Brand Identity Marketing-My New FREE 10 Day Mini-Video Course!

These days, gaining brand visibility over a wide variety of mediums is crucial to a successful business, especially for online marketers.

But in order to be effective, your brand must soar above the competition!

How? By creating a compelling brand based on your authentic identity!

Announcing my new free video course for online marketers, entrepeneurs, business owners, ministry leaders, authors and writers, and high school and college students!

Here is the first video:

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Sign up below and you will get 10 free videos delivered to your email. While a few of them are available for public viewing, most are exclusively unlisted just for my subscribers!

Plus, every subscriptions comes with my free report, 10 Ways to Make Your Brand Sizzle. And, to give you ongoing support, you will automatically be enrolled in my ezine, BrandNotes.

Just enter your name and email below and you will receive your first emails immediately.

I hate spam as much as you do. I promise never to rent or sell your private information.








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Small Business Women Start Up-How to Market Your Product of Service for Free!

So you have a vision for your business, you’ve started your company or signed up as an associate for a direct selling organization. You have built your brand. You are ready to start flying!

But your budget is tight. Perhaps you don’t even have a budget!

Thankfully, with the advance of the Internet, you can promote your business for free or for very cheap!

What do you need to promote your brand? Here are some ideas to get you started:

1) First you need a domain name. This costs about $12 per year at GoDaddy. You also need personalized emails. Gmail and yahoo email addresses are not professional and come across as “spammy.” You can also get custom email with GoDaddy for minimum cost.

2) You need a website. The easier and cheapest way to build a website is a WordPress one. But go for WordPress.org, which means you need a hosting company. A really easy, inexpensive way to do this is to buy a hosting package from HostGator. If you buy their Baby package, you can have unlimited domains and emails. I highly suggest at least this one. You can also buy your domains through them, which I recommend. Through HostGator, you can also have autoresponders and many more features. Just check them out!

3) You need a blog. You can use WordPress again for this. Or maybe you just want your blog to BE your website. That is perfectly fine.

4) You need a Facebook account. Social media is big these days and is a huge avenue for promoting your brand. Who influences your target market? Find these people and become friends with them or like their pages. Comment often with these people. Be a thought leader. You will find your target market can’t wait to friend you!

Remember that with Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, it’s about relationship marketing. Tell them about yourself. Don’t just post links to your product or service. This is tacky and will turn off your audience. Give of yourself, encourage others, engage in conversations with your friend. Cultivate a community. Join groups that align with your passions, your target market, and your business. Use the time on Facebook and other social media sites wisely. Balance your posts between authentic sharing of yourself and promoting your business.

5) Do keyword research and write articles around those keywords. Wordtracker has a very effective tool for this. Study how to do keyword research. Find out what information your target marketing is looking for and give it to them. Submit your articles to article directories like EzineArticles.

6) Make a YouTube Channel. Video marketing is hot. It’s immediate and compelling! You don’t need an expensive camera and loading your videos on YouTube is free! Again, use keywords. Give gold nuggets of information that people need, want, and desire!

7) Set up a way to capture leads, through an autoresponder. Produce a free item that will attract people to your list. DO NOT use your own email program. Use the autoresponder in HostGator, or a service like Constant Contact. A lot of these services have free trials. Develop a weekly email newsletter so you can get your brand in front of your prospects.

I hope these ideas spur you on in your journey to build a small business! It is a learning adventure and one that is very worth it, because, as the old L’Oreal commercial used to say, “You’re Worth It!”

And if you do this, you will have a brand that sizzles!

Car Magnets Advertising–The Pros and Cons and How to Do It

Car magnets advertising is a very affordable way to get your name out there to the general public. Just think–you are driving down the road and thousands of people are seeing your brand over and over again!

But what are some of the drawbacks of magnetic car advertising? And how do you get that sign done, anyhow?

First off, the pros of magnetic advertising are numerous. It is relatively low-cost, it gets your name in front of a large group of people, and it travels wherever you travel!

