by BrandMinded | Mar 14, 2023 | digital marketing, graphic design, website design
It’s easy to find fly-by-night companies that offer “customized” website-design services. This usually involves standard templates and uninspired designs. At best, these options will produce a generic result that’s anything but original. At worst, you’ll have a lackluster site that doesn’t reflect who you are as a brand or highlight your offerings. That’s because these cookie-cutter templates try to fit brands into their limited molds. It should be the other way around — the brand’s unique voice should inspire an original website.
The internet is a crowded place. Professional websites need to stand out, be visually pleasing, and serve their existing and prospective customers well. That’s exactly why high-quality graphic design has never been so important.
You Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression
“Generic” is never the word you want used to describe your digital marketing materials. Your website is probably the first thing people will see when researching your business, and making a good first impression is vital. Otherwise, they’ll simply leave your site and find a competitor who meets their needs.
Aesthetically speaking, you want a clean design that also provides visitors with a taste of your brand. It should clearly communicate important information and be easy to navigate. You want visitors to get what they need and feel satisfied with the experience.
Your Website Should Feel Warm and Inviting
If you’re a business owner, you need a website that doesn’t look like anyone else’s. That means avoiding cheesy stock photos and other design aspects that feel unauthentic. These kinds of things can turn people off because it’s obvious that they’re not genuine. At BrandMinded, we’ll custom create your entire layout from scratch with photos that tell a story about who you are as a company. That includes original images of your location, along with staff photos and other personalized imagery.
When all is said and done, we deliver unique websites and designs that exist nowhere else in the world. This helps you rise above the competition because you don’t have a website that looks like all the others.
Graphic Design Extends to Social Media Marketing
When scrolling through social media, you’ve probably noticed businesses posting specialty images like infographics and announcements. At BrandMinded, these kinds of social media assets are all created in house by talented, top-notch graphic design artists. No templates — and no room for anything generic.
In other words, it’s not the same thing you’re seeing everywhere else on social media. Instead of downloading a template and inserting your information, we take the time to build these visuals specifically for your brand. Why? Because high-quality, original content makes a world of difference.
You Need a Professional Team in Your Corner
Anyone can follow a template and throw some basic information online, but that’s very different from effective website design. It takes a skilled team, an artistic eye, and a deep understanding of website development. Your business also needs a site that’s created with SEO (search engine optimization) in mind. This is important as it directly impacts your Google ranking. Another critical detail is building a secure website that has all the proper safeguards in place.
Website design isn’t something most people know how to do. It’s a skill like any other. Our BrandMinded team is made up of experienced, professional graphic design artists who’ve been at this a long time. We know how to create unique websites that shine. Whether you need a completely new website, or just want to give your current site a facelift, we’re here to deliver what you need. Contact us today to get moving in the right direction.
by BrandMinded | Feb 21, 2023 | Content Strategy, digital marketing, website design
There’s a reason blogging is a tried-and-true digital marketing strategy. According to inbound marketing experts HubSpot, most consumers read blogs multiple times a week — and have purchased something from a brand after reading the company’s blog. If your business already has a blog, you’re on the right track. If not, you’re likely missing out on a real opportunity to increase web traffic (and ultimately sales). Let’s unpack why all successful marketers value blogging.
1. It Can Increase Your Google Ranking
Blogging is a powerful content marketing tool. When done right, it can significantly improve a business’s Google ranking. The idea is to blog about topics that your target demographic cares about. To be clear, that doesn’t mean creating generic content in an attempt to get clicks. Google actually deprioritizes that type of content. Instead, it’s about generating authentic blog posts that communicate your brand’s voice while helping readers.
The internet is a crowded place, which is why discoverability is extremely important. Businesses that are intentional with their blogging strategy are more likely to attract new readers — and hopefully convert them into loyal customers.
2. It Establishes Trust with Consumers
Google’s recent helpful content update changed the way search results rank and appear to internet users. As the name implies, the initiative prioritizes content that is authentic and helpful to readers. It also devalues clickbait and unhelpful content. This is a good thing because it rewards websites that create reader-centered content. This, in turn, can establish a sense of trust.
