Barbie billboard

Top 5 branding trend predictions for 2024.

Brand

5 Minutes

As 2024 gets into full swing, I thought I would share some ideas and thoughts around design trends and predictions for the coming months. Let’s get into it!

The Increasing Rise in AI... Obviously

Get ready for an exciting shift in the design world in 2024, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) takes centre stage!

This year AI will cease to be a ‘buzzword’ and become a game-changer for every industry. It’s offering some new and exciting ways to think about and tackle our work.

Creators are getting to grips with improved software to produce some mind-blowing results.

Those who fear the end of humanity may have some cause for concern and it’s up to governments and tech leaders to define the boundaries, but for us regular folk, there’s an opportunity this year to learn, play and figure out what to keep.

Pretty in Pink

Incoming curveball prediction for 2024… thanks to last year’s Barbie movie, we are going to see an increase in the use of the colour pink. The iconic doll, with her signature pink everything, will inspire a new wave of creativity and design trends. From fashion to interiors and marketing campaigns to branding, pink is set to steal the spotlight.

Whether it’s a soft pastel blush or a bold magenta, pink is the colour of choice for those who dare to be different in 2024… just make sure you consult an expert before changing your brand colour palette!?

Barbie billboard

Hand-Drawn Illustration in Design

In an increasingly digital world, the allure of hand-drawn illustration is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. As technology continues to dominate creative processes, the warmth and authenticity of hand-drawn brand assets can be quite appealing.

I welcome the idea that clients are looking for ways to connect with their audiences on a more human level. Hand-drawn illustrations evoke nostalgia, emotion, and individuality, resonating deeply with audiences.

Embrace The Third Dimension

…and in complete contrast to what I just wrote, I can also see more brands looking to 3D as a way to capture their audience’s attention. One trend that has been steadily gaining momentum is the use of 3D illustrative elements in marketing campaigns. Dynamic, three-dimensional visuals can add a touch of magic to otherwise flat designs.

3D has been used for years in video game development and packaging design, but we are now starting to see marketers tapping into 3D’s power to engage and immerse consumers.

Everything Will Be Wrapped

In the ever-evolving world of marketing, trends come and go and some will always hit deeper than others. The Spotify Wrapped concept, inspired by the annual personalised music insights offered by the streaming giant, is starting to gain traction, and by the end of 2024, I think we’ll be at critical mass!

For the 18 people who have never used Spotify, the idea is that data from your year’s listening habits are married with eye-catching visuals to create a unique and engaging highlights experience for users.

At the end of 2023, following the delivery of Spotify Wrapped, companies of all shapes and sizes seized the opportunity to do similar with their highlights. It’s a great idea and something that I am sure predates even the Spotify campaign, but there’s a tendency to share anything and everything. My advice for any marketer who thinks they’ll get presented with the task from the CEO in November would be to start collating data now. What are you going to share, how are you going to present the information and when are you going to brief the agency (the answer to the last question is September BTW)?


…and that is a wrap!

I’m looking forward to seeing whether any of this comes to fruition and to seeing what other surprises the design world throws up in 2024.

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Album covers in store

Imagining a world without graphic design.

Brand

4 Minutes

Imagining a world without graphic design is daunting. It’s hard to imagine a landscape stripped of logos, advertisements, and even our smartphones’ interface layout. It’s a world where communication is limited to mere words, and aesthetics are non-existent.

The Silent Language of Design

In a world without graphic design, a powerful means of communication is lost. Think about the countless signs and symbols that guide us through our daily lives: road signs, public transportation schedules, and even the labels on food products. Graphic design transforms these functional elements into an intuitive visual language that transcends linguistic barriers. A world without it would leave us disoriented, struggling to navigate and make sense of our surroundings.

The Art of Expression

Consider the absence of album covers that convey the mood of the music, movie posters that evoke anticipation, and book covers that hint at the worlds within. Graphic design is an art form that allows creators to express ideas, emotions, and narratives visually. Without this artistic outlet, the world would lose a vibrant storytelling and cultural expression medium.

Album covers in store

Business and Identity Loss

Businesses thrive on recognition, and graphic design is the cornerstone of their identity. Imagine walking into a store and being unable to distinguish one brand from another due to the absence of logos, packaging design, and consistent visual elements. In a world without graphic design, businesses would struggle to establish a unique presence, leading to confusion and diminished customer loyalty.