This kind of display advertising is especially beneficial for local or regional service businesses, such as home organization consultants or property management companies.

But think before you delve into this form of display advertising. There are some definite cons.

For one, are you reaching your target market by displaying a magnetic sign? Just driving down the road you may not. When you have a niche or affinity market, this option may not be the best idea, unless you plan on spending a lot of time parked in lots where your affinity market is also hanging out.

Additionally, magnetic signs can fall off your car. This happened to me! And if your body is fiberglass, it won’t work.

You might want to consider vinyl advertising, instead, if you are worried about either one.

So, now that you know the good, the bad, and the ugly about car magnet advertising, how do you go about getting a sign?

Google car magnet advertising or some variation of the phrase. You will find many companies who do an excellent job. Some do only one or two color, others offer full color. Some companies have stock designs you personalize, others have an online design program.

Be sure to check what technical considerations are needed for your sign. Most websites list that under an FAQ section or a section devoted specifically to that. If you have any questions about it, don’t be afraid to call and talk to their technical department. They can guide you step by step what you need.

If you want to have a sign done locally, look at your local copy or sign shop. Copy shops often have reasonable prices, although they don’t seem to be as competitive as online shops.

Consider going with full color designs as opposed to one or two color. Color sells, especially in this Internet age we live in.

Make sure you use your brand consistently. What does this mean? Be sure your logo is the same as your business card as your magnetic sign as your website. Then when a prospect goes to your website after seeing your sign, they will immediately recognize that they’re at the right site.

You want to have one strong marketing message. Don’t list too many products or services. Keep it simple. Remember, white space is good! In design, less is more.

In other words, if you clutter up your sign with too many images and words, you will only confuse your prospect and you will not see any results.

Make sure the fonts are readable. Make your phone number and/or website stand out by putting it in another color.

By designing and purchasing a car magnet, your advertising will reach new heights and your brand will sizzle!

Branding in Marketing–Make Your Brand Sizzle by Designing a Unique Logo!

Here is my latest video in my series, Make Your Brand Sizzle!

What does it take to make a sizzling brand? A uniquely designed logo! Find out more in this video.

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Want more videos? I will be announcing an exciting new FREE video series soon! I’m in busy production mode! In the meantime, please do me a favor and share this! I really appreciate it!

Advertising Your Name As An Author-Why You Need A Brand

So you’re writing that novel you’ve always wanted to write and you’re thinking of sending out query letters and book proposals. Or maybe you’ve decided to go the self-publishing route and have your book on Amazon.

You get that nod from a publisher and that’s it, right? Or you stick your book on Amazon and buyers will automatically come, correct?

Wrong!

Publishers are looking for authors with a following. And even if you get published, you still have to market your book and your name! This is the little known secret that publishers don’t tell you!

And plus, just because you stick something up on Amazon doesn’t mean you will sell your books, or at least not at the rate you are hoping for!

So what is an author to do?

Build a brand!

And what is a brand? A brand is a graphical representation of your business or pen name that helps prospects (whether publishers or online customers) recognize who you are and what you do.

Brands build recognition. By consistently applying your brand to online and marketing methods, you will advertise your name as an author.

Make sure your brand is professional and of high quality. You want to stand out amongst the slush pile on acquisition editors’ desks or the pages and pages of similar books on Amazon. If your brand looks cheesy or like everyone else’s brand, you will not get noticed. And then you will not be advertising your name!

When you build your brand, make a plan to get it in front of your target market. If you plan on submitting manuscripts to publishers, have professional business cards and return address labels printed. Think of creative promotions that will make your name memorable to an editor. Make a plan on how many editors you will write per week and stick to it!

Whether you are looking for a traditional publisher or a self-publishing opportunity, develop a blog. Provide excellent content and draw your target market to you. Implement online strategies like article marketing, video marketing, or social media marketing to get your name in front of people on a consistent basis.

However you market yourself, make sure your brand is consistently applied across all mediums, both online and offline. Be professional in your approach to advertising your name and you will soar above the competition and reach your dream to be published and known!

