TIME TO
SHINE
Home working
Reclaim some of the costs of working from home
Dress to impress for the office party
HOW MUCH?! How to price your offer with confidence
ABOVE
& beyond The art of building relationships www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com
1 FIRST EDITION
MBG Magazine winter 2016
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MBG Magazine winter 2016
www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com
EDITOR’S NOTE
It really doesn’t seem that long ago, the Business Girl’s seemed like a dot in the distant future. In fact, it didn’t even exist 3 years ago! It seems completely crazy that it has become a very exciting reality! 4. A woman in a man’s world Interview with Marissa Holden
The journey since March 2014 has been nothing short of miraculous! We have gone from strength to strength, come across some amazing women and indeed, and I feel I must say it, some not so amazing women.
6. Work anxiety How to recognise the symptoms
There have been times when I have wanted to cry and laugh all at once. It has been the most exciting, challenging, incredible and rewarding experience and the biggest rollercoaster I have ever been on. I never planned for any of this to happen and now, all things Business Girls has become a permanent fixture in my life. I know many of you feel that whiff of excitement and sense of possibility that we seem to bring together. I have met some extraordinary and inspirational women, some women with unbelievable personal courage and some with more business drive and balls than anybody I know. I learn daily from the very women I have tried to bring together. The internet is dominated with information and advice about how to set up a business . The emotional side of doing this is something that is much harder to manage. We somehow manage to provide everything you need in terms of advice and motivation and buckets full of inspiration. Nobody tells you how scary and difficult managing a business really is. There is just something so compelling and magical about a bunch of women watching each others backs.
7. Above & beyond The art of building relationships 8. Time to shine How to dress for the office party 11. Homeworking Reclaim the costs of working from home 12. Marketing tip of the month Know your audience 13. How much? Price your offer with confidence
A bevy of utterly brilliant, potent, kick-ass women feature in our very first issue. This issue is not only dedicated to all these women but to all the audacious, bold and spirited, trailblazing talent out there.
14. Editor’s pick Inspire Hot Yoga review
I would like to take this opportunity to salute all you fabulous women who have supported me through this journey. Thank you.
15. Expert corner How to secure press coverage for your business 16. ‘Alright for some’ The misconceptions of being your own boss
Amanda Ayres Editor
17. Lighten the load When it pays to delegate
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20. The directory
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21. Why can’t I use that photo? Royalty free? Rights managed? What does it all mean
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Home working
TIME TO
Reclaim some of the costs of working from home
SHINE Dress to impress for the office party
HOW MUCH?! How to price your offer with confidence
ABOVE
& beyond www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com
The art of building relationships www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com
1 FIRST EDITION
MBG Magazine winter 2016
thebusiness girlsnetwork
Information in MBG Magazine is not intended as a substitute for professional business advice.Opinions expressed in MBG Magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher, and the magazine is in no way liable for any such opinions. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. No advertisement, article or image may be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers.
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Produced by:
LIFESTYLE
MAGAZINES
Get in touch: E: caroline@lifestyle-magazines.co.uk www.lifestyle-magazines.co.uk In association with: The Business Girls Network info@thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com Imagery www.istockphoto.com
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MBG Magazine winter 2016
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Woman in a Man’s World A
An interview with Marissa Holden – Holden Media Productions Tell us about what you do? I create stories through video that help sell businesses, products or tell the world about their news. Why do you think most videographers are men? I’m not sure, but I can give it a guess. Apart from the physical lugging about of camera, tripod, lights, light stands, microphones, boom poles etc, I wonder if it’s about gadgetry, and technology. There are so many types of camera gadgets out there, and filming is very technical with all the detail you need to get right, so maybe it’s simply that which appeals to the techno side of men. What pressures do you face being a woman in a mans world and how did you overcome them? I find the biggest issue at the moment is being able to film taller people – I’m 5 foot 2 so getting a tripod in place and then getting it all aligned, I need a stool! I don’t think men generally have that problem. I think there’s a lot of techno snobbery out there about what gear you’ve got, which can sometimes be intimidating if you haven’t got your head around it yet. I generally deal with that by quickly finding out about anything I haven’t heard of, so I’m better prepared next time. I actually think being a woman is a benefit because it’s different to the norm. What’s the biggest mistake you have learned from being in this environment? Being intimidated by lots of techno talk – at the end of the day, it’s not rocket science; you just have to learn your stuff, and anyone can! What top tips would you give to other women in a male dominated industry? Don’t be intimidated, and believe in yourself. It’s about how good you are - and that’s about how you craft your video, how you make your client feel, and making them happy - not what sex you are. What is the highlight of your career so far? Had a few memorable moments when I used to work as a journalist –like reading the news on the radio when the World Trade Centre went down - but that’s not really a highlight. Filming Naomi Riches on the Great Thames Row is probably the highlight. I know the word amazing can be so overused, but
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to watch her at the beginning, middle and (very painful and long) end of her row was an absolute privilege, as she truly was amazing over that 48 hours. What are your plans for the future? To keep improving my skills, continue making clients happy, and grow the business to an extent that I can employ people. Tell us something about you that we didn’t know?! (food, fetish, hobby, something crazy you have done!) Fetish, Amanda!?! Might leave that one aside! I can ride a motorbike, I’ve lived in China and Mexico. More importantly, I love singing karaoke, dancing, and being in mock pop videos – the cheesier the better. www.holdenmediapro.co.uk
At the end of the day, it’s not rocket science; you just have to learn your stuff, and anyone can!
