We’re stronger together

Firstly I trust you and your family stay safe and well. My thoughts are with you all as we all navigate through this new phase of business and beyond.

It’s business as usual here at JFM Creatives, and I would like you to know if we’re currently working on a project for you, this will continue on as normal. 

We’re here to fully support you through these times, helping you to update and communicate with your clients and network in the form most appropriate for you.  As the dust starts to settle and some staff is working from home, you might be thinking about what can do now. 

Not sure what you could be doing right now? Here are a few ideas to get you started;

  • Update your website home and contact page to confirm your current business operational status, hours, points of contact, service expectations etc
  • Create a client or network newsletter or set up Mailchimp so you can communicate as and when required to your clients.  An email group can be great too
  • Update social media graphics to reflect your current offer/brand building
  • Google place – check yours is updated with your current hours and points of contact
  • Social media channels – check contact details and about sections are up to date
  • Pin a post to the top of your Facebook page which features your latest update
  • Group chat with your team/clients/suppliers – so everyone’s informed and updated
  • If you can connect with clients virtually, book appointments online (Microsoft bookings, Timely, Acuity are all great) or connect with them via Skype or Zoom
  • Create a daily focus within your team, to keep everyone connected and engaged. Voxer is great for those who love talking, typing, sharing images…  something for every type of communicator
  • Create video tutorials on products and services or even a company update.  Loom is a fabulous platform
  • Database cleanse – what no one truly loves doing, but it allows you to easily and effectively communicate
  • Check answerphone messages are updated with the latest contact points and directions – including mobiles for staff who are on leave or working reduced hours, along with out of office replies
  • If you have on-line booking software for face to face meetings/appointments – check the status of these links
  • Lastly, there will be plenty more things to check-in with, as the days go by… 

What’s staying the same?

The business model at JFM Creatives is virtual and continues as normal. All my virtual team, have the resources and virtual software platforms to carry out any project like normal for you.  My team happens to be around the country – Sam (Christchurch), Teesha & Taryn (Wellington), Terry (Napier) are all safe, well, and ready to help and support you.

If you would like to update your website, communicate with your customers, or talk click my email link below and then we can quickly get your update or new project underway.  Email –   jo@jfm.co.nz.

What’s changing?

Maybe rather than meeting in person we can connect on a video Zoom call?  That’s about all that will be changing around how we might work together.

How will you and your teams maximise this time?

Already for some, this moment in time is creating superb focused planning space and for others project team brainstorming sessions are getting underway, to kick start those projects you know are so very important (for one client that’s an eCommerce store).  As the old adage goes, it’s not what you have, it’s what you do with what you have, that counts… 

Stay safe, keep well and be kind.  Kia Kaha.

Jo x

Mob: 027 292 5004

Click here to schedule a time to connect on Zoom over the next few days and weeks ahead. Even just to chat and have a laugh!

P.S.

(At the close of day 1 yesterday, my son Ryan had created the first pillow mountain, and indoor “camp out” as he calls it).  I think Terry summed it up the best… “It’s like sheltering for a cyclone, except the mess is all indoors!”. 

Tips for crafting Covid-19 updates

If you’re going to be sending out some comms to your clients or internal team here are a couple of quick tips:

  • Start your message out positive
  • Keep your message calm but not dull
  • Make it clear what you’re asking them to do, if anything.  (It might be info only, tips and tricks, book a call to discuss revised budgets etc)
  • Make it easy for them to connect with you – skype/zoom details/links, contact numbers
  • Include as much information as you need to on your update, but no more.  Many are overwhelmed
  • It can be a time for some industries to over-communicate, even daily, and others it might be just one or two updates over the journey
  • Tailor content to the industry if required, to increase the intimacy of the information 

Most importantly send personal emails, text messages and phone calls, when a mass update is not required.  The personal touch of checking in and making sure those important to you are well, will be long remembered…

Let’s get creative during and post lockdown!

Strong communities are forged by kind and compassionate people working together. I’m hearing amazing stories already, from some of my clients on how they’re taking care of their people and I congratulate you. 