And your author’s brand will sizzle!

Branding in Marketing-Make Your Brand Sizzle by Knowing Your Audience!

Here’s my second installment in my new video series, “Make Your Brand Sizzle!”

Learn why your audience is so important when building a brand!

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For more ways to make your brand sizzle, download my free report at Make Your Brand Sizzle!

Want to get started immediately? Get started right away with my online branding course.

How To Start Business Without Money-4 Steps that Will Make Your Dream Into Reality

So you want to start a business and you have no money. How can you make your dream a reality?

In today’s Internet age, it is more than possible!

Here are some ideas to help you in your endeavor:

1) First think about what you are passionate about. What do you love to do in your spare time? What service-oriented skill do you have that people need, want, and desire? What ideas keep you up at night? What are your life experiences?

Choose a business that does not require much equipment. Service businesses are perfect for this. Are you good at organizing? Then start a home organization business! Do you love to restore furniture? Buy some forgotten treasures and spruce them up with paint! You might even have the paint in your home if this is already a favorite hobby.

2) Select a target market. Whom are you in business for? Who are you trying to serve? Learn all about this target market. What are they afraid of? What pain do they have in their lives? What kind of people do they admire?

3) Develop a brand. What is that? A brand is a graphical image that communicates the essence of who you are and what you do. It is an appealing combination of fonts, colors, an image (but not totally necessary) contrast, and balance.

Combine what your passions are, your USP, with your target market. What solution to your target market’s pain can you bring? Design this into an image representative of that.

You want to make sure you have a professional brand, not one that looks sloppy. How can you do this with no money? Learn about how to design a logo yourself. There are many free design software programs out there to help you get started. Or take advantage of free trials applications like Adobe Photoshop offers.

4) Get your name out. Make people aware of your products or services.

Send press releases to your local papers. Advertise your business in Craigslist or other free online classified advertising sites, like Facebook Marketplace, if you feel comfortable. But be careful. Never give out your home address and always make sure you are safe.

Take advantage of Facebook and other social media sites like LinkedIn. Get involved in online communities and give gold nuggets of information. Start a blog and talk with passion about your chosen product or service. Write articles, make videos. Use what you already have at home. You don’t need fancy equipment to get started!

Starting a business with no money is possible. It just takes sweat equity, determination, and consistent work. Keep at it and you will find that pot of gold your looking for at the end of your particular rainbow!

Then your business will truly sizzle!

Brand Identity-Make Your Brand Sizzle by Building Your Passions!

Is your brand falling on deaf ears? Is it falling flat of your expectations? Or perhaps you’re just beginning to think of starting a business. Either way, this video will help you make your brand sizzle!

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For more ways to make your brand sizzle, download my free report at Make Your Brand Sizzle!

Want to get started immediately? Get started right away with my online branding course.

Branding Definition-What It Is and Why You Should Care

Branding is one of those words that gets bandied around a lot. It loses its meaning after awhile.

So you may wonder, what is branding, and why should you, as a business owner, organizational leader, or artist, care about it?

In this article, I am going to share with you, from the perspective of a graphic artist and Internet marketer, a branding definition that will help you make a brand that sizzles!

You as a business owner, ministry leader, or artist need to pay keen awareness to brand building, especially in this Internet age we live in.

It only takes a few seconds for a prospect to decide whether or not to click on your link. Is your lack of branding or ineffective branding keeping prospects away from your product or service?

So if the answer is yes, then what? You need to build an identity, with an effective image, that sets you above your competitors. A brand that reaches your target market, brings name recognition, and furthers your brand visibility. A brand that compels an online visitor to click on your link, to subscribe to your mailing list, and ultimately, buy your products.

Even if you are part of a network marketing organization, a franchise, or direct selling company, you need to brand yourself.

Why? Because primarily you need to be investing in yourself. You need to have a way to distinguish yourself from other associates or representatives. And in the worst-case scenario where your MLM, franchise, or direct selling business goes bankrupt, you will have already built a following, a fan base. You won’t lose as much business because you have already built yourself as a brand, not that failed company.

