Beginners guide to Direct Mail?
Here at 121 Direct Mail we regularly review the Royal Mail marketing website, one article that caught our eye was really going back to direct mail basics, we have taken that article and added a few of our own thoughts which we trust you will find helpful and informative.
Want to tell people about your latest product, offer or opening, grow your reputation and brand, win new customers, or simply tell the story about your professional image? All of this and more can be achieved by direct mail.
Mailshots are proven as a brilliant form of advertising. More and more businesses, large and small, are still seeing the effectiveness of building customer relationships by post even with the advent of email as they see it as a reinforcement and directional pointing to their online activity.
Whether it’s a ‘warm’ highly personalised mailshot or a ‘cold’ unaddressed door drop, direct mail can be an extremely targeted, personal and creative way to engage people who are or could be your next customer.
At 121 Direct Mail we provide an insight into direct mail as a marketing tool and can take you step by step through the process of producing your own mailshot or door drop campaign.
Put your business in your customers’ hands
In every door there is a letterbox. Through those letterboxes are your customers, either at home or at work. The post arrives. They pick it up, and your business, your image, your product or service, your offer is in their hands.
You talk to them. You tell them your news. You make them an offer. You get a response. You close the sale. Then, over time, you need to keep talking to them as it’s far easier to sell something more to an established customer than to gain a new client. If you build a good relationship, they become loyal, lifelong customers, buying your products and services time and time again, and recommending you to their friends.
The sceptics may say “Yes, that’s the theory, but that doesn't really happen in the real world,” Only it does: it's called direct mail marketing. It can be a mailshot (personally addressed advertising) or a door drop (unaddressed advertising sent to specific postcode areas).
Direct Mail is used by all types of businesses, in all sectors, to acquire customers, retain them and encourage them to spend more. It's a highly targeted, highly personal, highly successful form of marketing that's worth over £25 billion in sales revenue each year in the UK alone.
So how does it work?
Target, Target, Target
Whether targeting consumers (b2c, business-to-consumer) or businesses (b2b, business-to-business), mail is a precise and personal form of marketing. It's one of the few media that enables you to know exactly who you are talking to, where they live and what interests them.
Information about your customers is crucial to any mailshot. This may already exist in its most basic form as a list of your existing customers’ names and addresses. Or you can buy a list of potential customers to match your target audience from our sister company Mailing Lists UK.
Refining your customer information helps to target your audience more accurately for more effective mailings. It can also provide a clearer understanding of the person. What age are they? What income? Are they male or female? Are they avid readers, or into sports and exercise? Do they give to good causes, or are they keen investors? The more information you can draw on, the more precise you can be in your targeting.
The aim is to put information in the hands of those people who are more likely to want to hear from you, and therefore more likely to respond and spend.
Dear “Personalised”, Dear Friend
Mailshots, also known as direct mail, are the highly personalised form of marketing by mail. You have known names and addresses of either existing customers (a ‘warm’ list) or people who fit your target audience and are potential customers (a ‘cold’ list).
Door drops, sometimes known as door-to-door, are the unaddressed form of marketing, where you don't have the names of the people you want to reach. These mailings can be very similar in form and content as personalised mail, but are delivered to areas (districts and postcodes) that fit your target audience's profile or a catchment area for your shop or services.
Both forms of mail can be used individually or together in any campaign, and often play key roles in wider, integrated campaigns using TV, radio, press, web and outdoor advertising.
RSVP
People respond to mail like no other media. They really read it. Research shows that people can spend up to 10 minutes reading mailshots. They digest the information in their own time and at their own pace, and then decide to act, or not.
Mail provides businesses with a discrete, individualised environment to get a response from an individual customer. And there are many tools and techniques that can be used to help you get that response.
The first and most important is to have a compelling reason for the customer to respond (a fantastic offer…only available from this mailshotl…for a limited period only…etc) and then provide the customer with the easiest way to respond, be that freepost, freefone or online. The very medium of a mailshot offers you the chance to be more engaging, more persuasive and even more detailed in what you have to say and sell, you have already got their attention with the letter in their hands, so now you can deliver your sales message in the best possible way to gain a RSVP.
A Flexible Medium
Longer, more persuasive messaging, with deeper, richer information. Mailshots allow you to set out your stall in as structured and as engaging a style as you wish. start collecting mailshots that land on your doormat and see the styles they use to persuade, if you are a small company “steal with pride” the ideas and styles used successfully by the big boys!
Mailshots and door drops can be created in many different formats and often include one or any number of the following items:
Letters and postcards
Leaflets
Brochures
Catalogues
CD’s / DVDs
Samples
The key thing is to exploit mail as an exciting and engaging medium. It is one of the few media that can affect all the senses - sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
Creative and well thought through mailshots really do help get your message across, and solicit that all important response. The possibilities are restricted only by imagination, budget...and the size of the standard letterbox.
Postage Discountswhen costing your mailshot, don’t fall into the trap of just using standard 1st or 2nd class postage costs as discounts on postage are available for most mailshots. Discounts vary dependent on volume, size and weight of the direct mail piece. Ideally it is worth discussing this very early on with a direct mailing fulfilment company like 121 Direct Mail, who will be happy to advise you on the best solution for discounts on your mailing.
