1st Marketing job after graduating - IT Consultancy

[CaraL]

Hi

I have been in my first graduate job about 4 months now. Im the only person doing marketing and I basically look after 4 companies (3 under one parent company if that makes sense). They are all IT based but I am struggling with how to market the IT management consultancy one. My boss wants to raise awareness of the company whilst reinforcing the link with all the other companies in the group to give it strength and show we are capable of doing a range of things. I have built up the brand and created a website for the overall company and I am working on 2 new sites for 2 of the 3 companies to improve potential customers experiences when they get to the site.

Advertising is not really appropriate as its quite specialist and therefore word of mouth is most effective. we are trying to win tenders for government frameworks and therefore its more about awareness and building a good image about us being a good dependable company to choose as we are up against some big names.

does anyone hae any suggestions?
thans

[underpressure]

Hi there,

I know how you feel. I am in pretty much the same boat. Its quite difficult finding the right channels to market.

Here are some ideas that are not to do with advertising, it may spark something;

Press
- If you have specialist information you may be able to provide information for articles in the press in return for some coverage.
- Get a press release together with an interesting angle and target it to some publishers in your line. (online and offline)

Networking - You can find networks in your feild on and off the net.
- Forums and discussion boards
- Bloggs

Promotions - If you are a new company you could offer companies very attractive introductary offers to get them to try you out.

Perhaps you could team up with another company that serves your target market as a complimentary service to theirs.

Anyway, thought I would put in my pennys worth as I can empathise with you.
Good luck.

[CaraL]

Hi

Thanks for your response.

I have done a few press releases but more for the other companies and the overall name to build awareness of the connection. Unfortunatly there doesn't seem to be to many news worthy things going on, although I am working on finding out when we win tender/new contracts and finding ut the best place to send those in to.

i like the forum idea, but I don't know too much about the industry and therefore get a bit lost in the IT world, but I will look into it again and see what I can find. also the idea of editorial but again not having much expertise in the field limits that and the people who do are very busy so prob wouldnt have time to do it

we have actually just bought a share in another similar company so hopefully that will generate some interest - any suggestions on what I can do on that topic? have sent out a press release and also put links on our website and they have links back to us...

feel a bit out of my depth and really want to do well, so very grateful for any thoughts even if they arent appropraite now they might well be in time...

[jim_gold]

I don't get the feeling you have a comprehensive enough profile of the organisations you are trying to target.

Perhaps I'm wrong.

If not, sit down with your colleagues and have a brainstorming session. Once you have a clear idea, then it may be easier for you to get an idea of how best to get your company in front of them.

Perhaps put together a regular newsletter that as well as providing a good channel to existing customers, can be used as an extra tool for attracting new business. We are also surprised by the amount of business we get from our publication being passed onto third parties by our subscribers.