Dynamic Business Growth Blog | Blue Frog

You Have One Chance to Make a First Impression

Written by Diane Campbell | Jan 21, 2014

What impression do you want to give your potential customers?  This is the first question you should ask yourself when choosing marketing materials.  Your printed and online materials should reflect the quality of products or services your customers should expect from your company.  Shoddy business cards, unattractive brochures, a hard-to-navigate website, or poorly written text sends the message that your business has lower standards of quality than your competition.  Show them that you mean business by making a first impression that conveys professionalism, competence, trustworthiness, and approachability.

 

Good work is not enough.

We would all like to be judged based on the quality of our chosen work, but in most fields, this is not the first thing people see about our business.  You may be the best electrician, hairstylist, CPA, or attorney in the business, but if the first impression you make with your marketing materials conveys sloppiness and inconsistency, many potential customers will never get past that first impression to see the incredible work you can actually do for them.

 

Personality counts.

To effectively market the outstanding products or services you have to offer, you must think about your personal brand.  Your brand tells a story about who you are as a company and how you deliver value to your customers.  It is your company’s personality, and you want that personality to be likeable and trustworthy.  Just as you would pay attention to your appearance, speech, and attitude when meeting with potential customers, you must attend to the appearance, voice, and attitude of your business as represented in your marketing materials.

 

Tell a consistent story.

Your materials should be consistent.  If your business cards, brochures, website, and direct mail pieces look or read as though they come from different businesses, you present an inconsistent story of your company, and customers will not receive a cohesive message about who you are.  Visually consistent marketing materials that convey a uniform message allow customers to get to know your company, to become comfortable with it, and to develop trust in it.  Consistency communicates stability, credibility, and dependability.

 

Demonstrate an eye for detail.

Marketing materials should be visually pleasing, easily digestible, and of course, free of errors.  An eye for detail in your materials suggests to potential customers that you will approach the work you do for them in the same way.  If, on the other hand, a skilled professional hands customers sloppy business cards or refers them to a headache-inducing website, the impression given is one of carelessness.  Demonstrate the pride you take in your work in the way you present your business to the world.

 

A marketing professional is a good investment.

Because you only have one chance to make a first impression, the assistance of a professional who is in the business of first impressions is a sensible investment in your company.  Your time and energy are most effectively devoted to what you do best – providing outstanding products or services to your customers.  A quality marketing company will listen to the story you want to tell about your business and create a range of materials that communicates that story clearly and elegantly.  A skilled marketing strategy will extend your reach and enhance the image that you project to your audience.

 

Blue Frog Marketing in Des Moines offers a wide range of services, including assistance with the creative process, production of marketing materials, and development of a strategic marketing plan for your business.  Because we manage both creation and production, we provide more efficient service with greater responsiveness to the individual needs of your business. The result is high quality work, efficient processes, and personalized service.  For more information about our services, a free consultation, or a quote, contact us through the link below.