stratique's posterous

stratique's posterous

Stratique Marketing  //  Stratique is a full-service Marketing, PR & Events agency inc graphic design SEO web design brand design direct marketing campaigns PR ad design marketing.

Dec 3 / 4:33am

Do you want to double your business?

Need more sales leads, more customers and more conversions?
Stratique helps businesses in the Midlands and Staffordshire, develop low-cost marketing strategies that can double their business.

Our PR packages start from just £49 / week. www.pr.stratique.com

Imagine having your own team of highly skilled online and offline marketers, public relations specialists, designers, and web developers.
Implementing weekly services, tailored to your business needs and including strategy development, market positioning, public relations, online PR, marketing communications, database marketing, copywriting, direct mail, telemarketing follow-ups, appointment setting, search engine marketing, social media marketing, website design, creative graphic design and print.

Want to double your business? Call Stratique on 0845 226 3095 today! www.stratique.com
Marketing, PR, Creative Design & Print, SEO & Web Design, Social Media, Database Marketing, Direct Mail, Telemarketing

Nov 26 / 6:36am

Photos from the business Generator Event.

(download)

Nov 26 / 4:18am

Naqi Massage Professionals Forum Opens on Facebook

Naqi, manufacturer and developer of professional massage products have launched a brand new Facebook page for massage therapy professionals.  The page is designed to be a networking forum where all professional masseurs and physiotherapists can discuss all aspects of massage therapy, sports massage, remedial massage and best practice.

Naqi’s Advanced Sports Massage Courses have proved popular with professionals as they give an outlet for masseurs to meet each other and share knowledge and techniques with each other.  There is a definite need for physiotherapists and sports masseurs to communicate with each other.  Naqi decided to create this environment online with the Facebook Forum.

The forum is easy to find on Facebook.  Simply type Naqi in the search bar at the top of the page and the Naqi Sports Massage Professionals Forum will appear.   The forum can be used to discuss patient care, clinical path, learn new ways to treat problems, find new job opportunities and keep in touch with your colleagues.  Come and join fellow experts in massage therapy online and network with your peers.

Nov 26 / 4:14am

Stratique Staff Snap-up Chamber of Commerce Camera.

Charlotte Perry, Marketing and Social Media Executive at Stratique Marketing, Design and PR based in Tamworth, was the lucky winner of the Chamber’s prize draw at the Business Generator Exhibition in Burton upon Trent in November 2010. 

The Chamber of Commerce offered the 11 mega pixel camera as a prize for people who submitted their business card into the draw.  The Business Generator Exhibition was attended by over 500 delegates who visited over 70 exhibitors and many of these had entered. 

Perry was delighted with the prize saying “with so many entrants I didn’t think I’d be the lucky winner.  I’m really pleased with the camera and can’t wait to use it.  Thank you to the Chamber for organising the competition”.

The Business Generator Exhibition was a great opportunity for Stratique Marketing, Design and PR to network with local businesses and to show them how they can help them generate more leads, more sales and more profits.  If you are interested in growing your business in 2011 give Stratique Marketing, Design and PR a call on 0845 226 3095 or email Chamber@stratique.com to book a free consultation.

Nov 19 / 6:40am

Segment your online targets and clearly define your routes to market, whether it’s business to business, business to consumer, through a distribution channel or direct to the end user

Segment your online targets and clearly define your routes to market, whether it’s business to business, business to consumer, through a distribution channel or direct to the end user

Market segmentation and sales channel marketing are techniques widely used by larger companies. This is an extremely effective process of clearly defining your target markets for ongoing communications. Your sales channel could determine branding decisions, promotional strategies, pricing strategies and methods of communication.

You can segment your target market by a wide range of factors including price, needs, demographics, geographic location or by value. By categorising and profiling your market you can start to formulate simple strategies to begin dialogue and introduce your own unique selling points and your own positioning in the marketplace. Your message and method of communication should be tailored to each market segment. For instance a package holiday company should have a completely different approach to marketing a family package holiday than it would to say luxury holidays for the over 50s. So ensure your internet marketing and keyword research starts from your market segments. You will be rewarded by taking the effort to segment your targets, researching their needs and profiling their buying behaviour.

