Say Thank You.
It seems rather obvious, doesn’t it? Yet, how many times have you been sincerely and memorably thanked for your business? I bet you still remember the personal note, the perfectly timed gift, the letter of appreciation sent to your manager for your efforts. Personal message of thanks stand out. Impersonal holiday cards get thrown out January 1st. Promotional items with a personal touch get kept – and used throughout the year. Sincerely showing your thanks is memorable.
Take the time now to associate gratitude with your brand. Thank your customers and potential customers for the time they’ve spent with you. Consider sending a promotional item that will express your values – perhaps it’s an eco-friendly item or maybe it’s a portable USB drive. Maybe this year it’s just a hand-written note of thanks. Whatever you choose, you are building your brand. Make it a good one!
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Practical steps to Branding Your Company
So far we’ve talked a lot about the emotional impact of branding. What practical steps can you take to identify your brand with your company?
This is where building a visual image of your brand comes in. No doubt you already have a logo. Although one of the most important items for your business, you will need more than just a logo to build your visual image.
This is where building a visual image of your brand comes in. No doubt you already have a logo. Although one of the most important items for your business, you will need more than just a logo to build your visual image.
- Do you have a tag line? Is it short and clever enough to be memorable? Logo’d Gear uses Stay in Front of Your Customers! It’s succinct and describes what we believe, what we do, and what we help you to do.
- Choose specific colors. FedEx is one of my favorite examples of this. The FedEx logo is the same on every product they sell, but Federal Express has chosen specific colors to represent specific products. For example, FedEx ground is green. FedEx critical is blue (code blue, anyone?). Once you choose a color scheme, keep it consistent. Use it in everything you do.
- Make it easy to recognize your company and your brand. Use your company name and tagline on everything you do, from emails to letterhead. Make sure your web site, social media tags and phone number are on everything that goes out.
- Order promotional products that promote your brand. Order logo’d bulk items like ink pens, post-it notes, notepads, coffee mugs, water bottles, or apparel and use them. Make sure these promotional items have your logo and tagline and are in the specific colors you’ve chosen. Give them away freely to your employees and potential clients.
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Three Ways Effective Branding Impacts Sales Figures
Let’s take a look at the benefits of branding. A brand can impact your sales in 3 dramatic ways.
Word of mouth spreads easier and farther.
A strong brand converts inquiries into clients. Remember that saying “No one ever got fired for choosing IBM”? A branded service simple makes more sales; the trust factor is already there.
The sales cycle is shorter and faster.
Here’s an example: Logo’d Gear has a terrific reputation for providing quality promotional items in North Carolina. When a business needs a series of promotional items for a marketing campaign prior to a trade show, they might call us and one of our national competitors. When we get the business, it’s usually because (1) we had a strong recommendation, (2) that implicit promise of quality and delivery already starts the foundation of trust between our new potential client and our customer service personnel and (3) one phone call can close the sale.
Our brand for delivering quality promotional products on time and done right helps us stand out as more than just another branding company – it helps us Stay in Front of our Customers.
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Word of mouth spreads easier and farther.
A strong brand converts inquiries into clients. Remember that saying “No one ever got fired for choosing IBM”? A branded service simple makes more sales; the trust factor is already there.
The sales cycle is shorter and faster.
Here’s an example: Logo’d Gear has a terrific reputation for providing quality promotional items in North Carolina. When a business needs a series of promotional items for a marketing campaign prior to a trade show, they might call us and one of our national competitors. When we get the business, it’s usually because (1) we had a strong recommendation, (2) that implicit promise of quality and delivery already starts the foundation of trust between our new potential client and our customer service personnel and (3) one phone call can close the sale.
Our brand for delivering quality promotional products on time and done right helps us stand out as more than just another branding company – it helps us Stay in Front of our Customers.
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
What is the Heart of Your Brand?
