Your Mini-Guide to Business Branding

Branding helps your business create the desired image of your company by clarifying and expanding what your company stands for.

According to Kotler and Keller, "Branding is endowing products and services with the power of a brand." It helps put your business above the competition by giving customers an idea to attach themselves to. It affects consumers, employees, and shareholders. 

Brand vs. Products 

Branding can be challenging to understand, it helps to know the difference between a product and a brand.

A product is an item or service your company is selling. Although unique products or services are excellent, they can usually be easily copied by other aspiring entrepreneurs.

A brand is the idea and image behind the product. It is the promise made to the customers regarding what the product can deliver. It fulfills the customers' desires while creating an emotional appeal for customers to attach themselves to. 

Why Focus on Branding? 

So, what's the big deal about branding? Well, branding has many advantages. Here are just a few of them.

Branding makes your business unique.

In saturated markets where similar products or services are being sold, it can be too easy to get lost among the many other businesses.

However, branding gives you the chance to stand out. Customers may prefer the image and idea you are selling above that of a competitor. 

Branding creates greater customer loyalty.

Although quality products and/or services will be what keeps the customer coming back, you can strengthen that loyalty by giving the customer a brand to attach themselves to.

It is easier for people to connect to ideas and images over products. The customers you bring in through your branding are going to be your ideal customers. Why? Because there was something about your brand that they loved and will most likely continue to love for a long time!

Branding generates consistency.

Consistency is important because it better helps consumers identify your products by giving your company a unique look that can be attributed back to you.

Developing a great brand will make it much easier to release new products or services and provide a framework for your company to work under, alleviating the pressure of figuring out the little details. 

Developing a Brand Guide

The purpose of a brand guide is to solidify your company's visual design and the voice, tone, and messaging.

Brand Guides include creating and finalizing the logos, color palette, typography, and voice and tone. This can be overwhelming, especially if you don't have professional design skills. So, don't be afraid to hire a professional when developing your brand guide. Great designs can really make a difference. 

Where to Apply Branding

Advertising

Your advertising campaign should incorporate consistent designs and messages.

Some great ideas for advertising include large print advertising, including banners and posters. When designing these, refer to your branding guide to create consistent color schemes, fonts, and messaging.

A fantastic design will catch potential customers' attention, and the incorporation of your branding guide in your advertisement will help them better identify your products in the market. 

Product and Packaging Design

Try to apply your brand guide to your products and packaging.

Again, it'll significantly help your company's consistency, making your business and products easily identifiable to customers. 

Branding helps your business stand out among the competition by generating consistency and amazing design throughout your business's endeavors, translating into more outstanding sales and customer loyalty. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 Hard vs.Soft Selling

Selling isn’t easy, no matter what you’re selling. How do you know which tactics work best and in which situations?

Check out the difference between a hard sell and a soft sell below to determine which approach will work best for your business.

In Corner One: The Hard Sell

The hard sell is used to close a sale quickly and is often pushy and aggressive.

It’s not uncommon for the salesperson to keep pushing until the customer has said no three times. The hard sell method has actually fallen out of favor with most businesses because it can leave the customer feeling unsatisfied and regretful, causing them to share their negative experiences with their friends and acquaintances.

Despite this, the hard sell is still utilized today because it provides immediate rewards and is great for 100% commission jobs. Hard sells also minimize the competition because the customer has little to no time to compare your product or services against another business. 

Despite its potential drawbacks, the hard sell can still be productive if it’s not done too aggressively.  

In Corner Two: The Soft Sell

The soft sell is generally favored over the hard sell.

The soft sell uses subtle persuasion and casual language in a low-pressure environment to close the sale. However, this approach usually takes longer, causing the seller to have to follow up multiple times.

The soft sell is somewhat counterintuitive because the sales representative focuses more on building a relationship with the client rather than selling the item.

Because of this, the sales representative must be persistent, frequently checking back on the customer. However, it is quite effective because customers like doing business with people they know and trust. The customer is more likely to keep coming back because they’ve had a good experience with you. 

6 Tips for a Successful Soft Sell

1. Do Your Research.

Researching your client before meeting them will give you a better idea of their needs and how you can best help them. You’ll also be better prepared and equipped to meet their needs.

2. Develop a Relationship.

Customers like doing business with people they know.

