Small Business Book Reviews

This is what John English, author of How to Organise and Operate a Small Business in Australia, has to say about Kickstart Marketing.

" Linda Hailey is a small business marketing consultant and presenter who passionately believes it's time to take the mystery and megabucks out of marketing.

She has developed and tested the Kickstart system and through her seminars and courses has inspired thousands of small business owners to give their business the Kickstart it deserves.

Kickstart Marketing explains the strategic role that marketing plays in a small business, and Linda Hailey has written her book with expert knowledge, compassion and loads of practical experience.

Her book is especially valuable at a time when small business operators need common sense advice about marketing."

Michael Meanwell, author of critically acclaimed "The Enterprising Writer and "Writers on Writing".

It's been said that plumbers have leaky taps, builders have unfinished houses and architects have badly-designed homes.

I'd like to add one more group to the list: Self-employed writers are generally poor communicators. That's not to say they don't know how to communicate - of course they do - but how many enterprising writers have invested time in their own business, developing communications and a marketing program to further their business?

Sadly, not enough.

That's where `Kickstart Marketing' by Linda Hailey can help. It's a new, no-nonsense guide to marketing for small businesses. It covers all of the basics in everyday language and with practical examples including:

• improving products and services to make them more
  appealing to customers
• making the most of trade fairs and networking
• the power and pitfalls of promotions, publicity and direct mail
• seven steps towards writing an ad that actually works
• real life examples of cheap but effective campaigns

A one-time advertising copywriter, Hailey has used her knowledge and expertise to develop marketing campaigns for a variety of clients, ranging from bookshops, food outlets and software houses to accounts, optometrists and even a funeral director.

Her book details a simple but effective marketing system for small businesses. It also includes info and examples on direct marketing, brochures, ads, Web writing and other marketing messages.

While it is not completely dedicated to the needs of a commercial writer, this guide does give writers a well-rounded understanding of what is needed in marketing their own business as well as understanding the needs and requirements of their clients.

`Kickstart Marketing' can serve a dual role for marcom writers. Hailey gives valuable advice on how to develop marketing programs that you can apply to your own writing business as well as your clients. It's a good start for copywriters who means business.

Angela Chin

"I ended up reading the book by a little nightlight whilst in Sydney . It was a great read, very inspiring, practical and logical. Every idea is clearly presented, and as opposed to other marketing books I have read, finishing this one has left me wanting to go out and find more work!"

Debbie Charles

After sifting through a pile of at least 8 marketing books in the book store, I knew yours was the one for me when I read that you have no formal marketing qualifications - just lots of life experience.  It was easy to read, related to real life and was not full of complicated charts and data. Reading your book has reinforced to me that it is mostly common sense, anyone can do it, it's not rocket science and most importantly, my insticts have been right.  I can't tell you how much more confident I feel about starting my new job. I've picked up loads of fantastic tips and ideas from your book - particularly as it is aimed at small businesses - and I can't wait to get started in my new role. Thank you. I just wanted to share this with you.

Colin from the UK

Just to say that I enjoyed reading your book - Kickstart Marketing. Being fairly new to business and especially marketing, I`ve been reading a lot of books on the subject to try to get a sense of what to do and I must say that yours is one of the very few that have proved to be useful and relevant to me. Most of the books seem to have little relevance to the real world so thanks again for writing yours.