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THE
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8TH MARCH 2017 Weir Bank, Bray 9.30am to 5pm MBG Magazine winter 2016 www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com
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Gender Differences ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM
WORK ANXIETY?
35% 32% 25% 21% 17%
It is commonly said that life today is more complicated than in the past, but what are the impacts of this? 42% of people say they do suffer or have suffered from stress, 38% from depression and 33% from anxiety. However, it appears that women’s emotional wellbeing is more at risk with more women admitting to suffering from certain emotional wellbeing issues than men. The biggest difference between men and women is with regards to anxiety for which 25% of men said they do or had suffered from it, compared to 39% of women.
48% 43% 39% 34% 25%
When it comes to recognising the signs of stress, constant worrying was identified as the top sign of stress (69% stated this) followed by anxious thoughts (67%). Nearly 41% of women stated that they thought nausea was a sign of stress compared to only 27% of men. This was true in most signs of stress with more women correctly identifying them compared to men – 71% of women said an inability to concentrate was a sign compared to 57% of men and 63% of women said depression compared to 58% of men. Perhaps unsurprisingly, employment status has an impact when it comes to emotional wellbeing. 48% of those who are self-employed say they suffer from stress compared to 31% of those who are retired. Despite recent media interest, only 14% of those who are retired said they had, or have ever, suffered from loneliness with 11% of those over the age of 65 agreeing with this.
How to recognise the signs and symptoms of depression and take the first step towards a brighter future In our modern times, there is great pressure for people to be successful and to be able to demonstrate this publicly to their peers - a trend driven partly by social media. This, amongst many other factors, has contributed to a rise in anxiety and depression among workers (including entrepreneurs and parents returning to work). According to Dr Rafael Euba (http://www. psychiatrycentre.co.uk) this is the ‘darker side to success’ and it is important to recognise the symptoms, which include trouble concentrating, headaches, fatigue and insomnia, and take the necessary steps towards recovery at their onset. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives and depression is now the most common mental disorder in the UK. Whilst common, no two depressions are the same and the illness is no respecter of class, race, profession, wealth or talent – anyone can fall subject to it. The stigma of mental disorder can make the situation worse as sufferers become more withdrawn from their friends, family and work colleagues because they are afraid to, or unsure of how to communicate what is really going on for them or they worry about the reaction they might get if they admit to having a mental health problem, if of course they can identify that they do. Changing your view of a situation and understanding what aspect of a situation or occurrence is causing the depressive state, and why, is very important. Other approaches such as learning to ignore unhelpful thoughts and feelings, letting go of past pain, and adding humour into your life in order to gain control over what you are feeling, can also help with the ultimate goal of shaping your life in a more positive way for yourself. (Sloan Sheridan Williams - www.sloansw,com)
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MBG Magazine winter 2016
Stress Depression Anxiety Insomnia Loneliness
Statistics and graphics by www.benenden.co.uk
|| Page 11
MAIDENHEAD HYPNOTHERAPY CENTRE
Short term therapy- long term results Are you stressed, overworked and feel life could be better? Are you finding it difficult to overcome obstacles to your private or professional success? I offer expert, professional and confidential help with: • Anxiety & phobias • Depression • Stress Management • Confidence & exams • Relationship problems • Smoking & weight loss •Unwanted habits I am a CNHC registered consultant hypnotherapist and certified life-coach working in comfortable consulting rooms at the Bridge Clinic. Most private health insurances will cover my treatment. Please call Tina Reibl BA,NLP,SQHP on 01628 633509 or visit www.maidenhead-hypnotherapy.co.uk www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com
Above
& beyond The art of building relationships By Caroline Christer: Cert Ed., CIBTAC, ITEC, DMS www.handfootandbeautystudio.co.uk
It sounds like a lot of effort to deliver truly excellent customer service, to ‘go the extra mile’, and it’s easy to wonder if it’s really necessary when all you need to do is cover the fundamentals to keep your customers happy. If you are wondering if it’s relevant to you, the answer is YES! When products and services can be so similar, outstanding customer service has never been more important. If you want to build relationships, achieve your targets, earn more, get noticed and stand out from the others, it is, quite simply, essential. The great thing is that it costs little or nothing to do, and gives you a head start on the competition. The secret isn’t in the knowing, it’s in the doing! So, how does it happen? There are some guiding principles that drive outstanding service: • If you work with others it must be a shared value – everyone sings from the same song-sheet to ensure that the customer is delighted every time they use your service or buy your product • Do what you say you are going to do – not enough people do it! • Under promise and over deliver – be realistic about what you can achieve. complete the task ahead of time and you will WOW your customers • Always look for opportunities to delight your customers .. every day – this will develop relationships and we all know that word-of-mouth referrals are the best way of building your business • Take responsibility if something goes wrong, and never blame the customer -it’s a horrid situation but it is possible to turn a complaint into a compliment! It’s never been easier for customers to have a voice through blogs, review websites, instant messaging and social media so it’s vital to focus on delivering outstanding service and build relationships with your customers. After all, it’s easier to keep the customers you have rather than find new ones. Finally, is the customer always right? Well, no, but they are ALWAYS the customer! With significant experience in Beauty Therapy, Teaching, Training & Development, Human Resources and Customer Service, Caroline Christer is the owner of the Hand Foot and Beauty Studio in Maidenhead.
