20/10 Solutions | Strategy | Creative | Interactive | Marketing

Is social media right for you?

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:32:04 +0000

If I had a nickel for every time someone has uttered the phrase “social media” in the past two years, I’d be writing this from a beach in the Bahamas.

I haven’t seen this much commotion and consternation in a decade.

As a business owner/leader you need to be able to push past the hype and get down to the two critical questions. What are we really talking about when we say/hear social media and will it help me build/grow my business?

This week, let’s tackle the first question. It seems like for most people social media equals three things. Facebook, Twitter and blogging. True but hardly all encompassing.

Social media is a catchall term for using any web or mobile-based tool to promote a person or organization’s products, ideas, issues and services. They are simply communication tools that allow and even encourage interaction, connection and community.

And the tools are so plentiful and so fluid (many are born and fail on any given day) that it’s impossible to keep track of them all. But they reach out far beyond the big 3. Let me give you a few examples.

E-newsletters: Today’s version of an e-newsletter allows the reader to react to stories, vote on surveys and rate the content.

Digital magazines: Just like their printed brethren, but with video, links, and conversation between writers and readers.

Text Messaging: With broadcast text messaging sites, you can update conference attendees on the fly or survey your best customers to see what they’d like your mid-week special to be.

Bottom line – social media is much more than a Twitter account. Next week we’ll talk about how to use some of these tools to grow your business.

Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau – Trail Blazer

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:10:59 +0000

Discerning good design from bad design is not unlike noting the difference between a 93-point bottle of cabernet and a mediocre table wine. So, when the CCCVB approached 20/10 Solutions to design a print ad to promote the Brandywine Valley’s Wine Trail, we dusted off our finest leaded crystal, summoned our inner wine connoisseurs, and got down to business – designing, that is. Here we blended classic map symbols and road sign themes to create a fun teaser ad that both captures the reader’s attention and directs them to the client’s website for more information. Here’s a tip: Be sure to integrate and cross-reference your website in your print ads and other marketing materials. It’s all about driving tracking. In this instance, quite literally.

Double Tree

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:00:52 +0000

The Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia needed a print ad to launch a campaign targeted at corporate clients. Everyone knows advertising is supposed to sell the “product of the product.” In this case, the convenience of state-of-the-art presentation amenities, the unparalleled ambiance of newly renovated meeting spaces, savory onsite catering services, and close proximity for all its guests to Center City attractions. The ad tastefully draws attention to the hotel’s upscale meeting rooms, delivers the contact information, and visually delivers the goods. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. As we’ve done here, keep your message short and concise. That’s a sweet deal, indeed.

Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:59:04 +0000

They say that puns and other humorous wordplays are the sign of a high IQ. That may be so. But in this case, we thought it just made for a catchy headline. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau recruited 20/10 Solutions to help drive tourism beyond the “usual” historic sites in Olde City. Easily recognizable images such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell provide visual cues that introduce the idea of exploring the lesser known, but equally as historic sites within walking distance of Philly’s most popular sightseeing attractions. Tip: Never underestimate the power and value of a good copywriter. Readers like engaging, narrative style copy. Trust us.

First National Bank Of Chester County

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:56:11 +0000

First National Bank of Chester County has been a long-time client of 20/10 Solutions. In addition to developing their overall look & feel, we’ve developed several print ads to build awareness and promote their products and services targeted at building new clients. Here’s a front-page example of a local newspaper ad. The bold colors attract the eye, the simplicity of the wrap-around format emphasizes the space, and the front-page location doesn’t hurt either. Just saying. That said, when you’re competing with front-page headlines, it’s best to keep your design simple. Avoid overdesigning. That’s advice you can bank on.

Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau – Boundless Adventure

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:54:30 +0000

How do you target young adults between the ages of 20-35 with disposable income? Appeal to their sense of pop culture. This “indie film” inspired ad for the CCCVB uses a vibrant, saturated palette. As if to say, “Yeah, we know you prefer to color outside the lines. The Brandywine Valley has plenty of off-the-beaten-path destinations waiting to be discovered.” So, what can you learn from this example? With a little creativity and a well-defined target market, your advertising campaigns will be much more “accessible” to your audience. Discuss that at your next coffee-shop book club meeting.

Double Tree Sports Ad

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:51:58 +0000

Nothing quite says you’re in Philadelphia like a 58-point, bold font mixed with a football reference. So, let’s break it down. The Doubletree Hotel in Philadelphia wanted to increase its customer base of Philadelphia sports fans. And Philly is a sports town! How do you make luxury lodging appealing to a wide range of sports fans? Mix it up. A little refinement with a touch of sideline playbook imagery. Emphasize the convenience. Map it out. Lesson learned: Understand your audience is critical to effective print ads. Get inside their heads, and the results will speak for themselves.

Crowne Plaza

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:32:20 +0000

The Crowne Plaza approached 20/10 Solutions to announce the grand opening of their newly designed guest facilities just outside of Center City. The elegance and sophistication of this art-deco inspired ad is designed to appeal to the Hotel’s upscale clientele, as well as the discerning business traveler. What makes this piece effective? Short copy. Clean photography. Easy to find contact information. All the elements point to the bottom line: Go to our website. It’s all integrated. As it should be. Let 20/10 Solutions handle your next design project. We’ll even recommend the ideal publication to run your ad to reach your target audience most effectively. Full service. That’s 20/10.

Joseph Levine

admin — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:06:25 +0000

With all due respect, some markets require special treatment. Not to be all gloomy, but eventually we all die. Death is the great common equalizer. And in all seriousness, even specialty funeral service providers, such as Joseph Levine & Sons, need to advertise. This advertisement was unique for two reasons: 1) The subject requires sensitivity, yet creativity is essential, and 2) The key messages conveyed in the ad need to convey the core components of tradition and heritage. The client was pleased with our historical approach to developing a classic, black & white ad that captures a theme of comfort, compassion, and respect. Key take away: Sometimes, less is more.

Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:18:57 +0000

Boost tourism and enable the client to control their own content? Done. The Chester County Conference Visitors Bureau (CCCVB) partnered with 20/10 to create a new website to promote tourism in the beautiful Brandywine Valley area. A new membership database with registration functionality has made the site an essential communication tool. In addition to enabling the website for e-commerce transactions, 20/10 also enabled the client to create market-specific tourism landing pages. It also incorporated social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, to spread the word!