Information Overload

Our digital world thrives on visual content. Imagine scrolling through a social media feed without captivating images or striking graphics – the monotony would be overwhelming. Graphic design plays a pivotal role in grabbing our attention amidst the deluge of information. Without it, our online experiences would be dull and uninspiring, making it challenging to connect with others and stay engaged.

Innovation and Progress

Think of the technology we interact with daily: smartphones, computers, and websites. These interfaces are carefully designed to be user-friendly, efficient, and visually pleasing. Graphic design guides our interactions, making technology accessible and enjoyable. This design expertise is necessary for innovation and technological progress to be stifled, limiting the potential for human advancement.

Aesthetic Void

Above all, a world without graphic design would be aesthetically barren. The beauty of a well-composed photograph, the intrigue of a thoughtfully designed poster, and the elegance of a sleek website layout – all of these moments of visual delight would cease to exist. Graphic design adds colour, vibrancy, and richness to our lives, elevating even the most mundane experiences.


Conclusion: The Unseen Foundation

Graphic design is the invisible thread that weaves through our world, enriching our experiences, guiding our choices, and shaping our perceptions. While often taken for granted, its absence unveils its crucial role in our daily lives. Imagining a world without graphic design underscores its immense impact on communication, culture, business, and our collective visual journey. It’s a reminder of the silent yet profound influence that design exerts, making us appreciate its presence all the more.

As we ponder this imaginary world, we realise that graphic design is more than just aesthetics – it’s a universal language that speaks to the essence of human connection, expression, and progress. It’s the artistry that turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Get in touch with Mark

Glasses being filled with Prosecco

How celebrating wins boosts your brand.

Brand

3 Minutes

In the fast-paced business world, it’s easy to overlook the significance of celebrating your wins. However, taking the time to acknowledge and appreciate achievements can profoundly impact your brand. As a branding agency, we encourage our clients to shout about their wins, no matter how big or small, as part of their marketing activity. In this article, we’ll explore why companies should prioritise celebrating wins and the invaluable benefits it brings to their brand image. Whether you’re celebrating a company anniversary, new client, client work anniversary or a successful collaboration, there are so many wins we can overlook when we are busy. It’s time to change this!

Fostering a Positive Work Culture

Celebrating wins cultivates a positive work culture where employees feel valued and appreciated. By recognising your team’s hard work and dedication, you create an environment that encourages motivation, engagement, and job satisfaction. This contagious positive atmosphere contributes to a strong employer brand, helping you to attract top talent and foster employee retention.

Showcasing Success and Credibility

Celebrating wins provides an opportunity to showcase your company’s success and credibility. Whether securing a new contract, winning a prestigious award, or reaching a significant milestone, publicising these achievements enhances your brand’s reputation. It demonstrates to clients, partners, and stakeholders that your company has a proven track record of success, establishing you as a reliable and trustworthy organisation.

Building Customer Loyalty

Celebrating wins even strengthens internal relationships and enhances your connection with customers too. When customers witness your company’s success and feel a sense of pride in being associated with your brand, their loyalty deepens. Celebrating milestones together fosters a strong emotional bond with your customers, resulting in repeat business, positive word-of-mouth, and increased brand advocacy. And isn’t that the result every company hopes for? 

Enhancing Brand Perception

A company that consistently celebrates its wins cultivates a positive brand perception. External stakeholders, including investors, partners, and the general public, perceive your brand as progressive, innovative, and successful. This positive image brings the potential to attract new partnerships, investment opportunities, and increased market share. 
 
In today’s business landscape, celebrating wins is more than a fleeting moment of joy. It is an essential tool for building a solid brand. By fostering a positive work culture, showcasing success, differentiating from competitors, building customer loyalty, and enhancing brand perception, celebrating wins becomes a strategic investment in your company’s long-term success. As a successful creative brand agency, Creative62 can help you accomplish this.


So, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your big and small victories, and shout about how great you are. Your employees will feel appreciated, your customers will feel connected, and your brand will flourish, establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in the market.

Get in touch with Mark

Table with Various Retro Gaming Consoles

Nostalgia in pop culture.

