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In the age of digital apps, conscious budgeting and google images, small businesses are creating print marketing materials in-house. This isn’t always easy to do, but it can get simpler. Follow this professional printing checklist to prepare a digital file for offset or digital printing.
Professional Printing Checklist – Print File Preparation
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proofread it
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have someone else proofread it
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check with your printer about pricing options
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make sure document is created in the correct size (consider proportions)
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quote any original text (cite author)
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use only photos and graphics you have permission to use
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photos and images must be in cmyk format or a specified Pantone ink or black
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images must be 300dpi resolution at 100%
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Print your file on a desktop printer check color, layout, flow of information
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Check the fold. Are copy and images formatted in the panels as intended?
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Save the file as a high-resolution print quality pdf (Adobe Acrobat file)
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Send to print vendor
(Professional Graphic designers see note below)
Whenever possible it is helpful to receive a physical proof of the document from your print vendor. If an in-person proof is not possible a digital proof from the print vendor helps verify the file transferred as designed.
Talk to you printer if you need help preparing a document. Graphic designers and printers can make adjustments to your layout if you request these services. Layout and design services are based on an hourly service fee. After the initial proof, industry standard is time-based billing for additional editing and proof services.
If all of this sounds greek to you Connection Group and other graphic designs firms can print and design sales sheets, brochures and postcards for you. When hiring a professional design firm expect expertise in design and print.
Design:
- professional layout
- font and color selection.
- create custom graphics
- photo art selection with licensed access to stock photography and art
- recommendations for print cost savings
- choosing standard paper sizes (for cost savings – unique sizes can be used also)
- paper weight
- follow US postal service print regulations for first class and bulk rate mail
Additional Print Preperation Step for Professional Graphic Designers
Along with the above professional printing checklist, there is a couple of extra steps of file preparation for graphic designers who are preparing files for publishing. You already know to choose quality fonts and consider graphical effects, color theory and the type of digital art, vector vs raster, which software is the best to use for page layout, etc.
If you are using Adobe InDesign for preparing page layout files for professional printing projects always package the folder prior to sending the final file to the printer. Choosing package under the file menu in InDesign will create a complete folder for your final document. There will be a copy of all the files, fonts, graphics and photos used in the document nested in this folder. This helps for future retrieval when the document is re-ordered and requires changes.
The other benefit of packaging a file is that InDesign runs a test for pre-press of the entire file. This pre-press test looks for missing fonts, missing graphics and photos, use of RGB or other color models in graphics and photos within the document. This pre-test allows you to go in and make edits to the print file elements prior to sending it to the printer vendor. The more work you can do to create a trouble free file, the lower the printer fees, time delays and the higher quality end product.
Remember to add crop marks, printers marks, trim marks and bleed on your final pdf before sending it off to your printer too. Good luck with your print project, call us if we can help.
Stay connected!
Connection Group is located in mid-Michigan. We love to work face to face with our clients in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and everywhere in Michigan in between. Our digital design and online print service ordering area serve St. Petersburg, Florida to Vancouver, Canada from south to north and New York, New York to Big Bear California east to west. National on-time service paired with genuine small business attention.
Having a website with a content management system (CMS) that is also a responsive website design is the best type of website for small businesses. CMS sites, like WordPress websites, allows you to keep your website updated even if you don’t know coding. CMS sites that are responsive can be updated easily and can be navigated smoothly on all devices. Contracting a local web design firm to create a responsive webiste with a content management system is the smartest marketing investment a small business can make right now.
The main components and considerations of a website:
Websites are like hairstyles, you can pinpoint the decade or year they were created at first glance. Your brand image can quickly look outdated with the ever-changing technological advances in online marketing and digital communications these days.
Don’t be accused of having a mullet or big hair website. Update your outdated site to one that is easy to navigate and can be updated easily to keep it current and inspiring.
Responsive websites are the latest and greatest way to present your company web content professionally to people, even when they view it on various devices. A responsive website will format to fit on a desktop computer monitor, laptop screen, tablet, or smart phone. Responsive website designs for small business are becoming the industry standard because they adapt to the users devices. Small businesses benefit because they eliminate the need for two separate sites; a stand-alone mobile website and a stand-alone desktop website that each require their own updates. Many responsive website designs utilize the widely accepted WordPress content management system (CMS). CMS allows for ease in updates by companies who want to update their site in-house but do not have staff who are trained in web development or coding.
