Mushroom Marketing & PR

Our Director, Emma's photo is featured in client Blackmore Ltd's printed desktop calendar for March!

(businesses can claim your free one here: https://bit.ly/2024BlackmoreCalendar )

🌳 The photo was taken at Shelley Park in Bournemouth.
It is situated right next to the tennis courts and Shelley Manor Medical Centre building, which was originally lived in by Percy Bysshe Shelley and Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein).

🎭 Sir Percy, who was “an enthusiast for theatre”, had a theatre built inside the building. The Shelleys and invited friends would rehearse plays and hold public performances for up to 300 people to raise funds for health facilities in Boscombe. Celebrated locals such as Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Henry Irving were regular guests. When the theatre was opened up again to the public in 2010, the first performance was Frankenstein - by candlelight. Sadly, the theatre hasn't opened up to the public again since the lockdown.

☃️We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2024! ☃️

Thank you to all our customers, suppliers and friends for all your support throughout 2023.
We are looking forward to 2024 - we have some exciting projects lined up!

A few last marketing reminders from us for 2023:
❄️ have you updated your Google Business Profile festive opening times?
❄️ have you added a Google Business Profile post with your festive opening times?
❄️ have you set up a Christmas email footer with your festive opening times?
❄️ have you scheduled your 2024 new year posts?
❄️ have you finalised your 2024 marketing activities?

Our festive opening times (giving us some time to recharge our batteries so we can hit the ground running in 2024!):
🎄Open until midday 20th December
🎄Open from 2nd January

See you in 2024!
With festive wishes from Emma @ Mushroom Marketing & PR

Thank you to our client, Blackmore Ltd, for inviting us as their guest to the superb Dorset Business Awards.

We are delighted to announce that Blackmore won the Environmental Impact award for their environmentally-friendly printing business - huge congratulations to them.

Having worked with them for a number of years, we know how deeply ethical and environmentally-aware they are, so we are thrilled that they came away from the awards with a 'win'.

Congratulations to everyone who attended the awards - you all made it a very special night!


Dorset Chamber

It was great to meet up with some fellow PRs ( Zoe Hiljemark - PR & Marketing for Photographers and Liz from Brilliant Fish PR & Marketing ) at last night's event 'The Future of AI in PR', organised by CIPR Wessex at the impressive Bournemouth University Fusion Building.

Some thoughts I came away with:
💡 AI is the 'probabilistic sequence of predicting words', which means that every piece of content (and imagery) created by AI needs to be checked so that it is factually correct, ethical and appropriate (this was showcased by one of the speakers when he asked AI to write his LinkedIn bio: AI had fabricated a book that he had 'co-authored'!)

💡 Rather than using AI (such as ChatGPT) to create content, it can be better used at coming up with ideas, analysing data and completing some admin tasks

💡 AI can free up my time on admin tasks so that I can spend more time on strategic/ creative work

💡 I will consider including the wording 'this document has been written by a human and not by AI', as now the assumption is that some documents have been created using AI

In my experience, AI is useful for many things, although I have personally found that any content I created using AI didn't use the right tone of voice or nuance, and some of the wording didn't accurately represent what I was trying to say.

Therefore, until the AI model is more advanced, it is still a useful tool, although it certainly can't replace the experience and emotional intelligence of an individual - yet!



PS This post has been written by a human :)

It's always a bonus to appear next to some tips from Deborah Meaden!

https://issuu.com/unstuck/docs/s_a_250823_web/18


The New Stour & Avon

The New Stour & Avon Edition 63 Read The New Stour & Avon Edition 63 by Blackmore Vale on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

Introducing Rehema, who is our new Marketing & PR Intern, joining us from the Communication and Media degree course at Bournemouth University.

We're visiting the super-busy Packaging Innovations event at the NEC today, meeting up with clients, and enjoying talks from packaging-related experts.

At last, a sunny lunchtime! 'Lunchtime loops – get away from your desk at lunchtime for a quick blast in the best of the weather' 🚲

What can we learn from Colin the Caterpillar?!
It turns out quite a lot...

I caught up with David Walker from Grid Law, a specialist in intellectual property rights, to explain what businesses (of any size) and marketers/ PRs can learn from the recent Colin vs Cuthbert cake legal row...

Take a look below...

