2010: A New Year is here!

So here it is , Monday January 4, and  it’s back to the grind. Back to our respective businesses with their respective hardships caused by this 2009 recession. No, it won’t go away just because it’s a new year. But there are things you can do about it. “Out with the old, in the new” I say. New business plans, new marketing strategies.

That’s what we’re doing. New web site, new digital printing storefront, new prices, new perspective on the future. The trials and tribulations of 2009 aren’t going to fix themselves. It takes some legwork.
But we have got some good NEW ideas to get you started:

How about a new variable data direct mail marketing campaign? With Purls and the accompanying analytics, it’s easier than ever to track your ROI on mass mailings.

Maybe try new product sheets or catalogs. Why not let customer distinguish which of your products or catalog issues are new with just a glance. It’s not always about redesign, sometimes just a simple gloss coating or heavier stock will make a print product stand out.

New business card design. Sure, I know, you’ve had that logo design and layout for sooo long that people are familiar it. But you can make them take notice with a fresh design, maybe go vertical instead of horizontal. How about a die cut card? Sometimes the little things can make a big impact.

New environmental stance. GREEN wasn’t just the buzzword for 2009. It’s an outlook for a more sustainable future. Utilizing more environmentally friendly products and services not only alerts your customers to your conscience stance, but it’s just plain good karma. After all, once this Earth is gone, we don’t get another one.
One way to show your customers you care is by using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified papers. Having the FSC logo on your printed marketing material means that a Chain-of-Custody was implented to insure your printed piece was made from sustainable forestry practices. The best part? It doesn’t cost any extra! Just ask and you shall receive.

New advertising campaigns.  Me,  I love funny and heartwarming campaigns. You may prefer something a little more serious and direct, either way it may be time to re-evaluate your current campaigns and see if you can’t spark some new business interests.  Here’s some funny ones for inspiration.

Establish some Social Marketing: You’ve probably heard all about social media on the television and radio, but like many others don’t know where to begin.  Make the commitment to try just one new way of engaging with your customers. For example, create a “page” on  Facebook, and invite all your current customers to become fans or tell customers about deals via Twitter . Most important, remember WHY you are doing this. You’re not going to land that next big venture just because you tweeted something or someone became a fan on facebook. What you are doing  is establishing an IDENTITY. Making people remember you by placing yourself in front of customers regularly, being there with helpful advice and a smile.  Make your “social marketing” prospects feel exclusive with special offers and promotions. My sister is a waitress and she sums it up well: “If you make people feel special, you get a bigger tip!”

Redesign your Website:  What first impression are you making?  Research shows that 2/3 of consumers turn to the internet first for information about companies so not having a website could be a deal-breaker. Or maybe you do have one but it’s just not doing what it’s supposed to.  Try some Search Engine Optimization (SEO) just because your page is pretty or may have the information you want on there, doesn’t mean you dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s in the more technical backend. Try adding a blog or some other dynamic elements to you web page to keep content fresh, you don’t even have to write the blogs, there are plenty of feeds out there (probably several in your own industry) waiting to be shared.

If those weren’t big enough resolutions for this coming year well here are a few more for designers: (51 good resolutions for designers ;P)