Channel marketing is a different way of segmenting your customers. This process looks at all potential routes to market either direct to the end user, or through an intermediary. You should consider all options during your marketing planning stage as decisions on route to market can also have a major impact on branding decisions, point of sale, pricing, promotional activities and positioning. There are several routes to market and can include direct from a website, through a 3rd party website, direct to a retailer or stockist, indirect to a retailer through wholesalers or distribitors, through buying groups, supplying white label versions, through independents and also major retailers export channels and national chains. Once you establish your chosen routes to market you can develop your marketing plan and communications plan to position your brand(s) correctly to your target market segments. For more information on marketing planning please visit www.stratique.com/marketing%20plan.html

Nov 5 / 3:55am

Excellent new skin care product for diabetes patients

Protect your skin - How specialist skin care can turn from a luxury to a necessity for diabetes patients

The skin and its function

 

Our skin is a living organism and forms an excellent barrier. This barrier reduces water loss through the skin. It also stops anything getting in from outside.

The skin is a complex structure with 3 layers; the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis.

The lowest or basal layer of the epidermis is the active, dividing layer. These cells are continually dividing and multiplying and then rise gradually to the surface. Here they undergo changes from living cells (keratinocytes) to dead cells (corneocytes) which are ultimately lost either naturally or by aggression such as detergents or exfoliation.

This continuous process of division and shedding takes about 28 days, but slows with ageing. The dead cells are surrounded by a lamellar lipid structure which is made up of layers of water and lipids. This structure forms the outer layer of the skin and is called the stratum corneum. The outer layer can be compared to a wall and is often referred to as having a bricks and mortar structure. It consists of corneocytes (bricks) which are bound to the lamellar lipid structure (mortar). This structure is essential for an effective barrier and will prevent excessive water loss (trans-epidermal water loss), as well as the penetration of irritating substances. To prevent a drop in water level and skin dehydration, water is constantly sourced from the deeper layers.

Diabetic patients lose more water through urination and usually do not drink enough which causes a lack of water which means that the skin dehydrates quickly. Dry skin is common all over the body but, in most cases it is worse on the extremities: legs, feet, knees, elbows and hands which results in a less supple and cracked skin.

 

Dry skin

In case of dry skin, the unique lamellar lipid structure is damaged and the function of enzymes is slowed. Therefore the stratum corneum is less structured and this weakens the barrier function of the skin. More water evaporates and irritating substances and micro-organisms can penetrate more easily. This can become a vicious circle; once the barrier is damaged, the protection lessens and irritations, allergies and infections are more common. These will weaken the barrier even more. The prevention of dry skin in diabetes patients is therefore necessary as dry cracked skin easily leads to infections which can cause serious complications.

 

Skin ageing

The dermis consists of proteins, collagen and elastin which form a matrix and retains moisture. The dermis gives the skin its suppleness and elasticity. Damage to dermal proteins causes the skin to age.

 

Collagen and elastin react with sugars to form AGEs (advanced glycation end products) which cause the loss of elasticity and a dull wrinkled skin. Because of a higher blood sugar level and a higher level of AGEs, diabetes patients often have premature skin ageing.

A specialised skincare routine with specific diabetes products can slow down this process.

Daily skincare

A healthy life style and control of blood sugar levels are the fundamental basis of diabetic care. Skin cleansing is necessary to maintain healthy skin. The goal is to remove impurities and micro-organisms without disrupting the skin’s natural balance and removing the skin lipids.

Water alone is not sufficient to cleanse. Soaps can thoroughly cleanse, but have a high pH level. A change in the skin’s pH level combined with cleansing can harm the skin’s barrier.

Cleansing with a gentle soap-less cleanser (pH neutral), such as Naqi’s Body Soap, is recommended for daily use. Gentle cleansing is necessary to prevent the dissolving of lipids and damage to the skin’s barrier. The amount of foam is not a sign of intensive cleansing. In fact, the more foam, the higher the risk of irritation. After cleansing the skin must always be carefully rinsed with lukewarm water – never hot. The skin must always be carefully dried especially between the toes.

Afterwards the skin must be moisturised with a body lotion such as Naqi’s Body Lotion, to keep a soft and firm which is a sign than the skin is well hydrated and the barrier is working well.

A body lotion with a natural base with ingredients such as glycerine and panthenol, is recommended.