www.handfootandbeautystudio.co.uk
www.thebusinessgirlsnetwork.com
Always look for opportunities to delight your customers. This will develop relationships and word-of-mouth referrals are the best way of building your business
MBG Magazine winter 2016
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shine
Time
to
How to dress to impress for that allimportant office party You know it’s coming, the office Christmas party. A sometimes awkward event with your co-workers, the boss, stress of the job, mistletoe and Christmas cocktails all mixed up together under one roof. What a night it is going to be, but what on earth do you wear? You want to be remembered, but definitely not for the wrong reasons, like worst dressed or even most tacky. First of all there are plenty of things to avoid wearing: •
Jumpers that light up ~ save that for your girly fun nights
•
Carrying mistletoe, or pinned to you somewhere ~ how do you get out of him pecking you when you are ‘inviting’ him to do so
•
Jingle bells ~ fun for a minute but then oh so annoying
•
Costume ears, antlers, Santa beard ~ it’s not fancy dress
•
Short, tight, slinky and with a deep cleavage ~ save this for your dates, husbands and partners not for your CEO.
So what do you wear? Make sure that you dress like ‘you’, this will give you more confidence. You will feel comfortable in your own second skin and this is not the night to try something completely different. If you don’t like wearing dresses, then don’t. You can get some gorgeous trouser suits out there and really glam them up with a great pair of heels and accessories. Have you ever thought about what your ‘signature’ style is? Are you…. Classic ~ Audrey Hepburn. Tailored, timeless, elegant Feminine ~ Nicole Kidman. Pretty, romantic, glamourous Creative ~ Madonna. Adventurous, carefree, unusual Dramatic ~ Grace Jones. Sophisticated, intimidating, striking Natural ~ Meryl Streep. Warm, friendly, energetic
‘Make sure that you dress like ‘you’, as this will give you more confidence’
This will help you to stay on track with what you are looking for. Just because it’s Christmas, you don’t have to go all in sequins and sparkles if that isn’t you. You won’t be able to relax and you will look and feel awkward. Do wear makeup. This is an accessory that will complete your look. Happy Christmas! For further details please visit www.johaley.co.uk or call 07590 512376.
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Homeworking Self-employed and working from home? Some of the costs of the home can be claimed against tax and, in some cases, these costs may be considerable By Sarah Gadeke, Norwoods Accountancy www.norwoods-accountancy.co.uk
Your status is important The tax rules differ considerably depending on whether you are self-employed, as a sole trader or partner, or whether you are an employee, even if that is as an employee of your own company. One way or the other though, if you want to maximise the tax position, it is essential to keep good records. If not, HMRC may seek to rectify the tax position several years down the line. This can lead to unexpected bills including several years’ worth of tax, interest and penalties. This factsheet focuses on the position of the self-employed. Use of the home If the self-employed carry on some of their business from home, then some tax relief may be available. HMRC accept that even if the business is carried on elsewhere, a deduction for part of the household expenses is still acceptable provided that there are times when part of the home is used solely for business purposes. To quote: ‘If there is only minor use, for example writing up the business records at home, you may accept a reasonable estimate without detailed enquiry.’ So that there is no confusion, wholly and exclusively does not mean that business expenditure has to be separately billed or that part of the home must be permanently used for business purposes. However, it does mean that when part of the home is being used for the business then that is the sole use for that part at that time. HMRC accept that costs can be apportioned but on what basis? Well, if a small amount is being claimed then HMRC will usually not be too interested. In fact, HMRC seem to accept that an estimate of a few pounds a week is acceptable. However, if more is to be claimed then HMRC suggest that the following factors are considered:
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• the proportion in terms of area of the home that is used for business purposes • how much is consumed where there is a metered or measurable supply such as electricity, gas or water and • how long it is used for business purposes What sort of costs can I claim for? Generally, HMRC will accept a reasonable proportion of costs such as council tax, mortgage interest, insurance, general repairs and rent, as well as cleaning, heat and light and metered water (not water rates). Other allowable costs may include the cost of business calls on the home telephone and a proportion of the line rental, in addition to expenditure on internet connections to the extent that the connection is used for business purposes. So how does this work in practice? As already mentioned, if there is a small amount of work done at home, a nominal weekly figure is usually fine but for substantial claims a more scientific method may be needed. Example: Andrew works from home and has no other business premises. He uses a spare room from 9am to 1pm and then from 2pm until 6pm. The rest of the time it is used by the family. The room represents about 10% of the total area of the house. The costs including cleaning, insurance, council tax and mortgage interest are about £8,000. 10% = £800 and 8/24 of the use by time is for business, so the claim could be £267. Electricity costs total £1,500, so 10% is £150 of which 8/24 = £50. In addition, a reasonable proportion of other costs such as telephone and broadband costs would be acceptable. The key to Andrew’s claim will be that he keeps the records to prove the figures and proportions used.
