GURU SECRETS

How does a world that is riddled with visual stimuli, noise and activity allow space for a company like yours to be noticed? You have a great thing going, right? Why aren't people taking notice, taking advantage and banging down your doors?

​The next 5 things will help you zone in and make sure that you linger in the minds of buyers when time comes to purchase. The gurus have this down.

1. BE A PRO-Don't be lame.
Your logo and identity need to be up to date, bold and represent who you are and what you represent on all levels. Think of your logo and literature like the clothing you wear, image matters! Impressions are made within 1/10th of a second and you can't change that impression very easily once made.  So instead of just using a logo you got off Fivver or your brother's-in-law's-cousin's son created it for you for cheap (because he's a student at the U), show that you truly care about your business image and invest in a real brand. Don't be lame.

2. BE REAL
Not salesy, not shiny... just a real person. Wrap everything you do into your mission statement and brand message. Make sure that you repeat, repeat, and repeat ...and then repeat what you are about and why you do what you do.  Do what you say you are going to do and be a partner, not a vendor. Be focused on the success of others and you will be rewarded via the "golden rule." This sort of business professional is a dying breed that desperately needs resuscitation!

Tell your story and make sure everyone hears it. Why? Because we are all human. We relate to one another's struggles and triumphs and we all need someone to walk along side us and help us stay focused. We all need someone to be our cheerleader who is as excited about our business as we are. Be that for others. Be real.

3. BE UNIQUE
OK, this is the crazy lizard side... At NLC, we are a big believers in not being normal. Normal is boring. Normal is easy to forget. Normal is business death. Be unique. Make your business card one they can't throw away. Follow up every meeting with a personal note. Use colors that stand out. Present design that makes people pause. Use shock. Use multi-channel media. Use fantastic high-quality content that shows you are a true authority and provide a reason to return to your site or pick up the phone. 

NLC has a card that changes colors when you touch it. We just did a card that you have to figure out a special message on it by holding it up to the light. We have done cards that turn into cubes and brochures that are multi-purpose so you don't have to pay for design repeatedly. We work unlike any other design firm. We are fast, responsive and willing to think WAY out of the box to get you noticed. We apply the "be unique" to every design. We're lizards, not lemmings. Be unique.

4. BE CONSISTENT
Many companies are led by the type A folks who tend to have too many irons in the fire, wear too many hats and try to offer too many things. That's O.K. It really is. If you are able to share the vision, complete it, and stay true to your word and commitments, that’s OK... absolutely A-OK… However, you MUST have one unifying theme, look and message in everything you do. Color, patterns, photo style, speech style and more, are all part of your brand. You want what you put out in the world to resonate and be recognized every-single-time. 

Too many companies really do not understand the power of brand. They allow their logo to be modified, stretched and contorted, they change colors and styles for convenience in such a way that the consumer does not recognize that "Hey, that gadget comes from the same company as that other gadget!" Consumers need to recognize your product or service instantly. Do yours?

NLC recently did a rebrand for a company whose main logo was fine. We pumped it up a bit then took the other 15 logos they used for their products (each had own color and style) and unified them under the corporate brand. Now when they have an ad out, a newsletter, a postcard, a social media post... or their website is viewed by anyone... the viewer KNOWS who is the corporate Daddy on that. Their business is THRIVING and no longer just another manufacturer, they are the industry leader.

This cannot be reiterated enough. Consistency in brand is critical and everyone should be on board. Can your business say that? Does your ad in the chamber promo have the same feel as the ad you put on social media last week? Does your business card match your website?  It is critical to keep your brand consistent. Otherwise, you are just confusing everyone and you look like a low end player. Don't do it. Consistency pays off. It is all part of the mysterious IMAGE advertising... this type of ROI is impossible to measure, but it is key to your success in the long run. Be consistent.

5.  And last but not least...KNOW YOUR TARGET & TALK TO THEM
You may love a style, and you may have a passion that you want to represent in your advertising. That can be all fine and good, but it also can be disaster. Regardless what style you personally like, you have to know your demographic. Know how they respond to color and messaging and make sure everything you put forth appeals to them. Sorry, but your preferences are secondary. Trust the research and trust your designer to create an image/message that appeals to your end consumer whether it be another business or the lady next door. Go to where they hang out and advertise there regularly. Don't get too caught up in the hype and data analysis of every marketing agency out there. Use your common sense and seek out multiple opportunities to get in front of that customer via print, social media, targeted advertising and more. NLC can help you strategize and figure that out. The NLC team are experts at helping you get noticed. Give us a call.

Since you read all the way- you get a prize!
A free brainstorming session on how NLC can help your business and save your bottom line, all while increasing sales. 
​Be a Pro, Be Real, Be Unique, Be Consistent and Be Seen.

Call now. 952.452.0168.