Case Studies - Page 12 of 24 - Analyze. Create. Achieve.

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019

Building a Marketing Base

This blog will feature tips on how to build a marketing base for your business. Even if you haven’t done ANY marketing, here’s a few things to get you started.

Who?

First, you need to know who your customer base is. Who are you marketing to? Where? Age? What’s their interests? For example, try to segment your customers based on who you’ve already sold to. Take notes and come up with an average at the very least. Tough to do with limited info, but necessary.

If you don’t have these numbers, use a simple chart or even tally marks on a pad to get more specific. Use guesstimates if you need to. This will certainly get you a start.

Where?

Now take those numbers (even if it’s a small average from 10-20 customers) and determine where to put the marketing dollars. Yes, most importantly, you should have SOME marketing dollars set aside.

Are they on Facebook, Instagram, or mostly LinkedIn? Would billboards or signage in certain locations help? How about a direct mail campaign sent directly to businesses or homeowners? How’d your previous customers find you? Through your website, Google, or another online source?

Consequently, this will narrow down your best approach to get moving. As a result, you’ll learn quicker what works and what doesn’t as much.

How?

So, how are you going to implement your plan of action? This is the most difficult part. It will take time, patience, and some serious creative efforts to get the word out about your company.

If you aren’t very creative savvy, look to enlist those you know and trust that are. Get their thoughts about the look and aesthetics of your signage, social media pages and posts, or marketing materials. In addition, it’s very important that whatever strategy you plan to implement looks not just good, but GREAT! Marketing is all about visuals and attracting the eye to your message.

To clarify, we’ve said it before, an attractive image or design is key here. According to multiple eye tracking studies all over the Internet, the eye moves to an attractive image/design around 60,000-80,000 faster than just text.

Once an established base is determined, and where to market, the pieces or posts need to be interesting and visually appealing. How do you do this? Again, the difficult part. Billions of dollars per year are spent on creative marketing and advertising. There’s a good reason for it. It works!

Take the best quality photographs or video possible. Hire out if needed. Design materials, signage, or supporting charts/tables/infographics to make them interesting. Hire out if needed. In addition, if you hire a solid marketing team, or employee with an extensive creative background, they will (should) be able to convey that message visually.

Stay Level Headed.

Often times there may be a difference of opinion on the creative. Don’t get discouraged. For instance, you may have differences on an image or color. This is normal. However, stay true to your brand. Work together to come to a happy middle ground on how the creative side of things should look and feel, and as a result you’ll start to see the fruits of your labor.

So, in conclusion, by following these steps on a large or small scale you’ll begin to build a solid marketing base that will better your business. However, if you need advice we’re here to help.

Analyze. Create. Achieve.

September 20, 2019

What’s the Best Things About Email Marketing?

What’s the best things about email marketing?

by Email Marketing Girl

Personalize!

You can personalize content. Send customers emails about what they actually want to see. Let’s give you an example.

You are an 18 year old male vegan. Typically, you shop at a local grocery store every Monday, getting fruits and veggies and some household necessities.

<Insert phone buzz> you get an email from that grocery store with “ON SALE – steaks and baby food” uhhhh – not the content that person wants to see. At least I wouldn’t think so. Therefore, change it up. Create a custom email for specific types of customers who you want to get a specific message to. As a result, you’ll notice an engagement increase and subsequently sales as well.

Instant!

It’s instant. People love last minute deals or coupons. Getting an email for a coupon to a store I always shop at is a great feeling. Yes! I will now order that shirt I have been eyeing up for weeks.

However, without that email, it was out of sight out of mind.

Email Marketing can work!

Reach.

Email can help you reach a mass amount of customers. Calling all your customers takes time. Email: one click and it’s out the door to everyone.

This form of marketing is affordable. Traditional marketing like TV ads can be costly. If you are a small business, those ideas are out the door. For instance, if you have a smaller budget set aside, an email marketing plan could be a game changer. So, a small business can thrive with the right email marketing strategy!

On the other hand, email marketing is a numbers game. That is to say, like anything there are always pros and cons. Any form of marketing though, may take a little while to become fruitful. Patience is necessary when applying any marketing strategy.

However, it’s still one of the top forms of communication. All businesses should have an email marketing plan in place, and if you don’t, give us a call.

Analyze. Create. Achieve.

September 13, 2019

What Kinds of Content?

What kinds of content do you use to market your brand?

What is Content?

First, let’s discuss content quickly. Content is typically all that you see. Words, graphics, photos, videos, charts, and other advertisements. Subsequently, this is what attracts or deters customers.

We’ve done exhaustive research in attempts to find the best types of content. As a result, we CONSTANTLY find articles for social media or web design that say, “create great content, create great content, create great content.” Well, duh! So, how do we create great content? What makes “great content?”

Ideas

Here’s a few ways we (as your marketing firm) or even you, the business owner, can “create great content.” Think of it as a way for your company to speak.

Be an expert. For example, anything you post or create for your business, make it known you are the expert(s) in that field. As a result, this will build credibility and trust. Don’t get too wrapped up in industry terminology, jargon, or acronyms. The reason for this is because those outside of your field may become confused. Be clear and concise.
Be educational. Teach prospective customers something new and exciting about your business. Post a tip. Add a story about a problem that you fixed. Even more, be a help to someone.
Answer a frequent question. Every business gets bombed with similar questions. “What’s the price, why is it so much?” or “You mean I need a new one, why?” are examples of pretty standard questions business owners are asked daily. Therefore, take a few frequent questions and share those answers!
Positivity and/or humor. Create a funny ad. Write a hilarious story about something that happened to you or your team. A positive quote every now and again can help boost social media interest. As a result, using humor and positivity can increase interest in what you have to say. Above all, be professional.

