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It Takes a Community

Could you ever think of a world without the Internet? And yet, those day were not much more than 15 years ago.
We have adapted to a life of hyper-connectivity, not only do we communicate in a wired world, but we also do business, research and educate ourselves. We have to understand that we are living in one of the most exciting times in human history; think about it, all the philosophers, scientists, theorist, writers and influencers are just a click away. The touted “great democratizer” is a tool and resource that is widely available, but how do we filter through the information we are constantly bombarded with?

First, we must learn how to read all types of media, in other words, learn how to be media literate. To understand further what media literacy means, let’s first break down each word.  Media, in this regard, suggests any sort of communications medium; books, radio, TV, newspapers, journal articles, computers, and billboards are all examples. Literacy on the other hand is the condition or quality of being able to read, write, create and understand messages that are present throughout our lifetime. Having this quality will help you filter and sift through all of the information you are saturated by on a daily basis.

Second, we must develop a community of people we can trust and share information with. I believe Windsor is developing a strong community; we have built a foundation of exceptional leaders who are willing to help and share their knowledge. As we move into an information based society we must be aware that developing a community, or developing a network of friends/co-workers/business partners etc. is extremely crucial. Facebook and LinkedIN are great examples of how a community works together. For example, if Suzy said that she loved the new movie “A Run to Forget” then chances are the next time you’re at the movies you might think to yourself that Suzy said that movie was great…maybe I should see it.

Social media is fast becoming one of the most influential tools and resources on the Internet. Think of it this way, if you were on a deserted island and you saw a massive cruise ship that said “Social Media Communities” floating by, and you said to yourself “Yeah I’ll wait for the next one”  chances are you’re going to be on that island for quite some time. As the traditional business minded owner fails to find the need in developing a Facebook page, the forward thinking business owner has already established a page and is now developing a dialogue with Suzy and the other 900 million users on Facebook or the 150 million users on LinkedIn. You might say you don’t have the time to do such a thing; but JEV Marketing & Communications can provide this service. Be part of the growing community, don’t miss that cruise ship, but more importantly be part of the rising network of influencers!

Frank D. Mancina Account Manager

Relevance of a Company Website

After spending several hours trying to find out more about certain companies, I discovered how difficult it really is to locate all their information. Rather than having consumers guess what your company is all about or what contact information is up to date, please save them the trouble, move into the modern age and get yourself a website!

Every company wants to be heard of, viewed or read about. It is a big part of today’s advertising methods. A company website is more relevant than you think; it could easily guide your consumers to all your information and do it quickly!  A website is a virtual representation of your company whether your company exists in a “brick and mortar” location or not. It can provide a sense of professionalism to new and existing clients because (always remember this)… first impressions are crucial.

Anyone looking to expand their horizons should have a website. From artists to business owners, corporations to associations they all have ideas and objectives to achieve and by adding those thoughts and goals to a website you can drive potential consumers your way. A large percentage of the world has become technology obsessed. Statistics show that nearly 2,267,233,742 people have access to the internet across the world. Without your presence on the Internet, it will be relatively difficult for consumers to discover you.

Having a website that is easily visible will help to expand your market and benefit you in the long run. Advertising new products and delivering daily news to your market audience on your website will save you from expensive mailings. By allowing your visitors to fill out a form or subscribe to your newsletter, sales and flyers will easily build your client/potential client list. There is a purpose to why consumers visit certain websites over and over again, one important reason being that they are interested in your company and want to know more. With a website, all of your essential tabs will become available to your visitors in terms of; who you are, services, products, news, social media and contact information.

Choosing the appropriate marketing company would assist your website in having a greater success rates. JEV Marketing & Communications can help with creating a unique, eye-catching website design or redesign, host your website and even create an easier way to access your site via any mobile device. These are just some of many services JEV Marketing & Communications are able to offer to their clients.

Don’t risk not having a website in hopes that your potential clients will eventually find you. Call JEV Marketing & Communications to get started today. You are just steps away from achieving your dream of a successful business.

 

Comparing a Mobile Website to a Traditional Website

You are probably wondering what a mobile website even is. Well a mobile website is the ability to access a website from a mobile device. You see, a mobile website is specifically designed for optimal performance when viewed not on a regular computer screen but on a small mobile device such as a cell phone, PDA etc. The significance to this is that when viewed on your mobile device, your screen will have a resolution of 120 pixels whereas a regular screen is 1024 pixels. Originally, websites that are specifically designed for computer screens range between 600 to 900 pixels, so even the smallest size sites are not capable of displaying accurately on a mobile’s screen.

Some disadvantages to accessing a regular website on your mobile device are that a big page size from a website could not only be time consuming loading but can also be costly. Traditional websites could eat up all of your wireless data and your left constantly paying for more gigabytes as a result.

