6 steps for social media success
Nearly every business owner knows the importance of social media marketing – and video is the most effective form of online advertising content, generally achieving better audience retention and engagement when compared with other formats like still images. This ultimately leads to a higher click-through rate and more sales. However, that’s only when you use video on social media in the correct way. Here is your six-step action plan for successful social media video marketing.
Step 1) Create 4 short videos each month
Assuming you post one video each week, making four short and engaging videos all in one ‘batch’ saves a lot of time – being part of your monthly to-do, rather than weekly. To ensure suitability across multiple social media platforms, your marketing videos should be no longer than 59 seconds. This also helps with viewer retention, as you won’t be requesting too much of their time. Each video should be highly engaging, with a ‘hook’ at the beginning to keep viewers interested.
Step 2) Export each video in both Square and Portrait aspect ratios
Aspect ratio basically refers to the ‘crop’ or ‘shape’ of the video, such as landscape (widescreen), square, or portrait. Typically, these would be referred to as 16:9, 1:1 and 9:16 respectively. As most social media videos are watched on phones, your videos should be uploaded using the most suitable aspect ratio, to ensure that they take up a lot of ‘real estate’ on a phone screen. This means you should opt for square (1:1) and portrait (9:16), as these are the most favourable across various social media platforms. Make sure you export each of your four videos in both square and portrait, effectively creating eight videos.
Step 3) Post square videos on Facebook and LinkedIn
Facebook and LinkedIn can be awkward places to post portrait videos, as you usually find that a portion of your video (e.g. the bottom quarter) is covered up by the platform’s interface and buttons. Particularly if you then boost the video, Facebook will crop a portrait video to make it less tall, potentially hiding an important part of the video content. It is best, therefore, to post the square aspect ratio versions of your four videos to Facebook and LinkedIn.
Step 4) Post portrait videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts
These platforms are designed for 9:16 portrait videos, allowing you to dominate a phone screen’s real estate and achieve maximum attention from your audience.
Step 5) Boost the videos to reach a big targeted audience
Some business owners believe they will have success with social media video marketing without actually ‘boosting’ their posts (paying Facebook, for example, to show the videos to more people). However, it’s just not realistic to expect a return on investment if you don’t make an investment. You should ideally spend at least £50 per video to reach a big and targeted audience. Videos without any ‘boost’ budget don’t even reach all of your page followers, while a boosted video can be seen by many, many more people and specifically target your demographic and geographical region.
Step 6) Make it really easy for yourself
If you want to make life easy, get the very best high-quality content, and be left only to post and boost the videos, you should look to hire a video production company that specialises in this kind of videography. While some such companies might charge thousands per month, Glowfrog Video Production are currently offering a social media discount bundle deal, in which you get four videos each month – in both square and portrait aspect ratios – for just £99 each! Just click here for more information or head to www.glowfrogvideo.com/bundle.
New dean appointed at Nottingham University Business School
The University of Nottingham has appointed professor David Park as the new dean of the Nottingham University Business School.
Dr David Park is a professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and was previously associate dean (external engagement) and the director of Executive Education for the School.
Professor Park holds three degrees (BEng, MSc, PhD) from the university, in engineering and artificial intelligence, and has a wealth of practical entrepreneurial experience gained in the UK and New Zealand from starting and running his own innovative businesses and social enterprises.
He has first-hand experience in raising millions of dollars’ worth of start-up funds, growing effective, multi-disciplinary teams, and completing multi-million-dollar licensing deals with FTSE100 companies.
He has also played an active role in helping create national policies across a number of sectors including food, geospatial engineering and UAV systems.
As well as providing strategic support and mentoring to hundreds of early-stage companies and social enterprises across the UK, he has enthusiastically mentored and taught thousands of Undergraduate and Postgraduate students from across the world.
Professor David Park, dean of the Nottingham University Business School, said: “This is an exceptionally exciting time to become dean of Nottingham University Business School. There are some fantastic opportunities on the horizon in academia and business to help us realise the School’s potential.”
The news comes as the School is set to make a significant investment in its staff, students and research, as well as expanding its operations to the new Castle Meadow Campus in the city centre. The Business School will conduct teaching, research and partnership activity on the new site, establish a new Executive Education Centre, and provide a practice-orientated campus where employers and postgraduate students can work and learn together.
Third acquisition in two months for Cooper Parry
Derbyshire-based Cooper Parry has acquired London financial planning business, Future Perfect, to become part of the Cooper Parry Wealth family.
