What separates a regular, plain Jane graphic image, from a sale grabbing image? Has any one managed to answer this question, even asking the question in the first place? Or is designing a graphic image just a process of artistic or mechanical processes based on the graphic artist learned techniques of style?
Being that I was in a few marketing programs over the years, I came to realize that many of the internet marketing advertisements used online and else where adopt a system of playing with words to trigger a individuals hot buttons that has an impact on the reader. An example would be such as, "Are You Tired Of Working For Peanuts?" Since many people probably feel that they do not get paid what they are worth, that sentence may grab that type of individuals attention in a headline. Another example might be, "Work At Home, Fire the Boss!" Who would not like to work at home? Setting your own hours. Unless of course, you want, or would like to get away from your house. But I feel many of us would like that feeling of independence and the challenge. So again, these persuasive, or rather light manipulative techniques exist in almost every part of marketing today. The call to action is the game plan. getting the reader to act, to buy now!
Your probably have ask yourself, "What the heck does this all have to do with designing a graphic?" I promise, if you read on you will surely see.
Aside from the play on words, graphics are part of the equation if you plan to do any advertising, whether it be with a print ad, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, banner ads, and/or via a web site. If you are a graphic designer you will want to learn more about marketing and the psychology of making things look attractive through several means. If you learn what many call, "Hot Buttons" which simply means using a trigger word or visual image to capture the attention of the reader, one that really hits home to that individual to where they will want with baited breath, to go look for more information or type in their name and email address to a auto responder, you will have what it takes to make more sales
I have taking all of this a bit further in designing my graphics for myself and my clients. Besides the psychological aspects of trigger words and visual images, such as an image of a stack of one hundred dollar bills for ads placed to attract those wanting to make money, or a cute puppy or kitten for a mail order pet supply company, color can play an important part in the design as well.
Some might say that this is really taking the simple process of designing a advertising graphic too far. But I say, "Why not look at all angles?" Even if you are simply into graphic designing as an artistic individual, wouldn't it help to look at all the different angles that might sell your work, or have it sell itself?
Color can play a role in your graphic designs. I have studied color from two different angles, one from acrylic and oil painting for several years, and then from a spiritual position. Some might say how does New Age play a part in advertising? It is not so much the spiritual, but the psychology of color and how it affects us. There have been many studies on the effects of color. One such experiment included a school where the wall of the classroom were painted orange or red. In that color scheme the children became restless and irritable. Another experiment was conducted in a prison where the walls were painted pink. The results were that the inmates became more relaxed and it cut down on violent outbreaks.
After my study of aromatherapy I realized it would be a neat idea if we could some how produce scents to go along with our products to coax individuals to a purchase. Just think of the rate of sales if we could combine all the triggers, such as the trigger words and/or images, the scent and color. What about subliminal messages flashed in the background? I think that may be still illegal, so we will let that one go. So to sum up this entire article on graphic design, I am simply, but not simply saying that in designing your graphics, whether they are to be used as web graphics, print ad graphics, business card graphics, etc., pay attention to more than making it look cool.
I strive in every graphic design I create, to take different aspects and approaches to build unique graphic designs for fun and for profit. I would like to ask those interested in my style or in my methods to please visit my web site and sign our guest book. You can see my work at www.homangraphics.com.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Branding With Promotional Products - By: Gareth Parkin
Branding can be quite powerful. Most new businesses fail within their first five years, and in many cases, the reason is because the product or services was not branded. When no thought goes into branding, your customers can’t pick you out in a crowd. One of the easiest ways to help brand your company is to use promotional products.
What is branding anyway? Simply put, branding is setting your products or service apart from others within the industry. It’s the way you create certain thoughts and feelings in a consumer when you say your company name. For example, McDonald’s has been branded to be a happy place catering to families. Recently, they’ve also begun branding McDonald’s to have healthier fast food options, especially for children. With their various ad campaigns, product choices, etc., McDonald’s hopes to be the first place brought to mind when someone wants fast food. Branding also means a recognizable logo (the arches) and even colors (red and yellow).
Of course, not everyone can spend millions of dollars branding their business like McDonald’s does! Promotional products and promotional items are a great way to help this branding because they are affordable and fun. If you want to brand your company in a way in which to show consumers that you are fun-loving, you might use promotional products that make noise, contain lights, and change colors. On the other hand, if you want to convey an image of being practical, promotional mugs, promotional pens, and other such products can help you.
No matter what specific products you choose, remember that uniformity is key in branding. In other words, take your logo and past use it on everything. This is not the time to be creative. If your company headquarters has a purple sign, make purple key rings. If you use the slogan “Your one-stop shop” in your radio advertisements, print this same logo on your pencils.
After all, there are probably at least 10 other businesses competing with yours. You want certain colors, logos, fonts, slogans, and so forth to be unique to your company—and you want consumers to identify these things with you. That’s what branding is all about. By using promotional products to reinforce your design choices, you can build your branding efforts.
Also note the promotional products and business gifts can go where you cannot. You can’t always travel the country with your products, but you can send an employee armed with promotional products to conventions and fairs around the world. Customers who normally would not think about your business will soon be calling your for shipments, simply because the promotional products you’ve released have reached them. Branding is so powerful that you may find people begin simply to refer to you by your branding techniques. For example, if I said I was looking for some golden arches, you would probably assume I meant McDonald’s! Use promotional products to have the same effect in your community. Branding is an important aspect of any business marketing and promotional products and corporate gifts can help.
For additional information on adverting promotional products, promotional items and business gifts check out the leading promotional gift suppliers online today!
What is branding anyway? Simply put, branding is setting your products or service apart from others within the industry. It’s the way you create certain thoughts and feelings in a consumer when you say your company name. For example, McDonald’s has been branded to be a happy place catering to families. Recently, they’ve also begun branding McDonald’s to have healthier fast food options, especially for children. With their various ad campaigns, product choices, etc., McDonald’s hopes to be the first place brought to mind when someone wants fast food. Branding also means a recognizable logo (the arches) and even colors (red and yellow).
Of course, not everyone can spend millions of dollars branding their business like McDonald’s does! Promotional products and promotional items are a great way to help this branding because they are affordable and fun. If you want to brand your company in a way in which to show consumers that you are fun-loving, you might use promotional products that make noise, contain lights, and change colors. On the other hand, if you want to convey an image of being practical, promotional mugs, promotional pens, and other such products can help you.
No matter what specific products you choose, remember that uniformity is key in branding. In other words, take your logo and past use it on everything. This is not the time to be creative. If your company headquarters has a purple sign, make purple key rings. If you use the slogan “Your one-stop shop” in your radio advertisements, print this same logo on your pencils.
After all, there are probably at least 10 other businesses competing with yours. You want certain colors, logos, fonts, slogans, and so forth to be unique to your company—and you want consumers to identify these things with you. That’s what branding is all about. By using promotional products to reinforce your design choices, you can build your branding efforts.
Also note the promotional products and business gifts can go where you cannot. You can’t always travel the country with your products, but you can send an employee armed with promotional products to conventions and fairs around the world. Customers who normally would not think about your business will soon be calling your for shipments, simply because the promotional products you’ve released have reached them. Branding is so powerful that you may find people begin simply to refer to you by your branding techniques. For example, if I said I was looking for some golden arches, you would probably assume I meant McDonald’s! Use promotional products to have the same effect in your community. Branding is an important aspect of any business marketing and promotional products and corporate gifts can help.
For additional information on adverting promotional products, promotional items and business gifts check out the leading promotional gift suppliers online today!
Build Your Business Brand Through Boundaries - By: James C. Tanner
One rarely has to go far in their business reading to stumble across an article or book on the subject of building or developing a business brand. Developing brands has become one of the "Hot Topics" of the entrepreneurial world today. Not too long ago I received an ezine article entitled "Building Your Brand Through Blogging!". In the weeks previous, almost every other article or book to cross my desk, touched on this very subject with great care and detail, everyone of them missing on one critical aspect of branding a business. You cannot build and maintain over the long haul, a business brand without the clear establishment of "boundaries".
Boundaries are invisible and symbolic "fences" that have three basic purposes. First, to keep unwanted competitors, customers, personnel, and/or any other business related entities from coming into our space, destroying our focus, and abusing us or our business. Secondly, to keep us from going into the space of others and doing the same. Thirdly, to give each of us a way to embody our business with a sense of "who we are"as a brand and a business.
A boundary is a means of setting limits that enhance a personal and/or a business ability to have a sense of self and identity. Boundaries control the impact of reality on the individual and/or business entity as well as those around it. The sole purpose of a boundary is to contain and protect reality.
In the world of business, there are two main components to boundaries. The external system and the internal system. The external system protects the business and controls distance as well as touch (the outward projection of our business actions in our community) in business relationships or activities. The internal system protects business thinking and behavioral processes (what goes on inside the walls of our business). The internal system acts like a filter and functions in conjunction with the external system.
Boundaries are created by first, visualizing your external and internal systems. Then creating business and personal statements which clearly define those external and internal boundaries. Those statements being simplified enough to be easily committed to memory. A mission or purpose statement, a code of ethics, code of personal conduct, a business plan, a marketing plan, all of these are part and parcel of the statements which clearly define your business boundaries.
Boundaries without accountability are useless, and as a leader you expect the best from those around you. As the leader, it's your role to hold them to the higher standard. Once you are clear about your boundaries, you must educate people on how to act in accordance with your business boundaries. If you never tell people how to treat you or your business, they will treat you in whatever way they so choose. When you say nothing, as a leader, you surrender your authority to lead.
Part of being a leader means demanding excellence of others, and never settling for anything less. When workers come up short of excellence, as the leader, it's your job to bring it to their attention. When you assert yourself and point out inappropriate, or less than stellar performance, you demonstrate leadership, exhibit self respect and become a role model for others.
In the business world, if your business boundaries are clearly defined in writing, include them in an employee manual and present a copy to every employee upon being hired. When boundaries are violated, it makes it easier for an employer to sit down with that employee and review from the employee manual where things went astray.
Finally, there is an important subject to touch upon before one can walk away from the subject of building a business brand through the use of boundaries, and that pertains to the personal conduct of leaders. One of the great pitfalls which swallows many a great leader is the arrogance that comes with success. With arrogance often comes recklessness. A leader in society, or in the corporate world is a leader 24/7 and his or her conduct must reflect so. Many great leaders fall flat on their face due to the lack of personal boundaries in their own lives and especially in the area of sexual conduct, or best stated, mis-conduct. Leadership is a lonely place to be, it takes men and women of incredible inner steel to stand alone over long periods of time in the face of making tough unpopular decisions. When society around a leader may be willing to compromise, true leaders hold to the line, "Others may, I cannot!"
While great effort and care needs to be taken in building a business brand, even greater effort and care needs to be taken in building a personal brand. The grandchildren of a corporate leader may never understand the business accomplishments of their grandparent, but they will never forget the personal ethical downfalls, and the private events that lead to loss of face, loss of honor, loss of glory, on the home front. Great leadership begins at home, and is simply reflected in the workplace. It begins in your own personal life, bringing your private inner world in order. Contrary to popular opinion, great leaders are not dictators, they are people who through personal example, give strength to those around them, causing people to want to emulate them.
Before one can succeed in building an effective and successful business brand, they must first fight the good fight, and learn how to build their own personal brand as a human being.
Boundaries are invisible and symbolic "fences" that have three basic purposes. First, to keep unwanted competitors, customers, personnel, and/or any other business related entities from coming into our space, destroying our focus, and abusing us or our business. Secondly, to keep us from going into the space of others and doing the same. Thirdly, to give each of us a way to embody our business with a sense of "who we are"as a brand and a business.
A boundary is a means of setting limits that enhance a personal and/or a business ability to have a sense of self and identity. Boundaries control the impact of reality on the individual and/or business entity as well as those around it. The sole purpose of a boundary is to contain and protect reality.
In the world of business, there are two main components to boundaries. The external system and the internal system. The external system protects the business and controls distance as well as touch (the outward projection of our business actions in our community) in business relationships or activities. The internal system protects business thinking and behavioral processes (what goes on inside the walls of our business). The internal system acts like a filter and functions in conjunction with the external system.
Boundaries are created by first, visualizing your external and internal systems. Then creating business and personal statements which clearly define those external and internal boundaries. Those statements being simplified enough to be easily committed to memory. A mission or purpose statement, a code of ethics, code of personal conduct, a business plan, a marketing plan, all of these are part and parcel of the statements which clearly define your business boundaries.
Boundaries without accountability are useless, and as a leader you expect the best from those around you. As the leader, it's your role to hold them to the higher standard. Once you are clear about your boundaries, you must educate people on how to act in accordance with your business boundaries. If you never tell people how to treat you or your business, they will treat you in whatever way they so choose. When you say nothing, as a leader, you surrender your authority to lead.
Part of being a leader means demanding excellence of others, and never settling for anything less. When workers come up short of excellence, as the leader, it's your job to bring it to their attention. When you assert yourself and point out inappropriate, or less than stellar performance, you demonstrate leadership, exhibit self respect and become a role model for others.
In the business world, if your business boundaries are clearly defined in writing, include them in an employee manual and present a copy to every employee upon being hired. When boundaries are violated, it makes it easier for an employer to sit down with that employee and review from the employee manual where things went astray.
Finally, there is an important subject to touch upon before one can walk away from the subject of building a business brand through the use of boundaries, and that pertains to the personal conduct of leaders. One of the great pitfalls which swallows many a great leader is the arrogance that comes with success. With arrogance often comes recklessness. A leader in society, or in the corporate world is a leader 24/7 and his or her conduct must reflect so. Many great leaders fall flat on their face due to the lack of personal boundaries in their own lives and especially in the area of sexual conduct, or best stated, mis-conduct. Leadership is a lonely place to be, it takes men and women of incredible inner steel to stand alone over long periods of time in the face of making tough unpopular decisions. When society around a leader may be willing to compromise, true leaders hold to the line, "Others may, I cannot!"
While great effort and care needs to be taken in building a business brand, even greater effort and care needs to be taken in building a personal brand. The grandchildren of a corporate leader may never understand the business accomplishments of their grandparent, but they will never forget the personal ethical downfalls, and the private events that lead to loss of face, loss of honor, loss of glory, on the home front. Great leadership begins at home, and is simply reflected in the workplace. It begins in your own personal life, bringing your private inner world in order. Contrary to popular opinion, great leaders are not dictators, they are people who through personal example, give strength to those around them, causing people to want to emulate them.
Before one can succeed in building an effective and successful business brand, they must first fight the good fight, and learn how to build their own personal brand as a human being.
Logo Modification: Think, Reflect, Act - By: Suzanne
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Have you noticed a drop in your business sales in recent times? Has the focus of your business shifted gears gradually? Is your brand unable to inspire your customers any more? If your business poses such questions before you, it is time to lend some serious thought to improve your brand identity. Needless to say, your logo is your brand identity and should therefore reflect the vision of your business in true light.
Businesses undergo lots changes with the flow of time. Over the years, many small businesses are converted into large business firms with different interests and vision. Herein crops up the need to pay attention to its brand identity. Your logo should reflect your organization's central motif so as to keep in touch with its business. For instance, a script typeface cannot be associated with a car repair business. Your logo design should make the customers associate the brand with its product.
An important point, not to be overlooked, is the functionality of a logo. Your logo should have the ability to be incorporated into any context. Besides, it should be legible enough to be printed in both paper and cloth. To produce such an effect, use of 'spot colors' is highly recommended. Besides, ‘spot colors’ also prevent the mixing of all the inks at the print shop. It's best to avoid complex images or shading as they are unlikely to produce the desired effect.