MBG Magazine winter 2016
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MARKETING TIP OF THE MONTH
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE! There are so many great marketing hints and tips out there to help any small business, but by far the most important, regardless of your business size, is to really understand your target audience. Why is this important? Well, it is part of your marketing strategy and the foundation of all marketing activity, critical to selecting the right media in which to promote your business. It will guide the tone of voice in how you speak to your potential customer, and will also guide the creative direction that you develop to promote your business. To give you a couple of examples: if you wish to connect with a family audience, then to work with some of the great local Families or Grapevine magazines is perfect, but not so great if you wish to target older couples. If you wish to connect with 18-25 year olds in social media, then talking to them in Facebook would have limited success. Instead you may need to consider networks such as Snap Chat, Vine or Tumblr. What kind of things do you need to know about your target audience? Simply, as much as possible. There is the traditional information such as income level; if they have a family, where they live, where they work, where they do their weekly shop, what clothes they buy amongst other questions. If it helps, draw a picture of them, give them a name and really start to think about who they are. The key nugget of understanding your ideal customer though, is to think about their attitudes and what really makes them tick. This is where the sparkle will start to shine through and set your business apart from your competition, helping you to shape your marketing in a way that will really connect with your most valued customer. Wishing you luck in discovering who your ideal client is! By Sophie Comas – Freelance Marketing Consultant – Rimu Marketing – www.rimumarketing.co.uk
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Understanding your target audience will guide the creative direction that you develop to promote your business
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One of the biggest challenges women
come up against in business is pricing their services and products. How many times has somebody muttered under their breath, ‘how much?’ and rolled their eyes at you? This all comes down to knowing your value. We spoke to Amanda Downs, Sales Growth Expert who shares some top tips with us. What’s the biggest question you get asked? By far the most common question I am asked, is “How do I respond, when someone says something about my price?” It’s easy to mentally freeze at this point in a sales conversation, and even easier to offer some sort of discount. Resist ladies! All you need is a strong sales process, that starts with lots of questions about your customer’s needs, then matches your offer to those needs, with heaps of value thrown in. How can women overcome the fear of knowing their value? Women are not the only ones who have a fear of pricing , and are shy of describing the value that they bring their customers. It is an irrational fear, and the ‘flight, fight or freeze’ amygdala brain, lurking inside us all, is responsible. We need to demonstrate, to ourselves first, that we are actually meeting the needs of our customers. I get my clients to write out all the benefits they bring to their ideal client, then say it out loud to me, to the mirror, to anybody they can find. This shows your cavewoman brain, by demonstration, that you can actually say these things, and not get eaten by a sabre-toothed tiger! Try it!
Too right it is! I sometimes ask which parts of the proposal they want to take out, for it to be affordable. It signals that you are not going to devalue your offer, but are flexible. I do say no to people, and so should every business woman. We all do an amazing job for our customers and need to maintain our perspective on that! Should you give discounts to gain new clients? I counsel against this, but sometimes there might be exceptions, and it depends what you get in return. If you need a testimonial, or are testing out a new product, or service, you might decide to offer this at a discount, to the right kind of customer. Ask upfront, as part of the negotiation!
HOW MUCH?!
How to price your offer with confidence, according to Sales Growth Expert Amanda Downs
What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to a new business when setting their prices? Do your research to check what pricing arena you are operating in, then focus on your UVP, which stands for Unique Value Proposition. We don’t all have a USP to play with, but we certainly have a UVP! I’ll give you a clue, if you don’t know yours, look in a mirror! Check out your pricing with everybody you come across, but only after you have explained the fabulous value that your product or service brings. Tell us a random fact about you that we don’t know?! (could be favourite food, hobby that is different, crazy thing you have done!) I got married to Iain at Gretna Green, with just two paid witnesses and a minister! I was 41, and 7 months pregnant ;-)
What do you say when somebody says ‘I can’t afford that’? I use my ‘Three R’s’ technique. 1. Ask questions to understand what’s behind the question. Sometimes people say that by habit but when you dig deeper, it might be another concern, that you can answer. If it is a real objection, then use the first “R”, which is REFRAME the objection as a question. “So, you need to be sure that this will bring you enough benefits to warrant the price?” 2. Now you can REPEAT the benefit that is relevant to the customer 3. Then finally RE-CLOSE, with the call to action. I usually ask “ Does that answer your question? If it’s a ‘yes’ then we’re off. Is it ok to say no to a discount, and move on?
