Marketing automation can help you turn website visits into contacts and ultimately sales.

Do you think you should be getting more calls or inquiries from you website? It makes sense visitors come to your site because they’re interested in your product or service. Marketing automation tools can help. Give us a call today, we can get you set up, provide monthly management or if you prefer, we can turn over the management to your staff and your cost will be limited to set up and monthly application fee.

Benefits of Marketing Automation:

• increase your customer database
• identify what pages / products and services are attracting visitors to your site
• capture visitor / prospect contact information
• create drip email campaigns to build and strengthen client relationships
• targeted emails to individual customers or groups
• increase leads to feed to sales
• identify who is on your website and what they’re interested in

Let us know if you’re ready to have your website drive leads your way. Call today and remember to mention the March 2016 discount of 15%.

On the Blog:

Get Onboard With Marketing Automation 

Marketing automation services are essentially an expansion of digital in-bound marketing tactics. A customer expresses an interest in your product or service, they come to your website for more information and marketing automation tools spin creative webs to capture the prospect. From pop-ups, to forms, to email buy-ins, automated marketing is created to capture your virtual visitor…Read More…

Don’t Be Reeled In By Phishing  

Tips to keep your emails and data safe:

• Be wary – Urgent calls to action, too good to be true offers, poor grammar, odd spacing, blurry logos, in emails should be red flags.
• Protect your computer – Keep your OS and other software up to date.
• Don’t click the link – If you are suspicious of emails or social media requests form people you don’t know (and often new follow/friend requests that you are already following) don’t click the links.
• Check the URL – Scammers often alter a popular domain slightly. Hover over links before clicking, often times you will see the actually links are a completely different URL address.
• Heed warnings – While online if a security certificate on a secure site (starting with https🙂 doesn’t match, read the pop-up warning and make a call instead – don’t just click through anyway

If you’re in the mid-Michigan area learn more from Nicole Rackov, Vice President with Fraud Services at Comerica Bank at the March 16, 2016 WISE event, RSVP here. You don’t need to be a member to attend.

Who is on Your Website Right Now?

In 2015 we began tracking visitors to our website. At the risk of sounding like Big Brother, our tracking doesn’t provide individual names. Since we serve businesses, being able to track companies who visit by their own IP addresses allows us to see who is interested in our products. We can see the name of the company who  visited, what pages they viewed, for how long, etc.

Full disclosure, review of the results has been bittersweet. Reports indicated we were doing a good job driving prospects to our website. Sadly, the percentage of visits spurring communication or sales conversion was disproportionate.

We’ve responded by incorporating more inbound marketing practices. We’ve added opt-in forms, pop-ups, and calls to action on our most popular pages to engage visitors. Creating free content and incorporating easy ways to contact us and capturing their contact information helps us connect.
Would your product or service oriented company website benefit from knowing large companies who visit your site and the pages they visit. Connect with us today to hear how we can help you capture more leads from your website. Find out more information here.

On the Blog:

How to Rid the World of Outdated Website Designs

We are designers and marketers to the core. Bringing  outdated website designs into a fully functioning attractive website design gets our hearts pumping.  We know design, we know code, we know CSS, PHP and  java script and a few other web language tricks. What we are not are high priced write-from-scratch-mathematic-genius- coding-geeks.  Thank goodness, the majority of small business websites no longer need us to be code crunchers. Read more…

Taking Care of Business 

10 Tips for Professional Business Card Design
A business card should clearly communicate who you are and what you do.

1. Be Clear – Choose a font that is clearly legible.
2. Keep It Clean – A business card should not replace your brochure or website.
3. Stand Out  – Nothing helps build a brand quicker than a custom logo design.
4. Cover It – It’s important to include all points of contact.
5. Hold On – Compare the weight of the paper from business cards you have received. Choose card stock, preferably 100+ cover .
6. Finish Strong – A gloss or UV-coated stock is more durable than an uncoated sheet
7. Add Value – Include a coupon, a calendar, or dates to remember, to encourage the recipient to hold on to your card.
8. Look Closely – Whether you do it yourself or outsource design, make sure someone who hasn’t been a part of the design process proofs it before printing.
9. Show Off – Photos are a custom touch to business cards. Realtors, consultants coaches and speakers benefit greatly by including personal images.
10. Convey Class  – A business card from your desktop printer screams low standards. Full color business cards printed on quality stock are very economical and present your business professionally.

