Tag Archives: Ideaworks Marketing

EXTRA! EXTRA! THE NEXT ISSUE OF DAZZLE IS HOT OFF THE PRESS.

The excitement never fades when we unveil a new issue of Dazzle, our award-winning agency magazine. Whether it’s our content team brainstorming topics and writing copy for the featured articles, our design team collaborating on a modern, visually appealing approach, or the two groups working together to finalize a product we’re all proud of, Dazzle’s “road to release” and ultimate unveiling is always fascinating.

This particular issue is centered on growth – within our agency and beyond – as we celebrated our 20th year in business this summer. It is our hope that the articles featured in this issue will inspire the continuous development and success of other agencies, businesses and professionals alike.

While we don’t want to give everything away, here’s a brief overview of some articles featured in this issue:

  • “20 years of Passion and Perseverance,” an infographic look at the past two decades in business, along with a note from our team (pg. 6)
  • “From My Perspective: Growing as a Women-Owned Business,” an insightful message from Ideaworks owner Judy Steve (pg. 9)
  • “Sowing Seeds of Success,” our feature article that highlights new initiatives and our continuously evolving portfolio (pg. 10)
  • “Life@197,” which includes snapshots of what’s new and exciting with our team (pg. 16)

Click here to read the issue, and please reach out to us with questions and comments. You can also email Dazzle’s editor-in-chief, Chelsey Tupper at chelseyt@ideaworks.marketing if you would like additional information on the new initiatives mentioned in this issue’s feature story.

Happy reading from the Ideaworks team!

THE 411 ON VIDEO MARKETING

By: Chelsey Tupper, director of marketing communications
Video marketing is hot and getting hotter. I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times over, but you’re about to hear it a million and one times: If you’re not using video as a marketing tactic, then you’re behind! The rise in popularity of video marketing happened so quickly that now it seems consumers are inundated with video, but when you think about it, the use of video isn’t really that surprising. Tugging on the emotional heartstrings of your target audience is one of the best ways to convince them to buy, and video does an excellent job with this when compared to print ads because of the very nature of video. Through video, it’s much easier to ignite emotion within consumers, which is of utmost importance when trying to establish a relationship with them.

At Ideaworks, we’ve been busy with a variety of video projects for basically all of our clients. Each project varies a bit from technical process videos to feel-good values videos, and we’re also trying to incorporate more video work on our own blog and social media pages. Our entire content team works side-by-side with one of our designers who specializes in video editing to produce quality productions that look great and achieve their targeted objectives.

It will be interesting to see how video marketing continues to grow in the years ahead, but one thing is certain – it surely isn’t going away; if anything, it’s gaining momentum and becoming even more creative and interactive that ever before.

Below are the 10 things you need to know to grasp the 411 on video marketing and why you need to utilize it NOW!

  1. Video boosts conversions and sales: When product videos are included on websites, they can help boost sales conversions by 80%.
  2. Video shows great ROI: Even though video production is not the easiest nor cheapest task, it pays off big time. In fact, studies show that 76% of businesses agree video provides an excellent ROI.
  3. The quality of the video doesn’t matter as much as its content: The latest research shows consumers are mostly put off by videos that don’t explain the product or service clearly enough. Low quality and poor design didn’t matter nearly as much, but don’t discount design entirely. If you need some assistance with your design efforts, please give us a call!
  4. Thirty-three percent of tablet owners watch about an hour of video on their devices every day, and 28% of smartphone users watch a video on their devices at least once a day.
  5. Seventy-eight percent of people watch videos online every week, and 55% of people watch videos online every day.
  6. Fifty-nine percent of senior executives agree that if both text and video are available on the same topic on the same page, they prefer to watch the video.
  7. Using the term “video” in an email subject line boosts open rates by 19%, increases click-through rates by 65% and reduces unsubscribes by 26%.
  8. Ninety-three percent of marketers use video for online marketing, sales and communication.
  9. Video creates trust: The whole concept of content marketing is based on trust and creating long-term relationships. People do not want to be sold to; instead, they crave interesting and useful information.
  10. Google loves video: A vast amount of research suggests that videos increase the time spent by visitors on websites. Thus, longer exposure builds trust and sends the signal to search engines that there is good content on said site. Actually, according to Moovly, businesses with embedded videos on their websites are 53 times more likely show up first on Google.

