I’ve had the opportunity to discuss the assembly of a business plan very recently with a former colleague of mine who has moved on to a new post. One of the key items that can often be overlooked is thorough understanding of your market segmentation. Whether your widget is a very niche product or one that you feel would be valuable in any application, you need to understand who you are selling to, and how to sell to them. This post over at BusinessPlans.org offers some great insight into how to get your market segmentation sorted with a depth of knowledge that is sure to impress investors, lenders, and your own employees!
Quote: Success
In response to my last post:
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
~Winston Churchill
What are the chances your start-up will fail?
Good intentions and hope aren’t a business strategy. Providing the greatest widget in the world that no one asked for – or a widget that answers your customers’ needs but is poorly positioned – is no better than offering no widget at all.
So you’re going ahead with your well-researched, well-positioned widget. It’s brand new, revolutionary, and your dream start-up business. Everything’s coming up roses.
But wait, what are the chances you will succeed? The people over at staff.com have put together this handy infographic with stats about the failure rate of start-up businesses. Click to go to the external link!
It never hurts to be armed with knowledge – even if that knowledge isn’t quite as positive as you’d like it to be!
(Melissa Zoller, MHz Consulting)
5 Marketing Principles I Learned From My Most Recent Tattoo
They say inspiration comes from the strangest places, and you never know when it will hit. Well, I happened to spend a few hours last weekend in a tattoo shop, and re-learned a few key marketing communications strategy principles. (Some of which I have covered here before!) Continue reading 5 Marketing Principles I Learned From My Most Recent Tattoo
Quote: Good Leaders Communicate
Good leaders must communicate vision clearly, creatively, and continually. However, the vision doesn’t come alive until the leader models it.
~ John C. Maxwell
Do You Agree?
This came across my desk today and I wanted to share with you all!
When you are promoting your brand, your business, and yourself, these four principles are key to ensuring success. Apply them in your communications and in your daily activities, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals. Agreement 2, though it might seem somewhat strange when applied to branding, is absolutely imperative when it comes to customer service and employee communications.
How to Make an Inexpensive Light Tent
This post over at Digital Photography School (originally submitted by Jeffrey Bail) offers great tips on how to create your very own light tent/box for small product shots. Remember, especially if you’re selling your widget online, a neutral and removable background is key for all product shots. If your item is small enough to fit in your created light tent, use it! You get more lifelike levels and an overall more coherent and professional-looking finished product.
You put your best face forward in everything you do – your product should do the same!
Happy snapping!
Shoot for the Web
If you’ve found this little post, you know at least a little bit about how the internet works. You can find an address, or input a search term into your preferred provider, or click on a link in an email. But are you sure you’re making the most out of your own web presence?
Lately, it seems like everyone is in a rush to get their products and services online and in front of the world. It’s a more immediate route to market, to be sure, but are you doing it right? Have you put your best image forward? Here are a few tips to make sure your product (or service!) photos showcase your expertise: Continue reading Shoot for the Web
Show Some Faces! (The Psychology of Photos of People)
Thanks to Tanya Plonka for this second of two articles she’s provided for our Photography feature week!
Now that you have your photography style figured out, it’s time to decide on the content of your images. While photos of people may not apply to your business or brand, if they do work, go for it! Images of people can have an emotional impact on your customer and help to sell your product or service. Continue reading Show Some Faces! (The Psychology of Photos of People)
How to Capture Landscapes
Digital Camera World has a fantastic post on how to make the most of your landscape photography. If you offer environmental or landscaping services (or products), or even if your brand identity just leans toward the environmental, getting a great landscape shot is key.
Sure, you can use stock images… but if you want to illustrate your particular part of the world and draw interest in your location, using a local landmark is always a bonus! The linked article, above, will help you take truly stunning landscape photos that you’ll be proud to showcase.
Communic8 in Ink 