Brand

7 Minutes

In the ever-evolving world of gaming, where hyper-realistic graphics and cutting-edge technology dominate, there’s something truly special about taking a step back and immersing yourself in the pixelated wonders of retro games.

Retro video games have had a lasting impact on art and pop culture. Let’s take a lookback at how some of the most iconic retro games have influenced what?

Pixel Art Renaissance

The pixel art style, synonymous with early video games, has experienced a revival in modern art. Many contemporary artists and indie game developers use pixel art as a deliberate stylistic choice, celebrating the simplicity and charm of retro visuals. In our studio, we have our art on the wall influenced by retro gaming using pixel art, embracing the nostalgia associated with these graphics.

Table with Various Retro Gaming Consoles

This has seen a big impact on the rise of Indie Game Development

Aesthetic Choices
Indie game developers often draw inspiration from retro games when making aesthetic choices for their projects. This influence is evident in the design of characters, environments, and gameplay mechanics, creating a bridge between the past and the present.

Influence in Film and TV
Retro video games frequently appear as cultural references in movies and television shows. Filmmakers and showrunners incorporate these references to tap into a sense of nostalgia or to pay homage to the formative years of gaming. A film well known for doing this is ‘Ready Player One’ which heavily took inspiration from 80’s/90’s retro gaming and pop culture. Show example from film.

Fashion and Design
Retro game characters and symbols are often featured on clothing, accessories, and consumer products. This integration into everyday items reflects the enduring popularity of these cultural icons.

The Allure of Nostalgia
Having played games as a kid myself and now having children of my own who enjoy gaming as much as I used to, it is great fun to take a step back from the modern games and introduce them to a classic game with a little more skill. Retro games offer a timeless and enchanting experience that reaches through the boundaries of generations.

Retro games hold a unique power to transport players back to a simpler era, triggering waves of nostalgia that tug at the heartstrings. The iconic soundtracks, charming pixel art, and straightforward gameplay mechanics can transport you to a time when gaming was more about skill and endurance. It’s a feeling that a lot of modern games cannot replicate and reminds us of the joyous simplicity that gaming once was.

Looking back

When I was asked to create a blog, I instantly wanted to look at these games I played growing up and loved because of both the game aesthetics and the artwork that accompanied it, I have made a list of my first four consoles and highlighted a game that I love for this reason:

Playing NES Super Mario Bros video game

NES – Super Mario Bros 3

I was a very excited 8-year-old to get my first console, I was a proud owner of a NES.

One of the best features of “Super Mario Bros. 3” is the introduction of the world map. Instead of a linear progression through levels, players can choose different paths on the map, allowing for a more non-linear experience.

The colours were so much more vibrant than previous Mario games and the introduction of the Raccoon suit which is depicted on the box made the game instantly recognisable and is still loved to this day as a flagship instalment in the Mario series.

Mega Drive – Altered Beast
Probably not a title that comes to mind when you think of a title from the Sega Mega Drive, the 16 Bit Console was cutting edge bringing amazing games like Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage to our homes. But Altered Beast holds a place in my heart, the game artwork is amazing and drew me in with a dynamic illustration of a werewolf on the cover. The graphics were a step up with the theme of Greek mythology and the monsters and levels designed that theme. The best feature of the game however, is within each level you started as a man and at a certain point in the level you could transform into a beast form that boosted your abilities, using a different beast in each stage until the final level when you became the iconic werewolf once more. This unique transformation mechanic and iconic catchphrase “Rise from your grave” have made it a memorable part of gaming history.

Nintendo 64 – Zelda The Ocarina of Time
This ground-breaking game brought Zelda into the 3D world and became an instant classic. The game’s artwork and visuals were cutting-edge for their time, as they showcased the capabilities of the Nintendo 64 hardware. The character designs, environments, and cinematic sequences contributed to the game’s immersive and epic feel.
Remembered for its iconic music dungeon exploration and time travel mechanics it set the bar for future titles and has influenced many modern titles paving the way for future Zelda titles.

Sega Dreamcast – Sonic Adventures
Released on Sega’s last outing in console creation, Sonic Adventures saw the Blue Hedgehog make the leap from 2D to 3D.

