Digital Unite Marketing

WebinarPart I

Marketing

Defining your clients Identifying client needs Planning to meet that need

Your USP / Digital Unite USP Being aware of your competitors Reaching your client base Learning from other DU trainers Digital Unite projects Other opportunities as a self-employed

person

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Key requirements for marketing ones services

Confidence and perseverance Be prepared to spend:

– Time– Effort– Money

Ideas A recognised Brand

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Marketing myself - where do I start?

Understand your local environment– Identify competitors– Identify opportunities

Promote, Advertise– ‘promoting ones business without advertising is

like winking at a girl in the dark –- you know what you’re doing but no-one else does’ [thanks to Mark Twain]

What will work for me?4

Marketing myself - where do I start?

Who are our clients?What do they want?

Only once you know the answers to these questions, can you effectively ask yourself –

What can I offer?

What is my USP/Digital Unite USP ?5

Marketing myself - where do I start?

Discussion Results – (1 of 2)

• Who are our clients?

Older peoplePeople with disabilities Out of work adultsReturning to work mothersOffice workers

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Marketing myself - where do I start?Discussion Results – (2 of 2)

What do they want?Basic computer skillsGet on line (understanding the Internet, searching for info)EmailHandling ‘attachments’ Photographs – as attachments or more speciality photographyShopping on-line (general shopping, supermarket, eBay, etc)[Security using credit cards for above]

Internet Telephony (ie Skype, Webcam)Purchasing / Installing equipment (part or all)Choosing Broadband provider – possibly installingOther functionality: Card making, Letters (word processing), Posters for events,

SpreadsheetsSpeciality software packages (eg SAGE)

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Other (personal) opportunities Publicise any personal skills

Identify other services you could offer:Addressing accessibility needsFamily History (Genealogy)Technical (hardware) skillsDigital PhotographyWebsite creation Medical ‘telecare’Special video creationBlogging/Social NetworkingEbayMac

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Profile your Ideal Client

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Male or Female?

How old?

Working or Retired?

What does he/she read?

Which shops does he/she use?

Does he/she belong to any clubs?

Does he/she have any family?

What will he/she want to learn?

How would he/she learn if it wasn’t for you???

Marketing myself - where do I start?

Who are our clients?What do they want?

Once you know the answers to these questions, ask yourself –

What can I offer?

What is my USP/Digital Unite USP ?

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Where my competition might come from

Open Discussion

Who will I be competing with whenmarketing my services?

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Where my competition might come from?

Discussion outcome:

Family Colleges Libraries, Day Centres, Community Centres Age Concern, U3A Independent trainers (like ME!) Libraries / UK Online Centres Local Computer Suppliers / Dealers? Technical repair centres? Others?

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What promotional opportunities might work for me?

Business Cards (and SIGNATURE BLOCK on email) Press release – local papers/magazines, radio Talk to as many people as possible:

– Local computer shop – (use DU postcards)– Local technical support people – swop business cards– Networking

• Business Link / Chamber of Commerce / FSB• Meetups / Tweetups / Ecademy

Social Networking – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn Volunteering:

– Local Library – (use DU Postcards)– U3A– Age Concern

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Marketing myself - where do I start?

Understand your target market– Who are your clients?– What do they want?– What can you offer?

Understand your own local environment– Identify where competition might come from– Identify promotion opportunities

‘Homework’ – preparing for Part II

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Digital Unite Marketing

WebinarPart II

Marketing myself - where do I start?

Understand your target market– Who are your clients?– What do they want?– What can you offer?

Understand your own local environment– Identify where competition might come from– Identify promotion opportunities

‘Homework’ – preparing for Part II

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What promotional opportunities might work for me?

Business Cards (and SIGNATURE BLOCK on email) Press release – local papers/magazines, radio Talk to as many people as possible:

– Local computer shop – (use DU postcards)– Local technical support people – swop business cards– Networking

• Business Link / Chamber of Commerce / FSB• Meetups / Tweetups / Ecademy

Social Networking – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn Volunteering:

– Local Library – (use DU Postcards)– U3A– Age Concern

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What works for other Tutors?

Results from recent Tutor Questionnaire: Advertising –

– Parish magazines, local newspapers– Computer repair shops– Shop windows– Social networking, e.g. Facebook

Volunteering –– Courses for U3A– SSD event at local library– Get Online week events– Internet café

Word of mouth, client referrals

Mail drop to sheltered housing schemes offering to do a free talk

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More advertising opportunities

Free local online advertising, Google Maps, Yellow pages, Gumtree, Upmystreet, UKVillages, local council website etc

Communities/Clubs/Societies/Religious (e.g. U3A, WI, Saga, Churches, British Legion, Retirement villages, Golf, Bowls, health clubs etc)

Schools

‘Old-boy’s network’ (school, university, ex-corporate lists, clubs, etc)

Special Interest Groups – e.g. Genealogy, Local History, Photography, dancing, choirs etc.

Leaflet/flier drop or Targeted mail-out (very expensive/small return)

Others?

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Own Website

Dave Parkhouse

http://www.david-parkhouse.co.uk

Anne Donnelly http://www.annedonnelly.co.uk/tutor

Richard Adams http://www.silver-surfers-academy.co.uk

Gerry Thorpe

http://www.homecomputertuition.comTony Balsdon

http://tonybalsdon.co.uk

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

COMPUTER TRAINING

One-to-one training

On your own computer

At home or at work

Learning what you want

At your own speed

At an affordable price

Also mobile ECDL testing

Digital Unite specialises in training beginners, but welcomes learners of all levels and ages.

I can also supply and advise on special hardware/software if you have a condition that

makes it difficult to use a computer

Call Fiona on 01932 342788 or 07904 705618

or email fiona@syrett.net

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

" COMPUTER TUITION at home for older beginners. Email; Internet; Digital Photography; Word Processing. Call

Digital Unite: [….tel No]"

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

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Marketing: What has worked for others?

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Free business listing on Google Maps

This links to the DU website.

Silver Surfers’ Day

Digital Unite’s most powerful asset

– Friday of Adult Learners’ Week– Next year it is on 20th May

Great opportunity to make new contacts, showcase your services, gain valuable publicity

Set up your own event - lots of help on http://silversurfers.digitalunite.com/

Encourage others to hold events in libraries, day centres etc and volunteer your help

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Silver Surfers’ Day – benefits to Tutors

From Tutor Questionnaire Nov 10

I have always gained new clients from events

Get online week produced 35 new contacts

Increased exposure to local community, improved networking

opportunities

Good relationship with local library

Get Online has helped me to meet many new prospective clients

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Never forget…

Keep some business cards or DU postcards in your pocket or handbag and in the car at all times.

Never leave a client without leaving your card.

When handing out notes/learner materials always make sure your name and phone number are on them (stickers?)

When teaching email, make sure you add your email address to their Contacts.

When teaching Skype, add your ID to their Contacts.

When teaching the Internet, add the DU website (and/or your own) to their Favorites.

Keeping existing clients is easier & cheaper than finding new ones!

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