Toyota. Harley. WWF. You probably recognize most of these logos. They're sleek and evoke perceptions of a brand well beyond the name of a company.
Disney=family fun. Starbucks=jolt of caffeine. WWF=saving the planet.
While most of these organizations can afford to spend millions on fancy marketing campaigns, we realize you're trying to stay afloat during less-than-stellar financial times.
The good news? You don't need to be a multinational corporation to have a sleek logo and a smart marketing and branding campaign. Small business owners need to think smarter, not more expensive, while getting more bang for their marketing buck.
Recession-friendly marketing tips:
Logo - Don't have a graphic design department? No problem. Put your design work up for bid with freelancers. Open communication will ensure that the designer sees your vision as clearly as you do. Set clear goals and expectations up front to avoid wasting time.
Marketing Collateral - That can also be outsourced. You can research local printing companies to get the best price or look to larger online outlets.
Tip: When communicating your logo and branding message, remember the details. Label Value prints Custom Labels to your specifications--which means spreading your corporate identity on custom mailings and product shipments throughout the world.
Web site - When strapped for cash, think free first. Where can you publish your message and communicate with customers for free? A blog. Some blogging platforms (think WordPress) are free at its most basic offering and come with themes for you to choose from. You can upgrade for a fee and use your new-found negotiating ad/or bid system to have a designer custom code your site.