See behind the scenes of the making of ‘Together At Last’
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Following government advice that face coverings must now be worn in shopping centres, we’ve created the following messages to help inform your shoppers.
Use of facemasks 1
“We would like to remind customers to be mindful of staying safe by using face masks to protect yourselves and others whilst in the centre today.”
Use of facemasks 2
“We would like to remind customers that the use of face masks is recommended to protect yourself and others throughout the centre.”
Use of facemasks 3
“We would like to inform customers that face masks are obligatory when in the centre. Please make sure you adhere to the social distancing rules set in place by the British government. Your safety is our number one priority.”
Use of facemasks 4
“We would like to inform customers that face masks are obligatory when in the centre.”
Use of facemasks 5
“We would like to remind customers that the use of face coverings is mandatory whilst in the centre. This is to protect yourself and others”
We also have a lead up message available:
Lead Up
“From the 24th July, it will be mandatory to wear a face covering whilst in the centre. Please make sure you follow these guidelines. Thank you for your co-operation.”
To say that the last few months have been busy for OnBrand would certainly be an understatement. Whilst in lockdown, the team have been working at full steam, helping a broad range of businesses adapt their marketing comms in response to Covid-19.
Now that lockdown is easing, we’ve taken a bit of time to reflect on what we’ve achieved; here’s just a snapshot….
As businesses start to re-open their doors once more, it’s safe to say we’ve officially entered the realm of the ‘new normal.’ But what does this mean for your business and, crucially, your marketing plans?
It’s probably an understatement to say that the way you run your business has had to adapt in recent weeks. With this in mind, it’s almost certain that your pre-lockdown marketing plans need to be re-shaped too, so that you can be confident your comms channels are working as hard as they possibly can.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we’ve put together 10 questions you should be asking yourself about your marketing right now. And, of course, if your answers to these questions lead you to thinking you need a helping hand with anything, the OnBrand team are ready to take any marketing load off your mind!!
Your 10 questions start here
- What’s changed in my market/economy?
Change isn’t always a bad thing. For example, it may be that your target audience’s shopping behaviour has changed; they may be shopping less, but spending more. Could this be an opportunity to look at ways to upsell or increase basket size online? - What are my competitors doing?
Whilst assessing what new opportunities there may be for you out there, don’t forget to check out what your competitors are doing too. Think about what makes your brand/business different and how you can achieve stand out amongst all the ‘New Normal’ noise. - What are my comms priorities?
Whilst it might feel like you should be putting spend across each and every touchpoint, it’s better to do a few things really well, than spread your budget too thinly across too many channels. Think about which channels are working best for you right now and ensure those you choose to put resource behind will help you reach your overall business objectives. - What skills are missing in my team that I need to take control of?
With businesses having to make tough staffing decisions over recent weeks, you may find there are skillsets you need to tap into right now that aren’t covered within your team. At OnBrand, our team cover a range of different marketing disciplines, so whatever the gap, we have an expert on hand to help! - How much do I need to change my original 2020 marketing plan?
It’s unlikely your marketing plan from the beginning of 2020 is going to be exactly the same now. Take time to really assess which parts are still going to deliver, and which areas need a tweak! - What new needs do my customers have?
The world has changed for everyone. Not only are businesses needing to make changes, but consumers are having to approach every day tasks and responsibilities differently. Do your customers have any new needs that you can help them with? - Do we have the right level of comms activity running to reach our customers?
If you’ve been one of the businesses that have had to shut-up-shop during lockdown, it may be that you’re needing to ramp up your comms activity more than you originally planned to at this time of year. Take a look at your marketing spend for the year so far – perhaps there’s budget you ended up not using during lockdown that you should be thinking about re-apportioning to really create impact now that you’re back up and running again? - Do we need to revise our business goals?
Do your business goals still reflect the market you find yourself in? If they’re now seeming unrealistic or you’re needing to change your approach, make sure you re-align your business goals so that you have something to measure success with by the end of the year. - Is our website/e-commerce platform robust enough to respond to changes within the business model?
