design and marketing blog
While the iPad has many trembling with excitement, some business owners should be shaking in their boots.
While it's a godsend for those prepared for it, the disconnect of a consumer reading a national magazine spread, sliding the article aside and googling a local business, only to find a poorly done website is going bode poorly on the ill prepared. Read Full Article
April 3rd officially declared “iDay”
The doorbell rang at about 10:30 Saturday morning and everyone ran down the stairs like it was Christmas morning. April 3rd, 2010. iPad day had arrived. We purchased this wifi version of the iPad for my in-laws. My father-in-law has some vision problems and the ability to adjust the screen size and type fonts for reading books and browsing the Internet was one of the reasons we thought he’d like one.
eight seconds to capture audiences online
When clients hear our name and story, they reasonably wonder if it’s just hype. Do those first eight seconds of a potential customers website visit really make a difference? Fortunately the answer is yes, and we have real client stories to back it up. Read Full Article
Recession Marketing Tactics:
If You Want To Survive The Recession, Throw Out Your Marketing Training Manual
In the past year, I have met with many clients who "know their customer" via corporate training and marketing manuals, but have no idea how those customers behave today, especially online. Please, throw those manuals away. You'll make more money. Let me explain: In your "Marketing Manual" you most likely were trained to understand your "target." At the time of printing the information contained in them may have been accurate. But times have changed dramatically. Read Full Article
Design Solves Problems
One of the criticisms of commercial designers is that they can be too focused on art rather that the goals and needs of their clients. As a professional designers and marketers, some people are surprised that we don't consider design "art". For most companies, design is (or should be) a tool for solving business problems - such as redesigning a product to improve profitability, effectiveness, or competitive advantage. Similarly we use design in brand and marketing to address problems with brand perception, marketing effectiveness, audience relevance, improving conversion, or being more competitive. Read Full Article
Mass-Marketing and the Individualist
Consumers often define themselves by the things they purchase. What they drive, how they decorate their living and work spaces, the clothes and accessories they wear, the foods and beverages they consume, and the tools or toys that they have. For years brands have mass-marketed their brand stories to drive purchases and brand affinity. But some consumers actively resist such conformity, seeking products and brands that let them express their uniqueness. Is there a way we bring these revolutionaries back into favor with traditional brands? Read Full Article