The biggest constraint that any small business encounters in its initial stages is advertising and promotion budget. The unavailability of funds immobilizes small business owners to launch their company identity through proper promotional campaign. What good is your business logo when it is not evident in the market?

Overcoming the budget constraint!

Lack of media exposure is a prime reason that small business owners fail to initiate their business. In this overcrowded world of media coverage, it is imperative to make your business identity noticeable. Social media is especially helpful in this cause for small business owners who do not have sufficient funds to raise an advertising campaign. In simple terms, social media helps small business in getting heard. It is the cheapest form of promotion.
With the increase in consumer awareness, it is essential for businesses to establish their names in the market. The mindset of consumers has changed drastically over the years. People nowadays emphasize on the brand name rather than the product itself.

The statistical facts:

Common sense apart, there are statistical evidence to proof that social media is gaining popularity among small business owners as well. Recently, The University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business in collaboration with Network Solutions published the Small Business Success Index (SBSI). It is a study that discloses the degree to which small businesses are accepting social media. According to the report, social media adoption among U.S. small businesses doubled in the past year from 12% to 24%.

The report follows a list of extensive figures. Following are the rest of the interesting facts of the study:

• 75% have a business page on a social network site like LinkedIn or Facebook.
• 69% enthusiastically post status updates and articles of interests.
• 57% are building networks through sites like LinkedIn or Facebook.
• 54% monitor customer feedback of their business on social networks.
• 39% run a blog on their area of proficiency or interest.
• 26% tweet information related to their area of interest or knowledge.
• 16% use twitter to provide customer service.

Social Media – Time to embrace:

With all logical and statistical information, it is evident that social media is the best tool in bolstering the image of small businesses. Social media is like a great conflagration that sprawls over the blogosphere within minutes. It spreads out your business information within the blink of an eye. Hence for those who haven’t yet embraced the blessings of social media should start using it right away. The results will be evident within days.

    The charm and magic of business cards is always mesmerizing. We are always up on our toes to make ourselves stand out in this tough competition. My blog is always stuffing you all with the importance of having professional company logos but I think business cards play a vital role in building strong corporate identity.On searching the internet you will get to see awesome collection of business cards but the set below will surely tempt you to be more experimental and creative with your corporate business cards.

Exchanging business cards is an old tradition of the business world but most of them are tucked into a wallet or desk drawers. Here is a collection of 30 business cards which will truly impress your clients and make them hire you every time they need the related services.

1 ) Chuck Tingley

2 ) Lettau Designs

3 ) Nathan Jones

4 ) Kenspecklegifts

5 ) Jason McGrew

6 ) Lego

7 ) Primal Screen

8 ) Sparkle Labs

9 ) Toxic Puppy

10 ) Kass

11 ) NC Publishing

13 ) Distrilo

14 ) Olokial

15 ) Isablah

16 ) Leschinski Design

17 ) Jack rabbit

18 ) S&N

19 ) Butter Label

20 ) Made by Elephant

21 ) Gehring Sales & service

22 ) Rezife

23 ) Geniealisa

24 ) Daniel Ballou

25 ) Lioninoil

26 ) Corporation Pop

27 ) Space 150

28 ) Than an Agency

29 ) SupaFly Design

30 ) SheetSeat

31 ) David Burke

32 ) KEO

33 ) Relix

34 ) Sarah Power Media

35 ) Dale Edwin Murray

If we want to see our business at top, there are few elements which can’t be ignored in any case and “Brochure Designs” are among them. We all know the marketing mantra: “The more effectively a business is marketed, more profitable are the results.”

Business brochures play an exclusive important role to convey your business message to your targeted audience and converting them into productive clients.

Therefore, today I list few important features which will help you come up with a successful brochure design. To hone your creative skills, I have added a collection of inspiring and unique brochure ideas from all over the internet.

• Plan: Before you start designing your brochure, know exact purpose of having it… Is it for marketing purposes or for personal use? You need to be clear about certain issues like- will the brochure be used alone or be paired with ads or catalogues.

• Product Information: The brochure should always be about the product or service that you want to market. Try not to add irrelevant information about the product in your brochures or your customer might think your services to be useless. 

• Shape: Standard brochures are generally tri-fold or A4 but to appear exclusive try having an unusual shape for your brochure. This way your customers won’t be able to ignore your brochure thinking of it as an ordinary piece of paper.

• Brochure Cover: The brochure cover cannot be ignored in any case. It has to be too good to be ignored. If the first look of your brochure is appealing then only you will be able to attract customers.

• Price List: The brochure should list the exact prices of your product or service. You should avoid misleading your potential customers by giving false or uncalculated prices of your products.

• Visual Effects: If short paragraphs of information are supported with some visual treats, it keeps the customer to browse the complete brochure.

• Call to Action: The purpose of a having a brochure remains unachieved if it fails to evoke the reader to “Call to action” So add such an encouraging sentences which inspire the customers to call for more information.

