Archive for August, 2009

Tips for Your Las Vegas Brochure Design

Friday, August 28th, 2009

A brochure can be an excellent sales and marketing tool for your Las Vegas business or company. Many people get puzzled when thinking about where to start when writing a brochure. We’ve compiled the following information to help you formulate an effective and powerful brochure design for your Las Vegas business.

Planning the Content

As a basic guideline, you always want to include the who, what, when, where, why and how about your business. In addition you want to decide what your message will be, what’s your point and why would a potential customer want to read on.  You need a clear call-to-action, a reason why someone would want to contact you for more information or a quote.  Make your call to action simple and risk-free. A free consultation, a first time discount, etc.  Give attention to the main headlines and subheadlines as well as they should entice readers to want to read on.

Don’t Think Too Much When Writing

We see this with a lot of clients, they struggle with everything about a brochure when deciding how to put it together. You need simple, well-written content, a clear call to action and the brochure should be professionally designed. Don’t try to put too much information, just the basics.

Pretend you are explaining your business to a friend when writing the content, a friend who doesn’t know anything about your business’ product offerings and benefits. Avoid long sentences and use bullet points.

Be concise, clear and write copy that will be meaningful and persuasive as to why somebody would want to inquire further or hire you.

Don’t Forget Design

While content is the most important part of creating a brochure, don’t forget about design. The design should be professional looking, modern and with a stunning layout. You should always include your full business contact information on both the inside and outside.

For more information on professional Las Vegas brochure design and graphic design solutions, visit our website at www.perkolate.com.

Overview of Las Vegas Blog Marketing

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

Blog marketing in Las Vegas is a comparable new form of Internet marketing, which depends on blogs as the main attraction of advertising. Blogs are fantastic at alluring search engine traffic in Las Vegas. Their format advances itself to the search engine so it can be updated frequently and easily. Many companies find that blogs are a great way to keep in touch with their customers and increase search engine exposure all at once. Blog marketing is a cornerstone of a strong advertising crusade, and has become a substantial vehicle for public relations.

Blogs are basically websites that show information in a specific way. Blogs allow themselves to be updated quickly and easily by members of a company. They stimulate customer participation, viral marketing and feedback. For these reasons, they are perceived as a strong supplement to existing business websites, but in various ways a greater power in terms of connecting to a new or existing customer.

Businesses want to use blog marketing because it easily brings in inbound links from other sites. Sites can be hesitant to link to a corporate site. A blog usually feels interesting, and therefore other blogs and online guides may be attracted to link to it. Blogs solve one of the ample problems of businesses trying to adjust to the world of online marketing. The best kind of advertising does not come from paid ads. It comes from word of mouth.

It is important to create a blog that is interesting. Businesses have found that by letting employees discuss the business openly and freely fascinates people. People love to see the inner workings of major corporations. Blogs give you an uncensored view in to that thrilling world. Some businesses even have the CEO’s blogging. People are interested in hearing from individuals who are at the peak of an organization.

Blog marketing is also a great way to reach out to customers. For example, new product releases can be written about on a blog and regular readers will be informed instantly. The reader will link to his or her own communications, creating a promising buzz about the product before it is even released. Blogs have also been used in place of press releases.

People involved in blog marketing may also want to participate in the company through honest feedback. There are commenting tools on blogs that allow customers to give their feedback instantly. This can help businesses to improve on their products. Blogs are great tools for businesses to get honest and direct customer feedback.

If you’re interested in having a blog designed and built for your Las Vegas company or business, please contact us here at Perkolate at 702.341.0085.

For More Information on Blogs and Blog Marketing, see:

Search Engine Optimization - Keep up on all the changes

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Most of our clients here at Perkolate are always interested marketing their website to make sure they get the most exposure they can for their website and for good reason. What’s the sense of having a great website if no one knows about it? Search engine optimization is always part of a thorough marketing plan for any business on the Internet; yet, most people don’t realize that each search engine places different priority to search engine-optimizing strategies. What works best for ranking on Google may not be the best strategy if you’re looking for higher ranking on Yahoo or MSN.

