Marketing Gif's - make them work for you

Making Gif’s Work in Online Marketing

For some marketing devices you can put a decade to the campaign by the images they use. 3 color block images – the 50’s, photos of beach with a pink sky filter – the 70’s, heavily photoshopped images – the 90’, but what about today’s online marketing images? When people look back at the Teeny decade they will be able to identify us by … the Graphic Interchange Format. 

If the 21^st century has somehow passed you by, a Graphic Interchange Format is also known as a Gif. According to a reliable team of Calgary Web designers, a gif is a series of photos that are strung together in cycle so that it looks like the image is moving, almost like an animation. Remember the ‘flicker books’ you did as a kid where you drew a series of horse pictures on the corner of book then flicked through rapidly to look like your horse was moving? Same thing, only way more technical.

The Gif has swept through popular culture like a plague where it has been used to impress, express and progress stories, life events and new happenings. It seems its part of human nature to be drawn to moving images, especially those that are clever and intriguing. They can be added to signatures, posted on social media and shared around the globe. It is a great way to get noticed. 

A savvy online marketing professional (are we back to that reliable team of Calgary Web designers?) would have to ask themselves – Is there a way to use Gif’s in online marketing that works? The answer to that is: Yes, there is. And BOY! Does it work!

The ecommerce company Blue fly found that by including a Gif in an email campaign drew in 12% more revenue. An LA based evening wear retailer also did a test and sent out two identical emails, except one had a single frame image taken from a Gif, the other had the full moving Gif. There was a 26% increase in click through rate for the animated Gif over the single image. It’s defiantly worth making a Gif and seeing if it works for you. 

Here are some guidelines to help you make a success of your online marketing: 

Small is Beautiful

Try not to make your images exceed 100kb is size. If it’s too large a file to upload people will delete before they even get a chance to see it, and with 48% of emails opened on mobile devices you need to make sure your Gif accommodates mobile limitations and slow networks. Don’t be tempted to save space and have a ‘Download More’ button in your email as it’s unlikely to be clicked through for a Gif and steals the effect. 

The best practice for a Gif enhanced email is to keep it a 40mb in total and use that space to tastefully accentuate your marketing in a subtle manner. You want to impress, not over power. 

File It Right

If you’re looking to keep your Gif small use the HTML format in your email, or JPEGS for a photo. Use a GIF to condense and animated story or a teaser with a call to action. 

GIFS are not a small sized image but are preferred over video or Flash as they are smaller to include in an email. Don’t be tempted to make anything too complicated for email marketing, simple graphics involving colours or lines work well and speed up the download in your email. 

Less is More

Be dignified with your Gifs. Choose a one that will lead the client to a call to action or highlight the important part of your message. If you are using online marketing to promote products, then a simple GIF can highlight the images and create interest quickly and easily. You just don’t want to light up your email like a Christmas tree. Just one, or at a push, two per email. Always leave them wanting more. 

Test, test, test

It’s important to test the final email to make sure there’s no hidden code making it bulkier than it needs to be. To cut down the size, email software company Responsys (not a reliable team of Calgary Web designers, but the next best thing …) recommends updating the file to share as many images between mobile and desktop version as possible, and swapping foreground images for background images that are only loaded from the server when visible.

Whatever your skill at Gifs or email marketing it’s worth getting a good understanding of both and using them to raise the bar on your online marketing to a whole new level. If you haven’t tried either before – do it! You haven’t got much to lose – and an awful lot to gain for little or no outlay. Welcome in the 21^st century and WOW it with your totally cool, beautifully produced, marketing Graphic Interchange Formats.

The top visual design trends of 2014 - Which are you using?

Want to catch the eye of every customer within a three world radius? Apply some of these smokin' design trends will do it...

Which is your favorite?

These are just AMAZING!

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/10/the-hyperrealistic-sculptures-of-ron-mueck/100606/

The Hyperrealistic Sculptures of Ron Mueck

Oct 9, 2013 | 34

London-based sculptor Ron Mueck, formerly a model maker and puppeteer for children's television and films, has been creating fine art sculptures since 1996. Using resin, fiberglass, silicone, and many other materials, Mueck constructs hyperrealistic likenesses of human beings, while playing with scale. The detailed sculptures are captivating when viewed up close, as they may be many times larger or smaller than expected. [23 photos]

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A sculpture entitled "Mask II" by sculptor Ron Mueck, at the San Ildefonso Museum in Mexico City, on September 20, 2011. (Reuters/Henry Romero)

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A visitor looks at a sculpture titled "Two Women" by artist Ron Mueck at the Brooklyn Museum, on January 31, 2007. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images) #

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A close-up of "Two Women". Original here. (CC BY SA Fernando de Sousa) #

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"Man in a boat", by Ron Mueck exhibited at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris, on April 15, 2013. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images) #

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"Boy", a 5-meter-tall sculpture completed in 2000. Original here. (CC BY Tamaki Sono) #

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Visitors look at "Mask III" (2005) by Ron Mueck, during an exhibition at the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in Paris, on December 27, 2005. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images) #

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A visitor takes a picture of "Woman with sticks" by artist Ron Mueck, at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, on April 15, 2013 in Paris. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images) #

