Helping Startups Get Started Online

You've been itching to start your own business  You have an idea that you know will just crush it.  You've done your homework:  Analyzed your strengths and weakness;  Assessed your potential market;  Prepared your Business Plan. 

You've read all about online marketing.  You know you need a website.  And you've read all the success stories about how Instagram and Facebook can connect you with your most rabid fans.  And of course there are Google AdWords to wrap your head around.  Now you're ready to take the leap of faith but...how do you get from concept to market?

After listening to countless first-time business owners over the past 5 years voice their stress over online marketing, I realized that there was a need to help them take their first step.  I've put together the Small Business Online Marketing Startup Kit to help first-time small business startups get started.  This Kit includes all the basics to set up a professional online presence.  Plus, I've included a special bonus to make sure you have the knowledge to grow:

• Brand Logo:  Your brand is what your customers will see first.  It is important to have a strong brand identity.  We will design your Brand Logo and give you all the versions you need across all online platforms
• Google My Business:  This is the heart of your online presence.  Setting this up properly is the first step in setting up a professional online presence so that you can be found by potential customers when they search for your business (Includes Keywords)
• Website:  This is your online home.  We set up a simple yet robust presence that tells your customers who you are and what your products or services can do for them.  We write content that is relevant to your business...and to the search engines so that you get served up most effectively (Content Marketing)
• Instagram:  We set up your Instagram page using your Brand Logo and linking back to your website.  We'll show you how to post photos and short videos (Social Media Marketing)
• Facebook:  We set up your Facebook page and integrate it with your Instagram page and your website.  We'll show you how to leverage these two key Social Media platforms

And there's more...

Included in the Small Business Online Marketing Startup Kit in addition to the 45 minute Virtual Kickoff meeting is an additional 60 minutes of consulting!

The Small Business Online Marketing Startup Kit is $799.  It includes all of this:  Brand Logo, Google My Business, Website, Instagram, Facebook and 60 minutes of consulting!

Contact me at chris@chrismorales.ca to sign up and book your Kickoff Meeting.

6 Web Design Trends for 2021

6 key design trends for 2021:

1. Photography with graphics
2. Use bold fonts
3. Use a clear visual hierarchy
4. Create personalized content
5. Keep your eye on mobile, particularly ecommerce
6. Faster loading speeds

For more on each of these, check out this infographic, Web Design Trends:

Link to this infographic:  Web Design Trends

Until next time...

Chris Morales

COVID-19 Changes Business Behaviour

We are in Normal.  There is no 'new normal' and we are certainly not going 'back to normal'.  COVID-19 has changed business behaviour.

That's the hard truth. The business owners I've spoken to over the past year have worked hard to adjust.  The most successful ones adjusted quickly...in some cases, pivoting completely away from their core business system in order to survive.  They quickly reset their normal.  

What do business owners need to focus on in this pandemic? 

1. Cashflow:  Know your revenue in and expenses out.  Pay a very close eye on your forecast sales, look for risks;  Know what your fixed and variable expenses are with a focus on what you can cut and what you must have.  
2. Response:  Run multiple scenarios on revenue and expenses.  Do the 'worst-case' scenario exercise. Act quickly.
3. Reserve:  Set up and keep a reserve cash fund to use to fund your business for a period of time...the longer the better.
4. Adapt:  To your business situation;  To your employees;  To your customers.

These are things every business owner should do pandemic or not.  But driven by the rapid changes in buyer behaviour, it is even more urgent!

This Infographic cites US data but it applies to Canadian consumers as well.  We are all anxious about our inability to forecast and predict confidently.  We are in survival mode. We all feel caged.  Yes, COVID-19 has changed our behaviour...for good!

Until next time...

Old Volvos Never Die. They Pass On

'Old Volvos never die.  They Pass On'

That headline from 1980 proves the adage that some things are timeless.

Back then the world was recovering from a second oil crisis and even though Volvos were powered by 4 cylinder engines, the fuel economy numbers as mandated by the EPA were going to be bad.  Volvo decided to go another direction and talk about their durability.  Specifically, how long their cars lasted. 

Clever.  And on point for the brand.

This campaign didn't appeal to everyone.  Again, that's the point.  They knew who their customers were and spoke directly to them.

I confess that I'm Volvo enthusiast.  Between my wife and I, we've owned 5 Volvos.  Currently we run a 14 year old V50 and a 10 year old XC60.  We maintain them well but the darn things run well and feel as tightly screwed together as when they were new.  I hope I haven't jinxed them!

When the brand delivers as promised, that's the mark of great advertising!

Until next time...

Chris