A couple of advantages to a mobile website are that it is a comfortable way for a user to locate the information needed without having to make the screen size smaller, scroll between left and right or zoom in dramatically. Another advantage is rather than being forced to view graphics on large page sizes on a traditional site, you have the option to alternate the graphic with a placeholder on mobile site. Only the best contrast is used with the selected colour scheme of a mobile site for easy and clear readability especially on those bright and sunny days. Finally, viewers get the information they need quickly and effortlessly. Visiting a website should be an enjoyable experience for everyone not a difficult one.

Check out some of the mobile websites we have designed.

Want to get started today on your new and improved mobile site? You’re just a phone call away from a great quality mobile website.  Just give JEV Marketing & Communications a call today and we’ll do the rest.

 

Advertising over the Years

Over the years advertising, as a communication medium, has transformed drastically through influence from both the media and technology. Before the internet, advertising was a time consuming process that required information gathered and assembled manually, often including the use of statistics from surveys, polls, votes and other methods.

With the arrival of a very popular and informative international computer network called “the internet” we are now provided with fast and easy access to all the information we require. It’s also become one of the most common ways to market a product or service. Small business owners are now curious when it comes to expanding and the internet has now become a way for them to market globally.

Most advertisements and commercials aim to target specific audiences such as gender, age group, marital status, etc.  Ads and commercials from the past have developed, substantially both visually and technically as we move into the 21st century. Global advertising capabilities continue to expand in usage as time goes by but even traditional advertising can help increase your company exposure and thereby grow your sales. Whether you are online, watching television, listening to the radio, or reading magazines, etc. especially if you are a new business seeking popularity, advertising in some form is an absolute must!

Although there are more options provided with every new design program available nowadays it still takes a professional to create an excellent design that will draw in attention to your company. You are able to inform your creative designer of exactly what you want and how you want it and that’s where JEV Marketing & Communications can advise and assist you as you strive to bring your business to new heights. After all, your business is our business!

One of the key components of marketing a new business is the development of a well-designed website. It will help consumers find what they are looking for all in one location. We utilize state-of-the-art technology in creating eye-catching ads and easy-to-use websites. Consumers may also share your website with other potential clients through Social Networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

These new Social Network sites along with YouTube have made it simple to make new friends (potential clients/businesses); creating a page for your business and receiving “likes” on your page will also help promote your business, but this is just skimming the surface of what these social networks sites can offer. Call us to get started along the Social Network path… the newest form of advertising and marketing.

The digital world is, very much, a place full of opportunities… don’t be the last to know how to make this fascinating new world of communication work for you. Make the right choice and contact JEV today!

Make Your Business Mobile!

Nowadays, people are constantly being influenced by communication devices that have become truly an integral part of their lives. It is no secret that cellphone usage is on the rise. Mobile devices help connect people to the digital world rapidly and effortlessly with the touch of a button. This provides a beneficial marketing opportunity that your business should capitalize on. Below are just a few of the advantages created when you implement a mobile website into your online marketing strategy.

Everyone Can Access Mobile Websites

Mobile apps are valuable not just from a consumer’s standpoint, but from a brand’s standpoint as well. A well-developed app that is appealing and entertaining to use can help generate many potential clients.

However, apps can be limited to specific phone models whereas mobile websites are not.  A mobile website can be visited by people, any time they can access the Internet on their smart phone or any technology device.

While mobile websites are essentially widespread, apps are not, thereby limiting client access to your company and the benefits, products and services that you provide.

Mobile Websites Add Value

Developing a custom mobile website can be a daunting task but this is where the professional staff at JEV Marketing & Communications can help. We provide many services such as: Mobile Web Design, Social Media Implementation, Ecommerce Solutions, Database Development, Support and Maintenance, Website Hosting, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) capabilities and QR code connectivity.

Quick Response codes (QR codes) are expected to reach worldwide use this year. Consumers want easy and immediate access to what they require and QR codes are being used to make that possible. A quick scan of the code by a client’s smart phone can immediately launch your website on their mobile browser.

As a full-Service Ad Agencies we can create a simple mobile site that can mirror all of the important functionality of your full-service website without the concerns of mobile browser incompatibilities.

Draws Attention to Consumers

A simple mobile website by JEV can improve traffic to your traditional website and social media pages.

Many smartphone users may come across your mobile site when they perform searches on their phone about your brand, products or services thereby satisfying their need for instant information.  Easy access to information will tremendously benefit you in the future.

Contact us for further information at (519) 966-3094 or visit us on our mobile website at www.jevmarketing.com.

The Promotional Pen Is Mightier Than…

JEV’s recent involvement with Positive Identity Promotional Products had me thinking about the benefits promotional products can have, and how often they are so poorly executed. It’s a safe bet that at any given time a consumer has some sort of promotional trinket in the back of their desk drawer collecting dust. Lanyards, stickers, that old ceramic coffee mug – forgotten items that offer nothing of value to the consumer, and are largely ignored until they bite the dust come spring cleaning. But if they’re done right, promotional items can help boost business and recall. The very premise of receiving something for free entices the consumer to give back and fosters good will, but not all gifts are fool-proof. Here are some do’s and don’ts for free swag and how the investment can benefit your business.