Emma 🍄

📷 Photos taken in my kitchen!

https://mushroommarketing.co.uk/2022/02/07/what_we_can_learn_from_colin_the_caterpillar/

What Can We Learn From Colin the Caterpillar? What businesses of any size (as well as marketers/ PRs) can learn from the Colin the Caterpillar vs Cuthbert legal battle. %

✅ Book shelves tidied
✅ Hair and make-up done
✅ Background wall sorted
✅ Mind map written

All ready to be video interviewed this morning!

New year, new art for the office wall!

I think it's captured most of the key places in Bournemouth (although I'd probably swap Halo for Ojo Rojo)

Are there any places you'd add?

Emma 🍄

I really enjoyed going to the book launch of local author and speechwriter Brian Jenner at Le Munch earlier this week.

The photo is of Brian giving his amusing speech. It was great to hear guests read excerpts from the book, too.

For anyone looking for a last-minute Christmas present, here's the link to buy the book:

https://thespeechwriter.co.uk/a-christmas-stocking-2021-being-a-commonplace-selection/

Emma 🍄

This year has whizzed by in a blur and the end of the year is very nearly upon us.

It’s time to look ahead and think about where the world of marketing may take us, so we can be prepared to stride into the new year ready to boost our businesses!

We've written an article with our 7 top marketing tips for 2022 that will set you up for success.

Here's a sneak preview of the tips:

1. use a multi-channel approach
2. champion social responsibility
3. make the most of your email marketing
4. use automation to personalise your customers' journeys
5. go 'live'
6. partner with like-minded people or businesses
7. make the most of Instagram's new tools

Please click this link to find out more: https://mushroommarketing.co.uk/2021/12/13/7-marketing-tips-for-2022-to-boost-your-results/

Emma 🍄

7 Marketing Tips For 2022 To Boost Your Results - Mushroom Marketing & PR Here are 7 top marketing tips for 2022 that will set you up for success. Click the link to read our 7 top marketing tips.

I saved my jumper for Christmas Jumper Day today! (in aid of Save The Children) 🎄🎅

Ps excuse the watery eyes (streaming cold today!)

We absolutely love these mushroom 🍄 prints by (for our growing office mushroom collection!), which we found in the Bournemouth Fringe - BEAF makers market. They may well pop up in our zoom call background once we've framed them ♥️

It's well worth a trip to the Boscombe Arts Depot (opposite WHSmiths) if you're looking for hand crafted gifts made by local artists.

Thank you to Slim Chickens and ROUTEpr for the invite to your launch event last night in your BH2 restaurant. It was such a great evening, thank you. I took my family along, who all gave the food, service and venue a very big thumbs up. 👍

According to latest research, "Bournemouth is the best place to start a business outside of London".

Read more (including my thoughts) here:
https://bit.ly/3gMqO4h

🤔 Where do you think is the best place to start a business outside of London?
❓ Have you started up a business in Bournemouth?

Emma

Emma Estridge on LinkedIn: Bournemouth named as top place to start a business outside of London According to latest research, "Bournemouth is the best place to start a business outside of London". I agree - Bournemouth is a great place to start up...

I have been working on updating a few clients' websites recently, so this article has some very useful updated stats on what people look for in a website.

What do you think are the most important elements when visiting a website?

Emma

What Consumers Want to See on Company Websites [New Data] Take a look at the most important elements you'll want to include in your company's website in 2021 and beyond. Hint, hint: Some of these may surprise you.

📆 Did you know that there are ideal times of day (and frequencies) to share your social media posts for each platform?

👇This article has useful stats and infographics that give some guidance.

⌚️ Does your business follow a posting schedule?

https://bit.ly/3j4gRQi

The Perfect Social Media Posting Schedule for Your Business in 2021 [Infographic] Explore new benchmark data around the best times, days and frequency to post on social media. 

Why is this great marketing?

I have often been impressed with Lidl's marketing and door drop leaflets. However, I think their latest booklet is even better. Why?

🟠 With its colourful, bright and cheery design, it really is enticing to open and read.

🍌 The leaflet is packed full with yummy recipes, which means that we are more likely to keep it (and be reminded to shop at Lidl!). The sticky toffee banana bread with nut brittle recipe looks especially good!

♻️ The booklet is printed on good quality paper with matt lamination on the outside cover, which gives it a quality feel. Plus, it prominently includes the PEFC logo, which means that it is printed on paper from sustainably managed forests.

🇬🇧 The content is very relevant and topical. For example, there's a section on vitamins, minerals & medicines; plus a section on 'supporting British fishing'.

