Two Babies and a Business

In the kickoff episode for series 8, Christina and Peter discussed the different hats they wear inside and outside of CIPR Communications. Which hats they wear, what challenges come with each, and how to switch between them are all covered in this episode.

Web Quality Audits allow you to understand your website content from a new lens - these data-driven reports evaluate every single page on your site and allow you to make a game plan for improving each page. This is an essential first step in your SEO program, a new website builds when you have an existing site, or you're looking to evaluate the effectiveness of your current site before plunging in...

Christina and Peter discuss the importance of always improving your website - Google likes it, your website visitors will like it, and your customers will like it. Website improvement isn't just about technical components and content - it's about trust symbols, seasonality, and value add for your prospects and customers. Learn the things you should be thinking about every month to ensure your webs...

Christina and Peter debunk the necessity of engaging your agency in ongoing website maintenance for your website. What is website maintenance? What should a basic package cover? Why do you need site back-ups and security checks? And why are all those version and plug-in updates important? Christina and Peter give you all the facts to consider as you think about ensuring your website stays online a...

Asking for help is key and due diligence from the beginning is important. If your developer has stolen the keys to your website and not letting you you do have options. Bring in a third party to help you speak the same language as soon as possible and remember you do indeed own your assets and there is powerful legal precedent there too.

CIPR's leaders tell their top 5 things to consider before you hit the green light on launching your site. Testing (by both parties), stabilization, support, and ensuring all the right people are at the table are key. How long does a website take to launch? Well - it all depends but Christina and Peter have insight here that can help you better plan for that website launch date.

Budgeting for a website isn't just about the project itself and the cost of the site - website developers will be able to equip you with pricing around the plug-ins required to make your website experience what you desire it to be. It's also important to find a budget for the graphic design, photos, and video you may want to include in your website upfront (or at least consider it as something you...

Christina and Peter share their individual top 5 lists that you should be looking for in a website developer - these are the questions you should ask, the qualities you should be looking for, and the red flags you should pay attention to when interviewing or looking for a website designer or a website developer to take on your website project.

Christina and Peter talk about the importance of website content and why you should always use it as your starting place as opposed to trying to make content fit into a design. Website content is the foundation of the site and your developer should be pushing for content creation at the start of your website development process.

A great site map means that your target audiences can easily find the information they need on your site - and one of those key audiences is Google! A sitemap that pays attention to words people use to search, how things are categorized, and where things are found means you will have more success in leading your prospects through the sales funnel. Learn how CIPR approaches the creation of a site m...

CIPR has a proven process when developing sites. Christina and Peter explain that some clients are quite surprised at all the work that happens upfront even before we head into the development stage - but that upfront time spent means a more effective and efficient development process - meaning better use of time and dollars. Your agency should always be able to explain their process to you - and...

CIPR believes in creating websites that are conversion-focused because it will give you your best return on investment when you hit the post-launch stage of marketing. Conversion-focused sites help our team smoothly transition to a marketing program that helps a client meet their goals without additional investments in landing pages, website fixes, and new forms.

Peter explains what conversion-based websites really mean - and Christina boils it all down to the question "where is the button?". Website development is not a cookie-cutter approach and understanding these two distinct philosophies around building a website will help you make the right decision for your business as you begin to reflect on building a website.

Christina and Peter reflect on the key things that led them to become an agency that offers website development and website design. Building a website is not an easy process - the multi-faceted approach to website development becomes a perfect opportunity to understand a business and what makes them tick. It also becomes a great way for a client to know if the agency is the right fit for them long...

Amber worked alongside CIPR Communications to create a kit for stakeholders across her region that could empower them to tell the value of tourism stories in their communities. Christina and Peter learn about what's been effective and how she uses her role and focus on support for tourism to assist destination development opportunities in her region.

The value of tourism programs is becoming increasingly important for destination marketing organizations. CIPR Communications' Value of Tourism toolkit is any organizations starting point for build a successful program that engages and helps you achieve your goals. Christina and Peter unpack what is in a toolkit and why each organization trying to build a value of tourism campaign should start her...

This is the part of your support for tourism campaign that builds momentum. Your marketing and communications tactics at this stage are all about getting your target audiences to do something - whether it is attending an event, vote for someone or something, post on social media, or send a letter. Christina and Peter boil down the important things to know and to watch while you are engaging govern...

Christina is all about playing devil's advocate today as she challenges Peter on how to get tactical after your strategy. You may think your communications strategy for building support for tourism is complete - but if you're having trouble pinpointing those great tactics it might not be!

Christina and Peter chat through the last key component of your value of tourism strategy - education and engagement. Each needs special thought around messaging - and each needs to be mapped back to your support for tourism campaign goals. Your communications initiatives will be dictated by these key strategic lenses.

This is where it all started for Peter and Christina. Bev explains how the Value of Tourism became her passion in Kamloops and how her partnership with CIPR Communications allowed her to hone in on government relations, communications, media opportunities - as well as market her community to locals for the first time.

Time, Budget, Resources, and Scope. You've done your research, challenged your assumptions, and started to think politically - now it's time to think project management so that you can get your value of tourism initiative off the ground. Learn how to partner with a communications and marketing agency that can help you get the best return on investment for your initiatives year after year.

CIPR Communications has extensive political and communications experience which gives us a real advantage in creating and implementing a value of tourism campaign. Understanding how you can get political and where you need to gain visibility is key - Peter and Christina remind listeners of the right way to prioritize this as an organization heads into building support for tourism.

Andrea wears many hats - tourism operator, community advocate, destination marketing director, and many more. We learn about her business, her approach to the value of tourism in the community, and why she wants to ensure her community leaders have a passion for this industry. Andrea also gives Peter and Christina a valuable type for working together (she and her husband are celebrating 15 years i...

Christina and Peter dig into the importance of exploring your 'why' of a support for tourism campaign. Destination Management Organizations may know they need a program but they need to take the time to drill down on the most important reasons behind the initiative. Going through a key message exercise can help solidify your communication and marketing goals and drive you towards a more successful...

Be brave, be consistent, and be focused - Monica dives into her polling and surveying strategy and why remembering these three principles has allowed her to get the feedback she needs to be successful in her communications planning around the Value of Tourism initiatives they have in place at Tourism Kamloops - and also several other key projects.