Posts Tagged ‘Grand Rapids’

A letter to small businesses

Monday, December 19th, 2011

Dear Small Business Owner:

There are companies thriving in this economy, including many small businesses.  In a highly competitive market, effective marketing can make a huge difference in the bottom line and contribute to a strong bottom line.   There are advantages to being small; by creating a marketing plan and increasing participation in the local community, you can create unique strategies that will help your business stand out from the crowd.  At 834, we challenge you to incorporate the following simple tips into your marketing strategy.  Follow this for one month and evaluate effectiveness.

  • The hand written note- writing a congratulatory or thank you note shows you have taken time to give kudos to someone else without asking for anything in return. It helps your company stay connected with customers as well as the surrounding community.  After all, when was the last time you received a hand written note, let alone a letter or email that was not generic, from a large company or corporation? Makes the one you receive that much more memorable, doesn’t it?
  • Just write it - Start a blog on your company’s website. Talk about what is new with business and intertwine stories from your personal life. Your customers want to feel connected to you, and by sharing some of yourself with them you are increasing loyalty. Engage your customer base by asking questions on how they view your business, start a dialogue. This is a great way to measure customer service and to find out how your business is viewed in the marketplace.   .
  • Engage in social media- Whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or LinkedIn, engaging in social media will create awareness of your company, serve as a PR tool, enhance customer service and if retail based…help you sell. Through social media you can capture new customers with coupons, events, and promotions. Note: Develop a strategy so you aren’t willy nilly with your communication.
  • Support local – Reach out to your community with promotions, events and advertising. Get involved with a local charity, whether it be on the board or committee level. Champion a charity, choose a cause that is near and dear to you and tie it to your business.

Above all, give back…mentor a young professional, volunteer and always make time for other small business owners. We are a rare entrepreneurial breed and we need to stick together.

Sincerely,

834 Design

Small Business Marketing Tips

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

You’re a small business and money is tight (or non-existent), so what do you do to increase your company’s visiblity? Here are a few tips that are tried and tested. (How do we know? We do it.)

Get Involved: Join a committee for your favorite charity that represents your company well. By getting out there and getting involved with other professionals, you are growing brand awareness.

Social Media: Create a company page on Facebook, write a blog (WordPress.com), join Twitter, create a YouTube channel – use these networks to communicate the happenings in your company, interact with potential customers, observe competitors and build relationships. Check out this new business that is doing it: Dognip.

Network, network, network: Form a group of peers that meet on a regular basis to share ideas, problem solve and make connections for each other. Volunteer at events – place yourself at the registration table to greet attendees as they arrive.

Write a note: Yep, we said that. Peruse the biz publications and send out notes to the businesses you see mentioned, drop in your business card and follow up in a week or so. Don’t ask for anything in the note, just acknowledge their success.

Make a connection…for someone else. Help other small businesses out, whether you give them advice, help them solve a problem or connect them with a potential customer. What goes around, comes around.

Sign-up for our newsletter as we share additional tips and business success stories:

Success is a team effort. Meet the vendors we love.

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

Over the years, 834 has formed many relationships with vendors from all service areas. From video to print t0 large format printing to window sticks to direct mail to digital printing to…well you get the picture.

We want to take the below space to give those we love and are completely loyal to a big shout-out. Thanks for hitting our deadlines and our client’s deadlines and dealing with us during the event season. We think you rock.

We make a great team.

DVS Creative:

We have been working with DVS Creative for years, before they were Creative and we were 834.  Let’s just say, they are a very fun bunch. As any marketing professional knows, video projects can be time-consuming, consist of very long days on set and in the editing suite. Working with DVS is something, we at 834 really look forward to. The guys are funny (they laugh at our jokes), laid back, on task, quick to respond and always willing to go the extra mile.

So to Mike and Corey and the rest of the team at DVS Creative – thanks. You guys really are awesome.

Agio Imaging:

Need large format printing turned around in record time? Call the guys at Agio Imaging, not only do they hit every deadline we throw their way, they also go out of their way to install and deliver. We have called them many times for a last minute backdrop for a stage or a photo booth and they always accommodated.

You might remember the Betty Ford event we planned for Alliance for Health. The addition of the photo of Betty behind the stage, made for great PR and a photo back drop for all the video journalists and photographers. Thanks to John C, for always taking the time and going the extra mile to make our life easier.

Diversified Data:

Our experience with these guys, is only one event or project. However, there willingness to work with us on our Flat Iron Building Stanley cut-outs was phenomenal.  Having a vendor that could take our graphic file, router around it, create a stand that would hold good ‘ol Stanley, as well as use a material that would stand-up to the elements was priceless.