I’ve often heard it said that a brand is nothing more than a logo or the name of your company. “Branding” your company, your product, or your service really involves so much more. In Selling the Invisible, Harry Beckwith writes about “The Heart of a Brand”. He makes the point that the heart of a service brand and the key to long-term success is the integrity of the people behind the brand. It is the closest thing to a guarantee that your customer has. In other words:
We offer personal service. It’s important to use to “get it right” which means talking to you directly – not an automated customer service line.
We offer options because we understand that “one size doesn’t fit all”. This means we give our clients the option, for example, of setting up their own ‘customer store’ if that’s how they prefer to shop.
We have a strong sense of community service. We give back and we participate in our local community – not because we make money from it (we don’t!), but because it’s the right thing to do.
That last phrase really sums it up for the team at Logo’d Gear. We stay in front of our customers because it’s important for us to do the right thing.
It’s hard to put that kind of a brand on a coffee mug. Yet, when you see a coffee mug, a water bottle, pens – anything with our logo on it – we want the promise of our brand to be what you see when you see our promotional items. We want you to feel confident that when you buy your tradeshow items from us or outfit your team in our polo shirts, that we will deliver quality products on time, and done right.
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
- A service is a promise, and building a brand builds your promise.
- Invest in and religiously preach integrity. It is the heart of your brand.
We offer personal service. It’s important to use to “get it right” which means talking to you directly – not an automated customer service line.
We offer options because we understand that “one size doesn’t fit all”. This means we give our clients the option, for example, of setting up their own ‘customer store’ if that’s how they prefer to shop.
We have a strong sense of community service. We give back and we participate in our local community – not because we make money from it (we don’t!), but because it’s the right thing to do.
That last phrase really sums it up for the team at Logo’d Gear. We stay in front of our customers because it’s important for us to do the right thing.
It’s hard to put that kind of a brand on a coffee mug. Yet, when you see a coffee mug, a water bottle, pens – anything with our logo on it – we want the promise of our brand to be what you see when you see our promotional items. We want you to feel confident that when you buy your tradeshow items from us or outfit your team in our polo shirts, that we will deliver quality products on time, and done right.
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Can You Brand a Turkey?
This series of blogs is all about the importance of branding, so I thought I'd write a tongue-in-cheek piece in honor of Thanksgiving. The funny thing is, as I thought about turkeys and branding, a series of brand names kept popping in my head.
Just for kicks, I did an internet search and found a series of interesting discussions on the kind (brand) of turkey that is the "best" one to buy. One of the answers said, "I always buy (brandname) turkey. I just trust the brand." There was no other reason mentioned for this customer's loyalty other than the fact that this brand evokes a feeling of trust. The customer didn't mention taste, safety, price or any of the other elements that can go into building a brand. The implication is that the customer trusted the brand enough to believe that this particular turkey would be juicy, taste good, and be a safe product. Why this brand over any of the other brands? Intrigued, I continued to search.
Over and over again, this particular brand of turkey is showing up on blogs and answers to questions. Is the turkey really that much better? Or has this particular company just done an excellent job at branding through a great marketing plan? I suspect it's a little of both.
Do your customers just "trust" your brand? Does that trust translate into brand loyalty? What are you doing right now to build and market your brand?
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Just for kicks, I did an internet search and found a series of interesting discussions on the kind (brand) of turkey that is the "best" one to buy. One of the answers said, "I always buy (brandname) turkey. I just trust the brand." There was no other reason mentioned for this customer's loyalty other than the fact that this brand evokes a feeling of trust. The customer didn't mention taste, safety, price or any of the other elements that can go into building a brand. The implication is that the customer trusted the brand enough to believe that this particular turkey would be juicy, taste good, and be a safe product. Why this brand over any of the other brands? Intrigued, I continued to search.
Over and over again, this particular brand of turkey is showing up on blogs and answers to questions. Is the turkey really that much better? Or has this particular company just done an excellent job at branding through a great marketing plan? I suspect it's a little of both.
Do your customers just "trust" your brand? Does that trust translate into brand loyalty? What are you doing right now to build and market your brand?
