One of the hardest things to do when creating a brand is creating trust in your company and its products or services. Gimmicks are good, but a good reputation is even more important.
How do you get the public to trust your business? Treat your customers or clients exactly as you would want to be treated if you were dealing with your business. It comes down to that old adage, "Treat others the way you would want them to treat you."
It won't be long before your honesty and sincerity bring in testimonials and word of mouth referrals making your brand shine.
Trust me on this!
Showing posts with label small business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small business. Show all posts
Friday, March 26, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Brand Building Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune
It isn’t necessary for a small business to have a huge advertising budget, but there are a few must haves to cement your brand identity.
First of all, you really do need a logo to give your business a recognizable face. Consistently using your logo on all printed materials increases brand image and awareness.
A web site is another must have in this digital age, as well as business cards that make use of your logo. These give potential clients a way to easily look up and get information on your business.
It doesn’t require spending a fortune to create a fabulous brand, but it does take planning and consistency. You need to know the image you want others to have of you and your business, and then, most important of all, you must get the word out.
Start using Facebook and Twitter to get people to check out your products or services. Always use your logo on all the social media pages. Also try to write articles which will show you to be an expert in your field. Finally, make sure that you do your homework on search engine optimization to make sure that your website comes up on the first page of the major Internet search engines using appropriate key words for your industry. A web site is useless if no one can find it.
First of all, you really do need a logo to give your business a recognizable face. Consistently using your logo on all printed materials increases brand image and awareness.
A web site is another must have in this digital age, as well as business cards that make use of your logo. These give potential clients a way to easily look up and get information on your business.
It doesn’t require spending a fortune to create a fabulous brand, but it does take planning and consistency. You need to know the image you want others to have of you and your business, and then, most important of all, you must get the word out.
Start using Facebook and Twitter to get people to check out your products or services. Always use your logo on all the social media pages. Also try to write articles which will show you to be an expert in your field. Finally, make sure that you do your homework on search engine optimization to make sure that your website comes up on the first page of the major Internet search engines using appropriate key words for your industry. A web site is useless if no one can find it.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
5 Things to Consider before Finding a Logo Design Service
Your logo is a major element of your business identity. It is the first thing that a potential customer sees, and thus it makes the all important first impression.
Creating a great logo is a crucial responsibility of a graphic design service. Designers are professionally trained in creating simple, yet outstanding concepts that appeal to expressions about a product or service. A good designer will be aware of what colors and styles work best in a particular industry and how to design something unique upon your specified instructions.
Before setting out to have your logo designed, here are 5 basic things to consider:
1. What type of image are you going for? Do you want a descriptive logo with images or just a play on words?
2. What basic color would you like to use to represent your business? Will it fit in with your color scheme that is already in place on your web site or in your business correspondence?
3. What is the most important feature of your business that you would quickly like to convey? Is it a product or a service?
4. Do you want a complex or simple logo design? Large corporations like Nike or Target do well with simple, but a new small business might need more to make it memorable since it won’t have the huge exposure that the big guys can afford.
5. Do you want your business name to be part of your logo? Small businesses may find this feature more important because of their need for exposure without the capital for large scale advertising services.
Creating a great logo is a crucial responsibility of a graphic design service. Designers are professionally trained in creating simple, yet outstanding concepts that appeal to expressions about a product or service. A good designer will be aware of what colors and styles work best in a particular industry and how to design something unique upon your specified instructions.
Before setting out to have your logo designed, here are 5 basic things to consider:
1. What type of image are you going for? Do you want a descriptive logo with images or just a play on words?
2. What basic color would you like to use to represent your business? Will it fit in with your color scheme that is already in place on your web site or in your business correspondence?
3. What is the most important feature of your business that you would quickly like to convey? Is it a product or a service?
4. Do you want a complex or simple logo design? Large corporations like Nike or Target do well with simple, but a new small business might need more to make it memorable since it won’t have the huge exposure that the big guys can afford.
5. Do you want your business name to be part of your logo? Small businesses may find this feature more important because of their need for exposure without the capital for large scale advertising services.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Should You Invest in Small Business Branding in these Trying Times?
In general, branding is the look and feel of your business that you are trying to present to your customers. In this day and age, branding is very important if you hope to help your business grow successfully on the Internet. If you are a new business owner, branding your business should be one of your top priorities.
Your potential customers need to know who you are, what you sell, and what your business is about, and they need to know this very quickly in this fast paced environment. This is a vital part of any marketing strategy.
