| |
| |
|
WebsiteAlways |
|
Extreme Makeover - Small Business Edition
Have you ever watched one of those home makeover shows? You know the scenario. The homeowners have decorated or remodeled their house all by themselves. After awhile, they realize that what they did is unprofessional, it doesn't work, it's not what they want, it's not what they need, it's ugly, or they just flat out despise it. So, they hire an expert designer to help. After meeting with the family to find out their wants, needs, desires and dreams, the expert takes that information and goes to work, completely making over the house. The final results are amazing. The differences are like night and day. The homeowners are surprised and utterly astonished. Some laugh and some even cry, because right in front of their eyes, they see what they never imagined possible. It's what they want, it's what they need, it's what they were trying to do themselves, but simply couldn't. What does all of this have to do with graphic design and marketing? Unfortunately, most small business owners, like the homeowners, do all their own graphic design and marketing themselves. They design the logo for their small business...themselves. They design the stationery for their small business...themselves. They write and design the brochure for their small business...themselves. They design and build the web site for their small business...themselves. Typically, they do ALL of the graphic design and marketing for their small business...you guessed it...themselves. It's unfortunate. Because the results of doing all of this...themselves...is similar to those experienced by the homeowners in the makeover shows. The graphic design and marketing materials they have created look unprofessional, they don't work, they don't get results, they look homemade and they aren't functional. Simply put, they're amateurish. Sound familiar? What should you do? Let's reconsider the home makeover shows, and determine what the homeowners did right. You can learn something from the homeowners and apply this to your small business. First. They realize that what they have done themselves, simply isn't working. They're frustrated that what they have done does not work anymore. They know that they need a change. Second. They realize that they are not the experts in this particular area. They know that they need expert designer help to fix what they have done to make it functional, appealing and successful. Third. They meet with the expert designer to discuss their wants, needs and desires. They express exactly what they want to accomplish. They also admit that what they have tried to do...themselves...doesn't work. Fourth. They let the expert get to work. They trust that they will get the results they want and desire. They know the finished product will far exceed what they could have ever done themselves. Fifth. They get to see and experience the finished result, which is a beautiful, functional, valuable, contemporary, awesome solution that works and gives them the results they wanted to accomplish in the first place. When it comes to creating and executing the graphic design and marketing materials for your small business, the same results can and will happen for you. But, you have to hire an expert to give your business an extreme makeover. When the expert is done, the graphic design and marketing materials for your small business will be attractive, professional, beautiful, successful, what you want, what you need and it will accomplish the goals you are trying to achieve. There is only one catch: you have to stop doing everything yourself. If you are doing or have done all of the graphic design and marketing materials for your small business...all by yourself...it's time to call in an expert. Like the homeowners, chances are you'll be surprised and completely amazed. Right in front of your eyes, you will see results that you always wanted, but could not achieve yourself. Jeanna Pool is President of CATALYST creative, inc., located in Denver, Colorado. She helps small business owners who are really good at what they do, but struggle to market their services effectively to attract more clients on a consistent basis. She can be contacted at http://www.catalystcreativeinc.com or 303.380.9100.
MORE RESOURCES:
Branding - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Your Small Business Name -- Important? You bet a name is important. Many small business owners try to come up with a clever name for their business rather than one that explains what they do. Why Having A Niche Automatically Boosts Your Credibility - Become The Expert by Getting Focused Yes, yes, we've heard it all before.. Personal Branding: Characteristics of a Strong Personal Brand How many times have you been at a networking function and been lost for words when asked "what do you do"?We all have. But do you see this as a threat or an opportunity?Developing a Personal Branding Statement or PBS can be a powerful way to help market yourself to prospects, clients or potential employers. Understand Brand Branding has been defined, explained and examined extensively. There are books, articles, publications, seminars, and groups all dedicated to exploring the meaning and use of brand today. Not So Stationary Stationery The elements and functionality of the basic stationery system is changing. With the advent of email, fax, web and cell phones, stationery systems must be adjusted to meet the needs of today's business. How To Create A Brand That Sticks Most people, when they hear the word branding, think logos - but in fact, branding is really much more than that. A brand involves blending the image, purpose, and focus of your business, with your core marketing message, and coming up with something which will stick in the minds of people who encounter it. Quality and Service - Yeah, Right! One of the critical drivers of business success is having a unique competitive advantage. Most managers understand that to attract a larger share of the market, or find enough customers prepared to pay a premium price, they must provide something of greater value than their competition. Why You? -- Professional Identity Branding You can have first-rate products and services, but if you can't establish the need, communicate the benefits and differentiate yourself from the competition in ways that make people want to do business with you, you'll forever be selling up hill.As Robert Krumroy, Identity Branding, Inc. Brand Identity and Brand Image - Brand Identity Guru It is important to distinguish between corporate identity, brand identity, and brand image. Corporate identity is concerned with the visual aspects of a company's presence. Go Ask Alice One of fiction's finest marketing minds, The Cheshire Cat, once told Alice in Wonderland something all business owners and marketers should remember:"If you don't care where you are going, it doesn't make a difference which path you take."For businesses bent upon success, it does matter which path you take. Corporate Internet Branding is only Part of A Business Success Gaining new clients that are excited about developing a corporate Web site, and are gung-ho to get started is a dream come true. Trust me - as a creative individual with a keen understanding of what the Web can do for a business - I know what I'm talking about. Franchisor Policies for Unlicensed or Sold Territories Franchisors often have issues when they own a brand which has service vehicles; where franchisees wish to operate in non-franchise assigned territories. We had this as a re-occurring issue in our franchise system. Brand Identity Company - Brand Identity Guru Hiring a brand identity company is very important. In every marketing campaign, your company should have a solid brand identity on which to hang its hat. How to Write Classified Ads that Get Results Now. SELLING DIRECTLY FROM A CLASSIFIED AD Classified ads can be used to sell products directly from the ad.This works best for items costing no more thanapproximately $5. Branding Guru - Brand Identity Guru Branding TodayHave you ever had a good brand experience? How about a bad brand experience? Is there a difference in your mind? How many people do you tell about a positive brand experience? How about for a poor brand experience?One poor brand experience will not destroy a firm. One poor brand experience per day, however, can ruin a company in the long run for sure. Branding 101: Why Its Critical to Business Success and How to Do It Right What's Your Brand?A brand is a product/company personality that helps distinguish it from the competition. It evolves out of the product essence. Branding Yourself To Increased Profitability Successful Realtors know the importance of branding their identities into the consciousness of the communities in which they live, like the big boys; Pepsi, McDonald's, Burger King, and other companies we know and have come to trust.Why is branding important? Think about it! When you want a soda do you buy an unknown off-brand just because it's cheap?Or, do you reach for a Coke? I'm a Pepsi guy myself, but you get my drift!And why do you do that? Because there's comfort in familiarity and you know what you're getting when you buy it. Your Brand is Your Promise! (So What Are You Promising?) When people mention the word "brand" they usually mean a well known, well defined company. That's why consumers frequently mention names such as Target, Rolex, Apple, BMW and others who have done an excellent job in crafting an image and sticking with it. Id Buy That: Getting A Brand Mindset Feel that? The crisp tingle in the air? It's fall. Fall ushers in the promise of eating, seeing, and getting. 10 Secrets for Free Media Placement Why pay a high priced PR agent when you can get free media placement to promote your product, service, or book?Follow these top ten tips for 2005 and it will be your most profitable year yet!1. Write an attention grabbing headline.
|
| Interesting articles | Home | site map | Link |
| © 2006 |
