Marstan Press are a Kent based printing company specialising in Litho Print and Digital Printing for UK customers. We have over 50 years years experience in delivery Commercial Print of the highest quality.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
How important is social media to your business?
Social Media Networking divides opinion. Some companies have dedicated Twitter account handlers, some have facebook pages as a token gesture and some haven't got a clue what all the fuss is about! Put simply, social media does not suit all companies. For example if you sell zimmer frames there is a good chance that your customer base haven't even heard of Facebook or Twitter! Similarly websites such as http://www.fondfarewellfuneralstationery.co.uk/ which sells personalised funeral stationery would not benefit from a Facebook page. People just don't want to 'Like' a funeral related website! The site also won't have a large base of repeat customers due to the nature of the products. Therefore there is no benefit in having a group of customers that you can communicate to through Facebook.
On the other hand personalised greeting card and gift site http://www.winstonandharry.com/ is well positioned to benefit from using Facebook and Twitter. Both sites allows customers to be kept up to date with offers and promotions which can lead to repeat business. The core market for a personalised gifts website is 18-40 year olds, so it is likely that customers are familiar with, and use Facebook or Twitter.
Both the examples so far have been of businesses selling to the public - i.e. business to consumer. However a lot of business is done between businesses, i.e. business to business selling. Again social media will suit some more than others. For example if the company is in a very niche market with only a hand full of very large customers there is little need for them to adopt any social media marketing. However companies selling products which are in high demand can benefit. For example Marstan Press is a Litho and Digital Printing Company based in Kent. There is a good chance that a lot of people know someone who buys print for their company, bearing in mind that most companies have some level of digital or litho printing requirement. By building up a network of followers Marstan Press is able to communicate offers and promotions very easily, such as the recently relaunched Refer a Friend Scheme. Marstan's followers can then Retweet or repost the promotion so that Marstan's message is seen by more than just it's own followers. Indeed all news stories on the Marstan Press website have social network 'buttons' which allow visitors to easily post the story to their own facebook wall, Stumbleupon account or Twitter account.
In my opinion, Linkedin provides the best tool for businesses. Essentially it is a business version of Facebook, where you add people you've done business with. You can see who your connections are linked to and ask for introductions and referrals. Its a great way of identifying people in a certain role, and if used actively can prove to be an essential business tool.
Want to get cash back on your purchases?
Recommended:
A friend told me about Quidco a few months ago. I have since earnt myself nearly £100 in cash back simply by visiting the Quidco website and linking through to the online store that I wanted to purchase from. I have also earnt some cash back from using my debit or credit card in high street shops.
Because Quidco has so many members, they are capable of pushing significant traffic to retailers. Therefore the retailers pay Quidco a commission for anyone who clicks through from the Quidco site on to the retailer's site. I'm lucky as I use this for my company purchases as well. The two I earn most cash back on is Viking Direct for my stationery and Ebay for a range of items. Quidco pass on all their commission, and make their money by keeping the first £5 each year.
Marstan Press are not currently affiliated with cash back sites like Quidco, however we are able to offer retrospective discounts to our litho print customers based on volume. We also offer people the chance to get a free Wii or iPod Nano through our refer a friend scheme. All you need to do is give us the details of a friend or family member who buys either digital printing or litho print services and if they spend £1500 with Marstan Press you get a Wii or Nano!
A friend told me about Quidco a few months ago. I have since earnt myself nearly £100 in cash back simply by visiting the Quidco website and linking through to the online store that I wanted to purchase from. I have also earnt some cash back from using my debit or credit card in high street shops.
Because Quidco has so many members, they are capable of pushing significant traffic to retailers. Therefore the retailers pay Quidco a commission for anyone who clicks through from the Quidco site on to the retailer's site. I'm lucky as I use this for my company purchases as well. The two I earn most cash back on is Viking Direct for my stationery and Ebay for a range of items. Quidco pass on all their commission, and make their money by keeping the first £5 each year.
Marstan Press are not currently affiliated with cash back sites like Quidco, however we are able to offer retrospective discounts to our litho print customers based on volume. We also offer people the chance to get a free Wii or iPod Nano through our refer a friend scheme. All you need to do is give us the details of a friend or family member who buys either digital printing or litho print services and if they spend £1500 with Marstan Press you get a Wii or Nano!
Need a quick printing quote?
UKPrintingQuote.co.uk has launched giving users the opportunity to generate their own printing quotes using a simple and easy to use online quote system.
The system has been configured with accurate rates provided by Kent and London Litho and Digital Print Services provider Marstan Press. The print industry is very fast moving, so allowing clients to produce their own accurate print quotes benefits the client as they get their price immediately, whilst there is less demand on quoting resources in the office at Marstan Press.
The UKPrintingQuote.co.uk system allows users to generate a quote, place an order, upload artwork and pay in one easy to use process. Companies with a regular print spend can apply for a credit account.
Acknowledging that not everyone wants to utilise this facility, Marstan Press still give visitors the opportunity to fill out a simple form for one of their trained estimators to produce a quote. Alternatively print buyers wanting a competitive quote can email Quotes@themarstanpress.co.uk
The system has been configured with accurate rates provided by Kent and London Litho and Digital Print Services provider Marstan Press. The print industry is very fast moving, so allowing clients to produce their own accurate print quotes benefits the client as they get their price immediately, whilst there is less demand on quoting resources in the office at Marstan Press.
The UKPrintingQuote.co.uk system allows users to generate a quote, place an order, upload artwork and pay in one easy to use process. Companies with a regular print spend can apply for a credit account.
