What's Going Without Saying

I was recently reminded by Shawn, a Facebook fan of my company, that sometimes we need to get back to the basics. People wonder how to get the word out effectively about their companies, how to make an impact, to stand out and be noticed.

Canadian businessman Jim Pattison, a man Canadian Business Online lists as the 5th richest man in Canada, knows how to get his companies noticed. One thing I have observed is that the man has a logo on almost everything, right down to the drinking glasses in his yacht. If you find yourself in Jim Pattison's world, you are not likely to forget the fact.

If you are thinking, "Yeah, that would be nice! If I had a yacht!", then I will bring it down a little closer to home. Have you got a vehicle? Put your brand on it. Have you got a hat? Put your brand on it. Have you got a shirt? You guessed it...

Put your brand on it!

And make sure people can see it. Be bold. Even classy companies with a refined, soft-sell image can get a lot of mileage by having their name show up repetitively in their market. By designing a logo correctly and putting it on high quality apparel, a company's promotional clothing can be as desirable as a designer label.

How many people do you see wearing apparel that promotes a brand? Lots. So why not make it cool to promote your own?

Most folks cheap out when it comes to their promotional products, and when forced to wear 'company gear', their employees feel like nerds. If you add some 'cool factor' and get really nice stuff, it will not only be your employees wanting to wear your brand; but friends, family and clients as well.

Standing out isn't rocket science, it just takes some guts. Become a recognizable brand by being recognizable! Sure, the first time you walk into the bank proudly sporting your cool new logo and slogan, people will wonder what in the world it is. But if you are in there every week, after a couple of months everyone in the place will know about your Superstar Widget Factory (or whatever your business of choice might be).

If you frequent the hottest coffee shops around town, your quad-shot-non-fat-extra-foam-nutmeg-sprinkled-macchiato can represent some of your best spent marketing dollars!

Get recognized by joining a trade association or Chamber of Commerce. Show up to meetings. Get involved in your community. You don't have to do it all, just do something! People will soon be saying, "Oh look, there goes so-and-so from Superstar Widget Factory!"

Yes, it is simple, but what's going without saying should be said. You can't afford not to get noticed.

By Jake Bergen, as published in his column 'Venture Hype'. Jake Bergen is the Marketing Director for Tractor Beam Marketing Inc. http://www.tractorbeammarketing.ca/ © Tractor Beam Marketing Inc.