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Could you ever think of a world without the Internet? Probably not, and yet the internet came about over 15 years ago.

We have adapted to a life of hyper-connectivity. Not only do we communicate in a wired world. We also do business, research and educate ourselves via the World Wide Web.

We have to understand that we are living in one of the most exciting times in human history; think about it, all the philosophers, scientists, theorist, writers and influential people are just a click away. The touted “great democratizer” is a tool and resource that is widely available. But how do we filter through the information we are constantly bombarded with?

Step 1: Understanding Social Media

First, we must learn how to read all types of media; In other words, learn how to be media literate. To understand further what media literacy means, let’s first break down each word.  Media, in this regard, suggests any sort of communications medium; books, radio, TV, newspapers, journal articles, computers, and billboards are all examples.

Literacy, on the other hand, is the condition or quality of being able to read, write, create and understand messages. Having this quality will help you filter and sift through all of the information. That you are saturated with on a daily basis.

Step 2: The Social Media Community

Second, we must develop a community of people we can trust and share information with. I believe Windsor is developing a strong community; we have built a foundation of exceptional leaders who are willing to help and share their knowledge. As we move into an information-based society we must be aware that developing a community. Or developing a network of friends/co-workers/business partners etc. is extremely crucial.

Facebook and LinkedIn are great examples of how a community works together. For example, if Suzy said that she loved the new movie “A Run to Forget,” then chances are the next time you’re at the movies you might think to yourself that Suzy said that movie was great. Then convince yourself you should see it based on what she said.

Conclusion

Social media is fast becoming one of the most influential tools and resources on the Internet. Think of it this way, if you were on a deserted island and you saw a massive cruise ship that said: “Social Media Communities” floating by. You said to yourself “Yeah I’ll wait for the next one.” Chances are you’re going to be on that island for quite some time.

As the traditional business-minded owner fails to find the need in developing a Facebook page. The forward-thinking business owner has already established a page. Who is also now developing a dialogue with Suzy and the other 900 million users. On Facebook or the 150 million users on LinkedIn. You might say you don’t have the time to do such a thing, but we at JEV Marketing & Communications can provide this service. Be part of the growing community. Don’t miss that cruise ship, and most importantly be part of the rising network of influencers!

– Frank D. Mancina Account Manager

After spending several hours researching certain companies. I discovered how difficult it is to locate all of their information. Rather than having consumers guess what your company is about or what contact information is up to date. Please save them the trouble and move into the modern age and get yourself a website!

Your Company Website

Companies want to be recognized. Read about or even talked about. It is a big part of today’s advertising methods. A company website is more relevant than you think. It can easily guide your consumers to all the important information at a glance!  A website is a virtual representation of your company. Whether your company exists in a “brick and mortar” location or not. It can provide a sense of professionalism to new and existing clients. Remember,  first impressions are crucial.

Anyone looking to expand their horizons should have a website. From artists to business owners. Corporations to associations. They all have ideas and objectives to achieve. By adding those thoughts and goals to a website you can drive potential consumers your way. A large percentage of the world has become technologically obsessed. Statistics show that nearly 2,267,233,742 people have access to the internet across the world. Without your presence on the internet, it will be relatively difficult for consumers to discover you.

Having an easily accessible website will help to expand your market. And benefit your company in the long run. Advertising new products and delivering daily news to your market audience on your website will save you from expensive mailings. By allowing your visitors to fill out a form. Or subscribe to your newsletter, sales and flyers. Will easily build your existing and potential clients list. There is a reason why consumers visit certain websites continuously. They are interested. And want to know more. With a website, all of your essential tabs will become available to your visitors. In terms of who you are, services, products. News, social media, and contact information.

Conclusion

Choosing the appropriate marketing company can assist your website’s success rates. JEV Marketing & Communications can help with creating a unique, eye-catching website design or re-design. Host your website and even create an easier way to access your site via any mobile device. These are just some services JEV Marketing & Communications can offer to their clients.

Don’t risk not having a website in hopes that your potential clients will eventually find you. Call JEV Marketing & Communications to get started today. You are just steps away from achieving your dream of a successful business.

If you’re wondering what a mobile website is. It’s like a traditional website. Accessed by your mobile device. A mobile website is designed for optimal performance when viewed on a small mobile device. Such as a cell phone, PDA etc. The significance to this is that when viewed on your mobile device, your screen will have a resolution of 120 pixels. Whereas a regular computer screen is 1024 pixels. Originally, websites designed for computer screens range between 600 to 900 pixels. So even the smallest size sites are not capable of displaying accurately on a mobile screen.

Mobile and Traditional Website Comparisons

Some disadvantages to accessing a regular website on your mobile device are that a big page size from a website could not only be time-consuming loading but can also be costly. Traditional websites can eat up your wireless data. Leaving you to pay a heftier bill at the end of the month. From all the gigabytes your phone ate up.