Licking the Envelopes
How often have we heard about DIY mailshots where a full team of admin staff are printing 1000’s of letters on their desktop printers, then spending days folding and inserting them into envelopes, licking the envelope and putting an address label and stamp on the front….. What a waste of time and effort…..121 Direct Mail fully automate that whole process and send out 1000’s of letters and mailings every day. You also don’t have to be sending millions to make it cost effective, postage discounts given on a few 1000 letters, are often greater than the cost of printing and inserting the letters, and its done in a quarter of the time, leaving your staff to get on with what you pay them to do!
If you are considering a mailing to your customers or prospective customers, then why not get in touch with 121 Direct Mail today and see just how much more efficient and productive your next sales campaign could be.
Facts about marketing by mail
Mail has the power to change the way people think and feel about you, because you can make it so personally relevant.
Mail is engaging. Consumers spend on average 10 minutes reading mailshots. Compare the cost of that length of exposure against other media such as TV.
Mail is a tangible form of advertising. It gives you a physical presence in your customers’ home or office, and can literally put your product in their hands.
Mail can be targeted to reach very specific audiences - almost every individual, household and business in the UK can be reached by mail.
Mail can support and deepen relationships with your customers, building awareness as part of integrated campaigns, or involving customers with your business as part of ongoing, two-way communications. It can provide one of the few opportunities for people who actually use your product or service to tell you how they use it, why, and what else they would like from you.
Doordrops (unaddressed mail) offer you the chance to talk to people you don't know. You can profile and target lists of likely customers - either in broad geographic or lifestyle bands, or through the use of highly specific street-by-street or even door-by-door data.
It is estimated that consumer mailshots generate more than £25 billion of business each year. For every £1 spent, £14 is generated.
Mailshot expenditure has increased by 155% in the last 12 years.
22 Dec 2010
10 Dec 2010
Exhibition Stands-“Fail to plan - Plan to fail”
As we enter a new year, its time for the exhibitions and annual trade shows to start, which for lots of companies is the preferred way to meet lots of new and old customers and tie up deals in a short space of time. Shows allow you to fill the order books and collect lots of new leads for the sales teams to follow up, so if you do it right, exhibitions are now one of the most important parts of building and promoting your business.
Always remember that what you take to a show needs to stop and impress the wanderer. In today’s high profile world, it’s generally the last minute exhibitor that has a shell scheme stand with a poor selection of ‘just got here’ - pop-up displays and a few products scattered about, which today just doesn’t cut the mustard. All around them there will be competitors that have planned and invested in same size purpose built, brand enhancing stands which faultlessly show off their fantastic new products and services under bright lights and display graphics. Ironically they might not have spent much more budget in presenting their company, but they are now in a perfect situation by creating a “wow factor” and endorsing their obviously superior corporate branding to a much wide audience.
However as we all know attending any trade show requires a fairly substantial investment of both time and marketing budget, so we all need to consider how you can make your company’s exhibition stand more successful?
The old adage of “fail to plan and you plan to fail!” has never been used so much when it comes to organising the set up of a successful exhibition stand. The initial question that all businesses need to ask is “Is this the correct show for us?” It is imperative to establish and understand why your target customer audience attends particular shows and exhibitions, you can then confidently purchase space at these appropriate ones. One way of checking this is to get on the phone and talk to a number of customers and ask them which shows they will be visiting and why…do they match your list? Building a stand at a trade show with the wrong customers attending will be a waste of time and budget. You should also check in trade show directories for lots more ideas.
It is generally understood that prospects wandering around an exhibition are definitely looking for free stuff, and every business having a stand at a trade show knows this, so build in some budget to invest in some promotional items to entice customers on to your stand. Sweets, badges and rulers that are easily and quickly forgotten, won’t do much for your branding and company, so consider your giveaways carefully and invest in something useful. Today a branded, eco-friendly “bag for life” is a good item, because potential customers will carry it around the show and collect items from other companies in it. But, it is your company branding on the front of the bag forever, so it is the one they will remember. Don’t forget pens and a “things to do today” pad where the first printed note is ‘Call your company today on 0800 123456’ these items are used all the time and with your branding, name and number on it, will serve to remind the potential customer who you are and that they should get in touch again.
A clever, yet very successful trick used by a few companies is to print, special exhibition business cards, with contact details and a picture of your company’s new or highest profile product on. Everyone can hand these out and if necessary just write their own name on the card. Traditional business cards with just a name and your company logo on may not be a big enough reminder as to the conversation and products your company offer. However ‘A picture says a 1000 words!’ and will remind someone of the reason they took your card in the first place.
Exhibitions are still one of the most profitable methods of marketing your brand, services and products. With a planned investment of time and budget, it can be very profitable if done correctly. If with just a little planning you can pick up orders, new customers and have your potential customer wander away with your name imprinted on their memory, is will be well worth it in the long run.
The first step in planning is to contact Display Exhibitions, for information, assistance and design ideas on a wide selection of cost effective purpose built displays and rental stands, call John Ratcliffe on 0845 838 6309 or visit www.displayexhibitions.co.uk
Always remember that what you take to a show needs to stop and impress the wanderer. In today’s high profile world, it’s generally the last minute exhibitor that has a shell scheme stand with a poor selection of ‘just got here’ - pop-up displays and a few products scattered about, which today just doesn’t cut the mustard. All around them there will be competitors that have planned and invested in same size purpose built, brand enhancing stands which faultlessly show off their fantastic new products and services under bright lights and display graphics. Ironically they might not have spent much more budget in presenting their company, but they are now in a perfect situation by creating a “wow factor” and endorsing their obviously superior corporate branding to a much wide audience.
However as we all know attending any trade show requires a fairly substantial investment of both time and marketing budget, so we all need to consider how you can make your company’s exhibition stand more successful?