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Branding 101: What is a Brand?
Did you know that despite our current economic situation entrepreneurial activity in the U.S. in 2009 rose to its highest rate in the last 14 years? In a recent study, the Kauffman Foundation found that entrepreneurial activity increased dramatically, with a tremendous number of new businesses starting, especially in the West and in the South.* With this much growth, how does a small business or budding entrepreneur brand his or her own ideas?
How do you make your company stand out from the rest? This starts a series of blogs on branding that I hope you find helpful. Comments are always welcome!
First, what is your brand? It is much more than just a logo. It is the recognition of your name, your company, or your products. It’s the feeling that your customers get when they see your company. Branding your company tells the world what values you want your company to represent. For example, part of Logo’d Gear’s brand is “Stay in Front of Your Customers”. It’s a value we believe in strongly, and we believe our customers do too. Why should you promote your brand? Next week, we’ll talk about the whys and then the hows!
*Source: http://www.kauffman.org/newsroom/despite-recession-us-entrepreneurial-activity-rate-rises-in-2009.aspx
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
How do you make your company stand out from the rest? This starts a series of blogs on branding that I hope you find helpful. Comments are always welcome!
First, what is your brand? It is much more than just a logo. It is the recognition of your name, your company, or your products. It’s the feeling that your customers get when they see your company. Branding your company tells the world what values you want your company to represent. For example, part of Logo’d Gear’s brand is “Stay in Front of Your Customers”. It’s a value we believe in strongly, and we believe our customers do too. Why should you promote your brand? Next week, we’ll talk about the whys and then the hows!
*Source: http://www.kauffman.org/newsroom/despite-recession-us-entrepreneurial-activity-rate-rises-in-2009.aspx
Located in Charlotte, NC, Logo’d Gear is the region’s premier provider of promotional products, branded apparel, tradeshow items, business gifts, and other related products. In addition to complete embroidery and screen printing capabilities, Logo’d Gear also offers online company stores and fulfillment services. Visit our website now at http://www.logodgear.com to see our extensive online catalog or call (704) 334-9333 to immediately speak with one of our branding specialists!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
What is the difference between Silk Screening, Screen Printing and Embroidery?
Over the years, we’ve gotten this question many times from customers who are ordering branded apparel for the first time. What’s the best choice to get your logo displayed most effectively?
The terms “Screen printing” and “silk screening” can be used interchangeably. They describe the process of decorating an item by printing a design in ink, one color at a time, through a tight silk mesh. It’s one of the most commonly used methods used for promotional T-shirts. Screen printing allows you to use multiple colors and designs.
The terms “Screen printing” and “silk screening” can be used interchangeably. They describe the process of decorating an item by printing a design in ink, one color at a time, through a tight silk mesh. It’s one of the most commonly used methods used for promotional T-shirts. Screen printing allows you to use multiple colors and designs.
Screen printing pricing is typically based on the number of colors in your design. However, the size of the design doesn’t affect the cost, so it’s an economical choice for larger designs found on t-shirts. Graphics with fine detail and small letters come out looking like a photograph!
Embroidery is the process of decorating an item by sewing a design onto it in color thread. Embroidery has more upscale apparel available than screen printing. For example, it is the most popular choice for corporate apparel like golf shirts, denim and oxford shirts. You can embroider on items like caps, towels and polar fleece. You can still use multiple colors but the design size is usually much smaller than can be done on a t-shirt.
The design must be digitized to run on an embroidery machine, so you will have to have your logo or design available as vector art (typically done in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CorelDraw). We’d be happy to look at your computerized image and let you know if we can embroider it! Embroidery pricing is based on the stitch count, which is determined by the size and complexity of your design.
The design must be digitized to run on an embroidery machine, so you will have to have your logo or design available as vector art (typically done in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or CorelDraw). We’d be happy to look at your computerized image and let you know if we can embroider it! Embroidery pricing is based on the stitch count, which is determined by the size and complexity of your design.
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