Cox Business’ recent survey found that 32% of small businesses recognised the importance of communications in their business but felt as though they couldn’t keep up. At Alleyne Communications, we’ve found that ‘keeping up with the comms’ is a sympton of business owners believing in one of the following myths – and it’s holding them back from taking the next step.
Myth #1 – Communications is Expensive
For most small business owners, the typical working day is already full & the idea of taking on more work often feels impossible. As Score have previously reported, 33% of small business owners already work more than 50 hours per week, with 25% working more than 60 hours. It means time is already at a premium & if you need help getting a comms strategy up and running, ‘assistance’ comes at a premium.
Marketing, PR & Communications companies know this, which is why they are happy to charge small business owners thousands of pounds per month to ‘take care’ of their business’ public presence.
We’ve seen quotes charging small business owners £3000 per month for some of the most basic communications work available – a cost most owners feel impossible to pay and one we feel is completely unnecessary for many businesses.
It’s why our most basic services have monthly costs that come in at less than £400 per month & have plans that work with you to scale with your budget & business needs.
Myth #2 – Its full time
Most business owners assume that taking on new staff goes one of two ways.
1)Take on an apprentice part time
2) Hire a full-time employee
However, when you consider that many employees spend a lot of time in their work week simply waiting to clock out, you quickly realise that there is a lot of efficiency to be found in managing staff.
One lesson we’ve learned from working with Charities and other small businesses is that part-time staff are a cost and time efficient method of getting work done.
Its why our low-cost offers are also low on labour cost – we only charge for the hours needed to get the job done, with the average customer working with us for as little as 20 hours a month on average.
Myth #3 – Only large companies have internal teams
As we’ve pointed out in myth #1, agencies have a habit of charging an arm and a leg for the most basic services. Big companies know this too – its why they tend to ditch agencies once they get big enough and choose to do things in house. It saves them money whilst also having direct control over the content and personnel who make it.
But big companies aren’t the only ones making the switch to in-house marketing. Since belts began tightening following COVID-19, 23% of organisations have ditched their agencies in favour of in-house teams & your organisation can too.
After all, having you as a long-term client only benefits us. It’s why we work closely with our long-term clients to develop strategies to move their communications needs in-house, no matter their size.
Myth #4 – It’s all social media
Social media is a fantastic way of showing your company is active, locked into current trends & building a loyal community of service users. However, digital comms is only one avenue and not all businesses need it – especially at the small business level.
For many businesses, they find the transition into social media comms is worth more hassle than its worth. Sure, for a cleaning supplier it makes sense to have a social media platform dedicated to cleaning things, but what if your business is more sensitive, behind the scenes – or… routine?
We often find that it’s the personal touch that needs levelling up; whether that is from updating your outreach flyers and business cards, or creating things like feedback forms, trade banners or bookmarks that really matter.
For others, featuring in an industry magazine is the game changer they need to be recognised.
Its why we create bespoke communications strategies for each client & take time to figure out what it is you need, not only what we can offer you.
Myth #5 – “My business doesn’t need it”
Every business needs some kind of communications work, whether that is a website, business card, uniform or sales script. At the core of every business is a brand & communications helps you to show it.
As a small business, people don’t know who you are & communications is precisely the way you get the word out to find clients, grow and turn a profitable hobby into a sustainable business & a business idea into a career.
If you are unsure if your business can benefit from having a communications strategy – even if we won’t roll it out for you, get in touch for a free, no-obligations consultation with one of our team and see how you can take your business to the next level.
Alleyne Communications 