Don’t just take our word for it, ask Stanley via Twitter – @stanleyflatiron. We also like the fact that one of our favorite people (Jeff Tow, member of 834′s virtual team, created their website).

Custom Printers:

We work with a lot of printers at 834, and choosing just one to endorse is virtually impossible. However, our man Dave Hendrickson at Custom Printers is perhaps one of the friendliest, most well-versed paper connoisseurs, go out-of-the-way to make your life easier people we have ever had the privilege to work with.

Whether it be business cards, a direct mailer, brochure or something more complex; Dave always brings ideas to the table. We have never not gone with a paper he suggested. Thanks to Dave and Custom Printers for dealing with our last-minute, crazy requests.

WorkSighted:

We are sure most of you are familiar with this entrepreneurial company, but if not, you are now. Our relationship with WorkSighted began before 834 was launched and before WorkSighted branched out with another company, Blue Sky Sessions. Since then, we have had the pleasure to work with both entities and been extremely pleased.

Whenever we reach out to WorkSighted, we are met with an immediate reply and the majority of time they pass along info that is helpful to both us and our clients without a question. We highly recommend WorkSighted for all of a company’s IT needs, whether you be a small, medium or large business. The team is friendly, energetic, fun and extremely knowledgeable.

In fact, they set us up on the Google platform and assisted us in syncing everything with Microsoft Office. You guys are top-notch (yep, we just said that).

For all of those that we missed, you are in our hearts and minds (and future blog posts).

The painful act of volunteering

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

So lately, I have endured a few painful volunteer experiences. As a former non-profit professional, and now serving the non-profit industry, here are a few tips on the treatment of volunteers. I don’t believe it is rocket science, but after my last 2 volunteer experiences, perhaps it is:

  • Always outline clear expectations for each volunteer position you need staffed. What time does the volunteer need to be there? Who will be the contact person? What is the contact person’s cell phone number? Who will they be volunteering with? Do they have a script or know the specific role and the responsibilities that come with it?
  • Always confirm with your volunteer. The volunteer should not have to track you down to get information on what is expected of them. Remember they are doing you a favor.
  • Greet your volunteer. Treat the volunteer with respect and smiles. They should not have to find you when they arrive at their volunteer location. Be there to greet them with a smile, introduce them to other volunteers and outline their responsibilities again (give them written instructions). A volunteer is only as good as the coordinator.
  • Be positive. I know I said this a few lines before, but let me repeat: BE POSITIVE. They are giving you their time, because they believe in YOUR mission and organization. How you present yourself, reflects directly on the organization. If you are a jerk, disorganized, standoffish or whatever else negative – they will subconsciously relate to your organization. Is it that hard to be nice?
  • Say thank-you. People – this is not hard! When they contact you to volunteer – say thank-you. When you email them with instructions – say thank-you. When they show up to volunteer – say thank-you. When they are staffing their position – say thank-you. When they leave after volunteering – say thank-you. Be genuine.
  • Follow-up. Send a handwritten note(yep, I said handwritten), thanking your volunteer for taking time out of THEIR life to make YOU a priority. Ask them to give you feedback on their experience and ask how you can improve the experience in the future. In this note, do not ask them to volunteer again, you will come off as greedy (and having an ulterior motive).

Remember that a volunteer does not owe you or your organization anything. They believe in the mission and the good you are doing in the community. A thank-you and respect go a long way. (And yes, I did use all caps and bold to make my point – did it work?)

Meet Renay

Friday, September 16th, 2011

By: Renay Shoenmaker

Well it seems to be that time of year again. Summer rays have begun fading away; while Fall’s crisp winded days are blowing in, whistling the phrase: Welcome Back; school is now in session. It is at this point I wonder where the summer has gone. Did it really go by THAT fast? Can I really be…growing up? The answer is yes.

As I begin my junior year at Grand Valley, I am in awe that three years of memories, successes, failures, and embarrassments have flown by. How did I get to a point in my life where accepting responsibility is second nature? Somehow, though I cannot explain it, I finally feel ready for the daunting tasks that are about to be thrown my way. In this sense, I am proud for finally leaping into the professional pool as a first time intern with 834 Design and Marketing.

Although, I do not really know what to expect, I cannot complain so far. I already have fallen into a deep “like” for the industry, and that was only after the first day. All in all, I am excited to see where this year leads me and also 834 Design. But, ultimately I cannot wait for the point where this “like” I hold for the industry turns into a love of this career world.

To wrap up this little introduction up I would just like to say: Hello blogging world! My name is Renay Schoenmaker. First time blogger, but don’t hold that against me. I love being creative, thinking outside of the box, and I have the deepest passion for laughing and making others smile.

And I’m here to stay.

Follow Renay on Twitter @renayshoe