Prior to giving the green signal to your new logo design, it is very essential to do your homework. Analyze the logo designs of your competitors to ensure that your logo does not end up looking like their replicas. 'Unique' is the term that best describe a good logo. In case your logo design bears similarity with your competitors, you might end up confusing your customers. This might even lead to your company being branded as a duplicate one. So beware... don't let your logo resemble any of your competitors!
It is best to hire the services of a logo design company to lend full justice to your logo. The intricate aspects of designing as space, form, consistency, and clarity can only be handled by a professional logo designer, who can give your logo design a unifying look. The lines, spacing, and shape should be able to create a sense of unity. Positioning, weight, and balance should be able to attract attention and affect how the onlookers understand it.
To conclude, your logo design should be able to exude the feeling of being the right one! In case, you try to design one for yourself, make sure to produce the right feel. If you fail, consult a professional logo designer. Hiring the services of any logo design firm can give you enough scope to pick the design that suits your business best. Never forget: your business is your identity; don't mess with it!
Have you noticed a drop in your business sales in recent times? Has the focus of your business shifted gears gradually? Is your brand unable to inspire your customers any more? If your business poses such questions before you, it is time to lend some serious thought to improve your brand identity. Needless to say, your logo is your brand identity and should therefore reflect the vision of your business in true light.
Businesses undergo lots changes with the flow of time. Over the years, many small businesses are converted into large business firms with different interests and vision. Herein crops up the need to pay attention to its brand identity. Your logo should reflect your organization's central motif so as to keep in touch with its business. For instance, a script typeface cannot be associated with a car repair business. Your logo design should make the customers associate the brand with its product.
An important point, not to be overlooked, is the functionality of a logo. Your logo should have the ability to be incorporated into any context. Besides, it should be legible enough to be printed in both paper and cloth. To produce such an effect, use of 'spot colors' is highly recommended. Besides, ‘spot colors’ also prevent the mixing of all the inks at the print shop. It's best to avoid complex images or shading as they are unlikely to produce the desired effect.
Prior to giving the green signal to your new logo design, it is very essential to do your homework. Analyze the logo designs of your competitors to ensure that your logo does not end up looking like their replicas. 'Unique' is the term that best describe a good logo. In case your logo design bears similarity with your competitors, you might end up confusing your customers. This might even lead to your company being branded as a duplicate one. So beware... don't let your logo resemble any of your competitors!
It is best to hire the services of a logo design company to lend full justice to your logo. The intricate aspects of designing as space, form, consistency, and clarity can only be handled by a professional logo designer, who can give your logo design a unifying look. The lines, spacing, and shape should be able to create a sense of unity. Positioning, weight, and balance should be able to attract attention and affect how the onlookers understand it.
To conclude, your logo design should be able to exude the feeling of being the right one! In case, you try to design one for yourself, make sure to produce the right feel. If you fail, consult a professional logo designer. Hiring the services of any logo design firm can give you enough scope to pick the design that suits your business best. Never forget: your business is your identity; don't mess with it!
A Cool Business Name - By: nelson smith
A Cool Business Name is one of the first things to consider when starting a business. After all, a Cool Business name is going to be one that people remember and will distinguish you from the rest of the pack. By having a cool business name, the first impressions people get of your business will be positive, and as they say it's first impressions that count. You don't always get a second bite of the cherry in business!
By having a cool business name, the first step of luring customers in should be the easy part. People are naturally curious and will want to check out your business to see what you have to offer.
Choosing a cool business name really is a big task. So you need to break the process down and take a look at your business as a whole. What is your business model currently? What might you be doing in the future? By naming your business on your current business activities limits your potential to expand future business activities.
For example, you choose a really cool business name for a sandwich bar and limit the business name to Sandwich Man. Then two years down the road after people know and love you as Sandwich Man, you decide to expand and open a nice restaurant that opens of an evening above the sandwich bar. A nice restaurant called Sandwich Man? I don't think so! Get the point?
Also look at the type of services or products that you are offering. If you have a wide range of varying products then a cool business name should be a generic one that will not isolate any of those products or services. Google is a good example. What does Google mean? It's a catchy name that means nothing, but is now known by millions and millions of people. It is so generic that it can cover any topic.
Sometimes it's a good idea to find a cool business name that is funny. Anything that will make a person smile will also melt any initial consumer frostiness. Humour is a great attraction in any walk of life! Choosing a cool business name is coming up with a name that will stick in people's mind. A name they can't get out of their head. Something catchy, whitty, saucy or bold, don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. If you can do this then you really will have found a cool business name.
By having a cool business name, the first step of luring customers in should be the easy part. People are naturally curious and will want to check out your business to see what you have to offer.
Choosing a cool business name really is a big task. So you need to break the process down and take a look at your business as a whole. What is your business model currently? What might you be doing in the future? By naming your business on your current business activities limits your potential to expand future business activities.
For example, you choose a really cool business name for a sandwich bar and limit the business name to Sandwich Man. Then two years down the road after people know and love you as Sandwich Man, you decide to expand and open a nice restaurant that opens of an evening above the sandwich bar. A nice restaurant called Sandwich Man? I don't think so! Get the point?
Also look at the type of services or products that you are offering. If you have a wide range of varying products then a cool business name should be a generic one that will not isolate any of those products or services. Google is a good example. What does Google mean? It's a catchy name that means nothing, but is now known by millions and millions of people. It is so generic that it can cover any topic.
Sometimes it's a good idea to find a cool business name that is funny. Anything that will make a person smile will also melt any initial consumer frostiness. Humour is a great attraction in any walk of life! Choosing a cool business name is coming up with a name that will stick in people's mind. A name they can't get out of their head. Something catchy, whitty, saucy or bold, don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. If you can do this then you really will have found a cool business name.
Logo- The Power To Drive A Brand - By: jenni4321LOGO is a powerful symbolic representation of a company. It’s a graphic symbol designed to differentia
LOGO is a powerful symbolic representation of a company. It’s a graphic symbol designed to differentiate companies or products from their competitors in the market. It’s the first step towards building an enduring brand. The logo is considered a unique signature belonging to one individual, establishing an initial, prominent corporate presence. It is very important that a company logo creates a visual impact and ensures instant recognition. Branding is a complex and demanding process, and undoubtedly, it is the logo that heightens the prospect of your brand by allowing it to be perceived as a competent product. The only way to achieve maximum effectiveness in the marketing field is to design a logo in accordance with the nature of your business. A great logo marks the “first impression” for your business.
Today, successful companies continue to believe in the motto, "the simpler, the better". For instance Coca-Cola., McDonalds, Pepsi, and Nike are some of the most successful logos which are simple yet easy to remember. The consistent use of these logos has been imperative in creating a strong, unified image for the people. Pablo Picasso said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” Observing the logos of your competitors is very essential, and you should notice the type of image that they convey. Of course, the design that has been influenced by another should still be unique. The symbol in the logo is the best place to tell the story of what makes your business unique. Logo designs should be very stylish, which will make them eye-catching. Companies should relentlessly pursue the process of building the brand to gain a long-term competitive advantage. A good company logo design can prove to be the ideal solution to the brand building process.
Colors play a vital role in designing company logos. It is necessary to find a suitable color combination that will have an everlasting appeal to the people. The font employed in the company logo accentuates the impression of prestige and individuality held by the firm. The logo continues to be developed until it is "just right." One should design the stems of the leaves to match the line quality of the font, so that the icon of the logo is unified with the text.
A logo stands for everything a company or product represents. It is the reflection of the company’s vision. A logo would give the company ‘quality, value and origin’. A perfect logo with the right branding message and aggressive marketing strategy can be a lethal combo for establishing a brand and helping a company achieve its desired market share.
Today, successful companies continue to believe in the motto, "the simpler, the better". For instance Coca-Cola., McDonalds, Pepsi, and Nike are some of the most successful logos which are simple yet easy to remember. The consistent use of these logos has been imperative in creating a strong, unified image for the people. Pablo Picasso said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” Observing the logos of your competitors is very essential, and you should notice the type of image that they convey. Of course, the design that has been influenced by another should still be unique. The symbol in the logo is the best place to tell the story of what makes your business unique. Logo designs should be very stylish, which will make them eye-catching. Companies should relentlessly pursue the process of building the brand to gain a long-term competitive advantage. A good company logo design can prove to be the ideal solution to the brand building process.
Colors play a vital role in designing company logos. It is necessary to find a suitable color combination that will have an everlasting appeal to the people. The font employed in the company logo accentuates the impression of prestige and individuality held by the firm. The logo continues to be developed until it is "just right." One should design the stems of the leaves to match the line quality of the font, so that the icon of the logo is unified with the text.
A logo stands for everything a company or product represents. It is the reflection of the company’s vision. A logo would give the company ‘quality, value and origin’. A perfect logo with the right branding message and aggressive marketing strategy can be a lethal combo for establishing a brand and helping a company achieve its desired market share.
Logos: Creating the Visual Impact! - By: Suzanne
‘It's hard to believe when heard, but easier when seen.’ It's common observation that a thing becomes more convincing when witnessed. This simple theory has been applied in every walk of life, be it personal or professional. Business organizations have been utilizing this theory from days past and making their presence felt all over the world. This visual impact is created via a symbolic representation of the business or products, thus giving a face to a faceless organization. Standing as the symbolic representation of any organization, logos lend an identity to your business. Hence logos should have the power to create the much-needed visual impact on the onlookers.
However simple it might look initially, creating a visually effective logo design is not a child's play. Every intricate detail needs to be looked after in order to produce a quality design. Understanding your business objectives is one of the primary necessities that help in the making of a good logo. For instance, it would be ridiculous for a restaurant business to display a logo featuring a pet or a swoosh! If the restaurant business owner wants his initials used as a logo, care should be taken to give it a wholesome look. This would directly complement his business and serve its purpose as well.
After understanding the business objectives, logo designers should concentrate on the little details that go into the process of logo designing. Colors must complement the business. The borders, shades and other effects should effectively bring out what the logo wants to convey. Simplicity should top the priority list of logo designers. It is to be remembered that a simple but unique logo creates the necessary appeal. The famous logo designs of Nike, McDonalds, and Sony hardly need any mention. These logos have undergone very little change over the years. For instance, the Sony logo has been modified a few times, but only in its font. For logos to retain their visual power, designers should experiment with the changing trend but not overdo it by resorting to drastic changes.
It is indeed fruitful to put in a little labor to produce a visually effective logo design. If your logo is visually effective, it will surely raise the eyebrows of many and prompt them to take interest in your business. All you need to do is to retain the trust that your logo promises to deliver. Once this is set, your business is sure to skyrocket and establish its identity in the eyes of the world.
However simple it might look initially, creating a visually effective logo design is not a child's play. Every intricate detail needs to be looked after in order to produce a quality design. Understanding your business objectives is one of the primary necessities that help in the making of a good logo. For instance, it would be ridiculous for a restaurant business to display a logo featuring a pet or a swoosh! If the restaurant business owner wants his initials used as a logo, care should be taken to give it a wholesome look. This would directly complement his business and serve its purpose as well.
After understanding the business objectives, logo designers should concentrate on the little details that go into the process of logo designing. Colors must complement the business. The borders, shades and other effects should effectively bring out what the logo wants to convey. Simplicity should top the priority list of logo designers. It is to be remembered that a simple but unique logo creates the necessary appeal. The famous logo designs of Nike, McDonalds, and Sony hardly need any mention. These logos have undergone very little change over the years. For instance, the Sony logo has been modified a few times, but only in its font. For logos to retain their visual power, designers should experiment with the changing trend but not overdo it by resorting to drastic changes.
It is indeed fruitful to put in a little labor to produce a visually effective logo design. If your logo is visually effective, it will surely raise the eyebrows of many and prompt them to take interest in your business. All you need to do is to retain the trust that your logo promises to deliver. Once this is set, your business is sure to skyrocket and establish its identity in the eyes of the world.
Branding - An Ongoing Process - By: hari
Branding is one of the most important issues for any business if it wants to succeed in this field of fierce competition. Branding is a very basic part of the whole marketing strategy of any business. What is a Brand?
A brand can be defined as just a set of associations that are linked to a particular company or an organization or a business group. A brand can definitely mark the corporate identity of any business. It signifies the values of the organization and its leaders. It tells about the quality of the services that are offered by the company to its customers. It tells how the company or the group differs from its competitors. Hence building a good brand image means achieving success in the business. Fundamentals of Branding:
The branding process starts from the logo design of the organization. Logo, company name and its tag line combines to form a logo design. It is with this combination people identify your business. Hence good amount of money and time should be spent in deciding this combination. This combination should signify the mission, vision, growth plan and the values of the company. It should say how well you are going to serve your customers with your products and services. Good professionals should be used in getting some ideas on this combination. However, the top level management should take the final decision as they know the business better than any body else. Branding Strategies:
Most of the companies start branding process even before the company starts and this process continues until the company survives in the market place. Normally all the branding campaigns will be decided by the advertising and management departments with a bit of top level management involvement. You should use the budget that has been allocated to the branding campaigns in a very intelligent manner. Never start with a huge budget campaigns unless yours is already a big brand. Spend amount sparingly in all the available advertising mediums and analyze the results from all the different mediums carefully. Have an in depth marketing mix analysis. This will show you what advertising mediums are giving you a better brand image. Then try to spend more amount on those mediums and try to analyze the possible steps you can take to better the brand visibility from the weaker mediums.
Never stop the branding process. It should go on until your business exists in the market place. If not there is a great chance of another company taking over your market share. If you follow these basic steps, it is definite that the brand image of your business will be quite healthy and it in turn brings in the required business for your company's success. Visit Graphic Design
A brand can be defined as just a set of associations that are linked to a particular company or an organization or a business group. A brand can definitely mark the corporate identity of any business. It signifies the values of the organization and its leaders. It tells about the quality of the services that are offered by the company to its customers. It tells how the company or the group differs from its competitors. Hence building a good brand image means achieving success in the business. Fundamentals of Branding:
The branding process starts from the logo design of the organization. Logo, company name and its tag line combines to form a logo design. It is with this combination people identify your business. Hence good amount of money and time should be spent in deciding this combination. This combination should signify the mission, vision, growth plan and the values of the company. It should say how well you are going to serve your customers with your products and services. Good professionals should be used in getting some ideas on this combination. However, the top level management should take the final decision as they know the business better than any body else. Branding Strategies:
Most of the companies start branding process even before the company starts and this process continues until the company survives in the market place. Normally all the branding campaigns will be decided by the advertising and management departments with a bit of top level management involvement. You should use the budget that has been allocated to the branding campaigns in a very intelligent manner. Never start with a huge budget campaigns unless yours is already a big brand. Spend amount sparingly in all the available advertising mediums and analyze the results from all the different mediums carefully. Have an in depth marketing mix analysis. This will show you what advertising mediums are giving you a better brand image. Then try to spend more amount on those mediums and try to analyze the possible steps you can take to better the brand visibility from the weaker mediums.
Never stop the branding process. It should go on until your business exists in the market place. If not there is a great chance of another company taking over your market share. If you follow these basic steps, it is definite that the brand image of your business will be quite healthy and it in turn brings in the required business for your company's success. Visit Graphic Design
Package Yourself to Shine - By: Sue Currie
Often I talk about public relations as being relationships with your public. I believe building personal relationships is critical to business success. Most people want to do business with people that they like. One way of building relationships is through your personal branding, differentiating yourself from your competitors by being you, and allowing that uniqueness to shine.
You are also the package, just like a product. What does your package look like? How's the design, colour and look? What message does your personal image send?
