Digital PR Archives

The Power of Photography – Tim Bishop

10 September 2024/0 Comments/in Digital PR, Guest Blogs, Marketing, The Soapbox/by Louise

The Power of Photography in Content Marketing

Let’s be real: we live in a world where people scroll through content faster than you can say “double-tap.” In this visual age, grabbing attention is harder than ever. And that’s where photography comes in. Not just any photography—good photography. The kind that stops your thumb mid-scroll and makes you think, “Wow, that’s cool!” or at least, “Hey, what’s this about?”

1. First Impressions Matter—So Make Them Count You know what they say about first impressions—they’re everything. You’ve got about as much time to make an impression online as you do in real life (hint: it’s less than a second). A killer photo can say, “Hey, we’re professional, we know what we’re doing, and yes, you should keep reading.” Whether it’s a slick headshot or a shot of your latest product, the right image sets the stage for everything else.

2. Building Brand Identity Without the Buzzwords Let’s skip the marketing jargon and get to the point—your brand needs to look like, well, your brand. Photography is like your visual fingerprint. Consistent colors, lighting, and style help people recognize you across all the noise. So, when someone sees one of your photos, they immediately know it’s you. And that’s a good thing because nobody wants to be that brand that everyone forgets about five minutes later.

3. Emotional Connection—AKA, the Feels Ever looked at a photo and thought, “Why am I feeling all these emotions right now?” That’s the magic of photography. It’s like a shortcut to the feels. In content marketing, you want people to connect with your brand on an emotional level—because people remember how you made them feel, not just what you said. Whether it’s a warm, fuzzy portrait or a photo that screams excitement, the right image can make your content hit harder.

4. Making Content Less Boring (Seriously, It’s Important) Let’s face it: a giant wall of text isn’t exactly thrilling. People like pretty pictures; it’s just human nature. Adding photos to your content isn’t just about making it look nice; it’s about making it readable. Photos break up the monotony and keep people engaged long enough to actually absorb what you’re saying. Plus, who doesn’t love a good visual aid? Especially when it makes you look like you really know your stuff.

5. Boosting SEO Without the Tech Headache SEO—three little letters that can give anyone a headache. But here’s the good news: photography can help with that too! Search engines love images (especially when you play nice and add all the right tags and captions). It’s like giving your content a little boost in the rankings. And who wouldn’t want to be at the top of Google’s list? It’s like getting a gold star for your website.

6. Storytelling With a Lens Everybody loves a good story, right? Photography takes storytelling to the next level. A well-placed photo can do the heavy lifting in telling your brand’s story. It’s like a shortcut to the “good part” of a book, except you don’t have to read 20 pages to get there. When you pair great photos with your content, you’re not just telling a story—you’re creating an experience that people will remember.

7. Showing Off (In the Best Way Possible) Let’s be honest—everyone likes to show off a little. Photography is a way to flaunt your expertise without saying, “Look how great I am!” Each photo is a testament to the skill, creativity, and hard work that goes into what you do. So, when you see one of my photos, know that there’s a lot more behind it than just pointing a camera and clicking a button. It’s about capturing the essence of your brand in a way that words alone just can’t.

Conclusion

So, what’s the takeaway? Photography isn’t just the icing on the cake; it’s a big slice of it. It’s what makes your content pop, grabs attention, and keeps people coming back for more. In a world where everyone’s vying for those precious few seconds of attention, great photography can make all the difference. So go ahead—invest in some killer visuals and watch your content go from “meh” to “WOW!”.

Tim Bishop – Headshot, Commercial & Advertising Photographer

https://www.timbishopstudio.com/

TMPR’s 13th year: new vision and growth plans

13 June 2024/0 Comments/in Digital PR, Marketing, PR, The Soapbox, TMPR News/by Louise

To celebrate 13 years of business this month, a Penarth-based marketing and PR agency has relaunched with a fresh brand, a renewed vision, and ambitions to achieve further growth by making B2B marketing miracles happen for South Wales businesses.

