Doing Business Through Social Networking  

http://twitter.com/Freshdps/

With the popularity of websites like Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Bibo , LinkedIn  and so on, the usage of social networking websites has sky rocketed in years. It is well known that social networking is the place where people can make new friends, share interests and ideas and do much more. The above said activities are common about the social networking websites while these websites are used for business promotion also. With directorys such as Twellow it is now easy to find and follow local businesses in your area and get to the key decision makers quickly cutting out the hierachy.

Business promotion was the basic idea based on which the social networking websites were launched. Anyone can utilize these social networking websites to their advantage if they own a business. However, traditionally, these social networking websites are development of friendships and online relationships.

The varied use of the social networking websites like Myspace for business promotion makes users stay longer in the websites, establishing groups and communities. These social networking websites provides opportunities for the users to make partnerships in business with the new friends.           

Increasing the presence in the Internet is the key to success for any business. Anyone in business should build a big presence if they want to be found in the market. As social networking websites have much higher traffic than any other websites, all have a better chance of getting noticed if you get out there in those networking websites. It is impossible to find a better place other than these social networking websites to market your business among thousands of people.


Anyone who is into Internet marketing will be aware of the word ‘Backlink’. Yes, the technique of backlinks that is used to drive traffic to your website. These social networking websites are capable of providing effective backlinks to your websites. All you have to do is to create a profile that well describes your website and also include links to your website. Remember that the social networking websites are those which have huge number of visitors and the method of backlinks, if used properly can make traffic flow to your website.

If you ask any businessman, what is the key to a successful business? Most of them will have the answer that, “getting the customers trust us and believe in our products is the key to a successful business”. These social networking websites provide vital opportunities to create trust and loyalty among people. As these social networks involve long term relationships, it will enhance ones trust towards the other.     

Any businessman cannot find a better place other than these social networks to promote his business. So if you are a businessman, get out there in any of the social networking websites and make the sale and start talking.


With marketing techniques evolving gone are the days when a simple leaflet drop would suffice, this will only have a small percentage of success but what it will do is build your image into a brand and make people aware of your existence so dont be disheartened by the success of a leaflet drop as this should be part of a long term campaign to build your name and brand.


Old school techniques are still as relevant today as yesterday and should not be discounted, referals are still the best way and always will be so the best way of getting these is by socialising, so embrace the new techniques, dont forget the old as their is an opportunity for us all to win business this way and stay in close contact with our clients as well.


Over the last few months we have seen more enquiries than ever asking us about e-shot campaigns, building brands and marketing strategys so businesses are starting to realise  a long sustained campaign  is the best way to keep their company growing profitably.


If you want to find out how Fresh can help you market your business effectively then call us on Aylesbury Office: 01296 489998 or Hemel Hempstead Office: 01442 345088
or email: hello@freshdps.co.uk   http://www.freshdps.co.uk/

Our New Website

Well its taken a while but it has been a busy  first year, but we know we shouldnt neglect our website, its not quite finished yet as there are some little gems still to be added but we thought it was good enough to upload for you all to enjoy. Keep clicking back on it as there will be more happening on it soon. Any comments on it are all welcome, if there are any gliches or anything just use the contact us page and email us.


www.freshdps.co.uk


Thank you for looking. f

Stop the Press

FRESH WINS ITS
BIGGEST PITCH YET!!!                   

Fresh pitched against 2 other design and print companys for the contract of designing and printing 230,000 copies of a 24 page booklet for distribution to most of the county of Bucks in February.


It came down to a design pitch challenge where the respected qualifiers had to come up with their own interpretation of the NHS book and one of their brand models that would represent itself inside it.


For Fresh it was a chance to show their creativity and their own unique style, and it clearly impressed. 


We will keep you posted on the finished outcome and show you what the Nhs liked as well, so if you want to be part of the Fresh story then email us on hello@freshdps.co.uk or call us on 01296 489998 or 01442 345088 and you will experience 'Design & Print The Way It Should Be'

SNOW JOKE

With the worst of the snow over, I think we are all glad to get back to normality. For companies trying to win business in a recession the snow was another headache to get over. Every customer we talked to was affected and felt that it was a hindrance we could have all done without.

With the green shoots of the economy starting to peer through lets all hope that the coming year is a prosperous one for us all.  So good luck everybody and Happy New Year.

As for Fresh this coming year, you can expect to see our latest offers on our blog, as well as tax tips on helping your business from Graeme Catten our resident accountant and the first of our quarterly newsletters that will be online and in your mail as well.

We have exciting news coming from our Hemel branch already and some fantastic pitches that we have been winning lately that you will enjoy reading. We will also be interviewing some leading prominent business people that work in Aylesbury who will be giving the benefit of their knowledge to us all.


