Stay in Business: Go With The Flow...

Do you still use 'Twitter' or have you started calling it 'X'? In business, there are always changes and going with the flow is the only way to survive.

For example, The BPc began as a graphic design and marketing agency in 1990. Eventually, DIY design software became publicly available and some companies started creating their own logos, marketing materials, etc. Ironically, we soon had a surge in design requests because clients realised that, just because you have the software, it doesn't mean you have the experience of good graphic design.

Around 1996, we included website design services (thankfully, the co-owner had a technical background, therefore writing HTML was a doddle). Since then, the majority of our work was website design, including optimisation and internet marketing to keep our clients on page 1 of Google. Then internet service providers and software companies started to offer DIY website solutions for users to 'be in control of their own destiny'. Hmm. What it really meant was that users were tied to the company who owned the website software and, of course, their monthly costs often escalated. But, as had happened with graphic design software, a number of new clients approached us to update their websites or, in some cases, rewrite them.

As an additional marketing service, we offered video shoots and recruited a film graduate to produce professional videos for our clients but now everyone is an expert with a smartphone. We are occasionally asked to create a more professional look to 'movies'. 

Social Media management is one of our popular services. Everyone can do it but most smaller businesses don't prioritise it, preferring to spend a small amount per month to have a reliable service manage it for them.

But we are nothing if not flexible. Moving on to today's projects, they break down (approximately) as follows:

• Website design, updates and maintenance (40%)
• Blog and Social Media marketing (30%)
• Literary proof-reading and Script writing/editing (20%)
• Graphic Design (5%)
• Troubleshooting, video work and miscellaneous (5%)

Note the new entry in the middle of the table. 

Going with the flow has kept us solvent for nearly a quarter of a century so we thoroughly recommend it for some SMEs.

We wish you the best of luck with your endeavours!