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ABOUT AMANDA DOWNS Amanda’s aim is to help businesses to drive the value they bring, in order to attract and keep the customers that they need for sales growth. Sales Growth Expert provides sales strategy facilitation, sales leader mentoring, sales process creation and selling skills to businesses that are ready to grow. Amanda has over 30 years of sales expertise and has learned, from first hand experience, that, unless the customer is totally confident that life will be better with your product or service, they will not buy, no matter what the price. Amanda lives in Berkshire, she is married to a drummer. They have two daughters, who sing and dance a lot. She loves growing things, especially vegetables, so expect some gardening references when she talks about sales growth! www.salesgrowthexpert.co.uk
MBG Magazine winter 2016
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Editor’s pick... Editor Amanda Ayres checks out Inspire Hot Yoga in Maidenhead
I have a fairly broken, injured body and have done a lot of Pilates due to this. Yoga wasn’t really my bag, but when a new hot yoga studio came to town, I decided to give it a go. I have heard amazing things about hot yoga in particular. I never really got the whole ‘spiritual’ side of yoga. To me, it seemed a whole lot of stretching and breathing without any benefit. I was dubious. I really didn’t get it. Then…. after a few months of going and trying different types of classes, something clicked. I love the heat. I love the stretching and I love the vibe of the studio. I am definitely a convert. Inspire hot yoga studio is hard to beat, in my opinion. It is a beautiful, brightly-lit, clean studio with tons of class offerings at many times during the day. I have taken a number of classes across many yoga practices and all have been of very high quality. The teachers have all been excellent and seem very involved in the development and practice of each student. The studio offers a luxurious, calm like oasis in the centre of Maidenhead, and even a spa-like experience. They have lockers, showers, and they serve up fresh juices and coconut water too. After each class, I feel energized, revitalized, balanced, and powerful. This is a 5-star place and I now really do ‘get it’. And dare I say it, yes I am a yoga convert! My only negative is that I wish I could get there more often. It’s on my ‘Challenge Amanda’ list.
What Claire, owner of Inspire has to say…. Why did you decide to open a hot yoga studio? Having owned and run a beauty salon for almost 15 years I had got to the point where I felt I needed a new challenge. This coincided with my move to Maidenhead and so it seemed that the time was right for my new chapter. I had been practicing hot yoga for a couple of years and just loved it. I was so amazed at how good it made me feel and what an impact it had on my life, I just knew I wanted to share this with other people. And of course I had the added bonus of having somewhere beautiful to practice myself!!
After each class, I feel energized, revitalized, balanced, and powerful
What’s the best bit about your job? The very best thing about my job is the students. I love meeting people and learning from them, but most of all I love watching people on their yoga journey. Everyone’s story is different yet each is amazing. I have been touched by so many. To be surrounded by such beautiful souls every day and to do lots of yoga what more could I want?
What have your learnt in your first year of business? It has been a very long and hard first year and I have to say I have learned so much. I think the most important thing I have learned is to LOVE myself. To not beat myself up if something isn’t quite perfect. To accept I cannot do everything and to accept that I work better after some rest, so to listen to my body and show myself some love. www.inspirehotyoga.co.uk
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Claire Winter is the former editor of Families magazine, and is a freelance PR, marketing and content specialist. Here she gives her tips on marketing your business to the press. During my eight years as the editor of Families magazine, I’ve been approached by hundreds of people who want publicity for their business, new product or venture. Here are my top tips on getting noticed. 1. Think about the publication you are approaching. Are they a commercial business? If they make their money solely from adverts, they will want you to buy some advertising. But remember they also need content, so make that sure you approach them with a good story angle or something new. If they are a newspaper, they will have a separate newsdesk that will be looking for interesting local stories. 2. Do your research. Find out the relevant name of the person you want to speak to. Don’t approach a publication with a product or service that doesn’t fit with their audience. Follow up your email with a phone call. Being polite and friendly goes a long way… 3. Look at the style of the publication. If they run long features suggest some ideas and send an example. If they do shorter news items, make sure your press release is short. 4. Make it easy for them. Provide hi-res logos and accompanying images via dropbox, or a google drive link. Write coherent press releases with a top line that is newsworthy and relevant to their publication. Do quotes they can pull out and use. 5. Offer to write a useful feature. Make it about your area of expertise rather than an advertorial. But do ask for your website and services to get a mention at the bottom of the article. 6. Be helpful. If they ask for something in addition to what you have sent them be prompt in sending it back or you may miss their deadline. 7. Don’t get disheartened. Don’t worry if your feature gets dropped. It may get used at a later date. 8. Online articles. If you are approaching a website, make sure your feature is no longer than 500 words. Websites love a listicle: 5 ways to make your Christmas shopping easier; 10 ways to get in to a black skinny dress; 5 Nutri-bullet recipes that actually taste nice. Again provide pictures at a resolution suitable for online via dropbox or a link. 9. Have a marketing budget. When you are a small business do make sure you have a budget for advertising and spend it. Many think they can rely on free publicity for their marketing; a publication or newspaper is only likely to write a feature about you once. 10. Stay focussed on your key message. Be resilient, approachable, and passionate and the rest should follow.