The deal quickly follows the acquisitions of ihorizon, one of the UK’s leading early stage accounting players, and Acclivity, a boutique advisory firm specialising in accountancy, tax and consultancy to entrepreneurs and high growth early stage businesses.
All three are London-based, specialist firms and take Cooper Parry’s total headcount to over 540.
Ade Cheatham, Cooper Parry CEO, said: “It’s been an incredibly fast start to the year and we’re on a roll. This Future Perfect deal is another sign of Cooper Parry’s 100% commitment to size and scale through the PE-backed acquisition of high calibre firms – who are the right fit – to help drive our ambitious client-first growth.”
Stephen Jones, Cooper Parry Wealth CEO, said: “Right from the first tentative conversations with Future Perfect, we realised there was a genuinely likeminded approach. A proper connection. Both firms share a very similar philosophy. As a result, the client experience should be very smooth from the word go.”
Sue Royle, co-founder, Future Perfect, added: “We were really impressed by the dynamic culture and ambition to be a leading financial planning force in the UK. It’s clear that everything’s in place to deliver an enhanced experience for our clients. I can’t wait for this new chapter to begin.”
Nick Crowe, co-founder, Future Perfect, said: “In recent years, we’ve had a good deal of interest from other businesses. We have always had some key non-negotiables. Cooper Parry Wealth ticked every box – and plenty more. They are well-established, credible and will provide our client base with a perfect new home.”
Accountancy team goes eggstra mile for kids this Easter
Children who’ve faced a difficult start in life will benefit from some Easter joy this year, thanks to the fundraising work done by East Midlands accountancy firm Page Kirk.
Generous team members have donated Easter Eggs to the NSPCC’s Midlands Hub, which runs vital services including DART – a domestic abuse recovery programme for children and parents – as well as an online safety initiative for primary school kids called InCtrl.
Amanda Willis, head receptionist at the accountancy firm based in Nottingham, takes responsibility for co-ordinating the fundraising efforts.
“At Page Kirk, we wanted to do our part to support the NSPCC’s important work. We hope these chocolate treats will bring some normality and joy to children who’ve sadly faced a number of problems in their lives,” she says. “It’s great to know that we’re supporting an important cause like the NSPCC and we’re intending to help a number of other charities in the months ahead.”
The NSPCC Midlands Hub, which has been based out of Jenny Farr house in Nottingham since 1985, provides a range of services to support local families, including their Direct Services team and Childline colleagues, as well as those from the Schools Service, Local Campaigns and Fundraising.
Beth Thomas, who works at the Midlands Hub, expressed her gratitude for the donation, saying: “Thank you so much for your wonderful donation. All of those Easter goodies are on their way to some lovely children that we’ve been working with over the last couple of months on various programmes.”
As part of Page Kirk’s commitment to corporate responsibility, they have pledged to support 12 charities throughout 2023, a different one each month. January saw them donating baby items to charity Baby Basics in Long Eaton, while in February they raised much needed cash for Brinsley Animal Rescue.
Next to benefit will be survivors of sexual violence, who are the focus of the firm’s charity work throughout April. The direct beneficiary will be Nottinghamshire Sexual Violence Support Services (Notts SVS Services), which provides free support to anyone aged 18 or over living in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire, who has experienced sexual abuse, sexual violence or rape.
The organisation offers a helpline, counselling and therapies, email support and group support. It also provides Independent Sexual Violence Advisers for those going through the criminal justice process and people who have survived institutional child sexual abuse.
Karen Jardine, campaigns and communications officer of Notts SVS Services, said: “Notts SVS Services are delighted to be Page Kirk’s chosen charity for April. Sexual violence affects many people’s lives and yet it is rarely talked about.
“This can increase the feelings of shame and isolation for survivors. Through their fundraising, Page Kirk are not only helping to change the lives of those who have experienced sexual violence, but are also letting them know that they are valued and are seen.”
Northamptonshire accountancy firm expands
An accountancy firm has expanded its offering in Northamptonshire by expanding into a second office and setting up a YouTube recording studio.
N-Accounting, which is based in Burlington House on Wellingborough Road, is now occupying an additional office in the same building, giving the team extra space and providing more client opportunities.
The office now offers a separate meeting room for client privacy, internal meetings and planning sessions for the company’s popular Quarterly Planning Days, the next of which takes place in June.
