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Branding Content Marketing

Branding 101: Copywriting Matters in Branding

You might be reading this article for several reasons. Perhaps a social media post that piqued your interest brought you here. Perhaps you’re conducting research on marketing and branding agencies in St. Louis for a project you’re working on. Perhaps you’re simply scrolling through headlines of interest while you’re in line at the grocery store.

It hardly matters how you got here; you’re here because you need clarity on a specific topic: copywriting.

When it comes to branding, copywriting is a powerful factor. From your brand’s foundation to the content you send out to potential customers, copywriting is mandatory. Ultimately, your copywriting’s quality defines how your brand is perceived. Let’s review some branding components that stress how important copywriting is. Continue Reading

Content Marketing Web Design

What goes into effective and engaging website copy?

While there’s an increasing emphasis on including engaging visuals and video in website design, we believe that nothing will ever take the place of well-written copy. We call content one of our four keys to a successful website.

We’ve assembled some key questions to help you establish your intentions and objectives for the copy, or written content, on your site. These questions are relevant whether your own team produces your content or you work with Hub & Spoke or another provider.

Although it might not be necessary to recreate the existing content you have, the following questions will establish a foundation, whether you are making small changes or need something entirely new. Continue Reading

Best Practices Content Marketing Web Design

Creating Attractive Website Content That Fosters Engagement

It’s common knowledge that the average person’s attention span is increasingly short. We all live busier, faster lives than we used to live. This is especially true here on the internet, where we’re constantly bombarded by content and moving on to the next thing—whatever it is—only takes a click.

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Nonetheless, people are quite willing to stick around if what they’re watching or reading is helpful and engaging, and it provides new insights and robust knowledge. This is where quality content comes in. Continue Reading

Branding

When does a company need a facelift?

Maybe your sales aren’t exactly sagging, but if your business has sort of plateaued, it might be time to consider injecting some new life into it. A newly rejuvenated company can increase it sales and expand its customer base while helping to maintain the customers it already has. What company wouldn’t benefit from this?

Unsure of whether or not your company could use a bit of a makeover? Here are some signs your business might be in need of a facelift.

Outdated branding

If your business has been around for a number of years, your brand might be outdated. Over the lifetime of your business, trends change and having a brand and logo that keeps with old times can make your company seem stagnate unattentive. A company needs to continue to evolve its brand over time so it can: set itself apart, appeal to new and emerging markets, and connect with its target audience.

Startups can also benefit from updated branding. In the early days of beginning your company, you may not have been able to fully develop your identity. Taking the time to establish what you want your business to be is critical in helping with your brand awareness. This is something that can spill over to a company logo, website and printed materials all with the goal of unifying your business’s message and overall image.

Changing products or services

It’s certainly not unheard of for a company to start out doing one thing but overtime evolve into something different. This is a natural progression. The problem is, your company’s image needs to also reflect these changes.

Take some time to evaluate what your business started out doing and how it has evolved to the present day. Make sure your image reflects new products or services, so you can better communicate what you represent to current and future customers. A good tip is to review your business plan once a year to make sure your business is heading in the right direction to match the goals of your five-year plan.

Stagnate marketing plan

If your marketing plan doesn’t ever change, it’s likely your business is in need of a facelift. Over the natural evolution of any company, goals, products and services can all change. This will affect who you market to and how. In order to make sure your business is working with an up-to-date marketing plan, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. Who is my target audience?
  2. Is social media part of my marketing strategy?
  3. What areas do I want to focus on for spreading my message?
  4. What is the time frame for my marketing plan?
  5. What are the end goals for my plan? For example, how much will sales, profits and spending increase?

Over the life of any business, a facelift is inevitable. You can’t expect your company to maintain its customer base without acknowledging new trends and technologies– let alone attracting new clientele. Three big indicators that your company may need a facelift are: outdated branding, changing products or services, stagnate marketing plan

Change is inevitable. How you respond to it will determine the longevity of your company.

© 2013 Web Design, Branding & Marketing Insights from Hub & Spoke.