Having built a strong foundation by specialising in the construction, engineering, manufacturing and technology sectors, Technical Marketing and PR is now broadening its B2B horizons under the ‘TMPR’ brand. This new strategy comes after the agency undertook research last year to identify its strengths, areas for improvement, and growth opportunities.

“We’ve long thought our specialist industry expertise was the reason why we’ve been successful with attracting new clients and retaining them for the long term,” explains Louise Morgan, TMPR founder and director.

“After finally asking the question, not just of clients, but everyone we engage with, it became clear it’s our approach that sets us apart. And that was the catalyst for our shift in vision.”

As well as extending the scope of sectors the agency will support, TMPR has also sharpened its service provision. “There’s a much stronger emphasis on channel communications now, as our experience with distribution models and partner marketing translates to many industries,” continues Louise.

“We’ve already been engaged by companies in the automative, warranty and healthcare sectors, and can’t wait to make B2B marketing miracles happen for more local businesses.”

TMPR is not only growing in terms of service and sectors. The award-winning agency has welcomed two new team members so far this year and is looking to add a further two account handlers before the end of 2024.

To learn more about the B2B marketing and PR services TMPR provides or to enquire about the roles available, please contact us.

TMPR wins at Vale Business Awards!

28 September 2023/in Digital PR, Events, Fun Stuff, Marketing, PR, The Soapbox/by Louise

Written by: Daisy Babbage

At the annual Vale Business Awards, Technical Marketing and PR were recognised as ‘Financial and Professional Services Business of The Year’.

Held at the Vale Resort on Friday 22nd September and hosted by the television and news presenter, Sian Lloyd, the Vale Business Awards recognises and celebrates entrepreneurial and innovative ventures of businesses within the Vale of Glamorgan constituency which are making a difference.

As the latest intern for TMPR, it was an honour to be invited to the event. This was the first official award ceremony I have attended, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. After some drinks, we were greeted with a delicious meal before the awards ceremony commenced.

The highlight of the night was most definitely TMPR winning big, celebrating the company’s growth and strong financial performance through our innovation and excellent customer service.

Although an intern, when you join TMPR, you are joining the team. Everyone at TMPR has been supportive with my learning of the marketing and PR world and have given me amazing experiences within the sector. Therefore, I was honoured to be invited onstage with the rest of the team for the award and photos.

“Winning the ‘Financial and Professional Services Business of The Year’ award celebrates the hard work the team has put in this year to maintain outstanding standards and relationships with our partners,” says Louise Morgan, Director, Technical Marketing and PR.

“This award is particularly special to the company as it is outside of our industry. We have had great success in the CIPR awards, but to win when competing against the whole financial and professional services sector is very rewarding.”

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners from the ceremony and thank you to the Vale Business Awards for hosting such a fantastic night. Finally, congratulations to the TMPR team for their well-earned award!

PRide Gold Award Winners Nominated Again

2 August 2021/in Digital PR, TMPR News/by Oliver

The team at Technical Marketing & PR is thrilled to be once again shortlisted at the upcoming CIPR Cymru Wales PRide Awards in the “Small PR Consultancy of the Year” category. These awards celebrate and reward the hard work of the leading PR businesses and individuals nationwide. Nominations such as these always bring a lot of excitement for our team and this year is no exception.

This is the third consecutive shortlisting for the boutique agency, who has held the Gold PRide award for “Outstanding Small Public Relations Consultancy” since 2019. This shortlisting is evidence of the fantastic hard work that has been consistently delivered by our team for the past few years.

Louise Morgan, Director of Technical Marketing & PR, commented on the good news, saying: “To once again be shortlisted for ‘Small PR Consultancy of the Year’ is a great compliment to the continued efforts of everyone in, and surrounding our team, over the past 24 months. Following a challenging period for the industry and our clients, this shortlisting is a testament to the excellent work the team has done to keep us running smoothly.”

Technical Marketing & PR not only remained fully operational over the past 18 months, but also achieved a record year of growth. What’s more, as the team marked 10 years in business back in June, this latest shortlisting is making 2021 a year to remember for all the right reasons!

The awards ceremony will take place on 5^th October 2021 and will be an online-only event.

