What ever you do. . . Do Not forget these. . .

Next week we will begin our blog series of "31 blogs to new media marketing". Web 2.0, New Media Marketing, and Social Marketing have become "hot topics" of the day.

BUT do not forget two key elements of success as we work our way through today's economy. They are Customer Service and Visually-appealing, Affective Design. Today I will share some thoughts on customer service. My next blog will address attractive design.

Always drive your business toward the goal of serving those who purchase your products and services. You may refer to them as customers, clients, constituents, or patients. Whatever you call these people, you must satisfy them or risk losing them. Customer service must become part of your organization's culture. Everyone must talk-the-talk and walk-the-walk.

It is a shame that many of Orlando's businesses are known for poor service. The attitude that many customers are only one time buyers will surely place your enterprise on the path to failure.

No matter the product or service, we all have customers - to keep them or attract new ones we must have the reputation of always exceeding customer expectation. Customer service is never a candidate for cost savings. Service should be part of your corporate story. [for more information on the power of story]

Tactical is good - Strategic is better

We have been receiving several emails from our clients concerning Web 2.0 and new media marketing. The next issue of our ezine (newsletter) "Studio Buzz" will be addressing many of these questions.

The underlying question or concern is how does my business model catch up to the technological possibilities of today's web? So many people today are using the web that its "economies of scale" not only lower costs BUT also create value.

For business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs the critical question is "why" Web 2.0 (the business question) more than "how" (the technical question) - focus on strategy before implementing random tactics.

We need a belly-buster

And I am not talking about our waist-line (probably could use one of them also). What I am talking about is a good laugh - and that is today's topic.

There are many recommendations on how to get through all the bad news and economic pressures that we all seem to be facing today. The one sure thing that will get us through all the ups and downs (and actually make us mentally and physically healthier) - is a good laugh.

We have found that creativity at the studio is directly related to the amount of laughter that is generated. Now what kind of pressure can a creative design studio have? Let's see - clients that make up their minds tomorrow but want their designs yesterday or my favorite is "I do not know what I want but I will know it when I see it!" (ugh!).

We have implemented a laughter policy at the studio - everyone needs at least three good belly laughs a day. I do not mean a smirk or a smile - a real bottom of the gut laugh. Try it. It really increases the creative juices and will actually make you sleep better.

So start that joke bulletin board, or do something a little "crazy" and just have a good laugh.

Be careful

Web 2.0. social media, and new media marketing are today's "in" words. You can tell by how many self-help books on these subjects are coming to market. They all provide powerful marketing and advertising tools and every company should seriously consider these approaches.

JUST BE CAREFUL! Using these techniques should be configured, designed, and implemented as business tools. They need to be integrated into your existing marketing and advertising programs to expand and improve their cost-effectiveness and message-effectiveness. They need to be crafted so that you stay focused and are properly telling your story.

When seeking professional assistance in how and when to use these new tools, make sure you utilize a firm that has the technical, creative design, and marketing experience - NOT someone who has bought a few self-help books and their experience is mainly spending a lot of time on their personal Facebook, Twitter, or Flickr accounts building their personal social circle.

Back to Fundamentals

With all the talk about advertising and marketing challenges, it is important that we do not forget the fundamentals. Innovative marketing is about having a strategy. A sound strategy has two parts: focus and then being able to tell an innovative story. There's that word: Story.

I recently read an old Indian proverb that says, "Tell me the facts and I'll learn. Tell me the truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever."

How’s your Power Suit?

Remember how business people would make sure they wore their "Power Suit" when going on an important interview or making a prominent presentation? That first impression is so important. With over 70% of the population utilizing the web, your website often is your first impression. Potential clients and customers will go to your website first validate your company and your products/services. Your web site has become your Power Suit.

In today's economic environment, clients are still buying - they are just buying differently. Thus your website has become even more important. Does it represent your organization properly? Does it tell your story in such a way that they want to buy from you?

Having the wrong website may actually hurt you more then help you. Recently we recommended to a client that they take their site down and replace it with a simple landing page until they redesigned their site. The current site was chasing clients away instead of enticing them.

So are you wearing your "Power Suit" via your web site? Makes sure that your site looks good, works correctly, and is being marketed. (go to www.tcdgstudios.com/webmedia.php for more information)

Don't Stop - Just Do It Smarter

With today's economic environment, there is a push to cut costs. In so many areas of business, this is way overdue.

When it comes to marketing, the traditional sage would recommend that during down times, successful organizations do not cut marketing budgets. Those businesses that market will come out of the down turn quicker and stronger BUT today we still need to cut costs.

Using new media marketing techniques will permit you to market even more effectively and drastically lower your marketing expenses.

Give the studio a call at 407-345-0370 or email me at drjack@tCDGStudios.com to learn more.

Edutainment - The New Frontier for Graphic Designers

I believe that visually based edutainment (education that is entertaining or entertainment that is educational) is one of those growing frontiers for our industry. Being a designer with a Ph.D. in Education (cognitive learning - how people learn), I see the potential every day. For us storytellers, marketing is "educating your client in your story" and training is "educating your employees in your story".  Forbes, a few weeks ago, posted a story on the future size of edutainment. We at tCDG Studios have started investing in expanding our creative talent and professional skills to become an active source for edutainment solutions.