Sources:

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/2017-year-of-video-marketing

https://www.dreamgrow.com/8-reasons-why-your-business-should-use-video-marketing/

Image source:

https://artplusmarketing.com/social-video-marketing-strategy-an-infographic-73ecfa09811b

THE VALUE OF MAKING YOURSELF VALUABLE

Take a few seconds and think of an item or experience you value. What popped into your head? Why? Do you value this particular thing because it was given to you by someone you love? Do you value this memory/experience because it played a huge role in shaping who you are today? It probably wasn’t too difficult to think of one or even several items or experiences you value. As humans, we seem to place a value on everything, whether it’s positive or negative; we might do this consciously or subconsciously. In the same way that we place a value on possessions or experiences, we also do this when it comes to colleagues and professional relationships.

Years ago, marketing and advertising agencies enjoyed a special kind of monopoly that has since disappeared thanks to the advent of the internet. Agencies didn’t have to concern themselves with competition from websites offering less expensive prices for graphic design or “marketing” services. However, now, we do, and with that comes the need to make ourselves even more valuable to clients than ever before. Let’s face it, if clients don’t find value in the services we provide, the relationship is over.

You might be thinking, “Well, of course I am much more valuable than some website,” but are you really? Do you stay up-to-date with current trends, which change as rapidly as the weather? Do you read any marketing article you can get your hands on – even if it isn’t necessarily the area in which you specialize? Most importantly, do you take the time to research, read and learn all you can about your clients’ businesses/industries? If you answered “yes” to each of these questions, then kudos, you’re right on track. If you answered, “no”, then it’s time to change.

While it’s important to stay updated on all things marketing so you can suggest the best strategies and tactics to clients, nothing is more valuable than when you approach your client with a trends report or an article discussing a topic pertinent to the industry in which they serve. This not only shows you have your client’s best interest at heart and want to see him or her succeed, but it also places a value on your relationship with said client – a value that is invaluable in this day and age. Any agency is going to welcome new clients on board and sell, sell, sell its marketing services, but those agencies that take the time to know and study their clients’ businesses and industries are the ones who will easily differentiate themselves amongst the competition.

Any possession, experience, relationship or service that you regard as being valuable is actually invaluable, i.e. you still wouldn’t give up said item even if offered millions of dollars. As a marketing professional, this is how you must be viewed by clients because you must become an incredibly valuable asset to them in order to establish those invaluable relationships that are key to your business success.


Chelsey Tupper, director of marketing communications

 

VIVA LAS VEGAS: IDEAWORKS ATTENDS CATERSOURCE 2018

Las Vegas, NV: Arguably, it is one of the most vibrant resort cities in the United States, characterized by its flashing lights, world-renowned food and a lively, distinct culture all its own. This past February, our president & CEO, Donna Hansbury, director of marketing communications, Chelsey Tupper, and marketing communications manager, Alyssa Zekoski, traveled to this spirited city to attend Catersource, a premier conference and tradeshow for catering and event professionals. The team celebrated much success while on the trip, and found that their Catersource 2018 experience was much like the city of Las Vegas itself – bringing with it bright business opportunities; the chance to try unique cuisine from the industry’s best; and the opportunity to better understand the unique culture of the catering and special events industry so we can make our new catering marketing platform, gemworx, even more relevant to event professionals’ needs.

Donna, Chelsey and Alyssa stayed at Caesar’s Palace, where a number of Catersource events were held, including educational sessions and a presentation from our own Donna Hansbury. Several months ago, Donna was asked to join other distinguished professionals and present at Catersource for the third time, which she enthusiastically accepted. In her presentation, entitled GPS Marketing: A Simplified Approach to Creating a Marketing Plan You Will Use, Not Lose, Donna discussed simplified steps attendees could take to make the process of creating a marketing plan less daunting and more streamlined.

The GPS presentation was incredibly well-received, so much so that one of the conference attendees said it was one of the best she’s ever attended, and that the workbook handout was the greatest takeaway she ever received from a conference.

The team exhibited at the Catersource Tradeshow on Tuesday, February 20th and Wednesday, February 21st, unveiling our new catering product, gemworx, to tradeshow attendees. Gemworx is a powerful marketing platform built specifically for caterers of any size. Among other benefits, the platform:

  • Saves caterers time and money marketing their business
  • Provides subscribers access to cutting-edge marketing collateral without the expense
  • Offers the ability to customize selected catering and event resources with one’s individual brand identity
  • Lets caterers/event professionals easily personalize materials to meet their customers’ needs
  • Allows for easy differentiation of one’s business with professionally-designed materials like brochures, postcards, business cards, social media post examples and best practices, blog ideas, etc.
  • Provides the ability to generate additional revenue with items caterers’ customers need, like printed menus, invitations, save-the-date cards, table numbers, place cards, item identifiers, etc.