The extra space is also being used to film content for the firm’s dedicated YouTube Channel and other social media platforms. Managing Director Nishi Patel is recording his popular podcast Unrelenting Drive from the new studio.
Managing Director Nishi Patel said: “As an ambitious firm which focuses heavily on growth and opportunity, we are thrilled to have moved offices and now be able to record our video content in-house. We were keen to stay in the great location of Burlington House, so it is fantastic that they have been able to accommodate our growth.”
N-Accounting have also hired a new marketing assistant who will bolster the team’s promotional capacity and lead generation, as well as an admin and bookkeeping assistant to strengthen the team.
Company fined £2.3m after workers put at risk of death
A major pipeline transportation company has been fined £2.3 million for safety breaches after its employees were exposed to risk of serious injury and even death while working on a leaking pipeline containing petrol under pressure.
Workers at Exolum Pipeline System Ltd, formerly known as CLH Pipeline System (CLH-PS) Ltd, were excavating a suspected pipeline leak in the woodland adjacent to the B1398 and M180 near Holme, North Lincolnshire, between 7 to 10 March 2018. The employees were working in an area where a previous repair had taken place.
The risks arising from the excavation work and exposure were significant. An unknown defect on the previous repair of the pipeline which contained petroleum under high pressure had the potential to form a flammable cloud extending over several metres from the work area, causing those in the immediate vicinity to potentially be covered in a heavy spray of petrol and engulfed in petrol vapour. If ignition had occurred before the area could be evacuated, then there would have been a very high risk of death or serious injury.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that Exolum Pipeline System Ltd failed to properly identify and control the risks associated with carrying out a pipeline repair.
Exolum Pipeline System Ltd, of King William Street, London, was found guilty of an offence contrary to Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and an offence contrary to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 following a trial at Grimsby Crown Court. The company was fined £2.3 million and ordered to pay £157,431 in costs at Grimsby Crown Court on 24 March 2023.
HSE inspector Mark Leadbetter said: “This incident had the potential to cause serious injury or death to multiple casualties and could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Pre-let deal sees Maersk establish new centre of excellence at East Midlands logistics park
SEGRO has completed a pre-let deal with Maersk, which will see the Danish shipping and logistics company establish a new centre of excellence at SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway (SLPEMG).
Maersk will occupy a new 685,000 sq ft warehouse, designed specifically for them, which will complete in June 2023. In alignment with SEGRO’s net-zero 2030 and Maersk’s net-zero 2040 commitments, the unit is being constructed to be net-zero for both embodied and operational carbon.
It will incorporate a full roof mounted PV array and extensive use of recycled construction materials. Provisions will also be made for the operation of a fully electric fleet of HGV vehicles in the future. The development expands Maersk’s offering of end-to-end logistics in the UK significantly and is the first bespoke pre-let logistics unit that the company will operate in the country.
SLPEMG is SEGRO’s flagship national big box scheme, a 700-acre development that has delivered over 4.5 million sq ft of sustainable logistics workspace. As part of the UK’s only inland freeport, the site incorporates a 50-acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI).
Maersk selected SLPEMG as the site most capable of delivering operational excellence for their customers’ needs, with its central strategic location and on-site rail freight terminal providing a direct link to the seaports of Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton, amongst others, in order to minimise logistics emissions and significantly reduce on-road freight mileage. The benefits afforded to Maersk’s operation by the East Midlands Freeport further helped the case for choosing SLPEMG.
SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway started construction in 2017. The site was initially anticipated to be a 10-year programme, however, occupier demand and leasing success has exceeded expectations, as the last big box plot now been leased.
Andrew Pilsworth, Managing Director, National Logistics, SEGRO, said: “SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway is especially attractive to customers like Maersk due to the development’s scale, connectivity and our determination to develop to the highest quality and sustainability standards. The extraordinary pace at which we have delivered this scheme illustrates this.
“We are very excited to welcome Maersk to SLPEMG and as a new customer to SEGRO. We also welcome the additional employment and economic activity it will bring to the East Midlands, building on the 6,000 jobs already created at SLPEMG.”
Paul Woolass, head of Logistics and Services Products UK & Ireland, Maersk, said: “SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway is very much the perfect blueprint for optimising connectivity and flexibility within supply chains. Not only is it ideally positioned in the UK, but the vast infrastructure and cutting-edge technology across the site means operations on UK shores can be done from one place in the most sustainable way possible. It is the epitome of two of Maersk’s key visions for the future: integrating logistics and reaching net-zero emissions by 2040.”