The worlds and artwork were vibrant and made this game exciting to play again and again. Like Zelda OOT this first dip into 3D gameplay influenced future sonic titles and influenced other developers to strive for higher graphical fidelity and cinematic presentation in their games.

Overall, retro video games continue to be a source of inspiration for artists, designers, and creators across various disciplines, contributing to a rich tapestry of cultural references and influencing contemporary aesthetics for young and old alike.

Get in touch with Simon

Close-up of video being edited on timeline

Lift up your business with motion graphics.

Brand

4 Minutes

Firstly, what is motion graphics?

Basically, it’s a creative way to get information across to its viewer by manipulating graphics and typography within an animation. You would have seen hundreds of these daily without even knowing. Motion graphics will be seen in a massive range of formats, such as in film trailers, animated logos, TV adverts, transitions in apps, website interactions, video games, tutorial videos, video introductions, presentations, lyric videos, and so on… They are everywhere. Why? Because they work!

Use motion graphics to enhance your brand’s recognition.

You know when some things are just hard to explain in an email, so a phone call is your answer? Motion graphics is the phone call! Using motion graphics is your best bet if you need to break down hard-to-get-across information into a lovely little video. This makes it easier for your viewers to understand whatever you need to say and encourage your audience to interact more with your adverts and content, keeping you memorable. Especially where advertising is constantly evolving, you don’t want to be the ones who are behind on what’s new!

Apply motion graphics to your business.

Motion graphics can be so dynamic and fun which are essential to catching the audience’s attention from the get-go. But how can you apply this to your business? Depending which products or services you provide, you can incorporate motion graphics in so many ways. As important as it is to stay on top of your social media, take it that one step further by giving your business that competitive edge with motion graphics. Firstly, an ideal way to initiate your use in motion graphics, is to bring your logo to life, making it captivating, whether it be in your emails or just the start of your web page.

Social media platforms are where it’s at for anything animated, from Instagram stories to TikTok. When you’re scrolling through your phone day-to-day, you often scroll past anything static, until that one visual just pops out at you. With most advertising being motionless, animated ones are instantly going to grab their attention, which boosts audience engagement, and makes your content more shareable. Got any client testimonials you’d like to show off to the world? Are you introducing a new product? Is there an important presentation coming up? Animate them, make them memorable, and watch your results soar!

Top tips on making your content pop with motion graphics.

If you want your audience to really engage with your content, the animation needs to really be appealing to watch. To achieve this result:

  1. Show diversity by using motion graphics within various platforms.
  2. Keep motion within your animation as smooth as possible, this makes the viewer captivated, as the motion is calming and easier to follow.
  3. A great way to use motion graphics is to have the elements of the video, i.e. words or images appear or move along with music. The alignment of these two assets will enhance the cleanliness of the video, making the story-telling more engaging and satisfying to watch.
  4. Keep the style consistent alongside your branding.

Close-up of video being edited on timeline

Explore the possibilities of motion graphics.

Have we got you thinking about the possibilities of motion graphics? Get in touch with me to discuss how we can help you take your brand to another level with the help of motion graphics!

Get in touch with Kira

Different coloured cards with hex codes

Tips for creating accessible design and content.

Brand

5 Minutes

What is Accessibility?

Accessibility is the practice of designing and creating content that can be accessed and used by people with different abilities and preferences. It’s important that your content is inclusive for your audience, which is why we’re sharing some great advice on how to make your content accessible for people with disabilities, and users who rely on assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnifiers and keyboards.

Tip 1 – Use clear and concise language

Avoid using jargon, slang, acronyms and abbreviations – this may confuse or exclude your readers. It’s always best to use clear, plain language that is easy to understand and follow, and make sure the text is punctuated, capitalised and grammatically correct. Instead of writing in passive voice, we also recommend that you write in an active voice. For example, “Creative62 published an article on accessibility best practices”.

Tip 2 – Add alternative text to images and videos

Alt-Text is a brief description of an image that is read aloud by screen readers, and helps people to visualise an image when it cannot be loaded. This helps people who are blind or who have low vision, to better understand the content and context of an image. It should be written in a descriptive, relevant, and concise style. An example of Alt-Text for the image above would be, ‘Two young people holding colourful balloons and smiling at each other”.