Many attendees spoke with Donna, Chelsey and Alyssa about gemworx and scheduled demonstrations to learn more about what it can do for them. They also shared valuable feedback with the team that we are using to enhance our gemworx offerings. Gemworx will officially launch in April.

The team tasted several delicious dishes that were freshly prepared on the tradeshow floor, including grilled pepper salmon, chilled kale-broccoli salad with fruit, crispy chicken hors oeuvres and more. Chef Marcus Samuelsson, head chef of Red Rooster in Harlem, NY, and a featured judge on Food Network’s Chopped, was also in attendance, and Alyssa had the opportunity to meet with him, tasting some of the cuisine he prepared alongside U.S. Foods.

“It was such an incredible experience to attend Catersource for the third time in my career,” said Donna. “On top of being a presenter, it was fascinating to unveil gemworx on a national level to some of the most distinguished caterers and special events professionals in the industry.” Chelsey had this to say about the experience, “I have always wanted to attend Catersource, and it was such a great experience being able to represent Ideaworks and introduce gemworx. I loved networking with some of the industry’s bests. I truly feel like Ideaworks will reap a huge benefit from attending the Catersource Conference and Tradeshow.” Alyssa added, “Not only did Chelsey and I get to watch Donna deliver an inspiring presentation to catering and event professionals, but we were also able to speak with those individuals one-on-one at the gemworx booth, which will help us tailor our new product to their specific business needs.”

In all, the trip was a wonderful opportunity for Ideaworks to share our marketing expertise with industry professionals and make a new mark on the events industry by unveiling a product that will streamline caterers’ marketing efforts. We look forward to all that is to come for gemworx in the years ahead!

POP! The next issue of Dazzle has arrived.

We’re excited to present Ideaworks Marketing’s latest issue of Dazzle, our award-winning agency magazine. We sincerely hope that you find this issue to be intriguing, informative and inspiring, as we have worked hard to feature relevant marketing topics that will be of interest to you while also sharing some of our recent endeavors. A few articles in this issue include:

  • “7 Tips for Stronger Client Relationships,” a recap of a presentation our director of marketing communications did for a group of local college students (pg. 5)
  • “Researching Trends, Delivering Solutions,” a look at our newest initiative for our charity of choice, Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge in Dallas, PA (pg. 6)
  • “The Dialogue Age of Marketing,” this issue’s feature story (pg. 10)
  • “Life @ 197,” a light-hearted look at what’s new with our team (pg. 18)

Please click here to read the issue, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or feedback for our team. Further, you can email chelseyt@ideaworks.marketing if you would like to request copies of the presentations or materials that are mentioned.

Welcoming Chris Konnick to our team!

We are pleased to welcome Chris Konnick to the Ideaworks team as our new administrative assistant! Chris came onboard in November and has 26 years of experience working in project accounting and administrative support. When not at work, Chris loves to cook; she especially enjoys making Polish favorites like pierogis and kielbasi. She and her husband also recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary!

Social good: A longstanding commitment at Ideaworks

Earlier this month, our Direcmcontor of Marketing Communications, Chelsey Tupper, attended the 2017 MCON conference, held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. This annual conference sparked her interest, as it is designed for individuals who are dedicated to social good and societal change, and who want to hear from some of the most notable thought leaders on cause-related marketing and activists who feel passionately about their work. Much of what was discussed included ways to attract more millennials to show support and interest in a particular cause by using creative branding strategies and other well-thought-out marketing tactics that resonate well with this generation.

During the conference, Chelsey heard from a number of accomplished speakers who drove home a vital point: through its work, a business must personify its very roots and reasons for doing – put plainly, each day, employees should reflect their company’s core beliefs. In addition to the #GivingTuesday Townhall, during which she learned aideaworks3bout assimilating charitable efforts in your business practices annually, this central message from MCON resonated for Chelsey, who would return home to continue breathing life into Ideaworks’ own philanthropic initiatives with the entire team – a practice that Ideaworks has been committed to for over 20 years, as one of our foundational values is service to others.

This dedication is shown by our unwavering commitment to local organizations like Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge. Blue Chip Farms, located in Dallas, PA, is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that provides care, comfort and a loving home to every animal that is brought to its safe haven, regardless of health impairments or age. Being animal lovers, Ideaworks’ owners Peter and Judy Steve elected Blue Chip as our charity of choice in 2015. Since then, we have gone on to provide a wide range of marketingstpatricks support to Blue Chip at no cost, helping its team spearhead some of its most valuable initiatives like Adopt-A-Kennel, Legacy of Love and the newest sponsorship program, Kitty Condos. Working with Blue Chip continues to be one of our company highlights, but this has not been a solitary effort. We continue to reflect upon our core beliefs and participate in various cause-related initiatives.