Hello...
EXPERT CORNER
Is it you that publications are looking for? Former magazine Editor, Claire Winter, gives her top tips for securing press coverage for your business
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD: ‘Remember that publications need content, so make that sure you approach them with a good story angle or something new’
Claire has been a journalist for 16 years, and she was also the editor of Families magazine for eight years. She has helped hundreds of small and large businesses market themselves in print, online, and across social media channels. If you need help with marketing or content for your website, a blog or a press release written, then get in touch. 07939044542; clairewinter.info
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MBG Magazine winter 2016
15
An insight into the
Alright for some!
misconceptions of being your own boss, and the sacrifices and rewards of going it alone By Caroline Seekings, Editor at Lifestyle Magazines www.lifestyle-magazines.co.uk
To an outsider looking in, the self-employed person may appear to have it all. They’re the ones who’ll be spotted mid-week in the supermarket, in the gym or in a coffee shop, seemingly indulging in a luxuriously unconstrained life while everyone else is confined to a desk in an office. Having worked for myself virtually all of my adult life, the ‘alright for some” jibe is one that I have encountered on more than one occasion, yet the reality of self-employment couldn’t be further from this popular perception. It is all too easy to react defensively. To start reeling off the bane of 5am starts and 7 day weeks. Very often, however, such efforts are to little avail, since the curse of ‘protesting too much’ coupled with the somewhat unbelievable reality of the average selfemployed working week means that the ‘Lady of Leisure’ stereotype is -sadly - a tough one to shake. THE UNIMAGINABLE TRUTH OF WORKING FOR YOURSELF: Unsociable working hours When it comes to working for yourself, there are no set working hours. The daily grind might start at 5am or 7pm, with a substantial number of clandestine hours often being clocked up under cover of darkness while the masses are either sleeping or relaxing. This kind of work circadian rhythm is not unusual for small business owners, yet few know to credit this as the reason for daytime downtime, and instead call work ethic and motivation into question. Lunch breaks? Holiday pay? Maternity leave? Say again... Most who work for themselves know that these are the sacrifices of self-employment, and the advantages in most cases make up for these losses. A lack of designated lunch break may be illegal in most workplaces, but working from home doing a job that I loved had always cancelled out any mental need to ‘down tools’ for an hour. If anything, with motherhood now added to
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the daily work/life juggling act, this ‘power through’ mentality has become as much necessity as choice.
weekend cravings that would inevitably arise should the same workload be packed into a Monday-Friday, 9 to 5 box.
Jac(queline) of all trades ‘When it As for holidays, the same rule It’s a given that running your comes to generally applies, and while the own business requires you to your own annual break away is always know, manage, and execute a welcome one, this is not each and every aspect of its business, all owing to the absence of work day-to-day running. In terms of problems something which is usually a key publishing, this involves everything are personal. incentive for jetting away! With from advertising sales, to design, Whether that a bare minimum holiday ‘to do’ copywriting, social media and is a customer list designed to keep business account management, plus all complaint or (and brain) ticking over during the admin in-between. This variety an overdue holiday periods, some might is, in essence, what keeps the role invoice’ say there really is no rest for the interesting, since there is no room wicked! Living by the ‘little and for monotony when you’re hot often’ moto - and with a somewhat blurry desking between 5 or 6 departments, 2 or work/lifestyle divide - I find the odd holiday three times an hour. With such responsibility task (proof reading mainly) to be relatively does, inevitably, come great pressure unintrusive, and no different to sitting back and often stress when a challenge arises with a book or newspaper! Given that this for which you only have me, myself and I small commitment virtually eliminates any to call upon for help. I have lost count of holiday backlog, there is never any post- the number of times I have called upon holiday catch up stress or back to work Google to fix some IT conundrum - a blues. challenge not limited to the problem itself, but more interpreting the terminology of In terms of maternity pay (or rather lack the instructions to fix it. Anyone who has of it) the positive of having no postpartum ever attempted this will know this is where support is that it creates a very real necessity ‘open new tab’ really comes into its own. to strike a balance early on when it comes to work and motherhood. The lack of pure, Payday woes uninterrupted rest may have been far from Knowing when you are going to get ideal in many respects, but weighed up paid each month is an unfamiliar luxury against the best-of-both-worlds career/ to anyone who choses to exit the world childcare scenario it helped to create, it of employment. All manner of potential was certainly worth the effort. hurdles, whether it is a slow month or a client that doesn’t pay on time (or ever), Friday indifference will dictate when and how much earnings Friday might signal the end of the working you take, leaving a wide margin for week, but for the self-employed, Monday financial problems. When it comes to your merges into Sunday with no discernable own business, all problems are personal. break point. Albeit weekends only involve Whether that is a customer complaint or an the odd hour of work, usually before the overdue invoice. rest of the family have woken up, it is enough to make me forget which day of Is it worth is? the week it is sometimes. And while I do Most definitely, since the many and varied fondly remember that wonderful 5pm ‘... opportunities for creativity, variety, flexibility and breath’ moment from my office job and change by far outweight the potential days, the scattered, sporadic hours of time burden of any challanges, sacrificies and off during the week do put paid to any uncertainties that may (and do) arise.