Tip 3 – Use hashtags and emojis sparingly and appropriately

Hashtags and emojis can add personality and engagement to your social media posts, but they also create barriers for some users.

Hashtags are difficult to read and pronounce for screen readers, so it’s best to avoid long, complex tags. Only use hashtags when they are relevant or meaningful, and separate words in hashtags by capitalising the first letter of each word, which will help make it easier to read and pronounce. Finally, avoid using too many hashtags, as they can clutter the screen and distract from the main message.

Emojis can be confusing and misleading for many people with cognitive or visual impairments, as well as for readers who use different platforms or devices. Provide a text equivalent for emojis that convey information or emotion. You should avoid using emojis that are ambiguous, offensive or culturally insensitive, and test your emojis on different platforms and devices to ensure they are displayed correctly and consistently.

Emoji options on screen

Tip 4 – Use colour contrast and legible fonts

Make your posts easier to read for people who have colour blindness, low vision, or dyslexia, by choosing high contrast colours and fonts for your text and backgrounds. Avoid using colour alone to convey a meaning, or a text colour that is too similar to the background. Use fonts that are clear and large enough to be seen, and if you highlight an important piece of text, make sure it’s noticeable by making it bold.

Tip 5 – Videos and audio

Add captions or transcripts to your videos and audio clips for users with hearing challenges, but also for people who prefer to read rather than listen. Where possible, avoid flashing or excessive moving elements that may trigger seizures or distract attention. If you do use them, always provide a warning notice at the beginning, with an option to turn them off.

Different coloured cards with hex codes

And finally, the best advice…
Test your content with different devices and accessibility tools. You can use online tools like WebAIM or WAVE to check for accessibility issues and get suggestions on how to fix them. But best of all, welcome feedback from people with different abilities and preferences who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, or magnification technology.

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Man washing his face with fresh water outside

Explore the possibilities of a brand refresh.

Brand

4 Minutes

A full rebrand for any size or shape organisation can be a very long, stressful, and often expensive process which can often keep the idea off the agenda. What should be a lot closer to the top of the marketing todos is to look at the opportunity for a brand refresh.

As you will have no doubt spotted, we’ve undergone somewhat of a refresh ourselves. The logo has remained untouched but we’ve updated our photography, tweaked our colour palette, added some additional illustrative elements and swapped out our choice of fonts.

Here are a few reasons we’ve taken things back to the drawing board and why you might want to consider doing the same… It might just be what your brand needs right now!

1. Staying Relevant in a Dynamic World

Change is the only constant. Your brand might have once been a real showstopper but hey, times change, and so do your clients and prospects’ preferences. A brand refresh allows you to stay relevant and appealing in an ever-evolving market. It’s not about losing your identity; it’s about evolving it to continue captivating your audience.

2. Reflecting Growth and New Directions

Growth is great, but it often means your brand needs to catch up. A refresh can signal to the world that you’re not just growing, but evolving too. Maybe there are new and improved services on offer? It could be your company vision and values have been redefined. Your brand should mirror this transformation, telling a story of progression and ambition.

3. Differentiating in a Crowded Market

Let’s face it; our market (and more than likely yours) is now probably more crowded than the M25 at rush hour. The brand refresh is going to be a great way for us to stand out from the crowd once again. By tweaking our colours, tone of voice, and the look and feel of our assets, it will help keep us distinct and memorable.

Man washing his face with fresh water outside

4. Revitalising Internal Culture

Our brand refresh isn’t just for our customers and prospects; it’s for the team too. Since undertaking the process, everything’s got that shiny new feeling again, the team has a renewed pride in the place and as a consequence, productivity is up. This process can be an incredible opportunity to boost morale and foster a sense of pride.

5. Harnessing the Power of Digital Transformation

In today’s digital-first world, your brand needs to shine online. A refresh can ensure that your brand is optimised for the digital landscape, from user-friendly websites to eye-catching social media presence. It’s about creating a seamless, engaging digital experience for your audience.

6. Sparking New Interest

Finally, a brand refresh can reignite interest in your brand. It creates a buzz, generates curiosity, and could even re-engage former customers. This buzz won’t just happen, it will need to be planned and supported in the run-up to your big reveal. Behind the scenes here we planned, wrote, scribbled, binned and argued before finally agreeing on the best strategy for making sure everyone sees and hears about our refresh.