Interested in learning more about Technical Marketing & PR’s journey over the last 10 years? Check out part one of our anniversary blogs now.

Managing change in manufacturing

3 October 2019/in Digital PR, Events, Marketing, PR, The Soapbox/by Tom Martin

The Technical Marketing & PR team recently attended an expert panel discussion covering change management in manufacturing, hosted by Darwin Gray. Joined by an audience steeped in experience within the manufacturing sector, the panel evoked constructive discourse around how businesses can capitalise on new opportunities in a rapidly changing industry.

Change is inherent in manufacturing – whether it’s the effect of new legislation on supply chain management, or a generational shift in working patterns. It is, as the old saying goes, inevitable. As the discussion progressed, it became apparent that change is not something to be feared so much as seen as an opportunity to excel.

So, how can manufacturing businesses start managing change?

Plan for change

Too often, specialist consultants and industry experts are brought in to oversee change management projects during times of crisis. The first thing that the panel was keen to raise was that things don’t need to be heading south for change management to kick in – in fact, it’s much better to take a proactive approach.

There’s always a lot going on in manufacturing, and keeping your ear to the ground can go a long way to making sure you are ready for any changes that will affect your sector. Failing to plan is planning to fail – there’s a lot of clichés we could lean on here, but it’s safe to say that those who plan are most likely to prosper.

Encourage a ‘change mindset’

Change management does not have to mean an overhaul of business procedures. By creating a culture that supports growth and change, manufacturing businesses will be able to change gradually and ensure that they are working effectively and prepared for the future.

It’s important to be open to change. This might sound simple, but it’s crucial to recognise that change is happening every day – it’s normal, and we must accept it in order to make the most of new opportunities. By embracing a change mindset, manufacturing businesses can be flexible and take any developments in-stride.

Communicate and collaborate

One of the messages that the panel was keen to impress was that there is a wealth of support available to manufacturing businesses. By surrounding yourself with experts in your field, you can ensure that you have access to all the knowledge you might need to progress.

It’s worth being prudent with anyone who you introduce to your business, but the panel agreed that being trusting and finding the right partners can be invaluable. Whether it is involvement in government schemes or engaging more closely with local professionals, there is a huge ecosystem around the manufacturing industry which can be tapped into.

While there is a question around recognising the need for change, it seems more sensible that manufacturing businesses take a proactive approach to change management. With a strong team and a willing attitude to change, you can prepare your brand for the future and ensure that you’re evolving day by day.

For advice on how marketing and PR support can help you manage and effectively communicate changes in your business, contact the Technical Marketing & PR team.

Post GDPR: Marketing in a regulated world

12 June 2019/in Digital PR, Marketing, The Soapbox/by Tom Martin

Post-GDPR: Marketing in a regulated world

Just over a year ago, businesses all over the country were staring down the barrel of the incoming GDPR regulations, wondering how the marketing landscape would change. GDPR seemed set to shake the business world, and it was a clarion call for marketers to review their strategies.

Ultimately, whilst GDPR did change the way we look at data, it didn’t completely change the world. Keen-eyed marketing professionals have recognised opportunities in the post-GDPR landscape, so here are a few insights on how you can reap the rewards for your brand.

Consider changing your marketing focus

Email marketing had been growing in popularity in the years leading up to GDPR, and it certainly still has a place. Although contacts lists will be looking a little shorter in the wake of new legislation, email marketing has not been killed off completely.

That said, it may be worth integrating – or perhaps reintegrating – traditional direct marketing activities into your strategy. Direct marketing falls outside of GDPR regulations, meaning you can send marketing material to potential customers.

Direct marketing often requires a little more leg-work than email marketing, but it can pay dividends. To make the most of your efforts, put a framework in place for following up with those you reached out to. Telemarketing can be effective, in this instance – even if a recipient is interested, they might not take the time to pick up the phone. In this way, you can build rapport with a potential customer over the phone whilst having a head start over a completely ‘cold’ call.

