DABA DESIGNS Creative Marketing

  Need to create a video to play on your site?  You can create a video of YOUR products or services.

1. Create a folder of photos and videos you would like in your final video.  Videos need to be in a format readable by Windows Media Player.  A good idea (and VERY inexpensive) is to buy a Flip Video Recorder ( http://www.theflip.com/). Usually around $130, this recorder allows you to film and instantly download to your computer.
2. Use Windows Movie Maker.  Not very versatile, but great for short videos!  Check your programs - it should be on your computer if you have a Windows package.  Go to the Timeline at the bottom and drop in your photos and videos in the order in which you would like them to appear.  You can edit them later… it’s very easy.
3. Find an appropriate soundtrack.  Drag and drop into the timeline.  Now you’re set to edit.  Save your original version before playing around with the editing tools.  Once you have it the way you want it, save it as a AVI file.  Movie Maker will explain how this is done.
4. Open a YouTube account at http://www.youtube.com/index.   Create your video in YouTube.  When you are done open your video and copy the video CODE.
5. Open your site in code, not design, so you see the html code, and drop your video code in the appropriate location.  When you go back to design you will see a gray box.  Save and publish your site, and you should see the video placed and running in you live site.
6.  You can easily change the SIZE of the player by going back into the html code of your site.  The width and height of the current player are listed twice in the original code, once in the beginning of the code and once at the end.  Make sure you change EACH of the dimensions by the same percent.
7.  Each time you change your player, save and publish your site.  To see an example go to http://www.daba-designs.com.

  If you are just creating a new database here are a few simple rules to follow that will save you trouble in the future and give you as many options as possible when using the information your are collecting:

1. Create your database in either Access or Excel software.  They are the most common and can be easily merged and used with each other and other programs.
2. Create as many fields as you THINK you will use in the future.  It’s much easier to delete the unused fields (or simply not use them) then it is to discover you need a new field and creat one.  Some recommended fields are: first name, middle name, last name, title, organization, address 1, address 2, city, state, zip, phone, fax, email, website, employee/vendor/customer/prospect, products/services used/sold.  These are just a few.  Add your own after putting some thought into you potential final uses.
3. ALWAYS backup your data.  If for some reason you lose the information you will have a backup file to reload.

Even if you aren’t website savy, take some time to learn how to update your own site.  If you can control the updates yourself, not only will you save money, but you can update your site whenever it’s appropriate.  For example, you can change your home page depending upon the season, you can add season coupons, you can update your own archives.  Having a website gives you the opportunity to instantly update your company information, so take advantage of it and learn to do it quickly and inexpensively yourself.

 You’ve spent time and money to create all your printed material.  Now save them as PDF’s and post them to your site.  Get all the mileage you can from the energy you already spent!  It’s a good idea to create catagorized archives for Newsletters, Company Literature, Press Releases, Company Events, etc.  Each time you add something of relevance to your archives, send out an email notice to your email list.

When you have a booth at a trade show it’s a good idea to have a “silent sales rep” continually going in case all employees are busy.  Create a PowerPoint Presentation and have it running on a continuous loop at your table.

Selecting a holiday gift for you employees can be difficult.  You want them to enjoy the gift, but you ALSO want it to represent you, to be a promotional item, and be used and have staying power.  Candy and cookies are gone in a week.  Personalized Desktop Calendars stay around for 365 days!  And they are useful AND fun!  http://www.daba-designs.com/DD%20Image%20Library%20-%20Business_PC.htm.

For your next employee event, newsletter promotion, giveaway or holiday item, try aiming toward the kids!  Their parents will be sure to follow!  These unique Coloring Books are custom designed and can be PERSONALIZED to each child within the book and on the cover.  http://www.daba-designs.com/DD%20Image%20Library%20-%20Business_Coloring.htm.

If your promotional or specialty item stay around and is used, it’s a success.  If it’s all that AND it brings in direct business it’s a Coupon Notepad.  Your company logo or image on each page (it can also be PERSONALIZED to the receiver!) and your coupon on the bottom.  The standard notepad is 5-1/2″x8-1/2″, glue bound at the top with a sturdy cardboard backing, 35 pages deep.  There is also an optional magnetic backing (think refridgerator!).  http://www.daba-designs.com/DD%20Image%20Library%20-%20Business_CNP.htm

Treasure Maps.  That’s unique!  This is something NOBODY can pass up in the mail.  Imagine seeing this in your mailbox as one side of a postcard.  Since the entire idea of graphics is to capture attention, this does it’s job and MORE.  Can include streets, landmarks, written information, whatever you need.  Fantastic for promotions, and the image can be use again and again - website, print, etc.  http://www.daba-designs.com/DD%20Image%20Library%20-%20Maps3.htm.

You have an idea for a book… NOW WHAT!  There are many ways to proceed to publication including self-publishing.  You can offset the cost of self-publishing by finding a sponsor - an organization who has the same target market as you who is willing to pay you to include their name and other information about their organization within your book.  Usually on the back cover or inside back cover.

Without a marketing plan you are like a ship without a sail.  Marketing & Communication Plans are LIVING documents.  They are not meant to sit on a shelf.  This document should include an Execution Plan, a daily production schedule which will be your guide on a daily basis for making sure your plan hits it’s mark.  BUT… as things progress, things change.  If your Marketing Plan sits on a shelf gathering dust than it was a complete waste of money and effort.  Use it daily, update it yearly and make it work FOR you.

  Cartoon MAPostcards will REALLY stand out in the mail.  One side contains the address area AND your promotional coupon.  When the coupon is redeemed you now have your customer’s address!  The second side is a completely customized cartoon MAP!  Talk about different!  http://www.daba-designs.com/DD%20Image%20Library%20-%20Maps2.htm.

Cartoon Wedding Maps are really creative and COOL.  The package includes 5 roads, 3 landmarks and 100 printed full-color maps!  Go to http://www.daba-designs.com/DD%20Image%20Library%20-%20Maps1.htm for more details!  It’s all about the fun!

BROADCAST FAX = LOST MONEY so be VERY careful.  If you send faxes to people who have not expressed their written consent to receive your faxes, it can cost you THOUSANDS of dollars per page sent… NOT per fax transmitted.  The penalty varies by state.  Ohio, for example, allows the receiver of an unwanted fax $3,000 PER PAGE sent for unwanted faxes. 

  If you are organized and keep a database of all customers, prospects, vendors and employees, you can use this list internally for FREE to promote your event via email, or very inexepensively via mail!