Lauren Hutchin
Founder/ business manager at My Marketing Friend
Member Since September 2016
Sydney, NSW, 2000
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Throughout Lauren’s sales and marketing career, she quickly learned that marketing was not what you’re taught and definitely not what you thought you knew. She discovered a simple business strategy that enabled fast and organic business growth—without a huge marketing budget. My Marketing Friend is all about being accessible to any start-up or small business. Their cost effective packages allow the opportunity for any business to thrive by passing on secret industry knowledge and experience.
Reputation
Marketing the New Way | How to Market your Business for Free
Marketing is ever changing. Marketing 5 years ago is different to today and it will be different again tomorrow. We are changing. We expect more. We read between the lines. And we understand what we want and why we want it more than ever. What one marketer believes works is different for another. And a certain marketing strategy that works miracles for one business doesn’t necessarily mean it w...
6 things you should know before starting a business
That moment when 'doors are open' there's no turning back. Jumping in the deep end and 'learning to swim' can be a great way to teach yourself how to survive in your business - but here are 6 things that may prepare you a little before you jump. 1. Build your processes A process will help you stay on track and help you improve your service and highlight any deficiencies. 2. Flexibility Y...
5 ways to market your jewellery business
5 ways to market your jewellery business Whether you create personalised one off pieces or you buy and sell in larger quantities, marketing your jewellery business is important to enable your products to evolve and grow. The market is ever changing and it’s important to allow your products to do the same. 1. Excellent photography. Seems simple - and it is. If your photos aren’t...
2017 Marketing Package Giveaway
When you start seeing Christmas decorations, you know you need to start thinking about the year ahead. What does 2017 look like for you? It’s hard to plan ahead without really knowing what it is you want out of the next 12 months, let alone creating a clear and achievable goal. Did you know that the most common reason for the lack of planning in business is because we aren’t clear on what...
Hi Pamela,I love broad questions. This one is especially broad because the factors you should be considering in creating your brand strategy are everything to do with the vision for your cupcake business. Hopefully the following may help a little :)Brand Strategy is a big one when starting a business. Many new business owners relate their brand strategy solely to their logo and
website, when in reality it is so much more.Brand Strategy for your cupcake business?Think about the following and relate them to your individual
business goals.1. What do you do and who do you do it for?Don’t just think about your
cupcakes. Think about who will buy your cupcakes and why. Use that in your
brand strategy.2. Why would someone buy from you?Think about why they should choose
you over ‘ABC Cupcake Co.’ Find your (amazing) point of difference and save
that to use in your brand strategy.3. What Experience are you going to create?Create an experience for your
buyer. Create a way to make your customer remember how they feel when buying
from you. Now tie in all of these elements
and create a brand that has a vision, knows who they are reaching out to and
how you can help them. You can now come up with your brand identity in relation
to your logo, website all the way down to your packaging and business cards.Feel free to reach out for clarification, or if I can help you further.Good luck in your cupcake venture!
Top 7 Tips to make your customer smile
Customer service is a broad term and it’s no wonder businesses struggle to get it right. Did you know that it is one of the first things to drop off in a small business when the day is busy? It’s not always intentional, but it’s very important you know that the way you treat your customers is the difference between a happy returning customer or not. Follow these 7 tips to make your custom...
Hi Rachael,The EA/PA you're targeting probably gets hundreds of sales calls/emails and as a result probably already has a rejection wall built. I've got to say, it's damn hard work trying to sell/market to anybody unless you are helping them with a problem they currently have.If you genuinely think you can help them, the following idea will definitely warm up your potential client:Send them something in the post that doesn't look like a piece of 'junk mail'.-Mail is great because it isn't obtrusive. -It's that initial soft approach that's needed in the beginning stages of your sales cycle. -I've used clear envelopes, blank (un-printed/no branding) envelopes, kraft boxes and black shiny bubble bags. This way, you can at least give your mail a chance of being opened. Now what you put inside is important. Don't make your EA/PA think she's been tricked to open your mail!-Become the solution for your potential client, don't try and sell. -Nice giveaway that your EA/PA will use-Offer / call to actionAs an example: I have a 'launch-pad' with launching business tips on each page as a giveaway to any start-up that enquires. It's an A6 sized quality pad that has my branding on the cover and on each page. If you'd like any more info on this, feel free to contact me.I hope this helps you :)
Marketing the NEW way
What works? Working from the inside out And why? Marketing is ever changing. Marketing 5 years ago is different to today and it will be different again tomorrow. We are changing. We expect more. We read between the lines. And we understand what we want and why we want it more than ever. Marketing has become such a 'wishy-washy' term. In recent years the lines have blurred and i...