2016 Bargain – Two for the Price of None!

Last year we created the e-workbook Mastering the Art of Marketing. It is a compilation of marketing and design strategies your small business can implement right away. It’s in a monthly format  and January is an ideal time to explore in monthly bite size chunks. You can also skip around the book and choose the practices that are most important to your business right now.
In December 2015 we released Mastering the Art of Print Marketing.
The new ebook covers tips on print marketing for small businesses. Printing has different rules than digital or web design. Not knowing file preparation can result in costly mistakes. Whether you’re producing your own print marketing pieces or preparing items to turn over to us, the tips in this book can save you time and money.
For the month of January we are allowing downloads of both books for our e-news subscribers. I hope they’re helpful. We’re hear with any questions on all that is design, print, marketing and web design! Please share this link to people in business who may benefit from the content. Download your free ebooks here.

On the Blog:

Regular WordPress Website Maintenance

Responsive WordPress website designs are an affordable, versatile  solution for small businesses seeking a new or updated website they can update themselves. Those who already have a WordPress website know that WordPress works great on many levels. The biggest concern with choosing a WordPress website and managing it yourself is that the… Read More…

Taking Care of Business 

Print File Preparation

1. Proofread it
2. Have someone else proofread it
3. Check with your printer about pricing options
4. Make sure document is created in the correct size (consider proportions)
5. Quote any original text (cite author)
6. Use only photos and graphics you have permission to use
7. Photos and images must be in cmyk format or a specified Pantone® ink or black (no RGB)
8. Images must be 300dpi resolution at 100%
9. Print your file on a desktop printer check color, layout, flow of information
10. Check the fold. Are the copy and images formatted in the panels as intended?
11. Save the file as a high-resolution print quality pdf (Adobe Acrobat file)
12. Send to print vendor

Mastering the Art of Print Marketing

Our new ebook covers tips on print marketing for small businesses. Printing has different rules than digital or web design. Over the years we have received countless questions on preparing items for print. Whether you are producing your own print marketing pieces or preparing items to turn over to us the tips in this book can save you time and money.

Some of the topics covered:

• Color Modes
  (RGB, CMYK, Pantone…)
• Graphic File Formats
• Print Resolution Graphics
• Proofreading Marks
• Postcard Design, Brochures and Direct Mail
  

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  On the Blog:

  How to [Be Your Own] Brand Consultant – It’s Not Just About Brand Visuals

  
  Many people confuse branding with company logos, corporate identities and websites. It’s true, consistent brand visuals are important to establish a brand identity. The company brand though begins with the intangible elements a company is built on.
  Questions included below…  Read More…

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  Taking Care of Business 

  Choosing Web Hosting

  Some things to look for: 

  

  1. Adequate Space – Some hosting companies only allow so much space per website, be sure there is enough for your needs, also consider whether you plan on uploading lots of photos as these can add up over time.
  2. Advertising – Most all free hosting and some less expensive hosting plans are only able offer plans at these rates because they place there ads on your website. They place a large ad on your site to cover hosting, but you can get hosting for $10/month, They are getting very cheap advertising out of you.
  3. Bandwidth – This is a limit on the amount of traffic to your website. Some companies impose a limit on how often your site is loaded by visitors. If it surpasses the limit for the month, they can disable the website or send you a bill for the amount of the overage. Check the bandwidth limit of your web hosting company and what happens if you go over. Then you’ll want to track your usage to see if need to move to a more advanced plan.

  If you specific hosting needs and would like us to help you in determining a solution, contact us.

May peace and gratitude fill your homes this holiday and everyday. Connection Group will be closed November 26 and 27th for the Thanksgiving holiday. You may find us on our social pages though, stop in and say hello!