The old adage of “fail to plan and you plan to fail!” has never been used so much when it comes to organising the set up of a successful exhibition stand. The initial question that all businesses need to ask is “Is this the correct show for us?” It is imperative to establish and understand why your target customer audience attends particular shows and exhibitions, you can then confidently purchase space at these appropriate ones. One way of checking this is to get on the phone and talk to a number of customers and ask them which shows they will be visiting and why…do they match your list? Building a stand at a trade show with the wrong customers attending will be a waste of time and budget. You should also check in trade show directories for lots more ideas.
It is generally understood that prospects wandering around an exhibition are definitely looking for free stuff, and every business having a stand at a trade show knows this, so build in some budget to invest in some promotional items to entice customers on to your stand. Sweets, badges and rulers that are easily and quickly forgotten, won’t do much for your branding and company, so consider your giveaways carefully and invest in something useful. Today a branded, eco-friendly “bag for life” is a good item, because potential customers will carry it around the show and collect items from other companies in it. But, it is your company branding on the front of the bag forever, so it is the one they will remember. Don’t forget pens and a “things to do today” pad where the first printed note is ‘Call your company today on 0800 123456’ these items are used all the time and with your branding, name and number on it, will serve to remind the potential customer who you are and that they should get in touch again.
A clever, yet very successful trick used by a few companies is to print, special exhibition business cards, with contact details and a picture of your company’s new or highest profile product on. Everyone can hand these out and if necessary just write their own name on the card. Traditional business cards with just a name and your company logo on may not be a big enough reminder as to the conversation and products your company offer. However ‘A picture says a 1000 words!’ and will remind someone of the reason they took your card in the first place.
Exhibitions are still one of the most profitable methods of marketing your brand, services and products. With a planned investment of time and budget, it can be very profitable if done correctly. If with just a little planning you can pick up orders, new customers and have your potential customer wander away with your name imprinted on their memory, is will be well worth it in the long run.
The first step in planning is to contact Display Exhibitions, for information, assistance and design ideas on a wide selection of cost effective purpose built displays and rental stands, call John Ratcliffe on 0845 838 6309 or visit www.displayexhibitions.co.uk
9 Dec 2010
Christmas Postal Deadlines 2010
121 Direct Mail would like to offer all its customers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
In order for you and your business to ensure your cards, parcels and mailshots land on time, here is a definitive list of Christmas posting times from Royal Mail.
Should you have any questions regarding pre-Christmas or New Year volume mail deliveries, please do not hesitate to contact Linda Cook, MD at 121 Direct Mail
Children’s Santa Mail is now available. Get your letters to Santa off early this year.
In order for you and your business to ensure your cards, parcels and mailshots land on time, here is a definitive list of Christmas posting times from Royal Mail.
Should you have any questions regarding pre-Christmas or New Year volume mail deliveries, please do not hesitate to contact Linda Cook, MD at 121 Direct Mail
Children’s Santa Mail is now available. Get your letters to Santa off early this year.
Phenominal returns from charitable direct mailings
121 Direct Mail is in agreement with a survey commissioned by TNT Post investigating consumer attitudes to charity mailings which has revealed that Britain is a nation of givers.
121 Direct Mail already work with a number of charities and are ideally set up to discuss and advise fundraisers on the best ways to trial direct mail to the database of supporters they have for their organisation.
The survey found that almost half of Brits (47%) regularly contribute to a specific charitable cause and a quarter (25%) makes a charitable donation on an ad hoc basis each month. A third (33%) of people who make a donation are prompted by mail received from a charity, demonstrating that consumers actively react to physical mail appeals.
Furthermore, over half (57%) of those who chose to respond to mail appeals responded via post to make their donation, offering charities a real return on direct marketing spend. The survey found that direct mail is one of the most consistent channels for donation response rates. Mark Davies, Managing Director of TNT Post Doordrop Media commented: “Physical mail is still one of the most effective methods for direct engagement, both for charities and across sectors. The survey results show that in terms of measurable return on investment both direct mail and doordrops remain the most reliable and consistent direct marketing channels for charities.”
Samatha Wilson, marketing manager of Fundraising Standards Board added: “Direct mail has long been a mainstay of fundraising and these latest figures confirm that when done well, it continues to be a successful tool for fundraising.”
To find out more about how 121 Direct Mail can add value to your Charity DM campaign contact Linda Cook today on 0845 4000 121 or Linda@121directmail.co.uk
121 Direct Mail already work with a number of charities and are ideally set up to discuss and advise fundraisers on the best ways to trial direct mail to the database of supporters they have for their organisation.
The survey found that almost half of Brits (47%) regularly contribute to a specific charitable cause and a quarter (25%) makes a charitable donation on an ad hoc basis each month. A third (33%) of people who make a donation are prompted by mail received from a charity, demonstrating that consumers actively react to physical mail appeals.
Furthermore, over half (57%) of those who chose to respond to mail appeals responded via post to make their donation, offering charities a real return on direct marketing spend. The survey found that direct mail is one of the most consistent channels for donation response rates. Mark Davies, Managing Director of TNT Post Doordrop Media commented: “Physical mail is still one of the most effective methods for direct engagement, both for charities and across sectors. The survey results show that in terms of measurable return on investment both direct mail and doordrops remain the most reliable and consistent direct marketing channels for charities.”
Samatha Wilson, marketing manager of Fundraising Standards Board added: “Direct mail has long been a mainstay of fundraising and these latest figures confirm that when done well, it continues to be a successful tool for fundraising.”