Reinvigorating your marketing strategy

Be it direct, by email or otherwise, any individual marketing activity is just a piece in a larger puzzle. In this post-GDPR world, it’s worth taking some time to review all aspects of your marketing strategy and see how other areas can make up for any shortfalls.

You might want to consider:

Events: are you putting your brand out there at industry events? Not only can this increase brand awareness and perform a lead generation function, but face-to-face networking is often the most effective way of building a relationship with a potential client. If people can talk to you and learn about your brand that way, they are more likely to remember and pick up the phone.
Social media: your social media platforms are an invaluable tool for sharing brand news, products, and engaging with industry news. Managing your social media profiles shows both existing and potential customers that the brand is switched-on, interested, and present within the industry.
Public Relations: building positive relationships with journalists in your field can ensure that your business news hits the headlines in a timely and effective fashion. Once you have established a good relationship with the press, you will have a platform for sharing success stories and more, thus raising brand awareness.

Perhaps the most important exercise in the wake of GDPR is to re-consider who your target audience really is, re-focus your strategy to approach them, and re-imagine how you are putting your brand out there in a wider sense.

If you’re looking for guidance on marketing or PR activity for your business, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Technical Marketing & PR team to see how we can help.

*Data & Marketing Association

Bright horizons for Education Tech in 2020

29 April 2019/in Digital PR, Fun Stuff, The Soapbox/by Tom Martin

Education technology, or EdTech, is becoming increasingly embedded in every level of our education system. The growing EdTech revolution can be seen in classrooms and lecture theatres around the world, but the British government is proving to be among the most proactive in supporting its development and implementation.

The Department for Education recently published its strategy report for education providers and the EdTech industry, paving the way for unprecedented progress through 2019 and 2020. Given that we work with some of the world’s leading EdTech brands, we’ve spent the time digesting the (rather lengthy) report, so that we can bring you the three major takeaways…

Developing the infrastructure to support EdTech implementation and use

We live in an increasingly connected world. That said, some schools and colleges suffer from poor internet connectivity which hampers their ability to use EdTech seamlessly in the classroom. Despite a top-level government initiative to achieve nationwide full-fibre connectivity by 2033, the Department for Education have pledged funding to help hundreds of the most affected schools to reach this within the next two years.

The Department for Education has also identified cloud-based systems as a key resource for increased security, cheaper running costs, ease of work-sharing and remote access.

Providing educators with the skills and confidence to use EdTech resources

Some of the largest barriers to the adoption of digital technologies are teacher confidence, willingness and adequate training. The Department for Education is setting up a network of ‘demonstrator’ institutions to show good practice and online training courses to build skills and confidence in educators.

Promoting innovation and investment into the EdTech industry

The Department for Education has published a set of ten challenge objectives which it hopes the industry will solve by 2021, for example: ‘“Improve parental engagement and communication, whilst cutting related teacher workload by up to five hours per term.”

There will be innovation competitions related to these challenges to promote product development where solutions are lacking. These involve potential investment and access for EdTech producers to pilot programs and tester institutions for their products.

A positive landscape for Education Technology

The enthusiasm of the Department for Education towards EdTech combined with the innovation on display from producers and education institutions alike point to a brilliant few years of growth for Education Technology. Effective support is being put in place for educators, providers, SME’s and customers in such a way that educational outcomes and business are set to benefit.

The education technology space promises to be hugely exciting through 2020, and institutions looking to innovate their classrooms will have no shortage of options at their disposal. If you’ve got a spare half hour, you can read the full report here, and if you’d like to pick our brains on how best to approach PR and marketing in the EdTech space, drop us a line.

Advice: Finding the Right Partner

22 January 2019/in Digital PR, Marketing, PR, The Soapbox/by Louise

There are many reasons businesses may be looking to work with a marketing & PR agency, whether it be for projects, additional resource or to fulfil a year-round function. We know the process can be long and time-consuming, and it isn’t a necessarily a bad thing, as it’s crucial that you find an agency that works well for your business, so you can reap the benefits. We spoke to some of our clients about how they went about working with us and the best advice they would give to businesses currently in the process.

