One of the first tasks my team and I set out to accomplish when beginning work with a new client is to make sure they have five key marketing items prepared. If they are missing some or all of them, we work quickly to create them. Before any public outreach, media relations or marketing tasks can be implemented, it’s important to be prepared with materials for our audiences.
If you’re just starting your marketing efforts (or even if they’re well underway), make sure that you have these items prepared for use. Marketing efforts should be proactive, not reactive – you never want to be scrambling to create your marketing materials.
Logo
As soon as your business is established, its identity should be as well. What does this mean? Your business identity consists of your name and logo and sometimes even a tagline.
Have a logo designed – a good graphic designer can often provide you with a few options for a nominal fee, although the more elaborate your logo, the more costly the development may be. Keep in mind that it should be relevant to your industry and easily recognizable. It may be an image, letters, simply the company name in a unique style or any combination of those components. What do you want it to convey about your business? What do you want people to think of first when they see it? What makes it memorable? Will it work well on printed materials, your website and other marketing materials? Think about these questions, and have a plan before you move forward. I went through this same process when thinking about the Prosio Communication’s logo. After spending a few hours with my designer and talking to him about the image I wanted my logo to convey, he nailed it on the first try.
Your logo should be used consistently on all of the materials mentioned in this article and in all of your marketing efforts, whenever possible. The goal is for that image to be automatically associated with your company in consumers’ minds, and to establish a brand identity. For us, so much of what we do is about what people say – about us, about what we do, about our clients, etc. So, it was a natural fit for us to have quote marks as part of our logo. It fit who we are and what we do – it was a plus that they look cool on our website, too.
Business Card
You’d be surprised at how often this simple yet essential item gets overlooked. There are loads of companies who can print affordable and attractive business cards for you.
Make sure to include that logo that I mentioned above, your name and your business’ name, and all contact information: Mailing address, email address, website, phone and fax numbers (although less essential in the age of scan and email – so if you’re short on space, it’s probably ok to scrap the fax). Make sure it looks professional, and that it’s legible. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve received business cards with tiny fonts and crammed information – I almost had to pull out a magnifying glass to read it (And I have 20/10 vision, by the way!).
Just as important as having a business card is circulating it! Don’t be afraid to give it everyone you meet, and have some available in your reception area. You never know when someone might need your services in the future, or look to refer a friend.
Website
I can tell you from personal experience that the internet is the first place I check when I want to find out about a company. Shoe repair, landscaping, catering… I always do an online search for these services before anything else, and companies that have websites (moreover, helpful websites!) are sure to get my attention.
Essentially any business can and should have a website to help consumers choose them over competitors. Basic information such as services available, location(s), pricing, hours and contact information should all be easy to find. Industry-specific details may be relevant as well – perhaps a menu or company background. Keep in mind that all information should be useful and relevant to your target audience.
Don’t just limit your online presence to your website, however. Consider branching out and using social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter. These allow for unique opportunities to interact with the public and maintain constant relationships. If you’re a small retailer, look into discount websites such as Groupon and see if they make sense for your company. If you have great reviews on consumer review sites like Yelp, take advantage of that and link your website to the reviews. The point is: Allow all social media and online elements to work together and complement each other. Mention these pages on all written information, from your business card to your brochure.
Media Kit
I always emphasize the importance of having a media kit prepared before any media relations efforts. Even if you’re not planning any, you don’t want to be caught rushing to assemble one if the opportunity to press coverage arises – it’s the best PR there is!
A media kit should contain basic information about your business, such as a fact sheet or brochure, any previous news coverage and news releases, and your business card or a sheet that provides contacts that may be needed – perhaps your marketing person or investor relations contact. Have several copies of this folder available for any journalist or potential investor who may need details about your company.
Take Away Item
This last category is where it gets fuzzy. Every industry and company is different, so you’ll have to determine what type of item or items work best for you; take away items include pieces like brochures, tip cards or info sheets. It’s something your customers keep for details about your business. A restaurant would have a take-out menu. A car dealership might have a promotional card with contact information. A dry-cleaner may have a magnet or coupon.
Whatever take away item you choose, it should be something readily displayed in your place of business and something that customers will pick up for further information. It should have your contact information and details about the goods or services you provide, and don’t forget to include any promotions you are currently running or information about upcoming events.
With all marketing items, my number one rule is quality control. There’s nothing that can eradicate credibility faster than a spelling or punctuation error. Have your materials proofread multiple times, and you may even consider having them professionally written and designed so that they’re as professional and reputable as possible. I cringe every time I see a brand put out any kind of marketing with a spelling error, especially like the one I just read today about Samsung here.
As you are planning your 2014 marketing efforts, take a moment and evaluate your marketing techniques, and make sure that these five key items are on hand and ready to be used at a moment’s notice. They are the foundation for a successful public relations effort, so review your materials and update them as appropriate. And if you need assistance, we’re here to help.