If any of what I have listed above resonates with where your brand is currently at, and if you’re thinking it might be time for a change and want to chat through some ideas, get in touch.

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Diverse group of business people having a meetup

Your brand is your greatest asset…

Brand

3 Minutes

Your brand is your greatest asset or “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” (which I borrowed from Mr Jeff Bezos) are the two leads I use to get the audience to consider how powerful their brand is. If a typical SME took the time to consider them, I imagine the smart ones in the room might decide to take some time to review their approach to brand or their current brand position.
I recently found this article by Blair Brady by chance. It shares much of the content I would cover. It says it doesn’t matter your industry, product, services, customer or size; we all share the fact that our brands are so important to us. And because of this fact, we should protect and grow them.
But do businesses give their brand time and consideration? In company and board meetings, we discuss everything else but do we provide the brand with a voice? It’s easy to discuss historical accounts, management accounts, balance sheets and P&L, isn’t it? You can implement change and strategies to improve numbers. But it is far more difficult to recover a brand once it begins its decline. Whether due to issues missed or things not discussed at a management level, especially when you haven’t audited, reviewed or given it a voice at a critical time. Imagine what your brand would say if it could have a seat at the boardroom table. If your brand is your most important asset, how many businesses take time to review it and its effectiveness – to treat it correctly?
Successful businesses invest in their brand and the related design that supports it. Charles Darwin said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” I think we can think of our brands in a similar way. If you don’t evolve, adapt and change in a positive sense, you’ll get left behind. Your competition will get the better of you, and before you know it, you might be extinct.


To protect and grow, we must first have systems to check in and confirm everything is as it should be. Blair outlines theirs in the above document, but you could create your own as long as you have a way of reviewing. Combine these with physical results from activities, and you’ll have a fantastic way to measure your brand performance. Review, and you’ll have results – Hopefully it’ll be a positive thumbs up, may be a thumbs down or not conclusive. Either way, it’ll give you facts to consider and act upon.

So, your brand is your greatest asset – What will you do for it moving forward?

Get in touch with Mark

TikTok on iPhone screen

How can social media increase brand awareness?

Brand

6 Minutes

Most businesses will know that brand awareness is completely essential to growing your business sustainably. But, many businesses are unlikely to have thought about the huge part social media can play in generating that brand awareness. Here’s how social media increases positive brand awareness for thousands and thousands of businesses every single day.

Show some personality!!

Social media offers an exciting new avenue for your business to add a touch more personality, to create your very own community and to get involved in activities which other outlets don’t allow.

Whether you’d like to be seen as professionals in your field, as a page for inspiration or to build more of a fun community, you’ll need to decide on a tone of voice which will achieve that for your business. Choosing something a little more unique will help your business stand out and could help your business to become more memorable. It’s certainly a brand awareness opportunity not to miss out on!

The importance of consistency.

Although it’s likely that a large number of businesses do now have a presence on at least one social media platform for their business, are they using it effectively to positively impact brand awareness? One of the biggest pitfalls for busy companies is neglecting their social channels. Consistency is always preached when it comes to social media, but for good reason. If you push posting on social media down to the bottom of your to-do list, your account can start to look a little neglected. Sometimes, even looking so neglected that when people search for your business and see that you haven’t posted in weeks, months or even years, there’s a good chance they’ll get the impression that you’re no longer in business anymore.

A stat to get you straight onto that content calendar of yours is that 21% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that they can reach on social media! Not having consistent posts being published to your social accounts could leave people hesitant to make an enquiry through social media due to your account becoming seemingly inactive. A lack of consistency could result in a lack of enquiries. So essentially, our tip is to post consistently and as often as you can to keep your presence maintained.

Social media is the new Google search!

As buyer habits continue to change, a huge development announced by Google itself, states that nearly

40% of Gen Z prefers using TikTok and Instagram as a search engine over Google!

Whether that’s looking for the best shampoo on the market, or watching reviews on the latest technology, the social media platforms have become the go-to place to search for reviews and honest opinions from content creators.