There’s no denying that since lockdown, the world has become more digital than ever. People are spending even more time scrolling on their phones. How well do you engage with your audience across digital platforms? Is your website optimised for e-commerce? - What am I doing to keep my brand visible and top of mind?
Of course, reaching your customers is key, so it’s important to think through which channels are going to work hardest at doing this for you. It’s also important to think x-channel. How are you engaging on social media? Do you have an email database you can segment with the right targeted messages? Are you running an affiliate program? We can help you explore which channels are right for your business, and look at your overarching content strategy so that not only are you appearing across the best channels for your brand, but so that your messaging really cuts through and stays top of mind.
Lots to think about! Want to chat through ways we might be able to help? Email: sayhello@onbrand.co.uk or call 03333 22 00 22
It’s been a busy week in the world of retail…and we have to say, it’s been full steam ahead for us too! Unless you’ve been having the longest lockdown snooze ever, you will know that on 15th June, non-essential retailers were able to start opening their doors once more – hooray!
We’ve been busy helping retailers and shopping centres prepare for this very moment, so they can confidently re-open, knowing they have everything in place to encourage customer spend once more! Working with businesses both big and small, we’ve been producing everything from social distancing signage and floor vinyls, eye-catching window displays, targeted radio messaging and even pedestrian roundabouts!
As well as creating physical measures to help everyone shop safe, we’ve also been taking the load off businesses by helping them with their online marketing comms and social media content to help spread the news to their target audience that they’re welcoming their customers in store once again!
Of course, it’s a time of transition for all retailers and customers alike, as we get used to the ‘new normal’ whilst we’re out shopping. It’s understandable that many business owners are feeling like they’re having to work things out as they go along a little, and find solutions for things they may not have thought of until they started trading again.
If this sounds like you, panic not! We’ve got everything ready at our fingertips, and a team of digital wizards ready to help anyone who needs a helping hand with either in-store or digital comms. We’re determined to help get as many businesses up and running again as quickly as possible, so that everyone has the best chance of success.
After all, nothing is more true right now than the fact that #WeAreInThisTogether
Click here to check out our guide to re-opening
Ready to chat? Give us a call on 03333 22 00 22 or email sayhello@onbrand.co.uk
We’ve made it our mission to help retail businesses thrive once they’re able to re-open their doors again on June 15th.
That’s why, we’ve put together the ultimate ‘guide to re-opening’ which gives you all the tips, info and services for you will want to consider before you welcome your customers in-store again.
It’s free to download and you can get your copy by entering your email address below:
We work across a range of business, retail and consumer brands, with the clear mission to create the most memorable customer experiences.
From how a brand sounds through an efficient telephone journey, to compelling social media campaigns that lead to engaging websites, to incredible award ceremonies and enjoyable retailer events.
We make each moment memorable, customers happy and brands shine.
Let’s get you ready for success.
Get in touch by calling: 03333 22 00 22 or email: sayhello@onbrand.co.uk
With the great news announced by the government that retailers will be allowed to start opening their doors once again from 15th June, we wanted to do our bit to help make sure that you’re ready.
BBC News reported that:
“Shops have been told to consider placing a poster in their windows to demonstrate awareness of the guidance and commitment to safety measures.”….
As a specialist retail marketing agency, we’ve been preparing for this news for quite a number of weeks now, and whilst we can absolutely help you with a poster or two, we’ve also put together a whole host of options for retailers to communicate that it’s safe to shop with them. From floor stickers, to window vinyls, to social media content to radio messaging…we have everything at the ready to help you successfully open for business!! 🙌🏻💚.
So what sorts of things should you be considering right now?
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve done the thinking for you.
It obviously depends on the type and size of your retail business, however, here are just some of the things we have planned and ready to help you roll out:
Outdoor Comms
Yes, a simple poster can remind your customers to social distance or show your gratitude for their custom by welcoming them back into store, but if you’re looking for more eye-catching or creative ways to engage your customers, there are plenty of additional options!