1. Home Page
Typically the home page is the first page visitors will come to on your website. If a visitor enters in your domain name they will come to your home page first. Because your home is usually the first impression a visitor has of your website your home page needs to be eye catching and hold attention. Contact information and site navigation should be easily identified.
When a visitor lands here they should have a clear understanding what your site is about right away. Consider how to add an interactive element like a video or slideshow to keep visitors on the page longer.
Questions to consider for your website home page design:
- How will the visitor know what your business is and what the website contains?
- What needs to be included in the main website navigation (products, services, shop, gallery, etc.)?
- What photos, graphics, or messages will be used in a photo slideshow that depict your product or service well? also link to website content on internal pages?
- Do you have photos for each category of your product or service that link to website content on internal pages?
2. Web Forms and Contact Forms
The web is 24/7, most businesses are not. Web contact forms can be your 24/7 administrative professional or sales representative. Visitors who don’t want to call or wait until you are open can fill out a form quickly, provide their contact information and
ask specific questions. The form will be waiting in the employee email that you designate to receive each online web form inquiry.
What Web Forms Will you Need?
- How many web forms do you need?Who will the web form be sent to (identify the email of the person who will receive
- Who will the web form be sent to (identify the email of the person who will receive
- the inquiry form in their email)?:
Do you just need a contact form?
Do you need a quick quote form or detailed quote form?: - Do you need an order form?
- How about an application form for membership or employment?
3. Product / Services Page
Even if you only offer one product or service you should have a designated page for it. Customers shopping for your company online want to get as many answers as possible on their first
visit. Your product and services page should include photos, detailed information (preferably keyword enhanced!), how to order, possibly pricing, shopping cart, web inquiry form, and a direct way to contact someone.
Products and Services Page Content:
- How many products and services do you have?:
- Do you have various product or service categories to include? Get the list together
- Do you have photos, descriptions and/or prices for each? Share as much detail as possible!
4. Landing Pages
When you have a specific intent such as a product or service feature or giveaway, landing pages are ideal for getting action. Landing pages are a stripped down home page or product / service page with a clear call to action. Promoted through various media like direct mail, tv advertising, radio, magazine ads, email marketing
or online advertising they offer clear direction to the customer and opportunities to target tracking.
Landing Page Planning:
- Identify featured giveaway, contest, product or services for sale
- Are downloads or online purchases available or who will receive email inquiries?
- How will customers find your landing page?
- What media will you use to promote it?
5. Content Management System (CMS)
Websites that have an administrative back end access allow for easy website changes and updates for small businesses. Website changes can be made by people who don’t know code. This is a great service for small businesses to help keep your website updated and keep outsourcing costs down. Administrative roles can be set with varying levels of permission. Staff with access can add photos, articles, blog entries, videos, etc. as easily as they can in a word processing software. The main administrator can add or delete users and their level or access.
How will you keep your website updated?
- Who in your office will be in charge of updating?
- How many people will need to be trained in the CMS?
- How frequently will your website be updated?
6. Blog
A web log holds company information, news and updates that is tied to your company website. Blog entries help to provide informaiton to cusotmers and visitors to your website. If you offer valuable content visitors can subscribe to blog entries in an RSS feed or receive email alerts. Blogs also help bring your website up in search engines better than sites without blogs. You come up in searches better because search engines like it when you keep your website updated with frequent posts. The other reason is relevant content, search engine inquiries response is based on a websites relevant content. When you post information that is connected to your product or service in your blog the content will be of value to search engines and your site will be more apt to come up when inquiries are made that match your blog content.
Is Blogging in Your Futue?
- What types of blogs will you write?
- How frequently will you post new blogs?
- What categories should be included for searching blog content (general, product names, press, etc.)
- What are the primary keywords for the website
7. E-Commerce Portals / Member Access
If your website is going to serve as a shop for people to buy online there are a number of decisions to make right away as you are planning the site.
Specialty stores, publications, trade associations and other groups often have an area of the website where members can log on with a password or user name to gain access to specialized information.
Some of the questions to ask yourself when planning these types of websites:
- Will visitors pay online?
- With Paypal or another payment portal?
- Approximately how many products or product categories will you need to include?
- Have you considered what your shipping cost will be for each item?
- For password protected members, only areas on websites what content will be included?
- Who will manage the database of members?
- Are there dates when memberships will expire? How will the member be alerted to subscribe again?
