Archive for March, 2007

Posted on Mar 21st, 2007

The world is not waiting for you…or your product or service. Or your firm. Or your firm’s message. They’re getting along just fine without you. Until you give them a reason to think otherwise, it’ll continue that way. This isn’t news, though. That’s why you advertise and market. But so does every other business out there. What are the chances you’ll be noticed? Almost nil. Unless…

Unless you cause a disruption.

Unless you physically grab the hair on their heads and forcibly jerk them to notice how great you are. Okay, maybe contracting “marketing thugs” on street corners to assault people in the name of your message might get you in trouble (you’d get UNBELIEVABLE press though!). But we think it’s possible to achieve the same result with a fresh and unique branding and marketing strategy that breaks up the drone of everyday life for your market, and gets them to listen.

You need to consider hiring a branding company or a branding consultant who can differentiate you in the marketplace- that makes a difference. No matter how exciting or dull you may believe your company is, brand professionals have proven time and time again that they can produce convention-smashing branding, marketing and advertising efforts, no matter the challenge. Whether that takes the form of reinventing your brand identity and brand image or reworking internal and external communications, including websites, trade/consumer ads, annual reports, trade show exhibits, brochures, sell sheets, training videos, newsletters and press releases, brand professionals can pull your company out of the cluttered background and make it stand tall above your competitors in the marketplace.

What you’ll get working with a branding professional…

· Someone who puts your needs ahead of our own.

· Highly skilled professionals with passion and dedication to helping you succeed.

· Someone who wants to become a trusted long-term partner for your company and will work hard for the opportunity.

But most importantly, someone who knows how to unlock the potential in your company to attract new customers, gain market share, increase profits or motivate and align the internal side of your company to work better. Total brand equity!

Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru a leading Corporate Branding and Branding Research firm in Boston, MA.

Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation.

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, American Federal Mortgage, Franklin Sports and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies.

Posted on Mar 21st, 2007

Do you know how to design and deploy a marketing campaign?

Even if your ad budget is small you should still plan and measure the results of you advertising. This process is the key to your ultimate success.

You see, there are two types of advertising. The first is broadcast marketing. This category includes TV and radio commercials. While broadcast ads can be effective, they are very expensive and almost impossible to measure.

And you can’t manage what you can’t measure.

Which brings us to direct marketing. These ads are sent directly to your prospects. Sales letters, coupons, and order ready websites are some examples of this type of ad. But the truth is, any ad that you can accurately measure the results of falls into the category of direct marketing.

The advantage of direct marketing is that it is more science than art. You can key every ad you use and measure the real world results exactly.

This is huge. Through trial and error you can test the effectiveness of your ads. Over time you can gradually improve the pulling power. Eventually you’ll have a set of ads that work really well.

More sales for less money.

To get there you must key every ad and keep careful records of the results each produce. Run two ads every time you advertise in any given media. Compare the results and go with the winning ad.

Then write another ad and put it up against your winning ad or control. If it beats your control then use it instead. Keep refining and testing.

This is an ongoing process. Markets change and ads loose their effectiveness after a while. To have a top-notch marketing campaign you must be constantly improving your ads.

To Your Prosperity,

David A. Wells, owner of http://www.Mortgage-Millions.com and author of The Millionaire Mortgage Broker’s Marketing Manual, is a mortgage marketing expert who helps mortgage brokers succeed. He can be reached at mortgage@mortgage-millions.com.

Posted on Mar 20th, 2007

When we initially started our businesses, we had to decide how we were going to market ourselves. Kind of an obvious statement - every business has to do that. But, we had an added challenge. We were new to the area. So, our goal was to get to know as many people as possible.

We did that by becoming "promiscuous networkers". We attended and joined any and every association we could afford. This was GREAT for meeting people. After a few months, we could walk into a room and just about everyone would recognize us. They knew us as the Johnsons, that young couple in business.

But, it wasn’t so great for actually getting business. They remembered us, but often didn’t have a *clue* about the services we offered. You see, we had missed a key part to networking, and all forms of marketing for that matter. We hadn’t defined our market and therefore weren’t attending events where our market was likely to be. Had we done that, people would have remembered us AND our services.

