How to help Start-Ups and Small Businesses achieve Advertising Success

Small business advertising and advertising for start-ups is both an art and a science.  Most start-ups have a limited budget and many of them don't understand the fundamentals of advertising.  They want fast and measurable results and fast rewards translated into sales, i.e. advertising success.

Having worked with start-up companies and small businesses in Dallas, Texas for over 9 years, helping them create a corporate identity, branding of a product, or opportunities for sales and profitability, we have learned a few things about small business marketing success.  Here are some of the fundamental things that we believe advertising professionals can do to help a start-up achieve the best results long-term:

Expectations

Some start-up companies don't understand the concept of a logo, the role it plays in a company's identity and how important the corporate identity is, and some start-ups may think they have this understanding, but they really don't.  Educate your client up front, and set the expectations early, that is, even before you start on the actual logo design. 

Research

Research can help in many ways.  Often, small business clients choose a logo based on their own personal preference rather than the type of industry they are in or the type of identity that would work with the firms persona.  By finding out as much you can about the client, you will be able to develop a corporate identity that he/she likes and that will also be representative of what the company does.

Communication

Many of our clients don't understand everything that we do.  The more successful you are in communicating the services you provide to the client, the more you will help him/her succeed, and the more business you will generate.  There are many marketing efforts that can be duplicated and thus save the client both money and time, especially once the identity has been created.  Help them understand this.  For example, it is usually a lot easier to design a website with an existing logo identity in place than without.

Budget

Try to find out what your client's budget is if you can.  A lot of small business clients don't have the concept of what advertising actually costs, and of course they want the best quality for the least amount of money, at the speed of light.  By knowing their budget, you can customize your estimate to their needs, set the expecations of the project up front, and both of you will be happy.  We have several corporate identity packages to choose from that outlines what we do and we have found that this really helps.

Relationship

Be easy to contact but tell your customers when you will not be available.  Be personable but yet professional.  The best clients are always those with whom you have created a successful working relationship.  They know you have their best interest in mind, and you know they will give you repeat business and hopefully even referrals because of it.

Practical Advertising is a leading advertising firm specializing in start-ups and companies in transition. We strengthen our client’s position by successfully reaching their target markets with practical solutions. Practical Advertising has been in business since 2000.