In March and April of this year, our team participated in the Back Mountain Chamber’s Spring Food Drive, donating non-perishable items to the Back Mountain Food Bank. Giving back to the community and providing healthy, nutrient-rich meals to families is an effort we are committed to in our work, as some of our largest clients are proponents of healthy living, clean environments and optimal quality of life.

This month, Ideaworks was fully committed to raising awareness for various causes and helping individuals in the process. We “went purple” for Alzheimer’s and oPurpleDayther dementias, being that June is National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Our team enthusiastically involved themselves in this project by changing our email signatures from black to purple text, the recognized color of the Alzheimer’s Association, and including a call to action to “#ENDALZ” in the sign off. We also scheduled a day to wear purple and heightened awareness for this worthy cause on social media.

Also in June, we had the opportunity to team up with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind. We hosted a high school student in the Association’s Transition Assistance Program, who expressed an inteRainaandRachaelrest in becoming a graphic designer and photographer in the future. She learned a lot while job shadowing our creative designers and also enjoyed lunch with our team where she was able to hear more about what differentiates us as an agency. We are proud of this young girl and know she will continue to grow in her craft in the years to come.

At Ideaworks, we firmly believe that day in and day out, you should be communicating what your business is truly about, and acting as a spokesperson for those values that your company holds dear. While raising awareness during National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, choosing Blue Chip Farms as our “charity of choice” and partaking in other local initiatives have been excellent opportunities for us to get involved, they will certainly not be the last. As put by Christina Tosi (award-winning owner of Milk Bar Bakery with locations in New York, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and Toronto), who offered insights to her MCON audience, “It’s easy to support things when you believe in them.”

Introducing the 2017 Ideaworks Calendar!

calendar

We’re excited to show off the 2017 Ideaworks calendar! Each year, we brainstorm a new calendar concept to make sure it’s fun and interactive. Our team then works diligently to bring the concept to life. Once produced, the calendars are given to clients, business associates, and friends of Ideaworks, and they are always a hit!

For 2017, our calendar celebrates the unexpected by paying homage to the quirky holidays that tend to get overlooked but make life a lot more interesting. This year’s calendar design is a true representation of the culture and chemistry here at Ideaworks. We’re forward thinking; not afraid to suggest bold, new ideas to clients; and we work hard (and play hard too). Speaking of playing, the vibrant colors and dynamic images throughout the calendar also serve as a gateway to a wonderful augmented reality experience using the Layar App. Each month has something new and fun in store, and if that’s not enough, the back of each card is a puzzle piece.

Let us know if you’d like to receive a 2017 Ideaworks calendar, and we’ll be sure to get one to you. From all of us at Ideaworks, we wish you and yours a new year full of many happy surprises. Remember to make the most of each day, and of course, celebrate the unexpected!

Blue Chip Animal Farm to host Legacy of Love memory wall unveiling

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Blue Chip Animal Farm invites the northeast Pennsylvania community to take part in its Legacy of Love memory wall unveiling on Saturday, November 5 at 1 p.m. at Blue Chip Animal Farm in Dallas, PA. The event will celebrate the installation of the organization’s Legacy of Love memory wall constructed entirely of commemorative bricks purchased by Blue Chip supporters.

Bricks purchased not only contribute to the ongoing construction of the memory wall but also help to offset operating costs at Blue Chip. Bricks can be purchased online at www.bcfanimalrefuge.org in addition to at the event. “We hope to create a wall of 600 memories at Blue Chip Farm, and to build a space of love and remembrance for all of the animals and animal lovers that have passed away. Those who purchase a brick are doing a service in memory of their loved ones because 100% of the funds will go to support the ongoing cost of operation of Blue Chip Animal Farm,” says Cordie Braun, director of Blue Chip.

Ideaworks has taken on Blue Chip as its charity of choice, which means we provide the non-profit with complimentary marketing services. Specifically for the Legacy of Love memory wall, Ideaworks  created the marketing materials and webpage, along with coordinating and executing the public relations effort for the unveiling event. Ideaworks also did the Legacy of Love billboard design, which can be seen in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Lamar Advertising was very generous to donate the billboard space. We hope you’ll come out and support this wonderful organization on November 5 and/or purchase a brick to memorialize a pet or pet lover in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving

This year, we at Ideaworks have much to be thankful for including a beautiful new office, talented additions to our team and an overall great feeling about all that we do. 

From all of us at Ideaworks Marketing, wethanksgiving_team wish you and your family a safe and joyous holiday.  Happy Thanksgiving.