DA Blog

Build Effective Company Branding.

Brand? Branding? Brand Identity? What are they? Are they the same? How do you even ‘do’ brand or branding??! Confusing, isn’t it? So that’s why we pulled together these articles this week, to help untangle what they are and how to do them properly to improve your business and results. Hope you find them useful.

If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

The Ultimate Guide to Branding in 2019

“Coca-Cola is more than a soda. Starbucks is more than a coffee. Ray-Ban is more than a pair of sunglasses. Glossier is more than a tube of concealer.

Interacting with these products provide experiences, and we buy them with that experience in mind. Better yet, the companies that create and market them know exactly the experience they want you to have when you make (or consider) a purchase. That’s why they create a brand.“

“Can you have a business without a brand? You can. The pizza joint down the road is likely a business, not a brand. Your dry cleaner – same story. The local veterinarian? Not exactly challenging Apple on the slick advertising front. All of these examples show that you can operate a successful business without having a real ‘brand’. But, if your business isn’t driven by necessity or pure convenience, chances are you do need a strong, recognizable brand.“

How to Develop a Unique (& Memorable) Brand Identity in 2019

“The terms “brand” and logo” are often used interchangeably. But though a logo can be the symbol of a business, it is not the entirety of a brand. In fact, creating a logo is just one small step toward developing a strong brand identity.

With millions, if not billions, of businesses trying to make a name for themselves, having a strong brand has become crucial for businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors.“

15 Inspiring Examples of Small Business Branding

“Taking on a branding project for a small business can be a valuable opportunity for agencies and freelancers to develop experimental creative work without the intense pressures and restrictions associated with larger accounts.

While big businesses often have multiple decision makers with very specific ideas and guidelines to keep their existing brands consistent, smaller companies are usually more open to exploring new creative directions, and can move faster to implement them.“

19th June 2019

Importance of having a Website for your Business.

Importance of having a Website for your Business.

Building a Business Website: A Small Business Guide

“It’s no longer feasible to run a business, even a brick-and-mortar one, without a web presence. Consumers turn to the internet for everything from product research to location and operating hours. Having even a simple website that’s well-designed can give you an edge in your field, and if you have products to sell, your site can open up new markets and expand your business cheaply and easily.“

The 4 Most Important Pages on Your Website

“Some of the pages on your website are more important than others. Okay, many of you probably find that fairly obvious — but I’m surprised how few people actually apply this knowledge to their websites to improve conversions.

I’m all about low hanging fruit; about undertaking the easiest tasks that will have the biggest results. What I’m about to describe in this article has the potential to improve your site dramatically with just a few, critical changes.“

6 Undeniable Reasons Why Your Website Should Be Responsive

“It’s probably no surprise by now that mobile internet usage has been skyrocketing over the last few years. According to a Morgan Stanley report, mobile internet usage is expected to match desktop usage by 2014. Even with this compelling evidence, the vast majority of business websites are still not mobile-friendly. This is not only causing a headache for users, but also a loss in business opportunity.“

27 of the Best Website Designs to Inspire You in 2019

“Every once in a while, I’ll come across a website that really draws me in. So, I found 27 of them to show you.

These sites push the boundaries of what is known to be possible on the web. Whether it’s the design aesthetic, usability, interactivity, sound design, or value that the site provides, each one is a masterpiece in its respective industry, and something to be inspired by.“

19th June 2019

Effective Email Marketing.

Email marketing is dead. Is it? No way. Certainly if done properly. And that’s the opportunity for us. Hopefully, these articles can help you on the right track to get email marketing right in your business.

If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing

“The first marketing email was sent in 1978, resulted in $13 million in sales, and kicked off what has become one of the most highly used marketing channels even to this day. Given its early beginnings, email isn’t as shiny as some newer channels like messaging and social, but it is an effective way to build an owned audience that gets results.“

16 Email Marketing Best Practices That Actually Drive Results

“While email marketing may not get the attention some newer marketing channels get, it’s still a terrific way for you to generate leads and convert more prospects for your business. With that in mind, I want to share some email marketing best practices you can use to generate more leads for your business.“

What Makes Good Email Marketing

“Good email marketing starts with the content you’re sharing with your subscribers. Put yourself in their shoes and ask, is this something I would want to receive? Remember that your prospects don’t care about your company or your product – they care about their challenges and how you can help solve them. So create and share content that they’ll find useful and interesting.“

10 Quick and Easy Email Marketing Segmentation Strategies to Try Today

“Marketers know that segmenting email marketing lists can improve open and clickthrough rates. MailChimp’s latest user data showed that segmented campaigns get 14.64% more opens and 59.99% more clicks than non-segmented campaigns.