You will also see the launch of our new website next week, heres a sneak preview.

We welcome all feedback from our clients or if you have a view to express about your business in around in the Aylesbury and Hemel Hempstead areas then email us at hello@freshdps.co.uk

The photo of the Clocktower was taken by local historian Karl Vaughan, author of Aylesbury Remembered, where you can see some fanstastic pictures of past and present. Click on the link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13002872097 or better still, buy the book as a gift for someone, it is available from www.amazon.co.uk

OUR BIG NEWS!!!!

We would like to officially tell everyone that we have expanded and opened up a satellite office in Hemel Hempstead to compliment our existing services in the Aylesbury area. It will be based in Breakspear Park just off the M1 junction as you come into the town centre. We will be offering the same quality of service for getting your business noticed as our Aylesbury branch.


We would like to welcome you all to our new venture and will keep you updated of news and offers as well as all the latest case studies of local companys.


Just in case you need the details they are:


Suite F, Breakspear Park, Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4TZ


Tel: 01442 345088 email: hello@freshdps.co.uk

So this is Christmas..........

As the song goes.... so what have we done?


Well hasn't the year gone quick and I would just like to thank all our clients for all their wonderful support throughout the year, your kind words and encouragement have been a source of comfort in what has been a difficult climate.


2009 was a milestone for us here at Fresh, as it was our first year and a steep learning curve for the 3 of us as Directors, we saw the business sustain and grow and meet our expected target for our first year, we have managed to get a new brand to the marketplace and show that it is here to stay, we have had to be flexible in what we offer our solutions and we pride ourselves on our service, problem solving and cost effectiveness which is why the strapline of ours 'design and print they way it should be ' will always be relevant for Fresh today and tommorrow.


We have added new services to our existing portfolio from design and print and can now offer e-marketing as well as websites and marketing campaigns. We have done complete rebrands and have blue chip clients in all the major sectors.


Our range of services can now cater for most marketing problems, whether it would be for something to giveaway to prospective customers, to being able to design, plan, print, finish, deliver a years campaign.




2010 looks to be an exciting year for Fresh with some big news in January to kick it off and some exciting pitches coming up to win business, so keep reading our blog and supporting us, we listen to all of your comments and take on board all feedback on how we can improve and tell us if there is something we should be offering as a service to you, we value your feedback.


Merry Christmas and a  Happy New Year


Fresh

A Month  of Calendars                       

December is usually our quietest month of the year since everybody is thinking of Christmas Markets rather than Christmas Marketing, but this year the trend has bucked, back in October we started marketing Calendars more than Christmas Cards and the results were staggering. When we were all predicting a tough month due to the recession and the seasonal month in itself, we had a surprising month due to the amount of companys seeking to get their brand onto their clients desks or walls all year round.

Andy Gerlack commented ' In some respects I am not surprised because if I was on the other side of the fence then I would choose a calendar over a christmas card every day, this month alone we have seen new customers like Maxwell Swim Club, Mix 96, CH Morgan, Booker Tate and S-Com and OSG to name but a few come forward and seek help in getting themselves noticed for the coming year, we prefer to sell this service more than the christmas cards as that is a dying market whereas this is a very profitable fast growing sector'


The solutions that Fresh provided were all bespoke from wall calendars, desktop and totems, so for next year dont forget about that little thing that sits on your desk all year round just there in the background and think that could be YOUR company brand sitting in front of your customer. 

A NEW FRESH ARRIVAL

We would just like to say a big congratulations to Kevin and Marrianna on the safe arrival of their first child Keianna who was born on Monday 16th November at  home at 14.44 and weighing 7 pound 9, mother and baby are both doing well. Photos will be shown soon (if we can prise them away from the proud father!) Congratulations to you both from all of us here at Fresh.

NHS 'CHOOSE WELL' FOR THEIR CAMPAIGN

When the communications team for Buckinghamshire PCT NHS had to deliver a campaign to the public, it was aptly named 'Choose Well'. So who better to lead the campaign than us here at Fresh.

The campaign had to deliver the right message and achieve awareness, with only days before a launch event Fresh had to design and print, produce and deliver 40,000 brochures, 4 pop up roller banners, 250 bespoke leaflet dispensers, 5000 business cards and posters in a 5 day window which for any normal design and print company would have been unachievable.

What came about from Fresh was again making a brand like the NHS look professional, creative, and on the button in terms of here and now.


When asked why they chose Fresh, they said simply 'Fresh offer us a service that no one else can compete with, we have strived for a long time to find a local company that can offer us all of these products, and with such an exceptional service to match, they are our first choice as the design speaks for itself and they have made promoting this campaign much easier.'