Here’s a website that I’ve used for a while when I have search engine specific questions when a client makes a particular request to gain higher ranking on a specific search engine. The website is Search Engine Forums ( http://www.searchengineforums.com ). It’s basically a forum community of people looking for questions answered on specific search engine standards. Their regular posters are very knowledgeable people usually in the Marketing/SEO industry who keep up all the latest changes in the way certain search engines index their search listings and help inform those of us who don’t have the time or desire to stay on top of the latest index and spidering changes to the Big 3 Search Engines - Google, Yahoo and MSN.

They also have info on other search engines and listing directories besides the Big 3, so no matter how well you may know SEO, people of any expertise level can find useful and helpful information on the latest updates and changes to the search engine or web directory they are looking to increase their website’s overall search ranking. Remember, the Internet is like an ocean and just putting your website out there without worrying about SEO is like tossing a bottle with a message in it and expecting someone to find it. Give your business and website a better marketing chance by getting the fundamentals down for Search Engine Optimization.

Why it is Important for Las Vegas to Market During a Recession

Friday, August 14th, 2009

In tough economic times, especially here in Las Vegas, it is easy to eye marketing and market research as potential victims for the chopping block. However completely axing marketing can have devastating results for a Las Vegasbusiness.

Consider an analogy: A runner’s muscles need air. Even though the muscles may not have burned all the oxygen in the blood, the lungs continue pumping new air, new oxygen into the blood stream. Without the lungs continuing to pump air and oxygen, the muscles would use up whatever oxygen was in the blood and then tire quickly before failing completely Does this seem like a far fetched analogy? I assure you that it is not. Cash flow and continued patronage are the oxygen of any business. And marketing is to business what lungs are to a runner: Marketing continually pumps in new business, new patronage and new cash flow.

But if a business has worked hard to develop a loyal customer base, why can’t it rely on this base until things loosen up a bit? The answer is simple. There is no such thing as a loyal customer base. It’s not that customers are fickle and whimsical. It is that the customer also exists in a fluid environment where they constantly have to make choices in order to provide for and protect their families. In a free market system, competition is fierce. In a free market system during a recession competition is brutally fierce. Your customers need reduced prices while still getting quality products or services. If your business doesn’t provide this, it is 100% guaranteed that someone else will. Would you really expect your customer to turn down a better deal out of loyalty? Would you remain with a vendor if the vendor no longer offered your business the best deal available?

So we’ve established that there is no way to just hold your breath through a recession and hope your customers stay with you. But your business is in the red, you are dangerously short of liquid cash and marketing is as much art as it is science. How are you supposed to know how to apply your money when you need to be sure of a return? Of course, there are no guarantees but there are a few things to remember. A recession shakes things up. Some of your competitors will freeze up. They are not your worry. Your worry is the horde of competitors who are hungry, a little desperate and ready to try anything to take a bite out or your market share. Some of them are going to make mistakes, be hasty and blow their budget on ineffective marketing. Some of them will be do something different, effective, will tap into the customer’s need for comfort during a recession. You need to be one of these companies. Easier said than done?

However, there is one fundamental that is often ignored when people get scared. Keep it simple! It’s a recession. People aren’t in the mood for anything cute. They aren’t in the mood to see a company blow millions on a slick ad campaign. People want security, longevity, reliability, honesty. Those qualities are best communicated by customer service. It takes a human face. Don’t bug your customers with surveys, followup phone calls, etc. Teach your employees to always ask what the customer needs and mean it! It’s shocking to see how often companies try to pitch their customers. In good times, customers put up with it because it’s often entertaining. In hard times, customers just go somewhere else. Don’t anticipate their needs, ask them what they need. Improved customer service requires thought, energy and leadership but isn’t inherently expensive. It’s not an ad campaign but it is far more effective if implemented sincerely. And while you’re at it, if you want your employees to be sincere and attentive to your customers, why don’t you ask them what the company can do to alleviate some of their stress? What do they need to do their job well? If you tell them to be attentive, very few will comply. If you model it, most of them will be happy to imitate the behavior. Sincerity is infectious.

Dropping marketing during a recession isn’t an option. To complete the analogy: Just as it is even more crucial for a runner to breath deeply through the most demanding exercise, businesses must market, pursue customers, communicate with customers during a recession. The analogy holds true. If you stop marketing, you may as well try to run a race without breathing.