To find out more about how 121 Direct Mail can add value to your Charity DM campaign contact Linda Cook today on 0845 4000 121 or Linda@121directmail.co.uk
8 Dec 2010
121 Direct Mail considers The VAT on Royal Mail postage services
News has been circulating from the Royal Mail's press team that the Government has announced that VAT at the standard rate will apply to certain postal services from 31st January 2011.
The majority of Royal Mail’s customers will not be affected by this change. Most services will remain exempt from VAT, in particular, First and Second Class stamped and franked mail and standard parcels. You won’t pay VAT when you buy stamps.
The full list of products liable to VAT from 31st January 2011, which also provides further information about prices, is available at www.royalmail.com/vat
Royal Mail will write to account customers directly affected by these changes.
Prices
Royal Mail is not increasing the prices of any UK services on 31st January 2011; and will only apply VAT to existing prices for the services affected.
Further advice
Many businesses can recover their VAT, but some cannot. For professional advice we suggest customers contact their Finance department, Accountant or Tax Advisor. Royal Mail cannot provide tax advice.
International contract mail
From 31st January 2011 international contract services to EU countries will be liable to VAT. You won’t see the names of all these services in the lists on the website at www.royalmail.com/vat because Royal Mail is currently improving and simplifying its international contract range. More details will be available in December.
Franked mail
Franking customers will not be able to buy affected products using a standard franking machine from 31st January 2011. They will still be available on a “smart” franking machine which can handle VAT. Customers can speak to their franking supplier to find out more.
Online postage
Customers will not be able to buy affected services on SmartStamp® and Online Postage for a while. They can still buy them at Post Office® branches and on account.
These are some of the services Royal Mail will charge VAT on:
Express and Tracked services
· Special Delivery 9.00a.m. Stamp, Franking and Account
· Special Delivery Next Day Account
· Royal Mail Tracked and Tracked Next Day
· Royal Mail Sameday
International Services (VAT will only be added to EU destinations)
· International Contract Services
· International Airsure
· International Admail and Admail Packets
· International Redirections
Advertising, Catalogues and Magazine Services
· Big Book
· Royal Mail Heavyweight
· mailmedia
Unaddressed Mail
· Door to Door
Receiving and Managing Mail Services
· Keepsafe
· Timed Delivery
· Early Extraction
· Early Collect
· Selectapost
Other Services
· Business Mail Secure
· Admail
· Local Collect
· Callers Services
· Rural Deliveries
· Rural Carriage of Goods
Contract Services
· Presorted Delivery
· Mailroom Management
· Mailroom Consulting Services
· Royal Mail Relay
These are some of the services that remain exempt from VAT
UK Services
· First and Second Class (Stamped, Franked and PPI)
· Special Delivery Next Day (Stamped and Franked)
· Standard Parcels
· Recorded Signed For
· Cleanmail, Cleanmail Plus and Cleanmail Advance
· Mailsort (70, 120, 700 and 1400)
· Walksort
· Presstream
· Sustainable Mail
International Services
· International Airmail
· International Surface Mail
· All HM Forces Mail
The majority of Royal Mail’s customers will not be affected by this change. Most services will remain exempt from VAT, in particular, First and Second Class stamped and franked mail and standard parcels. You won’t pay VAT when you buy stamps.
The full list of products liable to VAT from 31st January 2011, which also provides further information about prices, is available at www.royalmail.com/vat
Royal Mail will write to account customers directly affected by these changes.
Prices
Royal Mail is not increasing the prices of any UK services on 31st January 2011; and will only apply VAT to existing prices for the services affected.
Further advice
Many businesses can recover their VAT, but some cannot. For professional advice we suggest customers contact their Finance department, Accountant or Tax Advisor. Royal Mail cannot provide tax advice.
International contract mail
From 31st January 2011 international contract services to EU countries will be liable to VAT. You won’t see the names of all these services in the lists on the website at www.royalmail.com/vat because Royal Mail is currently improving and simplifying its international contract range. More details will be available in December.
Franked mail
Franking customers will not be able to buy affected products using a standard franking machine from 31st January 2011. They will still be available on a “smart” franking machine which can handle VAT. Customers can speak to their franking supplier to find out more.
Online postage
Customers will not be able to buy affected services on SmartStamp® and Online Postage for a while. They can still buy them at Post Office® branches and on account.
These are some of the services Royal Mail will charge VAT on:
Express and Tracked services
· Special Delivery 9.00a.m. Stamp, Franking and Account
· Special Delivery Next Day Account
· Royal Mail Tracked and Tracked Next Day
· Royal Mail Sameday
International Services (VAT will only be added to EU destinations)
· International Contract Services
· International Airsure
· International Admail and Admail Packets
· International Redirections
Advertising, Catalogues and Magazine Services
· Big Book
· Royal Mail Heavyweight
· mailmedia
Unaddressed Mail
· Door to Door
Receiving and Managing Mail Services
· Keepsafe
· Timed Delivery
· Early Extraction
· Early Collect
· Selectapost
Other Services
· Business Mail Secure
· Admail
· Local Collect
· Callers Services
· Rural Deliveries
· Rural Carriage of Goods
Contract Services
· Presorted Delivery
· Mailroom Management
· Mailroom Consulting Services
· Royal Mail Relay
These are some of the services that remain exempt from VAT
UK Services
· First and Second Class (Stamped, Franked and PPI)
· Special Delivery Next Day (Stamped and Franked)
· Standard Parcels
· Recorded Signed For
· Cleanmail, Cleanmail Plus and Cleanmail Advance
· Mailsort (70, 120, 700 and 1400)
· Walksort
· Presstream
· Sustainable Mail
International Services
· International Airmail
· International Surface Mail
· All HM Forces Mail
Big postage discounts availble from Royal Mail
At 121 Direct Mail we are working closely with Royal Mail to support an initiative for advertisiers that have been away from Direct mail for a couple of years or those companies that have never tried it and are looking for an excent wayto talk to their costomers.
