Hip Hip...

Hooray! We're celebrating our second birthday this week!

We did actually get out the cake tins and make our own buns but they didn't look remotely as good as this. Thankfully our online marketing is better than our baking!

It has been a fantastic two years for Engage MC! We've met some amazing people along the way. We're still working regularly with our very first clients (and very happy to do so) and look forward to developing equally strong relationships with our new clients.

We've continued to grow personally and professionally too, working towards Chartered Marketer Status with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and undertaking Google Adword Professional exams.

But perhaps the most satisfying thing has been seeing the online marketing methods we believe so passionately in, working so well for our clients. Their websites are appearing in the first page of search engine results, they're getting more leads and making sales. They're taking control of their online presence and engaging their customers in conversation. They're delighted and so are we.

Marketing Your Business Online

We are delivering a short presentation and Q&A session on Marketing Your Business Online at the next Belfast Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) evening on the 15th of May at the Lansdowne Hotel. We're looking forward to doing a bit of networking ourselves after what we hope will be a gentle grilling, and meeting more local businesses.

If you are attending and would like us to cover a particular subject send us an email and we will try to accommodate.

Gibraltar

Engage MC have just been commissioned to develop the brand and online marketing strategy for a niche insurance company in Gibraltar. This is a very exciting project and represents an important break though for Engage MC in this sector.

More information will be available prior to launch early in 2008!

Just two months 'til Christmas Eve!

So what can you do now to get the most of the Christmas sales?

Delivery - Let everyone know the cut off dates for Christmas delivery. Don't feel pressurised to offer free delivery - only a small percentage of your customers will be looking for it. Making it clear where you deliver to and what the cost will be early in the shopping experience (and certainly before the payment page) will result in less abandoned shopping carts and happier shoppers.

Balance marketing needs with customer wants - Don't make people register if they don't have too! And if you can't avoid it, don't ask for reams of data if you're not going to use it for marketing in the future.

Opening Hours - Let your customers know if you will be closed and what customer service support will be in place.

Email marketing - Let existing customers know what your best deals are. Create demand where you know there is interest e.g. you left this in your basket and we've only two left, would you like one?

Gift Cards - The trend for leaving Christmas shopping to the last minute is now happening online and a lot of people will buy last minute gift cards which can be redeemed online.

Affiliates - Affiliates need to plan their Christmas promotions too and they will be inclined to promote the merchants that did well last year. Make sure you let them know as soon as you can what promotions you are running, what stock is coming in, what offline marketing you are doing and keep them supplied with seasonal banners and discount codes.

LifeandLooks.com

We are very happy to have been engaged by LifeandLooks.com to increase brand awareness and online transactions through search advertising, banner advertising, online pr and promotions.

LifeandLooks.com is an online health and beauty store selling premium brands to a worldwide audience! LifeandLooks.com hosts brand names including Armani, Calvin Klein and Dior and is an official Clarins reseller.

Owned by James McKay of McKay Pharmacy, the store not only has the stock to treat every ailment but features sound advice from professional pharmacists.
Stay posted, changes are on the horizon!

Visit www.lifeandlooks.com