smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Deciding on your financing needs

Last month, we looked at whether the banks really were...
Have your say »

RSS

Direct mail can be a very cost-effective way for small businesses to reach new customers and to build stronger relationships with existing clients. It can be used to drum up new business and strengthen existing relationships. SmallBusiness.co.uk and Royal Mail have this list of points to consider when thinking about direct mail.

Guide to organising a mail shot

Use this guide for ways of building and maintaining a mailing list and to find out how to encourage people to read what you send them rather than throwing it in the recycling.

The benefits of direct mail

As a business grows and becomes successful it can be very easy for it to lose the personal touch that made it so attractive to customers in the first place. According to Royal Mail, one way to get, keep, grow and win-back that all-important personal relationship with your customers is direct mail.

How to avoid spam filters

Studies have shown that around 65 per cent of all emails sent are spam emails. Avoid your marketing emails being sent to the junk folder.

Don't Miss

Searching for sales

Simon Campbell set up online marketing service The Sandpit less than six months ago, but is projecting £1 million in sales for its first year of trading.

David Strang is flying high with his boomerangs

Big returns

David Strang’s boomerang and toy company Wicked Vision has soared since he first launched it ten years ago.

Keep your customers coming back for more

Retaining customers

Keeping customers coming back for more isn't always easy. Here are ten top tips on how to retain a loyal consumer base.

Sales & Marketing News

Retailers 'trying to absorb crunch costs'

British retails are "doing their best" to avoid passing on the increased costs due to rising prices, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Retailers 'trying to absorb crunch costs'

British retails are "doing their best" to avoid passing on the increased costs due to rising prices, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Manufacturing 'kick-starts back into life'

The UK manufacturing sector started 2012 on a positive footing with a key sector index rising to an eight-month high.

Glimmer of hope for sales in 2012

Consumer confidence in the UK rose in January.

Retail suffers in 2011

Retail sales fell in the year to January despite modest growth last month, finds the Confederation of British Industry.

SMEs hit by bad weather

Heavy snowfall has again taken small businesses in the UK by surprise.

UK trade deficit expands

The UK trade deficit in goods and services widened to £2.6 billion in November 2011, from a revised £1.9 billion in October, according to Office of National Statistics figures.

Businesses cold on Olympic legacy

The majority of small companies believe the London 2012 Olympic Games will not benefit their business in the long term, research finds.

Good news for services sector

The UK’s services sector expanded at its fastest rate since July, research finds.

Consumer caution worries businesses

Three quarters of small companies are concerned that cautious consumer spending this Christmas will negatively impact their business.

SMEs expect a productive 2012

More than four fifths of small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK believe that next year will be just as prosperous or even better than 2011.

Events Calendar

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

The FT Guide to Personal Tax is published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and John Bloxham, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as over 230 tax-saving tips.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

The FT Guide to Business Start Up 2012, published by Pearson Education, is written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc. This unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

What Investment

What Investment is the leading and longest-established investment magazine in the UK.

Regular Small Business newsletters
Access to all our experts in the Q & A forum
Post comments on articles

Direct marketing Questions & Answers

Register or login to ask a question to our panel of experts...

PR and marketing

Paul Green, Publicity Heaven

Start-up tips

Philip Wilkinson, Business Link

Public Relations

Paul Stallard, Berkeley PR

11 posts

Latest questions answered

Q: How to create a successful mailer Q: Advice on advertising a business guide Q: Successful mailshots Q: Buying mailing lists Q: How can I prevent junk mail? Q: How to sell using mail order catalogues Q: Advice on buying a targeted mailing list

FREE Legal, Financial, Accountancy & HR Help

Aska Professional understands the challenges faced by small businesses. That’s why we provide instant access to professional advice and legal templates. FREE access to Solicitors, Accountants, Financial Advisors & HR Specialists. Ask our experts a question and get a personal response within 60 minutes. Sign up now to ask a question - FREE.

Google Apps for Business

Work smart. From anywhere, at anytime. Free 30 day trial.

Sales and marketing

Learn the best ways to win new customers, advertise online and do your own PR with our weekly updates. Find out more or sign up today.

Blogs

Winners and losers

Ben Lobel 24/01/2012

It seems that despite the government’s assurance that the Olympics will provide a long-lasting economic legacy for the UK, businesses remain unconvinced. Have your say »