Recently I watched the BBC series “The Virtual Revolution”. Being a bit of a techie geek on the quiet, it’s stuff that very much interests me, all things internet, social media and beyond.

I have to say, it was an absolutely fantastic series that explored the origins of the internet and how it’s changed our lives whether we want it to or not, and the revolution of how it’s affected business globally too. For many of us who are small businesses, (and big businesses for that matter), the uses within the internet today for marketing ourselves is just inspiring; something we could never have imagined 20, 15, 10 or even 5 years ago. The revolution in social media networking for personal and business, blogging, video and audio multimedia on our websites and social networks, viral videos through YouTube – there really is no limit to what we can achieve. If you set your mind to it, and target it in the right way, your message can reach hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands or even potentially millions, for very little effort or money.

This, to me, is just staggering, and gives me so many ideas of what I can do to further market myself online, as currently, I don’t pay for any advertising whatsoever. I just don’t think it works at all well in my industry; all of my clients come through the web and word of mouth recommendation – and I know this is the case for many people I’ve been speaking to of recent.

So, to get your brain thinking about the virtual revolution, I suggest you check out their page on the BBC site, and look out for a repeat!

And, if you hadn’t guessed what my opinion is – the revolution is definitely GOOD!

Richard Heathcote, Voice Over Artist

Well folks, the time has arrived, 2010 is now upon us. I for one will welcome this new year in gladly, as for me I think it’s going to be a year that will absolutely rock, work-wise. Things over the past year have been picking up very well, word has spread, and the marketing efforts both online and off are really beginning to pay off.

It’s just the most satisfying feeling when you can see the results happen in front of your eyes. Long hours have been spent travelling the country to various networking meetings, and online, using social media like Twitter, Facebook and the like; but you know what – it’s all been absolutely worth it. Even at the times when you don’t think it will, you’ll get that random enquiry in either over the phone or through Email. Of recent, I’ve even had some come in through Direct Messages on Twitter, from people wanting quotes for upcoming work. This kind of phenomenon 10 years ago was just unheard of.

We’ve moved into a much more interactive world, where questions and replies can happen virtually instantly. I had an enquiry two days ago on Twitter, and within a minute they had in their inbox all the information they required, with a rate card of my prices ready for their upcoming projects. I absolutely love this phenomenon, it just speeds the whole process up no end, and makes things move in an extraordinary fashion.

Online marketing has been the big thing for me in 2009, and I think it will only grow in 2010. It also makes me think, when it comes to return on investment in your time – where are you reaping the most rewards when it comes to your marketing efforts? Are you overlooking the power of what can happen in the online world? Are you giving it at least a try, to get your feet wet and see what it could lead to? I for one was sceptical in the early days, but am a complete convert for how powerful these tools are. They certainly shouldn’t be underestimated by any stretch.

Ultimately, you have to concentrate your efforts on what you feel is right, and what brings you the most reward. My top tip for the near year is to experiment with everything that is out there, as you never know how surprised you might be when finding where your next pay cheque is coming from. Always be open to new avenues of income, especially in the online world. You never know where it might lead…..

But most importantly, have a positive view on the upcoming year ahead, and do all you can to achieve your dreams whatever they may be. Bring on 2010, we’re ready for you….

So there I am in TK Maxx in Birmingham City Centre, doing some shopping with a friend of mine, and what comes over the tannoy but a ridiculously feeble lackluster voice:

“(microphone squeal/feedback) Duty manager to front desk Please, that’s Duty Manager to front desk, thank yooooou. (microphone squeal again – click)”

I couldn’t believe my ears – it’s not that I relish the opportunity to take the piss out of people with really weird voices, but it was something like I’ve never ever heard before. It wasn’t just because it was a voice with such little conviction that even a bat wouldn’t acknowledge the whiney drivel, but that here was a store, in a prime retail location in Birmingham, with approximately 1000 shoppers in at that point in time, whose store manager thought it ok to let the girl near the microphone.

Not that every employee is going to have a pitch perfect speaking voice, but this was unreal. It amused me greatly as I was ambling round the aisles, running the announcement through my head again and again. Little things I suppose…

Then of course, as we finally approached the array of cash desks, all with employees on who looked as though they really didn’t want to be there, I heard the immortal words…..

“Cashier Number 4 Please…”

Made my day……which is why I’ve given it to you as a ringtone gift on my website!:

http://www.richardheathcote.co.uk/downloads.html

Ok, is it just me, or do you find in-store intercoms one of the most frightening things in existence?

You can keep your bombs, you can keep your knives, guns, nun-chucks; nothing is more frightening than an inexperienced customer service rep in front of a supermarket intercom microphone. I promise you.

All it was was an innocent stroll round the ‘big Tesco’ earlier on, minding our own business looking at baby clothes for my honorary nephew’s birthday. (He’s 3, you know.)

/ahem.

So yes, mission had been accomplished, child catered for, clothing, toys, the usual gubbins that he’ll gawp at for 10 seconds then more than likely discard for a far more interesting cupboard door to play with. We’re approaching the escalator to go back down to the 1st floor (yes, big Tesco has 2 floors. Are you impressed?) when, like a clap of thunder overhead, booms the previously mentioned highly inexperienced rep. Firstly, he’s far too close to the microphone, as the sound distorts whilst it reverberates around the cavernous dungeon of commercialisation.

The accent didn’t help (not that I have anything against it), but it was the thickest African (couldn’t pinpoint a specific region, /ahem.), accent, said in the most incredibly aggressive and accusatory way possible. Seriously, I kid you not – it was like a deleted scene from Blood Diamond:

“COULD ALEXA PLEEZ COMM TO DA CASH DESK AT THEE FRONT OF DEE STORE PLIZ, CUS-TOMER WAITING“

We seriously could not believe the sound that echoed round the store – it was truly deafening, and took us so much by surprise, I leapt up and stumbled into the trolley I was pushing with utter terror.

Never mind, if I’ve injured something I’ll just ring up their claims department.

Actually, if they’re anything like the person in this experience this evening, I’ll take my chances. Remember, these people AT the actual store are the people they let you see…

So remember…..next time you need to announce a message on an intercom, please choose someone that’s not going to scare your customers shitless. It’s less messy.