Fresh delivered the campaign a day early, and Andy Gerlack from Fresh commented 'When the comms team chose us to do this campaign I thought this is a challenge but with the design capabilities that we have and the resources the team impressed me as well.This is what we are good at, making a whole campaign look easy.'

So with the NHS having to 'Choose Well' who could deliver a campaign for them, next time you need the whole design, print, manage, deliver package no can match Fresh.


Design & Print They Way It Should Be.




If you want to be part of the Fresh success story then call us on 01296 489998 or email us at hello@freshdps.co.uk

Have a Fresh 'Festive Fun' Season

For the second year running, Fresh DPS have designed and printed the Festive Fun brochure for Aylesbury's Town Centre.

We have designed and printed 40,000 leaflets for this year's festivities to show off what Aylesbury can offer the community this coming season.

Gill Perrottet, Marketing Co-ordinator for Friars Square Shopping Centre Aylesbury said, " We use Fresh DPS as often as we can, whether it's for a quick turnaround on stationery or something more involved like the events book which require a full design and print service. It's important to support the local economy and this is a great local company offering a superb product and excellent customer service. I would definitely recommend them."

So for any design or print requirements please send your enquiries through to sales@freshdps.co.uk or give us a call today on 01296 489998. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Fresh Sponsors

Shortcuts Film Festival

As part of Fresh's philosophy of helping creativity, Fresh sponsored the 2nd Annual Shortcuts Film Festival.

It was an event where budding filmakers  showcased their talent and showed a captive audience what Buckinghamshire has to offer.

There were four showcase events and screenings all over the County, and Fresh were proud to be associated with the festival.

Cliff Productions who host and stage the festival were excited by the material that they would be screening with festival Director Darren Cliff commenting, " This has been very hard to choose a winner from the exceptional standard of entries we have had".

The day at Aylesbury College was marked with a trade show in the afternoon before the  screenings in which it gave the chance to see the creative flair from local businesses.

Fresh embarked on a branded popcorn holder with popcorn for everybody who attended the screenings and had rave comments about how stylish and different the holder was. Darren Cliff, the festivals Director said, " Fresh have worked to tight deadlines and delivered, and the popcorn holders were great."

Kevin Brook, Director of Fresh replied, " I would just like to say thank you to Cliff Productions for inviting us to help support the festival, when Andy, Ian and myself started Fresh we wanted to be different, this festival gave us the opportunity to do just that".

So if you want to find out more about Shortcuts Film Festival then visit: www.cliffproductions.co.uk/shortcuts

Or if you want to find out how we can transform your business then email us on: hello@freshdps.co.uk

Open Day At Fresh 


As part of our 1st birthday celebrations at Fresh, we held an Open Day for clients to thank them for their business so far. It was a chance to meet our team and see the full range of services Fresh has to offer.


The day was well attended and all enjoyed the informal atmosphere of the celebrations. Director Ian Swanell commented,"It's been a great day for us and for our clients as few of them had seen our facilities or met the whole team before this occasion."

 With champagne and a guided tour on arrival, the day helped reinforce our friendship with clients.The winner of the free prize draw for a bottle of bubbly will be announced shortly. 

After a very successful first year Director Kevin Brook said, " We're very pleased with the way the business has progressed, especially in light of the economic climate. Now we have the first year under our belt we aim to improve and expand on the services that we offer to maintain our position as the area's leading provider of new solutions for helping companies win and promote their business."

Many who attended were pleasantly surprised at how large the operation at Fresh is. One customer commented, " I am absolutley delighted to come today as I have always spoken to Fresh on the phone but now I have seen for myself how big they are and how much they can do.Their success doesn't surprise me."



Another added, "I've already experienced the excellent customer service at Fresh but, wow, there are so many aspects of their business that I was not aware of like the promotional giveaways and the huge exhibition stands. It's been enlightening to come and see for myself what they can do."


Director, Andy Gerlack reviewed the day by saying " What a great end to our first year.The feedback's been amazing and I have heard nothing but fantastic comments all day long. One client, however, summed it all up for me when they remarked, 'You make my company look good and you are so different.' That made me feel very proud as it is exactly what we strive to achieve. We always said we wanted to offer a service that sets us apart from our competition which is why our strapline is 'Design and Print The Way It Should Be.'


So, if you want to experience our success, call Fresh with your design and print requirements on 01296 489998 or email hello@freshdps.co.uk

Happy Birthday to us


We are  1!!!

Happy Birthday to us.... Happy Birthday to us..

Well hasn't a year gone past quickly and what a year it has been.

