Over the years I’ve observed that one of the most critical elements in design is effective photography. When I say “effective,” I’m actually referring to several aspects such as: The photo conveys a sense of competence and professionalism The photo conveys the right tone for the business The photo feels unique/individual For today’s post, I’m […]
I think we’ve all got the memo: the economy is in the toilet. Yep, it’s more than just housing and automakers. The current recession has reached into nearly every nook and cranny of our diverse economy. Quick to React Many businesses have a knee-jerk response to a downturn – cut the marketing budget. Or, more […]
I love orange juice. In fact, nothing beats a tall glass of cold OJ with breakfast. So, you can imagine my interest when I learned that Tropicana had engaged a high-end design firm to redesign its line of juice products. What’s even more interesting is that I’ve since learned that they’ve decide to go back […]
This post is dedicated to my business partner, Shawn Busse. Shawn embraces the Inbox Zero principle. I, on the other hand, cling to my e-mails “in some weird buddhist way” as Merlin Mann puts it.Can’t help it. I’m a reforming packrat. Reform is sloooow. Merlin says, “Once you’ve mined the gold out of your e-mail, […]
Are you missing out on the power of a blog? A blog (which stands for web log) is a marketing tool that can further position your company as the expert in your industry. Your prospects and clients want information about your products and services. They are hungry for it! And a blog gives you the […]
Creating a successful online presence eludes many professional service firms. Sadly, these companies are losing time, money, and customers with their company websites. If they’re fortunate, many organizations wind up with an online brochure. But, some end up with much worse. I have reviewed many websites that make me a bit queasy. These firms offer […]
Do you ever sit down to write your next ezine article or blog post and find yourself utterly and completely stumped? You have plenty of expertise in your field. And, you can always find things to say to your clients in person. But there is something about sitting down to create new content that can […]
It’s essential to have multiple methods of driving new customers to your business. One of the most common metaphors that I use to describe effective marketing is a bicycle wheel. There is the hub at the middle with many spokes radiating out in all directions. The hub is your company and the spokes are all […]
As an artist, I appreciate a good pencil. In fact, I’m in the market for the PERFECT pencil. This isn’t just any pencil – it’s a $40 work of art that has a built-in sharpener and a clip allowing you to take it to meetings, brainstorm sessions, and any other place where pens are the […]
People don’t buy things. They buy solutions to problems; they want to fulfill a desire or meet a need. To market your business effectively, you have to KNOW your target audience and what problems they face. In your marketing efforts – whether written, online, or in person – you should be able to provide your […]