Guide to Private Sector IR35 Reform for Recruitment Agencies

What do the IR35 reforms entail and what are the implications for agencies? 

IT contractor demand hits its stride, as placement slump eases

Vacancies vault to a solid seven per cent growth, easing placements back from the brink.

Why Promotional Items Are Critical For Your Business

The world is online more than ever. This is leading many businesses to follow their customers to the likes of social media and more. This is especially true when it comes to marketing efforts; many businesses now don’t even bother with traditional marketing and focus solely on digital advertising. However, this could end up being quite a costly mistake as traditional marketing can have quite a few notable benefits for growing your business. This could end up cutting off a certain portion of your potential customers who don’t use the likes of social media and wouldn’t see your advertising.

Because of that, there are a few specific traditional marketing techniques that you can use to grow your business. These include the likes of promotional materials and giveaways; during this, you can give away the likes of luggage tags, sticky note holders, water bottles, coffee mugs or anything else. If you can think of something that can be branded, companies such as Coastal Business Supplies can help you with it. With that in mind, there are a few notable benefits for using a more traditional marketing strategy such as this to help grow your business.

Affordable Marketing

One of the most significant aspects of digital marketing is that there’s an abundance of affordable marketing tricks to choose from. Compared to that, many people have always assumed that more traditional marketing is somewhat expensive. While that may be true in some cases, branded materials are a lot more affordable than you might think. This is because the majority of suppliers keep prices in a range that encourages larger orders and repeat business.

When compared to other strategies, branded materials are one of the few ways that small businesses can afford a large and somewhat expansive marketing campaign. Larger campaigns quickly become expensive, but with low-cost promotional products, you’ll be able to gain a maximum amount of visibility for a minimum cost. When you think of more affordable approaches, however, many people believe that they don’t offer the best results. While that’s a great rule of thumb, promotional strategies such as this are quite effective for a variety of reasons. Because of that, the results it generates can rival many of the more expensive marketing strategies available.

Greater Brand Exposure

A TV ad may get your brand in front of a lot of people for a few minutes, but it will have to be extremely effective for people to remember your brand long afterward. This is because the majority of people don’t remember ads unless they see them on a consistent basis, which can quickly become quite expensive. However, branded products can be great to increase your brand exposure as much as possible, depending on the product you’re giving away or had branded. This is because not only will your product be seen by the people who get them, but there’s a significant chance that it will also be seen by the likes of friends and family, increasing the overall exposure that your brand gets. With that in mind, it can be an effective way to get your brand name out there, as well as build up a certain amount of brand recognition.

These kinds of campaigns have been used for years, from both start-ups to larger, more established businesses. Through this, they’ve consistently shown to be an effective way of increasing a company’s brand exposure for a few notable reasons. As such, when it’s done right, businesses can see a significant positive effect on their subsequent business. Through this time, there have been many innovative ways that these campaigns have been done which can provide some helpful ideas on how to run the campaign.

If those benefits aren’t enough to convince you that you should try a branded product campaign, there may be a few other things that might. For example, there’s the fact that eight out of ten consumers have at least one branded product. Furthermore, six out of ten of these consumers keep such products for about two years. There’s also the fact that roughly 85% of consumers do business with a brand after receiving a promotional product from them. As we already mentioned above, customers are also more likely to remember your brand after receiving the promotional product to the tune of about 89%. With that in mind, what’s stopping you from starting a branded product promotional campaign today?

Why Costelloe’s lost MSC appeal may hold wins for contractors

The contractor compliance cocktail is strong but, fortunately, IR35 and MSC can’t be mixed.

Contractors' Questions: Will taking shares in my new UK-Swiss employer be taxing?

How to avoid complications further down the line for a techie with an exciting offer.

Lorraine Kelly had more than mere luck on her side to beat IR35

Like the TV host, contractors will need facts, not just good fortune, to trounce the taxman.

Why the Treasury Loan Charge Review is shameful

Revealed: five falsehoods of a report ignoring the unprecedented, the unfair and the upsetting.

ContractorUK to support inaugural Contracting Awards 2019

The best of the contractor industry will be crowned in London for their ‘exceptional’ service to contractors.