The rule of reciprocity states, if you give something to someone, they feel obligated to give something back, and I know you’ll be amazed how their kindness will show up not only to you but your customers in the future.

It is essential we all work together and support each other on this “new voyage” both in business and also personally. For some that will mean thinking outside the box and getting creative on how they do business and for others, there will be the adventure of keeping families entertained whilst juggling work commitments.

My team will be sharing with you daily on our Facebook page, one of our magic moments from the day.  And no doubt some of the antics will resonate, inspire or even just make you smile. 

JFM Facebook   |  JFM Instagram

Precision Cutting – Brand Launch

? The Dream We were honoured to deliver a full rebrand for the fabulous Amanda and Josh O’Malley at Precision Cutting. This included logo and brand mark, collateral, signage, and website.

? The Recipe

The Precision Cutting icon has been carefully crafted to represent the quality and premium precision of the steel plate construction at Precision Cutting. The custom stylised ‘P’ icon creates a visual of cutting line work which represents precision, production, and excellence. These visual identities tie to the company values which are driven to achieve the best performance. The colours and gradient we have chosen are drawn from the tempering process. The rich tones of blue convey the feeling of stability, trust, loyalty, precision, and intellect. The full stop makes the brand name an absolute statement. It gives a feeling of assurance and confidence in the quality of their work.

?The Magic

The result is a brand that their whole team and community is proud of, and not to mention a handful of new clients!

*Consistent brand communication across all their collateral and channels

*Improved company reputation and visibility in the marketplace

*Ongoing access to support with all brand updates and marketing needs

Who’s Dolly?

Our clients Alliance know that brand building takes time and after 70 years, they’re experts at playing the long game. They know that connecting with generations of families is important for keeping their business sustainable.

For the kids, they’ve created a cute wee character called Dolly the sheep. Inspired by Where’s Wally? we helped them create Where’s Dolly? Along with a high quality activity book that children and families can bond over and cherish together.

As always, we also got a real kick out of helping Alliance design a range of elements for their stand at the New Zealand Agricultural Show. We helped them execute high impact mesh banners, wall banners and client invitations and more.

We love our clients and helping them bring their ideas to life!

VeeHof event: an outstanding success

At JFM, we do a variety of design and marketing tasks to help our clients achieve their business goals. VeeHof Dairy Services Ltd were looking at running a Hoof Care Expo for Farm Owners, Farm Managers and Share Milkers. We discussed what their objectives were for the event, what they needed and what success looked like. JFM reflected on this information and the target market.

We assisted by creating the following support materials:

  • An event plan: to give a run down on what preparation was needed for the day and what would happen on the day.
  • An event invitation, which was distributed to selected farm boxes: the wording, design and printing materials were all chosen keeping the target audience in mind.
  • Updating and reprinting brochures for goody bags: when you have an event, it’s always really important to consider what information you are giving out and ensuring it’s up to date.
  • Ordering nametags: nametags provide direction to attendees as to whom to go to with questions and look really professional.
  • Road signage: due to VeeHof’s prime location on State Highway 1, large roadside signage was displayed so people knew about the event.
  • Media release and adverts: to reinforce the print invitations that were distributed, JFM created a media release which was picked up by media outlets and designed print adverts in specific publications read by the target market.
  • Website update with graphics: we created a new post on the events section of the website informing readers about the event. We also created a website header graphic, which redirected to that page when clicked.
  • Taking photographs and doing a social media post on the day: the staff at VeeHof were busy interacting with clients and generally making the event successful, so JFM took some photographs to capture the day. We also created a Facebook post to display the event photos and thank people for their attendance.

This free event was highly successful, with approximately 70 people in attendance. With a seminar, variety of hands-on demonstrations to watch and participate in, as well as a free lunch, attendees also stayed around for a few hours. When planning events, the key to success is considering what the target audience are interested in and how to best reach them. You need to be strategic and deliberate in your approach. If you ever need assistance with an event, give us a call at JFM Marketing + Design.