Your image is a bit like the weather. People notice when it's extremely good or extremely bad. In person how you shake hands, make eye contact, how you conduct yourself in social situations and the clothes you choose to wear help to build your personal brand. You need to take care of the details.
Your clothes, appearance and grooming really are the external image of your brand. What image are you projecting?
If we look at famous brands and the "look" they project through their people, Virgin Blue, in Australia as an example, has a strong corporate image of being friendly, fresh and cheeky. Qantas on the other hand has an image that is far more conservative, more corporate. Both companies spend millions on getting their look right. Not just the external branding of logos and signage but the uniforms and image of the people within the organisations.
Everything is totally co-coordinated from the outfits to the shoes, hosiery, earrings and luggage – it's a coordinated professional look as they can't afford to have anyone in those companies presenting negatively. Jetstar on the other hand have a completely different image. It looks more casual and down-market and portrays an image of being cheap, no frills. So much so that the credibility and trust of the airline is questioned. Jokes are made about its inefficiency and safety record – although there is no negative record to support those rumours.
Not all organisations have a uniform – but there is definitely an underlying code of dressing particularly in the corporate environment which is smart, polished and professional.
Now having said that it doesn't mean we all need to look and dress the same. By understanding the brand qualities you want to project with the work you do and the customer you want to attract you can create a look that is suitable, creative and stylish to help you stand out.
To begin, write down some adjectives of the type of person or brand you would like to be or project. Think of yourself as the product you are designing a package for. Cut out and collect some words, images and colours from magazines. Cut out images of clothes and shapes that appeal to you and reflect the words you have chosen for yourself. Create a brand portfolio of ideas and visual examples. Establish a strong visual image that is your blueprint.
As you do this exercise you will begin to discover your style and what appeals to you. This is your logo – your own personal brand. It is a very useful exercise as you can now take your brand portfolio to an image consultant or a photographer, graphic designer, web designer or any other consultant who is helping you to build the brand and image of your business.
Begin to think and feel your new brand image and live your new image until it becomes part of you.
You are also the package, just like a product. What does your package look like? How's the design, colour and look? What message does your personal image send?
Your image is a bit like the weather. People notice when it's extremely good or extremely bad. In person how you shake hands, make eye contact, how you conduct yourself in social situations and the clothes you choose to wear help to build your personal brand. You need to take care of the details.
Your clothes, appearance and grooming really are the external image of your brand. What image are you projecting?
If we look at famous brands and the "look" they project through their people, Virgin Blue, in Australia as an example, has a strong corporate image of being friendly, fresh and cheeky. Qantas on the other hand has an image that is far more conservative, more corporate. Both companies spend millions on getting their look right. Not just the external branding of logos and signage but the uniforms and image of the people within the organisations.
Everything is totally co-coordinated from the outfits to the shoes, hosiery, earrings and luggage – it's a coordinated professional look as they can't afford to have anyone in those companies presenting negatively. Jetstar on the other hand have a completely different image. It looks more casual and down-market and portrays an image of being cheap, no frills. So much so that the credibility and trust of the airline is questioned. Jokes are made about its inefficiency and safety record – although there is no negative record to support those rumours.
Not all organisations have a uniform – but there is definitely an underlying code of dressing particularly in the corporate environment which is smart, polished and professional.
Now having said that it doesn't mean we all need to look and dress the same. By understanding the brand qualities you want to project with the work you do and the customer you want to attract you can create a look that is suitable, creative and stylish to help you stand out.
To begin, write down some adjectives of the type of person or brand you would like to be or project. Think of yourself as the product you are designing a package for. Cut out and collect some words, images and colours from magazines. Cut out images of clothes and shapes that appeal to you and reflect the words you have chosen for yourself. Create a brand portfolio of ideas and visual examples. Establish a strong visual image that is your blueprint.
As you do this exercise you will begin to discover your style and what appeals to you. This is your logo – your own personal brand. It is a very useful exercise as you can now take your brand portfolio to an image consultant or a photographer, graphic designer, web designer or any other consultant who is helping you to build the brand and image of your business.
Begin to think and feel your new brand image and live your new image until it becomes part of you.
Drive Your Business with Your Logo Power - By: Sam78
A logo is the graphic element or symbol of a brand, designed in a special font and color arranged in a particular but legible way. Logo mirrors the public image of the company that symbolizes its business and also the services it caters. It is designed for instant company identification.
Logo design pattern is very important. The logo should be eye catching with a professional look. It should not be too heavy and showy. The key to a good logo design is simple color patterns and innovative ways to deliver its message.
When corporate logo design comes into consideration, you may spend thousands of dollars, but the fundamental values and the objective of your business should not be compromised, which is to be displayed through your logo. Consulting professional logo designing firm is a wise decision as they can guide you in designing your logo.
In respect to this, majority of businesses, be it small or large-scale businesses are applying for professional logos. For them, these symbols are the first and foremost place to show off their attractive business intentions of their particular filed.
Making a simple corporate logo is ideal and easy to remember. When color comes into consideration, ensure a unique color combination that suits your business. If you do not have confidence choosing the color, then let your logo consultant decide about the color. One should also work on the size of the logo, and it should look good both on a signboard and on the company’s letterhead.
While making your business logo, tell your logo design firm to take care of the format of the logo. Sometimes the size of your logo may require changes. Prefer designing your logo in a vector format, which can be expanded or reduced without loosing the image quality.
Lastly, as soon as you choose your logo, trademark it. Prevent your competitors from stealing or copying your logo. Keep it simple, catchy and competitive.
Logo design pattern is very important. The logo should be eye catching with a professional look. It should not be too heavy and showy. The key to a good logo design is simple color patterns and innovative ways to deliver its message.
When corporate logo design comes into consideration, you may spend thousands of dollars, but the fundamental values and the objective of your business should not be compromised, which is to be displayed through your logo. Consulting professional logo designing firm is a wise decision as they can guide you in designing your logo.
In respect to this, majority of businesses, be it small or large-scale businesses are applying for professional logos. For them, these symbols are the first and foremost place to show off their attractive business intentions of their particular filed.
Making a simple corporate logo is ideal and easy to remember. When color comes into consideration, ensure a unique color combination that suits your business. If you do not have confidence choosing the color, then let your logo consultant decide about the color. One should also work on the size of the logo, and it should look good both on a signboard and on the company’s letterhead.
While making your business logo, tell your logo design firm to take care of the format of the logo. Sometimes the size of your logo may require changes. Prefer designing your logo in a vector format, which can be expanded or reduced without loosing the image quality.
Lastly, as soon as you choose your logo, trademark it. Prevent your competitors from stealing or copying your logo. Keep it simple, catchy and competitive.
Logo - The Graphics Which Drives Your Company - By: jenni4321
The bright red of Coca Cola, the bull head of Chicago Bulls, the big arched "M" of Mac Donald’s - don’t you recognize them the moment you see? That’s the power of logo. Whether you're in a competitive industry or not, whether your business is small or big it doesn't matter! The fact is that your customers remember your business when they see your logo, regardless of how hard you try to convince yourself otherwise. A good logo makes not just a first impression, but a lasting one as well.
The symbol, the color, the font, the text, the size, the precision etc all count towards bringing the attention of your potential customers towards your company, and creating your company’s image and finally its brand. Get a custom logo for your business that best reflects your company's spirit! It is very essential to choose what type of logo suits your company's business. Most of the large international companies have pretty simple logos because research says not to overload the consumers with too much information. And yes a lot of research goes into creating these simple logos. Each of these logos has its own specific font and size, and exclusive color combinations that make them unique. Every single symbol and icon used together with the logo has a significant meaning.
But there are a few important things that should be kept in mind while selecting or making a logo for your company to create that recognition in the market. You have to create a unique and special icon together with your logo including your website or company name in that. A logo should have a peaceful combination of colors and not more than two or three colors should be used at a time. If you are hiring a logo design company then it is better to get it done by a professional logo design company with loads of experience. Before you take the final decision of launching your company logo you should test it once in a trusted circle. And last but not the least is to have a striking tagline to accompany the logo. The resultant logo should convey the right message to the people. You got to have an idea for the vision you want to create in the people's mind. The key to the success of a company's identity depends to what extent you can give your logo the recognizable look.
The graphics of your logo should be communicated purely in visual terms, to the right brain hemisphere of your customers. It should not depend on verbal or intellectual interpretation. If it is a word mark, it should be recognized by its form alone. For example, you don't have to "read" Adidas's logo more than once, to recognize the famous brand. The three parallel stripes mark became the worldwide Adidas corporate logo - a name that stands for competence in all sectors of sports throughout the globe. Think of the future and avoid being too trendy. A good logo will last your company 15 years and give your customers a chance to burn the image into their brains. Even with these tips, it's important for a company to get outside help unless it has in-house designers who have experience with logos as well as the time to devote to the project.
Logo designs form the energy, the feeling and the passion of a business. It's what makes us care. It is more than research and strategy. Good design is exciting - it shouts- it demands that you remember it.
The symbol, the color, the font, the text, the size, the precision etc all count towards bringing the attention of your potential customers towards your company, and creating your company’s image and finally its brand. Get a custom logo for your business that best reflects your company's spirit! It is very essential to choose what type of logo suits your company's business. Most of the large international companies have pretty simple logos because research says not to overload the consumers with too much information. And yes a lot of research goes into creating these simple logos. Each of these logos has its own specific font and size, and exclusive color combinations that make them unique. Every single symbol and icon used together with the logo has a significant meaning.
But there are a few important things that should be kept in mind while selecting or making a logo for your company to create that recognition in the market. You have to create a unique and special icon together with your logo including your website or company name in that. A logo should have a peaceful combination of colors and not more than two or three colors should be used at a time. If you are hiring a logo design company then it is better to get it done by a professional logo design company with loads of experience. Before you take the final decision of launching your company logo you should test it once in a trusted circle. And last but not the least is to have a striking tagline to accompany the logo. The resultant logo should convey the right message to the people. You got to have an idea for the vision you want to create in the people's mind. The key to the success of a company's identity depends to what extent you can give your logo the recognizable look.
The graphics of your logo should be communicated purely in visual terms, to the right brain hemisphere of your customers. It should not depend on verbal or intellectual interpretation. If it is a word mark, it should be recognized by its form alone. For example, you don't have to "read" Adidas's logo more than once, to recognize the famous brand. The three parallel stripes mark became the worldwide Adidas corporate logo - a name that stands for competence in all sectors of sports throughout the globe. Think of the future and avoid being too trendy. A good logo will last your company 15 years and give your customers a chance to burn the image into their brains. Even with these tips, it's important for a company to get outside help unless it has in-house designers who have experience with logos as well as the time to devote to the project.
Logo designs form the energy, the feeling and the passion of a business. It's what makes us care. It is more than research and strategy. Good design is exciting - it shouts- it demands that you remember it.
New Orleans & Metairie Print Products And Services - By: Andrew Stratton
With business in the post-Katrina New Orleans and suburban Metairie, good print products and services is more important than ever for marketing to those consumers rebuilding their houses, businesses, and lives.
After the hurricane, we have seen so many new businesses flocking to the area to help with the numerous rebuilding opportunities and to help the neighborhoods put their communities back together. You want to have quality print products to help assure your customers that you are a quality business.
When expanding your company into the suburban markets or with the multitude of construction companies, freelance handyman services, tree trimmers and roofers, you need to look professional in all that you do from your letterhead to your envelopes to your business cards and everything in between. This is one key component to standing out from the competition.
If you plan on handing out flyers or brochures, then it is absolutely vital that these are perfect in every respect. That is why you need to make sure you contract an excellent printer for the job, an area New Orleans printing company that you can trust.
First of all, you must be sure to ask for many samples of their past work. Take a good long look at each piece of material they pass on to you.
Here are some specific things to look for in the samples before you choose their products and services:
Look at the edges
Are the edges all clean and crisp? You should not see any odd colors that should not be there, this could mean they do not know how to manage bleeds properly. The edges should all be straight with no rough cutting either.
Check all lines
Are things lined up properly on the paper or are all the words on a slight angle. This is an obvious no-no that any good printer worth their salt would not allow.
Check clarity
How clear are the images you are seeing? The letters, colors and all images should look sharp and professional. You do not want to choose a printer that will deliver blurry products to you.
You also need to find out what services are offered. Some will take care of the entire project for you from the design of the materials to the printing and delivering of them, while others only print.
In the case of the latter you will have to provide them with the brochures or business cards, most likely on a disc in pdf format. Make sure that you understand just what the printer you are thinking of choosing will actually be able to do for you before you commit to anything.
You also want to keep in mind that any printing company is going to show you their absolute best work, and if this work is not good enough, chances are what you end up with will be even worse.
That is why it is so important that you take the time to look at samples and compare at least three different printing companies before you make your final decision.
This is especially vital if you have not used these services in the past. In a case like that, you can begin to learn by comparisons between what they have produced.
After the hurricane, we have seen so many new businesses flocking to the area to help with the numerous rebuilding opportunities and to help the neighborhoods put their communities back together. You want to have quality print products to help assure your customers that you are a quality business.
When expanding your company into the suburban markets or with the multitude of construction companies, freelance handyman services, tree trimmers and roofers, you need to look professional in all that you do from your letterhead to your envelopes to your business cards and everything in between. This is one key component to standing out from the competition.
If you plan on handing out flyers or brochures, then it is absolutely vital that these are perfect in every respect. That is why you need to make sure you contract an excellent printer for the job, an area New Orleans printing company that you can trust.
First of all, you must be sure to ask for many samples of their past work. Take a good long look at each piece of material they pass on to you.
Here are some specific things to look for in the samples before you choose their products and services:
Look at the edges
Are the edges all clean and crisp? You should not see any odd colors that should not be there, this could mean they do not know how to manage bleeds properly. The edges should all be straight with no rough cutting either.
Check all lines
Are things lined up properly on the paper or are all the words on a slight angle. This is an obvious no-no that any good printer worth their salt would not allow.
Check clarity
How clear are the images you are seeing? The letters, colors and all images should look sharp and professional. You do not want to choose a printer that will deliver blurry products to you.
You also need to find out what services are offered. Some will take care of the entire project for you from the design of the materials to the printing and delivering of them, while others only print.
In the case of the latter you will have to provide them with the brochures or business cards, most likely on a disc in pdf format. Make sure that you understand just what the printer you are thinking of choosing will actually be able to do for you before you commit to anything.
You also want to keep in mind that any printing company is going to show you their absolute best work, and if this work is not good enough, chances are what you end up with will be even worse.
That is why it is so important that you take the time to look at samples and compare at least three different printing companies before you make your final decision.
This is especially vital if you have not used these services in the past. In a case like that, you can begin to learn by comparisons between what they have produced.
Corporate Branding - A Strategic Process - By: hari
Creating a corporate brand is one of the most important things for success of a business. A powerful, emotional and inspirational corporate brand name can really give your business a great competitive edge. The public tends to think of your brand more and there by they convert as customers to your business, which ultimately adds up to the bottom line of your business. For example, do you know NIKE means goddess of victory and ORACLE means a revelation from God? These types of brand names can really make a mark for your company in the corporate world. Even though brand name is only a part of the corporate branding, a powerful brand name can trigger an emotion or even can fire an imagination. Hence choosing a brand name that reflects the mission, vision and the attitude of the company is the first step to build a good corporate brand image. A good tag line that has a fair bit of punch can really do wonders to your corporate brand.
Some of the most important things that nay organization has to consider while trying to go for a branding campaign are:
• Be clear with the message, which you want to convey through the branding campaign. If you are clear with your idea then you can create a really good impact with the campaign. Normally the basic idea will be given by the top-level management and it is the duty of the campaign managers to carry that message to all levels of employees in the organization.
