Magnetic Design Studio Blog

Marketing Your Company? Diversify!

magdes09 — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:21:44 +0000

Any stockbroker worth his or her salt will tell you that the key to steady, long-term success with investments is to diversify your portfolio – don’t put all of your eggs into one basket, because if that basket has a hole in the bottom, your life savings could very well fly the coop.

Okay, sorry for the chicken humor, but the same thing goes for marketing your business. Today’s internet has opened a myriad of doors to help even the smallest companies make themselves known both locally and nationally, and diversification online alone can bring you success fairly quickly – that’s before you’ve even made use of old school “snail mail” techniques, print advertising, and that ingenious communication device known as the telephone.

So here’s hint #1 to get you started: type “Online Marketing” into your favorite search engine, and away you go…

Happy Customers Are Your Best Allies for Growth

magdes09 — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:02:11 +0000

Business owners know that it’s a constant battle to mine and develop new growth opportunities. Aside from getting work from current clients, make their satisfaction work for you to gain new clientele as well.

A happy customer will sing your praises just as loudly as a dissatisfied one. Hopefully, you haven’t earned any of the ladder, so let’s focus on the former. Tell your happy clients that you offer a referral program – it could be a gift card as little as $25 – the monetary value isn’t as important as the “Thank You” and the recognition your client will feel. Most are happy to pass your name along for free – giving them a little icing on the cake will make them feel appreciated and go a long way.

So remember to take care of the clients who take care of you. Many small (and larger-sized) businesses rely on referrals as their main source of growth, so you cannot afford to take the happy client for granted.

Is That Sun I See and Warm Air I Feel?

magdes09 — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:59:47 +0000

I think we can all agree, especially those of us living in the mid-atlantic region, that the sights, sounds, and smells of spring are more precious this year than in previous years. The more than four feet of snow that fell within one dismal week at the beginning of February is all but gone, leaving the welcomed sight of blooming daffodils (which are 3 weeks behind schedule)!

What does this have to do with business, you ask? Two weekends ago, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the mid 50′s. It didn’t take me long to notice during a short trip into town that the coffee shops were bustling, stores were crowded, parking was at a premium, traffic was extra congested, and people were, in general, spending.

There’s nothing like a long, cold, snow-covered winter to exacerbate a struggling economy…but it’s finally over (winter, I mean)! The onset of spring brings new hope that the economic doldrums are being pushed farther behind us, and if recent retail activity is an early indicator, it will be a fruitful summer for small business owners. Cheers!

Social Networking Sites Not Just For Teens Anymore

magdes09 — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:14:12 +0000

Follow me on Twitter? Friend me on Facebook? Until a few months ago, I had written these phrases off to this generation’s teen lingo. But after jumping on the texting bandwagon with a new unlimited plan, I figured I’d check out what all the cool kids are doing on their crazy internet machines too…am I glad I did!

I signed up for a Facebook account to promote Magnetic (okay, I’ll admit – I was and still am sidetracked with catching up with friends I haven’t contacted in 20 years). But along with promoting my own business, I’ve actually set up a few clients, from all walks of business life, with Facebook, Twitter, & Digg accounts, and even some blogs. So far, all have relayed that it’s not only expanding their networking horizons, but also bringing in new customers.

Long story short – even though Facebook and Twitter may have gained their initial steam with the teen crowd, businesses of all shapes and sizes are benefiting from their networking capabilities. Best of all, “Free Sign Up” is music to most business owners’ ears…

Thank God for Small Businesses

magdes09 — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:54:04 +0000

So I met with a potential new client yesterday who Googled “graphic designers” in Hampstead, MD and Magnetic came up on the first page. Some good news – it appears as though my efforts at SEO are paying off (yes, I know there aren’t a whole lot of graphic designers in our thriving little metropolis, but still…). More importantly though, this prospect stated that it was important to him to keep his business local – for the sake of convenience but also to nurture our small but growing business community.

So here’s my point – while the titans of industry battle back and forth between the government, lawyers, and themselves, we, the small businesses of America, remain the lifeblood of the economy – we’re not detached from how difficult it can be to put food on the table on a daily basis and are acutely aware of the importance of helping each other out to ensure survival.

So thanks, new client to be – here’s to a long and fruitful relationship for both of us!

Think Differently

magdes09 — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:54:38 +0000

Ok, so the heat is out in the office this morning and it’s 18 degrees outside (and about 54 in here, which sounds tolerable but…). One of my new year’s resolutions is to take everything that comes at me and turn it into something positive, or at least not to dwell on the negative!

So how can I rethink the situation? Well, first off, I’m desperately searching for alternate heat sources, so I’ll start with turning on ALL of the computers, even those not in use, and the halogen lamps. That should at least bring back the feeling in my fingers until the experts arrive. More coffee may help too…be right back.

Okay, I’m back, and here’s today’s revelation: Sometimes things don’t come easy, and you have to endure discomfort from time to time to make it through. The heat will come back, and comfort will be restored. Some people don’t have that luxury at all, so a little perspective is in order…

And just so you know I’m not exaggerating about the climate, the office labrador, who is naturally equipped with two fur coats, is shivering!

Now What?

magdes09 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:58:52 +0000

Well, 2010 is here…finally. The buzzwords of 2009 – “recession,” “unemployment rate,” “corporate bailout –” can be all but put behind us in favor of “economic upswing,” “blooming job market,” and “consumer confidence.” So what does this mean for surviving small businesses? What’s next, you ask?

It’s winter – the giant is sleeping. He’s tired of spending money at the moment, and he hopes the credit card fairy will visit him during his hibernation to make his holiday debt disappear in time for spring. If you’re a small business, don’t poke him just yet – instead, position yourself to be “branded” (sorry, couldn’t resist) into his psyche so when he finally wakes, scratches, and rubs his eyes, your company is the first place he’s ready to try his newly paid-down and dusted-off credit card.

I know what you’re saying – “My company needs a professional logo and online presence to compete.” Well, guess what – I know a guy…

A Hopeful New Year Is on the Horizon

magdes09 — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:52:20 +0000

Small business owners rejoice! If you’re like me, you can only stay positive and hope for the best. Consumer spending for the holidays is UP, so maybe there’s some light at the end of the volatile economic tunnel we’ve been trying to negotiate this past year. I keep telling myself (and others remind me) that if a small business owner can survive the recent economic climate, then we should be fine once things pick up…right? I’m remaining cautiously optimistic, but optimistic nonetheless.

So here’s to a joyous holiday season, following Santa on the Norad site with my little believer, time off with family & friends, the close of a dismal year, and revitalized hopes for a new decade. 2010, you can’t come soon enough…

Is Anyone Ready to Attract Attention?

magdes09 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:30:35 +0000

OK, so what kind of graphic design bloggers would we be if we didn’t discuss graphic design on our inaugural post? Our posts won’t always relate to our industry, but let’s give it a go for the first one.

If you’re like us, you’re sick of hearing and talking about the tanking, er, tanked, economy. But we will say it has had at least one positive effect on the advertising industry – it’s (hopefully) made companies realize that a down economy is one that NECESSITATES the need for advertising. Remember when the economy was strong and salespeople just took orders? Gone. Now salespeople have to sell…yes, sell – themselves and their companies’ services.

A down economy is a tough time to convince your accountant that you need to spend money on advertising and brand reinforcement…but when the economy rebounds, who’s brand will consumers remember when they’re ready to spend their money? You guessed it – those who stayed the course and continued to keep their names in front of consumers’ faces and in their ears, minds and hearts.