It may have been in your mission statement, or it may have been from brand. Perhaps it was your color palette selection, or your overall design strategy. As we head into (hopefully) soon to be warmer weather, now is the time to take stock of your marketing strategy, and invent new, fresh messaging and art for your company.

When it comes to promoting your company and its offerings, nothing makes a bigger splash than a professional, well-represented design. But sometimes that messaging gets lost. All too often, companies—especially successful, established companies—fall into the habit of mis-matching their graphics. The disorganization comes from a variety of sources, including employees who pull. up their most recent document or email and grabbing whichever brand elements are handy. It may be convenient, but it’s eating away at your overall look.

Take time to re-establish your company’s brand standards. From your email signatures and business cards, to letterhead and the entirety of your Web presence, re-iterate your brand in a consist, predictable manner. Burn it into your customers’ minds. Because sure enough, when it’s time to call upon you, that’s what will be popping up.

Until next time,

36creative
www.36creative.com

Go low cost. Write sales letters. Send sales letters. Even with a return rate of 1%, put out enough and you’ll find yourself with new customers.

Be newsworthy. The fact that your name and line of business are popping up more often will let you climb the ranks of search engines.

Try your hand at social media. Write blogs. Update Facebook and Twitter. Allowing more ways for customers to connect with your business is always a bright idea.

Use the magic word, “FREE”. Offer something free. Have a discount. Though a good sale is a cliché, there’s a reason people still offer them every day… because they work.

Stay brilliant. Nothing draws the eye like the unexpected. Go red when everyone else is going green. Daring-do makes life more interesting and earns more attention.

Until next time,

36creative
www.36creative.com

But let’s put all of that aside for the moment. Let’s talk about love in the context of marketing and advertising. Consumer adoration translates into loyalty, and that where the money is, ladies and gents. Car dealerships depend on love, as trust, for their bread and butter. Apple capitalizes on brand love with black turtlenecks and vanilla musical guests. Here’s one ways to inspire love in your company: make yourself vulnerable. We talked recently about “apology advertising”. Being honest and up front about your strengths, and yes, the limits of your capabilities, humanizes you as an organization. That makes you lovable.

Now go eat some boxed chocolates and try not to embarrass yourself tomorrow.

Signing off for now,

36creative
www.36creative.com

To start off, craft a plan. Don’t underestimate the value of consulting. Smaller enterprises than yours have risen to greatness, and the secret to their success could help your own growth along. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Talking to people versed in the ins and outs of businesses like yours can save you months of pursuing the wrong strategy.

Speaking of strategies, if you haven’t already, invest in advertising. Dollars spent in advertising translate into many dollars earned as a direct result. Consider a refined website, direct mailings, press releases, and advertising online, in newspapers, and on the radio.

Above all, make friends. Find business partners who can scratch your back when you scratch theirs. Take the time to sit down and plan out your future. And have yourself a drink while you’re doing it. After all, you’ve earned it.

Until next time,

36creative
www.36creative.com

For all of you that do not engage in content marketing or do not know what it is take a look at this amazing infographic from Blue Glass.

Unlike the primary function of your business, the late nights you spend planning out a market strategy and advertising material don’t result in revenue—at least, not right away. Burn the midnight oil, and you’ll start to feel burned in return. Neglect your wife (or husband) and you won’t have extra clink in your pocket to make it up for it with flowers (or subscriptions to Sports Illustrated). Simply stated, marketers are masochists. And it’s a good thing they are.

Like the blog title suggests, marketing done correctly is no mean feat. It’s not a hobby to be performed in your spare time. To see results, you need to sit down and work; really work. In fact, a large part of any effort a successful company undertakes should be spent directly on marketing efforts—with best results seen around the 50% percent range. That means for every sale you net, you should spend that much time searching out a new customer. And this is important work. There’s no greater guarantee of long-term success than a solid, proven way to hook new customers.

What’s the most effective way to make the most of those murderously long marketing moments? Besides  print advertising (yes, really), online social media, promotional websites (we’re talking unique URLs, here) and landing pages, sales letter creation and community relationship-building all represent a phenomenal way to hook new customers.

Remember the old adage: no pain, no gain. Crafting a plan and managing marketing in an organized, focused manner will keep the screaming to a minimum, however.

Signing off for now,

36creative
www.36creative.com

Be original. “Is your dog short and hairy? Does your mother-in-law drive you nuts? Are you tired of rhetorical questions? Then we’ve got the solution for you!” 3 questions, 1 solution. It’s tired, tired, tired. Present your customer pain point in a more subtle way, by weaving in a narrative, telling a story, or simply going off script.

Light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t go all doom-and-gloom on your audience—state a problem they may encounter and then quickly provide a workable resolution early in your pitch. If you’re crying horror for the loss of mileage tire wear causes, show your customer how easy and affordable it is to replace their wheels with yours.

Don’t be mean. Advertising is like the ocean: it has a flow. And unlike the ocean, it should never have an ebb. Don’t present your customers with a sea of ghastlies or else you run the risk of losing your message. Stick to one problem, and present one solution. And then keep moving forward. Forward, of course, to making your sale!

Until next time,

36creative
www36creative.com

So, as 2012 prepares to welcome in the Big Game with nachos and buffalo wings and piles of guests crammed onto your living room couch, who’s going to make waves this year by pushing (or punishing?) boundaries?

Any thoughts? Do you remember Groupon’s commercial series? Let us know below!

36creatve

www.36creative.com

The point we are circling is this: people–in many cases, at least–log onto the Internet to relax and blow off steam. Marketers can tap into this curious habit by providing said entertainment. More so than direct response writing, more than commercials or websites, companies can adopt the mantle of entertainers to connect with real people—and potential customers. In many cases, this can be liberating for businesses. Jokes, personal attention, quips, quotes, and links all provide a reason for people to scan your tweets or breeze through your Facebook wall, all while expressing your inner brand. Nice.

Take a moment and discover if you’re optimized for relaxing your visitors. Is what you’re posting something you’d read, if you didn’t work for your company? Do you come away smiling or snoozing? Discover your brand voice and then shout it loud and proud from your social media outlets. You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time,

36creative
www.36creative.com