You have your homework. Your test will be determining if people will find your website, if they find it easy to navigate, and visually appealing and if you keep your website updated with relevant content. If this all seems overwhelming to you contact us. We can provide consultations. We can help you organize your website content, determine navigation and of course build and design your website – whether you choose to keep your website updated or you would like us to help you with that marketing component as well, we’ll get you connected.
2015 Marketing Strategy – Combined Campaigns
What market segment or demographic does your largest customer group belong to? Is there a specific industry you have a strong track record with that would benefit from your expertise? Do you want to continue to serve this market and reach other prospects in this segment?
Once you identify your ideal customer the next step is to determine where you can find them. Are they newspaper or magazine readers? Or are they on Instagram and have never seen a Yellow Page book? Chances are you have a mix of ages, interests or income in your target market groups. This is where creating combined marketing campaigns come in… read more…
Not sure where to begin? Connect with us today for a consultation and assistance creating combined marketing campaigns that connect with your target market.
On the Blog:
People Helping People: Social Media Strategies for Small Business
Making Connections In Social Media
You can find top 10 lists on social media strategies for small business all around the internet. Some tips are complicated, some cost money, some require a lot of time. The social media strategies small businesses seldom consider is keeping it ‘social’. Start with securing your pages on applicable social media sites, posting regularly, and engaging authentically with others. Sharing, liking and commenting on business pages you follow will create camaraderie and your contacts will show their appreciation by reciprocating and engaging with your content. Read more…
Monthly Spotlight
Combined Campaigns
Top 10 lists that claim every company should do this, this and this and they will achieve marketing success are dreaming. I’ve always said there is no ‘one size fits all’ for marketing. That motto can be applied a couple of ways:
- Media Options – from social media, internet, tv, billboard, etc. every company has a choice on which media platforms will reach their target market. If your audience isn’t on social media then you don’t have to be in social media.
- Cost and Frequency – budgets and how often you broadcast your information will also vary from company to company.
What market segment or demographic does your largest customer group belong to? Is there a specific industry you have a strong track record with that would benefit from your expertise? Do you want to continue to serve this market and reach other prospects in this segment?
Once you identify your ideal customer the next step is to determine where you can find them. Are they newspaper or magazine readers? Or are they on Instagram and have never seen a Yellow Page book? Chances are you have a mix of ages, interests or income in your target market groups. This is where creating combined marketing campaigns come in.
Taking the time in the beginning when creating combined marketing campaigns will provide a multi-channel and cross-platform reach that can catch both the smart phone users and yellow page turners. Encouraging connections through multiple marketing channels builds the relationship between the brand and the consumer.
Creating Combined Marketing Campaigns:
In our effort to reach out to our specific target markets we decided to combine a direct mail campaign with social media and internet marketing to help us reach a larger segment of our specified groups. On our snail mail postcards we provided a custom URL for each market. Prior to mailing we created landing pages on our website associated with each target market. When the postcard recipient typed in the custom URL the landing page offered samples, testimonials and examples of services in their industry that would be helpful to them. Social media posts were created with hashtags and keyword phrases included on our website to help us come up when these prospects make a search inquiry for our services.
Internet advertising campaign created:
- To reach the prospects that we did not have mailing addresses for
- To get in front of those who received the postcard but did not respond yet
Each ad was similar in design to the postcard that was mailed. The ad linked directly to the custom URL designated for the specific target group. The ads took them to our website landing pages with the information we wanted to share with them. The landing pages were also similar in design to the postcards and Facebook ad designs that were part of the campaign.
Example of a combined marketing campaign :
One of our target markets is the Michigan construction industry. Connection Group has assisted customers in the Michigan construction industry with website creation and marketing management for nearly 20 years. We provide marketing and website design services to builders, remodelers, construction trades and construction product manufacturers. We have the experience, we have the reviews, and we know we can help more meet their business goals.
Combining Direct Mail and In-Bound Marketing
- Design an oversized postcard targeting the construction industry
- Create a unique URL to include on the postcard
- Create a construction industry landing page the URL will direct the visitor to
- Add a call to action
Media Behaviors of this group
- More likely to be on Facebook than Instagram
- More apt to be searching Google than watching tv
Conclusion:
- Prospect mailing list was created
- Printed postcards – easily viewable by the recipient and inexpensive to produce
- Unique URL and landing page will help us to track visitors and determine the effectiveness of the direct mail component.