A bold new window vinyl could be worth considering if you’re really wanting to stand out and let your customers know you’re open again. We can help you tailor the messaging, look & feel in line with your branding, to help drive a bit of buzz around you opening your doors again. Art-work could even be worked up on an A-Frame board alongside branded balloons outside the store too!
Store Navigation
Floor stickers are an effective way of marking out where customers should stand to ensure they’re maintaining social distancing standards. You might even want to include friendly messages on them, which raise a smile as they navigate your store – after all, this is the ‘new normal’ and so making them feel welcome, whilst adhering to measures will certainly help encourage spend.
How about your staff? How can you help make sure customers adhere to social distancing with your team? Of course, there are all sorts of ways of using pespex screens at payment desks etc; however, we rather like the idea of a simple badge for each staff member to wear, reminding customers that they’re here to help, but from a distance.
Digital Comms
Let’s not forget, many customers will still be cautious for quite some time, and so ensuring they can still engage and shop with you from home is key. Now is not the time to forget about all the great work you’ve been doing over the past couple of months to build relationships with them online.
Use your social media channels to showcase your open store and demonstrate that it’s safe to shop with you. You could even incentivise your online audience with a voucher to bring to store, to encourage footfall. In the not too distant future, after a little digital reassurance, it won’t be long before you see them step foot in your shop once again!
Finally, don’t neglect your website in your preparations to open! You should think about updating your homepage messaging with your planned opening date alongside any messages around what customers can expect from their new shopping experience with you.. It’ s crucial to make sure your website is optimised for SEO, making sure it appears higher up in those all important google searches….it sounds like a lot, but these are all really simple tasks for us, which we can easily take off your hands!!
So, the big question is: Are you ready to re-open?
Need a helping hand?
Get in touch by emailing sayhello@onbrand.co.uk & we’ll get you sorted in no time! 👍🏻
Download our free definitive re-opening guide
We’ve put together the definitive guide to reopening for Retail. We’ve collated the very best products to help you reopen your store, services you can engage and tips on nailing your website & social media experiences. Enter your email address below to receive our guide.
With the government messaging having changed from ‘stay home’ to ‘stay alert,’ many retailers are preparing for what the Prime Minister has communicated as ‘Step 2’ of easing the lockdown, when shops selling non-essential items may be allowed to open again.
Of course, as a nation, we’re all thinking about further adjustments we’ll be needing to make when we’re able to start going out and about again. One of the biggest jobs for retailers, however, is helping to ensure customers feel confident and safe whilst shopping, in order to encourage spend once again.
There are, of course, many ways to communicate the measures you’re taking to ensure a safe shopping environment, however, one of the channels many retailers are turning to is instore radio.
As an agency, we’ve been working with shopping centres and retailers alike to put together bespoke instore radio messages. It’s a great way to reach customers en masse at a low cost. Whether it’s music to create a positive atmosphere, or professional voiceover recordings reminding customers about social distancing, our team can help work up a solution to drive instore confidence and ultimately, sales!
Don’t just take our word for it though – download our audio solutions pack and check out the stats from happy clients, which truly speak for themselves!
Enter your email address in the field below to receive your free copy of our audio solutions pack.
Interesting read? Want to discuss more? Get in touch!
We thought we’d share a little something we were discussing in our team meeting this morning…
As a team, we’re always making sure we stay on top of industry news and often share things we’ve seen online and in the world around us. Today, one of the team shared this really interesting little diagram from Robert Stead at the Marketing Centre.
What particularly got us talking was the fact that this very diagram truly encapsulates what we as an agency have already been experiencing. We’ve been helping clients get through the ‘fear zone’ and have been on the case helping them to adapt their comms strategies to not only set the right tone, but to make sure they’re reaching out to their customers in an authentic way, across the right channels. The result? Well, we’ve noticed a real shift with our clients moving across into the ‘learning’ and ‘growth’ zones over the past couple of weeks. The shift means that we’re now pulling together new packages to help businesses thrive in whatever the ‘new normal’ might be when Boris makes his next announcement.