May we take this opportunity to thank all our team at Fresh as they are the ones that make sure everything runs smoothly and have worked extremely hard in a difficult climate and deserve a big round of applause ( clap, clap )

We would also like to thank all of our clients whom there are many of and too long to list individually for all their support, advice and encouragement. We look forward to seeing you again in our 2nd year.

We would also like to thank our suppliers, as I know that being a supplier ourselves you hardly ever get a thank you. So here is a special big thank you to you all, you know who you are.


For part of our birthday celebrations we are having an Open Day on Friday 16th October from 3pm - 6-pm, it will be a chance for you to meet the rest of the team, see what we do and how, there will be refreshments and food provided and we would like to see as many of you there to help us celebrate.


As for our 2nd year you can expect us expanding on our services to you and some big news in the New Year.

So Thank You All.

Waddesdon Manor commission Fresh to produce book

Most people wouldn't think of Fresh as book printers but Waddesdon Manor know that this is not the case.

In April, Director Andy Gerlack was approached by the Head Designer of Waddesdon Manor, Jane Cliffe, to produce a bespoke leather bound book with a presentation case for a dinner party hosted by Lord Rothchild to celebrate the Duc Du Choiseul Exhibition, which was held during the summer months.

After months of hard work, Fresh completed the project successfully and produced 200 paperback versions, which are now on sale in The Manor shop.

The hardback book was a masterpiece of craftsmanship using traditional leathers and bespoke gold foiling and marbling papers which enhanced the richness and quality of the printed pages inside.

Head Designer Jane Cliffe commented, " I was absolutely delighted by the quality and result of the workmanship and the attention to detail that went into this prestigious book. I am responsible for the design and standard of the finished article and I can honestly say that Fresh met my expectations completely and I want to thank all the team who endeavoured to make this such an easy project and into a work of art that is now also selling in the shop."

Director Andy Gerlack commented "When I was approached to do this project, I was immediately excited  as I knew this would challenge us and stretch the experience of our team. I can safely say now that I am pleased with how it turned out as we all need to do things now and again to show what character we have and I now know that Fresh is and will be the most diverse design and printing company in this area. We have the most gifted and experienced team I have worked with and I am very proud of what we have achieved here. We are not renowned for this sort of project but if there is anybody who would like their book to be published but can't afford publisher's prices then WE are the alternative, just look at the results here."

So if you have written a book and would like to see it in print or you need just a small run then call Fresh on 01296 489998 or email hello@freshdps.co.uk

FRESH COMPLETES BRANDING FOR

THE AYLESBURY VALE ACADEMY

After the successful design pitch to come up with a new logo and branding for Buckinghamshires first Academy, Fresh completed all the signage, stationery and project managed the installation of all the rebranding ready for the opening ceremony on September 7th.

The event marked a significant step in Fresh Design and Print Solutions progress to be Aylesbury's leading provider of design and print solutions and firmly established themselves as the new creative design talent locally.

Principal Jonathan Johnson singled out special praise for Freshs' support in his speech and paid a special thanks to Director Andy Gerlacks committment and management to the rebranding project.

Andy Gerlack commented " This a fantastic day for Fresh Design and Print Solutions as we knew we had the creative talent, the facilities and the team to make this a success. We have always said we are here to make design and print an enjoyable experience for our clients and I can assure you that this is not a one off but a culmination of hard work and determination from all of the team to be the best. What we have shown is that a local Aylesbury company can compete with bigger design agencies and printers and be successful as talent and hard work will always win through."

So if you are looking for a creative, friendly, affordable, design and print provider then call one of the Fresh team.

Fresh success at Friars Square Shopping Centre

Fresh recently held a brand awareness day at Friars Square Shopping Centre, in which it gave their clients a chance to meet the team and find out what Fresh was about.

The day was marked with the town centre filled with Fresh balloons and director Kevin Brook commented ' today was all about getting out and showing everybody the Fresh brand, we are very proud of it and want to show our clients how we can help them get the most from their business. We have had a contstant stream all day of people wanting to know more about us, so for us a day like this makes it all a worthwhile exercise and I have no doubt we will be doing it again.

So if you want to know more about us and how we are different from all the other design and print  companies then give us a call on 01296 489998 or visit us at:

www.freshdps.co.uk

welcome to the fresh blog

hello this is us.

with a little trepidation

and a big dollop of honesty

we begin our blog.............

We want to welcome everybody to us, this will be a place for you to find out what we have been up to, to see our current offers and to have some Friday afternoon fun.

It is also a place where you can give us feedback, whether it be good or bad, and if you want to shout out about your own business and tell us of your achievements and success.

so come on we want to hear from you.