Insights & News
THE MAITLAND BLOG.
Strategies, insights, and industry thinking from the team behind GROW.
Where we use AI at Maitland. And where we don't.
Doug on where AI is helping our clients and where we keep it out of the work entirely.
How to tell whether a marketing proposal will actually work
Six checks to run on any marketing proposal before you sign it, including the arithmetic most agencies never show you and the tell that should worry you most.
How to check a marketing agency's results before you believe them
Every agency shows big percentages. Here is how to check whether the results are real: the four things a case study must contain and the questions to ask.
What is an outsourced marketing team, and is it right for your business?
An outsourced marketing team explained: what it is, how it differs from an agency or a hire, what it costs in the UK, and the businesses it suits and does not.
Is your marketing agency using AI? (And how to tell if it is helping or hurting)
Worried you are paying agency rates for AI output? The honest answer on where AI helps, where it must never be trusted, and how to spot slop in your marketing.
Marketing agency vs freelancer: the honest comparison
Marketing agency or freelancer? The honest UK comparison: what each costs, what each does better, where the ceilings are, and how to choose for your stage.
Why do marketing agencies use 12 month contracts? (The honest answer)
Why do marketing agencies insist on 12 month contracts? The honest reasons, the trap versions to walk away from, and why our own partnership runs 13 months.
How to choose a marketing agency in the UK: the honest seven step guide
Choosing a marketing agency in the UK? The seven step guide: costs, one team or several, the questions to ask, red flags, and how to judge the first 90 days.
What percentage of revenue should a small business spend on marketing?
The honest UK percentage bandings, what they mean in pounds at your revenue, what should be counted inside the number, and how to set a marketing budget you can defend.
How to tell if your marketing agency is actually working
Paying a marketing agency and cannot tell if it is working? The five signs it is, the five signs it is not, and a 60 second test to run on your next report.
Why juggling multiple marketing agencies fails (and what to do instead)
Three agencies, three dashboards, and you stuck in the middle. The honest look at why the multi-agency setup fails, when it works, and what one team changes.
The best marketing agency in the North East: how to actually choose one
Who is the best marketing agency in the North East, and how do you choose one you will not regret? The honest criteria, the red flags, and where we fit.
Marketing agency vs in-house team: the honest UK comparison
What an in-house marketing team really costs in the UK, what an agency costs, what each is best at, and how to decide between them.
What a marketing agency actually costs in the UK (and what drives the price)
How much does a marketing agency actually cost in the UK, and why will almost no agency give you a straight answer before they have you on a sales call? Here is the honest version.
Effective Ways to Improve Brand Engagement in 2025
Brand engagement is fast becoming the true measure of business success.
Why Marketing Matters in 2025: Guide for Business Growth
Marketing used to be about clever slogans and eye-catching adverts, but the reality in 2025 is much more compelling.
Real Estate Lead Generation That Works
Discover proven real estate lead generation tactics.
How to Measure Brand Awareness in the UK
A practical guide on how to measure brand awareness in the UK.
9 E-commerce Marketing Strategies for Growth in 2025
Explore 9 top e-commerce marketing strategies to grow your online store.
How to Improve Social Media Engagement for UK Brands
Learn how to improve social media engagement effectively.
7 Content marketing strategy examples to follow in 2025
Discover 7 powerful content marketing strategy examples from leading brands.
A Guide to Your Marketing Strategy Using Data
Build a powerful data driven marketing strategy with our guide.
What Is Marketing Public Relations and How Does It Work?
Discover what is marketing public relations and how it works.
Your Guide to Customer Journey Mapping
A practical guide to customer journey mapping.
Your Guide to Return on Investment Marketing
Master return on investment marketing with this guide.
Small Business Marketing Guide for UK Companies
A practical small business marketing guide for UK companies.
A Guide to Advertising for Small Business
Discover effective advertising for small business with proven strategies.
Emerging Technologies in Marketing: Trends Shaping 2025 Success
Discover how emerging technologies in marketing are transforming strategies.
The Role of Content in SEO: Essential Strategies for 2025
Discover the vital role of content in SEO for 2025.
How to Handle Marketing Challenges in 2025: Proven Strategies
Discover how to handle marketing challenges in 2025 with clear strategies.
Effective Storytelling in Marketing: Strategies for 2025 Success
Discover the power of effective storytelling in marketing for business growth.
How to Calculate Cost Per Acquisition: The Right Way
Discover how to calculate cost per acquisition and optimize your ad spend.
UK Digital Marketing Agency Pricing Explained
Tired of vague quotes? This guide clarifies digital marketing agency pricing.
Stop Wasting Money With Digital Marketing Audits
Uncover how digital marketing audits slash waste and boost ROI.
How to Calculate Customer Lifetime Value for Real-World Profit
Stop guessing. This is our straight-talking guide on how to calculate customer lifetime value.
8 Proposition of Value Examples That Actually Drive Profit
Stop talking about brand. See real proposition of value examples that drive profit, CPA, and LTV.
Marketing Consulting Services Built for Your P&L, Not Your Social Media
Tired of marketing consulting services with no real ROI? We deliver measurable profit for business leaders by replacing broken agency models.
A Guide to Marketing Consulting Services for Real ROI
Explore marketing consulting services designed for business owners who demand real ROI. Learn how a unified growth partner beats the broken agency model.