by addacomma | Nov 19, 2020
PR, Comms, Marketing, Social Media, Virtual Conferencing
Evolving Education and Careers: A virtual conference
Organising an engaging three day virtual conference during a pandemic was always going involve thinking differently. The Evolving Education and Careers conference from DMH Associates offered a fantastic opportunity to mix technology and innovative presentation for more than 400 delegates.
The brief was to support DMH Associates on increasing delegate signup to a three-day virtual conference utilising innovative marketing techniques and partnership marketing. We were to research and identify the most appropriate technology platform to run the event from a website portal. This included the registration process, multiple webinars, delegate networking and technical support throughout the event. Additionally, the organisation of advance training for the moderators, speakers and staff on the chosen technology platform was required. So too was the provision of delegate guides to ensure easy access.
To ensure delegate numbers:
- Email marketing to DMH Associates event subscribers creating a story for the conference with tailored messaging to the potential delegate groups
- LinkedIn contact identification and liaising with speakers and partners to spread the word using their own established networks. Speaker cards and example posts were created to support this process
- Working directly with sponsors to share the message using their regular channels – web, social etc
- Developing key strategic partnerships (such as with FE News) so that articles could be published using their channels
Following technology platform research we implemented the following:
- Use of Eventbrite to manage the registration process
- Use of Zoom for webinars – this choice was based on both the technical benefits and that as a recognised name that it would reduce fears over operation
- Use of Whova – a networking platform that integrates with Eventbrite and Zoom. This allowed us to send notifications and emails to delegates, gain feedback, one to one chat with both delegates and speakers, swap business cards and even shared articles
Feedback gathered indicated that the virtual international conference was a great success. We received an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 for the speakers, content and organisation of the event.
One delegate even tweeted – It’s like the equivalent of the Glastonbury Festival for education and careers professionals”.
Whova proved successful, allowing delegates to get many of the same benefits as attending in person, including networking and the development of new industry contacts.
The event ended with a surprise, having a rapper to close the conference with a poetic overview.
Ministerial conference addresses
“Mark Mitchell is a true professional. Over the last two years he has provided dmh associates with first-class technical support. Mark is always willing to find ways to solve problems and has the dual expertise of digital and marketing. He really helped with the development of our first Virtual International Conference with over 400 delegates and speakers which was an amazing success! He also backed this up with an innovative social networking platform and a Digital Resource Toolkit. I would not hesitate to recommend Mark’s services.”
Dr Deirdre Hughes OBE
Director, DMH Associates
Messaging for all
Comprehensive messaging for a large employee owned organisation that provides services in wide range of sectors.
Aaduki Insurance
Developing an efficient online quotation system helped to streamline the sign up process and boost customers.
Accessibility Services
Data analysis and email marketing help a business correctly identify customers and achieve to profitability.
Power 100
An annual publication highlighting the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.
by addacomma | Oct 21, 2020
Shaw Trust is a charity helping to transform the lives of young people and adults across the UK and internationally. Each year it publishes the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100, the list of the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK. When Shaw Trust needed a copywriter it could trust to compose the fifth Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 for 2020, it turned to We Are Comma.
Shaw Trust commissioned We Are Comma to take the list of 100 most influential disabled people, as decided by the 2020 judging panel, research and write biographies for each.
We Are Comma also worked on the brand development, filmed the awards ceremony and supported previous social media campaigns. You can read all about this project by clicking the link here.
A video from the 2018 event covered originally by memebers of the We Are Comma team
We Are Comma gathered the required information, liaised with those on the list and drafted the copy for each person on the list. We Are Comma gave each person on the list the opportunity to approve their biography. In addition, we collected consents and images for each ‘power-lister’. Finally, we kept in contact with Shaw Trust through regular emails, calls and meetings to update the team on progress etc.
“Working with We Are Comma has been brilliant. They have kept us update to date in the loop with progress. The project has been well organised and planned. We have been really pleased with the whole project from planning, through to execution and delivery.”
Clare Gray
Organisational Lead for Disability Advocacy, Shaw Trust
Business Awards Branding
Developing a brand that could be used to connect all the London Boroughs whilst still work independently.
Gloucestershire YST
A brand for a youth support team working with approximately 6,000 vulnerable young people across Gloucestershire.
C4ty Branding
A brand for an organisation providing support to young people living and studying within the City of London.
