Filed under: Joanne | Tags: BFD, Brains Function Design, interactive agency, Joanne Meurer, new media, new technolog, web based business
We have all heard that saying before, such a cliché, an overused statement said so often, we are numb to it’s meaning.
But in difficult times, we all have to make decisions about how to move forward, and there are only 2 ways to go, either fail or adapt. Seems clear to me. I choose the latter. So what can we do? We all have to continue to attract new customers or clients, we still have to stay on point, and inevitably we need to become more efficient.
Now, I want to share with you what I heard from 3 businesses I met with this week. In each case I heard one form of “ We don’t really use our web site to sell or it’s just up there so people know who we are” and my only reply was WHAT?
So I asked, “Do you know who is visiting your site?” “Do you know how long they stay on any one page?” “Do you ask anything of people when they get there?” “Are you collecting any information from you visitors so you can continue to market to them later on, are blogging yet?
In every case, and with every question I got the same blind stare. Welcome to the re-education of web based business. As much as we have become an online culture there are still many who don’t understand the power that lies in the creation of a great web site.
We have talked before about the difference between creating an online brochure and creating a truly functional tool that allows you to do real business on the web. This can be anything from, ordering online, booking appointments, creating intuitive forms, and beyond. All packaged up with great design.
A great web site should collect data you can use to make decisions about where you are. Blogging gives you the opportunity to find out what your visitors think of you on your terms and this information can help you make informed decisions moving forward.
I say, this a great way to adapt and I suggest that all of you take a look at your site in a new way. If you read the statements above and you answered no to any of the things listed then you’re missing out on valuable information you need to sell more effectively.
So think about it and make the right changes. This is one thing the tough can do to keep on going.
Filed under: Joanne | Tags: BFD, Brains Function Design, Branding, Joanne Meurer, Web Development
I recently attended a seminar called “Accidental Branding” at NYU. It was amazing, hearing the stories of ordinary people such as Roxanne Quimby, of Burt’s Bees, and Craig Newmark from Craigslist because they were inspiring to say the least. The book “Accidental Branding” by David Vinjamuri goes into more detail, but it was incredible to hear their stories first hand.
I left the seminar thinking about our company, Brains Function Design, we are after all, in the business of building brands, and we are really into innovation and technology. In fact our company is built entirely on the pretense that we can compete with and win against larger companies and bigger brands.
The book refers to RULE #2 – Pick a fight!
In the “Accidental Branding” world, they say that one of the reasons why these companies succeed is because they challenged conventional wisdom and decided against the status quo, much in the way that Apple did with IBM and continues to do with Microsoft.
That is one thing I can say about BFD.
RULE #2 is a rule we will never break.
We believe in the challenge not just to push the envelope, but tear it wide open.
What’s in development right now is designed to do just that and I am really looking forward to telling you more so stay tuned.
Filed under: Joanne | Tags: BFD, Brains Function Design, Joanne Meurer, Web Design
When you decide to work with BFD, you are taking part in a journey that starts with a “Think Tank” session and ends with “life after launch” (more on that later), and with so many things to think about, it’s easy to lose track of the ONE thing that will really make a difference when someone visits your site.
DESIGN.
Good design is compelling, it attracts, even if it does so in subtle ways. Great design tells the world your serious about who you are and what you look like and it paves the way for the entire web experience.
The creative staff at Brains understands the design process, and we work through it with you, we believe that our attention to detail is part of the Big F’ in difference.
Filed under: Joanne
There’s NOTHING better than being part of a great team. In case you haven’t heard, the talented team at BFD, led by Richard Lee has come up with another great idea. It’s called “CASCAIDE”, and it’s a great gift for the web searcher in you. You can check it out at: www.cascaide.org.
On another note we are continuing our effort to share with the business community and are launching an on-line seminar series. Look for our class on, “How to Design and Build Your Unique Brand” and “Marketing Collateral 101”, to be launched in the spring.
Details to be sent out in the next version of the BFD newsletter. For more information please e-mail us at: brains@bfdny.com
Filed under: Joanne
One of the coolest things about being a small business is that you don’t have to operate like a big one.
Isn’t that great?
Initially you make not think so, in fact you might even think that the size of your company could even put you at a disadvantage but I am here to tell you that your absolutely wrong, especially when it comes to marketing your business.
Let us take a look at the advantages.
Small business can typically make innovative decisions much faster than a larger company whose bureaucracy and multiple layers make it impossible to move quickly. So you can take advantage of the ability to change quickly if necessary.
Small businesses can be flexible with their campaigns and use technology along with traditional marketing to create opportunities rather than expect things to happen as a result of big budget advertising. Getting down and dirty and using every available means to become more visible can get you noticed, and many of these methods are cost effective.
The use of web in this equation is critical. You can create any message you want, but most importantly you can gather the information you need from your visitors.
Why does this help? Well, when you know what they are looking for you can adapt. Driving traffic to your site should become your primary objective. That is where great things happen and when you focus on this you will be surprised at the results.
Stay tuned.
Filed under: Joanne
This morning, when I turned on the TV looking for the weather, I caught the beginnings of a story about something that was posted on YouTube. I was busy getting ready to leave but I did tune in long enough to hear that this particular video posted about 5 months ago had received almost 4 million hits.
Ok, I am listening.
What about this video? What attracted the attention of the mainstream media? As it turns out, this video was related to the topic of Global Warming. OK. The news report focused on the popularity of the video and how it came to receive so much traffic. According to the story, the creator of the video posed this as a lesson to his students, and they in turn, passed it on, and on and on.
So, naturally I had to find the entire video in YouTube and I did, but I realized that there is much more to the story than a video about global warming.
The real story is how a lo-tech video, with a simple message was able to become the focus and topic of conversation. In it, the impassioned storyteller tells his listeners. “Spread the word, forward the video to whoever you can. In today’s information age, you have the ability to change the culture and remarkably, with just the click of a button”.
Think about that. His message, his intent, and a simple request. “Spread the word, pass it on”. That’s the lesson. Using this technology can also be your propeller. With just a simple click and request to pass it on.
Filed under: Joanne
Here we are at the end of 07, just a week or so away from a new beginning. The celebration of the New Year is something we can all look forward to, in our personal lives and professional lives as well.
We all ask the same questions, “How can I make this year better than the last?” and if you own a small business you are surely asking that question. Some of us look upon this time with great anticipation of incredible things to come and that would surely be my hope for all of you.
The most important thing to note is that in business and in life we don’t have to go it alone. This fact should be a great comfort when we move into our working plan for the new year.
So here is my New Year’s Resolution.
Brains Function Design will become the resource for small business. The company that understands your needs and can offer solutions designed specifically for your company. We will provide support, guidance and advice whenever you need it, everything from your website and beyond.
Happy New Year
Joanne Meurer