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Lighten the load
OVER A THIRD OF MILLENIALS ASPIRE TO WORK FOR THEMSELVES A recent study from Opinium Research, into the career motivations and expectations of Generation Z (16 – 25 years old), part of their Generation-S series, has revealed that over a third (39%) of Generation Z aspire to work for themselves and own their own business – with half hoping to be their own boss by their late twenties (51%). For 61% of those who want to work for themselves, the appeal lies in making something of their own and for 54% it is the potential for flexible working hours. However, for almost half (46%) the prospect of making a fortune is still front of mind as they hope to work for themselves to make lots of money. This is in line with trends measured by the Government which found that the number of businesses in the UK has increased by 1.9 million since 2000 – with the majority of the increase being from small businesses or sole traders.
WHEN IT PAYS TO DELEGATE Some may say that if you want a job done properly, do it yourself, but when it comes to juggling the many and varied roles of running a business, there is much to be said for passing on some of the workload. But who do you ask? Over the next few pages we’ll introduce you to some of the best professionals in the key industries supporting the dayto-day running of businesses like yours....
Key to success The millennial generation, raised on business icons and famous university drop outs such Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, do not think that good academics are the route to entrepreneurial success. Only 15% of young people cite successful studies as the best way to get ahead as an entrepreneur in the business world, instead seeing connections (55%), the ability to stand out as a ‘business leader’ (52%) and creativity (42%) as the real making of a potential mogul. Gender gap However, despite this generation being particularly forward-thinking, many of the potential industries that young people hope to move into still have a significant gender divide. A fifth (20%) of men who want to work for themselves, hope to move into the burgeoning field of technology, whereas only 2% of young women do. This reflects a recent report by the Government’s Department for Business Innovation & Skills which stated that ‘barriers exist especially for women who are under represented on higher education courses in computer related subjects. Instead, 15% of women would like to start their own business in the creative industry (artist, author) –while only 8% of men show the same interest. Rachael Camp, a researcher at Opinium Research, comments: “Our research highlights the influence that the modern business world has on the career hopes and expectations of millennials. The dominance of Silicon Valley ‘personalities’ in recent years has clearly influenced the current generation of young people – who feel that vision and entrepreneurial spirit are the best ways to get ahead in business, rather than the traditional academic routes. “It’s important to recognise the gender barriers that still exist in certain industries. Although we’re not short of young entrepreneurial woman, their lack of presence in the booming tech industry should prompt the tech leaders to consider why and what can be done to change this.”
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Do
you want to give your customers the right impression? Correct spelling and grammar are vital!
Samantha Lacey: Professional Proofreader and Editor I will ensure your written materials, whether printed or digital, are the best they can possibly be. I can work on anything from a company brochure or website, to a personal blog; even your next bestseller. I offer reasonable rates and turnaround times, honest feedback and a friendly approach. I am also an Advanced Professional Member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat. 07919 883874 hello@copybysam.com www.copybysam.com
Established in the year 2000, MDM Creative offers all aspects of graphic design, branding, web design and advertising. This year, we have partnered with printing.com providing high quality, competitively priced print ranging from business cards to exhibition materials.
GRAPHIC DESIGN The art of making complicated things simple
For those with a smaller budget, we have many pre-designed templates. These can be easily tailored online, without the need for design-skills. Call us on 01628 622582 or drop us a line at mdm@printing.com www.mdmcreative.com www.maidenheadprinting.com
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Delivering effective solutions for your business Gardner Leader has been at the heart of the Berkshire community for over 120 years, but it is our determination to always move with the times that ensures we keep delivering results for our clients.