• Employ professionals who have enough experience in branding of similar organizations for the branding campaign. Only seasoned professionals can make the corporate branding strategies successful. Hence, more often than not the corporate branding duties are outsourced to experts in the market.
• Never go for a single advertising channel. First analyze all the available advertising channels. Then by depending on your requirements, reach, target audience and budget; select at least top three advertising channels.
• Go ahead in a very structured process through all those selected advertising channels. Don't be too aggressive in the initial stages unless your company has already established a big brand in the market or your company is going to vanish from the scene if the branding is not done immediately and aggressively because of fierce COM petition.
• Study the results of various channels using various marketing mix principles. If some of them are giving better results than others then try and invest more in those successful channels. And at the same time try to better the responses through the unsuccessful channels also. If you follow this procedure then it is certain that your brand will get a great corporate branding image, which reflects, in the bottom line of your company. Visit Graphic Design
Some of the most important things that nay organization has to consider while trying to go for a branding campaign are:
• Be clear with the message, which you want to convey through the branding campaign. If you are clear with your idea then you can create a really good impact with the campaign. Normally the basic idea will be given by the top-level management and it is the duty of the campaign managers to carry that message to all levels of employees in the organization.
• Employ professionals who have enough experience in branding of similar organizations for the branding campaign. Only seasoned professionals can make the corporate branding strategies successful. Hence, more often than not the corporate branding duties are outsourced to experts in the market.
• Never go for a single advertising channel. First analyze all the available advertising channels. Then by depending on your requirements, reach, target audience and budget; select at least top three advertising channels.
• Go ahead in a very structured process through all those selected advertising channels. Don't be too aggressive in the initial stages unless your company has already established a big brand in the market or your company is going to vanish from the scene if the branding is not done immediately and aggressively because of fierce COM petition.
• Study the results of various channels using various marketing mix principles. If some of them are giving better results than others then try and invest more in those successful channels. And at the same time try to better the responses through the unsuccessful channels also. If you follow this procedure then it is certain that your brand will get a great corporate branding image, which reflects, in the bottom line of your company. Visit Graphic Design
Design and Brand: A Perfect Combination Can Make A Winner! - By: jenni4321
Designs can change the world. This may sound lofty but it is something that people have come to believe and that has been reinforced by other designers; discussed and debated at conferences. Sure it is a lofty belief but it keeps things going. Anybody loves and appreciates good design. But you have to admit that ultimately the design of anything is only successful when it clearly communicates its message. Unlike art, there are rules in design: there are the grids that one builds within and the brands that contain them. What is the key to survive such a rigorous structure? Knowing when to break the grid and holding nothing sacred.
Design is always a passionate endeavour. But Creative Strategy is not. And design has to be innovative. Can you imagine a world without innovation? A world without basic medicine such as penicillin where a minor infection could be life threatening; a world where we still take our clothes down to the riverbank and beat them with rocks to clean them; a world where we cannot store food for longer than a day because we have no way to chill or freeze. It is hard to imagine. Steve Hilton argues that ‘behind every great brand lies a valuable social benefit delivered through innovation’ and cites some recent examples of how brands have improved customers’ lives in developing countries. And behind every leading brand there is good innovative design to market it.
Brands are everywhere. There is nowhere in the western world you can go where you will not see, buy or encounter a brand in some shape or form. As widespread, however, is the lack of understanding about the nature and role of brands. When you buy a can of Coke anywhere in the world you are assured of three things: firstly, a distinctive product; secondly, a great taste and thirdly, an assurance of a high level of quality, a quality that the consumer has become accustomed to and trusts to deliver their expectations. The truth is that people like brands. One benefit of brands’ cultural ubiquity is the ability to harness a widespread appeal for promoting social good.
Logo designs have a widespread influence on consumer attitudes towards brands. Logos have played an important role not only in brand promotion but have also come handy for conveying the brands motive across to its targeted consumers. Coca Cola has used its brand to create sexual health campaigns in Africa to combat AIDS; McDonald’s has a long tradition of supporting local communities; MTV has used its organization to change attitudes towards issues such as AIDS, environmental protection and human rights and ASDA supermarkets have campaigned against domestic violence. All these big brands have employed creative skills to convey the message through their logos.
Researchers have found that brand name characteristics and their effects on either memory or attitudes have been of primary importance. Although research claims brand logos generate positive consumer response to the brand. On one side, consistency has been shown to have positive impact on attitude. This could be epitomized by integrated marketing communications where brand elements “should talk with a single voice", to consumers in order to enhance brand attitudes. On the other side moderate incongruity effects have been shown to have a positive impact on attitudes as well. The figurativeness of logos have increased the coherence in communication signs and led to unique brand building strategies. People need someone or something to depend upon, and they choose well-known brands, while shopping, because they are assured that they can depend upon the brand. The known logo the known color, the recognized design- all makes them believe, 'yes , this is something that will not betray me. This is some thing I can rely upon.’
Design is always a passionate endeavour. But Creative Strategy is not. And design has to be innovative. Can you imagine a world without innovation? A world without basic medicine such as penicillin where a minor infection could be life threatening; a world where we still take our clothes down to the riverbank and beat them with rocks to clean them; a world where we cannot store food for longer than a day because we have no way to chill or freeze. It is hard to imagine. Steve Hilton argues that ‘behind every great brand lies a valuable social benefit delivered through innovation’ and cites some recent examples of how brands have improved customers’ lives in developing countries. And behind every leading brand there is good innovative design to market it.
Brands are everywhere. There is nowhere in the western world you can go where you will not see, buy or encounter a brand in some shape or form. As widespread, however, is the lack of understanding about the nature and role of brands. When you buy a can of Coke anywhere in the world you are assured of three things: firstly, a distinctive product; secondly, a great taste and thirdly, an assurance of a high level of quality, a quality that the consumer has become accustomed to and trusts to deliver their expectations. The truth is that people like brands. One benefit of brands’ cultural ubiquity is the ability to harness a widespread appeal for promoting social good.
Logo designs have a widespread influence on consumer attitudes towards brands. Logos have played an important role not only in brand promotion but have also come handy for conveying the brands motive across to its targeted consumers. Coca Cola has used its brand to create sexual health campaigns in Africa to combat AIDS; McDonald’s has a long tradition of supporting local communities; MTV has used its organization to change attitudes towards issues such as AIDS, environmental protection and human rights and ASDA supermarkets have campaigned against domestic violence. All these big brands have employed creative skills to convey the message through their logos.
Researchers have found that brand name characteristics and their effects on either memory or attitudes have been of primary importance. Although research claims brand logos generate positive consumer response to the brand. On one side, consistency has been shown to have positive impact on attitude. This could be epitomized by integrated marketing communications where brand elements “should talk with a single voice", to consumers in order to enhance brand attitudes. On the other side moderate incongruity effects have been shown to have a positive impact on attitudes as well. The figurativeness of logos have increased the coherence in communication signs and led to unique brand building strategies. People need someone or something to depend upon, and they choose well-known brands, while shopping, because they are assured that they can depend upon the brand. The known logo the known color, the recognized design- all makes them believe, 'yes , this is something that will not betray me. This is some thing I can rely upon.’
Is it time your brand found its voice – before your competitors find theirs?
Printings are offered to the customer under different kinds. Commercial printing comes under the different kinds of printings offered by printing company. Commercial printings are large scale printings which require printing machines. People uses printings machine to produce excellent printing on the paper or the surface. Commercial printing is used to obtain excellent, clear, bright and quality photos, Xerox, invitation and cards. The main reason why people use printings is to produce quality image and text.
The price consideration for commercial printing will vary and the prices range with regards to the capacity of the printing machine. Commercial printings play the dominant role in today’s industry and its requirement seems to be increasing in numbers. Nowadays, most of the people started using printings for their purpose and obtain perfect image and text on the paper. Similar to commercial printings, digital printings forms major part in commercial industry. With the help of innovated and advanced technology, this kind of printings is established in technical and spiritual manner.
More number of people is interested in producing commercial printers and digital printers for reasonable prices. Commercial printers fetch more demand in the market and the expected result can be found out in commercial printers. Commercial printings are used especially in business purposes. Since commercial printing plays the dominant role in business industry, printers are produced in more numbers and they are produced using advanced technology. Printing machine can be used to obtain photos, invitation or cards and Xerox.
Today, in the market more number of printing companies can be found out who are engaged in the activity of providing printing service to the customer. Most of the printing company uses commercial printers for their business in-order to arrive quality result of images, text and designs. High quality equipments and spare parts are used in commercial printings to produce finite results. The prices for printers are very reasonable and competitive and it varies as per the capacity and technology stuffed. Printings help to print object in traditional and trendy manner.
Manufacturers produce different kinds of printers to produce exact image, text and designs and also with regards to considering the requirements of the customers on the world. More manufacturers are engaged in producing the printers and they produce the printers in different capacities, technology and prices. Most of the industry makes use of printers to print the object clearly and more specifically. This could be made possible using commercial printers. When more and more printers are produced using advanced technology, commercial printer stays fine with the demand.
The price consideration for commercial printing will vary and the prices range with regards to the capacity of the printing machine. Commercial printings play the dominant role in today’s industry and its requirement seems to be increasing in numbers. Nowadays, most of the people started using printings for their purpose and obtain perfect image and text on the paper. Similar to commercial printings, digital printings forms major part in commercial industry. With the help of innovated and advanced technology, this kind of printings is established in technical and spiritual manner.
More number of people is interested in producing commercial printers and digital printers for reasonable prices. Commercial printers fetch more demand in the market and the expected result can be found out in commercial printers. Commercial printings are used especially in business purposes. Since commercial printing plays the dominant role in business industry, printers are produced in more numbers and they are produced using advanced technology. Printing machine can be used to obtain photos, invitation or cards and Xerox.
Today, in the market more number of printing companies can be found out who are engaged in the activity of providing printing service to the customer. Most of the printing company uses commercial printers for their business in-order to arrive quality result of images, text and designs. High quality equipments and spare parts are used in commercial printings to produce finite results. The prices for printers are very reasonable and competitive and it varies as per the capacity and technology stuffed. Printings help to print object in traditional and trendy manner.
Manufacturers produce different kinds of printers to produce exact image, text and designs and also with regards to considering the requirements of the customers on the world. More manufacturers are engaged in producing the printers and they produce the printers in different capacities, technology and prices. Most of the industry makes use of printers to print the object clearly and more specifically. This could be made possible using commercial printers. When more and more printers are produced using advanced technology, commercial printer stays fine with the demand.
The logo is dead - long live the logo! - By: Julian Treasure
A logo is not a brand, but it has an important role to play in branding: it instantly represents the brand's character, introducing us if we're not acquainted or reminding us if we're old friends. A logo is like a photograph - not the real thing, but a good reminder. Logos have been so effective that every company has at least one - which is where the problems begin.
call the problem ‘overmessaging’. Each of us now encounters a staggering 30,000 commercial messages every single day, and the vast majority of them are visual. This means that for the next few years at least, sonic logos – by which I mean short sonic mnemonics that are the exact audio counterparts of the visual logo – are going to be worth considering simply because they are relatively rare and can thus act as powerful differentiators. However there’s more to sonic logos than curiosity value alone: used wisely, they work exceptionally well. They also have a surprisingly long pedigree.
Sonic logos have actually been around for hundreds of years: street calling used to be the main way tradesmen advertised their services, as wonderfully romanticised in the film Oliver. It’s only a few decades since that practice ended: I can remember the ‘rag-and-bone’ man’s mournful shout of “anyoldiron?” from my childhood in London. The modern-day equivalent is the ice cream van: just watch the cathartic effect of its chimes on surrounding buildings on a hot summer’s day to see the potency of sonic logos deployed in the right place at the right time. Most ice cream chimes are generic, but in Sweden the Hemglass ice cream tune is a universally known and loved sonic brand.
As soon as the advertising industry got sound to play with, it saw the potential of memorable music/voice combinations and the jingle and tagline were born. The dividing line between jingle or a tagline an a sonic logo is blurred. In general, jingles and taglines come and go with campaigns and rarely live for more than a few years. Even the most memorable usually get retired. “For hands that do dishes…”; “It’s the real thing”; these and many more once-mighty jingles or taglines are now languishing in retirement homes, though the brands are still very much with us today.
Some taglines have become sonic logos through sheer memorability. One in particular has outlasted entire generations of customers: Tony the tiger has been saying “they’re gr-r-r-r-reat!” since 1951. This is probably the longest-running sonic logo in the world, and it has now outlived its voice-over artist. Thurl Ravenscroft was famous for many Disney voices but Tony was his greatest legacy. He was Tony's voice for over 50 years until his death in 2005; today, Lee Marshall carries the baton.
Some of the most successful sonic logos have even been registered as trademarks: the roar of the MGM lion and the old NBC three-tone chime are two examples.
These examples notwithstanding, it wasn’t until the 1990s that sonic logos started to be taken really seriously and their use considered by many major brands. The sea change came with Intel. Its four-note sonic logo, composed by Austrian musician Walter Werzowa, has become one of the best-known sounds in the world, and has spearheaded Intel’s extraordinary success as a brand – given that this is a product nobody ever sees and nobody ever buys.
Today, sonic logos are more in play then ever before. UK insurance giant Direct Line has a sprightly bugle call, which speaks volumes about urgency, assistance and playfulness in just three seconds. Apple has its comforting, uplifting start-up sound, engineered in 1991 by Jim Reekes and still shipping 16 years later. (It is inexplicable that the mighty Microsoft has never seen the value of a single start-up sound; the sound of Windows has changed with every successive version of the software, so that now there is no sound of Windows. They may be learning through: huge amounts of time and money were invested in ‘a language of sounds’ for the Xbox 360.) Lufthansa has invested in a corporate sound, comprising four rising tones that are aimed to convey feelings of taking off and wellbeing. Siemens has recently added a seventh element to its branding: sound has now joined logo, claim, typeface, colours, layout and style as one of the basic building blocks of the Siemens brand. The company has created both an ‘audio signature’ (aka a sonic logo) and also some mood sound as part of its new palette. Even political parties are joining in: Wales’s Plaid Cymru has a short sonic logo to welcome you in peace and harmony to its website.
The evidence is that more and more major brands are creating a sonic logo as a matter of course. With the continuing rise of mobile devices (along with custom ring tones and downloaded digital sound) I believe we have not yet scratched the surface of the sonic logo.
Is it time your brand found its voice – before your competitors find theirs?
call the problem ‘overmessaging’. Each of us now encounters a staggering 30,000 commercial messages every single day, and the vast majority of them are visual. This means that for the next few years at least, sonic logos – by which I mean short sonic mnemonics that are the exact audio counterparts of the visual logo – are going to be worth considering simply because they are relatively rare and can thus act as powerful differentiators. However there’s more to sonic logos than curiosity value alone: used wisely, they work exceptionally well. They also have a surprisingly long pedigree.
Sonic logos have actually been around for hundreds of years: street calling used to be the main way tradesmen advertised their services, as wonderfully romanticised in the film Oliver. It’s only a few decades since that practice ended: I can remember the ‘rag-and-bone’ man’s mournful shout of “anyoldiron?” from my childhood in London. The modern-day equivalent is the ice cream van: just watch the cathartic effect of its chimes on surrounding buildings on a hot summer’s day to see the potency of sonic logos deployed in the right place at the right time. Most ice cream chimes are generic, but in Sweden the Hemglass ice cream tune is a universally known and loved sonic brand.