So what is a brand? What is a good branding definition?

A brand is a logomark that encapsulates the unique selling proposition of a business.

But a brand is so much more. Here are just some of the things a brand does:

  • Communicates the identity of a business through that image or symbol.
  • Builds name recognition and grows in value over time as that brand gains visibility.
  • A successful brand brings customer loyalty, almost like a trusted friend.
  • Consists of a logomark and business identity name. Some brands contain only the company name set in a specific font style.
  • Distinguishes a company from competitors.
  • Protects ownership of intellectual property, especially if trademarked.
  • Can be a business or a specific product or service. Corporations have several brands that they manage.

What is your brand doing?

To learn more about creating your own brand image and how you can make that brand more effective, download my FREE report, 10 Ways You Can Make Your Brand Sizzle at http://www.makeyourbrandsizzle.com

Want to get started right away to make your brand sizzle? Check out my extensive course at http://www.brandidentityquest.com that will teach you how the basics of brand design and marketing.

Dana Susan Beasley is principal and publisher of AngelArts, a creative arts agency and publishing house, and the author of a 3-month graphic design and marketing course called brand Identity Quest. An experienced and creative graphic artist, she has been helping companies, organizations, and artists reach new heights in their branding for over 17 years.

Artists and Writers: What Is Branding, Why You Need to Know About It, and What You Need To Do About It!

You’re an artist. You make jewelry. You paint original oil landscapes. You have a whole laundry room stacked with music CDs you had professionally produced. You’re ready to promote your artwork and you’re all ready to go.

Or you might be a writer. You’ve got your book proposal done, ready to send off to publishers. You might even have an agent.

Or you may even be a crafter who sells handmade items on Etsy.com.

But you forgot one important detail!

Your artistry, writing, or crafting is a business. And in order to treat it as a business, you need to treat it seriously.

This means you need a brand.

But what is a brand?

A brand is an image or identity that captures the essence of who you are as an artist or writer. It includes a logomark and your name.

Face it. Image is everything, whether you plan to promote yourself online or offline. On the Web, your prospects will only look at your site for a few seconds until they make a decision to stay or go. This is usually decided based on first impressions. And if you don’t have a brand that distinguishes you from other artists, your CDs, jewelry, crafts, or paintings will still sit in your storage room collecting dust!

I’m sure you’ve heard of the slush file. The stacks and stacks of manuscripts that acquisition editors have on their desks. How can your manuscript or artwork or music stand out?

And on the Web, your prospects are going to be skeptical. It takes trust to make a purchase, especially online. Some of your prospects are going to be downright scared.

It’s not like there’s the reliability of a national brand like, say, Thomas Kinkade or Michael Crichton. Your artistry or writing is an unknown entity. And an unknown entity is full of danger.

Buyer beware indeed.

So start thinking about your artistry or writer or crafter image. Who are in artistry for? Who are you writing for? Whom do you make crafts for? How did your artistry or writing or craft business start? What makes your art or writing or crafts unique?

What simple image represents your art, writing, or crafts? Are you a fine artist? How about brushes? Are you a jeweler? How about a simple drawing of one of your pieces? Are you a photographer? How about a simple photograph, one of your signature pieces? What about your writing? Are you a romance writer, science fiction, children’s author? Your chosen genre and audience for writing will determine your image!

Whatever you do, put some serious thought into the branding of your artistry or writing. Then watch your art, writing, or crafts get noticed! The result? Increased sales, a book proposal landed, an album deal, a magazine gig!

Who could argue with that?

To learn more about creating your own brand image and how you can make that brand more effective, download my FREE report, 10 Ways You Can Make Your Brand Sizzle at http://www.makeyourbrandsizzle.com.

Want to get started right away to make your brand sizzle? Check out my extensive course at http://www.brandidentityquest.com that will teach you not only the basics of graphic design and marketing, but how to build an effective brand that gets noticed.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6358373

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