Creating short-form videos for TikTok and Instagram is a great way to get your brand out there and discovered by new interested people! Get a conversation going, show some personality and become memorable as people begin taking to TikTok and Instagram over Google when looking for products and services on offer.

TikTok on iPhone screen

Hashtags- the easiest way to increase brand awareness.

Hashtags offer another chance at increasing your company’s brand awareness, on the topics you’d like to be most well-known for too. It’s a quick and easy way to get those extra few keywords into your posts and to help your post show up in search results when people type in words related to your brand.

Believe it or not, less is often more with hashtags to avoid things looking too spammy. Make sure to get in a good mixture of broad and popular hashtags, with more specific and less used hashtags to increase your chances of reaching your target audience.

Manage the publics perception of your brand.

The good, the bad and the ugly, social media has undoubtedly become the place for customer feedback. Whether it’s positive or negative feedback, on a public channel or through private messages, any feedback is an opportunity for you to manage public perception of your brand.
If somebody compliments your products or services, you’ll want to make sure to thank them right away, so they know just how appreciated their custom and feedback really is.

In the case of receiving a negative comment or message, being active on social media means you can respond quickly and professionally, willing to resolve any issues which may have arisen. On a public channel, other customers will be able to see you actively addressing customer issues, meaning they’re likely to turn the negative they’ve seen into a positive!

There were just a few of the many reasons why incorporating a strong social media strategy into your marketing plan can skyrocket your brand awareness! Need a hand with getting your social media off the ground? Get in touch with us and let’s have a chat!

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Cupcakes Lined Up on a Table

6 Marketing tips to celebrate your business anniversary.

Brand

4 Minutes

Is your business approaching a milestone anniversary? Whether it’s your first, fifth, tenth, or even a significant 25th, 30th, or 50th anniversary, seizing this moment is crucial. Anniversaries are not just about celebrating longevity; they showcase your business’s achievements and the remarkable journey leading to this milestone.

Recognising and publicising your anniversary is a powerful way to enhance your business’s credibility and attract prospective clients. The growth and evolution your business has undergone—expanding staff, overcoming challenges, adapting to industry changes, and launching new products and services—deserve recognition. So, embrace this opportunity to highlight your success. Here are six effective strategies to commemorate and market your special anniversary:

1. Consider a Rebrand

Evaluate your brand’s relevance every few years. If your anniversary aligns with a need for rebranding, this is the perfect opportunity. A fresh brand can invigorate your image, open new doors and supercharge growth.

2. Temporary Icon

Create a temporary anniversary icon or logo featuring the number of years achieved. Utilise this icon across platforms—social media, email signatures, printed materials—to maximise visibility and to prompt conversations. Established businesses instil trust, and this tactic reinforces your credibility.

3. Engage Local Press

For significant anniversaries, why not engage local press outlets to really get the word out there? You could arrange a photo shoot with your team to make the supporting imagery stand out, incorporating the business’s history and key success factors. Craft a press release highlighting your journey, industry adaptability and biggest achievements to date. Share this with local and national media outlets for the best coverage possibilities.

Cupcakes Lined Up on a Table

4. Host a Celebration

Mark the occasion with a celebration—whether a party, event, or open day. Invite customers, prospects, local influencers, and press contacts that could make the occasion extra special. Leverage social media and blogs to showcase the event, giving insights into your business culture and sharing appreciation for those who have helped you reach this monumental milestone. Physical invites add an extra layer of excitement and give the event a feeling of exclusivity too, so get those golden envelopes at the ready!

5. Exclusive Product Launch

Emulate major brands by launching an exclusive anniversary edition product or service. Create a limited run of special edition products to generate excitement and exclusivity. Alternatively, run an anniversary sale to boost sales with an exclusive offer that everybody take advantage of.

6. Social Media Campaign

Leverage the power of social media with a campaign that runs across your social media pages. Social media campaigns are versatile and can effectively reach new audiences, making them an ideal tool for anniversary marketing. Plus, they’ll help you spread the word and boost engagement rates!

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. We have endless ideas for how you can make the most out of your business anniversary to help market your company and boost your brand’s credentials. If your business is due to become another year older in the coming months and you need a helping hand with spreading the word, get in touch with us – we’d love to be a part of your business’s special birthday!

Talk to us about your upcoming anniversary