I hear this alot, "I don't need marketing, we live in a small town.", or "I don't need a logo or website, my business has been going strong for years without one.". Sadly this couldn't be farther from the truth. Lets cover some basic points on the advantages of having a logo, website, and cohesive marketing materials.
Logos
A logo is the "face" of your business. Think of it this way... If you didn't have a face how would people recognize you? Logos also make your business look bigger and established. Home-printed business cards or cards printed with Microsoft clipart scream "small-time vendor" to your potential clients — and that is how they will want to compensate you.
Websites
If you don't already have a Web site, you may not know that two-thirds of all Americans regularly use the Internet for email, research, education and entertainment. Small towns are no exception. Your on Facebook right now keeping up with family, friends, and coworkers around the world!
Ask yourself this. How many calls a day do you get fielding the same questions over and over and over again. What if you could cut those calls in half? Well a website can do just that. Simply listing your hours of operation could potentially cut one third of the time and energy it takes to field a phone call. In essence you are able to expand your customer service hours to 24/7 but you haven't even lifted a finger.
How much do you spend advertising your weekly special in a local newspaper just to have that money thrown out with Thursday's garbage? Websites can be a cost effective way to advertise new products and services at half the cost!
By having a website you show the world that you are a viable business. Not having one makes you suspicious in the eyes of many prospects. It is silly but true: a website will enhance perceived professionalism.
Cohesive Marketing Materials
Americans spend millions of dollars every year on clothing and accessories. We all want to be seen looking "put together". Having Cohesive Marketing Materials does the same thing for your business. Your business card, letterhead, advertising materials, customer forms and website should all have a similar look and feel. This gives your business that "put together" look.
The next generation is rooted in the age of technology and only those will to expand into the 21'st century will succeed. I hope to see you all there.
I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes
“The great menace to the life of an industry is industrial self-complacency.”
Joyce Carol Oates quotes (American Author twice nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, b.1938)
*MUAH*
Sarah
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