If you’re a Micro-Business owner, you are the face of your business. People also may recognize you as soon as you walk into a room. After that, they should make an automatic connection to your services or products. Now, people seem to know us as "press release girl" and "database guy". Even though we offer other services, these are very good connections in our eyes.

What is the automatic connection that comes to mind when people see you? Is this the connection that you want? If not, what can you change to make sure that others know you for your services or products?

Leila Johnson co-owns Data-Scribe(tm), along with her husband, Brett. The New Mexico-based firm provides database, writing, and software training services to Micro-Businesses and government agencies. To get more tips like this, visit their E-Library or sign up for their Micro-Business Gazette at http://www.datascribe.biz

Posted on Mar 20th, 2007

Most people who have been involved with sales & marketing for any length of time have heard the axiom, “Sell them what they want. Then sell them what they need”. But what does it mean? It sounds a little odd doesn’t it?

Does it mean that people are frivolous & go around making irrational purchases that don’t meet their needs, before more serious ones that sustain them? Should you try to sell trivial goods first, & then follow up with those that are more substantial? Should you put games & entertainment on your home page, and flour & salt in your follow up messages?

No, that’s not it.

What it is trying to say is that people buy for emotional reasons. Does anybody buy a Mercedes Benz just because they NEED to get from point A to point B? Do they buy it because they NEED all of the amazing gizmos, the heated leather seats & hand polished wood trim?

No, a person buys an expensive car that they don’t need because it makes them feel important. You may be shocked when I say this, but I’m going to say it anyway. Luxury purchases are motivated by vanity, envy, pride, jealousy, & narcissism, even greed. And, there is nothing sinister, or wrong with it. That’s just the way we are as human beings. It’s what makes us tick. In fact, these emotions are behind all kinds of everyday purchases too.

Understanding how they motivate buying behavior is critical to selling.

Look at this ad for the Wall Street Journal. It’s said to be one of the most successful advertisements in the history of the world, responsible for over $1 billion in sales.

Look carefully, & see how skillfully it evokes one or more of these powerful emotions. Try to get a sense of how you feel when you read it. ——————————————————

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL "TWO YOUNG MEN" LETTER

On a beautiful late spring afternoon, twenty-five years ago, two young men graduated from the same college. They were very much alike, these two young men. Both had been better than average students, both were personable, and both – as young college graduates are - were filled with ambitious dreams for the future.

Recently, these men returned to their college for their 25th reunion. They were still very much alike. Both were happily married. Both had three children. And both, it turned out, had gone to work for the same Midwestern manufacturing company after graduation, and were still there.

But there was a difference. One of the men was manager of a small department of that company. The other was its president.

Have you ever wondered, as I have, what makes this kind of difference in people’s lives? It isn’t always a native intelligence or talent or dedication. It isn’t that one person wants success and the other doesn’t. The difference lies in what each person knows and how he or she makes use of that knowledge.

And that is why I am writing to you and to people like you about The Wall Street Journal. For that is the whole purpose of The Journal: To give its readers knowledge - knowledge that they can use in business.

The letter closes:

About those two college classmates I mention at the beginning of this letter: They were graduated from college together and together got started in the business world. So what made their lives in business different?

Knowledge. Useful knowledge. And its application.

I cannot promise you that success will be instantly yours if you start reading The Wall Street Journal. But I can guarantee that you will find The Journal always interesting, always reliable, and always useful. ——————————————————-

This is a newspaper! It doesn’t get much more mundane than that, but the same principle applies, do you see the power in it?

What we are talking about here are emotions that are inextricably tied to the universal desire for esteem that’s hard wired into our nature as human beings. If you’ve got a pulse, you’re under its spell. But here’s the kicker. Most of the time, we are not even aware of the stimulus, only the response.

When you were reading the story about the graduates and the reunion, chances are, you were playing out your own meta program inside your head, and experiencing one of the esteem emotions. And it triggered your own personal desire to show the world what you could do, didn’t it?

Esteem (to feel valued) is NOT a WANT at all. It is a basic human NEED almost as fundamental as food & water. Your prospect’s hunger & thirst for it. Their emotions are the expressions of that craving.

