Integrate Marketing into your Design

Are you a small business owner who knows you need some marketing collateral, but don't know the first thing about appealing towards your target market? How about optimizing your individual marketing campaigns and collateral to work with your available budget? Do you want a website but don't know the first thing about marketing it correctly? Whether you are local or across the world, here's how I can help you by integrating some marketing efforts into your design plan:

1. The first thing I do with my design clients is ask you more about yourself, your goals, their time and financial budgets, what attributes of yourself and your business makes you special, and what clients you are trying most to attract.
2. Second, I provide helpful recommendations that can best serve you  in a way that can fit into a regular routine for marketing efforts and your existing budget. For businesses with tighter budgets, I prioritize design and marketing efforts so you can spread it out over a time period that works for you.
3. From there, I start with designing a logo, identity, and business card design, often integrating unique, hand-drawn elements into the works. I work to make you something that will both visually represent the uniqueness you bring to today's market and appeal to your target market.
4. After the logo, identity, and business card are created, I bring the design through all print elements, creating a consistent look and brand. Having these items created and formatted helps you save time when using your marketing collateral during the day.
5. When print elements are complete, I design a web layout that speaks to your web needs. I look at how you want to use your site for marketing, (i.e. is it aimed to attract new clients, give information to existing clients, or serve as an online reference point you personally direct people to? Do you want to have a blog and a content management site, eCommcerce, backend database, mapping software, custom software, donor management, course registration, calendaring and/or scheduling functions, a sign up button to grab emails for a newsletter, recent posts or news appear on different pages, a contact form, rotating slideshow or image gallery, search engine optimization, social networking widgets, etc.).
6. Once the website is complete, I work with you to create an effective marketing plan, because having a website without a marketing plan is like spending money on a commercial and never buying air time. I then train you how to use your website, email newsletter, social networks, and print marketing materials to attract the clients you want in a regular, easy-to-manage marketing routine.

There are so many ways to market that it can be overwhelming. It is helpful if you can work with a designer who has sees what your overall goal is and can help you on your path.