Direct Mail is a powerful medium. It’s targeted, has a great ROI and offers great cut through in a digital world. In fact we are so sure of its potential we are offering your customers a postage credit for their first 3 mailings, so they can see the results themselves.
If your customers haven't used Direct Mail to advertise for at least 24 months or more, Or they are new to Direct Mail, Royal Mail are offering savings, by way of a postage credit, of up to 25% on selected services.
We want to help your customers find out how Direct Mail can work for them, so we are offering a 25% credit* on their first mailing, a 20% credit* on their second mailing and a 15% credit* on thier third mailing.
The credits are applied to either your Royal Mail account or your customers Royal Mail account, after the mailing has been completed and the Scheme’s eligibility criteria met. The credits are on top of our existing prices and applicable discounts.
We can also help you to help your customers increase the effectiveness of their mailings as we have a range of experts available to help get more from Direct Mail or multi-channel campaign. Whatever your customers campaign aims, our media, data, B2B and international experts are on hand to share their insights - and help you build an effective integrated Direct Mail campaign.
For those interested in advertising abroad, we’re also offering savings on our international prices if you haven’t used Direct Mail to advertise internationally for at least 24 months.
To find out more, please contact Linda Cook at 121 direct mail or call her on 0845 4000121
Many thanks
*Terms and conditions and exclusions apply. Offer is dependent on acceptance of application. First time International Direct Mailings earn postage credits up to 10%
Direct Mail is a powerful medium. It’s targeted, has a great ROI and offers great cut through in a digital world. In fact we are so sure of its potential we are offering your customers a postage credit for their first 3 mailings, so they can see the results themselves.
If your customers haven't used Direct Mail to advertise for at least 24 months or more, Or they are new to Direct Mail, Royal Mail are offering savings, by way of a postage credit, of up to 25% on selected services.
We want to help your customers find out how Direct Mail can work for them, so we are offering a 25% credit* on their first mailing, a 20% credit* on their second mailing and a 15% credit* on thier third mailing.
The credits are applied to either your Royal Mail account or your customers Royal Mail account, after the mailing has been completed and the Scheme’s eligibility criteria met. The credits are on top of our existing prices and applicable discounts.
We can also help you to help your customers increase the effectiveness of their mailings as we have a range of experts available to help get more from Direct Mail or multi-channel campaign. Whatever your customers campaign aims, our media, data, B2B and international experts are on hand to share their insights - and help you build an effective integrated Direct Mail campaign.
For those interested in advertising abroad, we’re also offering savings on our international prices if you haven’t used Direct Mail to advertise internationally for at least 24 months.
To find out more, please contact Linda Cook at 121 direct mail or call her on 0845 4000121
Many thanks
*Terms and conditions and exclusions apply. Offer is dependent on acceptance of application. First time International Direct Mailings earn postage credits up to 10%
30 Nov 2010
More Birds wanted at Hazel Grove Golf Club
With 2013 Centenary planning and fundraising already well underway, the Centenary Committee at HGGC have recently been successful with their application for a Manchester Airport Community Grant of £1500 towards the purchase of 100 Bird Boxes and two large fountains for the lakes on the course.
Working in conjunction with the Stockport RSPB who have assisted the club with bird habitat surveys that identified, buzzards, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, tits and robins just to mention a few.
The RSPB are now suggesting the best sites for the various types of bird boxes. The boxes were all purchased from leading supplier CJ Wildlife in Shrewsbury, at a cost that was heavily subsidised by their own charitable donations programme, and golf club members are now also able to buy boxes for their own gardens at exclusive discounted prices. Contact details are 01743 709545 - www.birdfood.co.uk.
The Manchester Airport Community Grant will also contribute towards the clean up and aeration of the two main lakes benefitting the wildfowl, fish and amphibians that live on the course. HGGC is a registered home to the protected great crested newt and the club have taken specialist advice on the de-silting and aeration of the lakes to ensure the well-being of all wildlife on the course.
The Centenary Committee would also like to thank all the members of the golf club who personally sponsored the bird boxes for this project, which the Stockport RSPB claim to be one of the largest local projects they have ever been involved with.
Working in conjunction with the Stockport RSPB who have assisted the club with bird habitat surveys that identified, buzzards, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, tits and robins just to mention a few.
The RSPB are now suggesting the best sites for the various types of bird boxes. The boxes were all purchased from leading supplier CJ Wildlife in Shrewsbury, at a cost that was heavily subsidised by their own charitable donations programme, and golf club members are now also able to buy boxes for their own gardens at exclusive discounted prices. Contact details are 01743 709545 - www.birdfood.co.uk.
The Manchester Airport Community Grant will also contribute towards the clean up and aeration of the two main lakes benefitting the wildfowl, fish and amphibians that live on the course. HGGC is a registered home to the protected great crested newt and the club have taken specialist advice on the de-silting and aeration of the lakes to ensure the well-being of all wildlife on the course.
