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DuctTapeMarketing.com
August
16, 2005
In this issue:
Resource Blog Lightning -
How To Create and Promote Your Blog in a Flash -
NEW
Main Article -
What's A Well Designed Logo Look Like?
Resource #2 - Referral Flood
Digital Version -
Referral Flood Blog!
Featured Resource -
I Want To Feature Your Business!
Featured Book -
E-Myth Mastery - Michael Gerber
Free Magazine -
Redspring Reads
Listening -
American Wake - The Elders
You can always
view past issues here!
NEWS:
Hewlett Packard has signed me to act a spokesperson for their small
business unit. One of my initial roles is to author a blog on the HP
site. You can check it out at:
http://www.hp.com/sbso/special/doityourself.html - I have to warn
you though, the photo of me is a bit in your face - you'll see what I
mean.
Thanks for subscribing! - John
Featured Resource -
Blog Lightning - How To Create
and Promote Your Blog In A Flash.
A User Testimonial
My Web Site Traffic Went Through the Roof - Want to know how?
Well, there are a number of reasons, but one of the things that
contributed to this traffic increase is my new blog. My blog has
increased my keyword rankings and has also been instrumental in
attracting a lot of new visitors.
But to be honest, I didn't know one single thing about blogs...until a
guy named John Jantsch helped me out. He showed me step-by-step how to
set up my blog and also showed me several tricks on how to get the
search engines to notice it and send me more traffic.
David Frey
www.marketingbestpractices.com
Blog Lightning
Is Selling Like Crazy - Thanks!
Drawing from my experience creating blogs, including my award winning
Duct Tape Marketing Blog, I have launched a complete step-by-step guide
that takes you by the hand and shows you exactly what to do to instantly
create and promote a successful blog for your business.
You also get 14 video screencast tutorials that allow you to watch over
my shoulder as I actually do the steps I outline in the system - It does
not get any easier than this! -
Order Blog Lightning
Featured Tip
What's A Well Designed Logo
Look Like
A distinctive,
professionally designed logo is a must for your business.
By John Jantsch
 Here’s
the deal. A well executed image element, such as a logo, can do a lot to
help your business image. Of course, the opposite is true of a logo that
your cousin Louie, who just got a copy of Photoshop, created. Having
said that, I want you to think somewhere in the middle.
I know this type of thinking can get some of my graphic design readers
up in arms, but I find that many small business owners either aim way
too high or way too low when it comes to a logo for their firm.
You don’t need to spend $5000 with a design consultancy to get a great
logo, but you shouldn’t let the trainee at the print shop whip out the
clip art book either.
Before I get to my recommendation let’s look at what a logo can and
should do for your business.
The Task of Your Image Elements
The image elements of your brand perform very specific functions. Like
many things related to your business, you must understand their purpose
before you can determine which is right for your business.
Because your logo or an advertisement for your firm may be the first
thing that a potential clients comes into contact with they must perform
this task:
1. Clearly identify your company
2. Appeal to your target market
3. Differentiate your firm
When defining image elements for your firm you must ask if every element
meets these criteria.
Your Logo
The company logo is the cornerstone of your firm's branding elements.
For many firms the logo is the visual reminder of everything that the
firm stands for. While a great logo won't necessarily build your firm it
plays a vital role in representing it. Conversely, a weak or confusing
logo can detract from the value that your firm brings
Elements of
a Good Logo
-
It has a lasting value -
trendy logos don't hold up over time
-
It is distinct - some
amount of uniqueness, as long as it doesn't confuse, is valuable
-
Appeals to your target
market - if your target market is partial to blue then it doesn't
matter that you're not
-
Supports your core
marketing message - If you are trying to communicate your low - low
prices then your logo should support that image
-
Legible - This seems
pretty obvious but many people use typefaces and images that can't
be printed or carried to a large sign. Your logo should clearly
identify your company and it can't do that if people don't
understand it.
So, suffice it to say, if
you are going to work with a designer on your logo, you must understand
what image you are trying to present by your logo and to whom.
For the past few years I
have been working with an online design firm known as
LogoWorks.
LogoWorks has, in my opinion, perfected the art of creating distinctive
logos at a very affordable price.
For about $300 you can receive a professionally designed logo, with
variations to choose from. They also design stationary and other basic
business documents. The LogoWorks process involves your input, so make
sure that you follow my advice from above when you instruct their
designers on creating your logo.
Here’s my advice. Spend the money to get a professionally designed logo,
but look into services such as LogoWorks when you do.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
John Jantsch is a marketing
coach and author of
Referral Flood and
Blog Lightning.
Featured Resource #2- NEW
Digital Version Now Available for Immediate Download - It's Selling Like
Hotcakes!
Introducing -
The Referral Flood Blog -
Referral Marketing Tips, Tactics, Ideas and Strategies taken from real
world Independent Professional and Small Business Owners. - I guess you
knew it was only a matter of time before I launched another blog!
Referral Flood
- How to generate a flood of new business without spending one dime on
advertising
 I
just released a digital version that allow you to download the 125 page
ebook as a PDF file and MP3 Audios. I also passed on the saving to you.
The digital version is $79 (as opposed to $97 for printed version) + no
shipping
Referral Flood - How to Create a Flood of New Business Without
Spending One Dime On Advertising
Featured Resource - A Duct
Tape Marketing Book Is Coming
I have some pretty big news
that may include you.
I am currently in negotiations with several major publishers to write a
book titled, what else, Duct Tape Marketing, and I want you to be
a part of the book.
All you have to do is answer this one question.
"What is the single most effective marketing tactic you have used
to grow your small business?"
Here's what I have planned for your responses.
I plan to take many of your submissions and weave them into the upcoming
book. Each idea that I use will feature a credit to the source and the
name of your business. This book will be heavily promoted and available
in bookstores like Barnes and Noble, Borders and on Amazon.com.
In addition, I am immediately launching a marketing radio podcast show
and plan to feature one actual business owner or marketer like yourself
in a short segment of the show. We will briefly discuss your favorite
marketing tactic and you get a moment of two of fame with my growing
worldwide radio audience. So when you submit your tip you may be invited
to be a guest on my show too.
Send my your answers by
email today and include:
-
Email subject - Duct
Tape Book
-
You best marketing
tactic/strategy/tip in 100 words of less
-
Your name, email and
phone # for the interview
Featured Book
E-Myth Mastery - Michael Gerber
If you've read the E-Myth Revisited - Why Most Small Businesses Don't
Work and What To Do About It by Michael Gerber you may have found
yourself saying like many - "He's right, that's exactly what I need -
but now what?"
In E-Myth Mastery, Michael outlines the seven
essential disciplines for building a world class company with a roadmap
for each.
Featured Magazine
By special
arrangement I am offering free marketing related magazine subscriptions to my readers.
These subscriptions are not part of a sales promotion or gimmick. Go get em' while they last.
 
Redsrping
Reads-
Every month, Redspring
Communications reviews new titles in the business and consumer press in
search of books that will be useful to marketing professionals
Featured
Listening
The Elders - American Wake
The Elders are
a Kansas City band and as such I have seen them perform no less than 10
times. I know it's not St Patrick's Day but you've got to check this
band out. They are flat out fun to listen to and even more fun to have a
pint with.
I have also posted my
Top 25 Albums of All Time List for those interested in such things!
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