DO give out a product with functionality. Stay away from items that don’t offer the consumer any value just to save a buck (one-time use pens, anyone?). Instead, focus your efforts on items that see daily use, items that provide purpose for the consumer visiting your booth at next weekend’s trade show, items that have a decent shelf life. You want the consumer to be reminded of your business every time they pick up that item – not likely if you hand out something that will never see past the cluttered desk drawer.

DON’T blow your budget on a fancy, customized gadget. While higher end products like branded USB sticks can be effective, they also come with a larger price tag. Every decision you make regarding the marketing of your products and services need to derive from an overall, cohesive strategy; don’t throw a flashy promotional item into the mix if it isn’t feasible.

DO align your offering with your business. Give away something that works with your business’s agenda – if going green is something you see as important, dish out reusable grocery bags or sports bottles. Likewise, if you sell higher end products, those higher end promotional items might not be a terrible idea. Your promotional offering, like the rest of a firm’s marketing efforts, should make sense and relate back to the core going-ons of the business.

If you’re in real estate, offer consumers a loaded USB stick with recent home listings; if you’re in construction, why not offer a branded measuring tape? Have the item make sense. The more related the item is to your business the more unique it becomes, and the greater the likelihood that product will be remembered. Make the effort to differentiate your offering from all the others; a creative message will go a lot further than a name and logo on the side of a ball point.

DON’T proceed without a plan. Throwing customized calendars into a piece-meal marketing plan does not success make. The bottom line is cohesion; put the effort into your pieces so customers remember your name, and align the effort with your overall strategy. Items should be relevant and useful, not throwaways that have the potential to leave a bad taste in the customer’s mouth. JEV Marketing & Communications can help your business in moving forward with promotional items, integrating all of your efforts to ensure a successful outcome.

The Future of Advertising

With more than five million smartphone users in Canada, consumers continue to prove that these devices are not merely a trend. Instead, they have become an integral part of day-to-day life, allowing users to browse the web, shop on the go, or search for product information. Smartphones have become much more than communication devices, and businesses are beginning to take notice of the importance this technology mainstay represents – a reality reinforced by the insurgence of “Quick Response” codes.

QR codes resemble bar codes that allow users to connect instantly with content. These square codes can be placed on virtually anything – business cards, flyers, billboards – and represent a revolutionary outlet for businesses to provide information. A user simply takes a picture of this code which then leads them to a particular piece of content, such as a website or sales offer directly on their smartphone, putting businesses in the palms of their customers.

QR codes take the link between businesses and consumers one step further, bridging real space with a more dynamic, digital world. A consumer notices an advertisement for a particular product he or she enjoys, and can view more information for that brand via the QR code on the advertisement. It is instant connection through the most accessible channel to consumers that not only revitalizes the traditional method of print advertising through interactivity, but creates a 24/7 presence. These codes help transform a static advertisement to one that is exciting and participative, providing deeper information without added cost.

New technology brings about the opportunity to offer users something special – a unique, customized experience with the touch of a button. Whether it is through a distinct mobile platform, a special promotion only available via the QR code, or bonus content that provides added value, the possibilities for creative marketing are endless. As a firm with extensive knowledge of both traditional media and the latest technology, JEV can help drive your business forward with a unique combination of the two. Let JEV’s expertise take your advertising to the next level – stand out from the competition with the help of QR codes.

Can the Search Engines Find You?

Google is the #1 search engine for users and with its system of search results ranking, simply having a website doesn’t cut it. Out-of-date content pushes a site further down the page and as everyone knows – the links at the top of the page are the ones that see the most traffic. Updating your website on a regular basis not only helps increase your visitors… it also keeps your customers engaged and influences the rank of your page when displayed by search engines. Continue reading

Good Graphic Design IS Important

So, what exactly does graphic design mean? Graphic design refers to a profession that focuses on a combination of artistic presentation, visual communication and influential delivery of a message. A variety of methods can be used to combine words and creative imagery to tell a story, sell a product, present an opinion… the list can go on and on, but essentially it’s a combination of visually impactful images and words used to get a point across. Graphic design is used in all sorts of media from radio and TV advertisements to product packaging, web design, magazine layouts but again, the list goes on and on. So what is it that differentiates between good graphic design and bad graphic design and why is it important to you and your business? Good graphic design, in it’s most basic form is is about effective communication, effectively targeted. Continue reading

How to market in tough times?

Take advantage! Economic downturns happen all the time and severe ones like we’re in right now are a lot more common than most businesses would care to believe. The weak perish, the strong survive, some even thrive. During economic downturns, companies disappear or are swallowed up by rivals. Others emerge stronger than ever. Basic principles apply during downturns but it’s how those principles are dealt that determine which companies will survive and which companies die. Continue reading