That said, figuring out the best way to segment your email marketing lists can be a huge undertaking.“

12th June 2019

Identifying your Target Market and Target Audience

Identifying your Target Market and Target Audience

Every sales team and entrepreneur need to know their customer. But how do you find a target market and what exactly is it anyway? Hopefully, these articles can help you identify your target market. If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

How to Define Your Target Market

“Given the current state of the economy, having a well-defined target market is more important than ever. No one can afford to target everyone. Small businesses can effectively compete with large companies by targeting a niche market.

Many businesses say they target “anyone interested in my services.” Some say they target small-business owners, homeowners, or stay-at-home moms. All of these targets are too general.

Targeting a specific market does not mean that you are excluding people who do not fit your criteria. Rather, target marketing allows you to focus your marketing dollars and brand message on a specific market that is more likely to buy from you than other markets. This is a much more affordable, efficient, and effective way to reach potential clients and generate business.”

4Ps to choose your target market for entrepreneurial success

“By defining your niche, you’re also forced to really understand every detail about your business offering (product or service), which includes its benefits and unique features, who can benefit from the product offering and what sets you apart from your competitors,” says Mjadu.

“Once you know this, you should have a far better idea of who it is you are trying to sell to, which will allow you to be far more selective in your approach.”

3 Effective Strategies to Reach Your Online Target Audience This Year

“To run a fruitful online business, you first need a solid online target audience to cater to. Without those people, there’s no one to see or care about your products and services, much less purchase them. That’s why expanding your reach and visibility is essential to reach your growth objectives.”

The Straightforward Guide to Target Markets

“A target market is a group of customers for which your products and services are aimed. It’s usually first defined by an industry.

For example, if you’ve created a B2B Software product that helps remote construction teams, you’d probably focus on other companies within the construction industry. After all, that’s who you designed the product offering around.”

15th May 2019

News and Tips in Social Media Marketing

News and Tips in Social Media Marketing

Are you small business owner and you’re constantly looking for new ways to get your company’s brand on the radar of potential customers? Well, it’s your lucky day as we pulled together some great articles for you. If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

21 Secrets to Social Media Marketing for Small Business

“Social media marketing is about more than just gaining followers and likes, but sometimes it can be difficult, especially when starting out, to strategize around the right elements, and to use the platform tools and options to achieve your business goals.

But there are key, fundamental tasks that you need to be covering off in your approach, essential steps you need to take to move beyond the basics and into generating actual leads from your social efforts. Outlining this, Tonya Burge from Your Marketing Lady has created this in-depth infographic on the key social media marketing elements you need in order to formulate an effective social media marketing plan.”

How to Become A Social Media Marketing Expert According to Experts

“Are you thinking of becoming a social media expert?

Then you are in the right place.

According to LinkedIn, there are over 23,133,350 acclaimed social media marketers in the world. So if you really want to stand out, what should you be doing?

Well, there are tons of advice, tip and articles on social media, we decided to reach out to a set of successful social media marketers who have been tested and tried in the industry and ask them one simple question.”

If Social Platforms Were Game of Thrones Characters, Here’s Who’s Closest to Claiming the Iron Throne

“With the much-anticipated final season of Game of Thrones looming, everyone is abuzz about who will claim the Iron Throne. With multiple contenders clamoring for this iconic yet uncomfortable seat of power, it’s difficult to predict who will come out on top and who will crash and burn.

With the controversies, chaos and volatility of the current social media landscape, advertisers are grappling with similar uncertainties when it comes to their social media marketing strategies.”

5 Top Social and Digital Marketing Tools and Platforms to Streamline Your Business

“Imagine this: A couple of years ago as we were in the midst of some MAJOR business model changes, I went to get my nails done on a Sunday, and I brought two books with me, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less and The One Thing. When I sat down at the salon, I thought, “Why did I bring two books to a one-hour nail appointment?” And it hit me: I couldn’t decide between two books about focus! Ugh. The struggle is real.

As business owners, you have so many tools and platforms available to choose from, and it can be very hard to focus and decide which is right for your business. There isn’t one tool that can do everything, and I don’t believe in putting all eggs in one basket, especially not with something as big as your business.”

1st May 2019

How to Succeed in Doing Guerilla Marketing?

How to Succeed in Doing Guerilla Marketing?