• Promotional offers and Discounts: Promotional pitches such as discounts and special offers will generate interest among prospective clients. Always keep in mind the best interest of your customers so as to gain their trust and loyalty.
• Target audience: It must provide useful information that calls your targeted customers and helps them understand your product and services better.

Brochure # 1

Brochure # 2

Brochure # 3

Brochure # 4

Brochure # 5

Brochure # 6

Brochure # 7

Brochure # 8

Brochure # 9

Brochure # 10

Brochure # 11

Brochure # 12

Brochure # 13

Brochure # 14

Brochure # 15

Brochure # 16

Brochure # 17

Brochure # 18

Brochure # 19

Brochure # 20

Brochure # 21

Brochure # 22

Brochure # 23

Brochure # 24

Brochure # 25

On 24 th June, 2009, Vistaprint Limited (Hamilton, Bermuda) the small business marketing company, unveiled its global brand strategy with some noticeable changes including a new logo, tagline and a complete Website redesign. The main aim behind this new look and feel is to highlight the wide range of products and services available for small and home businesses.

The company offers small businesses personalized printed products such as business checks, business letterheads, rubber stamps, promotional apparel including hats and T-shirts; and marketing services, websites, design and postcard mailing. It is believed to be catering more than 19 million small businesses and consumers by offering them the easiest ways to promote their business at the most affordable prices.

However, we are here to talk about the redesigned logo of VistaPrint. The logo has been highly criticised with its idea of showcasing arches of CMY(no K) gushing out of their name. Although the earlier version was also not much impressive but this time sophistication lacks badly and the symbols says nothing about the company’s high targets.

Well, I want to appreciate their attempt to replace the thin lines and lowercase of their old logo but they failed bringing up any progressive change. A blog well-known for announcing redesigns has highly criticised the logo: “The typography looks like the bastard child of Tobias Frere-Jones’ Interstate and Avenir.”

However, the old and the new logo do not have much difference and both are claimed to be equally unappealing. Many people balme VistPrint.com for providing  cheap, fast and mediocre quality. So they think their redesign well-explain their services…do you think so?

Do write in to give your honest comments…Do you think VistaPrint New Logo is the worst logo redesign of year 2009?

Below I offer you 7 part-time jobs which can be turned into solo business ventures. Maybe any of these small ideas might bring in big business for you.

Bakery Business:

Have you ever checked the sales of the best independent bakeries around the world? I am sure you will be amazed to know how small bakers turned into rich entrepreneurs. In 1994, Jim Lahey started Sullivan Street Bakery after several years experimenting as a home baker. Today, his company has about $6 million in annual revenues and about 90 employees.

Pick up a simple bakery item initially, like cupcakes.  If you start with a $2 as the starting deal I think you can give competition to New York’s famed Magnolia Bakery which sells 2,000 cupcakes a day.

Blogging:

Dress/Jewelry Designing:

EBay Sale:

Book Keeping:

Web Designing:

Floral designer:

Lately, it seems as if business owners (small or big) have nothing else on Earth to discuss other than the recession disaster. The misfortune it has brought to lives of countless people is depressing but I was amazed when I accidentally ran into one of my old buddies at a book store. After regular pleasantries when inquired about his business conditions (thinking he would start whining soon) I was taken aback when he said “He loves the recession and recently bought a new car as well”

Being too impressed by his statement I could just not let him go and offered a cup of coffee at a close by cafeteria. Here he shared some easy and simple ways howto survive the recession and also help my business grow. And yes you are right…I couldn’t stop myself from forwarding it to you all. I am sure soon you will be able to purchase a car (German or Japanese) as well

Reduce prices to keep your customers wallets open :

People are avoiding making expensive and big purchases, so its better that you drop your product prices for time being. In fact, by reducing your prices, you are forcing your customers to keep shopping.

Ease your customers’ fears :

All the gloom and doom news has frightened laymen. When we hear big business tycoons claiming being bankrupt, they get more scared. They are holding back their money thinking it will help them in worst times. Help them relax by understanding that this economic melt-down shall pass soon.

Win their trust :

Firstly, if you want to close a deal with any of your customer try to agree with their perspective. Make them feel that you understand and agree with them. Once they get a feeling that you can understand their problems they will accept your offers.

Respect their dreams :

We all have dreams and want them to be true as soon as possible. To customers, our products and services take them closer to their dreams. Show your sensitivity towards their values and tell them how you can help their dreams come true.

Offer special discounts and bonus :

It’s human nature that “discount” and “Free Coupon” tags always attract customers. Invite customers with special discount days or adding a line of products that customers have been asking for.

Extra services would do some good :

Try offering some extra service of your same field. For example, if you clean residential homes, why not start cleaning windows or cleaning offices. It will get more people approaching you and getting all things done from same place.

Low budget advertisement :

Advertising is always important throughout for every business to get customers flowing in. Rather than avoiding your business advertisement during critical period of recession its better to look for some cheap ways to promote your services. Try some online advertisement with blogging, as earlier I mentioned wonders of blogging for small businesses.