How GDC started?

Great Deals Colchester started up in Feb 2012, I had the idea last year. I run a small independent business here in Colchester and have been doing really well for the last 10 years. As times have got tough more and more customers chatted over the counter about the usual mix of advertising not working as effectively as it had ie paper press, leaflets, coupons I got thinking about social media, how I use it and what it can do if used correctly and with local support. My business had always used these usual types of media to advertise but a few years ago I discovered just how useful our website, Facebook and text alert campaigns can be for a business and now I would include Twitter, Pinterest etc. I loved the fact that I could chat with customers and get feedback, post jokes, offer deals and generally use this as a very good marketing tool for my business, and all FREE. AND it paid off, and still is. Facebook, email, text alerts, Twitter are NOT replacing my traditional use of marketing media but rather complimenting them. Flyers, press ads, traditional media promotions can and do work but in today's market you need to think 'social media', if you are not your competitors will be?

I can go on about what happened next but would be giving away vital info on how the business has developed and then I would have to kill you..that's a joke!! However, in 4 months we have achieved so much and really have so much more planned. New website that will wipe the floor of the other competitors, we are thinking stylish, easy to navigate, user focused, business friendly and high ranking on all search engines. Heavy promotion throughout the summer, charity support and sponsorship, fundraising challenges and of course getting social media marketing working for the members of Great Deals Colchester. Not an easy list of things to do but ones which I know will pay off for all concerned. I'm excited by what Great Deals Colchester is doing and if you are a business in Essex, you should be too!! As they say, "you snooze, you lose".