Archive for Branding
Creating Software To Advertise And Build Value: What You Need To Know
As we all get more Internet and mobile phone-centric, you see more and more software built to either promote or add value to a service or product. For example: Nationwide Insurance created an iPhone app for their customers to help them make the task of filing a claim easier. There is Revver who created an official plugin WordPress to make it easier for their users to display videos and earn money. Pizza Hut has an iPhone app that includes a game, ability to order food and receive coupons. And there are countless Facebook apps created by big name companies. I love it. On every project I have, I try to figure ways to build in an app or plugin to make people utilize the product more or spread the word about my web site but there are some issues which I’d like to highlight if you have been considering the same thing yourself
Excerpt from:
Creating Software To Advertise And Build Value: What You Need To Know
Remember The Common Branding Mistakes And Myths To Avoid
What Makes a Brand Identity?
Branding is an aspect of every business that consist of visual elements and are used for the company’s marketing purposes. Therefore, most business owners would hire a professional logo designer to perform the concepts laid out by the company, which they believe will aid communicate the company’s business into the market. This logo will then be used as a marketing material that will show on business cards, envelopes, letterheads, or other professionally related materials.
Establishing that brand identity is one of the initial steps that must be taken by a company if it wish to achieve market success. Hence, this process must entail careful brand planning and though to evade damaging your business. You must also inspect how the customers might perceive the message being delivered by your brand, to avoid having it work against you.
Designing the Brand
There is no need to reiterate the importance of your brand identity to the success of your business. Therefore, this is an area of your business planning and startup that must be left to the professionals, especially if you are new to the business industry. Although you might have a sense of creativity, graphic designing becomes an entirely different concept when it is associated with using it as a marketing tool.
Apart from being creative and visually attractive, the brand logo must have meaning and is able to express essential information about your company. Here are some benefits you can obtain from employing a professional to design your logo:
*The creation of your brand logo will serve as priority. Hence, you are able to set a specific time-frame for the completion of the job to ensure that it is being focused on closely.
*As a professional logo designer, it is their job to utilize their unique skills as a graphic designer and incorporate their expertise on the importance of logo in relation to the marketing side of your business.
Customizing Brand Design
Contrary to popular belief, designing your own company logo as your marketing material is not expensive. But of course this is relative, especially if you persist on using high-quality materials for this but this is totally your own choice should you have enough budget for this. If not, then a sound concept and a skilled logo designer will be able to produce a strong brand.
After all, this is a business investment since your brand can impact your sales. This is a relatively inexpensive investment with a potential for a lucrative profit.
Understanding the Importance of Branding
Several businessmen tend to neglect the creation of a brand identity. Therefore, most of them fail in their business endeavors and yet they do not even realize where the lapses are coming from. A brand identity is as essential as some of the basic priorities in every business startup such as a business name, bank account, or operating system. And if ever a brand is made, most business proprietors do not look into the details of the brand and thus ending up with a brand that misrepresent their company.
Below is a list of common branding mistakes that must be avoided:
. Failure to make an efficient brand planning.
. Not giving full commitment to the management and review of the brand.
. Inability to establish internal branding.
. Lack of a good marketing plan.
. Trying way too hard to create distinction to the point of inaccessibility.
Branding your business is never simple but once you recognize the factors that could hinder your business’ progress, then you’re on your way there.
This post was brought to you by small business loans and grants, and government loans for women.
Perpetuate Your Brand Through Content
One of the easiest and cost-effective ways to market your business online is through the publication and distribution of content. We’re talking blog posts, articles, reports, email content…and even audio recordings and video. Help people solve their problems, entertain them and you can win a loyal audience. Couple that with strong calls to action in your content and you can quickly grow your website visitors, subscriber list and sales. Thousands of businesses use content marketing every single day…but most attempt to do so using so-so, generic content that does little to build true relationships and perpetuate their brand.
See the original post here:
Perpetuate Your Brand Through Content
10 Things I Hate About Branding
ONE: Frankly it takes a lot of work to stay on top of my brand. If only I could just push a button like the Staples “Easy Button” ( which I have on my desk). I hate that I can’t!
TWO: I hate having to remind businesses that their brand is more than their logo. I have every design shop and ad specialty shop to blame for the mis-information I guess. (I could be painting with big a brush too)
THREE: I hate companies who don’t realize that branding is a top down initiative. Without the captain on board, who’s piloting the brand?
More here:
10 Things I Hate About Branding
How To Police Your Brand!
Your brand is probably your company’s most valuable asset. It is what provides you the opportunity to make money based on strong relationships. Your brand makes advocates out of customers which means that they in effect become salespeople for you. Being an advocate for a brand, makes it a pleasure to recommend that company to your network of contacts. Paying close attention to the environment in which your brand exists will reward you at times when you find your brand in a bad place or subject to sloppy practices
See the rest here:
How To Police Your Brand!
The Power of Twitter Introductions
Funny thing happened on my way to filming a Twitter Introduction… Yesterday morning, I uploaded a Twitter Introduction Video to YouTube. I had seen a few others and thought that the notion of a Twitter Introduction video would be great. Twitter is such an amazing platform.
Read the original post:
The Power of Twitter Introductions
How To Develop A Mini eMail Trade Show!
No matter where you look on the web, the key to making any money online is wrapped up in the list. Without one, you’ve got a major hurdle to clear. The following concept, may be your answer to fast-tracking exposure! At some point in time, you have probably visited a trade show within your industry. You saw legions of companies within your industry, selling goods from booths and visitors looking to buy or develop leads for themselves. Using this model, why not create your own mini trade show with friends or colleagues who compliment each other’s businesses? By combining the lists from say five to ten companies, who share the same target audience, put together a promotion to present a series of services to this body of contacts and feed off of each other. Here is how you could approach it:
See the rest here:
How To Develop A Mini eMail Trade Show!
What’s Twitter and why should I care?
Twitter is a cross between a social networking platform and a micro blogging platform. You create a simple profile, you start following people, some follow you and you have 140 characters to say something about what you’re doing, thinking or planning. People who talk about interesting, meaningful stuff and include links to blogs and articles have a positive affect on their brand. There has been lots of press coverage on Twitter including a Wall Street Journal article titled: “ Twitter Goes Mainstream .” In December 2008 HubSpot published the Q4 report on the State of the Twittersphere . Some interesting stats from this report: Twitter is dominated by new users – 70% of Twitter users joined in 2008. 5,000 to 10,000 new accounts are opened every day!
Read the original:
Twitter in Business: It’s for Real!
Feel The Love!
You’ve heard the old adage, “if it weren’t for customers, running a business would be a lot of fun”. While this line brings a smirk to our face, it really is the wrong attitude to take if you want your customers to bring you more business. Businesses who truly have a dislike for their customers, no doubt also have a large turn over of customers. If you are in the professional industry like myself, you have to take an active interest in your customer’s businesses.
Read the rest here:
Feel The Love!
Voicemail Messages are Part of Your Brand!
Who would have thought that leaving a voicemail would impact your reputation?! This morning Kim @ Bike Virginia commented that my message was the easiest for her deal with because I left my name and number twice at the end of the message. Kim takes care of the customer experience and handles loads of calls every day. That my message elicited a comment prompts me to get back online and share the experience with you. When you are asking someone to help you, make it as easy as possible for them and you’re more likely to be at the front of the line. Duh! I know.