Is your brand up to scratch?
Your brand identity speaks louder than anything in your business. It sums up everything that your business stands for and is a direct window for your potential customers to work out what you do, how you do it and whether your product or service is right for them. Yes, people do judge a book by its cover—especially when the digital age allows them to research and evaluate before you get the oppo...
What are some of your favourite tips in starting a business?
Hi Vicki,The order and type of advice depends on what you're doing, but as a general rule...1. Build your processes.A process will help you stay on track and help you improve your service and highlight any deficiencies. 2. FlexibilityYou may think you know what you're selling and who you're selling to, but in reality you'll find that it will constantly adapt and change as you figure things out. Be flexible to change and move your business around to help your customers and build your sales.3. Be HumbleSounds silly. But I have met many business owners that are more concerned about the title on their business card than actually working on their business. You're always learning (well I know I am) and you need to continue to grow. 4. Start a good routineIf you begin with good habits, you're more likely to maintain them. I can get lazy when it comes to CRM and computer filing. How can I connect with my leads if they haven't been documented ? Note to self... make time daily! 5. Good PresentationYou don't need to throw money in all corners to begin with - but you do need to make sure you start out with professional presentation. It's no good throwing together a quick website and drawing your logo in word. Consumers are smart, and they can smell a newbie a mile away. Make a good first impression and don't send your potential client to your competitor.6. Don't Expect miracles - plan for themWhen I started my business, I had a burning vision for instant success. I am one of those people who wanted instant gratification. Well I learnt the hard way. It doesn't take a day to build your business. It is constant work and effort. Just don't give up!Hope this helps :)
Marketing the New Way | How to Market your Business for Free
Marketing is ever changing. Marketing 5 years ago is different to today and it will be different again tomorrow. We are changing. We expect more. We read between the lines. And we understand what we want and why we want it more than ever. What one marketer believes works is different for another. And a certain marketing strategy that works miracles for one business doesn’t necessarily mean it w...
6 things you should know before starting a business
That moment when 'doors are open' there's no turning back. Jumping in the deep end and 'learning to swim' can be a great way to teach yourself how to survive in your business - but here are 6 things that may prepare you a little before you jump. 1. Build your processes A process will help you stay on track and help you improve your service and highlight any deficiencies. 2. Flexibility Y...
5 ways to market your jewellery business
5 ways to market your jewellery business Whether you create personalised one off pieces or you buy and sell in larger quantities, marketing your jewellery business is important to enable your products to evolve and grow. The market is ever changing and it’s important to allow your products to do the same. 1. Excellent photography. Seems simple - and it is. If your photos aren’t...
2017 Marketing Package Giveaway
When you start seeing Christmas decorations, you know you need to start thinking about the year ahead. What does 2017 look like for you? It’s hard to plan ahead without really knowing what it is you want out of the next 12 months, let alone creating a clear and achievable goal. Did you know that the most common reason for the lack of planning in business is because we aren’t clear on what...
Top 7 Tips to make your customer smile
Customer service is a broad term and it’s no wonder businesses struggle to get it right. Did you know that it is one of the first things to drop off in a small business when the day is busy? It’s not always intentional, but it’s very important you know that the way you treat your customers is the difference between a happy returning customer or not. Follow these 7 tips to make your custom...