Online PR To Help Promote Your Las Vegas Company

Monday, August 10th, 2009

PR can be an invaluable tool to help promote your company’s brand and website and create awareness for your company or business in the local Las Vegas community. Most smaller companies don’t have the budget to hire a professional PR firm to help get the word out about their business, however, there are many free or low cost ways you can promote your company using online PR services.

With regard to PR, online press releases is an excellent tool to get your company out into the Las Vegas community. Press releases are created for a variety of reasons: new client acquisition, community involvement and volunteer work, new hires, company growth, and much more.

No matter what the topic, make sure your press release is properly written and formatted.

Here are links to websites with advice on how to write a press release:

If you need professional PR services, please contact us here at Perkolate at 702.341.0085 or email us at fullsteam@perkolate.com.

Importance of Professional Medical Graphic Design in Las Vegas

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

The importance of using the services of a professional medical graphic designer in Las Vegas for producing materials evaluated by those in the medical community is critical. Materials produced for evaluation by physicians should be visually designed to simply, yet effectively, demonstrate key features of the product or design. Medical graphic designers are trained to specifically produce material that have a professional appearance and which communicates clearly to the medical community. Professionally designed promotional material inspires confidence and is able to generate a clear message without distracting the reader with poorly designed images or crude designs.

Appearances matter a lot when it comes to developing promotional material that communicates effectively to those in the medical industry. A poorly designed advertisement or even company logo can produce negative comments based solely on the appearance of the material, whether or not the organization that produced the material has a good reputation or not.

There is also a visual language common to those in the medical industry which portrays professionalism and demonstrates that a company wishes to use the best in everything they do, from hiring a professional medical graphics designer to hiring the best people at their company. Using a professional medical graphic designer shows your commitment to portray your company in the best possible light. If your project involves designing material that is meant to depict biologic or pharmacological concepts, then there is a certain visual language common to those in the medical industry that should be adhered to. A medical graphic designer has the advantage of having worked on usually hundreds of materials for various hospitals and pharmaceutical companies and is already familiar with the current design trends in modern hospital and pharmaceutical practice.

As your business competes with others in the medical industry it is important to have every advantage possible, including having your company and promotional material designed professionally. If the first thing a potential client sees when evaluating your company is poorly designed pamphlet or article with poorly designed illustrations it could only generate concerns about how diligently you manage other areas of your business. By using a professional medical graphic designers you are setting off on the right foot in terms of making your first impression by a good impression.

As you build your company, or modify your promotional materials it is always good to be consistent in how you present yourself. A client may notice a decline in the quality of your promotional materials and might assume that you are close to bankruptcy and are saving by cutting back on the quality. Work done by a professional medical graphic designer undoubtedly has a high level of quality, especially when done by experienced hands, and consistently using the service of professional graphic designer shows that your company is committed to being in business for a long amount of time. By consistently using high quality material you also build a crucial reputation as a professional and dedicated organization.

Top 10 Reasons Your Business Needs a Website

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

The Great Equalizer
The Internet provides equal access to it users, whether you are a small business, organization or a Fortune 500 firm.

Improved Customer Service
Your web site is a great place to publish your own list of “Frequently Asked Questions”, contact information, and even discussion boards!

Low Cost Advertising
When compared to the costs associated with traditional advertising methods such as direct mail, newspaper or magazine ads, or radio and television, the cost of a web site is nominal. A Web site is easier, cheaper and quicker to update than print material, like a printed brochure. Its capacities are almost limitless which allow you to provide users with more comprehensive information. This will save you money on printing and distribution costs as well.

Great Demographic
Surveys have shown that the average Internet user is 36 years old, has a college education, and an annual income of $65,000.

24 X 7 Availability
The time of day is now irrelevant. With a web site your products, services and information become available to anyone with Internet access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Product and Service Demonstrations
Multimedia presentations allow you to provide your customers with an in-depth, interactive experience with your products and services.

Gather Information and Generate Valuable Leads
You can gather information about your customers and potential customers by using forms and surveys. Rather than going out and getting leads, let them come to you. This is a great tool for prospecting targeted customers looking to use your products and services.

