Ellie Clark
Managing Director
What does good marketing mean to you?
Good marketing to me is something that really makes an impact. Whether it’s an annoying advert that you can’t get out of your head, or a really innovative idea that rocks the boat. I love to see something that stands out, and it’s always something we’ll aim to achieve for ourselves & anyone we work with!
What is your first step when a potential client approaches you with a business idea?
The first step is getting to know them completely. For anyone that approaches us, whether they’re a new start-up or a long-standing business. I take the time to get a feel for them as an individual, the business overall and what they want to achieve. This understanding allows us to go away, get creative, and build the perfect strategy to suit their brand and their aims and goals!
Where do you see soshell in 10 years?
I see Soshell as Yorkshire’s highest rated marketing agency. With a focus on growth, both for our clients and our individual skills, I have no doubt that our amazing team will be completely unstoppable.
Described As
Creative Queen
Favourite Quote
“Life’s six rules for success. 1. Trust yourself. 2. Break some rules. 3. Don’t be afraid to fail. 4. Ignore the naysayers. 5. Work like hell. 6. Give something back.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Katie Sayer
Social Media Executive
What excites you most about social media marketing?
That it’s ever-changing! There’s constantly new ways of doing things, new trends and new types of content that resonate with audiences. It’s so exciting to keep up with. I feel I grew up when social media took off, so I know how far platforms like YouTube and Instagram have come from first-hand experience.
If a client came to you with no online presence, what would your first step be?
My first step would be to establish their specific target audience and the goals they want to achieve. Of course, if your product or business lends itself to an audience over 40 then I’d suggest Facebook is a great starting point. It also depends on what you offer and how best to show this… If you want to generate a presence using social media influencers then Instagram and TikTok are where you need to be!
What’s one social marketing trend of 2021 that you can’t get enough of?
I’m loving Instagram Reels. Currently, they’re the easiest way to generate organic impressions on Instagram and reach an audience that would otherwise have never heard of your brand!
Described As
Coffee Addict
Favourite Quote
“Take the risk or lose the chance.” – Marko Halilovic
Shannon Mugford
SEO & Content Executive
What makes high quality content?
For me, its content that is enjoyable to read while still being in-depth & high-performing. Nobody is going to want to read a long piece of text that has no relatability; therefore, by creating content that speaks to the reader in more ways than one, you’ll grasp their attention.
What are the three most important rules of SEO to you?
1) Do not keyword stuff your content. 2) Think long-term, not short-term; quick wins are good but you want your content to make a lasting impression on Google. 3) Start with best practises, if you’re not ticking these boxes, you may as well kiss any solid rankings goodbye.
If a client wanted to rank number 1 on Google, what is the first thing you would do?
Ensure that all content is under SEO best practices: META data, internal & external linking strategies, keyword inclusion, alt tags and the list goes on… I would then make sure that my client is hitting all the right content areas that their competitors are. Because it’s about doing better, not different!
Described As
Bubbly
Favourite Quote
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” – Marilyn Monroe
Steve Hillyard
Graphic Designer
What part of the design process is the most rewarding?
Seeing any of my published projects when I’m out and about.
If you had to undergo a rebrand for an established business, where would you start?
Discover the personality and ambition of the business to establish their needs, and diagnose what’s currently wrong, and whether a total overhaul or an update is needed – Coca-Cola and Starbucks do the modernising thing really well.
How do you incorporate feedback into your designs?
Design is all about problem solving, and this very much depends on the client and the manner in which the feedback is given. Sometimes feedback can be very literal. The old “make the logo bigger” thing might mean “make the logo stand out more” which can be achieved by a higher contrast background or positioned with more space around it. Either way, working with the client towards the same end goal is generally the best way.
Described As
Print-Mad
Favourite Quote
“Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful, that’s what matters to me.” – Steve Jobs
Alicia Ding
Apprentice
What are you enjoying most about Marketing?
I love the creative side of marketing; I feel it’s what I can do best. My favourite part of being creative is being able to show my skills through photoshoots and social content that’s showcased on Instagram, Facebook and even TikTok! Each different client we have allows me to show my skills and gather different ideas for each business as they all have different themes and industries.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learnt so far at Soshell?
The most interesting thing I have probably learnt at Soshell is how a business and their websites come together and that it isn’t just all about design; there is a lot more to it and I didn’t realise until I fully invested in learning each department. For instance, I never knew SEO or PPC played such a key role in a business’s success before starting at Soshell.
What made you decide to get into Marketing?
I’ve always had an interest in creating things, not to mention I enjoyed studying media at college, and so I thought Marketing was the best route to go down. It allows me to become creative when coming up with new ideas for a range of different clients while learning all of the ins and outs of a business, and what they need for an online presence.
Described As
Style Icon
Favourite Quote
“The best is yet to be.” – Alicia’s Dad
Becky Harding
PPC Manager
What do you enjoy most about PPC?
PPC is fast-paced; with the search landscape changing every day, I enjoy that no two days are the same and the challenge of keeping up with the latest developments to ensure we are staying ahead of the competition. Despite the challenge, watching startups transform into established businesses with the aid of a successful PPC campaign is a highly rewarding experience.
What’s the first thing you’d advise a client to do when starting in PPC?
The number one thing I would recommend to anyone looking into PPC would be to have clear goals. Whether you want to increase your brand awareness, gain an increase in in-store footfall, or drive online sales, having clearly defined goals is the key to a successful PPC campaign.
What is one skill/fact you’ve learned this year that has changed the way you produce PPC campaigns?
54% of Shoppers now shop across 5 or more channels over a 2 day period before making a purchase – Google Retail Seminar 2022
This little statistic has driven me to venture outside of my comfort zone of Search and Shopping campaigns and instead, utilise other Google platforms such as display and video with the help of the newly launched Performance Max campaign type.
Described As
Cookie Monster
Favourite Quote
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
Marketing experts at soshell!
We hope you’ve enjoyed meeting the Soshell team!
Here at Soshell, we know what it takes to put a marketing plan into motion. From the onboarding of a client to a long-lived partnership with them, we will do everything in our power to ensure that they meet growth & success in their field. If you’re looking for marketing support, you’ve come to the right team. Get in touch with us today on [email protected] for your very own bespoke quote.