As soon as the advertising industry got sound to play with, it saw the potential of memorable music/voice combinations and the jingle and tagline were born. The dividing line between jingle or a tagline an a sonic logo is blurred. In general, jingles and taglines come and go with campaigns and rarely live for more than a few years. Even the most memorable usually get retired. “For hands that do dishes…”; “It’s the real thing”; these and many more once-mighty jingles or taglines are now languishing in retirement homes, though the brands are still very much with us today.
Some taglines have become sonic logos through sheer memorability. One in particular has outlasted entire generations of customers: Tony the tiger has been saying “they’re gr-r-r-r-reat!” since 1951. This is probably the longest-running sonic logo in the world, and it has now outlived its voice-over artist. Thurl Ravenscroft was famous for many Disney voices but Tony was his greatest legacy. He was Tony's voice for over 50 years until his death in 2005; today, Lee Marshall carries the baton.
Some of the most successful sonic logos have even been registered as trademarks: the roar of the MGM lion and the old NBC three-tone chime are two examples.
These examples notwithstanding, it wasn’t until the 1990s that sonic logos started to be taken really seriously and their use considered by many major brands. The sea change came with Intel. Its four-note sonic logo, composed by Austrian musician Walter Werzowa, has become one of the best-known sounds in the world, and has spearheaded Intel’s extraordinary success as a brand – given that this is a product nobody ever sees and nobody ever buys.
Today, sonic logos are more in play then ever before. UK insurance giant Direct Line has a sprightly bugle call, which speaks volumes about urgency, assistance and playfulness in just three seconds. Apple has its comforting, uplifting start-up sound, engineered in 1991 by Jim Reekes and still shipping 16 years later. (It is inexplicable that the mighty Microsoft has never seen the value of a single start-up sound; the sound of Windows has changed with every successive version of the software, so that now there is no sound of Windows. They may be learning through: huge amounts of time and money were invested in ‘a language of sounds’ for the Xbox 360.) Lufthansa has invested in a corporate sound, comprising four rising tones that are aimed to convey feelings of taking off and wellbeing. Siemens has recently added a seventh element to its branding: sound has now joined logo, claim, typeface, colours, layout and style as one of the basic building blocks of the Siemens brand. The company has created both an ‘audio signature’ (aka a sonic logo) and also some mood sound as part of its new palette. Even political parties are joining in: Wales’s Plaid Cymru has a short sonic logo to welcome you in peace and harmony to its website.
The evidence is that more and more major brands are creating a sonic logo as a matter of course. With the continuing rise of mobile devices (along with custom ring tones and downloaded digital sound) I believe we have not yet scratched the surface of the sonic logo.
Is it time your brand found its voice – before your competitors find theirs?
Branding through digital signage-Effective on response and costs - By: risevision
Digital signage is a step ahead in advertising with the synchronized networks of digital demonstrates screens that offer well-timed information and product branding. Digital signage functions offer to deliver the message to the exact target audience in a manner that matters. If the advertiser is looking for an international or national market or for a simple marketplace outside the retail showroom is the deployment of digital signage is the trick for the purpose. In a sense the digital signage way is an expansive means of corporate communiqué approach and scores over the rest of the advertising media on this front. Thus an advertiser like you can think of capitalizing on the digital signage application for effective brand marketing and communication strategies.
This is also called the most effective marketing communications tactic and medium as it has far more benefits as compared to certain traditional advertising methods. An advertiser can actually downsize extra costs that are incurred on traditional advertising and access superior revenues from this model of LCD advertising. This media definitely scores above the rest of the advertising media on various fronts.
The advertisement is made in a faster and easier manner. In the traditional manner one has to think of an idea and put it into print. The costs on printing and space would be greater than the digital signage method. The method is a cost effective one where you can simply think of the strategy and apply it through the digital screening systems. The communication can reach your target customers as soon as possible. The upgrading of content matter can be done without any extra costs incurred. The media is completely yours and you can use it strategically in case you are a retailer. The same space can be re-used over and over again, day in and day out. This will definitely empower your business to book profits in their books of accounts and finance. The revenue margin as compared to the costs in question would be far more expansive. The return on investment here is attractive and lucrative.
The main factor, the message is delivered to the target audience in an effective and offbeat manner. The advantageous communication strategy and brand engagement can be unmatchable if you manage to hook customers to your signage and store. People are often found looking for new offers and communication from your side if you have engaged them well with your brand. Thus, digital signage is a boon and a boom with the retailers who can use this model of communication very strategically and advantageously. This works with a few computers and an internet connection.
Often digital signage LCDs are found to display and with advertisements in stadiums, busy marketplaces and shopping malls. These have been most efficiently and effectively used by major brands that need to market their products. Developing countries are adapting this method and are using it in their favour successfully.
This is also called the most effective marketing communications tactic and medium as it has far more benefits as compared to certain traditional advertising methods. An advertiser can actually downsize extra costs that are incurred on traditional advertising and access superior revenues from this model of LCD advertising. This media definitely scores above the rest of the advertising media on various fronts.
The advertisement is made in a faster and easier manner. In the traditional manner one has to think of an idea and put it into print. The costs on printing and space would be greater than the digital signage method. The method is a cost effective one where you can simply think of the strategy and apply it through the digital screening systems. The communication can reach your target customers as soon as possible. The upgrading of content matter can be done without any extra costs incurred. The media is completely yours and you can use it strategically in case you are a retailer. The same space can be re-used over and over again, day in and day out. This will definitely empower your business to book profits in their books of accounts and finance. The revenue margin as compared to the costs in question would be far more expansive. The return on investment here is attractive and lucrative.
The main factor, the message is delivered to the target audience in an effective and offbeat manner. The advantageous communication strategy and brand engagement can be unmatchable if you manage to hook customers to your signage and store. People are often found looking for new offers and communication from your side if you have engaged them well with your brand. Thus, digital signage is a boon and a boom with the retailers who can use this model of communication very strategically and advantageously. This works with a few computers and an internet connection.
Often digital signage LCDs are found to display and with advertisements in stadiums, busy marketplaces and shopping malls. These have been most efficiently and effectively used by major brands that need to market their products. Developing countries are adapting this method and are using it in their favour successfully.
Corporate Branding amplifies your business - By: Robert Hopkins
What is basically a corporate branding?
A corporate branding is a process, which has to be done by every organization. Basically branding suggests your company name, logo to be your brand for your product or service. Basic branding starts with designing an effective logo, web address, visiting cards, letterheads and also if you can spend you can advertise in Television, Media and even organize events, become a sponsor to gain popularity to your brand.
Key elements of Branding
Branding is essential because it helps you achieve your company long-term goals, you sustain customers/clients, and you create more customers/clients. These are the essentials of basic branding in detail.
Your Company Logo:
Logo is the basic graphical representation of your company ‘s image. A logo can explain about the kind of quality service, quality of the product, time delivery and you can communicate whatever you want your company to be placed in the minds of your prospective buyers/clients for that you need to specially dedicate time to research on your creative logo. An ideal corporate logo should be simple and it will be a great advantage if you can create a logo that reflects your quality of service/product, time, etc. Logo is vital because it will come along with all your business cards, letterheads, and print heads and wherever you advertise your business.
Website
Previously before a decade website has not been that popular but nowadays it is a very essential element for corporate branding. A website is in fact your remote visiting card where anybody in any part of the world can access your company profile, services, contact address, phone number etc. A proper website should be aesthetic in color, must be simple and easy to navigate and should address all the important things in the home page and finally should be a search engine optimized website
Business Cards
Business cards are the face of your company, which gives a snippet about your services, website address, contact numbers and address. These above things have to be put on a business visiting card.
Letterhead
Letterhead is used to send invoices to your customer/client, it has to be created professional with good aesthetic colors, you need to put your logo, Name of your company, address of your company, contact numbers and any slogan If necessary.
If a company follows the above essential elements branding would not be a big thing to gain. But remember as you use the slogan of your company you need to stick to those words written in the slogan. Best of luck
A corporate branding is a process, which has to be done by every organization. Basically branding suggests your company name, logo to be your brand for your product or service. Basic branding starts with designing an effective logo, web address, visiting cards, letterheads and also if you can spend you can advertise in Television, Media and even organize events, become a sponsor to gain popularity to your brand.
Key elements of Branding
Branding is essential because it helps you achieve your company long-term goals, you sustain customers/clients, and you create more customers/clients. These are the essentials of basic branding in detail.
Your Company Logo:
Logo is the basic graphical representation of your company ‘s image. A logo can explain about the kind of quality service, quality of the product, time delivery and you can communicate whatever you want your company to be placed in the minds of your prospective buyers/clients for that you need to specially dedicate time to research on your creative logo. An ideal corporate logo should be simple and it will be a great advantage if you can create a logo that reflects your quality of service/product, time, etc. Logo is vital because it will come along with all your business cards, letterheads, and print heads and wherever you advertise your business.
Website
Previously before a decade website has not been that popular but nowadays it is a very essential element for corporate branding. A website is in fact your remote visiting card where anybody in any part of the world can access your company profile, services, contact address, phone number etc. A proper website should be aesthetic in color, must be simple and easy to navigate and should address all the important things in the home page and finally should be a search engine optimized website
Business Cards
Business cards are the face of your company, which gives a snippet about your services, website address, contact numbers and address. These above things have to be put on a business visiting card.
Letterhead
Letterhead is used to send invoices to your customer/client, it has to be created professional with good aesthetic colors, you need to put your logo, Name of your company, address of your company, contact numbers and any slogan If necessary.
If a company follows the above essential elements branding would not be a big thing to gain. But remember as you use the slogan of your company you need to stick to those words written in the slogan. Best of luck
Don't Just Brand Your Business, Brand Yourself - By: Barbara Gabogrecan
This title means what it says...don't just brand your business, but brand yourself! 'You are your business' -especially in the Micro and HBB sector. It is very important for potential clients to trust you as well as your business. So put some energy into branding yourself, as well as your business.
Have a personal plan for branding yourself and keep it updated. Log your goals and put them to a time frame. Be specific. This type of action plan is very important if you really want to see results.
Promote yourself strongly. When someone asks 'what do you do' - have a verbal logo ready! This is an important part of branding yourself and your product; particularly if you are in the service industry.
Start with a negative e.g. define the problem; and conclude with a positive e.g. offer a solution; and point out your unique point of difference. An example of a good verbal logo is:- "Most Micro and HBB operators struggle with marketing tactics to help their business grow. Together, with the operators, I develop practical, simple marketing strategies that are both affordable and effective."
How do you present yourself? You do not have to be a 'glamorous chick' or a 'handsome hunk of ham' - but you do need to have a visual signature as part of your personal brand.
The way you look can be repeated and recognised. Wear a hat and have become known for that (as has Molly Meldrum); wear some outrageous jewellery or a bow tie -dare to be different!
Your brand should play on your personality characteristics. One of these characteristics should be the ability to show your passion. If you really do believe in a certain behaviour or belief - that will show in everything you do.
Have a philosophy of 'what can I do for you?' rather than 'what's in it for me' and constantly think of how to put that into action. Others notice this and comment on it. It helps set you apart from competitors.
And just how important is it to be always thinking of others? So, so, very important! Those hand-written notes, prompt email or phone follow ups, can set you aside from most, as it seems to be a forgotten art of etiquette by many. If networking is important to you (and I hope it is) these thoughtful acts will build and strengthen the relationships that you are trying to build.
Your brand needs to come to the fore when networking. Targeted networking can be much more successful than accidental networking. Make contact with those who are of interest to you and stay in touch with them.
Choose those that you can help and those that can help you. Remember the philosophy 'what can I do for you?' ...well, by helping others become successful, you will be building a network of positive, supportive people who will help you when you need and ask for it.
Strengthen your brand by recognising what you are good at, and then build on it. Don't waste time trying to improve on skills that you do not have well established...that will only hold you back from developing and growing the skills you do have. To be known as an expert in your field will strengthen your brand's position in the community.
Once you have positioned yourself as an expert the media can do much to further promote you, as you become the person they will contact for comments.
Write articles, e-books and online newsletters. You will soon become well known within your niche. Undertake speaking engagements for community groups, council networking groups and any other business groups you can find.
Keep developing and distributing interesting media releases to enhance the 'word of mouth' promotion, by making it sizzle! You need to be HOT!
To help build your brand, choose a charity or association that you feel passionate about....the more you enjoy what you are doing, the stronger your brand will become. To enable you to put more time into developing your brand, make sure you have others to do some of the more menial tasks to keep your operation going, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best.
Have a personal plan for branding yourself and keep it updated. Log your goals and put them to a time frame. Be specific. This type of action plan is very important if you really want to see results.
Promote yourself strongly. When someone asks 'what do you do' - have a verbal logo ready! This is an important part of branding yourself and your product; particularly if you are in the service industry.
Start with a negative e.g. define the problem; and conclude with a positive e.g. offer a solution; and point out your unique point of difference. An example of a good verbal logo is:- "Most Micro and HBB operators struggle with marketing tactics to help their business grow. Together, with the operators, I develop practical, simple marketing strategies that are both affordable and effective."
How do you present yourself? You do not have to be a 'glamorous chick' or a 'handsome hunk of ham' - but you do need to have a visual signature as part of your personal brand.
The way you look can be repeated and recognised. Wear a hat and have become known for that (as has Molly Meldrum); wear some outrageous jewellery or a bow tie -dare to be different!
Your brand should play on your personality characteristics. One of these characteristics should be the ability to show your passion. If you really do believe in a certain behaviour or belief - that will show in everything you do.
Have a philosophy of 'what can I do for you?' rather than 'what's in it for me' and constantly think of how to put that into action. Others notice this and comment on it. It helps set you apart from competitors.
And just how important is it to be always thinking of others? So, so, very important! Those hand-written notes, prompt email or phone follow ups, can set you aside from most, as it seems to be a forgotten art of etiquette by many. If networking is important to you (and I hope it is) these thoughtful acts will build and strengthen the relationships that you are trying to build.
Your brand needs to come to the fore when networking. Targeted networking can be much more successful than accidental networking. Make contact with those who are of interest to you and stay in touch with them.
Choose those that you can help and those that can help you. Remember the philosophy 'what can I do for you?' ...well, by helping others become successful, you will be building a network of positive, supportive people who will help you when you need and ask for it.
Strengthen your brand by recognising what you are good at, and then build on it. Don't waste time trying to improve on skills that you do not have well established...that will only hold you back from developing and growing the skills you do have. To be known as an expert in your field will strengthen your brand's position in the community.
Once you have positioned yourself as an expert the media can do much to further promote you, as you become the person they will contact for comments.
Write articles, e-books and online newsletters. You will soon become well known within your niche. Undertake speaking engagements for community groups, council networking groups and any other business groups you can find.
Keep developing and distributing interesting media releases to enhance the 'word of mouth' promotion, by making it sizzle! You need to be HOT!
To help build your brand, choose a charity or association that you feel passionate about....the more you enjoy what you are doing, the stronger your brand will become. To enable you to put more time into developing your brand, make sure you have others to do some of the more menial tasks to keep your operation going, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best.
Do You Want To Be King Of The Hill - By: Todd Ash
Branding yourself is a concept that represents everything about your business or company. It sets your business and products apart from the competition. Branding yourself is a big task, but also necessary. Overall branding yourself is more important than branding one product.The notion of branding yourself is not new.
Branding yourself is the best way that you can generate sales and gain profits. A business without a brand name is like a product that does not have a name. Branding yourself is a way of making it clear to potential employers or clients what, in particular, you might be able to do for them. When someone asks you what you do for a living, do you answer with your job title?
