Digital publishing solution is already entering new markets

Website design and development business YP Solutions Ltd is penetrating new market sectors and will recruit up to four extra staff in the next two years, thanks to Boost’s Growth Voucher scheme.

Managing director Yusuf Patel is using the Boost support to create a series of infographic videos to promote his new ‘e-Brochure’ service in the education, public sector and large enterprise markets.

Document distribution is widespread in these sectors and the digital publishing e-Brochure service cuts costs as well as paper consumption by reducing printing.

Established by Yusuf in 2005, Blackburn-based YP Solutions Ltd provides quality website design, website development and related services, as well as managing and hosting email accounts for clients.

A new member of sales staff has already been arranged to specifically manage the marketing of the new product and the videos are already a central tool.

Senior business advisor, Matthew Sheppard met Yusuf Patel and carried out a Business Support Review that resulted in Boost making the Growth Voucher grant.

Boost is Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council, and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the contribution made by the Growth Voucher is matched by the business.

Yusuf said: “The Growth Voucher enabled us to promote the new service immediately, so we didn’t need to delay our marketing and growth plans. The infographic video has had a very successful response. We have already secured three clients for e-Brochures. These jobs have been secured with simple email, links to the video, and link to our example e-Brochure.

“Also, the video means we can market our new service with a very professional approach and get a much better response. The marketing potential isn’t just limited to e-mail marketing campaigns. In addition, it will give a fantastic opportunity on social media marketing as videos capture attention a lot better than words and images.”

Yusuf added: “I want to say thanks to Boost, as without the funding we would not have done the videos, which would definitely have not given us the positive start we have had on launching this new service.”

Matthew said: “The e-Brochure service involves the digital publishing of any document, including leaflets, manuals, booklets, policies, and educational documents. The videos are an ideal way of getting the audience to understand the many benefits of an e-Brochure and see the comparison of cost saving. Having previously used some short home-made videos on the company’s social media accounts with impressive results, Yusuf feels it is the best way to engage with potential clients.”

Matthew added: “The Growth Voucher was essential to this project as it gave a larger marketing budget that has improved the impact of the new service introduction. Without the voucher, the company would have been limited to more traditional marketing, which is likely to have reduced the chance of getting the new service advertised and awareness raised properly.”