- Facebook and Google Adwords search would be the best use of our (very limited!) internet advertising dollars.
The above solutions were chosen to fit within our marketing and advertising budget to market to the construction industry. Other marketing segments we provide marketing services for are small to mid-size businesses and professional speakers. Fortunately these groups can be reached on the same media platforms as the construction industry. Pretty strategic marketing right there, right? This approach reduces our need for researching other platforms and keeps our media spend within budget.
If we choose to increase our marketing budget for let’s say the professional speaker market we know media behaviors of this group show they are internet savvy and social. With those traits in mind we could become an affiliate member of the National Speakers Association Michigan or National Speakers Association since we work with Professional Speakers across the country, We could purchase advertisements in their publications, be a vendor at one of their trade shows or sponsor an event. We would not purchase billboards, tv or radio advertising for this group – but we may want to look at YouTube for display or video advertisements .
Long standing businesses who are discovering that traditional advertising and marketing isn’t working anymore will find their sweet spot by creating combined marketing campaigns. Television may still work for some of your customers, combine it with a YouTube video or adwords campaign and see how many new customers result. As in the dawn of the advertising age, knowing your customers interests and needs will help you be where they are and form authentic relationships.
Not sure where to begin? Connect with us today for a consultation and assistance creating combined marketing campaigns that connect with your target market.
Making Connections In Social Media
You can find top 10 lists on social media strategies for small business all around the internet. Some tips are complicated, some cost money, some require a lot of time. The social media strategies small businesses seldom consider is keeping it ‘social’. Start with securing your pages on applicable social media sites, posting regularly, and engaging authentically with others. Sharing, liking and commenting on business pages you follow will create camaraderie and your contacts will show their appreciation by reciprocating and engaging with your content.
Following are the top social media players companies choose to engage on social media. There are so many more social media platforms like SnapChat, Tumblr, Quora, etc. If you find a specific social media platform has captured your target market – make sure you are there too!
1. Facebook
Facebook now offers business pages the opportunity to follow other company pages. Follow customers, vendors or local organizations you support and share their posts. You can also follow your competition and see what posts are working best for them.
Task: Make a list of pages to follow
Remember to engage with those favorite pages. Like, share or comment on the pages you follow. Your customer will appreciate that you engaging with them on Facebook. It may even inspire them to add a review on your Facebook business page.
Utilize the large area on the top of your business Facebook page with a creative Facebook cover photo graphic that inspires people or offers a discount specific to only your Facebook followers.
Are you now asking what’s the size of a Facebook cover photo? Take a look at standard sizes on our social media graphic sizes cheat sheet.
Task: What discounts or specials could you offer on your Facebook cover photo this month? What about next month? Make a list for the year to keep ahead!
2. Twitter
Follow industry leaders who share great content and retweet them, when they feel your love and retweet your posts your Twitter handle will be seen by all of their followers. Express your appreciation to vendors, customers, and friends with #hashtags such as #followfriday suggestions for mutual love. Tag events in posts #newyears, #cybersale, locally used hashtags like #lovelansing or industry hashtags like #graphicdesign.
Task: Make a list of Industry Leaders to follow for great retweets!
Include them in your next Follow Friday (#FF) tweet.
You can also search by hashtag to see what is being tweeted on a specific subject, such as your industry (#webdesign) or a sports team (#detroitredwings). The results will be posts by others who have used the same hashtag in their tweets. For instance if I use #graphicdesign in a tweet and you search #graphicdesign my post will come up as a result in your search along with others who have included the same hashtag.
Task: Make a list of local popular hashtags to use to make connections.
(#LoveLansing, #GrandRapids, etc.)
3. LinkedIn
The place to be for B2B. It’s true, Linkedin is full of job recruiters. Linkedin doesn’t offer the addictive attraction that Facebook does but chances are your business connections are here. Linkedin is where you find vendors, employees, customers and business tips without the cat videos. First upgrade to a professional profile and secure your Linkedin , pinterest boaardscompany page. Find a few company pages you would like to follow (trade organizations, vendors, customers, others with large followers) and request them to follow your company page. We’d love to have you follow ours too!
