Visit the Philip & Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College in Collegeville PA and you’ll view fabulous art from all over the world. We just designed and produced the invitations, text panels, exhibit labels and vinyl display lettering for three new installations you won’t want to miss.

Here’s a “quit” list for you that will ramp up your marketing in 2012!

1. Quit looking for Prospects the hard way! Use Every Door Direct Mail.™  This online tool helps you choose mailing routes by neighborhood, zip Code,™ city, or a target area around your business. The tool even identifies the number of active households and businesses in your chosen areas to estimate postage. It generates and prints the appropriate documentation to take with your mailing to the Post Office. Ask Leann for more info.

2. Quit Thinking Your Website Will Work for Mobile Devices! A fifth of Americans today access the Internet via mobile devices each day. Optimize your site for mobile devices now because websites that are designed for traditional web browsers cannot be viewed well on mobile browsers. Your mobile web design should be a more basic version of your main site with only necessary information. We’ll do it for you!

3. Quit Doing Social Media With Reckless Abandon. Start with a plan and stick to it. We can do it for you, on every level…from Twitter and Facebook to LinkedIn and Google there’s a way to do it right and effectively.…just ask!

4. Quit Taking Ugly Bulletin Boards to Your Trade Shows! We have amazing, modern, lightweight and easily assembled banners, tables, table covers…whatever you need to look great. We’ll even create the theme and develop the program for you. 2012 will never look better for your company.

5. Quit Sending Individual E-mails…Send E-Blasts! We’ll create and manage your account, write or edit the copy, then send it out for you on a schedule…consistently and all with your branding in mind. If your copy isn’t answering “What’s In It For Me?” for your customers, then let us write it. We’ll Entertain, Inspire, Educate, and show them how to solve their problems with your solutions. Clever is better at Epps Advertising!

We look forward to working with you in 2012 and hope the New Year brings you good health and prosperity to your business. Cheers!

Learning Curve Research

We ask 20Questions to learn about the current conditions of your company, product, buyers and branding. We want to know what makes you different and, if necessary, research perception versus reality. From that we’ll write a Creative Brief.

The Creative Brief

The Creative Brief outlines advertising goals based on your business and marketing objectives. It establishes the attributes of your brand and Epps’ strategy for achieving your objectives. The Brief will include an implementation guide that includes advertising and promotional strategies based on a designated budget.

Creative Concepts

Based on thoughts discussed, several directions are presented. After a direction is chosen, we develop it based on your approval of the look, tone and content. The concept is then developed to fit chosen media and collateral advertising.

Production & Delivery

After final approval, Epps manages all deliverables agreed upon in the Creative Brief which includes scheduling, insertions, photography, writing, merchandising and outside vendor management.

Communications & PR

Epps Advertising also develops PR plans that work in concert with the advertising efforts. From managing media relationships to developing time lines that work with the advertising schedules, we can help develop a cohesive plan.

Start with a Plan

Success doesnʼt just happen. It comes to those who have a clear and precise vision of their objectives — and a strategic plan to achieve them.

Goals such as “getting more exposure” are noble, but may not produce results youʼd like due to the trade showʼs high-volume, highly competitive atmosphere.

Implement quantifiable goals, such as aiming for a specific number of orders a day, or making a point of handing out all of your business cards with a handshake and a nifty freebie.

You Gotta Have a Gimmick

Not only do trade show booths practically beg to be bedecked with your signature schtick, itʼs your most important way of making an impact and standing out from the crowd (and it doesnʼt have to be expensive.)

Whether itʼs a thematic vignette that reflects your brand, or a box of fresh donuts, make your booth exciting and inviting without being overbearing or overly “sales-y.”

Keep Your Friends Close, Your Competition Closer

Sly, well-heeled spies are out and about, peeking on whoʼs doing what, and when, and how. Know what your competition is —and will be—doing. And keep abreast of trends and technology, whatever it is that drives your business. When you hit the trade circuit, blow them away with very current, and incredibly competitive
display/product/service/etc.

Invite and Entice

Donʼt depend on the law of averages and “hope” that your prospects will eventually saunter by your booth. Invite them. And be sure your invitation includes an enticing incentive (such as a great giveaway or
sweepstakes) to drive traffic. Also invite existing clients to  stop by, as well as other industry insiders that may benefit you with their presence. The booth with a lot of traffic creates buzz.

It’s All In the Details

All the hand shaking and booth manning is actually the beginning of the sell. What you do afterward seals the deals you made, and helps create the long lasting relationships that are the bedrock of a strong business.
Send out a quick note or email (hard stationery is still preferable) to all your new clients thanking them for their business. Forward info, product samples, or other additional collateral to those who expressed interest in your company.

Remember to:

1. Budget for Advertising and Marketing. Have you heard, “Build It and They Will Come?” Well, they wonʼt. Having a beautiful building and stationery for people that donʼt know you exist will soon have you wondering why you went into business.
2. Decide on your image well ahead of move-in and stick to it for the tone and look that you want your company to project. Start with Classic, Trendy, Discounted, Friendly, or Convenient to develop your
   image. Follow through with your image when selecting colors, typefaces, and style. And be yourself. Rather than emulating role models, choose the leaders youʼve known in your field and analyze why theyʼve succeeded… or failed…and choose what to do the same or differently from there.
3. Send an announcement to your existing, or a purchased list. This can be a simple announcement card or, better yet, a benefit driven marketing campaign proclaiming your new or extended capabilities. Start a buzz before you even open!
4. Have a Corporate Brochure ready for new inquires when they call or stop in. These will be useful for Chamber of Commerce Events and Networking opportunities.

Things You’ll Need Right Away:

1. Budget: 10% of projected annual income for the first year.
2. Marketing Plan: This determines who you will market to and why.
3. Strategic Plan: This determines where you will market your company.
4. Advertising/Creative Plan: This determines how you will market your company.

Materials needed will include:

1. Stationery
2. Corporate Brochure or Presentation Folder
3. Advertisements
4. Press Release
5. Building Signage
6. Web Site / E-Commerce
7. Sales Materials
8. Collateral Materials