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Closeup of "Woman with Sticks" at the Hauser & Wirth gallery on April 16, 2012 in London, England. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) #

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A visitor to the National Galleries of Scotland stands beside Ron Mueck's "Wild Man" on August 4, 2006. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) #

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A group of schoolgirls look at "Wild man" at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, on February 10, 2010. (Reuters/Mick Tsikas) #

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Women look at a sculpture entitled "In Bed" by Ron Mueck, at the San Ildefonso Museum in Mexico City, on October 4, 2011. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images) #

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Reporters stand next to "In Bed" during a preview of his exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MARCO) in Monterrey, on March 17, 2011. (Reuters/Tomas Bravo) #

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A visitor admires Ron Mueck's "Mask", on display at the Saatchi Gallery in London, on April 14, 2003. (Reuters/Peter Macdiarmid) #

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An exhibition piece entitled "Youth" at the opening of the new Ron Mueck exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, on January 21, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Raoul Wegat/Getty Images) #

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A closer view of "Youth" by Ron Mueck, at the National Gallery of Victoria on January 21, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Raoul Wegat/Getty Images) #

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A sculpture entitled "Standing Woman" by Ron Mueck is displayed at the Towada Art Center in Towada, Aomori Prefecture, japan, on July 11, 2008. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images) #

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A man looks at a sculpture titled "A Girl" by Ron Mueck at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, on February 10, 2010. (Reuters/Mick Tsikas) #

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"Woman with shopping", a sculpture by Ron Mueck exhibited at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris, on April 15, 2013. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images) #

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A visitor looks at "Woman With Shopping, 2013" in Paris, on April 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) #

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Visitors view a sculpture entitled "Spooning Couple" by sculptor Ron Mueck at the San Ildefonso Museum in Mexico City, on September 20, 2011. (Reuters/Henry Romero) #

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A visitor photographs a sculpture entitled "Young Couple, 2013" by Ron Mueck during the press day for his exhibition at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris, on April 15, 2013. (Reuters/Charles Platiau) #

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A close view of "MaskII", a sculpture by Ron Mueck at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris, on April 15, 2013. (Thomas Coex/AFP/Getty Images) #

Corporate image and branding

18 May 2013

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Corporate Image and Branding

When I was in University corporate image was THE buzz word for marketing. Everything lead back to corporate image – marketing established corporate image, focus groups provided feedback on corporate image, mission statements defined corporate image, even pre-calculus factored corporate image (ok, so maybe I’m stretching it a bit), but these days corporate image is considered ‘old news’ and less than applicable. Anyone wandering down this dangerous train of thought could be building a kill switch into their company. Corporate image may no longer be the buzz word, but it should be the code you live by and at the center of all you do. Corporate image should mean excellence in everything.

Corporate image is the composite psychological impression consumers have of a company. It is little more than the public perception of your company rather than an actual reflection of its state or position. Every department, worker, correspondence and behavior sent out from your company makes up your corporate image. Good corporate image is vital to business growth and sustainability. So how do you create a corporate image that rivals Bill Gates in success and Mother Teresa in honesty?

The fluid nature of corporate image makes keeping a positive position much harder. One unfortunate happening or decision, and you can switch from flavor of the month to dog of the day at the flip of a coin. Establishing an image that is robust and consistent is the basic building block of a good image. If there is a foundation of positive image consistently coming from the company the buy in to trust is easier. For instance, if a client comes to visit and your selling your products from the back of an old 1930’s camper van with one headlight in the parking lot, the judgment is made about the quality of your company, integrity and product as a whole in an instant. If you send out your invoices on a crumpled piece of paper with a whacking great big coffee ring on it – don’t expect another order anytime soon. Something as simple as a logo, letter head or web page expresses who you are and what you are about. First impressions aren’t one thing – they are the only thing! You only get one shot at a first impression, make sure it’s expressive.

Make sure everything that leaves your company has the company theme on it. Get a great logo, go the extra mile with your printing, make your web design unforgettable. Spend a bit more to add a touch of luxury, go and find the talent you lack that makes the difference. These are all basic elements to establishing a robust corporate image that can weather a storm – or scandal –or two. Make sure your buildings are neat and tidy; your employees are positive and care about what they do, especially in the customer care department. It may sound anal, but it’s the way good images are made, and kept. With corporate image – consistency is the bomb.

Ploughing some capitol into marketing always raises the bar on corporate image. Innovative marketing companies know their trade and can add positive image with a good ROI. They are skilled at presenting a company in its best light and have experience on how to influence the public’s perception positively. Corporate image will always give you a good return ask any large company. They have budgets bigger than the gross national debt of a small country assigned to marketing to make sure their corporate image in always in the pink. Good marketing pays. If they can make a dental practice or colonic irrigation clinic look like as attractive as a trip to theme park, they can make your company look like a rival to Apple computers.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by your day to day business and forget to see the ‘whole’. Once you have a good design and a great marketing plan for all your media and communication, all you have to concentrate on is the ‘human’ element of your company image. With something as important as the corporate image of your company, do not be afraid to ask around, interview marketing companies and see their portfolio. They are used to having their craft examined. They should be able to express what you envisage and nurture your ideas into a solid influencing image. Though the image that is a product of Bill Gates and Mother Theresa is a little disturbing…

Content Marketing vs Social Media

... And the Winner is ...