✂️ With so many companies (understandably) using social media and email marketing at the moment, this direct mail cuts through the noise.

Which marketing campaigns have caught your eye recently?

Emma 🍄



PS Mushroom Marketing & PR is not linked with Lidl's marketing or PR - we just like to highlight great marketing campaigns that catch our eye...

'What is the point of creating a marketing plan during a pandemic?'

'How do you work out a marketing budget'?

I answer these questions - and more - on the topic of Marketing Plans.

January is a popular time for organisations to start implementing their annual marketing plans. So, if you are looking to start yours, or need some tips, take a look at our quick-read article...

Emma

PS there's also a link to download our simple marketing plan template

https://mushroommarketing.co.uk/2021/01/19/marketing_plan_faqs/

Marketing Plan FAQs - How to Successfully Create a Marketing Plan - Marketing plan FAQS. We answer questions on how to create and implement a successful marketing plan for your organisation.

Finally got my Christmas jumper out, with an elf on the shelf thrown in for good measure! 🎄🎄

(Whilst supporting a client's Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser)

What date do you start wearing your Christmas jumper?!

Emma 🎄

Lovely view from Mushroom HQ this morning.

(You can just see a cruise ship in the distance if you look carefully too!)

Thank you so much Julia from The Active Healthcare Practice for your 5* Google review - we're more than happy to help you. It's a real pleasure working with you, too...

"Emma has transformed my marketing strategies and has been invaluable in helping to guide my business through the challenges faced in 2020 due to Covid closures and restrictions in opening. I'm not very technically minded, so she's been a huge help in teaching me how to use social media and really update my knowledge to be able to move forward. Emma is super efficient and lovely to work with. So pleased I found her!"

If you would like help with your business, please do get in touch

https://goo.gl/maps/7nquBigg8EuYjnfJ6"

Heads up: click to add your Dorset business to this new directory: https://dorsetlep.co.uk/dorset-gateway-business-directory

Dorset Gateway Business Directory | Dorset LEP If your business is based in Dorset, feature for free in our refreshed business directory and register by completing a short form, and ideally upload your business logo.

I got in touch with 6 different organisations to find out how they are coping with Lockdown 2.0.

Some found a niche and are busier than ever; others have found it really challenging.

Plus, they each offer their one piece of advice to get through these tricky times. Click to read the article here: https://mushroommarketing.co.uk/2020/11/18/how-different-businesses-are-coping-with-lockdown-2-0/

What would be your one piece of advice to get through these tricky times?

Thank you to Aegg Creative Packaging, Charcot-Marie-Tooth UK, the European Speech Writer Network, The Active Healthcare Practice, Trinity HR and JD for their time and honesty in answering all of our questions.

Emma 🍄

I just recorded this video of me introducing my latest email: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQRhaOGkx54&t=3s

I'm really out of my comfort zone when being filmed (can you tell?)
Plus I also look a bit like Dame Edna Everage with the lighting!

If you're interested in reading my latest email, please click here: https://mailchi.mp/b90b954b6407/mmprsignup

Emma

We are open and continue to safely provide marketing and PR support during COVID19 times. This applies to both new and existing clients, whichever phase of the COVID journey we are all in.

All of our marketing & PR support is currently carried out digitally, so we are able to continue to deliver our services and support our clients during this unsettling and challenging time.

Take care,
Emma

Click the link for more information:
https://mushroommarketing.co.uk/marketing-support-during-covid19-times/

Marketing Support During COVID19 Times - Mushroom Marketing & PR Click to read about our flexible marketing support during COVID19 times, continuing to safely support clients through challenging times.

Over the past year or so, I've been compiling a list of some of the most useful free 🆓 (or low cost) marketing and PR resources.

✅ From researching blog topics if you’ve run out of ideas, to creating your own media list of journalists to send your press releases to, these tools will be useful to any business or charity.

There are plenty more apps available, although these ones have made it into my 'top' resources list. I will keep adding to the list, so feel free to check back for updates...

https://mushroommarketing.co.uk/2020/09/07/free-marketing-and-pr-apps-list/

Are there any other free resources that you would add to the list?

Emma,
Founder of Mushroom Marketing & PR

Free Marketing and PR Apps: A List of the Best Apps for Your Campaigns Free marketing and PR apps - a list that you can apply to your marketing and Public Relations (PR) campaigns to take them to the next level.