If you can trigger them, & then associate satisfaction of the “esteem needs” with your product, you’ve got a winning ad!

Copyright 2005 Daniel Levis

Daniel Levis is a top marketing consultant & direct response copywriter based in Toronto Canada. Recently, Daniel & world-renowned publicist & copywriter Joe Vitale teamed up to co author “Million Dollar Online Advertising Strategies – From The Greatest Letter Writer Of The 20th Century!”, a tribute to the late, great Robert Collier. Let the legendary Robert Collier show you how to write words that sell…Visit the below site & get 3 FREE Chapters! http://www.Advertising-Online-Strategies.com/ad-strategies.html

Posted on Mar 19th, 2007

Consumers perceive and accept many brands within a certain trade group in different ways. By personifying a brand (How would you describe brand X if it were a person?) we can find out, that for instance consumers perceive brand A as a young, impulsive, lively, attractive, energetic woman full of ideas. In the same way could brand B be an elderly, conservative and relaxed man. The brand can also have a completely inexpressive and bad image. That is how brand C may not have any real personal characteristics, slim, tall, unnoticeable and calm.

The image basically expresses a way a consumer thinks about the brand and the feelings the brand arouses when the consumer thinks about it. On the basis of these characteristics, which the consumer associates with the brand, the company can build a competitive advantage for its brand.

What sort of image should our brand have?

Before answering this question it is important to take into account several factors and market circumstances: company goals, consumer wishes and expectations, trade groups and several other groups. A company builds its brand image through trade communication with its consumers. That is how a company informs the consumer of what the brand represents, what its values are, what the company is offering or guaranteeing the consumer, what its advantages are, its qualities etc. The consumers interpret all obtained information and form a subjective perception of the brand or its image.

Why research the brand image?

Understanding a brand image is of key importance to long-term management of a brand. It is also important how the consumers formed the brand and what kind of relationship was formed with the brand - what the brand means to them and how they have accepted it. Understanding the relationship between consumers and brands can help a company control its successful brand positioning and the efficiency of advertising.

How do we research the image?

The brand image is formed in the long-term and represents a non-conscious and "untouchable" area, which needs to be researched using projective researching methods that help the consumer to overcome certain obstacles and limitations as well helping him to be inspired in the world of brand names. The consumer does therefore not only focus on the brand, but mainly on his experience with it and on its usual users. He focuses on the opportunities, which are most suitable for the specific brand and what sort of image the brand presents etc.

We are able to research and describe the brand from various perspectives. We obtain many different associations, ideas, benefits and people whom the consumer in some way connects to brands, which need to be suitably and correctly interpreted. It is important to define the key characteristics and values, which are connected to a specific brand by the consumer. Relevant findings show results of long-term management of a brand and represent key dimensions on which the competitive advantage of a brand is based.

Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru a leading Corporate Branding and Branding Research firm in Boston, MA.

Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation.

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, American Federal Mortgage, Franklin Sports and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies.

Posted on Mar 19th, 2007

Advertising has truly become a part of all of our lives as consumers, as business owners, as parents, as concerned citizens. We simply cannot escape from its presence no matter how hard we try. Considering how pervasive advertising is in our daily lives, it’s no surprise that people have such extreme views about it.

Many home-based business owners want to steer clear of it altogether. They might dabble in marketing or use some sales strategies, but most don’t want much to do with actual advertising. Unfortunately, this is a mistake on their part and it usually comes as a result of not understanding the purpose of advertising.

So what is the true reason for advertising? According to Michael Corbett, author of The 33 Ruthless Rules of Local Advertising, you should advertise “to create an equity position in a target market and to …motivate a sufficient number of consumers…” In simple language, you advertise so that people will know you exist and will keep you in business. What’s so evil about that?

Absolutely nothing! Here are a few very good reasons why you need to start advertising today:

1. Potential customers are constantly shopping

The truth is that most people are always looking for ways to spend their money. They don’t always realize it, but they are. That’s why banner ads, commercials, and billboards work even though they are being viewed miles away from the business. If you don’t advertise, you’re missing out on a chance to tap into that human desire.

