3 Things For June 3rd, 2024
How much should you charge?, Why does creativity take so much time?, Find ambassadors for your business!
How much should you charge?
Several things come to mind when we think about how much something should cost or how much we should charge. Supply and demand, value, and desired profit margin are at the top of the list. Often overlooked is marketing. Free isn’t always good and is frequently just the opposite. As much as we all love a deal, a low price for a high-value product or service often just devalues it – whether we realize it or not. Making the commitment to attend an event when it’s free or close to free is easy – actually attending is another thing altogether. Just because we have access to something easily doesn’t mean we take advantage, paradoxically we often don’t take advantage because of easy access. The value of anything is subjective and perceived value influenced by price is a very real thing. If you want someone to take your advice seriously, charge for your time accordingly. Some considerations on price:- Value – real and perceived
- Exclusivity and status – Status is an innate human trait and we’ll pay more to get it.
- Audience – Who’s buying it and how much will they pay for it? Who do you want to buy it and how should that affect the price?
- Access – What is the right price point to reach as many people as possible? Be cautious when lowering the cost to reach more people – will it devalue the offering?
- Experience – What experience will the customer have with your product or service? How much is the experience worth? Will someone pay more to have the experience you offer?
The Creative Process: Why Quality Design Takes Time
Creating stunning and effective designs isn’t something that happens overnight. The journey from a simple idea to a polished final product is like crafting fine wine—it takes time, effort, and creativity to get it just right.
Step 1:Â It all starts with an initial meeting to understand the client’s project goals and target audience. Now, we begin a thorough research of the client’s industry, competitors, and target audience, laying the foundation for a relevant and impactful design.
Step 2: Concept development kicks in. Brainstorming with sketches, inspiration, and mood boards refines the vision, aligning the designer with the client’s expectations. This creative phase cannot be rushed – it shapes the design’s look and feel.
Step 3:Â With concepts in place, we can develop initial drafts using our design software. These will provide a clearer representation of the final product.
Step 4:Â We present the initial draft to the client for feedback and make any necessary adjustments. This phase often involves multiple rounds of revisions to fine-tune the design. Great design thrives on feedback!
Step 5:Â After refining the design through revisions, the focus shifts to finalization. This means polishing the design (typography, colors, etc.) and preparing the final files for print or digital use to meet all technical requirements with attention to detail.
Step 6:Â We deliver the completed design to the client with the final design files in the required formats, ready for use across various platforms and mediums.
So think of it like this… great design isn’t microwavable; it’s a gourmet meal that requires patience, collaboration, and a lot of creativity to stand out and deliver results. Each step of the creative process is crucial to developing a final product that is both visually appealing and effective. So sit back, relax, and trust the process—the masterpiece will be worth the wait!
Ambassadors For Building Brand
First-time writer, long-time lurker. So here I am to talk about business. I’m here to spill the secret sauce of success. Well, sort of.
I want to talk about who is talking about your business. Having ambassadors for your business is like having your own personal hype squad. It might be less glitter and more genuine enthusiasm (but glitter might not hurt either…).
I’m sure you’re thinking, “Great, Meaghan. But where are they? And how do I get them to buy in?”
Reviews, Relationships, Loyalty.
Loyal customers are already advocating for your brand without expectations. Check your Google reviews, Facebook comments, and even Yelp! Wherever you’re finding them, take a minute and thank them. This starts the conversation; building this relationship and developing a strong back-and-forth can create a great opportunity to ask for ambassador content or to keep up the good work.
In-house Ambassadors
You can’t FORCE your employees to become ambassadors, but they see the business (nearly) every day! And they know the ins and outs and values you carry. They’re a great resource within your community. Employees can bring credibility and visibility to your business’s brand. This also can increase engagement with your brand on social media. Comments, likes, and shares all add up to the big picture.
Foster Trust and Drive Success
In a world where trust is as elusive as finding matching socks on laundry day, having ambassadors is like finding that one sock, usually your favorite, that seems to go missing. It is a rare gem that brings a smile to your face and makes you wonder where it’s been hiding all this time. So, if you want your business to be the talk of the town (in a good way, obviously), get your ambassadors on board. Trust me, your business will thank you.