Task: Make a list of LInkedin company pages to follow
Recommendations:
Give recommendations for your Linkedin contacts. They will get an alert that you recommended them, the alert will be posted in the Linkedin newsfeed and others will see that you are actively recommending others. It’s a kind way to get in the front of people’s minds and remind them that you appreciate their talents and remind them that they may want to recommend you too! Make sure you are making authentic recommendations! Don’t recommend somebody for their marketing ability when you don’t know if they acutally do a good job with marketing.
Task: Make a list of people you could provide authentic recommendations for of your LinkedIn followers.
Get into groups and comment!
Groups are huge in Linkedin. Look for ones of interest in your industry and share insights to the members, receive advice, hear about trends, comment on posts, post specials or offers, get leads, etc. Each time you post or comment Linkedin will add it to the page feed of all your Linkedin connections. Sharing others posts, commenting on them, will boost their reach too. Being a member of a group also allows you to friend request anyone in the group and correspond with them without knowing their email or having worked with them before – it’s a great way to introduce yourself to a prospect.
Task: Make a list of groups you can search for and join today
4. Pinterest / Instagram
Although very different these two social media applications are similar in the fact that they are centered around images. ‘Nobody reads on the internet anymore’, ‘a picture says a 1000 words’… you’ve heard it all before. A younger female audience has embraced these two social media apps. The Pinterest audience is crossing over multiple generations and members are increasing quickly. Instagram is primarily tweens through 30-somethings. Both apps have high engagement and now allow for private/direct messaging to followers. As you post your clever product, funny or inspiring photos remember to add #hashtags and share the love:
Task: Log on to Pinterest or Instagram and follow other peoples pages or profiles that post or pin like minded items.
Task: Identify people and pages that use your product in clever ways. Recognize them, thank them, share their posts and add it to your list of products uses.
Task: Create Pinterest pages that highlight your product or service:
Task: Host an Instagram Giveaway – think about what photos your customers could post and create a #hashtag (for a coffee shop post picture of your #favoritecoffeecup, or a tree service company #afterstormphotos…).
Google+ and YouTube:
Secure your Google+ page and increase contacts and your Google rating. While you are at it secure your company location on Google Maps. Embed YouTube videos from your company YouTube channel or videos of interest to your customers right on your Google+ page.
Find friends, customers, vendors and add reviews. These reviews come up when others search keyword terms in their industry or search by their company name. Results will show their company, location, photos, contact info and reviews. Talk about cheap advertising and an easy way to support your colleagues!
Task: Make a list of videos and content you can can add to your Google+ page to increase exposure
Task: Create target lists (Google circles) – Google+ separates connections into circles your define. You can target information to specific circles.
Task: Determine segments you can set up to announce specific content to each audience.
TaskL Create a Goggle+ Hangout:
You can offer live streaming weekly or monthly webinars to educate your customers. What are the top products or services customers would like? How-to-videos or step-by-step installations, customer testimonials, inspirational videos, etc.
Task: Make a list of webinar subjects you can cover that are of interest to your customers
You didn’t imagine social media strategies for small business was such a big deal? Just remember, success comes when you practice kindness —keep it social. Build your online relationships one share at a tim
Add Marketing Plans to Your Calendar
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
Marketing plans and editorial calendars help you develop creative and consistent ideas and processes to help grow your business.
A comprehensive marketing plan helps target specific areas of your business that you want to promote. Your plan can identify your strengths and weaknesses, study your competition and identify the best media options available to reach your target audience. Having a marketing plan in place also helps you make more informed decision on advertising commitments.
At Connection Group we implement editorial calendars each year for our customers and ourselves. Referencing an editorial calendar throughout the year saves time each month and keeps us focused and on track with identified goals and plans. An editorial calendar may include email marketing plans, blog post topics and frequency, a list of your social media platforms, post frequency and topics to focus on each month.
If you need help creating a marketing plan and / or an editorial calendar for 2015, contact us today. Consultations are discounted 20% through February 13, 2015.
On the Blog:
5 Steps Towards Mastering Your Marketing Plans
For the next 12 month I will be posting small business marketing tips and a worksheet will be available to walk you through the exercise. These exercises are taken from our e-book Mastering the Art of Marketing. I chose this formatting so small businesses or solo-preneurs with limited staff and time may be able to take on business branding and marketing in monthly bite size chunks. All of the worksheets relate to small business marketing, branding and advertising for small business growth Read more…
Monthly Spotlight
Professional Speaker
Penny Rosema
We worked with Penny Rosema to create a new responsive website for her professional speaking business. Along with her professional speaker information the website includes information about her company, 2 Views International.