You want them to see you as someone they can trust, so take the time to get to know them. Ask your customers and prospects questions and truly listen to their responses.

It can be challenging to remember everything your customer says. Keeping notes you can refer back to in your future meetings will make following up with them easier. In addition, they’ll be surprised and happy that you remembered.

3. Give the Customer Space to Choose.

Don’t ask for a response right away or pressure prospects into buying.

Give them time, about 48 hours, to think it over. Then, follow up with them to inquire if they need any extra assistance from you.

4. Develop Your Emotional Intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is the “ability to perceive, manage, and regulate emotions” according to verywellmind.com.

This intelligence involves five components: emotional awareness, self-confidence, self-regulation, adaptability, influence, and leadership.

Having high emotional intelligence better equips you to understand your customer and their needs. You’ll be able to better direct your questions and advice based on how your customer is feeling.

5. Utilize Print.

The soft sell can be challenging because customers don’t feel pressure to close the sale in the near future.

Distributing business cards or brochures or leaving behind your print marketing collateral can help solve this problem. The prospect will have something physical to hold onto that will remind them of your business and keep your business top-of-mind.

6. Stay Resilient!

The soft sell does not happen right away.

It requires checking in with your customer and following up with their questions and concerns. Sometimes, the sale never happens. But, what matters is that you provided the customer with sound advice and connected with them to feel valid. This helps build the reputation of your company. Maybe the sale didn’t happen this time, but it will in the future. 

The Choice is Yours

Between the soft sell and the hard sell, the soft sell is generally recommended because it allows the customer to make an informed choice that they are happy with, ensuring a good company reputation and a loyal customer.

However, aspects of the hard sell can be beneficial to incorporate into your business when the circumstances call for it. Just don’t be too aggressive and pushy. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

                 The Pros Cons And Uses Of Coated Vs Uncoated Paper

All paper is just the same, or is it? When you are designing printed pieces, one of the most important decisions to make is what type of paper they will be printed on. Apart from your personal preferences, there are several other things to consider. For instance, the differences in the type and quality of paper you will use could make all the difference. Paper is usually classified into two categories. Each type of paper has its own set of unique qualities which make it suitable for certain tasks. So here are some pros, cons, and uses of coated vs uncoated paper

Coated Paper

Coated paper will give you a sharp, crisp result. You will also get a lot of contrast between the printed photos. Its coated surface offers an excellent vehicle for images, allowing you to view all the finer details with greater contrast between the printed area and white space. That’s why it’s favored by most magazines and high-end catalogs. Most people also like it because of its “glossy” prestigious surface. So if you are looking for a prestigious canvas to use for images with high-quality detail, and you are thinking about whether to use coated vs uncoated paper, then coated paper is the way to go.

Coated paper is ideal for:

• Varnishes
• UV coatings
• Gold or Silver foil stamping
• die cutting custom shapes.

Drawbacks of Coated Paper

There are a few drawbacks when it comes to coated paper. For instance, writing on it using a pen can be a challenge. Apart from that, if you are printing something with lots of text or small details, the shininess of the gloss-coated paper can make it very difficult to read. This is one of the advantages of uncoated paper when comparing coated vs uncoated paper.

Uncoated Paper

The uncoated paper has a warmth and tactility factor to it. It implies a sense of authenticity and respectability, and that’s what makes it a perfect choice for resumes, non-profit reports, and annual reports. In most instances, it is also used for letterheads, envelopes, and some catalogs. There are also several variants of uncoated paper, each with a different finish.

Uncoated paper is used for several purposes, including:

• Embossing/debossing
• Letterpress
• foil stamping.

The uncoated paper provides a smooth contrast between the paper surface and the embossing or foil stamping. It is also ideal for folding. Even when dealing with heavier weights, it can be quite easy to fold. This is what makes it ideal for custom packaging projects.

Drawbacks of Uncoated Paper

It is not advisable to use uncoated paper for images with great detail. It can present a challenge, especially in the mid-tone areas. You will notice that they can sometimes appear “muddy.” Apart from that, uncoated paper usually requires additional drying time. This means it might not be ideal for tight turnaround projects.

Aesthetics of Coated Vs Uncoated Paper

The surface of the coated paper provides an ideal canvas for high-resolution pictures with fine detail. This is why it is perfect for prestigious applications like magazines, automotive catalogs, and flyers. Coated paper also offers an excellent ink holdout. It performs rather impressively with regions of heavy solid color and metallic inks.