If you are on a tight budget but still need to pull off an effective marketing strategy, take a look at these articles that we’ve searched for you that offer some fresh ideas on how to promote your brand. If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

15 Psychologically Based Facts on How and Why Guerrilla Marketing Works

“People are so used to having messages, information, and products thrown at them every day that it’s easy to become numb to it all. Guerrilla marketing, however, wakes up your customers from drowning in traditional, mundane marketing tactics and uses fresh, novel ways which actually make a lasting impression.

But there’s more to guerrilla marketing than trendy murals on city walls and slapping brand stickers on street signs.”

Guerrilla Marketing Do’s and Don’ts

“Think for a second: what was the last commercial you saw that impacted you enough that you wanted to share it with your friends and followers? It may take you more than a second actually, because for all the money poured into them, companies struggle to come up with truly memorable marketing vehicles. Spending is no substitute for good, old-fashioned creativity and imagination. Guerrilla marketing, on the other hand, is often dirt-cheap, but can become something that generates word-of-mouth, Internet chatter, free press coverage, and all the other things for which marketing folks live and breathe.”

Don’t Forget To Do Guerrilla Marketing

“This morning I went to Target to pick up an expandable shoe rack. On my way out of the store there was a brand new Ford Mustang parked in the parking lot. It still had the information paper on the passenger side window, listing the fuel economy, engine size, and other features. Someone from Huntington Beach Ford had parked it in the lot of Target to attract eyeballs that would not normally stop by the dealership.”

8 Online Guerrilla Marketing Ideas For Your Website

“These tips focused on some Guerrilla marketing ideas and techniques that you can use to help raise the awareness of small businesses. Well that post got me thinking about some online Guerrilla marketing ideas that you can use to help promote your website and ultimately attract more traffic.”

24th April 2019

How Important is Content Marketing?

How Important is Content Marketing?

Learn the importance of Content Marketing and how it can effectively connects and educates your target market. We collated some articles for you and hopefully you can pick up one or two that can help grow your business. If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

Why You Need Original Research for Content Marketing

“Original research for content marketing takes the guesswork out of audience development. It’s risky to rely on projected impressions of your audience’s challenges, values, concerns, lifestyle, needs, interests, and desires. If you get it wrong, it can have drastic consequences on the success of your content marketing, and can even negatively impact your organization’s brand and business.”

Setting Appropriate Expectations in Content Marketing

“Instant gratification. It has somehow become ingrained in our world’s society that it’s best to have everything “now”. We’ve grown impatient. We want to lose weight “now”. We want to own a home “now”. And if we don’t have cash, we can use a credit card to purchase items “now”.Companies, especially their marketing departments, have taken notice. From same-day to two-day shipping via Amazon Prime, sending money, contacting loved ones, or picking up a grab-and-go meal, instant gratification is built into our culture.”

Craft a Deliciously Effective Content Marketing Strategy with a Farm-to-Table Approach

“The farm-to-table movement promises locally sourced, fresh, delicious things, prepared with care and served enticingly.

I’ve recently started using “farm-to-table” to describe my approach to content marketing, and here’s why.”

4 Bad Habits Killing Content Marketing

“You may have some subscribers who regularly check in for updates, but the majority of your audience has no idea what came out yesterday, let alone six weeks ago. Why are you leading with the newest content instead of the most relevant and engaging to them?

With every piece of content, it doesn’t matter how old it is. The first time your customer discovers it, it’s new to them. If each piece of content is interdependent on several others as a result of your content calendar, then your readers are only going to be left feeling lost and confused when they get to it.”

17th April 2019

Latest News and Trends about Digital Marketing

Latest News and Trends about Digital Marketing

We’ve collected different Digital Marketing articles that will give you some fresh views on this matter. Take a look, hopefully there will be one or two that can help you grow your business. If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

10 reasons you need a digital marketing strategy in 2019

“Where do you start if you want to develop a digital marketing strategy? It’s a common challenge since many businesses know how vital digital and mobile channels are today for acquiring and retaining customers. Yet they don’t have an integrated plan to grow and engage their audiences effectively. They suffer from the 10 problems I highlight later in this article and are losing out to competitors.”

Digital marketing strategy: How to structure a plan?

“We believe that a digital marketing strategy is essential to take advantage of the growing opportunities from digital marketing, yet even in 2019, many companies don’t have a digital marketing strategy.

Our recent Managing Digital marketing research report (a free download) showed that almost half (45%) of companies don’t yet have a planned digital marketing strategy…”

5 Steps to a Powerful Digital Marketing Strategy

“According to a ‘Managing Digital Marketing’ study by Smart Insights, 46% of brands don’t have a defined digital marketing strategy, while 16% do have a strategy but haven’t yet integrated it into their marketing activity. But here’s the thing: if you don’t have a plan in place how can you expect to grow and innovate, to measure meaningful results and to learn from past mistakes?