We met Penny when she presented her topic, “Avoiding Common Negotiating Mistakes”, for WISE last year. Penny’s professional and engaging style resulted in 100% positive feedback from attendees. Connection Group was thrilled to work with her to help promote her speaking and workshops to companies and meeting planners. Contact Penny if you have a sales team, group, or association that could benefit from expert negotiation tips. Penny will offer real world business examples, lessons, and tips that can be implemented right away.
Set your course!
For the next 12 month I will be posting small business marketing tips and a worksheet will be available to walk you through the exercise. These exercises are taken from our e-book Mastering the Art of Marketing. Click Here to Receive your FREE 2015 Small Business Marketing Plan Worksheet and Sign up for Connectivity. I chose this formatting so small businesses or solo-preneurs with limited staff and time may be able to take on business branding and marketing in monthly bite size chunks. All of the worksheets relate to small business marketing, branding and advertising for small business growth
Five Steps Towards Mastering Your Small Business Marketing Plans and Editorial Calendar
Following is your first exercise to get you rolling – let’s build a marketing plan! These questions can be answered in short
time by those directly involved in growing your business.
1. What are your business goals for 2015?
Are you adding a new product line, want to increase sales, want to start selling online? Identifying top priorities can help you stay focused. CAUTION: Avoid making everything mission critical! Try to choose one main focus for the year and break it down into bite size chunks. Choosing to increase sales by 35%, plus launch a new product or service, plus expand from a regional company to serving the entire nation is probably too ambitious.
Give yourself time to build on one main focus for the year with obtainable goals.
Write down your top 3 goals on your worksheet.
2. Who is your audience?
Is your product or service available in one region or can you serve the world? Do men relate or only women? What is the age range?
Identify these 3 main demographics and consider more details as you hone in.
- Geography
- Gender
- Generation
3. What is the best method to reach your market?
Where can you find your audience? Snapchat, Linkedin, forums, local expos/events? Right now Tweens are on Instagram and posting Vines, the Senior demographic still love their newspapers, Facebook, and TV’s (with ads included not much tivo-ing happening with this group). Hobbyist frequent Pinterest, specific online forums and discussion groups. Find out where your audience is and get in front of them.
List your top 3 Methods or Media choices on your sheet.
4. Determine your budget – Time and money
How much money and time can be allocated monthly to marketing? How much do you think your competition is spending? Small businesses sometimes believe they have more time than money, but time costs money. If you are not skilled at marketing can you save your time, money, sanity, and reputation by turning it over to a professional? Spend some time on research getting cost estimates for some of the methods you are considering for your company marketing. What is the cost to bring your website current? How much is a radio spot? How much would a brochure or flyer cost? Is there ROI in internet marketing and internet advertising? Make the calls
and get the numbers. If you do have more time than money right now, what do you feel comfortable tackling on your own? Determine what marketing efforts can extend your dollar farthest to keep connected with your customers all year.
List you top 3 Small Business Marketing Elements on your sheet.
5. Commit to Paper – Create a Marketing / Editorial Calendar
Do you have trade shows or annual events you attend or host? Do these require printed invitations, e-vites, advertisements, banners? Focus a few months in advance to get your marketing pieces in order. Think about your monthly marketing. Will you be creating regular blog and social media posts? Save time by creating an editorial calendar with topics to cover each month, plan your discount offers, sales, consider holidays, industry awareness weeks/days,
(Green companies could highlight 2015 as the Year of Light, National Arbor Day, restaurants could announce National
Soup week, etc.)
List the Top 3 Calendar Items on Your Sheet
Good luck! Remember taking time now to complete this exercise can set your course for the entire year! If you need help contact us. Have questions, post them below, you never know others may have the same question and you will be helping them. COme back next month for another small business marketing worksheet!
Stay connected!
Make 2015 a year of connecting and working together
in peace and mutual appreciation for all beings.
Happy new year to all of our customers, vendors,
family, friends and followers.
May you continue to have fun learning and relish in the success of new adventures. With gratitude, Your Staff at Connection GroupMastering the Art of Marketing
Begin 2015 with a clear direction for your small business marketing. Mastering the Art of Marketing is a compilation of marketing and design strategies your small business can implement right away. You can explore the workbook on your own or with your team.
The e-workbook is laid out in calendar year form. Concepts can be explored in monthly bite size chunks or skip around the book and choose the practices that are most important to your business right now.
