by Stephanie Fasulo | May 3, 2013 | Advertising, Branding, Business Success, Creative, Interactive, Latest, Social Media
So you have an idea for a social media campaign, and you’re thinking of all the millions of people you’re going to attract using Twitter, a blog or Facebook – it’s so exciting! But hold on one second, you have to ask yourself the easy questions first to be guarantee long-term success. Product vs. store branding online have obvious similarities but need to be managed differently.
Product branding online and store branding online are similar because both need to reach a specific audience, tailored especially to the individual needs and wants of the company and/or client. A product can have a fan base and followers who will support a social media presence just the same as a store ( i.e. grocery stores, furniture stores, hair salons, or retail outlets ). Product and Store branding have the same goals when trying to target specific audiences.
Content
The content for products and stores, obviously tailored to the social media strategy, can fall under similar categories and actually intertwine between lifestyle, health and beauty, healthy eating, environmental facts or fashion tips.
Ex. Ikea Canada Stores vs. Organic Make-Up Brushes.
Environmental ideas (gardening DIY idea above) on Ikea Canada’s Facebook page and the organic makeup brush products both can share similar content because they are targeting people who support the ideas, beliefs and culture of the brand they’re promoting online. With this said, both products and stores need to keep a pulse and a keen eye for the market, what’s current and trending. Both will pull in great results with these similar online branding strategies.
Products go out; customers come in.
But there are some differences between product and store branding and they’re worth remembering. The first, and most important, is a store online presence should come from the location itself. The store is a place where clients can see what’s going on, learn about in-store promotions and, with luck, be enticed enough to visit through social media efforts.
Products can be sent out, given to customers through a blog. This way online visitors can get what you’re selling right in their hands. However, with store branding you need followers and supporters to come in and see your store, see the products on your shelves and experience the service you provide. That should be taken into consideration when branding online for the greatest success. Do it right and reap the rewards!
by Devorah Abrams Farmer | May 1, 2013 | Advertising, Branding, Creative, Design, Latest, Social Media
Will your logos die a slow painful death, or will it stay vibrant and alive for a long time?
The old adage if your product is in demand, your logos could be timeless, proves to be true with such brands like Windsor Salt or Maple Leaf Foods. Products that are fortunate enough to get near what those products have achieved is the goal of every advertisers and no doubt their dream.
If your product has a simple recognizable logo such as Apple with a bite taken out of it, is recognizable anywhere in the world. It is not a complex, unobtainable symbol. It even provokes thought as to what the bite out of the Apple means. One meaning could be the bite Eve took out of the apple in the Garden of Eden, and gave it to Adam.
One of the most widely held interpretations says that the logo memorializes Alan Turing, the mathematician and scientist who laid the foundations for computer science with his pioneering research into artificial intelligence and unlocking German codes during the World War II. Turing committed suicide in 1954 by biting an apple laced with cyanide.1
Internet-Geeks and other Apple users like this interpretation. And yes, this simple logo is so thought provoking that the rumors to its meaning is debated to this day. There is no doubt this is part of the appeal of Apple’s logo.
Apple didn’t always have this logo Apple has changed the logo in color, theme and texture over the years. It has used the logo with a rainbow theme, an aqua theme and, since 2003, with a glass theme.2 It has adapted and has changed with the times.
When it comes to political candidates logos go a long way. A candidate cannot be in many places at once, but his logo can be everywhere. The logo even has to be simple enough to fit on a button. Having simple and bold ideas, and the adage that “less is more”, advertisers can make strong and empowering messages.
In order to proceed with determining what your logo will be you must research to see if a logo already exists; does it mean something strange or offensive in any other language; will consumers and companies be able to find you on the Internet.
Lindsay Sleightholm of 3H Communications Inc., of Oakville, Ontario says “when developing a logo, type-faces, graphics, colour, size, balance, print or digital applications, and mobile items are all important considerations. Another issue to consider is whether or not your logo will survive going from colour, to black and white. With a logo, you have to have a succinct visual, in order to communicate the brand essence. Your logo has to be easily recognizable, and stand apart within its market segment.” Logos, branding, and advertising methods have to change with the times as well; even from day to day in order to stay competitive.
by Daniel | Apr 29, 2013 | Advertising, Creative, Design, Latest
Flyers, brochures and catalogs are used globally and on a massive scale. They are a very cost-effective way to market your product, service, brand or event, and they produce some amazing results if they’re done well. The only problem is that with so many flyers out there already (literally millions), and so many more being produced and distributed each week, it can be very hard to produce something which stands out from the crowd, grabs the attention of the reader and makes an imprint on their memory.
In order to make something like this, which produces the results you’re looking for, you need to make sure your design is different. It needs to be fresh, original and unique – the more different from everything else it is, the better it will perform. In this post I have rounded up some awesome flyer designs to help you in your design project. Try to pinpoint which elements of the designs are consistent throughout and then incorporate that into your design. What is it about each design that draws your attention, are any more memorable than others for you? If so, why. It’s thinking and designing like this which will make the difference between a successful flyer and a complete disappointment.
On to the inspiration:
These flyers should have given you plenty of inspiration, ideas and pointers to take away and incorporate into your own flyer design. If you have any amazing examples of flyers, catalogs or brochures, then please feel free to share them in the comments section!
Once you’re finished with your design and you’re looking for a company to print a catalog, flyer or brochure for you, make sure you select one who provide a manual quality check process every order. Companies that offer this will check your order by hand to make sure it looks exactly as it should, and just as good as it looks on the computer screen. After putting so much work into your design, you don’t want it to fail at the last hurdle, so go with a reputable company.