It’s time to stop panicking about next year or next month and start crafting a plan that can pack a powerful punch. We’ve selected the 5 most important steps that you, the decision maker should take to ensure that your digital marketing efforts create a real impact on your bottom line.”

7 Digital Marketing Strategies and How to Plan Your Own Campaign

“There’s no question that, in the modern landscape, a big part of your marketing strategy is digital. Consumers and businesses alike are almost always online — and you want to be able to reach them and observe their behavior where they spend the most time.

But when you’re growing a business, it seems like this ever-evolving landscape can quickly become overwhelming. There’s already enough to do — how are you also supposed to create, fine-tune, and maintain an agile digital marketing strategy?”

10th April 2019

Tricks and Tips about Making Viral Videos

Tricks and Tips about Making Viral Videos

Ever wonder why some people’s video go viral? So did we. So, this week we’ve pulled together some great articles about making viral videos for you. Take a look, hopefully, there will be one or two you can action to help grow your business. If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

What Makes a Video Viral?

“Video is one of the most engaging forms of digital marketing. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Because video combines visual and audible elements, it brings the best parts of other the other digital media and combines them in a super-sharable package. That’s why when a piece of media takes the internet by storm and goes viral, more often than not it is a video.”

A Simple Framework for Creating a Viral Video

“Do you ever wonder what it takes to create a viral video? Do you want your video content to spread to the masses?

While creating a viral video is part science and part art, there are 5 key principles you must follow when creating your own viral video.

If you think creating a viral video is all luck, then stay tuned, because I’m going to show you a simple framework that many companies have used to achieve success.”

Secrets of YouTube: What makes a video go viral

“Creating a viral Youtube video can feel impossible. According to a Youtube Manager, there are ways to improve your chances of making your content seen.”

How to make a video go viral: the magic formula

“What if you could pull out a special recipe and put together a viral video that wows your audience? What if you could discover the secret sauce that turns out winner after winner? Content creators and small business owners would love to discover a magic formula that will transform their content marketing strategies.”

27th March 2019

Articles on Mobile Advertising

Articles on Mobile Advertising

Looking for some marketing inspiration? We’ve pulled together some great articles for you about mobile advertising. Take a look, hopefully there will be one or two you can action to help accelerate your business. If you see anything that you’d like to discuss further, give us a shout on 02392 007 823 or hello@lovedadesign.com. We’d be happy to help.

Don’t Look Now, but 146-Year-Old Levi’s Just Hired an Artificial Intelligence Officer

“One factor Levi’s has over all other jeans brands is heritage. Buy a pair of 501s, and you’re essentially getting the rugged style first made for California gold-rush prospectors in 1873 and faithfully worn by icons from Marlon Brando to Kurt Cobain in the generations since.

But heritage alone isn’t enough to sustain a brand in the digital era, and while many consumers might not associate Levi Strauss & Co. with technology, the brand is clearly moving in that direction—at least, if today’s announcement is any proof.”

Here’s Why Micro Apps are a Far Better Tool For Building More Effective Apps

“A Micro App may have some riddle based definitions but the simplest one is as follows:

In simple terms, a micro-app is a collection of functions which provides highly focused task-based applications which in return deliver a more stronger targeted functionality. Also, these micro apps are stored together in one mobile app. Thus, that single app can provide all the functionality as well as features through that one Micro App.”

What to Expect as Mobile Advertising Moves to the Blockchain

“Blockchain-based mobile advertising is still a novelty for the ad tech market. The early solutions, however, promise the drastic changes for the ecosystem: the middlemen reduction, fraud removal, and transparency for every participant.

Experts predict that by the end of 2021 Mobile Marketing Market worth will reach 98.85 billion dollars. Mobile advertising is on the radar of media-buyers, marketers, and app developers who monetize their mobile apps with ads as only 20% manage to achieve their ad campaign goals.”

8 Tips for Integrating SMS Chat Into Your CX Strategy

“With over 15 million texts sent per minute for a total of 8 trillion annually, SMS is undeniably one of the most popular ways to communicate today.

The data doesn’t lie. In terms of easily accessible customer engagement, SMS is unrivaled. This customer communication channel boasts engagement rates up to eight times higher than email – and unlike email, texts are usually opened within an average of three minutes.

When integrated into your customer experience strategy, SMS acts as an accessible touchpoint to keep you in tune with your customers’ needs while opening new opportunities to offer services through a channel that many of your customers already love.”

20th March 2019