The Centenary Committee would also like to thank all the members of the golf club who personally sponsored the bird boxes for this project, which the Stockport RSPB claim to be one of the largest local projects they have ever been involved with.
3 Jun 2010
Golf Gardens Miraflores II, 2010 AGM Update
The 2010 AGM was held on the 31st May at the Venta del Golf restaurant in the commercial centre near GGM II.
Firstly, we are pleased to report that Jeremy Watkinson has agreed to continue as our Presidente and his committee have all been re-elected
We had a small turn out of about 10 owners compared to previous years where we have seen 30+. We are still deciding if moving the AGM date forward has been a success or not. The thought was that more owneres may be about in a schoool holiday week, however prices for flights at that time are at premium rates, so owners without children may have been put off by the cost? We purposly didn't propose a date for next years AGM, as this obviously needs some more discussion by the committee.
Following the Presidents report that was circulated to all residents (a copy is in the AGM section of this website) we were all presented with a presentation document prepared for the AGM that outlined the success's and issues concerning the community. This document will be made available to all owners that didn't attend.
Success's included the pool surround, postbox cover, new website, grande community relationship, the gardener, the cleaner and the huge amounts of ongoing maintenace we had achieved with Angel. The issues we had includes the theft of community electricity by an owner, the need for increased security with a spate of opportunist thefts, water leakage problems from planters on owners terraces , expansion joint repairs to all buildings and ongoing debtors.
All these items were discussed and the owners felt that the Presidente, Intercala and his committee had all the issues in hand and had a clear plan to resolve these in the forthcoming year.
The Presidente was also pleased and proud to report that the community and property of Golf Gardens Miraflores II had been awarded a "AAA" Status by the Mijas Council, and we are the only community to have this status in the local vacinity, so our ongoing goal to be "the best place to live on the Costa del Sol" has now been recognised officially.
The budgets for running the community were then presented and whilst the provision for "Basura" (which will in future be paid for by owners independently) had been taken out, the increases announced in Spanish VAT would result in an overall static posion on the costs to run our community. the Budget was therefore confirmed at the same levels as last year.
With no other matters being raised the Presidente closed the meeting with the following statement:
"I would like to put on record, my thanks for the support that has been given by the committee and most importantly
Johanna Beemster who has given so much of her time to community work. Johanna has meticulously ensured work
has been done correctly, on time and within budget.
I am very pleased with the way the team of Committee members have worked together, it has been a very
successful formula for our community, it’s a pleasure to work with them all.
I look forward to working with the same experienced and committed team in the foreseeable future."
A full report and the minutes of the 2010 AGM will be distributed and placed on the website in the near future, if you have any questions please send an email from this website.
Firstly, we are pleased to report that Jeremy Watkinson has agreed to continue as our Presidente and his committee have all been re-elected
We had a small turn out of about 10 owners compared to previous years where we have seen 30+. We are still deciding if moving the AGM date forward has been a success or not. The thought was that more owneres may be about in a schoool holiday week, however prices for flights at that time are at premium rates, so owners without children may have been put off by the cost? We purposly didn't propose a date for next years AGM, as this obviously needs some more discussion by the committee.
Following the Presidents report that was circulated to all residents (a copy is in the AGM section of this website) we were all presented with a presentation document prepared for the AGM that outlined the success's and issues concerning the community. This document will be made available to all owners that didn't attend.
Success's included the pool surround, postbox cover, new website, grande community relationship, the gardener, the cleaner and the huge amounts of ongoing maintenace we had achieved with Angel. The issues we had includes the theft of community electricity by an owner, the need for increased security with a spate of opportunist thefts, water leakage problems from planters on owners terraces , expansion joint repairs to all buildings and ongoing debtors.
All these items were discussed and the owners felt that the Presidente, Intercala and his committee had all the issues in hand and had a clear plan to resolve these in the forthcoming year.
The Presidente was also pleased and proud to report that the community and property of Golf Gardens Miraflores II had been awarded a "AAA" Status by the Mijas Council, and we are the only community to have this status in the local vacinity, so our ongoing goal to be "the best place to live on the Costa del Sol" has now been recognised officially.
The budgets for running the community were then presented and whilst the provision for "Basura" (which will in future be paid for by owners independently) had been taken out, the increases announced in Spanish VAT would result in an overall static posion on the costs to run our community. the Budget was therefore confirmed at the same levels as last year.
With no other matters being raised the Presidente closed the meeting with the following statement:
"I would like to put on record, my thanks for the support that has been given by the committee and most importantly
Johanna Beemster who has given so much of her time to community work. Johanna has meticulously ensured work
has been done correctly, on time and within budget.
I am very pleased with the way the team of Committee members have worked together, it has been a very
successful formula for our community, it’s a pleasure to work with them all.
I look forward to working with the same experienced and committed team in the foreseeable future."
A full report and the minutes of the 2010 AGM will be distributed and placed on the website in the near future, if you have any questions please send an email from this website.
Golf Gardens Miraflores II Presidents Report 2009 - 2010
Presidents report 2009/2010
This is my second report, giving you an overview of what has been happening on the community over the last year. It will also hopefully serve to remove or reduce the amount of time normally taken to answer questions relating to these points during the AGM on the 31st May 2010.
I am pleased to report that having survived the wettest winter on record in Spain, the community has faired better than most in the area for damp, flooding and storm damage. Whilst we are not totally unaffected, we have been able to manage the situation with ongoing maintenance and have a plan in place to ensure it causes less problems for us in the future. I’m sure that some residents that have not visited since Christmas may have discovered some damp problems on their arrival, but I trust these have been more cosmetic than structural.