A few advantages to a mobile website are that it is a comfortable way for a user to locate the information needed. Without having to make the screen size smaller, scroll between left and right or zoom in drastically. Another advantage is rather than being forced to view graphics on large page sizes on a traditional site. You have the option to alternate the graphic with a placeholder on mobile site. For easy and clear readability, especially on those bright and sunny days. Finally, viewers get the information they need quickly and effortlessly. Visiting a website should be an enjoyable experience for everyone, not a difficult one.

Check out some of the mobile websites we have designed.

Conclusion

Start today! You’re just a phone call away from a great quality mobile website.  Just give JEV Marketing & Communications a call today and we’ll do the rest.

With more than five million smartphone users in Canada. Consumers continue to prove that these devices are not merely a trend. Instead, they have become an integral part of day-to-day life. Allowing users to browse the web, shop on the go, or search for product information. Smartphones have become much more than communication devices. Businesses are beginning to take notice of the importance this technology mainstay represents. A reality reinforced by the insurgence of “Quick Response” codes.

What are QR Codes?

QR codes resemble bar codes that allow users to connect instantly with content. These square codes can be placed on virtually anything – business cards, flyers, billboards. They represent a revolutionary outlet for businesses to provide information. A user simply takes a picture of this code. Which then leads them to a particular piece of content. Such as a website or sales offer directly on their smartphone. Putting businesses in the palms of their customers.

QR codes take the link between businesses and consumers one step further. Bridging real space with a more dynamic, digital world. A consumer notices an advertisement for a particular product he or she enjoys. Then can view more information for that brand via the QR code. It is an instant connection through the most accessible channel to consumers. It not only revitalizes the traditional method of print advertising through interactivity but creates a 24/7 presence. These codes help transform a static advertisement to one that is exciting and participative. Providing deeper information without added cost.

New technology brings about the opportunity to offer users something special. A unique, customized experience with the touch of a button. Whether it is through a distinct mobile platform or a special promotion only available via the QR code. Or bonus content that provides added value, the possibilities for creative marketing are endless. As a firm with extensive knowledge of both traditional media and the latest technology. JEV can help drive your business forward with a unique combination of the two. Let JEV’s expertise take your advertising to the next level. Stand out from the competition with the help of QR codes.

Google is the #1 search engine for users. With its system of search results ranking, simply having a website doesn’t cut it. Out-of-date content pushes a site further down the page and as everyone knows. The links at the top of the page are the ones that see the most traffic. Updating your website regularly not only helps increase your visitors… it also keeps your customers engaged and influences the rank of your page when displayed by search engines.

Here do Search Engines work?

Web crawlers, automated programs that browse the web to track sites for search engines. Regularly scour the internet and index pages for databases. The more new content you post to your website, the more these web crawlers will index the data. On the flip side, if you haven’t updated your site in a long time, the crawlers stop indexing; the site loses importance and rapidly drops in ratings for keywords. In short that means less people find you and less business comes to your door. It’s simple – the better the ranking, the closer to the top of the page a certain website will be placed. The more likely clients will choose your service over others.

So, does your website content really matter? Absolutely. Google’s PageRank uses an algorithm in its ranking system where every page is assigned a value between zero and 10. This value takes into consideration the volume of inbound and outbound links, and the quality of those links. The higher your PageRank, the more those web crawlers visit and index. Links are essentially considered “votes” and pages with more “quality” links to them are given greater importance. A great way to improve your ranking is to exchange links with complementary businesses, as both parties involved would benefit. Ultimately, it’s not enough to simply fill your page with an endless amount of keywords and derivative content. Google may very well deem your page to be spam. A label that will do you no favours in your search ranking.

Conclusion

And finally, don’t forget the customers. Websites that are kept current are visited more often and gain the trust of the user. Customers expect websites to be up-to-date and informative, and those that don’t measure up risk being ignored. Providing fresh content creates a superior customer experience. It may be the deciding factor between what you have to offer over that of a competitor.

So, what exactly does graphic design mean? Graphic design refers to a profession that focuses on a combination of artistic presentation. They create visual communication and influential delivery of a message. A variety of methods can be used to combine words and creative imagery. To tell a story, sell a product, present an opinion. The list can go on and on. Essentially, it’s a combination of visually impactful images and words used to get a point across. Graphic design is used in all sorts of media from radio and TV advertisements. To product packaging, web design, magazine layouts. Again, the list go on and on. So what is it that differentiates between good graphic design and bad graphic design. Why is it important to you and your business? Good graphic design, in its most basic form is about effective communication, effectively targeted.

What is the goal?

The goal of every marketing campaign should be to clearly communicate your message to your chosen target market. Vibrant and effective graphic design can help your message stand out. The catchphrase, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it!” – is a fundamental truth ineffective advertising and marketing but it’s not a complete statement. Your message must be clear and well-targeted too. You can’t expect customers to buy your product or service if they don’t know you exist. But, just as importantly you can’t expect someone to buy your product if they don’t need. I’m absolutely sure that sales of snowmobiles are fairly slow in Florida. So I doubt that ANY offer, no matter how brilliantly rendered, would ever generate a sale.