Marketing the NEW way
What works? Working from the inside out And why? Marketing is ever changing. Marketing 5 years ago is different to today and it will be different again tomorrow. We are changing. We expect more. We read between the lines. And we understand what we want and why we want it more than ever. Marketing has become such a 'wishy-washy' term. In recent years the lines have blurred and i...
Is your brand up to scratch?
Your brand identity speaks louder than anything in your business. It sums up everything that your business stands for and is a direct window for your potential customers to work out what you do, how you do it and whether your product or service is right for them. Yes, people do judge a book by its cover—especially when the digital age allows them to research and evaluate before you get the oppo...
Hi Pamela,I love broad questions. This one is especially broad because the factors you should be considering in creating your brand strategy are everything to do with the vision for your cupcake business. Hopefully the following may help a little :)Brand Strategy is a big one when starting a business. Many new business owners relate their brand strategy solely to their logo and
website, when in reality it is so much more.Brand Strategy for your cupcake business?Think about the following and relate them to your individual
business goals.1. What do you do and who do you do it for?Don’t just think about your
cupcakes. Think about who will buy your cupcakes and why. Use that in your
brand strategy.2. Why would someone buy from you?Think about why they should choose
you over ‘ABC Cupcake Co.’ Find your (amazing) point of difference and save
that to use in your brand strategy.3. What Experience are you going to create?Create an experience for your
buyer. Create a way to make your customer remember how they feel when buying
from you. Now tie in all of these elements
and create a brand that has a vision, knows who they are reaching out to and
how you can help them. You can now come up with your brand identity in relation
to your logo, website all the way down to your packaging and business cards.Feel free to reach out for clarification, or if I can help you further.Good luck in your cupcake venture!
Hi Rachael,The EA/PA you're targeting probably gets hundreds of sales calls/emails and as a result probably already has a rejection wall built. I've got to say, it's damn hard work trying to sell/market to anybody unless you are helping them with a problem they currently have.If you genuinely think you can help them, the following idea will definitely warm up your potential client:Send them something in the post that doesn't look like a piece of 'junk mail'.-Mail is great because it isn't obtrusive. -It's that initial soft approach that's needed in the beginning stages of your sales cycle. -I've used clear envelopes, blank (un-printed/no branding) envelopes, kraft boxes and black shiny bubble bags. This way, you can at least give your mail a chance of being opened. Now what you put inside is important. Don't make your EA/PA think she's been tricked to open your mail!-Become the solution for your potential client, don't try and sell. -Nice giveaway that your EA/PA will use-Offer / call to actionAs an example: I have a 'launch-pad' with launching business tips on each page as a giveaway to any start-up that enquires. It's an A6 sized quality pad that has my branding on the cover and on each page. If you'd like any more info on this, feel free to contact me.I hope this helps you :)
What are some of your favourite tips in starting a business?
Hi Vicki,The order and type of advice depends on what you're doing, but as a general rule...1. Build your processes.A process will help you stay on track and help you improve your service and highlight any deficiencies. 2. FlexibilityYou may think you know what you're selling and who you're selling to, but in reality you'll find that it will constantly adapt and change as you figure things out. Be flexible to change and move your business around to help your customers and build your sales.3. Be HumbleSounds silly. But I have met many business owners that are more concerned about the title on their business card than actually working on their business. You're always learning (well I know I am) and you need to continue to grow. 4. Start a good routineIf you begin with good habits, you're more likely to maintain them. I can get lazy when it comes to CRM and computer filing. How can I connect with my leads if they haven't been documented ? Note to self... make time daily! 5. Good PresentationYou don't need to throw money in all corners to begin with - but you do need to make sure you start out with professional presentation. It's no good throwing together a quick website and drawing your logo in word. Consumers are smart, and they can smell a newbie a mile away. Make a good first impression and don't send your potential client to your competitor.6. Don't Expect miracles - plan for themWhen I started my business, I had a burning vision for instant success. I am one of those people who wanted instant gratification. Well I learnt the hard way. It doesn't take a day to build your business. It is constant work and effort. Just don't give up!Hope this helps :)
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