We live in a world of emails, video calls, social media and automation. Digital marketing has made it easier than ever to "connect". However, in person connection, still plays a vital role in building trust, credibility and long-term relationships, especially for service-based businesses. Digital Connects. Face-to-Face Builds Confidence. Online channels are brilliant for visibility and consistency. But when it comes to belief, buy-in and human trust, in-person interaction oft

At Building Brands, we asked a simple question: "If you could buy yourself one extra hour a week, how would you spend it?" The answers came quickly and very few were about business. People talked about: Getting out for a walk or exercise Spending more time with family Catching up with friends Switching off properly Or, quite honestly, just getting more sleep What struck us wasn’t just how varied the answers were, it was how little time people felt they had for themselves. And

You can’t unbox expertise. You can’t photograph reassurance. And you can’t place trust neatly in a package. People: The Humans Behind the Service When someone buys a service, they’re buying into a relationship. People want to know who they’ll be working with, who’s behind the decisions, and whether they can trust them to deliver. This doesn’t mean personal oversharing , it simply means being visible and approachable. Introducing your team, sharing your expertise, and showing

There’s a lot of content out there that feels like it was written just to tick a box. We’ve all come across blog posts that promise insight but deliver vague generalities, empty advice, or worse, irrelevant fluff. These "filler" posts might keep your website active, but they don’t build relationships. They don’t earn trust, and they certainly don’t drive results. Filler content vs. valuable content What is the difference? Filler content is usually created under pressure: a lo

Marketing has changed enormously in recent years (and even months). Strategies that worked five years ago might barely make a dent today. But what does "marketing that delivers" actually look like now? Strategy that starts with purpose The days of posting for the sake of posting are long gone. Today, strong marketing starts with clear goals and real audience insight. Want to generate leads? Raise brand awareness? Build a community? Each goal needs its own strategy, and that m

Ever landed on a website or scroll past an Instagram profile and thought, "That doesn’t feel real"? That’s the trap of branding gone robotic. So let’s talk about authenticity and how to build a brand that feels just like you. Start with real values Your business isn’t just what you sell or what service you provide. It’s why  you do it. What gets you out of bed? Maybe it’s a passion for sustainability, or a love of problem‑solving, or simply helping others feel more confident.

Events take a lot of planning and energy to pull off, so it’s important to make the most of them. The good news is that their value...

1. Is the venue accessible for all guests? Location matters, not just where the venue is, but how easy it is to get there. Is it near...

We’re pleased to share that Katie Thomson Marketing will be attending Building Brands in Bristol  this September. We’ll be there with a stand, joining a fantastic line-up of creatives, strategists, and brand specialists for a day dedicated to exploring the future of branding. From insightful talks to valuable networking opportunities, events like these are key to staying inspired and connected in an ever-evolving industry. If you’re attending, we’d love for you to stop by and

1. Define Your Goals What do you want to achieve with your social media content? Whether it’s growing your followers, increasing website traffic, or promoting a product, knowing your goals is the first step. Example Goals: Increase engagement by 20% in the next month. Drive traffic to your online store using Instagram. Launch a new product with a Facebook campaign. 2. Choose Your Platforms You don’t need to be everywhere—focus on the platforms that matter most for your busine

With so many trending national and niche days popping up, it can feel like a missed opportunity not to join in. But using every single one or ones that may not be relevant to your business isn’t the answer. To stay authentic, it’s important to choose days that genuinely reflect your brand and what you stand for, so your content feels intentional, not forced. How using the right content days can boost engagement and create loyal customers... Using national holidays and special

Instagram is rolling out significant updates on July 10th, 2025, and these changes will directly affect how businesses engage with their audience. Here’s a quick rundown of the key impacts and what businesses should do to stay ahead: 1. Changes to the Instagram Algorithm Instagram’s algorithm will now prioritize personalised content based on user behaviour, making it even more important to produce content that resonates with your specific audience. What businesses need to do:

Instagram is one of the most powerful tools available to venues and event businesses. It’s where couples get inspired, event planners...

As your business grows and evolves, your brand should grow with it. But in the day-to-day of running a service business, it’s easy for branding to take a back seat. Over time, subtle misalignments can start to affect how you’re perceived—by clients, prospects, and even your own team. In this article, we’ll outline the key signs that it might be time to consider a brand refresh and provide a practical, downloadable checklist to help you evaluate your current brand with confide

Social media is a powerful tool for service-based businesses—but only if it’s used with the right intent and approach. While it's tempting to focus on promotions and quick wins, this can often backfire if you're not careful. Here are three of the most common social media mistakes we see—and what to do instead to build trust, engagement, and results. 1. Only posting sales content It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking social media is just a platform to promote your servic

When it comes to selling a product, it’s easy for people to understand what they’re getting. They can hold it, try it out, see how it works. But selling a service? That’s a whole different story. You can’t touch it, taste it, or test it in the same way. And that’s exactly why case studies are such a powerful marketing tool for service-based businesses. Why case studies work A good case study is like pulling back the curtain on your business. It gives potential clients a bird’

When it comes to marketing, there’s a clear difference between promoting a product and promoting a service. With a product, the benefits...

Why is it called ‘dark’ social? Despite the slightly ominous name, dark social  isn’t secretive or underhand. The “dark” part simply...

Hosting a seminar, workshop, or networking event takes significant effort. From planning the content and logistics to engaging with...

Recently, social media feeds have been flooded with the same post — the infamous ChatGPT Doll. What started as a quirky, engaging trend...