If you look at 10 different websites for the same product, what would stand out as being special about each site that would draw customers to it? Branding helps you to do something unique to make your website stand out and have its own flavor or feel that can be recognized on all types of Internet social sites, blogs, or wherever it is shown.
Many small business owners don't have the time or money to brand their business. The problem that arises when branding is not a priority is that new competition in their selected profession can easily attract their former customers.
Try to remember that if you successfully brand your business, the branding works for you by selling for you behind the scenes. Pay attention to whether or not your web name is too generic. Does it represent the true niche you are selling in? Is your logo one that will give the potential customer a powerful visual of what your company is all about?
Today more than ever, it is critical to have a website, or at the very least, a business page on one of the social or networking sites such as Facebook or Linked In. This is where need to be creative. Don't just use any old website design and think it will attract millions of customers. It is imperative that you research and find out what others are doing in your profession, and figure out what you can do to stand out.
One key element of branding that is often overlooked is your customer service. What can you do to convince your potential customers that they will be in good hands? Remember, if you take good care of your customers, they will take great care of you. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool in bringing that new business in.
Many new small business owners do not take the time to brand their business effectively. Money invested in creating your unique look and feel will always be money well spent. If you can effectively stand out among the rest, you will ensure more customers, more sales, and a successful business that will endure during this trying period in the economy.
Your potential customers need to know who you are, what you sell, and what your business is about, and they need to know this very quickly in this fast paced environment. This is a vital part of any marketing strategy.
If you look at 10 different websites for the same product, what would stand out as being special about each site that would draw customers to it? Branding helps you to do something unique to make your website stand out and have its own flavor or feel that can be recognized on all types of Internet social sites, blogs, or wherever it is shown.
Many small business owners don't have the time or money to brand their business. The problem that arises when branding is not a priority is that new competition in their selected profession can easily attract their former customers.
Try to remember that if you successfully brand your business, the branding works for you by selling for you behind the scenes. Pay attention to whether or not your web name is too generic. Does it represent the true niche you are selling in? Is your logo one that will give the potential customer a powerful visual of what your company is all about?
Today more than ever, it is critical to have a website, or at the very least, a business page on one of the social or networking sites such as Facebook or Linked In. This is where need to be creative. Don't just use any old website design and think it will attract millions of customers. It is imperative that you research and find out what others are doing in your profession, and figure out what you can do to stand out.
One key element of branding that is often overlooked is your customer service. What can you do to convince your potential customers that they will be in good hands? Remember, if you take good care of your customers, they will take great care of you. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool in bringing that new business in.
Many new small business owners do not take the time to brand their business effectively. Money invested in creating your unique look and feel will always be money well spent. If you can effectively stand out among the rest, you will ensure more customers, more sales, and a successful business that will endure during this trying period in the economy.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
So, You have an Idea for a Small Business
Okay, so you think you have this great idea for a new small business venture. Now what? Well, think of it as your new baby. You need to protect it, nurture it, and then watch it grow.
If your idea is unique, the first thing you need to do is protect it from being stolen. Make sure that anyone that you share your new idea with first signs a standard non-disclosure. If you don't want to invest in a lawyer early on, you can find a standard form on the Internet at sites like www.rocketlawyer.com.
Like any new baby, you want to put your new idea in the hands of a professional that you can trust to help it grow. You'll need to find someone to help you with small business branding. This includes creating a company name, logo, letterhead, business cards, and a web site. Make sure that you file the proper paperwork with your county. This usually means a DBA form (doing business as) which can be done at a site such as www.simplefilings.com. This form will be necessary if you plan to open a bank account under the name of your new business. You'll also need someone to point you in the right direction when it comes to advertising and search engine optimization. Look on the Internet for a good graphic designer, and don't be afraid to check out their references. You don't want to trust your new baby to just any one.
Your logo is a key element. It will be your calling card that will appear on all your printed materials, so choose it wisely. A good graphic designer can help you find the right look and feel for your new business, but keep your original idea at the forefront. Remember, this is your baby. Put all your enthusiasm into this new venture, and you'll be able to feel proud as you watch all your hard work pay off. Good luck.
If your idea is unique, the first thing you need to do is protect it from being stolen. Make sure that anyone that you share your new idea with first signs a standard non-disclosure. If you don't want to invest in a lawyer early on, you can find a standard form on the Internet at sites like www.rocketlawyer.com.
