The projects I have worked on have been as varied as complex ecommerce sites to small business developments, you can read more about this on my about us page here and my Linked In Profile is here http://www.linkedin.com/in/alistairg

“…Alistair enables us to put our ideas into reality on the website by his forward and innovative thinking. He is down to earth and very easy to work with. He has the natural ability to explain the most technical point, relating to websites or social media, in an easy to understand way”

Sarah Burden, PR Manager, Devon Air Ambulance

So how does the service I offer work and why should you use me?

Well to START with my service begins with a free no obligation chat and review of what you are looking to accomplish and why, seeing what your budgets and aspirations are both for the website and the promoting and online marketing of it when it is built. This initial meeting is free, I am based in Exeter so if geography plays a part then we can always use Skype.

Following this I can then put together a draft of what I see you are trying to achieve and how I can help you achieve this.  This will include cost outlines both of my service and target budgets for the web development and online marketing.

The key difference between an Independent Internet Project Manager (myself) and a web company’s own account manager is how they prioritise your business needs. I work exclusively for the YOU the customer, whereas a web company’s own account manager works for that Internet Development Company.

When I am hired to work for YOU I follow a 3 stage process. FIRST this sees a full web specification created that uses all my experience of web development and your knowledge of your business. This ensures that any web company called on to quote will have all the information they need. This is agreed and signed off with you.

As touched on already, the Full Build & Development service is my speciality. As your adviser, carrying out full due diligence and negotiating the best possible terms for YOU is my primary interest.

SECOND I then visit up to three web companies using my experience who I feel have the best skills to complete the work required of them and invite them to quote. These are then summarised in my comprehensive report.

When you are happy to go ahead I’ll negotiate on your behalf, using my expertise to ensure YOU are getting the best solution. I then continue to monitor every step to your successful website build, working closely with your chosen providers and any other advisers to help resolve any issues that may arise.

The final part for YOU is getting a website built that is delivered on time, within budget and exceeding your expectation, removing all the pain and hassle from dealing with technology company’s covering stuff you may not understand or being sold stuff you just dont need or even simply have time to deal with – I remove the hassle, manage the trouble and deliver what you want.

To contact me to discuss further either email me at alistair@gleavemedia.co.uk or complete my contact form on this site.

Please watch the video below and leave your thoughts in the comments;

Sir Richard told the BBC: “People are suspicious of banks and they have good reason to be after the last few years. “The Virgin brand is well trusted and has always offered good products in a range of different businesses..We think we can come in and shake up the industry.”

Virgin purchased the Northern Rock from the Government at the end of 2011 and will be turning the 75 branches into Virgin Money branches during 2012.

The feature for me though is the advert, a full 3D spectacular typical of the Virgin brand – big and spectacular. Please watch the video and let me know what you think in the comments below;

This is the 10th such seminar I have run with my co collaborator Jackie Dawkins and during that time we have had numerous and varied charities attend and a huge number of testimonials for this free event.

So what could a marketer or PR person from a charity gain from attending this seminar? Well the seminar will give an insight into how social networking can help your charity to:

• Communicate your cause
• Increase your following
• Interact with the community
• Improve your fundraising
• Increase your volunteer base

As with all our training seminars, interaction and participation are encouraged and we welcome all charities who want to learn how to make better use of these new media technologies in a fun and challenging way.

Booking is simple just use the Eventbrite form below, or if you have any questions or maybe want to talk about a dedicated training for your team why not get in touch here or email alistair@gleavemedia.co.uk.

I continue to develop the collaborative working relationship with GrowMyCharity.com even appearing on Exeter FM and we have a had a great year supporting numerous charities across the South West with some great reviews of seminars we’ve run, you can read a few on LinkedIN or Speakermix. 2012 promises to have more seminars and more develop in the sector and I hope to be collaborating with new companies as the year develops (if you could add anything please get in touch).

This year we have seen the launch of Google +, is it any good, still I’m not sure to be honest, for me the engagement levels are no where near what they are on Facebook or Twitter BUT it has the might of Google behind it – so what, Buzz and Wave have both fallen by the wayside and is Google + currently any different, we shall wait and see??

So turning to this blog I run, what have been my top posts of this year, well lets begin.

Number 3 – Super Yacht Aviva

Why is this number 3?Well mainly as the Super Yacht Aviva was a very impressive sight at Tower Bridge over the summer, and a nice owner and crew.

