http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk en-us Fri, 04 Sep 2026 15:42:00 +0100 Rocketspark http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/27097/ten-years-strong-looking-back-on-a-decade-of-elm-marketing-solutions/ Ten years. It is a milestone that feels both like it flew by in the blink of an eye and carried a lifetime of learning, building, and growing.Before launching Elm Marketing Solutions back in 2016, I spent 16 years working in the accountancy arena. During that time, I met so many business owners whom I deeply admired, and I learned an enormous amount about how to run a business—including the ups, the downs, and the common pitfalls. I honestly never looked beyond my first year back then; my init... Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:29:50 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post27097 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26932/local-talent-new-beginnings-launching-the-new-website-for-amt-physiotherapy/ Starting a business takes courage, vision, and the right team by your side. For Anna Thomas, founder of AMT Physiotherapy, the journey to launch looked a little different than originally planned. After qualifying as a physiotherapist, her initial goal was to serve within the NHS. However, facing public sector recruitment freezes, Anna made a bold choice: to take control of her career and launch her own practice right here in Consett.Building a brand from the ground up requires clear direction, h... Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26932 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26899/the-real-deal-small-grants-scheme/ Derwentside Enterprise Agency CIC (DEA) launches small grants scheme, which will be known as The Real Deal, to support local businesses.DEA is pleased to announce the launch of its new, discretionary, Small Grants Scheme, designed to support businesses in the former Derwentside Local Authority area to deliver projects that will make a positive difference to the business.The scheme, known as The Real Deal, will provide grants of up to £... Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26899 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26946/why-do-your-canva-designs-always-look-rubbish--and-how-to-fix-it-in-person/ If you open Canva with high hopes, spend an hour dragging elements around, and step back only to realise your finished graphic looks... well, a bit rubbish, you are definitely not alone. Many business owners treat visual marketing as a chore, but when your graphics look cluttered, unbranded, or hastily thrown together, it quietly undermines your credibility. You know your business inside and out, but trying to translate that expertise into a clean, professional social media post, flyer, or clien... Mon, 10 Aug 2026 09:40:36 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26946 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26940/stepping-off-etsy-and-ebay-why-your-own-website-saves-you-money-in-the-long-run/ Moving Beyond Etsy and eBay: Why Your Own Website Saves You MoneyIf you started out selling on marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, or Vinted, you already know the appeal. They make it simple to set up a shop front and get your products in front of active buyers without needing any technical know-how.When you are starting out, that built-in traffic is a lifesaver. But as your business grows, a familiar frustration creeps in. Between listing fees, transaction charges, final value cuts, and payment proce... Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:40:10 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26940 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26913/why-professional-photography-is-worth-the-investment-and-how-to-prepare-for-your-shoot/ Recently, I handed over the keys to my office for a morning to Lee Dobson Photography, who used the space for a photo shoot with his client, Moira Barnes. Watching the process unfold was a great reminder of just how much impact a set of well-planned, high-quality images can have on a business. (A huge thank you to Moira for giving us permission to share some of her fabulous photos!)In an age where smartphone cameras are better than ever, it is tempting to rely on quick phone snaps for your marke... Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26913 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26939/why-a-blog-belongs-at-the-heart-of-your-marketing-strategy/ When you look at your marketing to-do list, writing regular blog posts can easily feel like just another chore that eats into your week. Because you rarely see an instant rush of new clients from a single article, it is completely normal to wonder if it is actually worth the effort.To be honest, I used to think the same way. But after working closely with websites, SEO, and digital strategy for years, I have seen firsthand that a business blog is not just an optional extra—it really should be ... Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26939 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26948/the-marketing-think-tank-an-affordable-highly-focused-way-to-tackle-your-own-marketing/ Running a micro-business, sole trader, or freelance practice means wearing every hat. When you are absorbed in daily operations and client work, marketing naturally gets pushed to the back burner. It becomes reactive—a rushed social media post or a panic-driven campaign when sales dip.Hiring a full-time marketer or paying agency retainers may not be an option for some SMEs. However, sustained growth requires intentional space to think, test, and strategise, thats why we're introducing the mark... Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26948 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26898/why-owning-your-e-commerce-website-beats-third-party-marketplace-fees/ When you run a small business, keeping a close eye on your overheads isn't just good practice—it's essential for long-term growth.Recently, Lisa Carhart from A Yearning for Yarn reached out to discuss creating a dedicated website for her business. Like many small business owners, Lisa was primarily selling her yarn through third-party platforms like eBay and Vinted. However, steadily rising platform fees and the risk of relying entirely on external marketplaces meant it was time to explore alt... Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:33:22 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26898 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/post/26802/networking-your-best-underrated-marketing-tool/ Yesterday evening was the DoBusinessNetwork (DBN) summer barbecue at the Derwent Reservoir Sailing ClubHeading home afterwards, I was reflecting on what networking actually means from a marketing perspective.We talk a lot about digital strategy and algorithms in marketing, but face-to-face networking is often a highly underrated marketing tool. It’s the simplest, most honest way to build long-term awareness for your business.But the real value goes so much deeper than just trading referrals.Ru... Fri, 17 Jul 2026 13:49:23 +0100 http://www.elmmarketingsolutions.co.uk/blog/#post26802