When I was first contracted to create a logo design for Via-Cell, their idea was a genie, possibly emerging from a lamp, holding coffee, food, and other goodies that can be ordered “via” their “cell-” phone and web-based system. I went to work sketching what I hoped would become the next Chester Cheetah, Tony Tiger or Michelin Man. [Read more…] about Making Their Mark
Mobile Blog
Advertising is Salesmanship
No doubt, you’re being bombarded right now by every sales call imaginable, most of them trying to sell you either search engine optimization (SEO) services or advertising space. Since the second week of January, our phone has rung daily with someone selling one or the other.
Since, like most of us, you’re probably considering your next purchase of ad space, let’s focus on advertising today. Yes, it’s a HUGE topic, so we’re going to take it back to its most basic premise: Advertising is Salesmanship.
Great Newsletter Design Is Nothing Without Targeted Content
If you stop to think about it, we’re all marketers. We all have something to sell and we need to market it, whether product or service. Narrowing the focus of your newsletter to your particular niche will increase your bottom line – whether you’ve got a huge list, or not. Your email marketing list is an important feature, don’t get me wrong, but look at it this way:
Not everyone who goes into a store is looking for the same thing.
What is the strongest thing you offer, and who wants it? Your list should be divided up so your message targets the particular group who have already shown interest in a thing, or are in the category of someone who may not know that your product or service is their remedy.
[Read more…] about Great Newsletter Design Is Nothing Without Targeted Content
Electrify Your Customer Responses
(PT2) We want relationships with our customers and readers to be actual relationships, and that requires two-way conversation. We want to encourage them to call, sign up, or click on a link. We want them to tell us what they thought of our products or services. If you read my earlier post on the value of influencing customer response, it’s time to start asking questions and posing statements that engage dialog.
Or you can just wait and see if your schedule fills up. (See pic for emotion that follows waiting for your schedule to fill up).
Can YOU Influence Customer Response?
Can what you say or write about your product, service, or message really influence a response from your customer? Can you inspire a reaction? [Read more…] about Can YOU Influence Customer Response?
What Are Words For, When No One Listens Anymore…
When no one listens, there’s no use talking at all.
Do you hear me, do you care?
Remember the lyrics to the popular 80’s hit? I just got back from a dinner with a client and it’s all I hear in my head after the conversation we had tonight. I’m really listening closely to what my clients understand about their message, and in a more ethereal sense, their words.
In my head, the lyrics are, “What are words worth, when no one listens anymore? No one notices, I think I’ll dye my hair blue.” As a chic, I get it. I don’t think that’s so different from a desperate small business point of view. When we’re young, like the song suggests, we’d do anything to get attention immediately, to be noticed – even bizarre to border line nuts.
Let me explain to you exactly why keyword research and word relevance are more important than flash and hype. [Read more…] about What Are Words For, When No One Listens Anymore…