On the other hand, because of its qualities, uncoated paper is well suited for educational, non-profit, and environmental projects. Uncoated paper will give the best aesthetic outcome with pressure-based print techniques. In those applications, it will give a nice contrast between the surface of the sheet and the impressions. However, because of the way it absorbs ink, you might want to work with smoother options within uncoated papers.

These are some of the pros and cons of coated and uncoated paper. Because of their qualities, these papers are used for different applications. So, if you have a project in mind and you are wondering whether to choose coated or uncoated paper, you might want to put these factors into consideration first.Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

5 Ways to Reconnect To Your Audience

The last year and a half with the COVID pandemic has been highly disruptive, breaking relationships and forcing distance between people in all facets of life.

Business hasn't been excluded from that effect.

That's why it's more important now to reintroduce your products and services to clients and remind them that you exist, you can help, and you're available for them.

Remember, out of sight is out of mind; clients forget why they used a service when there's a lack of contact and frequency. And that leaves room for your market to erode and someone else to fill the gap if they happen to be present.

5 Ways to Reconnect To Your Audience

1. Be Proactive

Part of reconnecting means being proactive and reaching out again, even without an invite.

A client will be fine with communication most of the time, noting they forgot how much they relied on your service. Use that opener to remind them how valuable your support was for their needs. Even if they don't need an order right away, get your presence and recognition back on their radar with a simple meet and greet through direct mail or an office visit.

2. Take the Blame for the Disconnect

Blame yourself for not staying in touch instead of letting the client feel guilty.

With so much happening, the last thing anyone wants is to feel criticized for not staying in contact. Instead, carry the blame and let them feel better about the disconnect, as well as note that you're making amends and reaching out again.

It reframes the discussion, making the client feel comfortable and noting you want their attention and communication. You want them to feel valued.

3. Reposition Your Value

Clients can begin to forget why partnerships and support relationships existed.

As clients come back into the office again, you want them to remember why they used your service in the first place. Don't let them guess, show them and reinform again.

4. Make Sure Contact Info is Updated

Most reconnects are not about a sale; they are about re-establishing a relationship.

Ideally, you want the client to have the latest means and contact info to reach out when their need is realized, and they have to act on it. People are more prone to work with a tried and true path. Make sure they have your current information, and it's readily available to them.

5. Remind Your Clients Why You Appreciate Them

If one of your clients generated a referral over the last year, let them know you appreciated the help and support.

By communicating your gratitude for a referral or past sales, clients will likely do business with you again and send new referrals, both activities positively affecting your bottom line.

Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 

Your Guide to Advertising on TikTok

TikTok is a fast-growing social media platform that your business can incorporate into its marketing strategy.

TikTok is an optimal marketing platform because it has a large, highly invested user base. For example: 

• In 2018, 5% of global internet users had TikTok. In 2020, that number grew to 18%. That number is projected to grow to 26% by 2024. 
• Currently, TikTok has 689 million monthly active users spanning 150 countries worldwide,making TikTok the 7th largest social media app.
• 50% of TikTok users are aged 18-34. The other 50% are ages 35+
• TikTokers are highly invested, spending an average of 52 minutes per day on TikTok. This makes TikTok the best platform for audience engagement, meaning your business will have a good ROI (Return on Investment).
• TikTokers have the money to support your business. 51.8% have a yearly salary of $75,000+
• TikTok users will most likely be swayed by advertising. The majority of them agree that they tend to buy brands they see advertised. 

Getting Started 

TikTok is very user-friendly.

Just download the app from the app store, put your account into a business mode, and start creating content. To post, click the + button, film the video with the effects you want, and then add a description, links, hashtags, and @ people. Your video can be between 15 seconds to 3 minutes. 

The material your business will post should look slightly different than that of your other social media sites. TikTok is a casual, fun, and humorous environment. The more your content aligns with these values, the better you’ll do. Brainstorm ways your content can be funny. Bonus points if you can add something cute (such as animals or children) into your videos. Finally, try using TikToks filters and jump on some TikTok trends. 

Advertising on TikTok

Running a successful business account is wonderful advertising as is. Plus, it’s free!

However, TikTok also offers a wide variety of paid advertising methods that your business may want to take advantage of. 

