New Challenges in the New Year…
Its a New Year and some businesses did not survive the past year due in great part to the economy. 2008 was the year where a lot of brands disappeared from the marketplace. We saw the demise of industry giants and many, many smaller businesses too.
Out of every collapse, the strongest shall prevail. I said it several months ago, even before the bottom fell out of the economy in October and November, far before others… Even in a recession, businesses survived and made money.
That being said, 2009 will be a challenging year. More businesses will be devastated by the economy, others will merger and some will survive and even a few will make it a banner year and amaze everyone.
One of the biggest “buzzes” around the local chambers in my city is that businesses are increasing their presence in networking with others in their local communities. People like to know the people they do business with and its a fact that it can take several “touches” or “contacts” with someone before you get them to buy from you. Trust is earned sometimes at the most basic level, participation in your local chamber is an excellent way to put yourself out there and show your prospects what you’re made of.
I personally have had many discussions with my fellow business owners at chamber events regarding topics like the economy, political discussions, sports and even our families. Its relationship building at its core. Some of these people will never be customers of mine, yet getting them to see who I am and that I care about THEIR well-being, their interests as much as the interests of my clients…helps build that trust level and increases the likelihood that if they run into someone who I haven’t met, will remember my name.
This has been the key to the majority of the referrals I’ve obtained in the last two months alone! Far more than print ads, email newsletters, or calling those I’ve already met.
I’m absolutely amazed when I meet a business owner outside a chamber event that DOESN’T belong to any kind of networking group (be it BNI, Chamber, YellowTie, etc…). I’ve heard even the smallest company say they’re above that kind of networking–they don’t need it or don’t have time for that stuff.
Personalized relationship building is always important and in 2009 its crucial to each of us. I almost always send a thank you card to a client or future client, and actually had one state that this was an “overused gimmick” and left the impression that its a waste of time.
Imagine that, this owner is secure enough in their own future to not only blow off her future clients but thinks so little of the relationship with them to say that personal relationship building is a waste of time? That takes the cake from my perspective.
I challenge all of us to not only be active in marketing themselves better but continue to work on the relationship building we need to do to retain and even gain clients in the New Year. Its never a waste of time to attend a single event (be it chamber, yellow tie or bni) to increase your visibility to your potential business associates in life. Its also never a waste of time to leave them with the thanks you got from the introduction, be it a card or even a phone call…
Again, Happy New Year, 2009 is going to be a challenging year…but boring it wont be.
Should Your Business Be Sending Email?
Email Marketing Benefits…
Why are so many companies doing email and newsletter marketing? Return on investment. Research shows for every dollar spent on an email or newsletter campaign that company stands to make $51 in return.
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Benefits of Graphic Design
One of the things I’m most asked, “What are the benefits of graphic design?”
Graphic design, creative marketing and advertising, and a visual message is an important in your corporate identity and brand identity. Every business should have a strong concern for what their image as it impacts how consumers perceive you in the marketplace.
Building your brand, your company’s identity, is very important. It helps define your professional image to the public and helps you stand out from the competition. If I say the following, “Like a good neighbor”,”: “where’s the beef?” what two companies comes to mind? Like the catchphrase, a good image can be as solid in the memories of your consumer like State Farm and Wendy’s Hamburger.
A good logo, a strong visual identity can withstand time just like a catchy phrase that you can’t get out of your head. Can anyone see the golden arches and not think of McDonald’s or the weird little swoosh that is the Nike logo? Even the very notion of a single color can bring to mind a company, and is used in their marketing now, “What can brown do for you” as in UPS. “At UPS, brown is more than a color — it’s a tangible asset that people associate with all the things that are good about our brand,” said Dale Hayes, vice president for brand management.
That being said, you don’t have to be a Fortune 500 company to know the importance of branding, corporate identity and exploring the benefits of how graphic design can propel your company into success. Its important no matter if you own Joe’s Bait Shop or McDonald’s.
