A guest post from the United Kingdom, Ben Johnson of LogoInn

Creating or redesigning a logo can dramatically freshen up the look of your business and strengthen your brand message. Most business owners want their logo to communicate their business purpose effectively. But logo designing is not only a work of a designer; it’s a game of mutual understanding of both the designer and the business owner. So, we would like to discuss some of the elements you, as a business owner, should consider while designing a logo for your business.

It should be designed simple

Think of the “Swoosh” of Nike or the “M” of McDonald, aren’t these logo simple? The simpler your logo, the more powerful it will be. Thus, before your designer starts designing your logo, you should advise him to keep it simple. Simple logos get recognized  more readily and remembered for long time.

It should be according to your business

You should tell your designer that you need a logo which will portray the strategic message of your business. This however doesn’t mean that your logo specifically portrays what your company does, but simply portrays your industry. For example, if you are a realtor, obviously you like to have a logo with the image of houses or something that can better tell you are a real estate professional.

It should have easy to read font

Your logo design may not complete if it fails to have a good, appealing font. Using the right font is as important as working with the other design elements. You will want a font that is readable and depicts the purpose of your business. So a designer should choose fonts according to your business niche.

It should look good in black and white

Obviously, you will need your logo for different marketing mediums, and what if you need to fax your letterhead to any of your clients. Talk about it with your designer before the delivery of your logo. You will want to consider the benefits of having a logo which looks good in color, but may fail to grab attention in monochrome.

It should be resizable

Many amateur logo designers do not create logos with any vector based application. You will need this attribute and advise the designer of this particular need.  A vector format allows you to resize your logo to as big as to print on a billboard and as small  to fit on a pen.

These were the basic elements a business owner should know, and communicate a logo design company.  When you know these necessary aspects, it becomes easy for your logo designer to design such a logo that exactly reflects your business philosophy.

This is guest post from Ben Johnson of LogoInn, custom logo design service provider based in UK.

Mr. Johnson is offering a 15% discount on logo design to our readers.

You can contact Ben Johnson at ben.johnson@logoninn.com

I am proud to be support Malcolm Browne, the founder and champion of this incredible museum to be built in Texas. If you can help in anyway, please contact us at info@TeamMarketingDynamics or call me at 713.560.3348.

Visit: http://www.theveteransmuseumintexas.org/

To contact Marketing Dynamics visit: www.TeamMarketingDynamics.com or call 281.463.4560.

Read an interesting quote from @shoestringing (a Marketer I follow on Twitter). She was quoting noted author Seth Godin, “Everything we do is Marketing, whether we mean it or not.” So, if you are breathing and reading this article, “No! Marketing is not dead.”

My reply to @shoestringing is that “We are either Marketing well or badly,” which she agreed.  I remember my Marketing professor at Texas A&M tell the class that “Marketing is paid for one way or the other.”  What he meant is that each product has a cost of Marketing associated with it.  It is a hard cost just like legal, accounting, taxes, payroll, materials, shipping, etc. If you don’t have a budget for it, your company is still paying that cost by the loss of margin and sales you could be making. So, one way or the other, the cost is being included in the service or product offering. Just like “death and taxes,” you pay for Marketing.

Now, I surf the web reading many articles from many supposed experts (there are really few experts - I don’t claim to be one, although I think I do alright). Many claim that Marketing has changed. Well, it really hasn’t. There are many disciplines within Marketing that help companies and people to Market well. So, one should not be relying on one way. One should have a mix of Marketing activities at their disposal. Here are few things to consider that may help you along the way:

• Social media is not Marketing.  It really is more like advertising and public relations.
• Advertising is not Marketing.  Advertising is more like broadcasting.
• Broadcasting is not Marketing.  Radio and TV is more like Advertising.
• Market Research is not Marketing.  That is more like discovering your customer.
• Distributing strategy is not Marketing.  That is more like making it easier for your customer to buy your product.
• Pricing strategy is not Marketing.  That is more like knowing what your customer can afford to pay for your product and/or service.
• Packaging and design is not Marketing.  That is more like knowing what attributes your customers identify with and how they will best use your product.
• Branding is not Marketing.  We all love great brands, they appeal to our psychographic needs. Branding let’s you get inside the head of your customer.
• Sales is not Marketing.  That is more like asking your customer to buy, once you have convinced them that your product or service meets their needs.
• Public Relations is not Marketing.  That is more like making news.
• Promotion Strategy is not Marketing.  That is more like being relevant to unique opportunities that appeal to those customers who are sitting on the fence.
• I could go on, but I hope you get the point.