The newest buzz word in the marketing industry is Content Marketing, the question it is posing is - will it replace social media? What do you think? Let a seasoned and talented Calgary Online Marketing agency explain ...

To answer this question we need to understand what content marketing and social media is, how it works, what it does and how it can be used as leverage.

So What is Content Marketing?

Content marketing is the use of words to educate, inform or entertain to create the attention that leads to buying. So it may be an article, video advert or internet event that creates a lead, a sale or people to advocate for your business. It is aimed at clients, customers and potential clients. The strength of content marketing is that it is structured. Content marketing is sleek, informative and well produced. Often the result of a planned and directed campaign, content marketing has many faces but always has the intent to persuade and inform.

How is Content Marketing different from Social media?

Social media is a great network for testimonials. Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn etc are all a vehicle for customers and potential customers to discuss your product and services and do your promotion for you. As a Calgary online marketing agency we use the right media for the right channel, for the right purpose, for the right customer - because it works. As a bi-product of active and effective social media you can reach out to your chosen demographic directly, tap into their thoughts and produce what they want, when they want it. This communication can result in leads, sales or advocacy, but is often less structured and conversational, and can be reactive too, as social media is increasingly used as a customer support channel.

The goals of content marketing are consumption, then behavior. The goals of social media are participation, then behavior. Knowing this will help you successfully use each individually, or for an explosive marketing campaign, combine them.

Social media is the new telephone. Content marketing is the new brochure.

Michael Brenner said, "Content marketing and storytelling are as old as human beings. We have always needed to find ways to convey important information in useful and entertaining ways. Social media is just the latest evolution in the way we can tell the stories. I think soon we will drop the “social” and go back to calling it plain old “media.”"

Will marketing budgets towards content-focused marketing initiatives potentially exceed those for social media marketing? It could well do. But with all media - you need to know HOW to use it. Would you buy a $6million thoroughbred to pull your plow? No, just as you wouldn't buy a tandem to use as a wedding car.

Content marketing uses words intelligently to persuade, inform and educate. Social media gives people an opportunity to network. Someone with a need to buy will use both to make an informed decision, so both have a use. What it boils down to is - what is the final deciding factor in making a buying choice? Information in your brochure or web site, or something they read on Facebook? Sometimes it's a toss up ....

Marketing - Nailed it!

When I saw this picture the first thing I thought about was, 'That is SO my working day!'

 

Am I an origami master all day? An artisan? A bored, middle aged housewife with nothing better to do? No, I am proud to be ... a marketing professional.

Professionals - Why?

I could write that questions another way - Why does everything look so easy when its done by a professional? Can you try, 'Marketing- Nailed it!' and not make it look like the origami Nasgul? If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it. The job of a professional is to produce work that makes it look like you haven't hired a professional to do it. If you tried to do your own marketing which Nasgul would you make?

One of the reasons most people do not choose to use a professional when designing a marketing campaign is the myth that they are too expensive.Spending money is not about what is your outlay - but what the product is worth. Quality marketing brings in more than it costs - that is a positive return. Stop looking at what you're losing and look at what you have to gain.

Graphic Design - Why?

Sometimes I feel that most clients think a great design just 'happens' when we're between cups of mocha lattes and lunch dates, and the media just swishes around screen, paper or lightbox on it's own like the sorcerers apprentice and hey presto! A beautiful design. Sadly, no. We have to work for these designs, that is after several years of education, training and a junior internship, then working long hours to make sure the client gets what they want, when they want it.

Graphic design is a trade. Something you consistently work towards trying to improve, keep ahead of the curve filling your day helping other people make money. A graphic designer makes it his business to know what will work. what won't work and how to reinvent your company image. It's their job - and it's hard work... after years of expensive education. You can't just trawl Google images and come up with a great graphic design, just like you can't buy a bag of tools and call yourself a plumber.

Company Image - Why?

Ok, if you have to ask that question time to shut up shop and become an accountant. Company image is EVERYTHING! Whatever your clients and customers see helps them form a judgment in their mind about your company. If you roll up in 17 year old mini metro with a wheel missing and more rust than body, trying to sell your product to your prospect don't expect a return call any time soon. Selling is about building up trust and a fluent, well presented, relevant company image will build trust faster than a uniform and an official badge. Image sells. It breeds trust, belief and creates a need in your audience that they need your product, but they only trust YOU to sell it to them. Let's face it, if you had to buy an origami Nasgul, which one would you choose? And don't tell me it's a toss up ....

Whatever your marketing needs consider hiring a professional. The design is in the details. We know the market, we know how to use it and we know what makes you look like the best thing since sliced bread. More to the point, we LOVE to market, love to use it and LOVE to make you look like the best since BEFORE sliced bread. The best thing about the whole deal for you? We make you look good - like you did it on your own.

Hire a professional and you can say 'Marketing - We really did NAIL IT - on our own',