Stay creative, and good luck with your flyer design!
Author Bio:Daniel has worked in design and marketing for the past 10 years. He enjoys keeping up to date on everything to do with design, print, technology and creativity, and you can find him blogging about these things regularly here and at other top blogs around the web
by Lisa Wedmann | Apr 3, 2013 | Branding, Business Success, Latest
Networking: Where Business Meets Social
Networking should be an important part of your Marketing mix. It provides a great opportunity for relationship building, brand awareness and lead generation. Networking in itself can be a full-time job if you let it. Time is a scarce commodity these days. People are so busy these days that they are looking for ways to combine their business with socializing, and looking to attend networking events that will help them achieve their business goals while building effective relationships at the same time. So how do you choose which events to go to? It is important to attend the events that will provide you with the best value for your time. Effective networking demands that you know who you are and what you want before you can effectively communicate and establish a mutually rewarding, sustainable relationship with someone.
I am constantly amazed by some people that lack common sense, so here are some tips (in no particular order) that will help you with successful networking.
Be Minty Fresh
Have you ever talked to someone after they’ve had a tuna fish sandwich and raw onions? It’s not pleasant! Brush your teeth. Suck on a mint. Chew gum. Just don’t be that stinky breath dude.
Listen
When you’re in a networking situation it is not all about you. Focus your attention on the speaker and concentrate on what is being said.
Don’t Sell
You know how it drives you crazy when you walk into a store and the clerk immediately jumps on you and tries to sell you on something when you don’t even know what you’re looking for yet? Don’t be like that crazy clerk and start pitching right off the bat.
Ask Questions
Find common ground and see how you can be of value to the person you are talking to. Ask people what they do, who they know, where they’ve been, how can you help them. They may not be in the market for your particular product or service at this time but you may be able to connect them with someone that can help them with what they are looking for and vice versa.
Mingle
It is great catching up with old friends and acquaintances; but if you really want to maximize your result see out someone that you have never met before and introduce yourself.
Be Yourself
People like to do business with people that they like, so be genuine.
Be Prepared
Make sure you have enough business cards for everyone in the room. There is nothing worse than making a great connection and not having a single business card left to give them.
Take Notes
Jot a note on the back of the business card about your conversation. This will make the follow up process much easier!
Follow Up
Send a follow up email, or pick up the phone and call, within 48 hours of meeting. Remind them of where you met, what you discussed and set up a time to have a more in depth conversation of you can be of assistance to them. So many people forget this step. Don’t be that guy!
Connect
Follow them on Twitter and/or Facebook. Send them a request to connect on LinkedIn. You never know what kind of opportunities that you may attract through a networking event!
by Miriam Hara | Mar 11, 2013 | Advertising, Branding, Business Success, Creative, Latest
Suffice to say that in any business, client happiness amounts to a happy business– your business. In the advertising world where business marketing meets conceptual communications …objectives, strategies and creative all need to be integrated to provide the one strong solution … it’s important to keep the following in mind to earn client happiness!
This should be your mantra: KNOW THEIR BUSINESS. It’s the equivalent of being prepared when you go to an interview. You must do your homework. Research their market, the industry, the competitive landscape and the product offerings. Remember trust must be earned, so if you’re not prepared and you don’t offer up a knowledge base of their playground…clients will get nervous about entrusting their product, service or brand to you.
Be a partner and not a supplier. Be accessible and make yourself a constant resource. In today’s speed of business, marketing teams, brand managers and marketing directors feel the need to rely on external resources to get the job done…and done well. Be that external resource. How? Ask to be part of the strategic process. Keep current on industry news or competitive information. Send them articles of interest or highlight key opportunities that may be pertinent to their company’s or brand’s success. Watch their back… and they’ll only be too happy to invite you in their inner circle to get the value of your insight!
Don’t tell them what they can’t do, tell them what can be done. As an advertising or brand agency it’s your job to sensitize them to the issues at hand, the potential problems of a certain initiative or concept…but if you leave it at that, that’s one more thing that they need to solve. If you want to keep your clients happy, provide solutions. You not only need to highlight the potential risks, you need to provide solutions to deter that risk. That’ll make them happy!
We all know it, we all think it. Everyone is a marketer, everyone is an art director, everyone thinks their creative. Often I have been directionally briefed. I get asked to deliver on a pre-decided tactic… “We want a direct mail” or “we need an advertising campaign”. Clients often know what they want, and they should. Afterall, they are the keeper of the brand. However, it’s our job to push the envelope and to ask the questions that may provide a hidden nugget, a new perspective, a different tactic. Our role as a brand advertising agency is to know about the next best thing about…well advertising and creative. So the rule of thumb…give clients what they need to see. Only then will they be receptive to a different approach and evaluate what you can bring to the table… making you again a partner in their business.
Prepare to WOW. It’s good enough is never enough. Go in with concepts and solutions that will WOW them. When presenting creative campaigns it’s important to go that extra mile. Understand the potential and limitations of each of your creative solutions and speak to them. Wow them, not only in what they see before them, exciting concepts, but in your thought process and preparedness to answer questions and provide insight.
One word. CARE. Ultimately that’s really the one word that wraps up all previous points. Care enough to matter. It’s about client service. There you have it. The secret on how to be a successful business. What is client management if it isn’t about keeping the client happy. And what makes clients happy, what keeps them that way is pretty straight forward.
No matter what client services you offer, ultimately there is one factor that will keep them coming back, delivering on your promise, promptly, effectively and consistently. Client Happiness is guaranteed to make your Business Happy. It’s a perfect marriage.
