News

The value of effective SEO

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:51:00 GMT

Are you uncertain about how to achieve effective SEO (Search Engine Optimization) of a website? Don’t despair, you are not alone! It’s a minefield out there, and virtually everyone in the field claims they have the best solution.

To choose the right company to help optimize your website, a good starting point is to understand the basics of SEO, its value and what makes it work.

SEO is more than just implementing the traditional optimization strategies.

There is a lot of knowledge, tips and tricks available about SEO that you can easily learn and implement yourself. However, if you want to achieve optimal results, hire a professional who is not only good at SEO but also has an excellent understand of business.

What are the key ingredients of effective SEO.

1. Plan wisely
One size does not fit all. Every website is one of a kind in its structure, design, navigation, content and most importantly, its target market. As a result, every website demands unique marketing strategies and plans. In order to determine the best SEO plan for the outcome you want to achieve, allow the SEO professionals to thoroughly review the website and familiarize themselves with your business.

2. Strong communication
Regular and strong communication is a key point in any business relationship. A good professional keeps the client informed of the status, along with providing regular reporting.

3. Search engine friendly structure
Looking at keyword ranking is only one part of SEO; there are many other strategies that need to be implemented in order to achieve success. A first-rate search engine friendly website structure is crucial for the visibility and makes a huge impact on the website’s overall performance. The better the access of your website content is for search engines, the more chances you have to increase your ranking.

4. Focus on business growth
One common mistake that many people make is to only focus on improving search engine rankings. Good SEO focuses on the strategies that will grow the business, e.g. growing a database and boosting sales.

5. Review and re-plan
Various SEO strategies need to be trialed in order to find out what works best. There are no set or pre-defined rules that have to be followed. Good SEO tests, reviews and revises the initial plan continuously, always taking the current situation into account.

To get the most out of your investment, let Swiss Creative help you with all your website and online business requirements, including effective SEO.

7 magical keys to magnetise your customers

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:49:00 GMT

The copywriting attraction factors –
7 magical keys to magnetise your customers

Have you ever thought about what makes customers read your promotional messages, whether it is a simple advertisement, an e-newsletter, printed brochure or web site?

Really, it is not all that magical. You will get a clue if you ask yourself that very question: ‘What makes me read about a company and their products and services?’

Although you might instinctively know what draws you to a particular promotional piece, writing it is a different story! We all can write, but can we write copy that sells?

These 7 keys will give you a helping hand in writing compelling copy that interests the reader and ultimately helps to sell.

Key 1: Know your customers: Invest time to find out how they ‘tick’.

Key 2: It’s all about them, not you! Put yourself in their shoes and view and write from their perspective.

Key 3: Emotionalise your message – use words that evoke feelings.

Key 4: Talk about benefits, not features (remember, it’s all about them, not you).

Key 5: Write in a simple style that can be easily understood, and write it professionally – be absolutely certain that there are no grammatical or spelling mistakes.

Key 6: Repeat your key message, expressing it in different ways. Once is usually not enough to ‘get it’.

Key 7: Include a call to action – make sure your customers know what to do for their next step.

Bonus key number 8: If you are not confident enough to write outstanding copy, let a professional copywriter do it for you. You will be amazed what difference this will make. Well written copy, in particular when combined with exceptional design, will attract customers to your business.

At Swiss Creative, this won’t cost you the earth; our copywriting services start from as little as $180.00 + GST for a simple promotional piece. Send us an email outlining your particular copywriting challenge or visit www.swisscreative.com.au for more information on our comprehensive design and advertising services. Under the section ‘Biz Tips’ you will find tips on copywriting and other valuable business information.

Websites are dead!

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:46:00 GMT

If your website is like an online brochure, in other words, not interactive and inflexible, you are missing out on valuable leads, new customers, marketing opportunities and even income. Interested in a better option? If so, then

It’s time for an online business.

So – what’s the difference?

An online business never closes its doors and works 24 / 7 for you.
It helps you make informed business decisions and ensures that customers find you. You can easily update the site without having to ask (and pay!) your web developer every time you want to make a change. It builds your database automatically and makes customer interactions so much easier. You can send out newsletters and electronic direct mails whenever you choose. It even sells products for you.

It’s time for Swisskey!

Our hosted and user-friendly system is designed to meet your specific business needs. It allows you to focus on your goals, not master the technology behind the online platform.
The main features are:

Manage your website

Update your website with an easy-to-use CMS system, manage blogs, forums and more, all without coding knowledge.

Reach your market

Keep in touch with your customers with built-in email marketing tools, at no extra cost.

Build your customer base

An integrated CRM system tracks every action your customers make.

Make informed business decisions

Based on up-to-date reporting and analytics, working for you 24/7.

Manage your online store

Sell products online, with integrated order management, shipping and payment collection.

Switch to Swisskey now

If you already have a website, all is not lost; we can use the content and transfer your site to the Swisskey online business platform.

Ask for a quote

Whether you require a brand new site or would like to upgrade, find out more by clicking on the Swisskey link below, or call us for an obligation free, complimentary consultation over a cuppa and Swiss chocolate.

