Brooke Ballard: Online Marketing

Highlights from our Interviews with Online Marketers 2014.

OrokliniDesign.com

Robin Strohmaier: Web Design

Dorien Morin-van Dam: Social Media Jennifer Hanford: BloggingMallie and Derek Hart: Graphic DesignKatherine Tattersfield: Printing

Robin Strohmaier

OrokliniDesign.com

R&R Web Design

Q. What are the most important factors whencreating a website?

A. The three fundamental basics of what is needed for a website include adomain name, a hosting account and the website files. For functionality, it is important that the website design be responsive sothat the design responds to any device that it is viewed in. A contentmanagement system (CMS) is also a highly recommended factor so thatthe website owner can make simple edits without having to pay forassistance. Other important factors include the marketing of the website whichincludes organic search engine optimization and website maintenance.

Brooke Ballard

OrokliniDesign.com

B Squared Media

Q. Tell us about emotional marketing and howimportant it is for a business owner to let somepersonality (and feelings) shine through theirbranding both on and offline.

A. To me, demographics are old school. Sure, they’re important forsegmenting, but I think psychographics are where it’s at. Psychographicstell the true story about buying patterns (and market research) becausethey tell you the WHY instead of the WHAT. They help you understand theopinions, beliefs, feelings, attitudes and values of your audience. There’sno end to the story they tell. But you can’t expect to get feelings & opinions out of your audiencewithout sharing a few of your own! Be unique. Tell your story. Make sureeveryone knows how you’re different. (Storytelling can help you achievethat.)

Dorien Morin

OrokliniDesign.com

More in Media

Q. What would you tell a brick and mortar shopowner who lives in a place that sees a massiveflow of visitors at certain times of year as re: theimportance of having a Social Media presence?

A. Think mobile! Watch your visitors; they all have their phone in their hands to search forthe best deals, the best restaurants, the best attractions and the bestshopping. Get on social media, add your location and have a mobilefriendly website. Tourists rely on their smartphone to stay connectedwith home as well, so it goes with them wherever they go. They do notleave it behind in their hotel rooms. If you are not on social media, you are missing the boat!

Jenn Hanford

OrokliniDesign.com

j+ Social

Q. What would you tell small businessowners about the value of outsourcingall or part of their online marketing?

I would let them know about how much time andmoney they can save by outsourcing their onlinemarketing efforts to a person or agency. This wouldfree them up to focus on establishing andcultivating their real-life client relationships, whichis so important for long-term business success.

Katherine Tattersfield

OrokliniDesign.com

Cali Creative Studio

Q. Is there a pattern as to what promotionalprinted items go with particular type ofcompanies. For example: pens are for …….

and t-shirts are for …………?

A. Certain practical promotional items, such as pens or notepads, haveuniversal appeal. These safe bets work well for events and trade showswhere you’ll have to please a diverse crowd. T-shirts are tougher becausepeople tend to be particular about what they wear. Before you invest in branded products or gifts, do research on yourcustomers to ensure you’re offering something they’ll use. If you’re in doubt as to which printed gifts to create, ask your social mediacommunities or do an email campaign.

Mallie and Derek

OrokliniDesign.com

Go Creative Go

Q. Do you think colours affect differentpeople in the same way and should we reallypay attention to those infographics aboutColour Psychology?

Mallie: I think the way we react to color can change with our own moodsand as our lives grow and change. My favorite color has changed severaltimes over the course of my life. I think our personal color palettes haveroom to grow and change as we do. That’s not to say that there aren’t some color perceptions that hold truein a constant fashion. But remember color connotation also factors inculture and nationality.So, I don’t think any of those color psychology infographics arenecessarily the final word on the subject.

Derek: There are entire grad-school level classes taught on colorpsychology. I think that’s all you really need to know.