Author: brad

  • DWES Ltd launches professional new brand

    DWES Ltd launches professional new brand

    DWES Ltd launches professional new brand

    MadeHappyCo helped David launch a professional new website with a new brand identity to reflect the professional five star rated service: installing solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicle charging amongst other electrical services

    “I love my new brand and website, it has professionalised my marketing and makes it a lot clearer to see the work I’ve done which speaks for itself the quality of what I do.”

    David Whiteoak
    Founder
    DWES Ltd

    Visit their website:

    dwesltd.com

  • How to Run an Email Newsletter That Doesn’t Suck

    How to Run an Email Newsletter That Doesn’t Suck

    How to Run an Email Newsletter That Doesn’t Suck

    Do you want to start an email newsletter that people actually read? It’s easier than you think, if you follow a few simple rules.

    Quality over quantity

    Could you imagine a room of 50 people being interested in listening to you? That’s a lot of people.

    Even having just 50 people opening your emails and enjoying them is better than a big list of people who’d rather gouge their eyes out than read your sales pitch.

    Don’t buy a list. Seriously.

    Sure, it sounds like a shortcut, but trust me, it’s a dead-end street. You’re just asking to annoy a bunch of random people who don’t care about you—and that’s how you end up in the spam folder, permanently.

    Build your list the right way, organically. Make people want to subscribe. Offer them something cool (like an e-book, discount, or cat memes, whatever works).

    Write what your audience want to read, not what you want to sell

    You’re probably tempted to talk about how great your product or service is, please, spare us.

    People don’t care. What they do care about are solutions to their problems. So, focus on giving them what they need, tips, advice, and useful content.

    Save the sales pitch for when your audience is buttered up and ready to buy.

    Keep it targeted

    Know your audience, what they want, then give it to them.

    Sounds simple, but you’d be surprised. You’ll need to actually understand your buyer persona, who are you talking to, and then don’t be tempted to inflate your numbers with people who don’t matter.

    If you try to talk to everyone, you end up talking to no-one.

    Repeat yourself. Repeat yourself. Repeat yourself.

    Open rates for email newsletters are typically around 20-25%. That means more than three quarters of your audience missed your last email. Don’t worry, it’s not personal.

    If you have something important to say, say it again. And again. (But maybe with different wording to keep it fresh.)

    Repurpose your content, recycle your blog posts, and make sure your message sticks.

    Repurpose like a pro

    You’ve worked hard on that blog post, video, or graphic, why let it rot on your website? Share snippets in your newsletter, on social media, and in emails.

    One piece of content can live a full, vibrant life in multiple places. Don’t let it die alone in a forgotten corner of your blog.

    Keep it short & sweet, but always with links to more

    People are busy. Not everyone has time to read your 1,000-word masterpiece.

    Keep your emails short, snappy, and visually appealing. Don’t cram everything into the email; get them curious, and link them back to your website for the juicy details. Your SEO will absolutely love the traffic too (but that’s a whole other story).

    “It’s better to email
    50 people who are interested than 1,000 who don’t give a sh!t.”

    TLDR

    Don’t rush, don’t spam, and for the love of all things email, keep it valuable.

    Consistency is key, and soon enough, you’ll have a list of people who are actually excited to see your name in their inbox.

    Keep it fun, keep it useful, and keep it regular, keep it targeted.

    Brad ensures you see results from your digital outreach by putting your marketing out to the world and reporting back on the results.

    This article was written by:

    Brad Thompson

    Digital Director

    Brad ensures you see results from your digital outreach by putting your marketing out to the world and reporting back on the results.

  • ClearVue Creates a fair, ethical commercial model for contract labour

    ClearVue Creates a fair, ethical commercial model for contract labour

    ClearVue Creates a fair, ethical commercial model for contract labour

    MadeHappyCo helped Nick and the team relaunch their brand to highlight their mission as a business and showcase how their software platform can empower companies to shift the equilibrium between hirers, suppliers and temporary workers to create a positive experience for all.

