We’ve been catching up with some of the tech experts from Candle, to get a glimpse into their thinking and the experience of doing a Candle call. Gwenno is from digital marketing agency Ethix Digital.
Why did you get involved with Digital Candle?
We are a small agency, just getting started. It’s nice to talk to new people especially during lockdown. And it has been good for new business development
Could you share any tips that we can pass on to future experts, for making a Digital Candle call go well?
I obsessively prepare for it… but my co-founder has done some calls and he tends to taking a more relaxed approach. That seems to work too.
People don’t ask the question I thought they would ask. Most questions are really about how to get started.
Because I’m working on Facebook marketing every day I tend to be focused on the details. To do a Candle call, it’s necessary to take a step back and think about the big picture.
My tip would be: at the start of the call, spend a decent amount finding out what precise role that the person does. If you are talking to a manager, it is different from talking to someone who is actually doing the job.
How long did your call last: was it an hour, or longer / shorter?
Most of them have been shorter. A lot of the time people don’t need an hour. Or maybe they need half an hour, and then will come back a couple of weeks to discuss how they’ve been getting on.
What did you find rewarding about doing a Candle call? Did you learn / take away anything useful from the experience?
It helped me think more broadly about digital marketing; seeing that process whereby businesses decide whether to invest in marketing.
Because I work in a small agency, I don’t get many chances to talk to new people, especially in lockdown. It’s a pleasure to hear new views and let them challenge the way I think.
In general, where do you think are the biggest potential wins for charities when it comes to digital?
It's important to understand the value of digital marketing and get expert advice, as there's a lot more to it than people think
What would you improve about Candle?
I really like simplicity. The vibe is ‘this person wants your help, get on with helping them’. I like that.