What Does All This Do?

In conclusion, content is what drives marketing and advertising. If you don’t have great things to say or share, who’s going to care?

A brochure needs to contain information and images that separates you from competition. Social media posts should give your company character. A website must stand out and show customers WHY you are different.

In summary, content fuels how your business is perceived. As a result, this can be the difference between getting the phone to ring…or not. Therefore, go forth and “create great content.”

Analyze. Create. Achieve.

August 29, 2019

Want to Make Money Marketing?

Hi all, Email Marketing Girl here:

That’s exactly what you want to know, right? How to make money. How to make money while marketing your business. First, everyone can agree, in order for a business to be successful, it needs clients. Word of mouth will only get you so far.

So follow me here…. we have clients, we do some marketing magic for them, they get new business and even RECURRING business, the company makes money, and then everyone is happy. Doesn’t that sound like the best win win situation ever?

Marketing Pie Chart Image — Word of mouth will only get you so far.

Do you guys use Facebook or other social media? Well, let me tell you a short story….

Let us start out with this restoration/remodeling company.

We started promoting them on Facebook as a deck remodeling specialist business in the spring. We post for them usually weekly or bi-weekly. Guess what…consequently, they receive a minimum of 3-5 quotes via text, email, or Facebook message, through the Facebook business account. MINIMUM THREE QUOTES! EVERY TIME A POST GOES UP!

They are extremely impressed and then started to get busy, which is what you want for your company. Roughly 80% of their business is generated from Facebook postings. CRAZY, AM I RIGHT?

Alternative Types of Marketing.

Furthermore, there’s a wide range of marketing tactics you can utilize also other than Facebook. Direct mail. Signage. Alternate social media channels. Paid ads. The list goes on, and each will result in varying returns of your investment. On the other hand, doing nothing leads to nothing.

Are you guys using Facebook to its fullest potential? Do you want to post once a day, once a week? Specifically about a certain subject, service, or product? We can put a marketing plan together. As a result, this help you reach your highest potential.

Analyze. Create. Achieve.

August 13, 2019

Web Design for Small Business-$777.77

$777.77…yea, we know, it’s ridiculous!

SPECIAL

Firstly, let’s start by saying we are running a basic marketing website design special for $777.77 through the end of August. The special is geared towards startups and existing businesses, that have little or no web presence. Consequently, this website special will give these types of businesses an affordable starting point. Don’t have a website? Now is certainly the time!

The special (ridiculously priced at $777) gives a business an opportunity to get a website designed and their name out into the Interweb world, then begin work on an adaptable site. You get a Home, About, and Contact page. Additionally, we’ll create a Products or Services page and add up to 5 of your products or services. The site is scalable, mobile friendly, SEO ready, and can grow along with your business!

This is a great way to get started!

However, this special does NOT include SSL certificates, maintenance, email set ups, or backups. We can help with that at a nominal fee though. Alternatively, you have the option of handling all of that yourself.

As small business owners, we have dealt with the hardships of starting out and feel this is a way to give back. Starting a business isn’t easy, so we understand. We also regularly volunteer time with SCORE in Westmoreland County, PA to help new business owners get their ball rolling. Helping others successfully build their dream of entrepreneurship is extremely important to us. Taking advantage of this inexpensive offer will help a business on a tight budget.

Are we going to make money off this special? Not much. However, sometimes that shouldn’t always be the goal. Sometimes, you should just be a helping hand.

Call or email today to learn more! We are only running this special through August 31, 2019!

Image of 77 Design Co business card and marketing. — Marketing for all your business needs.

Analyze. Create. Achieve.

August 1, 2019

Tips for Small Business Marketing

Hello and welcome,

Email Marketing Girl:

They always say marketing is the first to go when companies are downsizing and trying to save some money. Let me tell you, I highly disagree with this. Marketing is what brings in the money, if it’s done with specific intent and creativity.

If you aren’t marketing yourself or your company, you’re being dormant. You should always be moving and trying new things in the marketing realm in order for your company to grow and profit. You may even find customers in alternative places. Trying a new tactic can prove profitable.

Look for outlets that your competition isn’t marketing. An example may be a construction company that uses Instagram. Perhaps, the competition in your area is not utilizing this, and customers may want to see what’s new and innovative in the world of deck building. You are building customized decks…now show them!

I love how many avenues (find a different word maybe?) of marketing there are. There’s social media, design, email, paid search, analytics, traditional, text, search engine, and more. Whatever you choose to pursue, you’re still under the marketing umbrella and working towards a common goal. Whatever your heart desires, market your business in a niche way.

Jessica:

Personally, I love marketing! It’s fun! There is so much that goes into it, however it is often undervalued.

Every business needs clients. Marketing is what gets you clients, which makes it a necessity. Marketing is like the fun wild child of the business world. People who work in marketing typically aren’t the super professional white collar people. They are creative down to earth “normal” people. Marketing has only a few rules which I think is awesome! You can do whatever the hell you want to help the business get more people in the door and attract attention to it.

There are also very few limits to marketing. It can range from old school newspaper adds, radio, or yellow pages all the way to digital marketing and social media.

Analyze. Create. Achieve.