Workbook Topics:
- small business marketing
- branding marketing and development
- internet advertising
Mastering the Art of Marketing is our holiday gift to you. Get a jump start on your 2015 business marketing.
If you find some of the tasks to be burdensome or difficult to complete, please contact us, Connection Group provides all of the services contained in the workbook.
Stay connected!
Attract 2015 Calendars
The theme for the Connection Group calendars for 2015 is Attract. In order to attract what we desire we have to put actions behind our goals. On the back of each monthly page you will find a condensed worksheet from Mastering the Art of Marketing with questions related to your business marketing.
The calendars measure 4″ x 9″ and hang on the wall with an attached tie.
If you would like one of these original and inspiring calendars reserve one today. Please enter: connection for the coupon code to receive your free copy.
We also have calendars for sale as gifts. The month page designs are the and the marketing exercises have been omitted. We have received great reviews from those who have purchased them at local businesses and from our Etsy shop.
May 2015 bring peace and prosperity personally and professionally to your business, family and friends. Connect if you would like to receive a year of inspiration in your mailbox! Remember to enter coupon code.
New Year New Services
Last month we announced the creation of our website maintenance plans for 2015. If we host your website or if you currently have a WordPress website and need assistance keeping it current, contact us today.
All Options Include:
- timely software/app updates
- content updating
- traffic reporting
Remember nobody likes stagnant or out dated information. Updated website content keeps your website visitors and search engines happy.
Review our website maintenance packages to determine the best fit for your company.
- Website maintenance contract holders enjoy preferred status and first-in-line-service above other requests
- Response within 24 hours on work days and 48 hours on weekends.
- All Connection Group website maintenance services are contracted for the period of 12 months.
Please contact us with any questions on the best plan for your company website.
Begin 2015 with a clear direction of marketing for small business. Mastering the Art of Marketing is a compilation of marketing and design strategies your small business can implement right away. Explore the workbook on your own or with your team.
Mastering the Art of Marketing is a resource for start-ups and small businesses ready to go to the next level. Each month learn new steps to connect with your target audience.
January: Set Your Course
5 step master plan for your 2015 Small Business marketing –Production, brand manufacturing, service firms, wholesale e-commerce businesses, brick and mortar retail, local bars and restaurants, increase growth opportunity when you have a plan.
February: Practice Kindness
People Helping People: Social Media Connections Transform Your Business – Coaches, authors, professional speakers, real estate agents and service firms begin building on your fan base.
Master the Art of Marketing e-workbook is a 12 step monthly marketing for small business strategy. Start the new year with all the information you need to get the 2015 small business marketing results you want.
Sample Workbook Topics:
• internet marketing for small business
• marketing plans and editorial calendars
• brand marketing and development
• internet advertising
Sample monthly marketing worksheet
We also recognize entrepreneurs are a different breed of animal – which is why we love working with growing small businesses – our jobs are NEVER boring! Because of the unique personality traits and individual style of each business owner we also recognize some of you are not going to follow a designated path. We encourage you to skip around the book and choose the practices that are most important to your small business right now. All of the worksheets relate to marketing for small business, branding and advertising for business growth. There is no set order in which you must follow. Some of you may choose to begin at the end with the worksheet on branding. If you have not already defined your brand promise I would encourage you to do so.
Our hope is that this ebook will help you to begin the new year with goals and plans in place to build your business by delivering the very best product and service in the way your ideal customers want to receive it.
Whether you choose to take it all on at once and begin the new year with plans in place or whether you choose to tackle a worksheet each month throughout the year it is up to you. We have designed the content so you may use this ebook outlining marketing for small business for years to come. Social media platforms and resource links may change but the essence of mastering your marketing for small business will remain the same.
If you find some of the tasks to be burdensome or difficult to complete, please contact us. Connection Group provides all of the services contained in this packet. If you are part way through and just need a nudge of support or if you have decided your efforts are best directed to run your company. Outsourcing the tasks of marketing for small business and all the items involvedis a smarter use of your energy, connect with us today. Connection Group can help you with your corporate branding, graphic design, marketing, web design, and web maintenance.
Download today and attract what you desire for your business in 2015. Be inspired to create relevant marketing for small business that will captivate your ideal customers. All of the best to you as you move forward with the process of your small business marketing.
May 2015 bring peace and prosperity personally and professionally.
Stay connected!