• In-Feed Ads: these ads blend with other videos in the user’s feed. Users can like, comment, and share. However, they can also scroll past. Keeping your ads entertaining to watch will increase the likelihood that people will stay and watch.
• Brand Takeover Ads: these pop up right when users enter the app and visit a specific category. Your ad will be the only one that users see in that category for that day. They come at the hefty price of $45,050 because your ad will reach a high volume of users. They also take up the entire screen. 
  Top-View Ads: think of these as delayed brand takeover ads that don’t cover the user’s fullscreen
• Branded hashtag ads: these ads boost UGC (user-generated content) by challenging users to make content with your product and then post with your hashtag. Other users will then see these videos. Hashtag ads can be highly effective. For example, Samsung used the branded hashtag challenge to advertise their new Galaxy A. TikTokers were challenged to post when using features of the Galaxy A phone. This resulted in lots of UGC and over 158 million views. That’s a lot of advertising!
• Branded effects ad: these allow businesses to advertise their product by creating a filter. It helps your business take advantage of the wide popularity of filters on TikTok. Users can then use this filter and post for others to see. It again helps generate UGC.
• Influencer Advertising: You also have the option to reach out to influencers for them to advertise your product. This method can be quite effective. People look up to various celebrities and influencers. Therefore, when an influencer mentions liking or using a certain product, it can do wonders for your business. For example, in 2014, Kim Kardashian posted a picture of herself in a waist trainer. Prior to that day, not many people even knew what a waist trainer was. Afterward, waist trainer sales skyrocketed. The bottom line, having influencers promote your business can be widely successful. Just make sure the influencer aligns with your business’s product and values. Also, be cautious of your budget. More popular influencers charge more money. 

Pair TikTok with Print Advertising!

Don’t only rely on one form of advertising!

TikTok is ideal for targeting a young, international market. To have the most effective advertising campaign, utilize various advertising modes.

For example, pair print advertising with social media advertising.

Print will attract loyal customers who trust and support your business. It is cost-effective and diverse. You can advertise using banners, flyers, or even promotional products! 

Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

 

 Are You the Best Leader You Can Be? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself

Are you a new manager? Or an old pro? Or somewhere in between? It really doesn’t matter because there’s always room for sharpening your edge as a leader.

Here are ten things you should ask yourself to determine if your leadership needs to be honed.

10 Leadership Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do I treat my employees like friends or employees?

When it comes to employees, you may have once been a part of their team, but as a manager, you are a part of the management team.

This means you should not treat your employees as friends in an informal way. You can have fun with them, but maintain your leadership role and keep things professional.

2. Do I use situational leadership?

There is no cookie-cutter answer for dealing with people.

Employees need to be handled individually. Each one has different strengths and weaknesses, and your leadership should involve a tailor-made interaction with each of them. You will need to coach some people in one area, and other people may be strong in that area, and vice versa.

3. How well do I know my employees?

Do you know how many children your employees have? Do you know what their career goals are? Do you know what they do for fun?

Getting to know them on a personal level will make all the difference. Make sure you do this for all employees, so that there’s no favoritism. Take time to truly know them as people because it will build loyalty and trust.

4. Am I an active listener?

When employees come to you with a problem, whether it’s work-related or personal, do you truly listen? Or do you try to give advice without hearing the whole story?

Practice actively listening to your employees. This could be the most important attribute of a great leader.

5. Do I focus on the big picture?

Sometimes it’s hard for a leader, or manager, to step back from the daily tasks at hand.

Rather than trying to do a job for your employees, focus on their improvements and overall accomplishments. Sometimes the details of how a job gets done are not as important as the fact that it gets done. Your employees may have a different way of accomplishing a task that is even better than the original way they were taught.

6. Do I deal with problems right away?

Even if the former boss was used to ignoring issues in hopes they would disappear, your job as an effective leader requires you to deal with issues as they come up.

If there are performance issues, you need to address them with that employee and work on steps to improve.

7. Do I ask employees for their opinions?

Sometimes the best way to help an employee is to encourage them to take ownership of a situation.

If they constantly come to you with issues, ask them, “What do you think?” This is a great tool for an effective leader. Get the employees to think for themselves and provide solutions. Then, empower them to make some changes if it’s appropriate.

8. Do I spend time with other leaders?

As a manager, you will benefit from spending time with other managers.