Marketing is through the looking glass. As a consequence, everything is new. Marketing yourself takes a lot of energy and personal risk. CEOs running small to medium size companies are often too busy 'keeping the wheels on the bus' to focus on themselves as one of the company assets.
Success means something different to each person who seeks it. To succeed in any aspects, one has to strive for it. Successful products have slogans, and so can you. When someone asks you what you do for a living, do you answer with your job title?
Creativity is what adds spice to your branding so get your creative juices flowing. Blogs are something we all read on a regular basis, but how many of you actually use them to brand yourselves.
Web branding is a way of presenting a face to your customers. Web branding is a way of presenting a face to your customers. Web branding draws from the heart of what you are doing as a business, why you are doing it, whom you are doing it for and how you intend to do it.
Branding yourself is a way of setting your business identity and having them remember it. If you brand yourself to your customers, it will be more likely that they will remember you quickly and are most likely to come back to your webpage for it.
Branding yourself is more critical; the traffic you'll get isn't as important. Remember to include keywords in your byline: You want to be associated with the topic as much as possible. Branding yourself is the key to professionalism not promoting some hotshot.
Don't promote the guy who is on top already because that is where you want to be. Brand yourself and promote yourself and you will see much greater results in all of your endeavors!
Branding yourself is the best way that you can generate sales and gain profits. A business without a brand name is like a product that does not have a name. Branding yourself is a way of making it clear to potential employers or clients what, in particular, you might be able to do for them. When someone asks you what you do for a living, do you answer with your job title?
Marketing is through the looking glass. As a consequence, everything is new. Marketing yourself takes a lot of energy and personal risk. CEOs running small to medium size companies are often too busy 'keeping the wheels on the bus' to focus on themselves as one of the company assets.
Success means something different to each person who seeks it. To succeed in any aspects, one has to strive for it. Successful products have slogans, and so can you. When someone asks you what you do for a living, do you answer with your job title?
Creativity is what adds spice to your branding so get your creative juices flowing. Blogs are something we all read on a regular basis, but how many of you actually use them to brand yourselves.
Web branding is a way of presenting a face to your customers. Web branding is a way of presenting a face to your customers. Web branding draws from the heart of what you are doing as a business, why you are doing it, whom you are doing it for and how you intend to do it.
Branding yourself is a way of setting your business identity and having them remember it. If you brand yourself to your customers, it will be more likely that they will remember you quickly and are most likely to come back to your webpage for it.
Branding yourself is more critical; the traffic you'll get isn't as important. Remember to include keywords in your byline: You want to be associated with the topic as much as possible. Branding yourself is the key to professionalism not promoting some hotshot.
Don't promote the guy who is on top already because that is where you want to be. Brand yourself and promote yourself and you will see much greater results in all of your endeavors!
Co-branding and Your Company - By: Remy Lebeau
If promotional product marketing is a big part of your campaign, it means it's the right time for you to think about co-branding. In essence, co-branding is putting your brand name juxtapose to a more popularly branded promotional product. For instance, instead of just giving away a "generic shirt" with your logo on it, you could place your name on an Adidas, an Izod or a Nike shirt.
Co-branding is a great way to boost brand recognition. Especially true for newer companies, riding on the existing market share of the bigger brands gives your brand a better fighting chance.
The alliance between two brands can also offer clients better value. Long established brand items are often of better quality than generic ones. As such, clients get more out of a co-branded promotional item than they would with one that isn't. As an off-shoot of this, the credibility of the established brand is transferred onto yours.
Is it really worth it?
A classic example of successful co-branding is the LiveSTRONG(TM) baller bands, the Lance Armstrong-Nike union created a new breed of promotional marketing unlike any other. What started as a simple fund raising tool for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is now a fashion statement, a symbol for a good cause, a bearer of hope and of course a great marketing tool.
Today, it has gone far beyond its original purpose of raising enough money and awareness to support the fight against cancer. The original $5million goal has been surpassed more than five times over.
In addition, it has become such an iconic piece that it is now being re-sold everywhere at inflated prices. Even non-traditional channels like eBay are carrying the product. While the phenomenal spread of the bands don't always help out with its original cause (such is the case of reselling), it is nonetheless an amazing embodiment of the power of co-branding.
Choosing the right co-brand partner
When using the co-branding strategy for promotional products, choose a brand that you believe in. Find one with concepts that are pretty much aligned with your company's.
You should also consider your marketing stance carefully. While a great strategy, co-branding might backfire if the partner brand you choose overshadows your own. Decide whether you are going to aggressively market the promotional product as a brand product or if you should just casually mention it to your clients.
Saying that the giveaway pen is a Cross Pen or a Parker and forgetting to mention your own brand --or much worse placing your logo and brand name too inconspicuously -- just might make them forget that the item came from you in the first place.
The bottom line: Know the power of co-branding, but like all powerful things, learn to use it wisely.
Co-branding is a great way to boost brand recognition. Especially true for newer companies, riding on the existing market share of the bigger brands gives your brand a better fighting chance.
The alliance between two brands can also offer clients better value. Long established brand items are often of better quality than generic ones. As such, clients get more out of a co-branded promotional item than they would with one that isn't. As an off-shoot of this, the credibility of the established brand is transferred onto yours.
Is it really worth it?
A classic example of successful co-branding is the LiveSTRONG(TM) baller bands, the Lance Armstrong-Nike union created a new breed of promotional marketing unlike any other. What started as a simple fund raising tool for the Lance Armstrong Foundation is now a fashion statement, a symbol for a good cause, a bearer of hope and of course a great marketing tool.
Today, it has gone far beyond its original purpose of raising enough money and awareness to support the fight against cancer. The original $5million goal has been surpassed more than five times over.
In addition, it has become such an iconic piece that it is now being re-sold everywhere at inflated prices. Even non-traditional channels like eBay are carrying the product. While the phenomenal spread of the bands don't always help out with its original cause (such is the case of reselling), it is nonetheless an amazing embodiment of the power of co-branding.
Choosing the right co-brand partner
When using the co-branding strategy for promotional products, choose a brand that you believe in. Find one with concepts that are pretty much aligned with your company's.
You should also consider your marketing stance carefully. While a great strategy, co-branding might backfire if the partner brand you choose overshadows your own. Decide whether you are going to aggressively market the promotional product as a brand product or if you should just casually mention it to your clients.
Saying that the giveaway pen is a Cross Pen or a Parker and forgetting to mention your own brand --or much worse placing your logo and brand name too inconspicuously -- just might make them forget that the item came from you in the first place.
The bottom line: Know the power of co-branding, but like all powerful things, learn to use it wisely.
Promotional Items Revealed - By: Mike Strom
On a preliminary note, the gigantic blunder that numerous companies make is to give out promotional items to just their customers; they fail to note that presenting promotional items to the persons that aren’t yet their consumers can help when the consumers have to select between their firm and the competition. Brainstorming for the proper promotional items to offer has to be an exceptionally important consideration for any serious corporation; you will be surprised at the info that some employee can come up with as the perfect promotional items to offer.
The very good thing about presenting World Wide Web promotional items is that the firm spends less funds but is able to get to many more men and women utilizing the promotional items.
If the cost of physically presenting your company's promotional items is the problem, then look at the World Wide Web promotional items; these do not require cost for transporting them, but will surely reach a lot of folks, if done appropriately. Sensitive companies consider the promotional items they distribute as the most excellent promoting and marketing they can do; that’s obviously why they put a lot of energy as well as funds in presenting the proper promotional items; you ought to as well.
Giving the proper promotional items is comparable to utilizing your consumers to help in spreading word about your firm and its goods andor services.
Loads of resourcefulness is required to come up with the proper promotional items to send to your customers; such resourcefulness will surely yield results if appropriately thought out as well as followed through.
In closing, it is very important to look at how you will go about customizing each promotional item before you make use of it; it is truly the customization with your firm symbol or name that sincerely makes promotional items unique.
The very good thing about presenting World Wide Web promotional items is that the firm spends less funds but is able to get to many more men and women utilizing the promotional items.
If the cost of physically presenting your company's promotional items is the problem, then look at the World Wide Web promotional items; these do not require cost for transporting them, but will surely reach a lot of folks, if done appropriately. Sensitive companies consider the promotional items they distribute as the most excellent promoting and marketing they can do; that’s obviously why they put a lot of energy as well as funds in presenting the proper promotional items; you ought to as well.
Giving the proper promotional items is comparable to utilizing your consumers to help in spreading word about your firm and its goods andor services.
Loads of resourcefulness is required to come up with the proper promotional items to send to your customers; such resourcefulness will surely yield results if appropriately thought out as well as followed through.
In closing, it is very important to look at how you will go about customizing each promotional item before you make use of it; it is truly the customization with your firm symbol or name that sincerely makes promotional items unique.
Promotional Items Clarified - By: Mike Strom
To start with, the gigantic flaw that many firms make is to give promotional items to just their customers; they fail to observe that giving out promotional items to the people that aren’t yet their consumers can tip the scale in their favor when the consumers need to pick between their company and the competition. Thinking of the appropriate promotional items to offer needs to be a very important consideration for any excellent company; you’ll be astonished at the advice that some staff can come up with as the really ideal promotional items to offer.
The good thing with giving out World Wide Web promotional items is that the company spends less funds but is able to reach a lot more men and women utilizing the promotional items.
If the cost of physically giving out your firm’s promotional items is the problem, then look at the online promotional items; these don’t need cost for transporting them, but will certainly reach countless people, if done correctly. Wise firms view the promotional items they send as the best promoting and marketing they can do; that’s obviously why they put loads of attempt and even cash in giving out the appropriate promotional items; you should as well.
Giving the appropriate promotional items is comparable to using your consumers to assist in spreading word about your company and its goods andor services.
A great deal of originality is needed to consider the appropriate promotional items to give to your customers; such originality will absolutely yield results if adequately thought out and even followed up.
On a conclusive note, it’s highly important to look at how you’ll go about customizing each promotional item before you utilize it; it is truly the customization with your company badge or name that sincerely makes promotional items extra special.
The good thing with giving out World Wide Web promotional items is that the company spends less funds but is able to reach a lot more men and women utilizing the promotional items.
If the cost of physically giving out your firm’s promotional items is the problem, then look at the online promotional items; these don’t need cost for transporting them, but will certainly reach countless people, if done correctly. Wise firms view the promotional items they send as the best promoting and marketing they can do; that’s obviously why they put loads of attempt and even cash in giving out the appropriate promotional items; you should as well.
Giving the appropriate promotional items is comparable to using your consumers to assist in spreading word about your company and its goods andor services.
A great deal of originality is needed to consider the appropriate promotional items to give to your customers; such originality will absolutely yield results if adequately thought out and even followed up.
On a conclusive note, it’s highly important to look at how you’ll go about customizing each promotional item before you utilize it; it is truly the customization with your company badge or name that sincerely makes promotional items extra special.
Learning About Promotional Items - By: Mike Strom
To start with, the big oversight that loads of firms make is to send promotional items to just their customers; they fail to note that giving out promotional items to the individuals that aren’t yet their clients can help when the clients have to pick between their firm and the competition.
The new trend is to send digital promotional items so as to get through to more folks utilizing the remarkable potentials of the Web and even its paraphernalia. Remember that every promotional item you provide needs to publicize and even market your business product or service; so always see to it this is done in the very best technique feasible on the promotional items.
It is constantly a very good idea to outsource the construction of a firm’s promotional items to folks who are really skilled in the business of creating promotional items; let the specialists to do that which they know best how to do. A firm that sells Personal Computer parts and accessories needs to check out providing those styles of promotional items that are relevant for the folks that will make use of the computers, like mouse pads; on every occasion that the consumer uses the mouse pads that carry the business logo name on it, they can recall the firm as well as buy from the firm when they need a certain Personal Computer accessory.
Those firms that like thinking short-term will not see the rewards of giving promotional items; but if your firm is one that’s set for lasting success, you definitely ought to check out giving promotional items to clients and possible clients alike. Men and women have the natural inclination to "give back"; when a consumer has gained from a firm’s promotional item, they thoughtlessly need to "pay back" or "give back" and so are naturally predisposed to buy from the firm when they need any product and service that the firm can provide.
To top off, firms that make it a calling to faithfully and always give assistive promotional items to their clients have lots better opportunity of staying relevant than those firms who don’t.
The new trend is to send digital promotional items so as to get through to more folks utilizing the remarkable potentials of the Web and even its paraphernalia. Remember that every promotional item you provide needs to publicize and even market your business product or service; so always see to it this is done in the very best technique feasible on the promotional items.
It is constantly a very good idea to outsource the construction of a firm’s promotional items to folks who are really skilled in the business of creating promotional items; let the specialists to do that which they know best how to do. A firm that sells Personal Computer parts and accessories needs to check out providing those styles of promotional items that are relevant for the folks that will make use of the computers, like mouse pads; on every occasion that the consumer uses the mouse pads that carry the business logo name on it, they can recall the firm as well as buy from the firm when they need a certain Personal Computer accessory.
Those firms that like thinking short-term will not see the rewards of giving promotional items; but if your firm is one that’s set for lasting success, you definitely ought to check out giving promotional items to clients and possible clients alike. Men and women have the natural inclination to "give back"; when a consumer has gained from a firm’s promotional item, they thoughtlessly need to "pay back" or "give back" and so are naturally predisposed to buy from the firm when they need any product and service that the firm can provide.
To top off, firms that make it a calling to faithfully and always give assistive promotional items to their clients have lots better opportunity of staying relevant than those firms who don’t.
Promotional Items for the Initiate - By: Mike Strom
First off, the gigantic error that lots of companies make is to send promotional items to just their customers; they fail to note that giving out promotional items to the individuals that aren’t yet their buyers can aid when the buyers need to choose between their firm and the competition.
The latest technique is to send electronic promotional items with the idea to reach more folks utilizing the awe-inspiring wonder of the Net and even its paraphernalia. Remember that any promotional item you provide should promote and even market your corporation’s product or service; so consistently see to it this is done in the finest way probable on the promotional items.
It is mostly always a fine idea to give out the creation of a company’s promotional items to folks that are really very good in the art of making promotional items; let those who’re talented to do what they know best how to do. A firm that sells PC parts and accessories should check out giving those varieties of promotional items that are necessary for the folks that will utilize the Laptop computers, like mouse pads; whenever the client uses the mouse pads that have the corporation’s emblem name on it, they can recollect the firm and even do their buying from the firm when they need a certain PC accessory.
The companies that like thinking short-term won’t see the vantages of offering promotional items; but if your firm is one that is ready for long lasting success, you certainly need to check out offering promotional items to buyers and potential buyers alike. Individuals have the natural predisposition to "give back"; when a client has gained from a company's promotional item, they unconsciously yearn to "pay back" or "give back" and so are naturally likely to do their buying from the firm when they need any product or service that the firm can give.
To finish up, companies that make it a compulsory duty to faithfully and always send out useful promotional items to their buyers have much better opportunity of staying relevant than those companies who don’t.
The latest technique is to send electronic promotional items with the idea to reach more folks utilizing the awe-inspiring wonder of the Net and even its paraphernalia. Remember that any promotional item you provide should promote and even market your corporation’s product or service; so consistently see to it this is done in the finest way probable on the promotional items.
It is mostly always a fine idea to give out the creation of a company’s promotional items to folks that are really very good in the art of making promotional items; let those who’re talented to do what they know best how to do. A firm that sells PC parts and accessories should check out giving those varieties of promotional items that are necessary for the folks that will utilize the Laptop computers, like mouse pads; whenever the client uses the mouse pads that have the corporation’s emblem name on it, they can recollect the firm and even do their buying from the firm when they need a certain PC accessory.
