RIP hashtag?
Did we ever really understand hashtags? I don’t think anyone really ‘got’ hashtags. We used them because everyone else was doing it. #sandwich, #holiday, #instagood – random tags that didn’t always say much about the post itself. But we told ourselves they mattered. Back in the olden days, they helped the algorithm work out what […]
Have you lost your marketing mojo?
I’ve written about professional frumpiness before. Not the type where you can’t be bothered to get dressed properly, but an odd state of low energy and self doubt. It often impacts your marketing activities – you’ll randomly swing between panic marketing and non-existent marketing. One minute you’re desperately posting everywhere. The next, you can’t think […]
Stop swearing (on LinkedIn)
The rise of the rebellious LinkedIn headline What’s with all this swearing on LinkedIn? It’s gone from the odd cheeky word to full-on potty mouth. Headlines and cover photos are shouting ‘Helping you get sh*t done’, ‘Making brands f@%king unforgettable’, or ‘Cutting through the b*llsh!t so you don’t have to’. These sweary promises are slowly […]
Screaming for attention on LinkedIn?
This is an interesting subject for me. Anyone who has been to one of my marketing workshops knows I go on and on (and on) about finding your voice, showing up as yourself, and celebrating your brand achievements. But I always add some small print – make sure it’s appropriate for your audience – and […]
I can’t hear you!
Finding your true voice in marketing and why it matters for micro and start-up businesses. People of the world, I’m reading your social media posts, but I can’t hear your voices. To be fair, I’ve had muffled hearing in one ear since I had the flu last month (everyone’s sick of me saying ‘pardon’), but […]
I really liked you. And you spoilt it.
The email marketing trap Have you ever signed up for a newsletter from an ethical clothing brand you really like? Or an online supplement company? Or a brand that sells fake tan? All real examples of things I’ve signed up to. And then, they bombard you with emails. Does anyone actually like receiving twice-daily emails […]
The toxic world of bro marketing
I’ve noticed a lot of bro marketing on my social media feeds recently. Especially on my much-loved LinkedIn. It’s brazen, often misleading, and can be quite aggressive. For those unfamiliar with bro marketing, it tempts you with promises of a brand new life with an eight-figure salary, all starting with an e-book that hooks you […]
The rise of the cheap logo
I seem to be meeting quite a few business owners who have self-made logos, created using Canva or similar platforms aimed at those with basic (zero) graphic design skills. Or I hear ‘someone made it on Fiverr for £20’ or ‘there’s this fantastic free website that generates a business name and logo for you.’ Have […]
The glorious rise of the typo, and a lesson from Grange Hill
I love seeing typos. Much as I adore ChatGPT (OpenAI) for its ideas, refining my clumsier thoughts, proofreading short texts, finding emojis and providing references, I’m also noticing its limitations. ChatGPT lies At times, it can be misleading, and it lies like a cheap watch. Recently, it has offered me some dubious responses, reminiscent of […]
Why you should love your competitors
How do you feel about your competitors? Do you want to crush them, humiliate them, or make them cry like babies? Do you blank them at networking events? Or maybe they ignore you and make you feel inadequate. But what if I told you that loving your competitors could be the key to your success? […]