Virtual marcoms FAQs

How does it work?

I act as your marketing communications manager/director/whatever you want to call me. So when someone calls your company and asks to speak to the person who deals with your advertising, PR, exhibitions, website, publicity or any other form of communication, the person who answers the phone gives them my contact details. Ideally, I have an email address on your server that I can access when I need to, and you give callers this email address and my phone number. I deal with whatever the caller wants, and report back to you as necessary.

How much does it cost?

I look after your marketing budget, and plan and agree a programme with you. Within this, I charge for my time in producing ads, brochures, direct mail, websites, PR and so on, but I always provide you with estimates in advance. I also charge for attending regular meetings with you, on the basis of my daily rate. I provide you with quarterly statements showing what's been spent, and what's committed. And I never go over budget.

How do you handle budget control?

I give you regular reports on expenditure, all justified according to time taken and costs incurred. You have the final say over what is spent, but I maintain cost control on your behalf. If I think we are overspending, I adjust accordingly and tell you what I've done and why.

How often do we meet?

It depends on how much work is being done. Face to face contact is important, even in these days of remote working, so we would meet at least every two months and more often if necessary. I am always available to talk on the phone, and will come and see you whenever you feel it is necessary. I also have a webcam, which is useful for online chats: see my contact details for my Skype ID.

How do you handle design and production work?

I work with a team of print and web designers, illustrators and photographers, and I have a roster of very good printers. See my Associates page for the people I work with.

What's wrong with the way we're doing it now?

If your sales director, company secretary or personal assistant is doing looking after your marketing communications in his or her 'spare moments', it is unlikely they are doing the job as well as it should be done. The problem with marketing communications is that you can usually leave it on one side while you get on with the 'day job': and often that means it doesn't get done. On the other hand, if you are using a marketing or business studies graduate, you are probably getting a good job: the problem is, will they want to stay with you for the long run? Probably not - and they are effectively training on your time.

How much should we spend on marketing communications?

That is the ultimate question, and it's one that is almost impossible to answer without a face-to-face discussion. It depends on a range of variables, such as your objectives, the size of the potential market, what your competition does, and what demands you have from other areas of your business. I can advise you, once I know something more about your business and your ambitions, and I can tell you what things cost and what they will do for you and your business.

We only have a small budget: can you help?

It depends on how small. Because I need to make a profit from what I do, there is a level below which I probably cannot help you, although that level depends on where you are, what you need to do, and what the effect of doing it will be. The best plan is to ask me, and I will tell you if I think I can help.

We have a big budget: how can I be sure that you will give me value for money?

Again, it depends on how big the budget is. If you want to spend a lot of money on, say, a press relations campaign, then you probably need a specialist agency. If, however, you want to spend the money on advertising, direct mail and print publicity, then I can help. It is best for us to talk, and I will tell you whether I can help or whether I think you need a full-scale agency. And if you do need a specialist, I can help with recommendations and the selection process, and help with setting up and managing the relationship.

Have I answered your questions? If not, contact me and I will get back to you with an answer.