Swisskey – an Adobe product.

Do you get caught up in daily activities?

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:42:00 GMT

With all the activities of the festive season, it is easy to ‘forget’ (aka put off!) one of the most important actions to take that will ensure your business success in 2011: your marketing plan.

Of course, if you have already started or even completed your plan: Congratulations!

But unfortunately most of us get caught up in the daily business activities, and lack of time is then stopping us from getting the crucial marketing plan done. We can also get stuck because we run out of ideas or are uncertain about what is the best strategy for our business.

Let Swiss Creative help you start the 2011 success ball rolling. With years of marketing and advertising expertise and a fresh pair of unbiased and independent eyes, we can give you valuable input, innovative ideas and workable strategies that will attract more customers and increase your bottom line.

Kick start 2011 with our special package for you and any business you refer us to*:

Planning for success in 2011 package:

Preliminary questionnaire to establish where your business is at and what you want to achieve in 2011

2 hour strategic planning session with the Swiss Creative team

2011 marketing activity plan tailored to your requirements

Special offer valid until January 31, 2011: $980.00 + GST

*as a thank you for referring us, if they take up the offer we send you a large box of Swiss chocolates!

Look the part

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 01:37:00 GMT

If you want to be a leader in your field,
you have to look the part.

First impressions count.

With 700 to 3000 competing advertising messages thrown at the consumer every single day, you need to make an extraordinary impression to get the attention of your customers.

Does your current look live up to the standard of a leading company?
Is your logo and advertising material professional and appealing?
Does it clearly portray the benefits of your services with an emotional component that instils confidence and motivates your customers to contact you?

In today’s competitive market, your company simply cannot afford to have an ordinary image.

Our skilled team has the expertise to give your business an unfair advantage with innovative marketing strategies, professional designs and creative advertising that will ensure your company image and advertising messages cut through the clutter. And with our special business makeover package you are sure to win the race for the attention of your customers.

October Moosletter

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 02:48:00 GMT

First impressions count.
Although we are not supposed to ‘judge a book by its cover’, it is impossible to avoid forming an opinion upon a first impression. In marketing and advertising you only get a few seconds in which to capture the consumers’ attention - needless to say it better be a positive one!

What are the key elements for building a successful brand?

1 – Create respect for your brand.
Decide what your company stands for and set a standard, i.e. a clear vision, a compelling mission statement, your values. Adhere to these religiously in all personal interactions and marketing materials.

2 – Create a visual image that reflects your standards.
Your logo is an important aspect of your brand and should visually portray the above. It can evolve over time but its core look needs to remain consistent. However, a good logo is only the beginning. Just as important, is developing a corporate identity that is recognisable throughout all your marketing material, including the way your premises look and how your staff interact with customers.

3 – Create an emotional connection.
This is crucial, and the most difficult requisite. People’s buying decisions are strongly influenced by emotions. Capitalise on this knowledge and ensure that you emotionalise your brand. This will build consumer loyalty and differentiate you from your competitors.

4 – Invest in expertise.
It is only natural that businesses try to save money by using internal resources or go with what seems to be a cheap deal. But does this get you the results you want? The work time of you and your staff is better spent focusing on your core business. Investing in the expertise of a company like Swiss Creative that specialises in branding, marketing and advertising will save you money in the long run.

Experience the Swiss standard and join us for a complimentary consultation over a cuppa and some delicious Swiss chocolate.

Welcome, Tracy Blair

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:02:00 GMT

We are excited to have Tracy Blair join the swiss creative team as our Business Development Director.

Tracy has a wealth of sales management experience. In her last 10 years of advertising she worked for Fairfax, Publishing & Broadcasting Limited and Independent Print Media Group, the largest privately owned media company in Australia. Tracy has an MBA and is able to draw on her skills and expertise to offer clients first-class service and results.

Having grown up in Brisbane, Tracy moved to Sydney 15 years ago and has recently returned to live on the Sunshine Coast.

We welcome Tracy to our team and are positive that our clients will find interacting with her to be a pleasure.

is success a coincidence?

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:55:00 GMT

Download PDF Here!

smart marketing

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:56:00 GMT

Download Article here!

August Moosletter

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:49:00 GMT

Dare to be different and see the results.

There’s no other business quite like yours. To be able to convey your unique qualities and product benefits, you have to first get noticed.

So what does it take to stand out from the crowd and be memorable in the minds of your customers?

At swiss creative we have taken an unconventional and different approach in the creation of our red cow. It not only sets us apart from the other players in our field by being quite unusual and therefore remembered, it’s also our main branding element that we consistently use to reinforce the swiss creative name.

In branding, clever designs that are out of the ordinary and consistency of use are important contributing factors to the success of your business along with competent and motivated staff and reliable customer service.

So it’s not a coincidence if success comes knocking on your door. It’s a result of the ability to grab people’s attention through creative and memorable advertising that effectively promotes your company and then making sure your business delivers on its promises.

At swiss creative we work hard to help our clients succeed through innovative advertising and marketing strategies, creative and effective branding and fresh designs that produce results. If we can assist you further on your road to success call us today!