Like any new baby, you want to put your new idea in the hands of a professional that you can trust to help it grow. You'll need to find someone to help you with small business branding. This includes creating a company name, logo, letterhead, business cards, and a web site. Make sure that you file the proper paperwork with your county. This usually means a DBA form (doing business as) which can be done at a site such as www.simplefilings.com. This form will be necessary if you plan to open a bank account under the name of your new business. You'll also need someone to point you in the right direction when it comes to advertising and search engine optimization. Look on the Internet for a good graphic designer, and don't be afraid to check out their references. You don't want to trust your new baby to just any one.
Your logo is a key element. It will be your calling card that will appear on all your printed materials, so choose it wisely. A good graphic designer can help you find the right look and feel for your new business, but keep your original idea at the forefront. Remember, this is your baby. Put all your enthusiasm into this new venture, and you'll be able to feel proud as you watch all your hard work pay off. Good luck.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Internet Directories - How valuable are they?
Many people know that high rankings on Google and other modern search engines can be achieved if a website has both optimized web page content and good inbound links. A relatively easy way to get inbound links is to submit websites to Internet directories. But how valuable are these directories when it comes to search engine rankings?
An internet marketer tested three pages that were created to provide valuable content to search engines.These pages were submitted to some high quality paid directories (Yahoo, BestOfTheWeb, Joe Ant) and free directories. The marketer reported tat about 45 days after the paid directory links went live, the web pages had increased visibility on search engines. Visits and conversions also increased and the tracking of the marketer indicated that at least 50 percent of the results could be attributed to the directory links.
The final results included a lift of traffic to levels that other highly visible site pages receive within 90 days and an increase in monthly conversions for the business line of 45 percent year-over-year
Therefore, getting links from Internet directories should be a fundamental part of any search engine optimization strategy. You should submit your website to all big Internet directories and to Internet directories that cover your niche.
Links from Internet directories are only one way to get links from other sites. If you want to outperform your competitors, you also need links from websites that are related to yours. Links from blogs will also help. Don't forget to optimize your website content before building links. The better your website content has been prepared for search engines, the better the links to your website will work.
An internet marketer tested three pages that were created to provide valuable content to search engines.These pages were submitted to some high quality paid directories (Yahoo, BestOfTheWeb, Joe Ant) and free directories. The marketer reported tat about 45 days after the paid directory links went live, the web pages had increased visibility on search engines. Visits and conversions also increased and the tracking of the marketer indicated that at least 50 percent of the results could be attributed to the directory links.
The final results included a lift of traffic to levels that other highly visible site pages receive within 90 days and an increase in monthly conversions for the business line of 45 percent year-over-year
Therefore, getting links from Internet directories should be a fundamental part of any search engine optimization strategy. You should submit your website to all big Internet directories and to Internet directories that cover your niche.
Links from Internet directories are only one way to get links from other sites. If you want to outperform your competitors, you also need links from websites that are related to yours. Links from blogs will also help. Don't forget to optimize your website content before building links. The better your website content has been prepared for search engines, the better the links to your website will work.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
How to Increase Your Internet Ranking for Free
You can increase your web site's ranking without spending a penny. This can be done by blogging, submitting articles to directories, and creating a company page on Facebook or by posting on Twitter. You may also exchange reciprocal links with many of the free directories that can be found on the Internet.
One article directory that works well when it comes to search engine optimization is http://ezinearticles.com/. Registration is free and the process is very simple. Write about something of interest to your future clients.
You can also create Facebook and Twitter accounts. Registration is free for both these services and Facebook offers you the opportunity to create a company page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php. Use these social sites to advertise your business through images, links to your website, and daily posts.
Blogs like the one you are reading can also increase exposure to your website. It’s also completely free. Make sure you include a link to your website in your blog posts and add your blog link to your website and Facebook pages.
The results of using any one of these methods, or even better combining them all, can be more traffic to your site and increased search engine standings for your company without spending a cent.
Sheryl A. Skutelsky http://www.sasgraphicdesign.com/
Monday, August 10, 2009
Does a Small Business Really Need a Web Site?
Many small business owners have approached me to ask if they already have a successful business, do they really need a web site. In today's struggling economy, the answer is an absolute "yes". For any business to achieve credibility in today's world, consumers expect to be able to go to their favorite search engine, type in the name of the business, and get the low down about that business. Can't find it on the Internet? How good a business could it be?
Even if you don't want to set up a site to specifically sell merchandise, today's consumer wants to be able to "check you out" on the web. A site also give the consumer another way to remember your business and your contact information.
http://www.sasgraphicdesign.com/
Even if you don't want to set up a site to specifically sell merchandise, today's consumer wants to be able to "check you out" on the web. A site also give the consumer another way to remember your business and your contact information.
http://www.sasgraphicdesign.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)