.

In the competitive landscape of today's market, acquiring new customers is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in retaining them and maximising their lifetime value. That's where an effective onboarding and retention strategy comes into play.

Small businesses are continually seeking effective strategies to maximise their return on investment. One often overlooked avenue that holds immense potential is leveraging referrals from satisfied customers.

In the world of marketing and sales, one of the most effective strategies for increasing revenue is upselling.

In the dynamic world of small business marketing, converting contacts into loyal customers is the ultimate goal.

In the bustling world of small business marketing, one thing reigns supreme: relationships. Your success hinges not just on the quality of your products or services, but on the connections you build with your audience.

In the digital age, successful marketing strategies hinge on the ability to reach and engage with potential customers effectively.

In the realm of marketing, messaging serves as the cornerstone of your communication efforts. It's the bridge that connects your brand with your audience, conveying your value proposition and building lasting relationships.

In the busy world of small business, understanding your audience can make all the difference between a successful marketing campaign and one that falls flat.

HubSpot is an all-in-one software platform designed for businesses to manage their marketing, sales, customer service, and content management needs.

I started out as a Marketing Consultant in 2009 when ‘traditional marketing’ such as leaflet campaigns, 48-sheet billboards and Yellow Pages worked well...

A marketing plan is a comprehensive document that outlines a business’s marketing strategy, tactics, and objectives...

We are two weeks into the lockdown here in the UK. Our Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital and the number of infections and deaths only appears to be increasing day by day.