Your Competitors Have One
As more and more businesses and organizations get online, those who don’t will increasingly be putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

Present a Professional Image
For a small business, a well-designed Web site is a great way of instilling confidence and looking bigger than you actually are. In this day in age, customers assume that you already have a Web site. By now, your primary competitors probably already have a presence on the Internet. If they do, keep up with them and find ways to make yours better. If they don’t, your will be the one out in front.

Promote & Sell Your Products Services
Promotion of businesses on the Web lets customers see that they have a choice. Millions of users are referring to the Web and are using company’s Web sites to make major decisions when they need a specialized service like yours.

If you’re interested in help with your website design, marketing or promotion, please contact Perkolate at 702.341.0085 or email us at fullsteam@perkolate.com.

5 Tips to Safe Social Networking - by Cynthia Bazin

Sunday, August 2nd, 2009

5 Tips to Safe Social Networking

Do you have a MySpace, Facebook or other Social Networking page? What a great way to get and stay connected with family and friends! When used carefully, they can be a lot of fun and you can keep up to the minute on your family and friends as well as meet new people. But without taking the appropriate safety measures, it could lead to embarrassment, identity theft or potential harassment from unsavory people.

Here are 5 Tips to Safe Social Networking!

Privacy Settings:
Different Social Networking websites have various privacy settings. If you are developing a page or are already doing Social Networking, go to the settings portion of the website and put in strict privacy settings for your page. If possible, set the settings so that only the people “friends” you invite onto your page can see what you post.

Content on Your Page:
Think before you post! You should have it in the back of your mind that whatever you post on your page, you are comfortable for anyone to see, such as your family, friends or your employer. Know that pictures and comments made by you can be forwarded to others.

Your Connections:
Once you sign up for a Social Networking site, you’ll be amazed at the number of people that will want to be part of your network. Don’t automatically accept everyone to be part of your page. Be choosy of who you allow to be part of your network.

Your Personal Information:
Remember that most people are good, but there are a lot of people out there that can do you harm. When posting your profile on a Social Networking site, be sure not to include too much personal information about yourself or your family. Don’t post your full date of birth on a website. Be sure not to post your home address or exact locations of where you will be for everyone to see.

Number of Connections:
You’ll notice that some people will have hundreds, sometimes thousands of connections. It’s hard to imagine that those individuals that have that many connections really know all those people. In order to better control your site and who sees the content of it, remember that quality is better than quantity.

With Social Networking becoming so popular, it is definitely one of the best and most fun ways to keep connected with friends and family. Just remember to always think before you post and protect yourself in this sometimes crazy world we live in :)

‘Love your life and live it to the fullest. Just do it with your EYES WIDE OPEN. Know that I am keeping my eye out for you.’ - Cynthia

Cynthia Bazin is a licensed Private Investigator and Security Consultant in the State of Nevada. Please contact her today for your next speaking engagement or any training needs on Safety & Security. She can also take care of all your investigative needs. She will ensure you have all the tools you need to keep you safe! For more information, visit her website at www.thebazingroup.com.

Increase Organic Ranking for Your Las Vegas Website

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

You may have a website for your Las Vegas business or company and that is most certainly a valuable marketing tool. The question to ask yourself is how does your website rank on major search engines such as yahoo!, google, msn and others?

Organic ranking is when your website ranks on a search results under the organic rankings once a search is performed on a set of keywords (not the sponsored or paid listings).

Here are some tips to increasing your organic rankings on local search engines in Las Vegas:

  • Ensure your city, state and zip code are in HTML text somewhere on each and every page.
  • Optimize your META tags to include relevant keywords, key phrases, for the title, description and keywords tags (consult a professional web designer in Las Vegas for more information.)
  • Ensure you have links between website pages from the home page to sub pages and in between.
  • Ensure you have a website site map page with links to all of your website pages included.
  • Keep your website content updated often. Search engines like websites with fresh content.
  • Purchase your domain for a long period of time. Search engines like google, yahoo, msn and AOL like when your domain name is purchased for a long period of time (10 years or more) as it means that your website is planning on being around for a long period of time.