Through technology, we have adapted our eyes into optical tools that seek nuggets of information. Think for a moment what it means to scan content (as opposed to reading a novel). Your eye is searching for keywords, bulleted lists, highlighted phrases and links.
Because of this usability research now shows us how Web content should look:
• Concise subheads
• Highlighted keywords
• One core idea per paragraph
• Bulleted lists
• Succinct headlines, page titles and first paragraphs
• Lean copy (cut word count)
• Dark type on white (or on light background colors)
For direct marketers, much of this is old news. Yet, old school hard sell tactics or hype (often misused in print advertising and direct mail) is a very bad fit online. Users are busy people in control of their searches or verification of online credentials. They want hard facts and real information, not exaggeration or hype.
If you're an old school marketer, it's time to learn new ways. High quality graphics, good copy and outbound links show you know your stuff. Credibility goes up. People respond to the content because so many websites are driven by people who are trying to exploit or misinform.
Save money by writing your own Web copy? You may want to think again. Does it make sense to save money and lose sales? Or, at the very least, if your site has poor information architecture, convoluted copy or dense blocks of text, you are not doing your cause any favors.
As in everything else in marketing, it pays to put things into their proper place of importance.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What Is Creative Marketing (and Why Do I Need It?)
What is marketing (and why do I need it)?
Their reasons people ask us this question differ slightly. Perhaps they ran some ads once and never got any calls. Or the website they developed never generated any real interest. We have also noticed that some clients are uncomfortable with the hustling and hype they associate with marketing. Whatever the reason, the question needs to be answered.
Marketing is not just advertising and sales. It is the sum total of everything you may be doing to gain customers and keep them. It is a holistic process, because your product or service is deeply involved. Finding the prospects you'd like to work with, then taking the necessary steps to convert them into customers, offering services that benefit them, and then turning them into continued relationships. Hopefully, these relationships help you generate repeat business and referrals.
This broad definition also includes everything you may be doing to maintain these relationships, from sending holiday gift baskets, to making timely calls, playing a round of golf, and having a cup of coffee, or simply doing a great job in serving them with great products, and reminding them how much you care about their business.
All of these activities comprise your marketing process, whether you choose to call it that or not. So why do we need to be more formal in our response to this question? Peter Drucker puts it well: "Business has only two basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results. All the rest are costs."
He's says that marketing drives all revenue. That marketing is about clients: what they need, and what you need to be doing, to serve them.
The most wonderful guy in the world won't buy from you if he doesn't need your services. Conversely, the most difficult guy in the world may become your best customer. Though you may have something someone needs very much, if he dislikes you, or doesn't know who you are, he's not going to buy much of anything from you.
Marketing means matching products and services with the people who need them. Hopefully, people who work well with you, who don't mind if you make a good profit.
Why hire a marketing firm?
Let us list a few reasons:
1) To save money and attain higher ROI
Much of what you're currently doing may be a waste of time. That's the part where you save money. When you move on to more effective marketing communications techniques, you end up with more qualified prospects per dollar. Assuming your conversion rate is a good one, this means higher ROI.
2) to help you drive new results from new techniques
Let me endeavor to say this modestly: our team has experience we know will help. We are trained in marketing, and in strategy, as well as in the many techniques that you will see in our portfolio. That's why we use the term "creative marketing." There are so many new and exciting ways to engage customers. The Web is the fastest growing advertising medium in the world. We can help you make good use of it.
3) You gain an outside perspective on your business
It goes without saying, your product is the apple of your eye. That's great news. Now, let's convince someone to buy it. We look at your product with fresh eyes and help you focus on the most compelling message. The outside perspective we bring to the table is one of the best reasons to form a relationship with our firm.
4) We disciplined in focusing on what most matters to your business.
You are paid to focus on your customers and their immediate needs. Not the tedious and unbilled time it takes to handle your own direct marketing, web development, advertising or e-marketing. By outsourcing you can spend more time working with your customer and serving them. Isn't that the best use of your time?
By outsourcing all or a part of your creative marketing to RN Johnson Creative Marketing you free yourself and your staff to focus on your core business activity. Additionally, since you will be hiring us for what we do best, we can help you continually look for better ways to increase the results of your marketing.
Their reasons people ask us this question differ slightly. Perhaps they ran some ads once and never got any calls. Or the website they developed never generated any real interest. We have also noticed that some clients are uncomfortable with the hustling and hype they associate with marketing. Whatever the reason, the question needs to be answered.
Marketing is not just advertising and sales. It is the sum total of everything you may be doing to gain customers and keep them. It is a holistic process, because your product or service is deeply involved. Finding the prospects you'd like to work with, then taking the necessary steps to convert them into customers, offering services that benefit them, and then turning them into continued relationships. Hopefully, these relationships help you generate repeat business and referrals.
This broad definition also includes everything you may be doing to maintain these relationships, from sending holiday gift baskets, to making timely calls, playing a round of golf, and having a cup of coffee, or simply doing a great job in serving them with great products, and reminding them how much you care about their business.
All of these activities comprise your marketing process, whether you choose to call it that or not. So why do we need to be more formal in our response to this question? Peter Drucker puts it well: "Business has only two basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results. All the rest are costs."
He's says that marketing drives all revenue. That marketing is about clients: what they need, and what you need to be doing, to serve them.
The most wonderful guy in the world won't buy from you if he doesn't need your services. Conversely, the most difficult guy in the world may become your best customer. Though you may have something someone needs very much, if he dislikes you, or doesn't know who you are, he's not going to buy much of anything from you.
Marketing means matching products and services with the people who need them. Hopefully, people who work well with you, who don't mind if you make a good profit.
Why hire a marketing firm?
Let us list a few reasons:
1) To save money and attain higher ROI
Much of what you're currently doing may be a waste of time. That's the part where you save money. When you move on to more effective marketing communications techniques, you end up with more qualified prospects per dollar. Assuming your conversion rate is a good one, this means higher ROI.
2) to help you drive new results from new techniques
Let me endeavor to say this modestly: our team has experience we know will help. We are trained in marketing, and in strategy, as well as in the many techniques that you will see in our portfolio. That's why we use the term "creative marketing." There are so many new and exciting ways to engage customers. The Web is the fastest growing advertising medium in the world. We can help you make good use of it.
3) You gain an outside perspective on your business
It goes without saying, your product is the apple of your eye. That's great news. Now, let's convince someone to buy it. We look at your product with fresh eyes and help you focus on the most compelling message. The outside perspective we bring to the table is one of the best reasons to form a relationship with our firm.
4) We disciplined in focusing on what most matters to your business.
You are paid to focus on your customers and their immediate needs. Not the tedious and unbilled time it takes to handle your own direct marketing, web development, advertising or e-marketing. By outsourcing you can spend more time working with your customer and serving them. Isn't that the best use of your time?
By outsourcing all or a part of your creative marketing to RN Johnson Creative Marketing you free yourself and your staff to focus on your core business activity. Additionally, since you will be hiring us for what we do best, we can help you continually look for better ways to increase the results of your marketing.