2. Potential customers may forget you

While the desire for shopping may be permanent, a consumer’s memory is not. Even if they have had a tremendous experience with your business, even if they’ve recommended you to their friends and family, even if you were the only company they ever thought of doing business with, after awhile they would forget you or forget how to get in touch with you.

3. Potential customers don’t always make buying decisions immediately

Another tried and true rule about consumers is that they don’t always decide to buy as soon as they see an ad. For example, if you see a commercial for a fast food restaurant right after Thanksgiving dinner, you’re not going to run right out to the drive thru after seeing the commercial. However, the next time you’re hungry, you might remember that commercial and choose to stop in then. So the idea of advertising is to plant an image in consumers minds so that when they need your product, your business comes to their minds.

4. Customers rely on name recognition to guide their consumer choices most of the time

Why do people still buy name brand products over generics even when the price difference is significant and the quality of the products is equitable? Because of name recognition! Consumers respond to names that are familiar whether they are buying a new car, a computer, a lawyer, or ketchup. If you want to succeed, you need to be sure that your targeted audience will know your name when they hear it and will think of your name when they need your product. Advertising can make that happen.

On the other hand, many business owners see advertising as a quick fix. If business gets a little slow, a newspaper ad or a direct mail piece will fix everything in a jiffy. That’s not the case either. Let me give you a few reasons why.

1. Advertising works on a six month cycle

Many times when people think their advertising hasn’t worked, it’s because they haven’t waited long enough to see results. Generally, the advertising you do today won’t fully pay off for another three to six months. For that reason, if you want to ensure a consistent stream of customers, you need to continue to advertise all the time. Advertising only when business is slow simply won’t save your business because by the time you start seeing results, it may be too late.

2. Your problems are related to another step in the process

Another reason advertising can’t cure everything is that simply attracting customers is only one step of the process. Once you lure them in, you need to have the content or the customer service to convince potential buyers to take that next step. If any step in the process is lacking, then no amount of advertising is going to help.

3. You are neglecting your current customers and their potential

Don’t make the mistake of focusing all of your efforts on finding new customers when your best source of additional revenue is being neglected. Past customers are more likely to become repeat customers, plus they don’t require the additional expenses of marketing and advertising.

As you can see, the truth about advertising is that it can be a powerful force for your success if handled correctly. Too many people see it as an evil force or as a business miracle when the reality is somewhere in between.

———–
Vishal P. Rao is the owner of Work at Home Forum, an online community of people who work from home.
———–

Posted on Mar 18th, 2007

A branding company’s website purpose is to design websites that will attract attention, give a professional image and support the message you are trying to convey in writing. There are arguments for doing your website design in-house. However website design, search engine optimization and copywriting is a very specialized area and utilizing a website design company can pay big dividends.

It is a cross between graphic design, programming, copywriting, brand building and direct marketing. It is difficult enough trying to find a website design company with these skills, let alone finding the talent in-house. If your website is going to become a major focus of your business, then it could possibly be worth considering hiring a full-time website design company with the necessary search engine optimization and copywriting skills. However, it is probably more cost effective to outsource the work to a website design company.

It is vitally important to hire professionals form a website design company - badly designed websites reflect badly on your business. Even if the design of the website looks presentable - unless it follows the rules of web marketing, image handling, copywriting, search engine optimization and the many other aspects of web development - it will not do its job properly. Which is why selecting a website design company is so important. Presenting your goods and services in the most appealing way that will generate a response from potential customers is a very specialized skill, something a web company should be very good at.

By hiring a professional website design company they are able to provide cutting edge website designs that uses advanced information architecture and custom designs. Online marketing begins with the initial concept and design of your website. This is far more than just reflecting your marketing strategy. The design of your website is an integral part of the marketing process. This is achieved by incorporating search engine optimization, direct response techniques, relationship marketing and consumer psychology into your website.

This results in a custom design that will entice visitors back again and again, build a community, develop brand loyalty and nurture a long term relationship that will turn a regular visitor into a valued customer.