On the Blog:

Designing a Small Business Logo – Tell Your Story Authentically

The logo is a visual symbol of the brand personality and message. It is often the markets’ first impression of a business or product. If your’e designing a small business logo, here are a few tips to consider.  Read More…

Taking Care of Business 

Year end ritual: Reflect and ring in the new year with conscious intention

Before each new year: 

1. Schedule an hour or more of uninterrupted time.
2. If you documented business goals at the beginning of 2015 review now.
3. Note your 2015 achievements.
4. Consider how they came to pass and how each has affected your business?
5.  Who helped you meet your goals?
6.  What did you do differently this year that helped you reach these achievements?
7. Have your achievements affected other areas of your life? Spiritual, home, family, social, health?
8. Now, set ten new business intentions for 2016.
9. If you you have time make lists for other the areas of your life too – remember everything is connected!
10. Now review your 2015 achievement list again. Feel the gratitude and satisfaction of hard work rewarded.

Those of us who are goal driven are good about making lists and crossing items off. Once the list is complete, we start another list. Stopping for a moment to enjoy successes (and expressing gratitude for all who have helped) lightens disappointments and energizes growth.

Spotlight – Marketing Consultation

Are You a Good Candidate for a Marketing Consultation?

If you know your product or service is top notch, your customer service is caring and timely, but your company is not experiencing the growth and sales for the level of quality you are providing, you could benefit from a brand marketing consultation. 

DO YOU….
• need help deciding between internet marketing or print marketing?

• have a limited budget and want it to go as far as it can with the best results?

• use old tried and true methods but lately haven’t enjoyed good results?

• need new materials that list a new product, service or store location?

Depending on the size of your business, marketing consultations range from 2-12 hours ($85/hr). Most businesses with less than 5 employees will be in the 2-3 hour range.

WHAT TO EXPECT
First we will meet with you (via phone or in person) and review your current marketing items and practices. We will discuss your business goals and your estimated marketing budget. After the meeting, information and research is compiled to generate a report and plan to outline next steps within your time frame and budget.

Give us a call today or get in the schedule. We’re passionate about this business of marketing and branding and we love to serve and see our customers grow. Receive a 15% discount on marketing consultations scheduled by to October 30 , 2015. Be sure to mention the discount when we schedule!

On the Blog:

Do you have more time than money at this stage of your business? This do-it-yourself step from this month’s blog can give you a jump start and reduce consultation time.

Be Your Own Marketing Consultant

Start with a quick SWOT Analysis.

SWOT stands for Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. You may be surprised how much insight you will gain by investing a bit of time answering the following questions about your business. Get a quick glimpse of your business as it stands today, Doing this homework before your brand marketing consultation can help you hone in on the area you would like to address first and keep your time targeted to get the best results. Read More…

Are You Taking Care of Business?

Professional Speaker and owner of Dave’s Soda and Pet Shops, Dave Ratner visits retail stores and companies all over the country. He pointed out a few, as he puts it ‘duh’, things businesses often neglect to do that can turn customers away.

ASK YOURSELF:
1. How is the curb appeal of my business?
2. Are the windows clean?
3. Are the shelfs fully stocked (if you are a retailer)
4. Do you have burned out light bulbs?
5. Is your office/entryway/ shop dirty?

Your building is a component of your brand – it can close a sale or lose a sale. Even if you only meet with customers occasionally at your location, staff and vendors also form an opinion. What message is it sending? Not surprisingly, the items on the above list are also feng shu laws that govern favorable or unfavorable energy. As the saying goes, ‘You only get one chance to make a first impression’. Make it a good one.
Now what did I do with that glass cleaner?

Graphic Design = Your message made visual.

I wouldn’t go so far as believe Billy Crystal’s comment but when it comes to business, looks are paramount. How a product, package, or service visually appeals to the consumer may weigh in higher in the decision process than most realize.
I know I pay more for tissues when they have a cooler design on the box than the less expensive ones. How about you, what does good design mean to you?
Are you spending valuable time struggling to design a brochure in Word or design a website in WordPress and it still looks like an amateur attempt? Stop that and call us!
We marry visuals with messages to facilitate sales and we’re extending our 25% discount for graphic design through September. Remember to mention the special when you order!