So, what is Marketing?  Marketing is the combination of many or all of these disciplines for an integrated approach to knowing your customers and influencers. It should be orchestrated by a Marketer and the owner of the company or senior leadership.  Marketers provide the tools to help shape the dialogue of a well developed offering.  Over time, the value of the Marketing makes for successful companies.  The principles of Marketing have never really changed and the reason why it will remain alive. He or she who Markets well lives to Market another day.

Andy Valadez is President of Marketing Dynamics, a strategic marketing enterprise helping its clients to leverage their unique business opportunities. His company has served many media personalities, leaders in technology, construction and real estate, racing, film, music, publishers, not-for-profits, and emerging companies. You can find out more about Marketing Dynamics by visting: www.TheMarketingVortex.com (his personal blog). Mr. Valadez is a graduate of Texas A&M University (Marketing) and Tulane University (Applied Business) and served honorably in United States Marine Corps (Desert Shield/Desert Storm). He is happily married to his wife and girlfriend of 28 years, Tina, and has two beautiflul girls, Kayla (8) and Kenna (5).

Contact:
Marketing Dynamics
Phone: 281.463.4560
E-mail: info@TeamMarketingDynamics.com
Micro-blog: www.Twitter.com/StealthMarketer (to see what Andy is up to now)

What a heart-elevating movie. Meaning, this beautifully shot story will take your emotions to new heights and places you never thought possible. My family and I were blessed to watch this story of forgiveness, loss, and healing last night and it will leave a lasting impact on how we view each other and others. It raises many questions of how we handle forgiveness and truly love the people we know.

Just got an e-mail from Blake Pilgreen, one of the producers, and he alerted me that the film is now at #3 on the Christian Charts. Mr. Dan Patrick, Executive Producer, has done a wonderful work in backing this story and sharing it with the world. I think he has a heart, bigger than Texas. True to his nature, he wrote back to me on Facebook “I am more blessed than I deserve.”

This is a must see movie, regardless of your faith.

For more information visit: www.HeartOfTexasTheMovie.com

“The Heart of Texas” Movie Trailer

Kingdom Racing

Did you know that God has a racing team? Yes he does. George Del Canto , founder and CEO, is a man on a mission with a dedicated team of believers who have a vision to share the gospel through motorsports. You can join the team at www.KingdomRacing.ning.com

We are excited to be a part of the team. Pray and cheer them to victory this Memorial Day 5/25/09 as Kingdom Racing #44 joins the fray at the Indy 500.

Left to Right: Kingdom Racing Driver Davey Hamilton and George Del Canto

Andy Valadez is President of Marketing Dynamics, a strategic marketing enterprise helping its clients to leverage their unique business opportunities. His company has served many media personalities, leaders in technology, construction and real estate, racing, film, music, publishers, not-for-profits, and emerging companies. You can find out more about Marketing Dynamics by visting: www.TheMarketingVortex.com (his personal blog). Mr. Valadez is a graduate of Texas A&M University (Marketing) and Tulane University (Applied Business) and served honorably in United States Marine Corps (Desert Shield/Desert Storm). He is happily married to his wife and girlfriend of 28 years, Tina, and has two beautiflul girls, Kayla (8) and Kenna (5).

Contact:
Marketing Dynamics
Phone: 281.463.4560
E-mail: info@TeamMarketingDynamics.com
Micro-blog: www.Twitter.com/MarineAg (to see what Andy is up to now)

Marketing Dynamics, because the market never stays the same. Experts in marketing excellence.

