WHO
“Having worked with Louise on a variety of different projects, I have found her to have that rare quality in marketing today that she actively listens to the client, thinks about the best solution for your particular School and then delivers it. In marketing today there is so much ‘pre-packed, off the shelf solutions and sounds bites’ that it takes a forward thinking, creative and honest professional to come up with a solution that is bespoke to you and then works. Working with Louise has always been a pleasure. ”
Let’s just cut to the chase and give you some key information to validate whether or not you think we should work together:
I’ve over 20 years of marketing experience in the school sector.
During that time, I’ve worked hands-on in numerous schools (doing PR, managing and undertaking marketing, acting as interim Registrar) as well as being a consultant.
I keep my marketing skills and qualifications up to scratch with regular marketing courses, reading and CPD (I’ve got CIM qualifications in Advanced Marketing and Digital Marketing).
I’ve also worked with other (gasp) sectors – from publishing to online businesses – just to keep an eye on the commercial world and keep my skills a bit less school myopic.
Background wise, I’ve personal experience of both state and independent schools (Uppingham), I’m a geography graduate
(The University of Leeds). I set up 134marketing in 2004 after being a director at RSAcademics Ltd.
And how do you know you can trust me?
“I have worked with Louise Hitchen over the past five years in two different schools, both of a very different nature and size. Louise is professional, discreet, creative and incredibly knowledgeable surrounding all types of marketing and PR in Independent Schools. She is a whirlwind of energy - buzzing with ideas and creative solutions to ensure she meets the school’s brief. Having worked with Louise on a number of projects, it is clear that she adapts her approach to the needs of the client and the individual school. She rapidly picks up on areas that require improvement and one of her key strengths is prioritising to ensure the outputs are always delivered on time to the correct quality. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Louise to any school to assist with their marketing, or indeed to consult with their marketing departments to improve their approach. Since starting work with Sandroyd, our numbers have grown by 20% and our marketing communications have improved significantly. ”
We all live by our own set of rules. Mine are fairly simple and help me to sleep well at night. And they benefit my clients because they are exactly what you’d expect from a consultant (but don’t always get!):
I’ll always give you my best advice, I won’t suggest outlandish, irrelevant ideas that cost too much or are rehashed from another project.
If a job takes less time to do than quoted, I’ll charge you less! (incidentally, if the work takes longer than quoted, you won't be charged more).
I’m quite plain speaking – don’t mistake this for a lack of knowledge, I just don’t need to boost my ego (or day rate) by using confusing marketing jargon!
If it has my name on the invoice, rest assured, I’ve done the work.
I don’t take kick-backs from anyone. Much to the disappointment of my bank balance. Which means that if a website, branding, research, design, printing or advertising company is right for your project and needs, I’ll recommend them. I work for your school (which has it’s own needs and budget), not my own benefit.
“As part of our four-week online course on ‘Leading an Independent School’, Louise leads a two-hour hotseat where course participants ask questions about the most effective marketing and admissions practices, and the principles which underpin them. Louise’s responses are always thorough, carefully considered and extremely helpful. She uses her impressive experience and good judgement to support the course participants’ developing understanding of the importance of having a clear vision and customising marketing and admissions processes to the needs of the individual school. Louise is good-humoured, grounded, committed and convincing. Her contribution to this online course is extremely valuable and very much appreciated.”