Your objectives

First and foremost, you need to think about exactly what you want from an agency and what role you would like them to play. Only when you know what you’re looking for can you begin to invite agencies to submit proposals. This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to add elements on, it just means you need to be able to communicate your core intentions. You should also agree a budget spend in principle for the agency to work with.

The significance of specialisms

For our clients, specialisms are one of the most important points they raised. If only it was as simple as any agency being the perfect fit for any business. There are an array of business types out there, and there are also many different types of agency. If your business is in the manufacturing sector, find an agency with manufacturing experience. If your business in the technology sector, find an agency with technology experience. If your business is retail, then find an agency with retail experience. For something that is quite logical you’d be surprised how many businesses sometimes overlook the link. If an agency has proven experience in your sector, the chances are they already understand the principles of how your business works and have existing relationships with the trade media in your sector.

Team work really does make the dream work

Your agency should be an extension of your own team and work in sync. Ask to meet the team, visit each other’s offices if time allows. It’s important to get a feel for what the relationship might be like, it’s a bit of a dating game, you need to find that spark and be excited about working with one another.

The nitty gritty stuff

Request a portfolio and have conversations about the types of work the agency has been involved in for other clients. Find an agency that is focused on producing quality output and campaigns. Client testimonials are also useful to help you evaluate the work of an agency.

If you’re on the lookout for an agency for the first time, or thinking of reviewing your current partnership, we hope these tips from professionals who have been there, done that, and got the right t-shirt will help you out.

Writing a Winner: Crafting Winning Entries

19 September 2018/in Digital PR, Marketing, PR, The Soapbox/by Louise

No matter what business you have or how big it is, you can enter a business award. There are a large variety of awards, stemming from local to national, industry based, or product based, and it provides an incredible opportunity to get yourselves recognised in your industry. It is a great PR opportunity for your company, which can provide free marketing, increased credibility and help to attract new customers. Having drafted many award-winning entries for our clients we wanted to share our ‘must-do’, tried and tested formula with you.

Read Entry Criteria

It may sound simple but ensure you read the entry criteria. It is important to make sure that what you are offering is relevant to what the category is requesting.

Time is NOT of the Essence

Give yourself plenty of time on the award entry, this is a fantastic opportunity for your business to be recognised and your team to be rewarded for its hard work. Entries can take much longer than you think, so start early!

Best Feature Forward

Put forward your best and most relevant feature for the category your entering. It is vital to ensure that you believe what you are proposing is going to win this category, so make sure it’s the right product or service.

Stick to the Facts

It is important to include supporting evidence to validate why you feel that you should win this award, and more so to prove to the judges that you deserve it. Statistics or customer testimonials and case studies can provide confirmation of the work you have done and help persuade the judges.

Proof Read

Ensure you read and re-read your entry, make sure you are happy with it and feel proud of the product or service you are offering. Stick to the word count, say everything you need to say without being too complex and use supporting evidence!

Hopefully, with these tips you’ll craft your award-winning entry and your business will get the help it needs to achieve the recognition you deserve. Good luck!

Sharing a Passion for Our City

19 July 2018/in Digital PR, Events, Fun Stuff, Marketing/by Louise

We love Cardiff, and when we found out that a local charitable organisation needed help to create a video promoting the city to its members worldwide we were more than happy to help out.

Cardiff Round Table is a group set up to encourage fun and friendship, in addition to raising money for charity. One of their biggest events you’ve probably heard of or even possibly been to, is Sparks in the Park Cardiff. The annual firework display is extremely popular, and members of Cardiff Round Table put in a tremendous amount of effort to organise the event and raise a lot of money.

Round Table groups exist all over the world and every year meet up in a different city to celebrate the achievements of Round Table. In 2019, the International Union of Clubs (IUC) event will be hosted by Cardiff, so Cardiff Round Table needed a video that would give ‘Tablers’ from far and wide a brief insight into what our beautiful city has to offer.

We came up with this video which was presented at IUC in Roubaix, France, in June. It was a privilege to be able to help the guys!

If anyone is interested in knowing more about Cardiff Round Table, the social and networking aspect, or the fantastic charity work they do, get in touch here.

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