The WELL DONE Awards 2009 Video

Entertainers celebrating the awards evening:

• Headlining American Idol finalist Phil Stacey
• American Idol contestant Michael Castro
• American Idol surprises
• iCarly stars Nathan Kress and Noah Munck
• Worship leader Darren King and The Band

Past awardees have included American Idol stars Chris Sligh and Katharine McPhee, Chris Gardner subject of the movie “Pursuit of Happyness” and Rudy Ruettiger of the movie “Rudy,” “The Jesus Film Project,” Kingdom Flight, McKay Hatch founder of “No Cussing Club,” “Life Without Limbs” founder Nick Vucijic, and many more.

This Year’s WELL DONE™ Awardees:

“Iron Man” Scott Rigsby, a double amputee tri-athlete and two-time world record holder, who has inspired thousands across America and those serving in the military. A man on mission to share his life purpose with others and inspire them to move beyond their own set of life circumstances via their faith in God, see: http://www.scottrigsby.com(Marietta, Georgia):

Arthur Blessitt, evangelizer, who picked up a cross and carried it over 38,102 miles in over 315 countries and many major island groups, 40 years, one mission, see: http://www.arthurblessit.com Arthur and Denise Blessitt (Denver, Colorado)

Other 2009 Awardees include:

Matt and Laurie Crouch, Producers of the movie “The Cross” (Hollywood, California): www.8x.com
Samaritans Purse-Operation Christmas Child (Boon, North Carolina): www.SamaritansPurse.org
I Am Second (Plano, Texas): www.IAmSecond.com
MOPS International (Denver, Colorado): www.mops.org
Angel Shahrestani, Prison MOPS (Orange County California)
Fort Meyers Christian School (Fort Meyers, Florida): www.fmcs-fl.org
Keller- Williams Real Estate Office (Pasadena, California): www.kw.com

Several “KA DNA” international churches (Canada, Australia, Tasmania) meeting the expanding needs of people around the globe.

Philadelphia Presbyterian Church (Mint Hill, North Carolina): www.PhiladelphiaChurch.orgAldergrove Seventh-Day Adventist Church (Aldergrove, British Columbia): www.Aldergrovesda.org
Door of Hope Christian Church (Australia): www.Door-Of-Hope.org.au
Fair Haven Ministries (Hudsonville, Michigan): www.fhmin.org
Generations Church (Buda, Texas): www.Gen-Church.org
Grace Presbyterian Church (Houston, Texas): www.gpch.org
Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church (Wethersfield, Connecticut): www.WeTheFC.com
First United Methodist Church Ypsilanti (Ypsilanti, Michigan): www.fumcypsi.org
Hope Valley Uniting Church (South Australia): www.HopeValleyUC.org.au

The complete list of honorees and award details may be obtained by e-mail to KingdomAssignment@cox.net (media only)

The WELL DONE™ Awards was created by The Kingdom Assignment™ International founders and authors Denny and Leesa Bellesi in an effort to recognize extraordinary demonstrations of faith. “It is amazing to see how God is using ordinary people to do remarkable things for His glory,” says Leesa Bellesi “we have been privileged and honored to bestow a token of appreciation to many selfless people who have graced the stage during the awards night and encourage the Christian body to be the ‘hands and feet’ of Christ in ever increasing ways.” “We don’t have an agenda“, says husband Denny Bellesi, a long-time pastor in the southern California region, “we have a mission and an assignment of sorts, to recognize the good works achieved by the award winners and embolden others to do the same.”

“The awards evening isn’t about recognizing good people, but recognizing the power of God to impact people with the desire to do great things for others,” says a former award recipient.

The annual WELL DONE™ Awards is a fundraiser event held once a year, to raise capital to support Kingdom Assignments within the Christian church community, worldwide. The proceeds enable The Kingdom Assignment™ International to grant and gift finances to interested churches who want to creatively serve the needs of people outside of the walls of their congregations.

Tax-deductible tickets are now available and can be purchased on-line at www.KingdomAssignment.org. Ticket prices for this benefit are $25 each, tables of 10 available for group purchase. The show doors open Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 5:30 PM PST for a “Red Carpet Meet and Greet” with the media, award recipients, and attendees. The entertainment and awards begin promptly at 7:00 PM PST, please visit: www.KingdomAssignment.org for more information.