The companies that like thinking short-term won’t see the vantages of offering promotional items; but if your firm is one that is ready for long lasting success, you certainly need to check out offering promotional items to buyers and potential buyers alike. Individuals have the natural predisposition to "give back"; when a client has gained from a company's promotional item, they unconsciously yearn to "pay back" or "give back" and so are naturally likely to do their buying from the firm when they need any product or service that the firm can give.
To finish up, companies that make it a compulsory duty to faithfully and always send out useful promotional items to their buyers have much better opportunity of staying relevant than those companies who don’t.
Three Tips for Increasing Your Imprint Impact - By: Remy Lebeau
Positioning – When placing your logo on the item, look for the most obvious spot first. Put yourself in the position of your audience. Look at the product and find out where you would most likely see the artwork. For example, on a shirt the right breast pocket would be an obvious spot. On a mug, it would be the outside wall. On a baseball cap, the front part would be an ideal place for your brand.
Next, think of other possible places for imprinting. Ask yourself the following questions:
* Where will the product be used most?
* When will it be used?
* How will it be used?
Now, look at the marketing potential of unconventional imprint areas. For instance, if you're giving away a cap for a sporting event, look beyond placing the logo on the front. The back part is also a very good option. Imagine a stadium with bleachers – that answer the where question. It's in broad daylight – that answers when. People are sitting in rows while watching the game – that answers how. In this situation, people will be exposed to the back of other people's heads for the duration of the game. Having your logo on the back of the giveaway caps is like putting your brand right in front of your audience.
You can do the same exercise for other sets of promotional products. For mugs, you've got the outside covered, how about the inside? Getting your logo on both places is hitting two birds with one stone. Everyone who sees your recipient using the mug gets exposure to your brand, when the user finishes his or her drink, you get another hit.
Some promotional products have multiple imprint areas or at least very big ones, so take advantage of that as well. A lanyard is one example of such. It can take multiple imprints of your brand name without making the product look over-satiated with copy. T-shirts are another example. You can work the front and the back.
Colors – While you may be limited to your company's colors for the artwork itself, the backdrop is an entirely different issue. Here, you can play with a wide range of choices. Pick neons to highlights your brand. The gamut extremes – black and white – are great at complementing or contrasting any color. You can also go with your company's colors to lessen the number of colors to be imprinted. Keep the following tips in mind when choosing items and imprinting your colored logos:
* For screen printing, you need an underbase to let the dark colors show through on top of a dark substrate. That will incur an additional charge.
* Every logo color that you use for screen printing means a separate screen set-up and printing. That costs money, so the less colors the better.
* Custom logo colors that require PMS ink color matching may be priced more. As would specialized inks that provide metallic or glitter effects.
* If your substrate is glass, metal or leather, you might want to try imprinting methods that do not use colors. Embossing, debossing, etching and engraving are a classy way to render your logo. It looks perfect on these materials despite .
Size – Yes, it matters. Generally, bigger is better, but never sacrifice the quality of the artwork. If your logo is too big, it may look overstretched or worse, it may be unrecognizable to your audience. As for the copy (the words you use in your tag line or message), better to keep it short and simple. Too much information is overbearing and may be the very reason for audience resistance.
Remember, you are not printing a poster; you are imprinting a promotional product. Keep it to a size that says the item came from your company but you are not trying to use the recipient as an obvious walking ad.
Next, think of other possible places for imprinting. Ask yourself the following questions:
* Where will the product be used most?
* When will it be used?
* How will it be used?
Now, look at the marketing potential of unconventional imprint areas. For instance, if you're giving away a cap for a sporting event, look beyond placing the logo on the front. The back part is also a very good option. Imagine a stadium with bleachers – that answer the where question. It's in broad daylight – that answers when. People are sitting in rows while watching the game – that answers how. In this situation, people will be exposed to the back of other people's heads for the duration of the game. Having your logo on the back of the giveaway caps is like putting your brand right in front of your audience.
You can do the same exercise for other sets of promotional products. For mugs, you've got the outside covered, how about the inside? Getting your logo on both places is hitting two birds with one stone. Everyone who sees your recipient using the mug gets exposure to your brand, when the user finishes his or her drink, you get another hit.
Some promotional products have multiple imprint areas or at least very big ones, so take advantage of that as well. A lanyard is one example of such. It can take multiple imprints of your brand name without making the product look over-satiated with copy. T-shirts are another example. You can work the front and the back.
Colors – While you may be limited to your company's colors for the artwork itself, the backdrop is an entirely different issue. Here, you can play with a wide range of choices. Pick neons to highlights your brand. The gamut extremes – black and white – are great at complementing or contrasting any color. You can also go with your company's colors to lessen the number of colors to be imprinted. Keep the following tips in mind when choosing items and imprinting your colored logos:
* For screen printing, you need an underbase to let the dark colors show through on top of a dark substrate. That will incur an additional charge.
* Every logo color that you use for screen printing means a separate screen set-up and printing. That costs money, so the less colors the better.
* Custom logo colors that require PMS ink color matching may be priced more. As would specialized inks that provide metallic or glitter effects.
* If your substrate is glass, metal or leather, you might want to try imprinting methods that do not use colors. Embossing, debossing, etching and engraving are a classy way to render your logo. It looks perfect on these materials despite .
Size – Yes, it matters. Generally, bigger is better, but never sacrifice the quality of the artwork. If your logo is too big, it may look overstretched or worse, it may be unrecognizable to your audience. As for the copy (the words you use in your tag line or message), better to keep it short and simple. Too much information is overbearing and may be the very reason for audience resistance.
Remember, you are not printing a poster; you are imprinting a promotional product. Keep it to a size that says the item came from your company but you are not trying to use the recipient as an obvious walking ad.
Promotional Items - Anybody Can Do It! - By: Mike Strom
To start with, the gigantic error that numerous corporations make is to distribute promotional items to only their customers; they fail to realize that offering promotional items to the persons that aren’t yet their clients can help when the clients need to choose between their company and the competition
The new trend is to give digital promotional items with the hope to get through to a lot more people making use of the breathtaking potentials of the Web as well as its paraphernalia. Don’t forget that any promotional item you give out has got to publicize as well as market your business product or service; so consistently make certain this is done in the best strategy possible on the promotional items.
is mostly always a good idea to give out the creation of a company’s promotional items to people that are very skilled in the art of making promotional items; let those who’re talented to do what they know mostly how to do. A company which sells PC parts and accessories has got to examine providing those styles of promotional items which are relevant for the people that will use the computers, such as mouse pads; every time the client utilizes the mouse pads which have the business logo name on it, they can recall the company and even buy things from the company when they require a certain PC accessory.
Those corporations which like thinking short-term won’t see the benefits of distributing promotional items; but if your company is one which is set for lasting success, you undeniably should examine distributing promotional items to clients and possible clients alike. People have the natural inclination to "present back"; when a client has benefited from a company's promotional item, they instinctively desire to "pay back" or "present back" and so are naturally moved to buy things from the company when they require any product or service which the company can offer.
To finish off, corporations that make it a calling to consistently and repeatedly give out beneficial promotional items to their clients have better chance of staying relevant than those corporations which do not.
The new trend is to give digital promotional items with the hope to get through to a lot more people making use of the breathtaking potentials of the Web as well as its paraphernalia. Don’t forget that any promotional item you give out has got to publicize as well as market your business product or service; so consistently make certain this is done in the best strategy possible on the promotional items.
is mostly always a good idea to give out the creation of a company’s promotional items to people that are very skilled in the art of making promotional items; let those who’re talented to do what they know mostly how to do. A company which sells PC parts and accessories has got to examine providing those styles of promotional items which are relevant for the people that will use the computers, such as mouse pads; every time the client utilizes the mouse pads which have the business logo name on it, they can recall the company and even buy things from the company when they require a certain PC accessory.
Those corporations which like thinking short-term won’t see the benefits of distributing promotional items; but if your company is one which is set for lasting success, you undeniably should examine distributing promotional items to clients and possible clients alike. People have the natural inclination to "present back"; when a client has benefited from a company's promotional item, they instinctively desire to "pay back" or "present back" and so are naturally moved to buy things from the company when they require any product or service which the company can offer.
To finish off, corporations that make it a calling to consistently and repeatedly give out beneficial promotional items to their clients have better chance of staying relevant than those corporations which do not.
Common Types of Lanyards - By: J. Mathew
Lanyards are cords or straps that are worn around the neck for holding and displaying identification cards. Lanyards have gained popularity over the recent years due to rise in security concerns. They are used in schools, corporate sector, government agencies and so on. Various types of lanyards are available in the market. To name a few, there are beaded lanyards, woven lanyards, custom lanyards, breakaway and non breakaway lanyards.
Beaded lanyards
Beaded lanyards are basically used to hold ID cards. They are very ornamentally designed and are therefore sometimes considered to be a piece of jewelry. There is a vast array of beaded lanyards varying in length, color and material. One of the trendiest beaded lanyards is the metallic lanyard having an electro-static steel beaded neck chain. These lanyards are in high demand among women. Beaded lanyards are largely worn by teachers, nurses and women in the corporate world. Different kinds of beads are used in the making of these lanyards ranging from glass beads to seed beads to crystal beads. Lanyards thus vary in cost depending upon the material used.
Woven Lanyards
Woven lanyards are known for their durability. The range of woven lanyards is remarkable. If one has a break away flat woven lanyard with O-Ring, the other consists of a non breakaway lanyard with a bulldog clip attachment. The precision, with which woven lanyards are made, makes them suitable for workplaces. These lanyards are long lasting and do not fade away with time. They are perfect from the point of view of security and are ideal for schools and companies where identification badges are required. They give a professional touch to the employees of any company and thus leave a good impact on viewers.
Breakaway Lanyards and Non Breakaway Lanyards
These lanyards are usually made up of a plastic adjustable cord. The cord has a peculiar knot which is used for holding things. Non breakaway lanyards are stiff and generally non elastic in nature. On the other hand, breakaway lanyards are quite elastic. In the case of breakaway lanyards, the two pieces of lanyard can be separated easily when force is applied. This is a safety feature for circumstances where your lanyard could catch on something.
Custom Lanyards
A great way to promote your brand is to print your brand name or logo on your lanyard. Custom lanyards are usually made up of flat cotton, nylon and polyester. They can be customized according to your specific needs. The process of printing acts as a major criterion for deciding the type of material to be used for printing. For example, if you are using screen printing process, then it is best to go for cotton and nylon based lanyards. Similarly, for hot stamping, polyester is the best choice in comparison to rest of the materials available in the market.
Beaded lanyards
Beaded lanyards are basically used to hold ID cards. They are very ornamentally designed and are therefore sometimes considered to be a piece of jewelry. There is a vast array of beaded lanyards varying in length, color and material. One of the trendiest beaded lanyards is the metallic lanyard having an electro-static steel beaded neck chain. These lanyards are in high demand among women. Beaded lanyards are largely worn by teachers, nurses and women in the corporate world. Different kinds of beads are used in the making of these lanyards ranging from glass beads to seed beads to crystal beads. Lanyards thus vary in cost depending upon the material used.
Woven Lanyards
Woven lanyards are known for their durability. The range of woven lanyards is remarkable. If one has a break away flat woven lanyard with O-Ring, the other consists of a non breakaway lanyard with a bulldog clip attachment. The precision, with which woven lanyards are made, makes them suitable for workplaces. These lanyards are long lasting and do not fade away with time. They are perfect from the point of view of security and are ideal for schools and companies where identification badges are required. They give a professional touch to the employees of any company and thus leave a good impact on viewers.
Breakaway Lanyards and Non Breakaway Lanyards
These lanyards are usually made up of a plastic adjustable cord. The cord has a peculiar knot which is used for holding things. Non breakaway lanyards are stiff and generally non elastic in nature. On the other hand, breakaway lanyards are quite elastic. In the case of breakaway lanyards, the two pieces of lanyard can be separated easily when force is applied. This is a safety feature for circumstances where your lanyard could catch on something.
Custom Lanyards
A great way to promote your brand is to print your brand name or logo on your lanyard. Custom lanyards are usually made up of flat cotton, nylon and polyester. They can be customized according to your specific needs. The process of printing acts as a major criterion for deciding the type of material to be used for printing. For example, if you are using screen printing process, then it is best to go for cotton and nylon based lanyards. Similarly, for hot stamping, polyester is the best choice in comparison to rest of the materials available in the market.
Few Facts on Promotional Dress Shirts - By: Remy Lebeau
Power dressing is popular among both established executives and the younger set of employees. Whether your target market falls within the senior level or the yuppie range, dress shirts are the ideal giveaway. It goes beyond taking advantage of this fashion trend. Dress shirts also underscore your company's professionalism.
Pick out a dress shirt that you can best identify with your brand. Deciding factors can include color, style and fabric. Of the three, fiber should weigh the most as it determines the quality of your promotional dress shirt.
Here are a few facts that could help you find out more about fabrics. While there are a lot of other fabric types available out there, these are the ones most used for promotional dress shirts.
Cotton - A soft fiber that grows around the seed of the cotton plant. Cotton fabric is soft and breathable, making it the most widely used natural-fiber today. It offers a high degree of strength, durability and absorbency
Denim – A rugged cotton twill textile traditionally colored blue (or stonewashed for a lighter look). It is a fiber used for casual dress shirts.
Pima Cotton – One of the world's top graded cottons, it is traditionally grown in the southwest United States by Pima Indians. The long fibers of this cotton give it a luxurious hand and added durability.
Polyester – A synthetic fiber which offers superior strength and excellent resilience. It is also noted for its soft, luxurious feel. Low absorbency allow it to dry quickly.
Poplin - Medium- to heavy weight, durable fabric made of cotton or cotton blends. The rigid structure is a result of its tight weaving. Promotional dress shirts of this material are often easy to iron and wrinkle-resistant.
Rayon – This artificial silk is regenerated from cellulosic fiber. It can imitate the look and feel of natural fibers. Generally, rayons have a silky hand and a shiny luster. Rayon does not insulate heat, making it the ideal fabric for hot climates. It does, however, have low elastic recovery and durability.
Sateen – A cotton fabric with a satin-like finish. Sateen has a sheened finish and a soft feel as an effect of its weaving
Silk – A natural protein fiber obtained from cocoons made by the silkworm larvae. It is prized for its brilliant sheen resulting from the fiber's prism-like structure. Silk is soft yet highly durable and absorbent.
Spandex – A synthetic elastomeric fiber that can handle repeated stretching over 600% without breaking. It is lightweight, abrasion-resistant and has a smooth, silky feel.
Wool – One of the most revered natural fibers, wool is derived mainly derived from sheep fleece. (Some animal fur – rabbit, llama, alpacas, goat -- may also constitute wool fiber). Wool offers high elasticity. It also naturally repels water and stains and resists fading.
Pick out a dress shirt that you can best identify with your brand. Deciding factors can include color, style and fabric. Of the three, fiber should weigh the most as it determines the quality of your promotional dress shirt.
Here are a few facts that could help you find out more about fabrics. While there are a lot of other fabric types available out there, these are the ones most used for promotional dress shirts.
Cotton - A soft fiber that grows around the seed of the cotton plant. Cotton fabric is soft and breathable, making it the most widely used natural-fiber today. It offers a high degree of strength, durability and absorbency
Denim – A rugged cotton twill textile traditionally colored blue (or stonewashed for a lighter look). It is a fiber used for casual dress shirts.
Pima Cotton – One of the world's top graded cottons, it is traditionally grown in the southwest United States by Pima Indians. The long fibers of this cotton give it a luxurious hand and added durability.