Sometimes a website design company is only interested in making your website look good, you should expect higher goals. A good web firm designs websites that not only project a professional image but also serve a specific marketing purpose. This is achieved by combining cutting edge website design from a professional website design company and search engine optimization with advanced marketing and relationship building techniques.

As you can see - website design is far more than just creating a nice looking design, although that is still a vital element. There are so many components that have to fit together and the website has to do the job of directing visitors through the website so they get the information they need, take the action you want without becoming overwhelmed or lost.

Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru a leading Corporate Branding and Branding Research firm in Boston, MA.

Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation.

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, American Federal Mortgage, Franklin Sports and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies.

Posted on Mar 18th, 2007

Tired of pouring endless money into advertising? Do you wonder which ads are “REALLY” working for the business you manage? Would you like a bullet-proof system for capturing the results from your advertising and marketing? Below are three concepts that will enable you to track your advertising and marketing like a hawk! Really, it’s that simple!

Developing a tracking system: As a business owner/executive/manager, you need an efficient way to record and evaluate the results from your advertising and marketing programs. To get started, you will need a “prospect card” which includes a list of ALL the places you advertise and market your company. This prospect card must be current and complete, so your staff will be able to accurately track the results from each advertising/marketing source. Your business should also have a phone log, a summary of the daily and weekly advertising results and a report to summarize the month. Be certain each advertising source you are using has its own column for each report. Often, advertising sources are bunched together in the same category or column on the weekly or monthly recap, making it impossible to track the performance of your advertising/marketing.

Tip From The Coach: When asking your team to provide a summary of advertising and marketing results, have them sign and date the form. This is a reminder that they are accountable for the timely and accurate “source” information which is reflected on each report.

Identifying the source: To accurately evaluate the performance of your advertising program, begin by deleting “drive-by” as a source on your customer card and tracking systems. In most cases, your customers read or heard something about your company before they came to your office or called your company. Next, have your team design a marketing easel or a three-ring binder, which has a sample of the advertising and marketing being done. Then, ask your team to begin each appointment or meeting at this marketing easel or with their three-ring binder, so they can ask each customer if they have seen your current advertising or marketing pieces. NOW, this is the time for your team to record this timely information on the customer card, to accurately identify the advertising which brought this customer to your company. And by using this technique with every new customer served by your team, your weekly and monthly tracking reports will now reflect a more accurate picture of which advertising and marketing source is most effective.

Tip From The Coach: Of course, a tracking system can also be computerized and very powerful, but the steps/tips outlined in the paragraph above are still the same.

Creating a file for return prospects: Wow! Isn’t it great when a return-prospect becomes a sale? Such fun! Unfortunately, identifying the original advertising source which brought this prospect to your business the first time is a major problem for most companies. Often, your team will hear from a return-prospect, “I was just here a few months ago and decided to contact you again.” But each sale that is made by your company, which comes from a particular advertising or marketing source, makes it easy to justify which advertising/marketing you will continue to use. And since advertising and marketing is such a large monthly expenditure for most businesses, isn’t it important to know what’s working and what’s NOT?

Tip From The Coach: Create a master file of prospect cards for all prospects and have your team file the prospect cards from each day into a small box by last name, sorted A-Z. Now, when “Peter Smith” returns in three months after his first visit or phone call and says he wants to buy your product or use service, your team can simply go to this small box and behind “S” the original prospect card is right there! This is an instant way for your company to source its advertising and marketing. More importantly, your staff will have in their hand the background of this prospect and can create instant rapport. Instant rapport equals higher closing ratios, a double win! Of course, a follow-up system can also be computerized, but the steps/tips outlined in this paragraph are still the same. Once you have these systems in place, you can then calculate your: cost-per-phone-call, cost for bringing a prospect to your business and cost-per-sale! For a free analysis of your advertising tracking forms or the results you are receiving, fax your system/results to The Coach at 435-615-8670 and receive 20 minutes of complimentary coaching!

Author’s note: Ernest F. Oriente, The Coach, is the founder of PowerHour® a professional business coaching/recruiting service and the author of SmartMatch Alliances™. He has spent 17,500 hours [since 1995] delivering customized training, by telephone, in leadership, traditional/Internet marketing and sales for fast growing sales companies and entrepreneurial businesses worldwide. PowerHour® specializes in global distance learning by telephone, using their state-of-the-art conference call system for interactive and dynamic TeleForums. Twice-monthly TeleForums link 10-100 executives/professionals/individuals who are geographically dispersed, in a time efficient and profitable format.

