2018 REVIEW
I thought I’d continue my tradition following last year with a wrap-up article showing my 2018 company and personal highlights. I’ve always thought its a pretty useful exercise to look back and reflect on the year, even if you’re the only one that reads it.
Social Strategy started 2018 with a bang, landing 8 new clients both here in the UK and in the states. However, these new clients were just the beginning of a tremendous year for Social Strategy.
The #SocialStrategy team have been tremendous over the last year, and we are excited to announce that we’ve got a few new starters in January (Will + Chloe) who will be joining us in our Southernhay offices. This will now give me more focus on building the brand from our new Quay offices. My focus in 2019 will now very much be sales, marketing, and the brand of Social Strategy.
I took the decision later this year to acquire some new office space on Exeter Quay as this will give me a platform to focus on Social Strategy and my personal brand work as a whole.
In total, Social Strategy has worked with over 160 brands (in the last 12-months) and are still working with a majority of them. It’s been the year of growth and we’ve managed to achieve a growth of over 1,090% since last December.
Some work Social Strategy have been involved in:
I wanted to talk about some of the work we’ve completed this year. We’ve launched a number of new websites for clients and worked with many more on their digital strategy and marketing. Here are just a few of my highlights:
Wellies of Wellswood: Due to new ownership, Wellies of Wellswood appointed Social Strategy as their social media and digital marketing agency. We were tasked with building a new website, developing content and growing their social media channels. The new Wellies of Wellswood responsive web project was designed with the customer in mind. It’s easy, responsive and achieves all objectives originally set out. The Wellies of Wellswood website was an experiment in elegance and modernism, a passion project from start to finish.
001 Skincare: In June 2018, global working skincare brand, 001, appointed us as their social media marketing agency. Our task; To build brand-awareness in the UK market. Our data team took a day to compile an analytical audit of competitors, keeping 001 Skincare a step ahead of what’s possible. The results were phenomenal increasing engagement by 185% and impressions by 356% within week one, and the brand continued to grow from here, giving a 376% engagement increase and 845% impression increase within month one.
Unifood Direct: Unifood Direct is a fast growing company within a fast growing market. That’s why Unifood Direct appointed Social Strategy as their social media marketing agency. Unifood Direct is a Bristol-based company providing food packages to uni students. Our creative team ensured that Unifood Direct was at the forefront of what’s possible. They did this through engaging content and competitor research. Within Week One, we helped Unifood increase engagements by 4,800% and impressions by 84,000%. Over 6-months, Unifood had a number of new customers which allowed the brand to expand globally.
La Halle De Rive: Geneva based brand, La Halle De Rive, approached Social Strategy in May 2018, with the goal of promoting brand-awareness of their food market. Our operations team were tasked with writing compelling content to engage La Halle De Rives’ current or potential clientele. As soon as we were appointed their agency, we analysed their communities and market to give them a step ahead of the crowd. We also developed a months worth of social media content.
www.halle-de-rive.ch
Abacus Taxis: Abacus provides a friendly and reliable service at a competitive rate. From airport transfers, long distance, minibus or simply a run to the shop and back, Abacus is dedicated to providing the best service possible. In July 2018, Social Strategy were challenged to market Cornwalls leading taxi firm, Abacus Taxis. Our goal was to inform Cornwall of Abacus and ensure they’re the go to company within their region. Social Strategy started fast and never slowed down, as the results show. Within month one, Abacus had an incoming message rate increase by 1,800%, while impressions increased by 31,100%.
Kijo: After a successful pitch, KIJO appointed Social Strategy as their Social Media Marketing Agency. KIJO is a Midlands based creative brand specialising in website design and development. We were tasked with building their social communities and increasing leads, through engaging content and bespoke campaigns.
Talent Strategy: In November 2018, Social Strategy launched Talent Strategy; an influencer and talent management agency and platform. This additional brand will now allow us to act as a fully serviced influencer agency providing additional support for developed strategies.
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Office Acquisition: Also in November, I and the brand took the decision to acquire some new space on the Quay, Exeter. This acquisition was to allow Southernhay to focus on strategy and client projects and for the Quay to focus on marketing, sales and the Social Strategy brand. This was a huge moment for our growth (both short term and long)
Other major clients joining the Social Strategy team in 2018 included: Global Sound Group, Sweet Prima, Mission Escape, Petroc College, Marrakech Concierge, Eyelush Boutique, Phonestation, My Friend Charlie, Something About Elizabeth and many more.
Somehow we also found time to do some pretty significant internal work (don’t ask me how). The team here have managed to fully rebuild our website and hosting platform, run a number of brand-awareness and lead generation campaigns and build a complete personal brand strategy (www.liamchick.com).
I’ve spent the last 3/4-hours writing this article and I’m really surprised at how much we’ve achieved and how much we’ve grown since last December. 2019 will be exciting.
Some work I’ve been involved in:
Finally, I wanted to finally talk to you about some personal projects I’ve been involved in and what will be coming early next year.
SAE Institute: I’ve recently signed a large deal for global media institution, SAE institute, and had my first talk in September at their Liverpool campus. This came from the back of excellent personal branding and previous keynote/ speaking opportunities.
Local Colleges: This year I have been apart of a large number of talks, seminars and meeting with local colleges to offer my skillset and knowledge to help drive the next force of marketeers and business people.
Exeter College: In December 2018, I joined the Exeter College apprentice scheme. This move came due to huge growth and the want to give young people a shot in a creative world.
Weekly Entrepreneur Series: In January 2019, I will be launching the Weekly Entrepreneur series. A weekly vlog, blog, and podcast series giving an honest and in-depth insight into life as a start-up Entrepreneur and brand. For a few months, this idea has been in production but thanks to the team, we’re now ready to launch the first episode.
Talent Strategy: In November 2018, Social Strategy launched Talent Strategy; an influencer and talent management agency and platform. I was highly involved in building Talent Strategy and adding it to the group. I also worked closely with the developers to finalise the launch of the platform (coming January 19).
Match Officiating: In September 2012, Liam completed the Devon FA referees course and was now a qualified match official. Liams journey within Devon FA has been an exciting one with promotion, along with participating in some large and exciting fixtures including: Manchester City, Exeter City, Torquay United, Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City and many more.
Public Speaking: This year has been extremely exciting for my public speaking career. I’ve recently signed a global agreement with a large institution, and have also been fortunate to travel all over the UK to speak at universities, expos, and colleges. I have a lot of exciting talks and opportunities book for 2019.
Investments: In July 2018, I created my first investment opportunity. This opportunity was a fast-growing, online dating app that allowed non-drinkers to meet without pressure. In August 2018, Liam investment in a second company that specialises in low cost, private jet hire from £450. Myself and Social Strategy are always looking for investment opportunities. If you’d like to be considered, then please email: investor@socialstrategy.media
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We predict 2019 to be full of growth, excitement and happy memories, so I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Liam Chick — CEO of Social Strategy
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