Also unveiling three new books from The Kingdom Assignment™ authors:

“I Have A Special Purpose” Daniel Goes On A Kingdom Assignment
A children’s book featuring a mouse born without a tail, that proves that even though handicapped, he proves God has given him a special purpose on earth. Written by Leesa Bellesi with Illustrations by Disney Illustrator, Davy Liu, and forward by “Life Without Limbs” founder, Nick Vujicic

Kingdom Assignment 3 - “How Will You Invest The TIME God Has Given You?”
The Kingdom Assignment trilogy is complete with “The Kingdom Assignment III,” an assignment on the value of “time” given to the Bellesi’s congregation in 2002 at Coast Hills Church, Laguna Beach, California. Featuring real stories that will change the way you view your true purpose here on earth.

T3 - Talent, Treasure, Time - Creative Ways To Give It Away by Simply Youth Ministry and Group Publishing. The T3 book teaches teenagers how to make a difference with their lives.

About The Kingdom Assignment™ International, a 501 3(c) Not-for-profit Organization:

The Kingdom Assignment™ International was formed by Authors Denny and Leesa Bellesi in an effort to seed good deeds around the world via the principles taken from the “Parable of the Talents” in Matthew 25 of the Bible and written about in their book series Kingdom Assignment I, II, and III. To learn more about The Kingdom Assignment™, please visit: www.KingdomAssignment.org or search Google: Kingdom Assignment

Major General Bob Dees (US Army Retired), Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, and Lieutenant General Jeff Oster (USMC Retired)

What an incredible evening in Dallas, Texas, Thursday 4/23/2009. I was honored to attend a company of heroes at a banquet of supporters for Military Ministry, an organization on the front lines of helping our veterans at war and at home. Military Ministry is a divison of Campus Crusade for Christ and offers a variety of resources to help veterans in their service to our country. Major General Bob Dees, Executive Director, and his board of business and military professionals were on hand to welcome many of the attendees who had come to Dallas from all over the country.

The night showcased our veterans who serve our country selflessly to include former combat veterans who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a Gold Star mom who shared her story and testimony, to prominent community leaders, other military and business benefactors. Norm Miller, CEO and Founder of Interstate Battery, a long time supporter, issued a check for $250,000 and offered to match that amount again within the next 120 days. Mr. Gene Birdwell, business owner and volunteer head of a PTSD organization donated $50,000 on behalf of his organization. Our friends Rick and Julie Fairchild were also in attendance.

LtCol Oliver North with company of U.S. Marines

Combat Marine and Author Donovan Campbell

Donovan Campbell is a Marine’s Marine, serving three combat tours in the deadliest parts of Iraq and leading his platoon who suffered over 50% casualties, the highest rate since the Viet Nam war. He and his well-trained fighting force held their sector and he writes about their experience in his book “Joker One.”

Former Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Gene Overstreet

SgtMaj Overstreet was my Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps when I served in the U.S. Marines. What an honor to meet the man in person. He was the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps during Desert Storm/Desert Shield and has an impressive service to his country and to his Marines. There is only one enlisted rank of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps at a time, reserved for the best of the best among the enlisted ranks.

A Photo op with my hero LtCol Oliver North, USMC Retired

Finally, to culminate the evening, an opportunity to meet my hero and great American who prefers to be on the front lines in a company of heroes. LtCol North is an amazing man and continues to serve his country as a combat correspondent, news commentator, host of “War Stories” (airing on Fox News), and author of many books, most recently - “American Heroes.”

To learn more about Military Ministry and support its causes, visit www.MilitaryMinistry.org

To contact Marketing Dynamics visit: www.TeamMarketingDynamics.com or call 281.463.4560.