JULY Newsletter

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:43:00 GMT

How to design and send your own great looking emails that actually work with

There's no doubt that instead of using direct mail, an email newsletter is a far more cost effective method of reaching your clients or new potential customers.

It allows you to send out special offers or latest news items almost instantly, instead of waiting days to reach your target market. And it allows the recipients to respond instantly, either by ordering on line, contacting you or linking onto your website.

At swiss creative we have a new email program called Swisskey eMailer. It's very simple to understand and gives you total control.

We design a customised newsletter template for you.
You add your own copy and edit with the click of a button.
You set up and manage your own database.
You send out your email campaign simply be clicking on 'send'.
You receive accurate information about how your subscribers are responding - who is opening the email, which parts of it they are especially interested in, who unsubscribes or forwards it to a friend.
And all of this at an incredibly competitive cost. To send out your own campaigns and pay by credit card, directly invoiced to you, is only $35 per campaign and 6c per email up to 1000 emails. The cost reduces even further to 4c per email for over 1000 emails. (GST not included).

June: month of love, marriage and TAXES

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 04:31:00 GMT

Did you know that more couples get married in June than any other month of the year? Perhaps this is because it’s named after Juno – the goddess of love and marriage!

However, June is also famous for another reason. It’s the end of the financial year in Australia.

Which means that you need to assess your advertising budget, evaluate how well it’s been working for you over the past year and make sure you commit to spending any remaining dollars before June 30.

You may have already used up your budget. However, sometimes due to changes in your business strategy you might find yourself with some left at this time of year.

Accountants will tell you to spend this before the 30 June deadline, mainly because in most cases it doesn’t get carried forward into the next financial year.

If you’re the one in charge of advertising and marketing, this actually means you’re being asked to produce the same results on less of an annual budget!

There’s not a lot of time left!

It’s already early June, so if we can assist you with media placement, printing of stationery, design of an advertisement, upgrade to your website or any other form of marketing that you require, get in touch with us soon.

WHEN IT COMES TO ADVERTISING SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE

Thu, 13 May 2010 05:19:00 GMT

What does that phrase actually mean?
We think it means that sometimes in the vibrant world of advertising, you find yourself on sensory overload and you mentally switch off.

The ads that ‘get through’ to you are the ones that quietly and with little fuss, highlight what is important and what you really want to know, without all the hype. They resonate with you and you then connect with the product being advertised.

Sometimes advertisers focus too much on being bigger and brighter than the competition, offering more bonuses or further discounts. Instead, what is needed most of all is plain and simple honesty about the true benefits the business or service offers.

And let’s face it, there had better be some real benefits like quality or excellent customer service because long term that’s what the customer is looking for. The discounted super-duper cheap deal loses its gloss when the product fails to deliver. After a while all the extras in the world can’t hide the fact that your offer isn’t performing.

Sometimes the best way to be noticed is to speak quietly, confidently and with sincerity in a world full of noise and bragging. It’s written somewhere that parents achieve greater success by speaking in a whisper to their children rather than shouting at them, because the kids then strain to hear what is being said and therefore actually listen, instead of switching off. It sounds like a plan!

There’s no reason why the same philosophy won’t work in advertising – as long as the message and execution of the ad isn’t so low key that you miss grabbing the attention of your potential customers. There’s a difference between truth and transparency and downright boring.

Sometimes it can be a fine line but employing professionals to help you develop the best kind of approach for your business is the first step.

If you’re looking for an agency that can help you with clean, honest and understated advertising that cuts through all the noise, then contact us at www.swisscreative.com.au

- the swiss creative team

Swisskey

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:20:00 GMT

Unlock your one-stop web portal for all your business needs.
swiss creative is bringing you swisskey, the latest in concise web development. swisskey is not just a website, it’s an online business portal that provides you with a web presence for all your online needs. click here.

HOW TO ATTRACT MORE CUSTOMERS WITH LESS EFFORT

Thu, 13 May 2010 05:22:00 GMT

It’s not about working harder. It’s about working smarter.
About developing ways to make more customers come to you with less effort on your part.

Two of the most important ways you can do this are:

Invest in a well designed online business and
Update all your advertising and marketing material to achieve a strong identity.

Invest in a well designed on line business that works for you, rather than just a website. Many websites look appealing but don’t actually help sell product or give feedback on potential customers. Analyse just how much information you get from your current website if you have one and if not, employ a professional to help you design one. You need to drive business through your door. To read more about swisskey online business solutions click here.

Within your budget, update all your advertising and marketing material to achieve a strong identity for your company or brand. Your business will have a much more professional image if all your advertising material carries the same identifiable message. To see examples of before and after marketing material click here.

We have helped many clients both here on the Sunshine Coast and nationally, improve enquiry rates and increase sales through addressing the above issues.

Our aim is to help as many clients as possible achieve their advertising and marketing goals. If you feel you need assistance with design of a logo, a brochure, an advertisement or an on line project, contact us today. We promise you as always, a high standard of innovative, reliable and professional creative work at a reasonable and competitive rate.

- the swiss creative team