If a reader is consistently getting helpful, relevant information from your blog, that positions your brand as a voice of authority that can be trusted. That trust will ideally lead to conversions and lasting customer relationships. Effective blogging keeps the reader engaged, offers solutions, and makes life easier for the reader.
3. Blogging Allows You to Serve Your Existing Customers
When it comes to digital marketing, blogging isn’t just designed to snag new customers. It’s also meant to support your customer retention efforts. Once you begin a client relationship, you want them to continue finding value in your brand.
For example, let’s say you’re a medical provider that specializes in orthopedic services. You create a helpful blog post with simple tips for supporting bone health and keeping your joints strong. Existing patients may read that and find it valuable — perhaps even sharing it with their social media network. That blog post is now being seen by new potential patients. It’s also serving existing ones and demonstrating your brand’s values around patient well-being.
4. It Integrates Naturally with Social Media
Blogging goes hand in hand with social media marketing. These platforms can engage users and provide a little teaser of your content. They can also direct users to blog posts with the click of a button. Short-form video is particularly popular right now, thanks to TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Brands can translate their blog posts into short videos and post them on social. Meanwhile, longer videos can accompany blog posts directly on your site.
5. It Puts Muscle Behind Your SEO and SEM Marketing
SEO and SEM marketing have picked up a lot of steam in recent years. These digital marketing strategies leverage search engines to generate traffic. SEM marketing involves paid advertisements that put your website at the top of search results. (These are labeled as ads.) SEO, or search engine optimization, focuses on capturing organic search.
When an internet user types a search query into Google, the top results contain content that Google’s algorithm has determined is helpful. Blogging is an opportunity to optimize your content so that it ranks highly in Google and attracts visitors in an organic way.
If you’re wondering how to blog, you aren’t alone. At BrandMinded, we help businesses create a comprehensive strategy that supports their overall digital marketing plan. Reach out to us today to get started!
by BrandMinded | Sep 21, 2022 | digital event promotion, digital news, News, non profit event marketing, nonprofit organizations
On Monday, October 3rd, ForHearts Worldwide will host its 2nd Annual Drive to Save Lives Golf Tournament at Carrollwood Country Club. Once again, Centennial Bank has stepped up as the major sponsor for the event.
The challenge for BrandMinded, of course, is to promote the event and ensure its success. Our approach: a multi-faceted strategy to attract players, secure additional sponsors and maximize donations for this amazing cause.
First, to spread awareness, BrandMinded launched a campaign of email blasts, text messages, a website blog, social media posts and a Facebook event page. To facilitate registration and sponsorship signups, all posts are linked to a custom landing page on ForHearts.org. That makes it simple for participants to find more information, register, or become a sponsor right on the website.
To further awareness, the BrandMinded team designed, wrote and placed a profile article about ForHearts.Org in the popular Tampa Magazine. For anyone who didn’t know about the organization or its mission of providing pacemakers for those who can’t afford them around the world, this article shares the compelling story. We then complemented that article, in the same issue, with a promotional ad for the golf event. Along with the event details, the ad included a convenient QR code to increase ease and likelihood that readers visit our landing page to sign up.
To maximize engagement, we implemented a system of automated response messages online. Upon signing up for the event, each player receives a series of automated messages keeping them informed and engaged. The messages also work to promote other opportunities available at the event and increase donations.
To continue branding and promotion throughout the event, BrandMinded designed and produced 25 on-site signs to be placed throughout the golf course. This both thanks the sponsors for their contributions and encourages them to consider taking part again next year. Bottomline, through email and SMS messages we have maintained engagement with those familiar with ForHearts and the golf tournament.
Through social media and Tampa Magazine we have reached out to a whole new audience. To date, the results are phenomenal. Already this Drive to Save Lives event is on par to exceed our client’s fundraising goals and be a day to remember of playing golf and saving lives!
Want to join in on the fun? Register to play or become a sponsor today!