Scadbury Park
A film highlighting the work of a charity which tackles intergenerational loneliness.
by addacomma | Jan 30, 2020
Data Segmentation, Email Marketing, Lead Management, SEO
Helping Accessibility Services increase its bottom line
Accessibility Services is company that helps organisation websites and media be accessible to all and with more than 30 years’ experience, working with central and local government, private sector and charities across the UK and internationally.
Help the business unit to go from breaking even to profitable.
A dramatic improvement in revenue through customer segmentation, sales training, lead management, email marketing, utilising strategy relationships with local authorities and other partners, maximising the ‘call to actions’ in all communications.
The team set up a simple customer relationship management system, for Accessibility Services, to ensure the sales process is managed easily by multiple team members. This transformed Accessibility Services from an organisation which broke even financially to a profitable business within one year.
The other major win was having a separate strategy for existing clients to make sure they are communicated with regularly to maximise revenue. The strategy utilises email marketing and an effective account management process.
Email campaigns delivered.
Contacts segmented and organised.
“Mark goes the extra mile to understand business needs so that an effective marketing approach can be implemented, to obtain the commercial results required. He is willing to share his knowledge and expertise in order to up-skill those he works with, thereby leaving a lasting legacy. Mark’s passion and enthusiasm is infectious creating a positive working environment for all those he engages with. It has been a pleasure working together.”
Julie Cable
Operations Manager, Accessibility Services
Messaging for all
Comprehensive messaging for a large employee owned organisation that provides services in wide range of sectors.
Cube Direct
Thorough research and testing were required to set up a CRM system that automated tasks to reduce time spent on data entry.
DMH Associates
Organising and running a three day virtual conference for more than 400 delegates meant utilising a mix of technology and innovative presentation.
Blackfen Community Library
A redesign for a local community library and hub presented the opportunity for refined user experiences and increased functionality.
by addacomma | Jan 29, 2020
A message which works for all
A large employee owned organisation which provides services in industries as wide ranging as Early Years education to Justice, working in 40 prisons.
The organisation had grown to provide services to more people from many walks of life but hadn’t refreshed its messaging for some years and needed a simple message that could work for all audiences.
Fun, interactive workshops with a cross section of colleagues at the organisation, helped identify key threads of the messaging. This was then worked up to create new values, a new purpose – rather than vision and mission along with a simple tag line which was versatile and worked for all. Commissioners and customers alike responded positively to it. Colleagues felt it represented the work they do and are proud to use it. From the tagline all the corporate messaging and branding was developed.
Focus groups to cover the UK.
Staff from all levels of the business participated.
Additional online poll/survey responses collated.
“This was a complex project involving multiple stakeholders and events, it required diplomacy and creativity. The team handled all this brilliantly. They took all the feedback then developed messaging which works across the organisation and has stood the test of time.”
Andrew Coates
Director of Sales and Marketing, Prospects
ActionAid
Copywriting a campaign website focused on women and work for a global charity.
Blackfen Community Library
A redesign for a local community library and hub presented the opportunity for refined user experiences and increased functionality.
DMH Associates
Organising and running a three day virtual conference for more than 400 delegates meant utilising a mix of technology and innovative presentation.
Power 100
An annual publication highlighting the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.
by addacomma | Jan 29, 2020
Marketing, Social Media, Video & Photography
New shoots with established roots
A charity project which tackles intergenerational loneliness.
The charity wanted a film to showcase their first intergenerational project to tackle loneliness.
While the brief was for one film, our creative team developed a strategy which included three more detailed films in addition to the initial one. The first film showcased all the groups involved from primary school, residential care home for older people and people with learning disabilities and Autism. The film which had a emotive quality also portrayed the activities which took place at the beautiful, woodland site. The additional three films concentrated on each of the three groups involved delved into the tangible impact the pilot project has had on participant. These films will now be used to secure additional funding to continue the project.
“We were delighted with the film created, which captured the project and all those involved brilliantly. The team gave us really helpful advice to create more than one film, which we have taken. I believe these films will help us secure additional funding so we can continue to provide the project.”
Ben Hinchey
Projects and Enterprise Manager, Shaw Trust
Power 100
An annual publication highlighting the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.
Gloucestershire YST
A brand for a youth support team working with approximately 6,000 vulnerable young people across Gloucestershire.
DLF
Three days of filming produced more than 40 training videos for a national charity that looks to add life to years with practical advice.
Green Light for Video
Green screen filming and editing delivered a series of online coaching films for an innovative career development organisation.