Double deal on Innovate Mews
Ventro Ltd and Hire Giant Ltd are the newest tenants at Innovate Mews, a business park located within minutes of J27 of the M1.
The units comprise circa 1,500 sq ft of office accommodation across two floors with designated car parking spaces.
FHP have secured both tenants with one deal being an off-market transaction and the other securing the tenant within the second week of marketing. Both occupiers have settled into the units, putting the block of offices at full occupancy again.
Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, said: “With securing an off-market deal I was apprehensive to see if we would get the same result at Unit 1, especially given the level of office stock available within close vicinity to the subject property. It was a great result on both units for my client and I am delighted that both deals have now completed.
“The level of enquiries remained strong throughout the duration of Unit 1 being advertised as ‘Under Offer’ so there is certainly demand in the out-of-town business parks within the sub-3,000 sq ft sector. I wish both Hire Giant and Ventro Group all the best in their future endeavours.”
FHP’s retained client said: “As a remote landlord I rely totally on FHP to find new commercial tenants and manage my property. Amy Howard managed two lettings for me recently – both negotiated successfully. She is commercial, responsive and gets results.”
Share placing sees Light Science Technologies raise £1.5m
Derbyshire-headquartered Light Science Technologies, the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) group, has conditionally raised gross proceeds of £1.5 million through the proposed issue of 150,000,000 new ordinary shares.
The fundraising consists of the placing of 107,750,000 new ordinary shares as well as a private subscription for 42,250,000 new ordinary shares.
Simon Deacon, Chief Executive Officer of the company, has agreed to subscribe for 15,000,000 subscription shares.
The company also intends to offer up to 50,000,000 new ordinary shares via the Winterflood Retail Access platform (WRAP) to raise up to £0.5 million gross proceeds, to provide qualifying retail investors in the UK with an opportunity to participate alongside the fundraising.
The gross proceeds of the fundraising are expected to be £1.5 million, which will be predominantly used for product development and intellectual property protection within the company’s CEA division, as well as for general working capital purposes, including funding costs associated with the fundraising.
Rolls-Royce announces changes to Board and Executive team
Rolls-Royce is making changes to its Board and Executive Team with several people in new roles.
Helen McCabe will be joining the Board of Rolls-Royce later this year as Chief Financial Officer, bringing more than 25 years of experience in senior finance and performance management roles within complex multinational engineering organisations. Current CFO Panos Kakoullis is to stay in post until the end of August.
She is currently Senior Vice President, Finance for the Customer & Products division of BP, which runs the company’s customer-focused business which reported EBITDA of $13.7bn last year. The exact date on which she will take up her new executive role and position on the Board of Rolls-Royce will be announced later.
Chief Exec Tufan Erginbilgic said: “I look forward to welcoming Helen to my leadership team. Her track record of promoting rigorous financial discipline and experience of delivering performance management to achieve dramatic improvements will be invaluable as we move, at pace, to transform Rolls-Royce.”
Rob Watson has been appointed as President – Civil Aerospace with immediate effect. Rob joined the Executive Team last year as President – Rolls-Royce Electrical. He has been with Rolls-Royce for 13 years and previously held leadership positions in Defence aerospace as well as working as Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive.
As previously announced, Chris Cholerton is moving from his position as President – Civil Aerospace to become Group President, having successfully led the Civil Aerospace business through some of the greatest challenges in its history. As part of this role, Chris will take on executive responsibility for the Group’s nuclear operations. This includes Rolls-Royce Submarines, and the role of Interim CEO of Rolls-Royce SMR while a search is conducted for a successor to Tom Samson who, it has been agreed, will be leaving with immediate effect.
Adam Riddle has been appointed President – Defence, and Chairman & CEO – Rolls-Royce North America with immediate effect. Adam has spent nearly a decade in Defence and played a pivotal role in the recent success of the division in clinching key contracts which will generate multi-year returns.
Mr Erginbilgic added: “I would like to congratulate both Rob and Adam as they take up their new roles. Both are highly experienced leaders and will bring renewed energy and a determination to succeed to Civil Aerospace and Defence. Their appointments are also evidence of the pipeline of senior talent which exists within Rolls-Royce. With the leadership changes announced today we are acting at pace and gaining the momentum we need to transform Rolls-Royce. Together, my leadership team has a winning mindset, strong strategic alignment and a shared ambition to make Rolls-Royce a company that delivers for all stakeholders.”