One of the simplest but, often the most overlooked, aspects of good graphic design is a professionally developed and rendered logos. A company, particularly one in a “start-up” situation should have a corporate brand that is easily recognized. Their brand should communicate to the customer exactly what it is you do.

A Strong Logo

A strong logo gives you instant credibility and presents a professional appearance. Unfortunately, a fair number of start-up businesses decide to “save” money and develop a logo themselves. Or worse yet they get their friend who “knows how to draw” to put something together for them.

You might save some money. But in the end, you only leave potential clientele with an unprofessional and less than polished image of yourself. Once you have your logo, stationery for all your business communications is the next step. Branded business cards, letterhead and envelopes all present a consistent image of your company. They keep your brand in front of a potential client.

Next, marketing collateral is required. Such as a corporate brochure, sell sheets, case studies and a trade show booth if appropriate. Advertising collateral can come in all shapes and forms. From wrapping a bus in a mobile billboard to direct mail delivered right to somebody’s door. Whatever it though, it must grab your targets attention.

Conclusion

And finally, in today’s internet age, every company requires a web presence to be competitive… and yes, I mean EVERY company. Quite often the first place somebody goes to research a product or service is the internet. You absolutely have to be able to provide your potential client with as much information as you can… instantly. If you can’t you’ve lost. That client is already shopping elsewhere. Almost 230,000,000 people are on the internet every day in North American. It’s fairly obvious that a company website presents an enormous marketing opportunity. So what does all of this have to do with good graphic design? Having marketing materials that are distinctive and memorable can appeal to a wide demographic. Resulting in increased sales and market share.

JEV Marketing & Communications has a design staff with the knowledge and skill. To create attention-grabbing and award-winning materials. To help your company stand out in the crowd.

Take advantage! Economic downturns happen all the time. Severe ones like we’re in right now are a lot more common than most businesses would care to believe. The weak perish, the strong survive, some even thrive. During economic downturns, companies disappear or are swallowed up by rivals. Others emerge stronger than ever. Basic principles apply during downturns. But it’s how those principles are dealt that determine which companies will survive and which companies die. In this blog post we discuss how businesses should market in tough times.

How to Market in Tough Times

So what should those companies that are looking to advertise do? Lower prices? Ask the automotive sector how rebates worked for them. When sales stalled, the “Big Three” saturated the market with so many low-price deals. No one would buy without a big rebate or a 0% financing offer.

Cut product quality? Remember Schlitz? Just thirty years ago it was America’s second-best-selling brew. Someone decided to trim costs by changing their fermentation process to something cheaper expecting that customers wouldn’t notice. Big mistake… six years later the company was out of business.

How about cutting advertising costs? Netflix began making serious inroads into Blockbuster’s customer base in 2005. But Blockbuster cut its $150 million advertising budget by 2/3 to less than $50 million. Netflix grew from 4.2 million subscribers to 7.1 million in less than 4 years. And how did Blockbuster fare? In 2007, they closed 500 stores. Blockbuster saw a $33.4 million profit turn into a $125 million loss through the third quarter.

What are the Opportunities?

Advertisers should go all out in the media that produce quantifiable results. Especially since their messages will be more prominent as competitors reduce spending. But the key is to advertise where you will get QUANTIFIABLE results. To make sure you are measuring those results. After all, if you don’t know what is working and what isn’t then even good advertising dollars are a waste. No matter how deep the recession is or how long it lasts. It’s the perfect opportunity to become aggressive and grab market share as competitors scale back their marketing efforts.

During a recession, you may not see increased sales but you will see an increased market share. If you can go into a recession controlling 10% of the market and come out with 20%. When the public does get back to serious spending you have just doubled your profit margin. An aggressive approach will pay some dividends early but down-the-road rewards are even greater. Companies that gain during a recession tend to maintain consumer loyalty when the recession has ended. Several studies have shown that after a downturn, companies that maintained or increased marketing communications. During the economic slowdown typically experienced 14 times more growth than companies that cut back.

Conclusion

Another trend that is emerging through the recession is that even while consumers are cutting back, they’re not doing so entirely. Consumers want to maintain their quality of life. Even in a time of belt-tightening, North Americans are not giving up on everyday pleasures. In 2008 and 2009 during the toughest part of the recession HDTV sales increased with almost 50% of all households in the US making a purchase. And, despite the expense, consumers are not entirely giving up on vacations. Even in these tough times, more than half of North American households plan to take a trip of 100+ miles in the next six months. To grapple with fuel costs, they just plan on closer-to-home trips… say Florida instead of Florence… and quite frankly, how many ads have you seen for trips to Italy as opposed to Disney World.