Debbie Bissett

Age Of Austerity Is Great For Online Shopping

Good news for online retailers.......online shopping came of age in the recession and has the potential to grow strongly in the UK during the much-heralded age of austerity, a major new study has found.

The latest IMRG/British Population Survey report into Internet Access and Online Shopping in Britain says shoppers turned online in the hunt for value during the financial slowdown and that they are set to continue shopping in this way as belt-tightening remains a priority in austere times.

Mike Hare, Research Director of the British Population Survey, said: “The internet as an economic force came of age in the recession of 2008 – 2010.

“The importance of the internet to the daily lives of hard pressed consumers, of all age groups, has become deeper and more valued. Today they use it to search out and find new and innovative ways to make their pounds go further.” He added: “The internet has effectively become a key life management tool for the UK consumer, and this will become ever more important in the new age of austerity.”

Whenlooking at how retailers can reach their traget markets most effectively, the report found that as expected social media continues to gain importance for UK shoppers, concluding that online retailers must therefore take seriously its effect on online consumers.

The report, based on more than 20,000 face-to-face interviews, shows that in the second quarter of 2010, 48.9% of internet users visited social networking and blogging sites. That’s up by four times compared to the same period in 2008.

At the same time, the number searching online fell from 73.7% to 73.2% in the first half of 2010.

But of those using online search, the number of people shopping online rose by 2.4% to 91.9%. The number of online shoppers rose by 1.3% to 67.3%.

Of those accessing the internet, in April to June 15.1% did so by using a mobile phone, rising form only 5% in June 2009. And while there may be a preconception that young people are driving growth in internet access, a quarter of those who have it are aged 55 or over. While growth in internet access across the population has averaged 13% since June 2008, the 65+ age group has seen access increase by 26% over the same period

Online Marketing Is Perfect For Holiday Companies!

Well I'm not sure what's happening with the weather at the moment... one minute it's sunny, the next it's raining but then again, we do live in England so maybe I'm expecting a little bit too much by hoping for a glorious Summer!

However the forecasts are good and 'staycations' have never been so popular so now is the time for an company that offers short breaks, self catering cottages, caravan parks and any other type of UK holiday to ensure that they are focusing on the online marketing part of their strategy and bringing in as many bookings as possible.

If you know anyone who's looking to increase their boolking levels or drastically reduce the void periods they have within their yearly calendar then we'd love to talk to them, here at Vantage 360. We can show them how to implement many tried and tested techniques themselves or alternatively, for those that simply wish to outsource the daily elements, we can assist them too!

So please do help us spread the word and help the UK tourist industry thrive and flourish!

A Whole New Look For Vantage 360!

Vantage 360 is continuing to go from strength to strength thanks to the wonderful recommendations that our clients have been passing us. In fact so much so, that it's time to completely re-design the corporate identity and website to reflect the additional services we now offer and the news as it happens!

I'm delighted to be able to introduce the new logo to you which has been designed by Catapult Creative, in particular Mark Currie who's an exceptionally talented designer and film maker - so thank you Mark!

The new website will be launched soon so watch this space........... we'll let you know as soon as it's live! In the meantime though, please do sign up to receive our blog updates from this site as we'll be using it to give you lots of hints and tips to help you with your online marketing!

Internet Marketing Workshop - Thursday 11th February (Harrogate)

Do you use any of the following? Linked In, Facebook or maybe Twitter to name just a few! If so then two questions to ask yourself are 'Could you make better use of them?' and ''Could I use them much more easily'? If the answer to either of these questions is 'yes' then you'd really benefit from an Internet Marketing Workshop that I'm running on behalf of Business for Breakfast (North Yorkshire) this Thursday in Harrogate.

In the space of three hours you'll learn the best ways to set up these sites for effective and rewarding use, how to automate as much of the work as possible and perhaps most importantly, how to use your time on these sites to the best effect as after all, time is money!

If you'd like further details about the workshop (and yes it is a workshop as you can bring your laptops along and actually work on your business whilst you're attending the session) then simply send an email to Linda Stevenson (Local Director)at linda@bforb.co.uk and full details will be forwarded to you.