As we left the first year of my Presidency, I reported that we had achieved a lot more than initially anticipated with regard to getting the complex back into tip top condition. The Committee had hoped for a small increase in the community fees last year to action all the plans we had on our wish list, however no increases meant that a number of things had to be deferred. Nevertheless at the end of the second term I trust that you are all happy with the achievements and improvements we have initiated and completed for the community.
As you know, I am not a permanent resident at GGM II, so throughout the year I have been fortunate to have an active community committee and administration team supporting me on a day-to-day basis. Community meetings and discussions with the committee and our administrators have been held on a regular basis, then the responsibilities have been shared around the team. I would like to put on record, my thanks for the support that has been given by the committee and most importantly Johanna Beemster who has given so much of her time to community work. Johanna has meticulously ensured work has been done correctly, on time and within budget.
I am really pleased with the way the team of Committee members has worked together and that it has been such a successful formula for our community, it’s a pleasure to work with them all.
I look forward to working with the same experienced and committed team in the foreseeable future.
The new updated community rules displayed in the lifts has also been a successful decision, as guests have often commented on them during conversations and the majority have abided by them, respecting other people and the complex, which is beneficial to everyone.
A major achievement for the community this year has been around the pool, where the widening of the surround, better drainage for the grass and the introduction of hundreds of ‘Spanish Grass’ plants will give us a more enhanced and resilient grass area.
Our website www.golfgardensmiraflores.co.uk has been redesigned and the small number of initial hiccups sorted out, so it is hoped that we will be able to update a lot more information and photographs in the next few months. The newsletters continue to be well received and again have been useful for keeping everyone informed. If anyone does have any comments or suggestions for the website or newsletter please just get in touch.
All these efforts will hopefully have made a difference and kept us ahead of other local communities in the vicinity. Properties are selling on GGM II and long lets being achieved, as people recognize the benefits of living on our great community. Deservedly, we are still appearing high up on the first page of Google for the search “the best place to live on the Costa del Sol.” And rightly so!
I am also very pleased to report that the Town Hall has classed Golf Gardens as the highest standard for properties in our area: Classification CLASS A.
Jeremy Watkinson
FINANCES
The community remains in a solvent financial position, largely because of controlled spending on maintenance items by Johanna Beemster, and myself. Alison at Intercala has ensured we collected the majority of the community fees in, especially from the debtors.
1. Over the past 12 months we have been able to create a reserve fund, which currently stands at about 65,000 euro’s, made possible by the monies we have retained over the past 4 years for the Basura tax (5,000). The Painting Reserve Fund (44,000) and the legally required Emergency Fund (16,000) that should be at least 10% of the community annual fees. This account has been invested in a short-term bond, attracting interest for the community.
2. As at 30 April 2010 the total amount outstanding in community fees were approx 16,400 euro’s, a proportion of which is the current quarter. The community currently still has some serious serial debtors, which disappoints me as they are the ones benefiting from all the facilities like water, cleaners, pool, satellite, lift maintenance etc. which are being paid for by the rest of us. Legal action is being taken against these people for debts, interest and costs will be covered in the financial section of the AGM.
3. Do please bear in mind that if community fees to 31 MAY 2010 are not paid up, you will not be entitled to vote at the AGM.
4. It is also worth remembering that community fees that are paid within the first month of each quarter receive a 20% discount. Over 75% of the community now pays by Direct Debit to ensure they receive this discount.
5. Over 3900 euro’s was retained this year by owners incurring late fees
6. Two items that are noticeably high on last year’s expenditure are firstly the cost of the cleaner this is due to deciding to include 14 months costs in this year so we can bring it in line with our year end.
The electricity total is also high partly due to having some of last years bills in late so they are included in this year and also because of a discrepancy we have found with one of the meters in Block 11, we are asking Endesa to investigate this.
As you will all have noticed costs for everything in Spain have risen again in the past 12 months and with IVA expected to increase this year we are going to find it difficult to continue on the same budget for the community fees much longer. You can be confident yet again we will prune every cost we can and then prune some more to try and stay within budget, but I would envisage an increase in 2011/2012 will be necessary.
Also I must reiterate again the problems outstanding fees from community debtors create. Like any business, we always have tremendous cash flow problems when people don’t pay. This has a knock-on effect, restricting development, improvements and day-to-day repairs. In the budget all the community fees are allocated to be spent in the year. So if as this year 16,000 euros are not paid by some owners, then the actual budget spend must be reduced or increased for everyone else to cover the basic essentials needed for the community!!
With regard to our serious debtors, our lawyers are having the courts put a charge against two properties. This should mean they cannot be sold without the community being repaid first. Also, the new EEC laws now enable us to appoint UK lawyers to go after unpaid community debts in Spain, this is through the UK legal system where ccj’s and bailiffs will be appointed to seize goods from UK properties to repay the community. We are already in discussions with a British solicitors practice offering a special ‘no-win no-fee’ service to Communities in Spain with these problems. This is also an option for debtors resident in other European countries.
GARDENS AND POOLS
The gardens I feel are now the best that they have been for the past 5 years. Our agreed structured plan of work and regular walkabout’s to ensure the quality of work are paying dividends, colour is coming back to the flowerbeds and the shrubs are looking neat and tidy.