Loan Charge contractors alerted to taxman's DRD power

HMRC tipped to ramp up account-raiding as part of its loan charge recovery effort.

Tax expert aghast at BBC 'payoff cash' for IR35 bills

A collapse in their talks doesn’t end the unprecedented deal the BBC is getting from HMRC.

HMRC nets £1m more by doubling Apprenticeship Levy investigations

‘Fiendishly complex’ levy is increasingly troubling small firms, and lining the taxman’s pockets.

Lorraine Kelly smashes IR35 case in ‘embarrassing’ defeat for HMRC

Judges join the TV star in annoyed puzzlement at a taxman in 'cloud cuckoo land.'

Retainer agreements: final consideration for contractors

Pitfalls. Conditions. And cake. How to avoid biting off more than you can chew with client retainers.

Hammond’s late payment plan won’t cut it, experts warn

Better to have toughened the Prompt Payment Code than add reporting duties, chancellor told.

IT contractor pay rates; what should you be on?

Ten ‘hot’ skills; five negotiation tips and one big deal your 16% premium wants to get approved.

IR35 experts attack HMRC's 'client-led disagreement process'

In passing the buck, executioner HMRC is going to make engagers the 'judge and jury.'

Contractors' advisers 'walking a tightrope over HMRC production orders'

Law firm says it’s case of comply and risk being sued. Or keep the client but face sanctions.

More and more contractors shun pensions

Only one in three are putting away any cash for when contracting is over.

Halt loan charge settlements or risk more suicides, Hammond told

Chancellor urged to cease and desist, as 60 HMRC customers are considering killing themselves.

‘Quiet Spring Statement is a good thing’

Chancellor cheered by the CIOT for more than just keeping his promise.

Experts clash over Spring Statement 2019 omitting IR35

Overview of the chancellor’s small offerings, including reaction to the big ‘no-show.’

Contractor's guide to working inside IR35

Three months into the revised IR35 regime for the public sector and there seem to be more contractors caught by the Intermediaries legislation than ever before.

Contractor sector unmoved by Spring Statement 2019

Hammond hit for being unhelpful, as Loan Charge, MTD and IR35 reform all get his go-ahead.

Spring Statement 2019: chancellor’s full speech

Hammond hails a ‘Britain fit for the future,’ despite Brexit ‘uncertainty over the economy.’

Contractors, with your dividends, it’s business as usual

No changes due in today’s Spring Statement, so you can draw your dividends strategy now.

Contractor’s guide to retainer agreements

Working on a retainer basis? Nice work if you can get it! But beware hard graft, potentially.

Morgan Stanley cuts IT contractor pay by 10%

‘Frustrated’ contractors vote with their feet, saying 11th hour grovelling is too little too late.

IT contractor demand growth fell in February amid hiring freezes

Brexit’s edge exerts a ‘chilling effect,’ resulting in a 29-month low for IT contractors.

PM urged to act as another Loan Charge contractor commits suicide

Intervene or be reckless in the extreme, May told, amid ‘more lives being increasingly at risk.’

Quiet Spring Statement incoming, contractors' advisers say

As IR35 is reform largely set, and Brexit isn’t, contractor accountants aren’t expecting much.

Carry on contracting abroad! Oddest overseas work rules of 2019

Quirks to make you smirk: where in the world is an eccentric host of contractors.

Spring Statement 2019: chancellor’s full speech

Hammond hails a ‘Britain fit for the future,’ despite Brexit ‘uncertainty over the economy.’

Contractor sector unmoved by Spring Statement 2019

Hammond hit for being unhelpful, as Loan Charge, MTD and IR35 reform all get his go-ahead.

Contractors, with your dividends, it’s business as usual

No changes due in today’s Spring Statement, so you can draw your dividends strategy now.

Contractor’s guide to retainer agreements

Working on a retainer basis? Nice work if you can get it! But beware hard graft, potentially.

IT contractor demand growth fell in February amid hiring freezes

Brexit’s edge exerts a ‘chilling effect,’ resulting in a 29-month low for IT contractors.

