Meet Richard – Managing Partner at RFS Marketing & Communications Ltd

Today we’re in sunny England meeting Richard, Managing Partner at RFS Marketing & Communications Ltd. Richard & RFS have been using Bark since 2017. 

The team at RFS help private companies and charities of all shapes and sizes grow their business through social media marketing, website development, paid social media advertising, email marketing, and search engine optimisation – businesses supporting businesses, that’s what we like to hear! 

But how has Bark helped Richard to grow his business? Let’s find out… 

Tell us a bit about your company and what you do

We are a digital marketing agency based in the UK. We support businesses and charities with website development, social media marketing, paid social media advertising, email marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO).

What you were doing before you launched your business? 

I was a board-level director at a leading UK behaviour change consultancy, creating a positive impact through person-centred design. 

What made you take the leap to start your own business? 

I was really motivated (and still am!) by helping businesses to grow through the use of innovative digital marketing. So I put this into action, using my extensive experience in digital communications to set up RFS. 

What made you join Bark? 

We joined in 2017 as a way of identifying potential leads in a crowded market place.

Tell us about your experiences on Bark…

To date, Bark has delivered us an incredible 2343.4% return on investment for our company!

What’s the best thing about Bark?

There are dozens of leads in our niche delivered to our inboxes every day, with enough information to allow us to make an informed decision about whether or not to pursue each lead.

What are your top tips for success on Bark?

When you identify a good potential lead, get in touch with them immediately and don’t be surprised to have to call and email several times. Don’t expect them to get back to you, even if they specifically asked you to get in contact.

How helpful have you found our Customer Success team? 

Very. Whenever there has been an issue (which has been hardly ever) they’ve responded immediately to resolve it.

How has Bark supported you during the coronavirus pandemic?

The pandemic has largely been business as usual for us, if anything there’s been a greater demand for digital marketing support as more consumers needed to go online, and new startups requiring websites and social media campaigns have emerged.

We’re proud to support the team at RFS Communications, an incredibly talented bunch who continue to support businesses grow and thrive through digital marketing. 

Want to make a real difference with your digital marketing strategy but don’t know where to begin? Search for RFS Communications on Bark. Check out their profile, read reviews, and get in touch today. 

You can find RFS on social media too! Search for rfs_marcomms on Instagram, rfsmarcomms on Twitter, and @rfsmarketing on Facebook.

Check out more professional success stories on the professional spotlight series of our blog, or if you fancy yourself as the next success story, sign up as a professional on Bark today! 

Food For Thought: What’s Filling Plates At This Year’s Summer Parties?

Here at Bark, we’re all food fanatics. Not a lunch can go by without somebody suggesting a stroll to the nearby food market to sample the somewhat absurd variety of cuisine there is on offer.

Interest in food has sky-rocketed in recent years, perhaps down to the explosion of ‘Food Porn’ imagery that is posted across social media each day. In fact, in the UK alone last year, the word ‘food’ was mentioned 155 million times by social media users, whilst the hashtag #foodporn was included in 50 million images on Instagram. From Poutine to Martinis, here’s what you’ll likely be dining on at this year’s summer parties.

The Reinvention of the Burger Ask anyone and they’ll say the same thing: ‘The Burger is a staple of any memorable summer party’. Yes, it’s usually overcooked to the point of oblivion and resembles more a hockey puck rather than something even remotely edible, but why complain? It’s just a beef burger, right? Wrong.

Pork Belly Burger. New burger trend
The burger will undergo a makeover of sorts this summer

Whereas sliders and posh burgers have dominated summers past, this year the twist is centred on what animal the burger on your plate actually derives from. Duck, lobster and pork belly are all vying to be the meat of choice in your burger this year, meaning you may need an animal picture chart to identify what you’re eating this summer.

Poutine: So what’s the perfect accompaniment to the burger? Chips, off course! Once again, much like the burger, there’s a twist on a Great British favourite this summer thanks to our Canadian friends across the pond. Put simply, Poutine is chips, cheese and gravy and it’s delicious. Its versatility is key; add something extra to it like pulled pork; your taste buds will forever be in your debt…

Poutine: Summer food trends 2015
The new accompaniment to a summer party

Love Your Lobster: Here’s something to sink your claws into: The UK is going cray-zy for Lobster. The rise of the likes of Burger & Lobster has made the food a lot more accessible and affordable, and we’re making the most of it. The Capital is slowly becoming packed full of Lobster pop-ups, market stalls and kitchens, and it makes for a perfect addition to a summer party. So next time you’re at a summer party, jump on the bandwagon and go for a mouth-watering Lobster Roll, the ideal summer seafood dish.

Lobster
Jump on the Lobster bandwagon this year

A Bitter Twist: No summer party is complete without a cocktail or three, and with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at what your party attendees will be sipping on this summer. Out are sugary cocktails such as your appletinis and your daiquiris; in is something a little more bitter. If you’re hosting a party soon, we suggest stocking up on Amaro and Campari. The bitter, the better, it seems.

Keep an eye out for Vermouth too; that’s also enjoying a moment, especially with its biggest advocate, Mr. James Bond, hitting our screens once again in his latest film, Spectre, this October. Anyone for a Martini? Shaken, not stirred, of course…

Bitter Cocktails Summer 2015
Cocktails this summer: The bitter, the better

Get The Scoop: So we’ve talked mains and what tipple to wash it down with, but what about dessert? There’s only one option to satisfy our sweet tooth this summer…Ice Cream. Homemade ice creams and sorbets are the scoop of the summer and they’re easy to make. Try to include fresh fruits such as raspberry or blueberry; the sharp, sweet flavour will clash nicely with those bitter cocktails we’ve just discussed, and the chilled texture will offer perfect respite to the summer heat. We can’t think of a more refreshing and cooler way to see out a summer party.

Home made Ice Cream and Sorbets
The scoop of the summer

Let’s Get Digital: Perhaps not quite a food trend for a Summer Party, but your smartphone is about to become a valuable dinner partner. This year has seen an upturn in the number of restaurants going digital. Be it paying for your meal via your iPhone, or booking a table or settling a bill amongst friends, your phone will make your dining experience a very interactive affair. And what kind of summer party is it if you don’t have a dedicated playlist? Apple’s newly launched streaming service, Apple Music, will help you here. Just leave the cooking to the expert.

Digital interaction is on the rise in dining
Digital interaction is on the rise in dining

Thinking of hosting a summer party this year but panicking at the thought of putting it altogether? Why not hire a caterer to do the job for you? All you’ll have to do is play the gracious host…

For more Bark.com tips and insight, why not check out our other blogs?

What are you hoping to see grace your plate at your summer party this year? Let us know