These relationships are just as important as managing your employees. Take time to meet with other managers, whether in your building or a business network situation. Build friendships, and ask for advice. Give advice as well, if it’s requested.

9. Am I available?

Do I hide in my office, or am I accessible?

Be visible to employees, so they know you are around to help should they need it. It also allows employees to feel like they are a part of something larger and are important, and it builds morale.

10. Do I schedule individual meetings as well as group meetings?

We all have a busy schedule filled with things that need to get done right away.

But don’t forget that meeting with individuals is just as important as holding group meetings. Employees need to know how to improve, and they need to know what you expect of them. Meet one-on-one with them on a monthly basis if possible, or at least on a regular schedule, so they have a deadline to use as a guide for improvement.

No matter if you manage like a well-oiled machine or you need to tweak a few things, remember that no one is perfect. There’s always room for improvement. Being a good leader takes practice and is hard work.

A Better Leader

And being a leader in the business world takes practice and teamwork too.

That’s why our printing firm is ready to answer your questions on how to make sure you stand out as a leader in the sea of businesses in town. We offer graphic design and high-quality printing that will help you lead the way to success.Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO:www.printcafeli.com

Business Writing Made Easy

When it comes to business writing overall, how do you measure up?  

Overall, businesses spend $3.1 billion on remedial writing training for their employees annually. We’re not offering a class, but we have compiled a list of professional writing tips to aid you in your business communication.

Even if English wasn’t your favorite subject in school, using these tips will make you look like a pro.

Writing Like a Pro with These Tips

Know your audience.

Think about who you are writing to.

Is it a customer? A potential customer? A coworker? Your boss? There are different ways to communicate with all of these people. Keep the audience in the forefront of your mind when you start your composition.

Think about your tone.

Think about how formal you want to appear.

Do you want to sound like a corporate store or a friend? Do you want to be lighthearted or more serious? Think about this as you write; then, keep your tone consistent.

Watch your punctuation and grammar.

Some people in your audience care a lot about grammar and punctuation.

If you make a lot of mistakes, it will cost you your professionalism, causing your audience not to trust you. Use spellcheck for sure, even if you won all the spelling bees in school. Sometimes when we write quickly, we make tiny mistakes.

If you’re not sure about grammar, there are programs that will help you with this, too. If you are lucky enough to have a trusted coworker who is good at writing, have them look it over for you. They might find something you missed. 

Focus on your point.

Many people ramble on about things that are not pertinent to their goal in writing.

Think about if you want to sell something, tell your customers about a new technology you have, or promote a particular service. Then, focus on that. Review your writing when you are done so that you can edit out unnecessary information that doesn’t directly relate to your point.

Don’t use jargon or buzzwords.

Your audience may not be familiar with jargon or buzzwords.

Make sure you use clear language that anyone can understand. Don’t assume they understand what you are saying. Make it clear, and leave nothing to chance.

Be organized.

If it helps, outline your business writing before sitting down with pen and paper (or finger and computer).

If you can organize your thoughts in an outline, you will be more effective in your composition. Then be sure to stick to your outline by referring to it constantly.

Watch your font usage.

You may think it’s fun to experiment with fonts, and it can be.

But when you are writing a business letter or advertising copy, make sure not to use too many different fonts. Stick with one or two.

Be concise.

Some people think that by adding a lot of words to their writing, it makes them appear more educated.

Actually, the contrary is true. A good writer can edit their copy so that it’s concise and to the point. This will help your audience remember what your point is.

Wait a day to proofread if possible.

If you can, give yourself a day to proofread. By waiting a day, you will catch more mistakes.

Research the competition.

If you are writing advertising copy, or a letter to promote an event or product at your business, be sure to research what the competition is offering.

You shouldn’t mention the competition, but keep it in mind so that your offer stands out. Be sure you have a better offer or are offering something totally different that will be even more appealing to your audience.

Perfecting Your Writing

No matter how much you write, these are great tips to refer to when writing business correspondence.

Even expert writers need to be reminded of these simple steps from time to time. Since it’s easy to ramble on, we all need a reminder to edit ourselves. Not only will these tips help you improve your writing, but they will position you as a leader in your field.

At our printing firm, we want to help you be number one. That’s why we offer professional layout and design services with high-quality paper to help you finish off your perfect marketing materials. Call us today: 516-561-1468 or Visit Our Website for more Information:www.printcafeli.com