Morgan Stanley cuts IT contractor pay by 10%

‘Frustrated’ contractors vote with their feet, saying 11th hour groveling is too little too late.

PM urged to act as another Loan Charge contractor commits suicide

Intervene or be reckless in the extreme, May told, amid ‘more lives being increasingly at risk.’

Quiet Spring Statement incoming, contractors' advisers say

As IR35 is reform largely set, and Brexit isn’t, contractor accountants aren’t expecting much.

Six Things to Remember When Planning For a Trade Show

Many small business owners travel to Las Vegas for trade shows. Trade shows are an important part of your company’s marketing plan. To ensure your event is a success, it takes preparing months beforehand. You should plan for your event six months in advance if you want real results. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your trade show.

Determine Your Goals

Before you join the event, think about the outcome you expect from the sponsorship to determine your goals. Make sure these ideas align with your advertising and marketing objectives to determine if this event will help you meet your goals. Will you reach your target audience at this event? Do you have something unique to offer that makes you stand out among the other sponsors?

Why are you attending the event in the first place? Do you want to network with other professionals? Do you want to create brand awareness and get more business? Determine some measurable goals, like attracting 300 new leads or performing 25 demos which can lead to more opportunities. Lease a virtual office Las Vegas style that allows you to hold meetings and work offsite peacefully and professionally.

Decide Your Messaging

You need to plan for your event as soon as possible. Planning for a trade show involves more than coming up with a checklist of things you need. If you determined whether this event meets your target audience and marketing objectives and you’ve determined your goals, it’s time to focus on your messaging and strategy so it relates to your audience and goals.

What kind of products do you plan to promote? Which services are you going to highlight in your presentations? What do your products and services say about your brand? Come up with these answers so you can get clear about your messaging.

Plan Your Event Strategy

With your messaging in mind, you should meet with your marketing team to determine the brand and theme for your show. Discuss all of the elements needed to tie it together and what needs to be done beforehand. Create an event strategy brief that keeps you organized and aligned with your goals. Send an e-mail to everyone who’s attending the event within your organization so they know what kind of goals you’re trying to accomplish.

Invest in Booth Design

The goal of your trade show should be to attract your target audience. You don’t have to detail everything that your company does. Create a clear and concise message that fits with your theme and branding. When an individual visits your booth, they’ll immediately know what your company is about and will want to find out more.

You should also invest in a booth designer who can help you with the design. Your booth represents your brand. You don’t want it to look like an elementary school project. Use a professional designer or design firm that can help you create a booth that is attractive, eye-catching, and professional. The location of your booth is important; place it near the entrance or in a busy section of the conference.

Prepare for Your Event

You may have an exciting booth, tempting giveaways, and a great marketing strategy, but if your staff isn’t ready then it could all go to waste. Your staff needs to be prepared as much as you are. Inform them about your overall goals and outcome for the event. Let them know about your messaging and any special promotions you’ll be offering.

They also need to know how to communicate with guests at the event. Give them a list of lingo or lines to use to initiate conversation with potential customers. Have a pre-event huddle to make sure everyone understands what’s required of them. Make sure your staff is energetic, engaging, and outgoing enough to talk to people who walk by the booth.

You should also enforce a dress code. What you wear is important since it’s a reflection of the company your work for. It’s important for your staff to look professional and well put together. You don’t want your employees to come to the trade show in casual or sloppy clothing.

Don’t Forget About Following Up

You returned from the trade show with hundreds of leads. It may be tempting to send a mass e-mail, but it’s not the best solution. Consider your messaging when it’s time to follow-up. Responding too soon will make you seem desperate, but a prompt response is still important. You should follow-up with your leads within 24 hours.

Include a strong call-to-action that will lead them to take action. It could include purchasing an exclusive item or using a discount on a product. Make sure to personalize your e-mails to some of your hot leads, but don’t just focus on them. Continue to establish a relationship with the other leads you received at the event.

Create a series of e-mails that will provide additional information and resources that will guide them through the sales process. Address the first time they spoke with you at the event and when they’re ready to make a purchase.