This is the first of a number of workshops that will be available over the forthcoming months and if you'd like me to keep you up to date with new dates and workshops as they're announced, please subscribe to my newsletter and we'll be in touch! Alternatively, follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/debbiebissett, Linked In or Facebook and you'll automatically receive details!

Happy internet marketing!

Being A Domestic Goddess Again- The Sloe Gin Making Has Begun!

I really don't like this time of year, dark nights and dark mornings - life is so much nicer when there's sunshine involved!

However, there is one plus point about this time of year and that's that the sloes are ready to be picked and turned into the most gorgeous drink possible, yummy Sloe Gin. I'd never tried it before I met my husband and got introduced to it on one of his driven shoot days, I can understand why they say it keeps you warm!!

So I thought I'd share my recipe with you in case you're like me and wanted to make your own Sloe Gin for the first time:

Ingredients:

450g of sloes, 225g of caster sugar and 1 x Litre of Gin

How To Make It:

• Prick the sloes with a sterilised needle or clean knife and pop them in a sterilised sweet jar. (I've used a large tupperware container as I couldn't get a jar!)
• Add the caster sugar and seal tightly.
• Shake the bottle or container every other day for the first week whilst the sugar dissolves.
• Shake daily for the next two months.
• Drink and Enjoy!
• (Keep in a dark and cool pace if possible)

So I'm sure you can guess what we'll be serving at our December dinner parties with some wonderful game and home grown produce...... or you might be getting a bottle as a little Christmas gift!

Do You Know An Inspirational Over 60 Year Old?

A good friend of mine, Linda Stevenson is currently in the process of interviewing a number of people for a series of articles she is writing and is looking for inspirational people to interview. There are lots of amazing people out there, doing amazing things so I thought I'd ask you on her behalf. Older People's Day is fast approaching on 1st October and it would be wonderful if you can support her.........

Linda has posted this on her new blog today and if you can help in any way at all, please do contact her!

Thank you in advance! x

"I am looking for inspirational older people to feature in this blog. Do you know anyone over 60 who has done something that has flown in the face of conventional perceptions of what you should do in your golden years?! Do you know someone who has done something inspirational, courageous, or amazing whose story would inspire and uplift those in the same age group and open the eyes of those who may dread getting older.

If you think they would like to share their story please contact me at lindamstevenson1960@yahoo.co.uk.

Work Life Design - Do You Need Help With Yours?

How often have you caught yourself saying those phrases, "If only there were more hours in a day" or "I just fell into being a ..... but what I'd really love to do is...!". Well, I met with a lovely lady today called Charlotte Hill who is helping her clients do just that with her consultancy, Work, Life, Design.

Charlotte is a real life example that you can make the transition into having a job and life you love and is seeing real successes take place with her clients who are following her example and doing just that.

I know from personal experience that it's essential to feel fabulous in everything you do and that's the same whether it's in your personal or professional life. I'm very lucky to have a hubby and home that I adore and a professional life I love with the two businesses that help people in very different ways. I'm also blessed with great friends and family so very grateful for all that I have.

So I urge you to have a real think and be honest with yourself - are you really doing what you love? If not, the change doesn't have to happen overnight and sometimes can't but there are professionals out there to help you and Charlotte is one of them!! So why not give her a call or email her and make the first step you having a life you love!

Debs x

Automating Your Twitter Account

Twitter has become a fundamental tool these days for all online marketeers and also for keeping up to date with what's going on in people's lives.

However, if you're using Twitter to drive traffic to your various sites then of course there are only 24 hours in any day and any way to work smarter than harder has to be welcomed with open arms. Tweetlater has changed its name to SocialOomph and by using this service you can schedule your tweets to appear automatically when you schedule them to appear, so even if you're away on holiday, in a meeting all day or just simply busy, busy, busy, your tweets can be appearing whilst you're doing other things.

Have a look and see what you think - you could make your life a lot easier!

Debs x