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Not doing home renos this year?
Renovate your brand instead!
If you're like me, you're tired of hearing about the home renovation tax credit via the zillion ads being run by home improvement stores and the like, all looking to cash in on the 2009 government incentive. I'm not doing home renos this year. No, I am among the schmucks that did renos LAST year.
For all you business owners out there, the good news is that all your brand renovation projects (ie graphic design, printing, promotional material, etc.) are still the same old write offs they always were, so renovate your marketing tool kit and cash in the entrepreneurial way!
The best part is that, unlike a new bathroom, an investment in your brand can mean a better bottom line for your business. Though a new bathroom might be more beneficial for other business, it's not going to pay itself off in quite the same way. Read on for tips and tricks for improving your image. Since 2009 is the year for renovations, renovate your brand in style!
Amy Perzan Merrill,
Owner & Designer - Meringue3.14
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Top 5 Brand Renovation Tips
The Foundation: Your Logo
Is your logo one of those inhouse or evolving art projects that you started years ago and have added to as you went along? Maybe a 'Ltd' when you incorporated, or a swoosh when we entered the new millenium - whatever it is, it's time to lighten the logo. Determine what your business is and what your core values are, does your logo portray this? When it comes to a logo, less is definitely more, so take this job down to the foundation.
The Framework: Your Promotional Strategy
From budget to execution, all successful projects require successful management. Good management begins with planning. Take a moment to put pen to paper and draft a blueprint of your annual marketing campaign. What are your goals for the next 12 months? Be sure to build in tools that will measure results.
The Windows & Doors: Your Marketing Collateral
Take stock of your existing marketing collateral. Is it a succinct portrayal of your business, brand and current offerings? Often times we need to revisit our collective pieces as we grow and change over the years. Make sure that your brand and messaging are consistent. An annual update of a few key pieces can go a long way in keeping existing customers interested and potential customers properly informed.
The Siding & Shingles: Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Whether it's your brochure, your tagline, your web copy or your blog - it's yours. Take a moment to copyright, or better yet, trademark, your unique marketing imagery and literature. You've likely developed some great stuff over the years, so protect it!
The Chimney: Your People & Policies
Just like smoke out the chimney, the way your people and policies effect public perception of your company can often filter out unnoticed. Use any downtime to stop and evaluate how your employees are representing you. Do this by asking customer's directly. Every once in awhile it's a good idea to reflect on your policies and procedures as well. Are your systems keeping up with technology? Many busy people in our "instant gratification" era are looking to communicate online in their own time - are you keeping up with this? Clients may become frustrated if they have to rely on old fashioned methods to reach you. Instead of playing phone tag, many people prefer to order online via your website or fire off an inquiry via text message or email.
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Client Feedback
Items that do double duty - Door Hanger
 We own a pet food business and, just like everyone else, we are on a pretty tight marketing budget. We wanted a piece that we could hand out to customers that explains what we do, like a brochure, but also wanted something that we could mail or hand deliver to bring in new customers. We wanted the piece to be something that people would hold onto, so we created a "do not disturb" sign. We tried to make it aesthetic enough for children to hang onto so it would be handy and not hit the trash. We love the design and Meringue3.14 managed to get a lot of info in a small space for to tell everyone about our products and services.
As an added bonus, we were able to hire our younger customers to deliver the hangers door to door, enabling us to build relationships with our current customers!
Holly Montgomery, Owner
Tail Blazer's Copperfield
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REMINDER
Meringue Clients: If you haven't already, book your "Coffee & Consult on Us", a complimentary one-hour consultation to review past projects and brainstorm future strategies. Meetings must be booked by Friday, Apr 17, 2009.Contact Kerri-Lee to book your consult now! |
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Email info@mmm314.com for a free quote on your next print, web or design job!
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DESIGNER TIP #36
Write Like a Pro
Forget double spacing. If you're no longer in high school, you no longer need to double space your copy. This goes for the leading (ie space between lines) AND the break between sentences. Putting two spaces at the end of a sentence to signify the start of a new sentence is a 'no-no' in the world of typography. The reason? Copy that utilizes double spacing between sentences will illustrate the River Effect; vertical visual lines streaming through your copy.
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Makeover Your eNewsletter
One of the most under-utilized, underestimated, under designed tools out there is the eNewsletter.
If you don't have one, you should. If you do have one, you should also have:
- a qualified mailing list
- a schedule
- a custom template
- a proof reader
- a system that tracks open rates and click throughs
As an affiliate of Constant Contact, let us set you up with your free 30 day trial. We'll set up an account for you, no charge, so you can go in and explore the system risk free.
Need more help? Take a look at our other eNewsletter products and rates - view pdf
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