Pocketful of Poems

Date: Friday 15th August 2008

Veronica Ferrier has always had a passion for words and rhyme. With a busy and demanding career as a nurse, she relaxed in her spare time by writing personalised poems to give as special gifts to friends and colleagues. Unsure of whether this would be anything more that a pleasurable pastime, Veronica didn’t give serious thought to turning it into enterprising venture. However, when a period of ill heath led to Veronica reflecting upon her lifestyle, she decided to make some serious changes – starting with turning her hobby into a new business by setting up a poetry writing service for weddings, birthdays and other special occasions.

Recommended to go to PBI for business support, Veronica took full advantage of the subsidised pre-start support they provide by enrolling on their series of workshop courses which covered different aspects of setting up her new business. One of the main she issues identified during the marketing session, was the need for a website with a robust search engine optimisation strategy to ensure the website would be found on the internet.

Veronica was referred to Rhodri Packman, a PBI eMarketing specialist, who carried out an eCommerce review and put forward a number of recommendations in terms of website wording and a search engine strategy. In order to successfully put the recommendations into action, Veronica used the subsidised implementation support available from PBI to work further with Rhodri to ensure that the website could be promoted effectively Veronica commented “We knew we wanted a website for the business, but hadn’t realised how much hard work we needed to put in to make sure that our website could be found by potential customers.” She added; “Through both their start-up services and marketing advice, PBI has given me the confidence and the support to make my business a success. Without PBI’s help and advice I might not have got to where I am now”.

PBI’s support has given Pocketful of Poems a firm foundation on which to build. Veronica is still getting huge pleasure from writing poems, but has now turned this one time hobby into a new business venture. Looking towards the future, Pocketful of Poems are attending a prestigious wedding fair at the NEC in October, and hope that through their new online marketing strategy they can start to develop their reputation for offering bespoke poetry for those all important special occasions and people.