    Visit their website:

    theclearvue.co.uk

    I just wish we’d met MadeHappyCo 18 months ago. Working with you feels so different to every agency we’ve tried before

    Nick Gregory-Jones

    CEO

    ClearVue

    CRM integration was important to improve the connection between marketing and sales

    Email Marketing

  • Why your logo should be an SVG

    Why your logo should be an SVG

    Why your logo should be an SVG where possible

    SVGs (Scalable Vector Graphics) are like the James Bond of the graphic world—always sharp, endlessly flexible, and here to save your designs from a pixelated martini (shaken not stirred).

    SVGs Look Great at Any Size

    Whether you’re blowing up (lol) your logo for a billboard or shrinking it down for a favicon, SVGs keep it classy. They don’t pixelate, blur, or panic needlessly when resized.

    They’re the graphics equivalent of the perfect dinner guest—always polished and ready to impress.

    Compatibility and Utility

    You don’t even need design software to check them like you do with other vector-based file types, you can open SVG files in any web browser, which feels very “Bond hacking the system”.

    They’re also surprisingly cool with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, making your presentations look like they were designed by a pro.

    Using PNGs as a Backup

    Bond always has a backup plan. Enter PNGs: the trusty sidekick. PNGs are widely accepted (even on Google Slides, seriously Google get your act together), and they offer transparency, which is always a nice touch.

    But beware—PNG files are a bit diva, they look great at their original size but will pixelate faster than a bad 90s video game if you try to stretch them too much.

    Avoiding JPGs for Logos and Graphics

    JPGs are fine for photographs but terrible for logos. They slap a white background on everything and pixelate so badly when resized that your logo ends up looking like a low-res Goldfinger hitting up Fort Knox

    (we regret the theme now to be honest, but did find out “Spectre” (2015) holds the record for the largest film explosion ever, which is pretty cool).

    Bond always has a backup plan. Enter PNGs: the trusty sidekick. PNGs are widely accepted (even on Google Slides, seriously Google get your act together), and they offer transparency, which is always a nice touch.

    But beware, PNG files are a bit diva, they look great at their original size but will pixelate faster than a bad 90s video game if you try to stretch them too much.

    Vectors use maths to ensure they always look sharper than James Bond on a night out.

    If you resize or stretch a pixel-based image, it will pixelate. Not very 007 of them.

    TLDR

    Whenever possible, pick SVGs for your logos and graphics.

    Use PNGs as a fallback (but don’t push your luck).

    Avoid JPGs unless you’re forced into it against your will.

    Trust me, your designs, and your designer, will thank you.

    Plus, you’ll look like you really know your stuff, and isn’t that what we’re all here for?

    This article was written by:

    Lloyd Birch

    Managing Director

    Lloyd helps businesses work out who they are, and what their strategy should be, so they can focus their actions on taking ownership of that market position.

  • TecReady launches new service helping tech companies secure investment

    TecReady launches new service helping tech companies secure investment

    TecReady launches new service helping tech companies secure investment

    Visit their website:

    tecready.co.uk

  • MadeHappyCo Sponsors local football team

    MadeHappyCo Sponsors local football team

    MadeHappyCo Sponsors local football team

    Meet Wakefield City Juniors, a grassroots football club MadeHappyCo are proud to sponsor. Together, we can help ensure the game we love thrives for generations to come. Because football isn’t just a sport—it’s life.

    A game of community, belonging, and grassroots passion

    Football is more than just a sport; it’s about community, belonging, and sharing the wins and the losses. It unites people and creates lifelong bonds, whether you’re on the pitch or cheering from the sidelines.

    The role of grassroots in building community

    Coaches like Jonty, who started volunteering when his son Ewan was just six, are integral to kids’ development.

    These clubs are powered by volunteers, often parents, who step up to make things happen.

