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Direct Marketing How Direct Marketing is Cost Effective

How Direct Marketing is Cost Effective

How Direct Marketing is Cost Effective Direct marketing is a form of advertising that allows businesses to communicate directly to a targeted market.  There are several media used in direct marketing.  Let’s look at direct mail as a media for direct marketing and how cost effective it has become.  The U.S. Postal Service has designed a program called Every Door Direct Mail.  This program is designed to help businesses reach every home, every address, every time.  The great part is this program offers a cost effective way to create a direct marketing campaign.  Here is how Every Door Direct Mail is cost effective: Target market is selected by zip code or carrier route.  You save money because there is no need to purchase a mailing list. Marketing piece can be up to 15” wide and 12” high.  This gives you more real estate for your marketing message and stands out in the mail. The cost to mail this marketing piece is 14.5 cents with this program.  Normally it would cost 44 cents to mail this size piece. An effective direct marketing campaign will include a marketing message that has impact and gets the attention of your target market, is to the point and provides a solution to a problem, need or want.  It must include an incentive and call to action. Include these elements and not only will your direct marketing campaign be successful, it will be cost effective. Design Dept. is a Dallas based advertising and graphic design company.  We provide creative advertising design that is attention getting and results in customer action.

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What a Website Can Do for Your Business What a Website Can Do for Your Business

What a Website Can Do for Your Business

What a Website Can Do for Your Business In today’s economy a website for your business is essential.  Consumers spend $50 billion in online shopping.  Consumers search for information online prior to making a buying decision and having a website will give them 24 hour access to the information about your company.   If you don’t have a website presence, you’re losing business to your competition.  Here is what a professional website can do for your business. Gives the opportunity to make a good first impression.  A professionally designed website will give the impression that you are serious about your business and adds credibility. Helps small businesses compete with larger companies.  A well-designed website can project the image of a much larger company. Provides inbound marketing verses outbound marketing.  Effective search engine optimization (seo) can help consumers find your website.  Your website can be used as a 24 hour marketing tool and generate more leads.  Prospects come to you instead of making outbound cold calls. Blog integration – A blog integrated in your website will give you the opportunity to educate prospects on topics that are relevant to your business and position you as an expert in your industry.  A blog adds fresh content to your website which helps your seo. Increase revenue.  Adding e-commerce to your website will allow you to sell your products and services online.  This can make purchasing convenient for your customers. Don’t underestimate the power of a website and what it can do for your business.  To consumers, you don’t exist if they cannot find you online.  Including a website in your marketing plan is an investment in the future of your business.  Create your online presence and improve your brand image and success! Design Dept. is a Dallas based advertising and graphic design company.  We provide creative advertising design that is attention getting and results in customer action.

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How to Brand Your Social Media How to Brand Your Social Media Page

How to Brand Your Social Media Page

How to Brand Your Social Media Page It is important to have a consistent brand image across all advertising media.  For example if your website colors are blue and gold, and use a star that represents your logo, and the primary font used is Arial, then your Facebook Page, Twitter and YouTube sites should also use these same elements.  Being consistent will help increase your brand awareness and eliminate confusion between each media. Now that Facebook has a new look and has included a cover image, there is an opportunity to expose your brand to more prospects.  When creating your cover image keep these tips in mind: Image size is 960 pixels x 357 pixels. Cover image can not include prices, contact information or call to action. It takes time to build a brand so the key to a successful brand is repetition. Keep a consistent and clear image and message in your social media, marketing material, website and campaigns to establish strong brand awareness with your prospects, customers and clients.  A strong brand is invaluable and will confirm your credibility and result in consumer action. Let us help develop and increase your brand identity.  The right message and positioning will differentiate your brand from your competitors.  This will result in more market share. Design Dept. is a Dallas based advertising and graphic design company.  We provide creative advertising design that is attention getting and results in customer action.  

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How Video Can Enhance Your Brand How Video Can Enhance Your Brand

How Video Can Enhance Your Brand

How Video Can Enhance Your Brand Videos are an excellent opportunity to grab your viewer’s attention and become engaged in your message, and exposed to your brand. Videos on your website can help visitors stay longer and increase conversion rates and brand identity. Here are advantages to adding video to your marketing strategy: Videos provide a dynamic interactive experience. Videos provide online tutorials. Videos can improve your website search engine optimization (SEO). Videos are a powerful tool to enhance your brand.  According to comScore, the number of online shoppers who watch online retail product videos before buying a product grew 40% from January 2009 to January 2010. To learn more about how videos can enhance your brand and tips for producing an effective video, contact us today!

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What is Your Marketing Plan What Is Your Marketing Plan?

What Is Your Marketing Plan?