PowerHour® is based in Olympic-town…Park City, Utah, at 435-615-8486, by E-mail ernest@powerhour.com or visit their TeleForum website: http://www.powerhour.com. To receive a FREE success newsletter, with subscribers in 74 countries, send an E-mail to: ernest@powerhour.com. Recent PowerHour® articles have appeared in 4000+ business/trade publications and websites.

Posted on Mar 17th, 2007

Branding Services is a tactic that marketing executives and managers should not only understand, but also employ. Branding services helps your company clearly position your company over your competition by branding your product/service in the minds of your target markets. This helps build brand identity, brand image and overall brand equity.

Once you build brand recognition with your products/services with your company, you’re destined to establish total brand equity. Think about safe cars - there are thousands of vehicles to choose from for a safe car, but isn’t the first name you think of Volvo? This is because they have done a great job of branding services.

Once you’ve established a strong brand image then your customers will keep coming back over and over. You’ll be able to do this with the proper branding strategy. A Branding consultant, can help you discover the correct way to establish your brand and receive the best ROI.

Marketing and advertising alone will not catapult you over your competition. What does that is branding services consultant. They can help you position and differentiate your business.

They can help you develop the proper branding strategy, web design and marketing efforts to increase your business. It can be anything from helping you redesign your web site, develop ads, re-position your company or develop a direct mail campaign.

One of the most important things you can do for your firm is to find branding consultants who will know your industry and provide expert objective advise. Branding services is a tough task and an expert can bring you to the next level.

So, take a good look at the kind of business you are doing. Is your company’s brand strong enough? If not, then perhaps it’s time to start thinking about branding services.

Scott White is President of Brand Identity Guru a leading Corporate Branding and Branding Research firm in Boston, MA.

Brand Identity Guru specializes in creating corporate and product brands that increase sales, market share, customer loyalty, and brand valuation.

This Article may be freely copied as long as it is not modified and this resource box accompanies the article, together with working hyperlinks.

Over the course of his 15-year branding career, Scott White has worked in a wide variety of industries: high-tech, manufacturing, computer hardware and software, telecommunications, banking, restaurants, fashion, healthcare, Internet, retail, and service businesses, as well as numerous non-profit organizations.

Brand Identity Guru clients include: Sun Life Financial, Coca Cola, HP, Sun, Nordstrom, American Federal Mortgage, Franklin Sports and many others, including numerous emerging growth companies.

Posted on Mar 17th, 2007

The internet offers you the opportunity to seek out jingle companies and listen to their jingle samples online. Your success depends upon a thorough evaluation of as many companies as possible. You don’t need to be a musician to know what you like.

There are things to look for in a top jingle company and a few red flags that can help to weed out the bottom feeders.

When listening to jingle samples online, here are a few things to look for:

1) Look for: Overall quality of the all the samples on the site as a whole. (Red Flag: If one or two samples sound boring, bland or poorly done, why are they being showcased on the site?)

2) Look for: Diversity of voices. (Red Flag: If there is just one male and one female voice singing all jingles on the site)

3) Look for: Diversity in styles of music, production, instrumentation & vocal arrangements. (Red Flag: If it all starts to sound the same to you)

4) Look for: Overall quality of the writing. Each sample should demonstrate creativity & imagination, lyrically and musically. (You’ll know it when you hear it)

Just as a casting director chooses talent, a great jingle company will find the ideal personality, voice, musician for your project to capture your company image and marketing message most accurately and effectively.

You have every right to expect the company that you hire to create something spectacular/exciting/compelling… Don’t settle for less.

Barry Volk is a former Staff Songwriter/Producer with ABC and Screen Ems/EMI Music Publishing, Musical Director of the West Coast Theater Company and National Director of Marketing for Metro Networks (Westwood One). Barry is the owner of Sound Advantage (A Musical Identity Company Since 1993) - http://www.soundad.com

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