Do not apply any moisturising products between the toes as micro-organisms easily multiply in warm and moist environments;

To intensively hydrate the skin and to slow down premature skin ageing, a product with carnosine and antioxidants such as Naqi Body Care is recommended to prevent the formation of AGEs.

How healthy is your skin?

The key factor to prevent diabetes-related skin problems is to keep diabetes under control:

There are 6 warning signs of a diminished resistance to infections

 

Has your skin become visibly thicker?

Has your skin become visibly drier?

Is your skin shedding?

Is your skin showing cracks?

Has your skin become yellower?

Do small wounds heal slower?

 

If the reply to any of these 6 questions is yes, then using specialised diabetes skin care products such as Naqi’s Diabetes range and following a better skin care routine need to be your first priority to avoid further problems and complications.

Nov 5 / 3:48am

Excellent new skin care product for diabetes patients

Protect your skin - How specialist skin care can turn from a luxury to a necessity for diabetes patients

The skin and its function

 

Our skin is a living organism and forms an excellent barrier. This barrier reduces water loss through the skin. It also stops anything getting in from outside.

The skin is a complex structure with 3 layers; the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis.

The lowest or basal layer of the epidermis is the active, dividing layer. These cells are continually dividing and multiplying and then rise gradually to the surface. Here they undergo changes from living cells (keratinocytes) to dead cells (corneocytes) which are ultimately lost either naturally or by aggression such as detergents or exfoliation.

This continuous process of division and shedding takes about 28 days, but slows with ageing. The dead cells are surrounded by a lamellar lipid structure which is made up of layers of water and lipids. This structure forms the outer layer of the skin and is called the stratum corneum. The outer layer can be compared to a wall and is often referred to as having a bricks and mortar structure. It consists of corneocytes (bricks) which are bound to the lamellar lipid structure (mortar). This structure is essential for an effective barrier and will prevent excessive water loss (trans-epidermal water loss), as well as the penetration of irritating substances. To prevent a drop in water level and skin dehydration, water is constantly sourced from the deeper layers.

Diabetic patients lose more water through urination and usually do not drink enough which causes a lack of water which means that the skin dehydrates quickly. Dry skin is common all over the body but, in most cases it is worse on the extremities: legs, feet, knees, elbows and hands which results in a less supple and cracked skin.

 

Dry skin

In case of dry skin, the unique lamellar lipid structure is damaged and the function of enzymes is slowed. Therefore the stratum corneum is less structured and this weakens the barrier function of the skin. More water evaporates and irritating substances and micro-organisms can penetrate more easily. This can become a vicious circle; once the barrier is damaged, the protection lessens and irritations, allergies and infections are more common. These will weaken the barrier even more. The prevention of dry skin in diabetes patients is therefore necessary as dry cracked skin easily leads to infections which can cause serious complications.

 

Skin ageing

The dermis consists of proteins, collagen and elastin which form a matrix and retains moisture. The dermis gives the skin its suppleness and elasticity. Damage to dermal proteins causes the skin to age.

 

Collagen and elastin react with sugars to form AGEs (advanced glycation end products) which cause the loss of elasticity and a dull wrinkled skin. Because of a higher blood sugar level and a higher level of AGEs, diabetes patients often have premature skin ageing.

A specialised skincare routine with specific diabetes products can slow down this process.

Daily skincare

A healthy life style and control of blood sugar levels are the fundamental basis of diabetic care. Skin cleansing is necessary to maintain healthy skin. The goal is to remove impurities and micro-organisms without disrupting the skin’s natural balance and removing the skin lipids.

Water alone is not sufficient to cleanse. Soaps can thoroughly cleanse, but have a high pH level. A change in the skin’s pH level combined with cleansing can harm the skin’s barrier.

Cleansing with a gentle soap-less cleanser (pH neutral), such as Naqi’s Body Soap, is recommended for daily use. Gentle cleansing is necessary to prevent the dissolving of lipids and damage to the skin’s barrier. The amount of foam is not a sign of intensive cleansing. In fact, the more foam, the higher the risk of irritation. After cleansing the skin must always be carefully rinsed with lukewarm water – never hot. The skin must always be carefully dried especially between the toes.