What Is Your Marketing Plan? The difference between business success and failure is most likely planning.  So without a plan your business may not survive.  A marketing plan will give you a clear direction of how you will achieve your business marketing objectives. Through the process of developing your marketing plan you will determine where you stand in the market place, who your competitors are, the demand for your products and services, your target market, and the price of your product or service. Your marketing plan will outline strategies to promote your brand, build your client base and meet the needs of your clients. Your marketing plan will include a budget for your online and offline advertising, marketing material, creative design, tradeshows, press releases and website development.  Design Dept. understands budget limitations and has been helping companies implement marketing strategies within budget. Here is an example of an outline of a marketing plan. Executive Summary Overview of the marketing plans main goals and objectives.  This should be done last after the marketing plan is complete. Industry Analysis This is an overview of the industry and where the company and the competition stand in the market place. The strengths and weaknesses of the company are identified. Target Market This is where the ideal customer for the product or service being offered is determined. What are their demographics? What is their age range? Where do they live? What is their income range? What are their needs? Answering these questions will help determine the target market. Goals This section outlines the companies short and long term goals and indicates the desired accomplishments for a certain period of time. Marketing Strategy Determine the Product, Price, Promotion and Place (distribution) or Marketing Mix (4 P’s). Tactics This section outlines the tasks required to implement the strategy, who is responsible for the task and deadlines. Financial Analysis This section includes budget, profit and loss statements and ROI. Measurements This section will explain how the success of the marketing plan will be measured. Harper Resource Group business coaching professionals can help your business develop strategies and solutions that will create business success and continued growth.  In order for you and your business coaching professional to solve problems, put a plan in place that will help you achieve your business goals you only have to be willing to grow. Set up an appointment today for a free business coaching session. Your comments are always welcome. Thanks    

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What is the Purpose of a Logo What is the Purpose of a Logo?

What is the Purpose of a Logo?

What is the Purpose of a Logo? The purpose of a logo is to give a visual representation of your company brand.  Your logo design should be unique, give high impact, be eye-catchy and leave an unforgettable impression. A successful logo design will be effective in conveying your brand message and image.  Your logo design should serve the purpose of supporting your business name and the products and services you provide. Your logo design should promote your business and build brand identity.  It is important to give the proper amount of thought into the design of your logo and should be designed by a professional graphic designer to ensure your logo is effective and high quality. Logo Design Tips Design should be eye-catchy but simple Design should not be trendy and should support your message for many years Design fonts and colors should complement your brand message Design should be created as a vector file so it can be used in all marketing media Your comments are always welcome. Thanks Design Dept. is excited to launch Brand Beginner!  Brand Beginner will help create your brand identity and awareness through logo design, stationary, marketing material and website design.  Click here for more information!

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What Your Brand Should Do What Your Brand Should Do

What Your Brand Should Do

What Your Brand Should Do Differentiate A good brand will promote features and benefits different from your competitors.  Your marketing strategy should be to position yourself in the market place as the only company that provides a solution to their problem.  This difference should stand out and position your brand as preferred by your prospects, customers and clients. Identify with Your Customers Develop a brand that consumers will always associate your company with a particular product or service.  A brand that has a psychological or emotional effect is very powerful.  How you want your prospects, customers and clients to perceive your product or service is your band identity. Be Consistent It takes time to build a brand so the key to a successful brand is repetition. Keep a consistent and clear image and message in your marketing material, website and campaigns to establish strong brand awareness with your prospects, customers and clients.  A strong brand is invaluable and will confirm your credibility and result in consumer action. Let us help develop your brand.  The right message and positioning will differentiate your brand from your competitors.  This will result in more market share.

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business coaching A Marketing Coach Has Marketing Solutions

A Marketing Coach Has Marketing Solutions

A Marketing Coach Has Marketing Solutions Congratulations!  You have launched your new business and you are wondering how am I going to grow my business and increase brand awareness.  You are an expert in your field but effectively marketing your products and services is another thing.  Don’t be discouraged.  There is a solution for your pain.  A marketing coach has marketing solutions.  A marketing coach will help you determine your goals and create effective marketing strategies to achieve those goals. Your marketing coach will provide tools that are designed to help you meet your goals.  Your coach will keep you focused and on track to ensure your marketing strategies are implemented.  Your coach will save your time and money by guiding you and showing you how to reach the right target market for your business and show you how to convert your target market in to clients. Harper Resource Group in Fort Worth, TX defines coaching as a partnership where you design a plan based on the client’s agenda – coaching takes what’s inside and translates it into outer goals that you accomplish step-by-step. To set up an appointment for a free coaching session, call 443-629-9612 or send an email to path@harperresourcegroup.com

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How to Work with Your Creative Services How to Work with Your Creative Services

How to Work with Your Creative Services

How to Work with Your Creative Services You have a great marketing plan for your products or services and now you need to hire the creative talent to implement your plan. Finding the right creative partner to design your marketing material can be challenging and frustrating. Here are a few tips to help you through this process. Take the time to determine what your budget is for your project. This way you know what kind of creative services you should target. If your budget is limited a small design firms or freelancer may be the best partner for your project. Set up a personal meeting with your creative prospects to get a feel for their working style and view their work. Be prepared to make a decision to choose your creative partner from the quality of the work they have already done. Creative concepts takes time and most creative professionals will not start working for you until you have made a commitment to hire them for the project. A deposit is usually required to start a project. You should receive an estimate from your creative prospects for the scope of your project. Make sure it is detailed and you understand what will be delivered. Do not start the project until you have received an estimate. Know your deadline and request a timeline for your project. Keep in mind that meeting a timeline is not just your creative partner’s responsibility, but yours as well. You must keep your end of the bargain in order to meet your deadline. If you have agreed to give your feedback on the creative design on a certain day and you do not, then that may affect your deadline. Don’t be afraid to communicate what you like or don’t like about a design. Give clear direction so your creative team can meet your expectations. Keep an open mind and sit back and let them do what you’re paying them to do. Make sure all decision makers are present during creative reviews. This way everyone can provide feedback and agree on the next steps. This will save you time and money. It is not unusual to take several rounds of revisions before you reach the final design. It is your creative partner’s responsibility to know your consumers and give you the marketing material you need. Trust them to give you the results you desire and this process should be fun and exciting! Your comments are always welcome. Thanks

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