Are you hopeful about the future of your business or gloomy? Real marketers market in the good and bad times.  If you are a business owner, you may find that you have to also wear the “marketer hat” too.   When the seas get rough, old tactics may not work as well.  People save their money, hunker down, and peak out into the storm to make their survival, needs-only, decisions.  However, the brands that marketed during the sunny days are still remembered.  If that is you, my hat is off to you.  So, if you are facing tough times, you may need seek out marketing advice to survive.  Typically, the companies that have healthy marketing plans are still capitalizing on their investments. 

Here are a couple of quick things that you can do to get your brand more visibility:

• Write and send a press release about what your company is doing (get some media coverage)
• Invest in your on-line social media platform - many companies now offer this service
• Start a mastermind group and partner with other people you respect to see how you can leverage each other’s opportunities
• Target your list of high-profile clients and focus on them (this list doesn’t need to be very big, depends on the size of your company)
• Take a client to lunch (proper etiquette is the one who invites, pays)
• Let others in your network know that you have an immediate need
• Think bigger and stretch out, start preparing for calmer seas now
• Make a plan (now is the time to plan for your future success)
• Identify new customers and new services to add to your existing programs
• Change up your budget, many companies spending more money on-line
• Go into learning mode - what do you really know about marketing?  I guarantee it isn’t enough. The market is always changing and there are new ideas to discover each day
• Don’t discount add more value to your offering!
• Make friends with a real marketer

Andy Valadez is President of Marketing Dynamics, a strategic marketing enterprise helping its clients to leverage their unique business opportunities. His company has served many media personalities, leaders in technology, construction and real estate, racing, film, music, publishers, not-for-profits, and emerging companies. You can find out more about Marketing Dynamics by visting: www.TheMarketingVortex.com (his personal blog). Mr. Valadez is a graduate of Texas A&M University (Marketing) and Tulane University (Applied Business) and served honorably in United States Marine Corps (Desert Shield/Desert Storm). He is happily married to his wife and girlfriend of 27 years, Tina, and has two beautiflul girls, Kayla (8) and Kenna (5).

Contact:
Marketing Dynamics
Phone: 281.463.4560
E-mail: info@TeamMarketingDynamics.com
Micro-blog: www.Twitter.com/MarineAg (to see what Andy is up to now)

Marketing Dynamics, because the market never stays the same. Experts in marketing excellence.

I had a great conversation this week with Wally Wood, President and CEO of the “National Space and Technology Association” (www.NSTAWorld.org). Wally is an incredible man of learning and I really enjoyed our lunch. In our discussion he mentioned that “Chief Executive Officers are master sales people, they have the power to sell ideas and get credibility.” I agree. The problem that most business owners have is to be the “master salesman” or equipping his team with that “hunter spirit” throughout the organization. Still, we miss opportunities everyday.

I remember once signing a $100,000 dollar sale for a client. The sale was great and badly needed for the business. The owner had made a $45K bidding mistake on another project and was in a dire situation. As great as that sale was that day (which actually showed up as a fluke), the sale begain long before. That day was the accumulation of many sales prior, investments made in the selling tools, the infrasctructure to meet client demand, website features, testimonials, pricing research, and ultimately the salesmanship to pick up the cues and close the deal. Our team in essence was prepared for that day and that day made all of the difference for the continuation of the business.

Similarly, I helped start a successful radio show in our market and the show has been on the air now for several years, helping many entrepreneurs and partnering with a top web company and business paper. Interestingly, in the development process I called on many media companies with few return calls on this opportunity. Several months into the show, one of my contacts came up to me to ask why I didn’t call his company. I was sad to report that I did call his company first and had to remind him that he delegated me to his assistant who began to drop the ball. I don’t know what the value of that opportunity would have been to his business, but the branding value and the client relation wouldn’t have hurt.