Afterwards the skin must be moisturised with a body lotion such as Naqi’s Body Lotion, to keep a soft and firm which is a sign than the skin is well hydrated and the barrier is working well.

A body lotion with a natural base with ingredients such as glycerine and panthenol, is recommended.

Do not apply any moisturising products between the toes as micro-organisms easily multiply in warm and moist environments;

To intensively hydrate the skin and to slow down premature skin ageing, a product with carnosine and antioxidants such as Naqi Body Care is recommended to prevent the formation of AGEs.

How healthy is your skin?

The key factor to prevent diabetes-related skin problems is to keep diabetes under control:

There are 6 warning signs of a diminished resistance to infections

Has your skin become visibly thicker?

Has your skin become visibly drier?

Is your skin shedding?

Is your skin showing cracks?

Has your skin become yellower?

Do small wounds heal slower?

 

If the reply to any of these 6 questions is yes, then using specialised diabetes skin care products such as Naqi’s Diabetes range and following a better skin care routine need to be your first priority to avoid further problems and complications.

 

Nov 2 / 4:22am

Marketing Top Tip 1

“Decide what/who?? your target market is and start communication with them online”

 If you want to out-market your competitors you need to get very good at profiling your existing customers and then target similar companies with similar requirements.

 Look at your existing customers, their location, their turnover and segment them into market sectors.  Now put yourself in their position.  What keeps them awake at night, what challenges do they face, what do they need from your business to relieve the pain.

 Now you have your target profiled, look at developing your database and communicate with them with interesting, relevant information that will help them. Communicate regularly (frequency depends on your industry and business model) using a professional email delivery package that can track activities and statistics. Develop your social media communications and keep your profiles up to date.  Regularly update your Twitter, Facebook Linked-in and online PR articles, all linking back to your website.

 Test keyword tools tools and website landing pages plus Google Adwords to attract more relevant traffic and commence the communications.

Add email capture devices and offer interesting relevant information your target market requires.  Don't sell sell sell!, at this stage just simply tell, tell tell!

 Internet marketing i only one element of an effective marketing communications strategy. With this methodical approach comes brand awareness, trust building, and a process that will lead to hot lead generation, and a higher propensity for conversion.  The difficulty is to keep it going month by month.

 Many smaller businesses will attempt this themselves which is great. But most businesses have neither the time or the manpower to do this on a regular basis. Stratique marketing, Design and PR offer marketing communication services from as little as £49 / month

 If you are a small business or an SME and requiring assistance with your online PR and marketing communications please call Andy or Mel on 0845 226 3095 today for a free no obligation quotation.  

Nov 2 / 4:16am

The Business Generator Exhibition

Stratique Invites Local Companies to The Business Generator

Amington based Stratique Marketing, Design and PR is inviting all local businesses to attend The Business Generator Exhibition on Tuesday 16 November from   8am – 4pm at the Meadowside Leisure Centre, High Street, Burton upon Trent. 

The Business Generator is free for all local businesses to attend.  With nearly 100 different companies exhibiting it is the perfect place to network and meet with potential suppliers.  Now in its 7th year, the entire event has been revamped and rebranded from Winning Business to the Business Generator and will feature local exhibitors, a new venue, new seminar focus and new networking area.

6 reasons why you should attend the Business Generator:-

1.      Network with 100s of local businesses. Take part in the various networking sessions to meet and build

relationships with other businesses.

2.      12 Free inspirational business boosting seminars. Attend the free seminars given by experienced speakers

to boost your knowledge in sales, marketing, finance and general business.

3.      Exhibition of local companies. Meet the region’s leading businesses at a unique showcase of local business

talent and innovation.

4.      Meet the buyers. Face to face meetings with local buyers in pre-arranged private appointments.

5.      The Innovation Factory. A new concept designed to support businesses looking to develop new products or services.

6.       Expert advice Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, Tamworth Borough Council, as well as the speakers and exhibitors will give you expert advice on the key issues affecting your business.

 

Stratique Marketing, Design and PR will be exhibiting on Stand 72, and will be launching a new range of low-cost marketing, design and PR services which start at £49/week.  Stratique has free tickets to give to any local businesses that wish to attend The Business Generator.  To receive your free tickets, please contact Melanie Kamdar, PR and Events Manager by emailing  melanie@stratique.com or calling 0845 226 3095.