Carry on contracting abroad! Oddest overseas work rules of 2019

Quirks to make you smirk: where in the world is an eccentric host of contractors.

6 Reasons Why You Should Invest In Online Marketing

In the passage of time, businesses and marketers always find a new way to market their products. From flyers and other printed materials, advertising and marketing evolved and made their way to radios. Televisions followed suit and became one of the biggest ad drivers in the world. When the Internet became the next norm, ads became one of the major ways to advertise products. Here are six reasons why businesses should consider investing in online marketing.

6 Reasons Why Invest In Online Marketing

1. Consumers resort to finding products online

The Internet is a place where a lot of information is exchanged, as well as a place where a lot of people find information. Now that online shopping is a relevant way to buy and sell products, online advertising solution is also a feasible approach. In recent years, businesses are opting for online advertisements with the help of a digital marketing agency or freelancers.

2. Variety of options to choose from

What’s great about online advertising is that it enables businesses to be more creative about their ads. Typically, ads of a product or a service will be displayed in an affiliate advertiser site. This lets people who visit the affiliate site see your product and check what your company offers. Because online marketing also evolved throughout the years, there’s are new platforms where one business can advertise.

One example is email and search engine marketing, where you pay a certain amount for the search engine sites like Google and Bing. These search engines will then show your products on the first result of their searches. A company can also send its promotions to customers who decided to subscribe to newsletters.

3. Social media advertising

Online advertising gives birth to the advertising practice known today as Social Media advertising. One of its strongest keys is that there are a lot of people in social media platforms that can see ads about your products and services. This provides exposure to your brand and your products.

One good thing about exposure is that it makes a prospective customer aware that your brand exists and that you offer services and sell products for a certain industry. For example, you sell bicycles and bicycle parts and you put an ad on a social media site. A user scrolled down and saw your ad. In the meantime, that user doesn’t need a bicycle, but at least he now knows that your brand offers bicycles and bicycle parts. Once the user needs one, he or she might consider a brand more familiar.

4. Personalized Ads are easier online

One thing that makes advertising online unique is the prospect of personalized ads. Personalized ads send targeted advertisements to internet users by using browsing habits, recent searches, and other means. A recent Google search or a visit to an online shopping site is enough to know what kind of products an internet user wants to shop. This practice has been used since the early days of the web but is only fully utilized recently.

Personalized ads increase the chance of a prospective customer to engage in a transaction, which converts the leads to sales. These users, after all, are already looking for the products online and plans to make a purchase if they find the best deal for them. In addition, personalized ads have higher click-through rates.

5. Measurable hits

Traditional advertising is a hit or miss, even on televisions and radio broadcasts. Although you know that your ads are seen by a lot of people, you will not be able to know how the exact measurement of hits that you got. An example of this is a very traditional flyer advertisement. You know how many flyers are printed, but you really don’t know how many people read the flyers.

Because the platform is digital, online marketing can send statistics on how many people views your ads. Knowing how many people see and read your ad is very important. Knowing the number of hits, as well as basic information about those who view your ads helps in determining trends. It is also a good way to know if the ad campaign works well or if you’re wasting money on it.

6. Reach the right customers

Last but not least is online marketing can improve your visibility to the demographics that you’re targeting. Due to the change in the landscape of marketing and advertising, personalized ads and social media ads became more popular options. The right customers can easily find your products and buy it from you.

Contractor's guide to working inside IR35

Three months into the revised IR35 regime for the public sector and there seem to be more contractors caught by the Intermediaries legislation than ever before.

How the IR35 reform consultation affects contractors

Focus on fashioning the reform’s unpalatable parts, because the government’s mind looks made up.

Why the Apprenticeship Levy needs reform at Spring Statement 2019

For the good of our economy chancellor, you can’t afford to ignore the levy’s mounting problems.

Off-payroll recap: what the Treasury promised Vs what HMRC proposes

The three big IR35 reform commitments, and where the consultation meets them (or doesn’t).

Spring Statement 2019 webinar: contractors, get your lowdown

Register now to hear how Hammond’s moves will affect you and how you operate.