Number 2 - Sainsburys in Dawlish opens

This issue of who opens a supermarket in Dawlish has raged for quite a few years and when Sainsburys won the battle I was keen to see what a new eco store looked like, this post has been highly commented on!!!

Number 1 – starting GleaveMedia

Having worked in the Internet industry since 1999 and helped two small Exeter web companies to grow it was no small feat to start on my own in the spring, I have to say the response and great comments i have received have truly vindicated this decision of wanting to put the customer at the heart of all I do, thank you once again.

So there you go, short and sweet 2011 a year on this blog in review, thank you to my friends and colleagues who continue to support and engage I look forward to working with you all in 2012.

GleaveMedia – http://www.gleavemedia.co.uk

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/gleavemedia

We are delighted to be able to confirm a new GrowMyCharity.com is on the way in early 2012, as you can see from the YouTube video we made below.

If you want to know more then please add you email details to our newsletter signup and we’ll let you know more about it in early 2012.

I spent a fair bit of time discussing the options I have as a domestic user and it was great to catch up with some old friends as well, seems we all have a common idea of benefiting from the feed in tariff and also trying to help the environment.

Also other businesses providing energy saving solutions for the domestic market where there to discuss the options available.  I must add that it is great to see a number of local business working in the local area, like the friendly team of Exeter based solar installer Ecosource Solutions who I had a long chat with.

This kind of local energyshare group called Transition Groups are springing up in villages and towns all over Devon so if you want to really make a change why not get in touch with your local Transition Group and see how your house or business can benefit.

3 eMail marketing top tips.

Use a decent email marketing system – my consultancy business GleaveMedia run and operate a very cost effective system with lots of inbuilt functionality included for FREE.  Does your email marketing system offer you a fully functioning solution and includes reports, who clicked what link, a to b split testing and custom integration to name but a few?

If the system you use doesn’t include all this or if the web agency you use charge you for all these addons it is definitely time to look elsewhere..

Do you know your subscribers? - categorizing of your data is so important, you need to have customers split from prospects for example, and if you can drill down into what those prospects are interested in and the same for customers. You basically want to send an email about something that the customer wants to receive, if not what is the point?

Be consistent – so if you send a regular email once a month, then send it once a month.  If you send from the email address of john@yourcompany dot com then do that – what i am trying to get across is that you need to keep the timing and information you send from the same or similar.

You may also want to read a post I wrote for my business blog titled – How to write great email subject lines - http://www.gleavemedia.co.uk/2011/08/02/how-to-write-great-email-marketing-subject-lines/

And while I am at it why not sign up to my regular email you can do this using the form below…

Spotted on our recent trip to London the Super Yacht AVIVA III moored up at Georges Stairs next to Butlers Wharf a favoured location of mine, and with Tower Bridge in the background.

This very impressive looking super yacht was apparently built in 2007 (according to Wikipedia) and is 70m long and can accomodate 16 guests and 20 crew across her 6 decks.

The yacht apparently is owner by a part owner of MB plc who also own Browns Brasserie which happens to be on Butlers Wharf, wonder if he popped in for dinner?

A lovely shot of the Sea King from Dawlish Airshow, on a real life rescue mission when it curtailed its winching show to take a number of people who had fallen of the cliffs to the RD&E.

Tell you more, sure here goes…

Office – easy office – owned by Stelios, the serial entrepreneur and operated by the easyGroup, is offering over 4.000 serviced Office locations worldwide. This great service is aimed at start-up entrepreneurial businesses. Click here to go to the site.

Business Cards – Moo  - every business needs cards, and MOO combine the values of professional design with the accessibility and reach of the web. You can basically make your own cards online and get them delivered to your door, so short runs or maybe even cards for a show or event.  Moo  print millions of cards a month and have hundreds of thousands of customers in over 180 countries. MOO has also become a much-loved brand, with a 75% NetPromoter rating.

The company has won 3 Webby awards (the web’s Oscars), has been profiled in the Financial Times, and was ranked in the top 10 UK start-up companies by the Guardian Newspaper.  Click here to go to the site.

Website for your new business – Gleave Media – well I am biased here of course, Gleave Media is my consulting business and we work with create targeted online campaigns that work.  Our business is your business development and the generation of new revenue through digital marketing and communication channels.

We are a results driven new media agency based in the Cathedral City of Exeter, we have worked in the Internet industry since 1999 and we are focussed on one thing: how we can help your business grow. Click here to go to the site

So that’s it my top  three checklist that you may need to get your business on the road to success.