James Avera

First impressions are everything, especially in business. The moment you meet a prospective client, you are judged in every category: hair, make-up (for women), accessories, clothes, shoes, your handshake, the expression on your face, and your business card.

Your business card is the first most important piece of information you give to your new potential client, and it says a lot about who you are as a professional businessperson. However, your logo identity and business card can either make or break that new deal with your prospective client.

All to often, in order to "save a little money", people try to do the work themselves. Including designing their logo identity, business card and business stationary on their own personal PC. However, many fail to realize the importance of hiring a professional graphic designer to do the job for them. They cut corners to save money by doing the work themselves, instead of hiring a graphic designer first, who will not only save them money, but time as well.

Graphic designers are extremely knowledgeable and talented when it comes to creating your company image. They understand the use and importance of fonts, color, weight, balance, style, contrast, paper, printing, etc…and they have the education and experience to create an identity that reflects your company image. They know the rules, and they know how to break the rules. Graphic Designers are the rules.

As a graphic designer myself, I have run into too many new business entrepreneurs who have created their own company identity, and I cringe each time I get a business card that was printed on perforated paper from a desktop printer.

I try to talk to those clients and recommend that we sit down and have a meeting to discuss how I can help them brand their company image, but many shrug at my suggestion leaving me to wonder, “Are they really attracting the clients they want for their business?”

If you’re a business entrepreneur and you either created your own company image or are in the process of creating your company image, ask yourself the following questions, “ Why? Are you able to get the project finished on time with the exact look you want? Do you know how to prepare your artwork for a printer (Microsoft Word or Publisher does not count)? Can you talk the talk when you speak to a printer? Does your current image project the identity you want for your company? “

If not, then why aren’t your looking for a graphic designer?

I've created a new video tour for a listing in Mobile Alabama. Please feel free to offer feedback (I'm actually looking for constructive criticism).

Thanks, James

 

 

This is a promo video I created for my company. It discusse the various products and services we offer clients throughout the country. Please feel free to offer feedback. PLEASE BE SURE to click the "HQ" button on the lower left to view the video in the highest quality. Thank you for viewing and have a great day! Kind Regards, James L. AVera >

Marketing is NOT an option. It is a MUST if you want to thrive in the marketplace today. Bold statement? Yes. True statement? Absolutely. Here is why.

Statistic #1: By cutting your marketing activities, not only will you sell less than if you had kept your marketing steady but you'll surrender your core customers to your competition. That means you'll have to spend more time, money and energy in the future to win them back - if you ever do at all. ~B2B Magazine October 2008

Let's talk about this statement for a moment. Really think about it. If you don't keep in touch with your current or past clients, you are basically handing them over on a silver platter to your competitors. Don't fool yourself - your competitors are still marketing and are out to scoop up all of the ‘orphans' that are left behind due to lack of contact by their original professional.

Statistic #2: Companies that cut back their marketing during the 1974-75 recessions barely increased their sales by 50% two years later. Companies that continued to market during the downturn saw an increase of over 200% in sales 2 years later. ~ American Business Press October 2008

Imagine for a moment what a 200% increase in your sales would look like. Now that you have stopped smiling, think about the prospect of this happening. Don't you want to do something that will help you reach those levels? It's simple. Keep marketing. Just because people aren't buying today doesn't mean people won't buy tomorrow.

Statistic #3: Top sales professionals invest in themselves. Critical to building their business is investing 10 to 20% back into their business.~ The Niche Report October 2008

So, are you investing 10 to 20% of your profit back into your business? This means by way of marketing first and foremost. There are two reasons why professionals consistently market.

1. To remind someone you exist so you stay "top of mind" and they use you when the need arises.
2. To remind someone the need has arisen - so pick me!

Don't make the potentially fatal career mistake of thinking that people remember you. Statistics show that 75% of clients forget you just six months after working with you. You must always remind them of your services, commitment to their success and your genuine care in a relationship with them. Invest in yourself and rise to the top of your profession!

What it really boils down to is this. If you choose NOT to market, or to simply slow your marketing efforts, you are only hurting your business potential. Think about how you (as a consumer) decide to buy the products you buy or when to use a certain company for a specific service.

1. It may be by means of a referral from a friend or family member. Why do you think they referred them? First, they likely did a great job and second, they make a constant effort to stay top of mind with their clients that are likely to send them referrals. Bingo - you need to use this very same concept to build YOUR business.
2. You may choose a product or company based solely on their reputation in your community. They are established, well known, visible and appear trustworthy. How is that any different than what you are working towards with your business?

Take these same principles and apply them to your business. We aren't saying that it doesn't take a little hard work to thrive in this marketplace, but we are saying that continuing your marketing efforts (during any economy) will always benefit your bottom line.

For one day only I will be reducing rates on virtual tours and still photography. You can get a standard 4 scene virtual tour, photographed and uploaded to realtor.com, homes.com and homeseekers.com for 89.00 or a still photography session for 65.00 per property. You will receive all rights to the images and we can provide you with online access or all images on a CD. This is an excellent way to further your marketing efforts and to reach a much larger audience. We provide you with stunning visual content that will surely attract more prospective buyers. Please visit www.averadesign.com for more info or send me an email, I'd love to talk to you about our services.

Kind Regards,

James L. Avera

TOUR LINK: http://media.homestore.com/HTMTU758.htm