Top Tip: Google My Business

When you search for a business locally, you may notice that some listings provide a lot of information about them.This can include opening hours, imagery, location, contact information, company description, reviews and a list of services. In the past, Google provided Google Places and Google+ Pages Dashboard, which have now been combined to create Google My Business.

Have you done a Google search for your business with the region it’s located in lately? If not, you should check to see how it looks. If your listing does not include all the information listed above, you can update your information with Google My Business. It complements your website by giving presence and a public identity with a Google listing. Your business information can appear on Google+, Maps and Google Search, and is completely free.

You are also able to regularly update your listing, view insights and add photos as required. Google walks you through how to set up your account, simply go to https://www.google.co.nz/business and fill in the required fields. If you need any help setting up your Google My Business, give JFM a call.

Introducing our new Facebook Advertising workshop

It is always challenging for business owners to know how to promote their business products and services. Facebook Advertising is an easy medium for business owners to use that can reach a large number of people quickly and best of all, with a detailed and measurable approach.   JFM Marketing + Design is pleased to launch our second social media workshop in August called Facebook Advertising workshop.

This course covers a variety of subjects including:

  • Setting Up Ads Manager
  • Campaign Objectives
  • Choosing A Target Audience
  • Creating A New Advert
  • Calls To Action
  • Difference Between Boosted Posts and Advertising
  • Factors of Successful Ad Campaigns
  • Budgeting
  • Terminology
  • Statistics And Insights

We will be running this workshop in two locations, Ashburton and Timaru. The Ashburton session will be held from 9am – 12pm on the 16th of August in the Rakaia Room at Community House, 44 Cass St Ashburton 7700. The Timaru session will be held from 9am – 12pm on the 17th of August at the Comfort Hotel Benvenue conference room, 16/22 Evans St, Maori Hill, Timaru.

If you would like to find out more, please read our Facebook Advertising web page. If you would like to secure your place on this course, which is already proving very popular, please head to our booking page.

A new fresh brand and website for Paveco

Paveco offer high quality concrete products to clients and pride themselves on customer focused professionalism. When engaging JFM Marketing + Design, Paveco explained that it was time for a refresh. They were looking to develop a new modern brand that looked fresh, streamlined, memorable and made a statement in the market. The new brand had to still have connections to the original brand, so as not to confuse existing customers and to respect their 14-year history.

Considering these requirements, our creative designer modernized the font selection and introduced a new primary colour; rose gold. This colour represents classic elegance, sophistication and high quality finishes. The new logo and branding presents a professional, polished and contemporary face to the market. The font of the logo was still in uppercase to link it to the previous logo, and the tagline “Concrete, it’s what we do” was added to clarify the offering to new clients. Their original orange was considered and the new rose gold colour was the new rich, evolved colour.

A suite of new materials was created to support the launch of the new brand identity. This included new vehicle signage, building signage, stationery and a new website.  These items all rolled out as one for a seamless process and hit the market at the same time. The website was designed to reflect their brand, quality products, values and their client-centric approach to doing business. A simple envelope is shown on every page which expands when clicked, making it easy for potential clients to get in touch. If you think it might be time for your business to be rebranded, contact us at JFM Marketing + Design.

What is marketing research?

Marketing research is the process of gathering information and insights about your market, so as to make informed decisions. It is always valuable to do a brainstorm before commencing market research, so you can decide what information is of value and that will inform future business decision making. You can research many things including your target market, current client behavior, current client needs, potential client needs and research into other products your competitors may be offering.

There are many difference methods you can use to collect this information. You can do secondary or desktop research, which involves summarising and synthesising existing research. This can be found on the internet or in dedicated analytical programs such as Google Analytics. The most important thing to remember is to pull out the information you need and collate it into a logical format, such as a summarising document, table or PowerPoint presentation.

 The other type of research you can do is primary research, which is when you go and collect the information yourself. You can do this by speaking to your clients directly, sending out feedback forms or creating surveys and customer focus groups. This can take more work but if done correctly can be of more value, as it’s specific to your needs. It is useful to plan out your questions and then to get another person to review them, to make sure they are clear. If you need any help gathering marketing insights for your business, contact JFM Marketing + Design.