If you joined my VIP subscription at Verve Designs, I’d use the first three months to give your marketing a clear direction, build the foundations your business needs and start putting them to work.
The priorities would depend on where you’re starting. If you don’t have a logo or website yet, that’s where I’d begin.
Month one: Make a plan and start with your logo
First, we’d talk about your business, who you want to reach and what you’d like to achieve. I’d then create your personalised marketing plan, normally worth £50 and included at the start of your VIP service.
If you don’t have a logo, I’d make that our first design priority. It gives your business a recognisable identity and sets the direction for the colours, fonts and style we use across your marketing.
We’d use your first three hours of professional design or managed marketing support to work towards that foundation, agreeing on what fits within the available time.
If you already have a logo, we’d look at whether it’s working well and move on to your next priority.
The aim for month one: a clear marketing plan and progress towards a consistent business identity.
Month two: Move on to your website
Once your logo and visual direction are in place, I’d move on to your website.
We’d look at what customers need to know: what you offer, who you help and how to contact you. Then we’d plan a website that makes those things easy to find and gives visitors a clear next step.
Your monthly support time could go towards planning the pages, preparing design elements or progressing the website itself. We’d agree on the scope upfront, including any additional work or costs.
If you already have a website, I’d review it with you and prioritise useful improvements, such as clearer service information, updated visuals or an easier way to enquire.
Throughout this process, you’d have ongoing marketing advice and guidance on hand, so you wouldn’t need to work out every decision alone.
The aim for month two: progress towards a website that reflects your business and helps customers take action.
Month three: Start promoting your business
With your branding established and your website progressing or ready to use, I’d turn our attention to getting your business in front of potential customers.
We’d choose one service, product or offer to focus on and use your next three hours of support to prepare suitable marketing materials. That might include:
- Social media graphics that match your branding.
- A leaflet introducing your business or promoting a service.
- Vouchers to encourage repeat custom.
- Posters or banners for a local promotion.
Where relevant, we’d direct people to your website so they can find out more and get in touch.
Your VIP membership includes 10% off printing, including leaflets, vouchers, posters and banners. You also get Tier Two Social Media Group membership, worth £100 per year, to support your social media activity.
We’d review any early responses and use what we learn to plan the next month’s work.
The aim for month three: consistent marketing that connects your business identity, website and promotions.
What might this cost elsewhere?
Buying your branding and website separately can mean a sizeable upfront expense. As one current UK example, a logo and basic branding package is advertised at £250, while website packages that include branding range from £750 for one page to £1,500 for five pages. Prices vary with the provider and the work involved. Oxford Design Partners.
With VIP, we’d work through your priorities using your monthly support allowance. Your first three months include nine hours of support, a personalised marketing plan and annual group membership—a combined stated value of £510–£600, based on my usual prices.
Logo and website work uses those included hours, so what we can complete depends on the scope. Any extra work or website running costs would be agreed upfront.
Support that keeps things moving
Each month’s three hours of professional design or managed marketing support are typically worth £120–£150.
You’ll also benefit from priority booking, subject to availability, and one month’s rollover for unused time, giving you flexibility as we work through your priorities.
Every business starts in a different place, so your plan would be personalised. For a new business, my usual approach would be simple: start with the logo, move on to the website, then build the marketing around them.