On 1 March, Wales celebrates St David’s Day, named after the 6th century monk who later became the country’s patron saint.
Welsh people now celebrate the day with live music, concerts, traditional costumes, eating foods like cawl (stew), bara brith (fruit cake) and Welsh cakes, and enjoying nationwide parades, including the special dragon parade in the small city of St David’s in west Wales, where his cathedral was built.
When you consider that Wales has a saint’s day for almost every day of the year, examining why this particular day is so iconic can teach us a few things about effective marketing.
1. The power of symbols
Not to be outdone by the English rose, Scottish thistle or Irish shamrock, Wales boasts both a flower *and* a vegetable for its national symbols: the daffodil and the leek.
St David was vegetarian, and rumoured to only eat leeks and water. While unlikely, it was a compelling part of his story, and the leek became synonymous with Wales (Henry VIII is reported to have presented his daughter Mary a leek on several St David’s Days – I’m sure she was thrilled).
The daffodil came later, increasing in popularity in the 19th century, and then elevated by the Welsh-born prime minister David Lloyd George, who wore it on St David’s Day and used it in 1911 to mark the investiture of the Prince of Wales.
Symbols are not only resonant but also easy to remember, which is why clear and memorable branding is so important in marketing your business.
One simple and compelling way to set your business apart from your competitors is with a distinctive logo, colour scheme, font, website and social media presence, among other things, that capture the essence of your business and convey it clearly and powerfully to your potential clients. That’s why speaking to experienced design and marketing experts can be so valuable.
2. Show you can move mountains
One of St David’s most famous miracles is said to have occurred when he was preaching to a crowd in the village of Llandewi Brefi. When some people shouted that they couldn’t see or hear him, he raised the ground beneath his feet into a hill so that everyone could hear his sermon. A white dove is said to have landed on his shoulder, which is how he is often portrayed in images now.
While you may not be able to move literal mountains for your clients, this story reveals the power of demonstrating what you can do. This is why client success stories can be such an effective marketing tool.
When trying to demonstrate your value and impact, there are few better ways than client success stories. Including praise from satisfied clients on your website, social media or newsletters creates a strong personal connection for potential clients, as they can see exactly what you could do for people like them.
3. “Do the little things”
St David stressed the importance of small daily acts of kindness and “doing the little things”.
When it comes to effective marketing, there is a lot to consider. For example, at Yardstick, our comprehensive marketing strategy involves getting to know your business and its goals, identifying target clients, reviewing your existing marketing and working together to produce a plan that will take your business where you want to go.
But the key to success in marketing is about the little things that end up being major: active listening and clear communication, on both sides. By speaking to experienced and dedicated designers, marketing specialists, content writers and so on, who are listening and attending to all the little details, you’ll get the branding and marketing services you need to take your business to the next level.
Get in touch
Whether you want to discuss branding, marketing strategy or the recipe for the perfect Welsh cake, we can help.
Email hi@theyardstickagency.co.uk or call 0115 8965 300 to talk to us.