Gardner Leader offers the full range of legal support for you as an individual and for your business
Progressive and innovative, with a focus on excellence in client care and giving our clients trust, value and peace of mind, Gardner Leader offers the full range of legal support for you as an individual and for your business. Diane Yarrow and the team will work closely with you to understand the complexities of your situation and your personal priorities, coming up with the solution that best meets your unique needs. Our aim is to help you to achieve peace of mind. Please do get in touch! We are based in the centre of Maidenhead and would love to hear from you. Contact Diane Yarrow on 01628 502897 or d.yarrow@gardner-leader.co.uk
DO YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL? If the answer is yes, then Rimu Marketing can help. Rimu Marketing is your “Virtual Marketing Department� there to help and support you with all aspects of the marketing mix, from writing your marketing strategy; designing and deploying your email marketing; drafting your social media strategy; designing your website; learning more about your customers; advertising PLUS much more! To arrange your FREE 60-minute consultation please: Call: 07786 225893 Email: sophie@rimumarketing.co.uk Visit: www.rimumarketing.co.uk
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THE DIRECTORY Maidenhead Business Girls – Flagship Group
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Una King www.unaking.co.uk Wagging Tails SL www.waggingtailsuk.co.uk/sl Press Play Online www.pressplay.video Facial Reflexions www.facebook.com/FacialReflexions Sunny Faces www.sunny-faces.co.uk On Site Solutions Ltd www.onsitesolutions.ltd.uk Relax Into Health www.relaxintohealth.co.uk Faye Knight Children’s Physiotherapy www.fkchildrensphysio.com Claire Whyte Design www.facebook.com/clairewhytedesign Claudia Riccio Photography www.claudiaricciophotography.co.uk Maidenhead Hypnotherapy Centre maidenhead-hypnotherapy.co.uk Vitality Health and Fitness www.vitalityhealth-fitness.co.uk NLP Kids www.nlpfamily.com Maidenhead Podiatry www.maidenheadpodiatry.co.uk Weir Bank Group www.braybusinesscentre.co.uk Gardner Leader LLP www.gardner-leader.co.uk Dance Inspired www.danceinspired.co.uk Printing.com Maidenhead www.maidenheadprinting.com MDM Creative www.mdmcreative.com Magical Aloe Forever www.magicalaloeforever.myforever.biz Joshi Was Janes www.joshiwasjanes.com Liz Hayward (Business & Marketing Coach) www.lizhayward.com Inspire Hot Yoga www.inspirehotyoga.co.uk Kids Brands Europe www.kidsresearch.co.uk Achieva Pilates and Fitness www.achievapilates.co.uk Vino e Farina www.vinoefarina.co.uk Brittons Solicitors Limited www.brittonsol.co.uk Perfect Friday Wine www.perfectfridaywine.com Vida Coaching www.vidacoaching.co.uk Rimu Marketing www.rimumarketing.co.uk The Dinky Fingerprint Company www.dinkyfingerprintjewellery.co.uk Karen J Hewitt www.karenjayhewitt.com Your Image and Beauty www.johaley.co.uk BusyB Solutions www.busy-bsolutions.com Your Relationship Coach www.yourrelationshipcoach.co.uk Perfect Lovely Cakes www.perfectlovely.co.uk Holden Media Productions www.holdenmediapro.co.uk The Lacettes www.thelacettes.co.uk Leggup www.leggup.co.uk Wilkins and Co Accountants www.wilkinsco.co.uk Hand Foot and Beauty Studio www.handfootandbeautystudio.co.uk Norwoods Accountancy www.norwoods-accountancy.co.uk Helen Gifford Consulting www.helengiffordconsulting.co.uk Nicola Donaldson Travel Counsellor www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/nicola.donaldson Lisa Marie Rees www.lisamarierees.com Kate Lovejoy Design www.katelovejoy.com Jusi Colour www.jusicolour.co.uk Tagged With Love www.taggedwithlove.co.uk More Than Words www.morethanwords.uk.com Oui Madam www.ouimadam.com You Get The Picture www.yougetthepicture.uk.com Wilkinsons Estates www.wilkinsons.co.uk Jodie Humphries Maidenhead Mum www.maidenheadmum.co.uk Claire Winter Freelance Writer www.clairewinter.info Mind-Body-Fit Fitness Consultancy www.mindbodyfit.co.uk Inspire and Change Hypnotherapy www.inspireandchange.com
MBG Magazine winter 2016
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“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t – you’re absolutely right!”
Henry Ford
With some simple tools and techniques for personal leadership, you CAN get the life you want.
www.karenjayhewitt.com/events
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Why can’t I use that photo? Royalty free? Rights managed? What does it all mean? By Alison Joshi Whether you are putting together your website, newsletter or leaflet the chances are you will want some imagery to bring the design to life. But where do you get your images from and is it ok to download images for free from the internet? You can't just use images that you find in Google images, you need the copyright to use that image. In accordance with the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, all photographers (whether they are professional, amateur, or just a friend with an iPhone) own the photos they take, and therefore own the copyright to them, they own where and how the images are used. There are numerous image sites that you can buy images from and here you will probably come across the terms, royalty free, rights managed and sometimes editorial use only. If you buy a royalty free image you can use that image where you like and as often as you like. So it can appear on your leaflet and your website for one flat fee. Rights managed means that before you purchase the image you have to tell the owner where you plan to use that image and how many times you plan to use it. The cost of that image will be dependent on these factors. Editorial use only is what it says on the tin, this image can only be used for editorial articles and often you have to add a copyright line to the image. There are some sites where you can download images for free, this is ok as you have been given permission to use this image however you want for no cost. Double check the small print, sometimes they say they are free but then have a copyright line which doesn't give you permission for commercial use. If you want an image to bring your newsletter to life, put on your website or use in a presentation there are several ways you can go about it: • Buy from a stock library like Getty, iStock, Shutterstock • Commission a photographer or illustrator • Take your own image Speak to a graphic designer and they can point you in the right direction
‘In accordance with the 1988 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, all photographers (whether they are professional, amateur, or just a friend with an iPhone) own the photos they take, and therefore own the copyright to them’
www.joshwasjanes.co.uk
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