_burned.png)
HELLO@XENMARKETING.CO.UK
+44(0)7984 311472
XEN BLOG
"Be So Good They Can't Ignore You"
THE BRIEF
Defining your objectives, target audience and outlining all of the online and offline collateral that needs to be pulled together is refreshing.
No matter how many years you've been in the marketing profession, it's always good to go back to basics, research your competition and take a step back to look at the bigger picture.
awkward Conversations
“Why are you brown?”, “Why have you got black hair on your arms?” “You can’t play with us because you’re brown.”, “You’re the same colour as chocolate.” These were just a few of the comments I was faced with as a child.
It’s awkward to read but imagine how awkward it was to experience...
Life in lockdown
Monday 23rd March 2020; the day the PM announced we could only travel if it was essential. That was the day we all had to change the way we lived, the daily routines, the freedom to see our loved ones.
It was only a few days ago that I felt a sense of calm inside me, it’s like my body had finally adapted to this new lifestyle...
IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY
It’s heartbreaking to see how severely the live events industry has been hit; an industry built on passion, hard work and determination.
That’s why Xen Marketing will be offering free marketing support and advice to all live events businesses which have been severely affected by Covid-19 in the following areas...
Confex 2020 in review
Over 25,000 steps across two days, that was Confex 2020 doing another amazing job of bringing the live events industry together.
This was my third Confex but my first as a visitor. If I’m honest I was a little overwhelmed when I first saw the floorplan; I had no idea where to even start!
The key takeaway for me from the two days was...
Top traits of a marketeer
Marketing is ever-evolving; there’s no question about it so what’s the route to success?
I look at how much I’ve changed from the early days and the key skills I have adopted to be successful.
Marketing has always been my passion but without these foundations I wouldn’t be where I am today.
5 reasons why social mEDIA IS RELEVANT IN A B2b WORLd...
I read a LinkedIn post last week asking if social media has a place in a B2B marketing strategy. Very interesting question, I thought to myself.
Having worked with many B2B clients over the years I can safely say that social media has been heavily utilised across all of the marketing activity and this is why/how...
5 Things I've learnt this year...
I have been so excited to write this post and one I’ve been thinking about since I got back from Cyprus at the start of November.
Xen turns 1 in January and I love that I can sit back and reflect on how far I have come in establishing my brand and being grateful for all of the opportunities I have been presented with this year.
What are your suppliers worth to you?
Are they a number on a spreadsheet or are they an extension to your team?
Whether you’re a freelancer, running a small business or leading a large corporate, your suppliers should be just as important as your clients. At the end of the day it’s these guys who help you deliver to your clients which in turn leads to you growing your revenue. It’s common sense to look after them.
TIS THE SEASON...
It’s that time of year again where we reflect on how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved, in doing so there’s a natural part of you that always wants to give something back.
This year Xen’s chosen charity is the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation. Every week 20 children in the UK are diagnosed with a life-threatening childhood liver disease and for most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown and there is no cure.
WHAT'S YOUR HOURLY RATE?
Cheeky question I know! Deciding what to charge is always the trickiest decision when it comes to contract work. How do you set an hourly or daily rate? Are you overpricing yourself or coming across as cheap?
Your rate will always be judged so I don’t think there is any real way to get it right...
GREAT THINGS NEVER CAME FROM COMFORT ZONES
When I first started Xen I promised myself that I would publish a blog post at least once a week. I can’t believe my last post was Sticky Wicket which just goes to show what a crazy two months its been!
This post has been in the back of my mind for a while. I won my first client at the end of July and since then it’s been a journey of chaos, exhaustion and self-learning...
Googlies, Wickets & All Things Cricket
Sticky Wicket; the industry charity day where everyone in the live events world get together to play cricket, spend the day drinking and network to their hearts content all to raise money for The Lords Taverners. With the money raised, the charity is able to help create more sporting opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged young people...
You ARE YOUR BRAND
I was lucky enough to be at Confex North this week; an exhibition packed full of venues and suppliers to the live events industry, and content around the future of events.
The key takeaway from this was questioning the impact of advertising vs live events. Today it's all about how a brand makes you feel...
Are You Okay?
Or ‘How Are You?’ - Three simple words which can mean everything in the hectic life we lead today. But how many of us answer this truthfully, how many fear being judged if they say they’re not okay? The answer is probably higher than we want to believe.
In a time where mental health is topical I took a day’s sick leave this week because I wasn’t okay; something which I opened up about only to a few very close people...
BE THE fruit salad in the room
Networking isn’t about collecting the most business cards; it’s about developing relationships.
I don’t see myself as a natural salesperson so don’t necessarily have the gift of the gab like most do which is why I sometimes find networking events a little daunting, especially if I don’t know anyone. What I am remembered for is my personality, my work ethic, and my quirky sense of style...
Marketing Strategy
Build a strategy which remains true to your company's core values
Brand Development
Establish your brand identity and allow this to breathe internally and externally.
Design
Push the boundaries and stand out with innovative and creative design.