On the Blog:

The Importance of Design in Marketing

Creating Brand Visuals that Communicate.
Everything is so much prettier these days. Design is in mainstream consciousness and visual standards are steep. Apple and Target have demonstrated that even utilitarian items can become art when both aesthetics and function are balanced. The importance of design in marketing… Read More…

Monthly Spotlight – Graphic Design

Morning Star Prayer Meditations by Enid A. Gaddis

We recently completed a new project for long time customer Enid Gaddis of Crosswalk Jewelry. Enid has created a set of daily prayer cards for parents sending their kids off to school. She wrote the text and selected the words and prayers for each day.
Enid knew the plain Word document would not attract people to truly read and us them. We were happy to add our design touch to them and suggested the perpetual calendar in card format. The user can choose a card each day and can use them every month of the year. The cards are packaged in attractive business card holders. If you are interested in purchasing the card please contact Enid. A percentage of proceeds will be donated for purchasing school supplies for students.

What’s the best way to get into your customers’ house?

The key is mail

A recent Royal Mail Market Research study researched how mail is filtered, handled, discussed, shared and filed at home. The study discovered an average piece of advertising mail stays in the home 17 days! Try and get a Facebook ad to be so consistent.

Another result we find worth noting is nearly 40% of homes display mail. That is, if it stands out from the pack. Wouldn’t it be great to know your recent postcard mailing was deemed refrigerator worthy? When planning your mail campaign be sure to budget time and costs for custom graphic design and professional printing.
What are you waiting for? Call us today for a consultation. Take advantage of our current special of 25% off graphic design services through August 31.

On the Blog:

The 5 Dharma Types of Brochures

Print has been resurrected.
A custom designed and printed brochure can offer flexibility and credibility for; face to face meetings, follow ups from phone inquiries, and website visits. Print communicates clearly by including brand visuals, contact information, specifications of products or services, diagrams, photos, dates, maps, forms to be returned, and more. Read More…

Monthly Spotlight – Social Media Graphics

Profile Backgrounds • Cover Graphics • Newsfeed Graphics • 

The idea of a perfect day is when we get to play with type and color and graphics and social media! Happy dance!
Inspiring quotes, product features, event promotions, holiday closing announcements, and monthly features, changing out your social media graphics shows your customer you care about keeping them updated. Adding funny, inspiring graphics to your page feed helps increase your page likes and shares. Call us today to discuss ideas for custom social media graphics and profile creation.
And help yourself! We’ve created original social media graphics for you to use for free. Share them and Pin them to your hearts content! Check out our downloads.

It’s Clear, Print is Back

Healthcare has been doing it right.

Healthcare organizations recognize that getting printed materials in customers hands is a successful form of communication. Many a dentist appointment has been made once the postcard arrives in the mail. Can a postcard, periodical reminder card, or postcard campaign help to keep your customers informed? Connection Group is discounting printing and design of postcards through July 27, 2015. Whether you need 300 or 300,000, postcards are affordable and hard working messengers. Give us a call today or reach out online. Let’s chat about how postcards can help your customers and prospects take action.

On the Blog:

Authentic Website Content and Blogs – The Tao of Enlightened Story Telling

Content, content, content. What Google wants, Google gets.  The best part of feeding Google accurate, relevant and authentic website content is that search engine inquiries now return fairly accurate results. Local companies can compete with national chains, customers can find you quicker and they keep coming back because your information is current and is trustworthy. Read More…

Monthly Spotlight – The Hen House

Local Small Business E-Commerce Website 

We love it when we can help local small businesses expand their market reach!
The Hen House of Charlotte, Michigan is a quaint quilt and craft supply shop with a unique niche in primitive style quilt design supplies. The Hen House draws people to their shop from all over and is an award winning shop that has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler magazine.
Connection Group developed a website design with a custom CMS a number of years ago but the website was not an e-commerce website or a responsive design. While choosing to update to a mobile friendly website The Hen House set their sights on expansion. Now shoppers from across the globe have no worries of time zones or gas prices. Customers can shop in their PJs, fill up the online shopping cart, check out with their credit cards and receive a shipment in just a few days. The responsive WordPress CMS website now offers easy expansion and updating of products in-house.
If you’re in the Charlotte, Michigan area, stop into the quaint brick and mortar store and meet Caroline and Elyse. If you can’t wait another moment, head over to the new e-commerce website – now open for your online and smart phone shopping pleasure 24/7!