Finally, I think many business people invest in their marketing and sales and because of their size, their attitude or lack of a real marketing and development focus miss opportunities everyday. So here are the keys to studying your opportunities:

* Return your calls or if you are too busy have someone on your team call and get them back in touch with you (if the call was for you)
* Reply to your relevant e-mails (people you know) & even some of the people you don’t know
* Schedule a meeting rather than say “We need to meetup sometime” or “We need to do lunch one day”
* Really study the opportunity (sad to say many proposals on people’s desk that never get reviewed)
* Don’t be afraid to brainstorm and dialogue
* Always be doing things! (Borrowed from the mission statement of Southwest Airlines)
* Make mistakes, it’s okay (people will make judgments, so what?)
* Be a helper, a mentor, a friend - doors will open for your business
* Punish mediocre success and reward amazing failure (borrowed from Tom Peters)
* Always be Marketing and Selling

Do you have a reputation for follow-up? I know many CEO’s who are superb at follow-up and I celebrate those kind of people. In tough times, we don’t have the luxury to “blow off” any opportunity. Time is precious, but opportunities are too. Making opportunities happen helps even more people to have better lives, be like a spring of living water.

Andy Valadez is President of Marketing Dynamics, a strategic marketing enterprise helping its clients to leverage their unique business opportunities. His company has served many media personalities, leaders in technology, construction and real estate, racing, film, music, publishers, not-for-profits, and emerging companies. You can find out more about Marketing Dynamics by visting: www.TheMarketingVortex.com (his personal blog). Mr. Valadez is a graduate of Texas A&M University (Marketing) and Tulane University (Applied Business) and served honorably in United States Marine Corps (Desert Shield/Desert Storm). He is happily married to his wife and girlfriend of 27 years, Tina, and has two beautiflul girls, Kayla (8) and Kenna (5).

Contact:
Marketing Dynamics
Phone: 281.463.4560
E-mail: info@TeamMarketingDynamics.com
Micro-blog: www.Twitter.com/MarineAg (to see what Andy is up to daily)

Marketing Dynamics, because the market never stays the same. Experts in marketing excellence.

The power of the right set of marketing initiatives can leverage one’s business (especially in a down economy).  I have often cited the example to clients and friends of the success written about by Sergio Zyman, the former Marketing Director for Coca-Cola (arguably the #1 brand in the world).  As a young marketer for a prominent advertising company, he discovered an opportunity for Nescafe coffee in Japan.  Sales were slumping in the summer in that region and he needed to find out why.  Well, his study of the situation unveiled that the Japanese rarely drank “hot” things in the summer, so he introduced “ice coffee.”  Basically, for the cost of ice, he transformed the psychographics and demand for the brand.  He changed the advertising message and the rest is history.

Mr. Zyman also impacted the advertising world by demanding performance and sharing revenue for success.  As a strategic marketer, I am a big fan of joint venturing, revenue sharing, and investing marketing intellectual capital with my clients and friends for their benefit.  As a result, I have managed to accumulate a nice portfolio of opportunities in tech, radio and TV, film, music, with authors, real estate, and more.

So, I have actually developed a model that enables my company to help our clients in a delayed payment, accelerated revenue participation, and on-going support built into the model.  In essence, we start with nothing (or very little - depending on the deal) and we build something together, employing many of the marketing principles that help successful brands.

Although, you can utilize guerrilla marketing strategies and tactics, word-of-mouth, and sales efforts for a season, one really does need to establish a budget and plan for marketing to have a long-term success path of progression .  You can review an article on this subject of establishing a budget, see:  www.typepad.com/valadez (search budget).

Andy Valadez is President of Marketing Dynamics, a strategic marketing enterprise helping its clients to leverage their unique business opportunities.  His company has served many media personalities, leaders in technology, construction and real estate, racing, film, music, publishers, not-for-profits, and emerging companies.  You can find out more about Marketing Dynamics by visting:  www.TheMarketingVortex.com (his personal blog).  Mr. Valadez is a graduate of Texas A&M University (Marketing) and Tulane University (Applied Business) and served honorably in United States Marine Corps (Desert Shield/Desert Storm).  He is happily married to his wife and girlfriend of 27 years, Tina, and has two beautiflul girls, Kayla (8) and Kenna (5). 

Contact:
Marketing Dynamics
Phone:  281.463.4560
E-mail:  info@TeamMarketingDynamics.com
Micro-blog:  www.Twitter.com/MarineAg (to see what Andy is up to daily)

Marketing Dynamics, because the market never stays the same.  Experts in marketing excellence.