Polyester – A synthetic fiber which offers superior strength and excellent resilience. It is also noted for its soft, luxurious feel. Low absorbency allow it to dry quickly.
Poplin - Medium- to heavy weight, durable fabric made of cotton or cotton blends. The rigid structure is a result of its tight weaving. Promotional dress shirts of this material are often easy to iron and wrinkle-resistant.
Rayon – This artificial silk is regenerated from cellulosic fiber. It can imitate the look and feel of natural fibers. Generally, rayons have a silky hand and a shiny luster. Rayon does not insulate heat, making it the ideal fabric for hot climates. It does, however, have low elastic recovery and durability.
Sateen – A cotton fabric with a satin-like finish. Sateen has a sheened finish and a soft feel as an effect of its weaving
Silk – A natural protein fiber obtained from cocoons made by the silkworm larvae. It is prized for its brilliant sheen resulting from the fiber's prism-like structure. Silk is soft yet highly durable and absorbent.
Spandex – A synthetic elastomeric fiber that can handle repeated stretching over 600% without breaking. It is lightweight, abrasion-resistant and has a smooth, silky feel.
Wool – One of the most revered natural fibers, wool is derived mainly derived from sheep fleece. (Some animal fur – rabbit, llama, alpacas, goat -- may also constitute wool fiber). Wool offers high elasticity. It also naturally repels water and stains and resists fading.
Promote Team Spirit using Custom Bowling Shirts - By: Remy Lebeau
Let the team spirit soar with custom bowling shirts. These shirts promote team unity and are a great way to pep up the group. Having a tangible representation of who your are as a team brings a certain sense of pride to each member.
Custom bowling shirts can also make your team look and feel professional. They're great for pro events and big matches. It's also the perfect first step if you're just starting out a league. Custom bowling shirts are also ideal for corporate events, team building activities, or bowling parties.
Custom bowling shirts offer a large imprint area for your own logo and your team name. Screen printing and embroidery are the most popular ways to customize the back of your bowling shirt. We offer a variety of custom bowling shirts that can easily be the bond that ties your team together.
Personalized Bowling Shirts are Great Team Gifts
Looking for an ideal gift for your bowling team? Why not try personalized bowling shirts? They're a great way to get the team to bond over a common interest. You don't have to be just another group who hangs out in the alley. With personalized bowling shirts, you build morale and unity among your team. It may just be the key to better games. Personalized bowling shirts are the great start to goals like joining local competitions or even going pro.
Personalized bowling shirts are available in a wide array of styles and colors. Vintage-looking shirts are popular among the retro crowd. Most common impriting methods are screen printing and embroidery. Personalized bowling shirts can be marked by a custom logo, which usually goes on the back part.
Plus, personalized bowling shirts are also the a great channel to express just how you feel about your team. Design a logo which matches each member's personality and the team's common interest. Go wild with team member names. Add special nicknames to your personalized bowl shirts that means something special to both you and the recipient.
Set Your Team Apart with Custom Design Bowling Shirts
There are a number of bowling shirts available in the market today, but nothing says YOU like custom design bowling shirts. Let the other players know what your team is all about. With a little creativity, custom design bowling shirts can be more than just a uniform.
Custom design bowling shirts come in a variety of styles and colors to match your team's personality. Be laid back in cotton or go retro with vintage-style shirts. Custom design bowling shirts are even stylish enough to be worn outside the alley.
The beauty of custom design bowling shirts isn't just about creating a personality for your team. Your custom designed team logo that goes on the back part of the bowling shirt is just the beginning. Each member also gets to contribute a bit of himself or herself as each shirt is embroidered with names of members. That's another area for creativity for custom design bowling shirts. You can use special bowling nicknames to add to the fun.
Custom bowling shirts can also make your team look and feel professional. They're great for pro events and big matches. It's also the perfect first step if you're just starting out a league. Custom bowling shirts are also ideal for corporate events, team building activities, or bowling parties.
Custom bowling shirts offer a large imprint area for your own logo and your team name. Screen printing and embroidery are the most popular ways to customize the back of your bowling shirt. We offer a variety of custom bowling shirts that can easily be the bond that ties your team together.
Personalized Bowling Shirts are Great Team Gifts
Looking for an ideal gift for your bowling team? Why not try personalized bowling shirts? They're a great way to get the team to bond over a common interest. You don't have to be just another group who hangs out in the alley. With personalized bowling shirts, you build morale and unity among your team. It may just be the key to better games. Personalized bowling shirts are the great start to goals like joining local competitions or even going pro.
Personalized bowling shirts are available in a wide array of styles and colors. Vintage-looking shirts are popular among the retro crowd. Most common impriting methods are screen printing and embroidery. Personalized bowling shirts can be marked by a custom logo, which usually goes on the back part.
Plus, personalized bowling shirts are also the a great channel to express just how you feel about your team. Design a logo which matches each member's personality and the team's common interest. Go wild with team member names. Add special nicknames to your personalized bowl shirts that means something special to both you and the recipient.
Set Your Team Apart with Custom Design Bowling Shirts
There are a number of bowling shirts available in the market today, but nothing says YOU like custom design bowling shirts. Let the other players know what your team is all about. With a little creativity, custom design bowling shirts can be more than just a uniform.
Custom design bowling shirts come in a variety of styles and colors to match your team's personality. Be laid back in cotton or go retro with vintage-style shirts. Custom design bowling shirts are even stylish enough to be worn outside the alley.
The beauty of custom design bowling shirts isn't just about creating a personality for your team. Your custom designed team logo that goes on the back part of the bowling shirt is just the beginning. Each member also gets to contribute a bit of himself or herself as each shirt is embroidered with names of members. That's another area for creativity for custom design bowling shirts. You can use special bowling nicknames to add to the fun.
The Right Stuff - The Auto Dealer's Promotional Supply - By: Remy Lebeau
To the incessant wanderlust, there's no other option but to take to the road. Well, the million others will manage to be in transit anyway, so as the car becomes the transient home, sometimes even being baptized with a name, it has to be fitted with accessories just as a house needs to be furnished. Let your company be known to a throng of car owners. Browse through our auto dealer's promotional supply selections to get the promotional auto accessories that are the ultimate car necessities. Your marketing products will be there for them when the key is lost, when a tire goes flat or when cars simply need to be deodorized. The auto dealer's promotional supply can even be shared with buddies. More than just advertising your business, these promotional auto accessories show that you are a company to turn to when things go skidding. Billboards only catch clients' attention, but useful, trusty car accessories are experiential: These make customers feel you got their back while they're out on the road.
Large promotional sites like Branders.com guarantees your orders of auto dealer's promotional supply and promotional auto accessories will ship on the date we promised or they will be FREE. Purchase more than $500 worth to receive 2 FREE samples of the auto dealer's promotional supply of your choice. You also get $50 off if it's your first time to get promotional items from us.
Further, we will match a lower published price you may have found! If you've already placed an order for our auto dealer's promotional supply and promotional auto accessories, we'll refund the difference. Just send us the ad copy or web page showing the lower price for the same auto dealer's promotional supply and your refund will be processed right away. The lower price found must be for the same product, order quantity and delivery schedule, exclusive of applicable shipping costs, handling charges and tax.
The next time you are planning to buy bulk wholesale promotional auto supplies, always look for the best deals, which is the perfect item at the lowest price.
Large promotional sites like Branders.com guarantees your orders of auto dealer's promotional supply and promotional auto accessories will ship on the date we promised or they will be FREE. Purchase more than $500 worth to receive 2 FREE samples of the auto dealer's promotional supply of your choice. You also get $50 off if it's your first time to get promotional items from us.
Further, we will match a lower published price you may have found! If you've already placed an order for our auto dealer's promotional supply and promotional auto accessories, we'll refund the difference. Just send us the ad copy or web page showing the lower price for the same auto dealer's promotional supply and your refund will be processed right away. The lower price found must be for the same product, order quantity and delivery schedule, exclusive of applicable shipping costs, handling charges and tax.
The next time you are planning to buy bulk wholesale promotional auto supplies, always look for the best deals, which is the perfect item at the lowest price.
Promotional Apparel as Roaming Billboards - By: Remy Lebeau
OLD METHOD - CONVENTIONAL BILLBOARDS
The ordinary conventional billboards are stationary and would only provide you, on average, 3 seconds of exposure time. That short period to get your message across coupled with limited control to targeted exposure makes the conventional billboards a rather inefficient form of advertising. A better solution is to allow your billboard to roam freely. And one of the best way to achieve this is through personalized tee shirts and apparels.
THE ROAMING BILLBOARDS CONCEPT
Roaming billboards which utilizes trucks, vans, and other motor vehicles to advertise your brand, provide longer exposure time, sometimes reaching to more than a minute, compared to the stationary ones. And unlike the conventional billboards, the roaming billboards can be directed to places with high level of traffic giving you access to wider demographic and psychographic. But with custom shirts, you take the roaming billboard advertising to a higher level. Unlike motor vehicles, people are not limited by wide streets and highways, thus the reach of your advertising is far greater with promotional apparels. And by distributing your custom printed apparels to your specific target market, you have effectively accomplished a targeted advertising campaign since the people who will spend time with your "roaming billboards" will most likely be part of the segment you are targeting. Another benefit of custom shirts is that it has a similar effect to that of a "word-of-mouth" advertising. One can argue that word-of-mouth is the most efficient form of advertising since the channel used are experts or trusted people, thus your message will not just be heard, they will be most likely accepted. And with personalized apparels, you achieve the same result as your target market sees your brand or logo being worn and displayed by people they trust and respect.
MAKE THE CHOICE TODAY
Given all these benefits, there is no reason not to consider promotional shirts and apparels in your advertising campaign. And with our wide selection of apparels, there is always a design that will suit your logo and branding. Choose and personalize your promotional tee shirts and apparels today!
The ordinary conventional billboards are stationary and would only provide you, on average, 3 seconds of exposure time. That short period to get your message across coupled with limited control to targeted exposure makes the conventional billboards a rather inefficient form of advertising. A better solution is to allow your billboard to roam freely. And one of the best way to achieve this is through personalized tee shirts and apparels.
THE ROAMING BILLBOARDS CONCEPT
Roaming billboards which utilizes trucks, vans, and other motor vehicles to advertise your brand, provide longer exposure time, sometimes reaching to more than a minute, compared to the stationary ones. And unlike the conventional billboards, the roaming billboards can be directed to places with high level of traffic giving you access to wider demographic and psychographic. But with custom shirts, you take the roaming billboard advertising to a higher level. Unlike motor vehicles, people are not limited by wide streets and highways, thus the reach of your advertising is far greater with promotional apparels. And by distributing your custom printed apparels to your specific target market, you have effectively accomplished a targeted advertising campaign since the people who will spend time with your "roaming billboards" will most likely be part of the segment you are targeting. Another benefit of custom shirts is that it has a similar effect to that of a "word-of-mouth" advertising. One can argue that word-of-mouth is the most efficient form of advertising since the channel used are experts or trusted people, thus your message will not just be heard, they will be most likely accepted. And with personalized apparels, you achieve the same result as your target market sees your brand or logo being worn and displayed by people they trust and respect.
MAKE THE CHOICE TODAY
Given all these benefits, there is no reason not to consider promotional shirts and apparels in your advertising campaign. And with our wide selection of apparels, there is always a design that will suit your logo and branding. Choose and personalize your promotional tee shirts and apparels today!
The Elements of a Strong Logo - By: charen smith
They come in so many different shapes and styles. Just think for a moment about how many companies have a logo for their brand? I’m sure you can name enough to cover all ten fingers in the span of a few seconds. No matter where you go there are logos everywhere, and with this massive number comes countless different varieties. And yet, all of them have a few basic elements in common. At least, all the successful ones do, and in order to make your logo work, you need to know why all of the others have done such a great job at establishing a company. First, and by far most importantly of all, you need to make a memorable design. Not that simple, is it? How do make a memorable design? Keep things basic. Take a moment to look at some of those logos you know of. Car logos are a prime example because every car has one embedded on it. What do all these logos have in common? Each of them has a very simple look, usually made from only a few lines or a single image, and that’s all. This simplicity helps a person to easily remember what the logo looks like. It also makes your logo immediately recognizable. A complicated image won’t be as easy to spot as a sleek, simple design. A great logo is also something that can be altered to fit anything it needs to. After all, you should be sure to put your logo on everything you can, including your color printing, your building, and any free items you might want to hand out. Next comes coloring. There are a lot of logos that have a specific color theme, but something to note is that the color shouldn’t be necessary for the logo to be effective. What does this mean? Take the Target logo as an example. The logo is simple and reflects the name of the company: it’s a mini bulls eye. Now, the typical color scheme is solid red, but if you alter the color, such as make it blue, it doesn’t take anything away from the logo itself. It remains an easily recognizable bulls eye. The same goes for Microsoft’s windows logo. While it’s given multiple colors, even if you look at it in black and white you can still recognize the logo and the company. Design your logo without any color in mind, and get an image that works great no matter what color it is. That way if you’re using color printing you can be sure to put on a colorful logo and if you’re using plain printing your logo will still work in black and white. As simple as most logos are, that doesn’t mean they’re easy to design. Sometimes the simplistic things can be the hardest to get right, but if you know what makes a logo great, you’ll be on the right track to make a memorable one for your company’s image.
Promotional Product Is A Great Advertising Medium - By: MIKE SELVON
Nothing is better than getting a gift, especially something that you wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself, yet you could definitely use. How often do we go out and buy pens, mouse pads, carabiners or sticky notes? We can use these items every day, so why not make your promotional merchandise something that people will want to use for years to come? You can find a really innovative, customized promotional product if you're willing to spend a few bucks and do a little digging. One of the exciting and new promotional products is the "Keyboard Organizer," first unveiled at the Las Vegas ASI tradeshow in 2007, where it won "Most Innovative/Best Creative Concept." Since the unveiling, the Keyboard Organizer has won nine other awards and was projected to be the newest "tested, tried and true" marketing method. This promotional marketing tool is a fully functioning computer keyboard that also offers additional internal storage beneath the keys to organize one's computer desk top area. The new "Keyboard Organizer" is the first and only fully functional computer keyboard that opens to have internal storage to organize the computer desk top area. This custom promotional product is compatible with all MS Windows and Apple computers and can be fitted with a full colored wrap over the entire keyboard, showcasing your logo. Check out "Keyboard Organizer" for all the details. The winner of the 2008, Advertising Specialty Institute's "Innovative New Promotional Product of the Year" award is Sourcery's customizable MP3 player. The device comes with 512 MB of storage and links up with any computer through USB. You can imprint your logo onto the case and MP3 player itself, as well as choose from a base color of black, white or red. You can find this exciting promo product at "Promo Peddler", "Image Builders Marketing" and "Custom USB". You can browse many different varieties of customizable promotional products with sleek, futuristic, iPod-like designs and full functionality, including video play options. A new study from the Promotional Products Association International empirically proved that the promotional product is the most effective advertising medium out there. They found that in the 18-24 year old demographic, respondents had a more positive attitude to an ad when exposed to a promo product, rather than just through TV commercials (41% to 18%), and the intent to purchase was 25% (compared to 17% for those who just saw TV/print ads). Additionally, twenty-six percent of the people who received a custom promotional item referred at least one person. "It's gratifying to see hard data prove what we as an industry have known for years," said Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president. "Promotional products continue to grow in popularity because, simply put, they work. Promotional products are the only advertising medium capable of engaging all five senses. When used as a key element in the marketing mix, promotional products create a more positive outlook toward the ad and the brand."
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