Acknowledging that not everyone wants to utilise this facility, Marstan Press still give visitors the opportunity to fill out a simple form for one of their trained estimators to produce a quote. Alternatively print buyers wanting a competitive quote can email Quotes@themarstanpress.co.uk
Is the Thomson Local Directory a Sign of the Print Industry's Decline
The new Thomsons Directory popped through the door this morning, and appeared smaller than ever. Now reduced to less than A5 in size and maybe only 20mm thick, it made me think about how this is a reflection of how the economy is, and how some people now perceive printed directories. Although this is a totally different sector to the litho print services provided by Marstan Press I feel it illustrates some of the difficulties the print industry faces.
More and more companies are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, and many wrongly decide to cut their marketing budget. What money is left often seems to be spent on online activities such as Pay per Click advertising, Search Engine Optimisation or Email Campaigns. This means that millions of pounds are no longer being spent on printing services.
Looking at the Thomsons Directory as a good example, I struggle to see who uses it that much nowadays. More and more people have internet enabled phones or iPads, and a large percentage of people have broadband internet in their homes. Does this mean printed materials are on the way out?
I don't think so, but printers and marketeers need to change the way that they use their printed materials. Print runs are being reduced, but companies are now able to take advantage of digital printing to create personalised printed marketing. Targetting consumers on a personal level like this is proven to achieve better reply rates. Companies are able to reduce their postage costs and their raw material usage by using digitally printed personalised marketing both of which can be quite considerable.
Printed items will decline, but won't disappear as people will always like the tactile nature of having something in their hands, rather than just viewing something on screen. Marketeers just need to be clever with their use of print.
More and more companies are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, and many wrongly decide to cut their marketing budget. What money is left often seems to be spent on online activities such as Pay per Click advertising, Search Engine Optimisation or Email Campaigns. This means that millions of pounds are no longer being spent on printing services.
Looking at the Thomsons Directory as a good example, I struggle to see who uses it that much nowadays. More and more people have internet enabled phones or iPads, and a large percentage of people have broadband internet in their homes. Does this mean printed materials are on the way out?
I don't think so, but printers and marketeers need to change the way that they use their printed materials. Print runs are being reduced, but companies are now able to take advantage of digital printing to create personalised printed marketing. Targetting consumers on a personal level like this is proven to achieve better reply rates. Companies are able to reduce their postage costs and their raw material usage by using digitally printed personalised marketing both of which can be quite considerable.
Printed items will decline, but won't disappear as people will always like the tactile nature of having something in their hands, rather than just viewing something on screen. Marketeers just need to be clever with their use of print.
Fine Landscaping in Kent
Recommended
If you are looking to get your garden landscaped, then look no further. Find Fillow is a family owned landscaping company based in Kent offering both building and landscaping services. Whether the project is small or large they can help.
They carry out both commercial and domestic projects ranging from the renovation and restoration of public parks and the building and landscaping of corporate premises through to suburban private gardens and large country estates. At their disposal they have a highly experienced team and have an excellent supply of trees, shrubs and plants grown by their own Walnut Hill Nursery.
In preparation for their first showing at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (5th -10th July 2011), they have prepared a beautifully designed leaflet which was printedby local Kent Printer Marstan Press.
If you are looking to get your garden landscaped, then look no further. Find Fillow is a family owned landscaping company based in Kent offering both building and landscaping services. Whether the project is small or large they can help.
They carry out both commercial and domestic projects ranging from the renovation and restoration of public parks and the building and landscaping of corporate premises through to suburban private gardens and large country estates. At their disposal they have a highly experienced team and have an excellent supply of trees, shrubs and plants grown by their own Walnut Hill Nursery.
In preparation for their first showing at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (5th -10th July 2011), they have prepared a beautifully designed leaflet which was printedby local Kent Printer Marstan Press.
Get a Free iPod Nano or Nintendo Wii!
Marstan Press, a print company which provides both litho and digital printing services to clients in London, Kent and the wider UK have recently relaunched their Refer a Friend Scheme.
Formerly the scheme offered a cash incentive, however according to Sales and Marketing Director Martin Lett Jnr some organisations did not like their staff receiving a cash reward. Therefore in the relaunch, the Kent printing company is now offering either a Nintendo Wii or an iPod Nano.
To receive one of these excellent gadgets, you simply need to refer a friend, family member or colleague to use Marstan Press for either Litho Printing or Digital Printing, including wide format poster printing. The referred person just needs to spend £1500 to qualify. (doesn't have to all be in one order) If they go on to spend £10,000 you will receive a further thank you by receiving £100 worth of iTunes vouchers. To participate click here and fill out the very short form on the Marstan website.
Marstan Press is a long established company that people can trust their most important print requirements with. Whether its magazine printing or the printing or annual report and accounts, Marstan Press will produce excellent results.
Formerly the scheme offered a cash incentive, however according to Sales and Marketing Director Martin Lett Jnr some organisations did not like their staff receiving a cash reward. Therefore in the relaunch, the Kent printing company is now offering either a Nintendo Wii or an iPod Nano.
To receive one of these excellent gadgets, you simply need to refer a friend, family member or colleague to use Marstan Press for either Litho Printing or Digital Printing, including wide format poster printing. The referred person just needs to spend £1500 to qualify. (doesn't have to all be in one order) If they go on to spend £10,000 you will receive a further thank you by receiving £100 worth of iTunes vouchers. To participate click here and fill out the very short form on the Marstan website.
Marstan Press is a long established company that people can trust their most important print requirements with. Whether its magazine printing or the printing or annual report and accounts, Marstan Press will produce excellent results.
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