    Jonty has seen kids grow from barely kicking a ball to scoring their first goals. Moments like these only happen thanks to grassroots football.

    A year-round commitment

    Football at the grassroots level is a year-round dedication. Coaches like Jonty start early, inspecting pitches and braving all weather conditions to make sure games go ahead. Whether rain or shine, the passion for the game keeps everyone going.

    Building lifelong friendships

    Grassroots football isn’t just about the game, It’s about creating lasting friendships.

    Kids build bonds beyond the pitch, and parents form a community too. When Ewan transitioned to high school, he already knew many of his classmates through football.

    The importance of support

    Running a grassroots club isn’t cheap. From equipment and kits to pitch maintenance, the costs add up. That’s where sponsors come in. New kit unveilings are a big deal, representing both identity and pride for players.

    Protecting the future of grassroots football

    Without the support of sponsors, volunteers, and the community, grassroots football faces a tough future. But it’s the foundation of the game, nurturing talent and building communities.

    “Grassroots is the foundation. Without it there’d be no football, and without football there’d be no point carrying on.”

    Brad

    Manchester United fan

    I stumbled into coaching, as most grassroots footy coaches do, because their child wants to play football, and it’s entirely volunteer run. Without parents and family members stepping up it wouldn’t exist.

    Jonty

    Liverpool fan & youth coach

    This article was written by:

    Sophie Abbott

    Creative Director

    Sophie helps you understand who your customers are and what they need from you. She will learn your business, and turn your expertise into content that builds trust with prospects.

  • Yorkshire Life Aquatic launches new brand and website

    Yorkshire Life Aquatic launches new brand and website

    Yorkshire Life Aquatic launches new brand and website

    MadeHappyCo helped Lucy and Zoe create a inviting space for people to explore their projects, performances and activism, with a brand that more clearly established the unique selling point of Yorkshire Life Aquatic.

    Visit their website:

    yorkshirelifeaquatic.co.uk

    We had grown so much in 12 years that we were struggling to even know where to begin with our brand, but thanks to the guidance of MadeHappyCo we can now see more clearly what we need to say, and how it needs to look.

    Lucy Meredith

    Co Founder

    Yorkshire Life Aquatic

  • Bramley Mermaids launches new brand and website

    Bramley Mermaids launches new brand and website

    Bramley Mermaids launches new brand and website

    MadeHappyCo helped the Bramley Mermaids with their brand and first ever website to help new members see what life is like at the mermaids classes, and they were thrilled when their enquiries and bookings went bonkers

    They had to set an upper limit on class numbers for the first time ever.

    Visit their website:

    bramleymermaids.co.uk

    We love our new website, it really gave people the sense that we were open and approachable so they felt safe and empowered to join us in the pool.

    Zoe Parker

    Co Founder

    Bramley Mermaids

  • Gtech Consultancy continues to grow

    Gtech Consultancy continues to grow

    Gtech Consultancy continues to grow

    MadeHappyCo continues to support Holly and the team grow their brand and full suite of marketing materials that portrays the tone of voice that matches their approach as a business.

    50% increase in social media following in 18 months of organic social growth

    Visit their website:

    gtechconsultancy.co.uk

    Partnering with MadeHappyCo to grow our company is one of the best decisions we have made.

    Holly Rascagneres

    Founder

    Gtech Consultancy

    View the brand book

    1000+ newsletter readers & 15 new stories in 18 months

  • ChangeTalks launches IFS Community

    ChangeTalks launches IFS Community

    ChangeTalks launches IFS Community

    MadeHappyCo helped Chris and the team launch a community dedicated to giving thought leaders in the world of IFS a safe space to share knowledge and experiences.

    Visit their website:

    changetalks.co.uk

    Having a community led by great knowledge provided a perfect environment for experts to feel they were in a safe thought led space that really allowed people to express their true selves

    Chris Allport

    Co-Founder

    ChangeTalks