After the turmoil of my first year, our gardening contract for the past 12 months has been with Juan, he had Franco working here successfully for about 8 months, but recently moved him onto another project and we agreed that Juan “the main man” would for the time being take control of the GGM II gardens personally.
He now works on the community for 20 hours a week to maintain the gardens to a standard I am happy with and hopefully you will be too.
REPAIRS
The decision to appoint Angel as part-time community maintenance man, has proved a resounding success.
He also carries out work for the Riviera Grand Community President who also expects work to the highest standards. It has been Angel’s responsibility to put right and work with us to resolve all the ongoing problems we have.
He has maintained our plumbing and the building repairs and his work also includes maintenance of the pool. All of the work he has done for us has been to an excellent level and as with any good maintenance man, he often checks to see if problems or wear and tear are occurring and reports or corrects it before anything serious happens. He has worked through the year to repair, re-plaster and then re-paint any cracking walls around the community.
After the regular walkabouts, Johanna has been overseeing any necessary repairs we need, which is ensuring we are aware of and staying on top of most maintenance issues.
Maintenance projects we hope to carry out over the next year include:
1. Renewal of the expansion joints between each block to prevent the rain running down into the garages.
2. Treating of the decorative clay bricks and tiles on the external portal walls with a clear water proof sealer which we hope will stop them absorbing water into the walls and plaster.
3. If the budget permits at the end of the year we will look at re tiling a section of the block 11 terrace with anti-slip tiles and replacing the membrane.
4. Painting of the gate and the railings.
5. Replacement of the swimming pool lights with low energy LED units.
6. We will also be looking to update some of the portal lights to low energy bulbs with proximity sensors to turn them on only when needed
COMMUNITY RULES
The new community rules for “harmonious living in close proximity” seems to be followed by most people.
All properties that are rented out must have the community rules clearly displayed inside the apartment; this is to insure that tenants and holidaymakers are clearly aware that community rules do exist, for the benefit of everyone. Please note that any vandalism and damage to the community by your tenants will be considered your responsibility and will be charged back to the owner.
We again request that all renters be supplied with front gate remote controls, thereby enabling them to park in your garage space and that they are aware of your own numbered parking space. Please don’t forget to let your guests know the gate code, any damage from them climbing over will be charged to you.
Please ensure your rental agent informs your guests of these details.
With the summer season almost upon us again rule breaking will be rife - towels hanging over balconies, washing lines on full display, rubbish dumped in the garages and stairwells, graffiti, vandalism, damage, ball games in the gardens, lilos and ball games in the pools, pool hours not observed, sun beds not put away, parking all around the access roads and in other peoples parking places and serious noise issues…….And that can be just some of the owners!!!!!
Please make the “Late Night- No Swimming” rules known to your guests – or ask them to go to the beach!
Unfortunately, we all know that it is not just holiday renters that are always to blame. It’s your community; it will cost you money for repairs and reduce the value of your home. We want this to be a nice place for nice people, so if you see a problem happening, be polite and request that it stops, if you ignore it, you are really saying its ok for them to abuse your home!
If you are considering any changes to your property whatsoever, then please take 5 minutes to call the President or Intercala to establish the legality of your actions; it could save you a lot of heartache and money in the long run.
TV CHANNELS
Spain has gone digital, so to view all the TV channels, owners need to make sure they have an up to date digital box or suitable TV.
Only a couple of satellite dishes remain in view and owners have been notified that they are required to drop them down out of view or connect to the community system.
POST BOXES
The post box facility appears to be working and general clear outs by conscientious residents ensure minimal amounts of junk mail, leaflets and brochures litter the road.
The installation of a small roof over the postboxes has just been completed and this should add extra protection in wet weather, the gardener will also be shaping the tree in front so it gives some additional shelter.
Should you require an update to your nameplate just let me know the details and I will print off a weather proof card so we keep it all looking neat and tidy.
THEFT & DAMAGE
As you were notified at the end of last year we experienced a couple of opportunist break-ins. It is important that we should always remember and remind renters to be on their guard against opportunist thieves when doors and windows are left open especially on ground floor properties.
There have also been a number of garden flowers, shrubs and walls, which have been, damaged either by people forgetting the gate code and climbing over the wall, or from chasing balls through the flowerbeds in the gardens, again why anyone would want to do this is something I personally cannot comprehend.
We have also had to replace most of the garden umbrella tops sooner than expected. I would ask all parents please do not to let children damage the umbrellas or use the sun beds to play with, including standing them on end against the umbrellas!! The community can’t keep on paying out every time they get needlessly damaged.
RIVIERA GRAND COMMUNITY
Unfortunately with the debtor situation the Grand Community has with some of the communities in our area, the Grand Community projects we were working on last year still remain live and unresolved. The area by the side of the golf course fence, which was cleared by Grand Community, ready for planting did not happen. We are also still pushing the Golf Club for an answer on if we can get the Basura/ rubbish area agreed upon, we have offered to maintain the fence and plant colourful shrubs to give us a nice drive up to the complex.
AGM – Please note the new venue
The AGM for 2010 will be held on Monday 31st May at 11am over the road at the Venta del Golf Restaurante, Las Terrazas, Centro Commercial
Please also remember if you are unable to attend the AGM please complete the sheet to allow proxy votes to be received by the date of the AGM.
I am holding a small drinks party in the community gardens on Sunday 30th May and would like to take this opportunity to invite you and your family to join me from about 3pm onwards.
I look forward to seeing you at the AGM. It is important if you are unable to attend, please ensure that you give your Proxy to a member of the committee or to another owner who will be there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)