Atomic Penny

As I expand Atomic Penny deeper into the abyss that is the World Wide Web, I’d like to offer some items I’ve learned about utilizing electronic mail as a cost-effective marketing tool. It might not seem like it, but email is often overlooked by its users as a free and effective way to grow their businesses. Below you’ll find the first installment of my top email marketing tips:

-Be sure to not flood email inboxes. Remain conscious of the frequency in which you send your emails by gauging how often you would want to receive notices about someone else’s business or service.

-Stick to the 80/20 rule. Keep your emails to 80% copy and 20% images. Remember pictures do not automatically show up; recipients must choose to download pictures.

-Spend just as much time on the subject line as the body of the email. Make sure that it is under 40 characters, incites immediate action from readers, and avoids all-caps and overuse of punctuation.

-Do not include video in the email. Instead, use a link to the video.

-Make sure that your email is legible on a mobile phone. Currently, 67% of B2B emails are checked on mobiles.

More tips in Part II. In the meantime, what are some of your email marketing success stories or cautionary tales?

POWER ON
Mark

I recently spent some time traveling, and there’s one thing that seemed to follow me wherever I went: logos. Everywhere I turned I saw iconic and memorable business symbols. It made me realize how logos produce a much more poignant and immediate impact on customers than do tag lines or mission statements.  Images can surpass the barriers of language and culture. But creating a symbolic reflection of your company’s services and beliefs can be costly. Many design services charge hundreds of dollars and there is often no guarantee that the results are customized or eligible for a patent. To achieve these goals at a fraction of the cost, I offer the following counsel:

Rate Your Creativity
First gauge your sense of style. Take a step back and consider your skill levels with artistic pursuits like drawing and sketching, decorating your home, dressing yourself and others, taking pictures, and recording home videos. If you do not enjoy imaginative hobbies like these, you should consider a professional designer. If you do, the rest of this blog should offer some helpful DIY tips.

Good Features of a Logo
The most important aspect of a quality logo is that it should be memorable, even after a brief glance. Next, viewers should be able to describe the logo rather easily. For instance, Target’s logo is a “red bull’s-eye.” Also, a logo should not depend on its color to be effective. Keep in mind that many communication mediums, like fax machines, do not use color. Lastly, an effective logo should be recognizable whether it is on a billboard or a business card.

Design Your Logo
Many free resources exist for logo design online and at your local library. I’ve listed a few websites below for inspiration.

www.urbanfonts.com
www.smashingmagazine.com
inspirationresource.blogspot.com
martinklasch.blogspot.com

Test Your Logo
Lastly, make sure to assess your creation with samples from your target demographics. Ask questions about how they interpret your creation based on the features of a good logo that I listed above.

 
Nike’s famous swoosh logo was designed by Caroline Davidson in 1971 for only $35. I hope this article will help you create an equally memorable and representative logo for less!

POWER ON
Mark

Have you seen this Discount Tire commercial? It has been running since 1975 and holds the world record for the longest continuous commercial. When you watch it remember that the message is; If you are not satisfied, bring it back!

Keeping the message simple and direct is one of the easiest ways to reach your customers. No fancy contests, no techno glitz, and no highly paid spokesman. Simple direct and memorable.

I believe that we become too conventional by trying to hard to impress or overwhelm. Be unconventional by doing and saying less. As President Teddy Roosevelt said, “Walk softly and carry a big stick”. Simple enough, but today’s marketers want to put flashing lights and a stereo on the sick, and somehow make it work by remote.

Like the commercial, the message is in your marketing actions and your delivery. Save money by doing it right and repeating the action, customers will understand.

POWER ON–Mark