The big question is – in which ‘zone’ does your business currently sit?
© The Marketing Centre
Need help getting in the (growth!) zone? Feeling apprehensive about what any ease of lockdown might mean for your business? Get in touch – we’re here to help!
Whilst in lockdown, we’ve noticed the number of people taking time to reminisce about the ‘good times’ has definitely increased across social media. Of course, we couldn’t help but take a little trip down memory lane ourselves…
Today, we’re reflecting on all the fun we’ve had so far working with The Brewery Shopping Centre, Romford.
When we were awarded the marketing contract in October 2018, we couldn’t wait to get stuck in, after all, who doesn’t love creating social media posts, thinking up events and making sure a website is in order? No? Oh, maybe that’s just us then…
…And a lot has happened in a year and a half of working with this awesome centre and management team. Get ready…
EVENTS
We love it when a client gives us the scope to be creative, and The Brewery get gold stars for this. We always like to make sure customers are happy and that we build memories, and we’re pleased to say, we think we’ve done just that, from family fun to community initiatives. Here’s just two!
Hug a Hedgehog (Family fun)
We created a Hug A Hedgehog event taking inspiration from one of the murals from the Brewery’s Art Trail project. This kicked off the half term holidays activities and the strategy was to continue supporting and driving awareness of the Walk On The Wild Side project. Hug A Hedgehog was designed to be an engaging, fun and a free event for families.
The results: An increased footfall of 2.2% and happy customers…
‘Aw it’s nice they do things like this for free. It’s always fun to stop by.’ PARENT.
The Brewery Sleepout
With a high proportion of homelessness in the area, Centre Manager Tom Stobbart wanted to use the community and retailer influence of the shopping centre to make a change. Working with Kim Merry, founder of Homeless charity Hope4Havering, the concept of a retailer and management sleepout in the centre’s carpark was coined.
The results: Social reach soared to 12,317 and fundraising targets doubled to over £10k. Press in local papers and on radio also raised awareness of this very important topic, while retailers felt they were part of something important, thus boosting morale.
SOCIAL TALKS
Wow, who knew that social strategies could do such great things? Well, in this case we like to think it has, because we’re so pleased to announce that we have grown the Brewery’s social media reach from an average of 9k reach to 46k a month. That’s an increase of over 500%! How? Well, in a nutshell… We began with a hook of competitions (more of that below) and then, once we’d reeled everyone in, we got to work on a social strategy. We’re not afraid to admit, we created content around a trial and error approach – some posts worked better than others, but that’s what gave us the insight to work out what came next.
The result: A comprehensive strategy including community posts, real-life posts and a sprinkling of fun memes with celebrity ideas to boot.
COMPETITIONS
We love talking to people on the ground and that includes retailers. And it’s a good thing too, because our engagement with these guys means we secured 15 competitions over a 12 month period.
The results: A total of 2,609 entries and 19 very happy winners. On average we receive over 100 entries per a competition, and our most successful prize to date has been 2 tickets to Vue Cinema… #justsaying.
WEB WISE
Websites eh, they do a lot of work to bring in footfall and we know how important they are. That’s why over the year and a half that we have worked with the Brewery, we’ve ensured information such as opening and closing times, new stores and events are always updated.
The results: Website traffic is up 25% y-o-y in Q4, New Users up 23% y-o-y in Q4 and the bounce rate is also consistent y-o-y. The latter means that users are finding the information they need efficiently, which means we get a gold star 😊.
GROWING EMAIL
Yup, like a website, this is also a medium that’s key to driving that footfall and we’ve worked hard to grow the database through competitions, regular newsletters and raising the Brewery activities via the website.
The results: Grown email database from 4,735 to 7,977. That’s a massive 40.7% database increase!
So that’s it in a bigger than average nutshell. Want your centre to be as great as this? Give us a call now!
