The MadAveGroup Blog

Marcia Yudkin is an author, speaker and marketing mentor who publishes a weekly email called The Marketing Minute. I've been a fan of Marcia's work for years, so I was excited when she reached out to ask about audio logos, one of the services we provide through BusinessVoice, our Caller Experience Marketing agency.

An audio logo accompanies, supports or even stands in for a brand name. (Listen to samples.) Just like a visual logo, a slogan or a corporate color, an audio logo is an identifier that reinforces brand personality and strengthens recall.

Here's Marcia's September 23, 2020 Marketing Minute:

The pandemic seems to have accelerated the use of multimedia in marketing and business communication. So, I thought it would be a perfect time to interview Marketing Minute subscriber Scott Greggory about audio logos - snippets of music, voice or sound effects that identify and brand a company.

"Just two or three seconds long, audio logos can be used anywhere sound can be played: in broadcast media, on websites, in on hold marketing or online videos, with apps or podcasts, audio books, e-learning and more," says Greggory, Chief Creative Officer of BusinessVoice.

With repetition, customers associate them with the brand, "producing an almost Pavlovian response," he adds. "Think of the excitement you feel hearing the Netflix audio logo, knowing that your favorite show is about to begin."

From the BusinessVoice Blog:

* In the U.S., 75 percent of the top audio 20 logos feature a melody (something that can be sung, versus a tone, sound effect or spoken words).

* Audio logos with a melody get better results than non-melody ones.

* Audio logos incorporating the brand name spark five times more brand recall than those with just music or sounds.

The Value of Audio Logos

There's no doubt that sight influences most of our buying decisions, but the amount of visual information consumers are exposed to these days is overwhelming. It's impossible to process it all. That's why audible cues - like audio logos - stand out so well. And with enough repetition, an audio logo becomes inseparable from its brand.

Audio is also enjoying a resurgence, thanks to smart phones, smart speakers and new applications, so audio logos are a logical next step for brands. Anyone who's heard the audio logos for Intel, Taco Bell or Netflix knows how sounds immediately bring those companies to mind. The brands are stronger because of those sounds.

No one would argue against the need for a memorable logo or a consistent brand color. Those are powerful and valuable visual branding elements. By reinforcing brand qualities and strengthening recall, audio logos serve the same purpose for a different sense.

RELATED POSTS: Here's the Reason You Need an Audio Logo
You're Just a Few Notes Away from Building Greater Brand Recognition

When's the last time you thought about celery?

Probably been a while, right?

But it just might make you a better marketer.

Watch the older TV commercial above for the Pick-n-Pay grocery store chain.

There's nothing fancy about the spot. It's just a single scene shot at a noisy loading dock, followed by a still image with the logo and jingle sing.

Yet, I think it's remarkably effective.

The spokesman focuses on one topic - Pick-n-Pay's celery. He lets us know that it's fresh, crisp and delicious, and then supports that claim by telling us what the store's professional buyers look for when selecting celery:

Pale green, glossy stocks of medium length and thickness that are brittle enough to snap easily. The inside of the stalk should feel smooth.

Not only does that description show that Pick-n-Pay applies specific standards to buying celery, it also lets the audience know what to look for when buying the vegetable.

Then, the spokesman provides interesting, applicable tips, stating that celery leaves make a great flavoring for soups, the outer stalks are best for cooking, and the inner stalks are best eaten raw.

Within 24 seconds, he had me genuinely interested in a product I'd previously never even considered.

I found just this one "explainer" commercial from Pick-n-Pay, but I would love to see an entire series of them. The campaign would be a perfect example of what I referred to in our blog post "Giving vs. Taking: A Fresh Approach to Advertising" - investing long-term to provide your audience with information they can apply, putting their needs first.

That type of advertising generates interest, builds trust and encourages customer loyalty.

As a member of the Forbes Agency Council, I have the chance each month to contribute to marketing-related “panel” articles at Forbes.com. This blog post is part of a continuing series featuring a few of my responses to questions asked by Forbes editors. The theme: Content Creation.

Question: Your business just received a prestigious award or investment. Based on your experience, what’s the most beneficial way to publicize the achievement?

Answer: When touting an award, a certification or any other honor, let your audience know why it's important to them. Explain how your win reinforces the claims you make about your product or service. Tell them how it provides a third-party perspective on why they should buy from you. Consumers want solid evidence that they're making good purchasing decisions. Awards can serve as helpful clues.

Question: B2B podcasts can be great for marketing and outreach, but they require a different touch than other podcast types. What's one must-do (or must-not-do) tip when starting a B2B podcast?

Answer: A B2B audience is listening for insight that will give them an edge or make them better at their jobs. So, deliver concise content in a format that promotes easy takeaways. That might include quick audio bullet points that re-state key ideas. And don't be afraid to edit to delete any fluff. Your B2B podcast should respect your audience's time and be worthy of their investment.

Question: Fearful of alienating or losing customers, some businesses may shy away from addressing "controversial" topics in their content - from current events to developments in their industry that haven't originated with them. But content that's not strictly focused on the positives and selling points of their products can establish thought leadership and authenticity. What's one "taboo" topic businesses should cover in their content, and why?

Answer: No one expects perfection from companies. So, it's okay to admit when you've screwed up, especially when you show the lessons you've learned from your mistakes and how your customers will benefit from your continuing education and transparency. When you're willing to admit to failures and then show the positivity that results, you'll also humanize your brand and present yourself in a way that people can relate to.

RELATED POSTS: Don't Miss Opportunities to Wow Customers
3 Reasons to Enter Award Competitions

I spent the last few days watching the opening weekend of the 2020 baseball season.

It's great to have the game back, even with all the unusual changes:

• The abbreviated 60-game schedule
• The extra innings rule that automatically puts a runner on second base starting in the 10th
• The National League's use of the designated hitter
• The lack of fans in the stands

I haven't heard from anyone who's thrilled with all the adjustments, but Major League Baseball found ways to adapt in order to get back to business, just as restaurants, healthcare facilities and other industries have.

And maybe that's the most important reminder we can take away from the pandemic: life - and business - aren't stagnant. They never have been. Both are in a constant state of flux. Dramatic events like the spread of COVID-19 and the quarantine just increase the pace and intensity of the change.

The lesson is to actively plan for transitions, so, when events dictate, you're better prepared to deal with the financial, cultural and emotional disruptions.

Since mid-March, we've been stressing the importance of actively preparing for the post-COVID-19 world so you can hit the ground running. But by thinking at a higher level - always expecting change and embracing its inevitability - you can set yourself up for even greater success.

During our second 30-Minute Marketing Cardio session on April 29th, I noted that a lot of marketing and advertising copy was starting to sound the same.

“In these uncertain times…”
“We’re all in this together.”
“Today, more than ever…”
“We’re here for you.”

Very quickly, those and similar phrases were reaching cliché status, losing any impact they may have had at one time. And the negative response in some circles was almost palpable: “All right already! You think of us like family and home is important and this whole thing is unprecedented. We get it.”

“So, what is your company doing about it?” I wondered in response.

Some brands did provide answers. A few car companies came up with alternative financing options and return policies for those whose jobs might be lost to the COVID-19 quarantine. Insurance providers gave rebates because fewer customers were driving.

But there were far more vague, empty references to “the new normal” and “getting through this.”

That concentration of similar messaging around a single theme over the last few months made the lack of originality and hollow statements more apparent. But we’ve been talking about the issue for years, urging you to avoid easy, trite marketing-speak in favor of true words you believe, promises you can keep, and differences that are rooted in your company culture, not just whipped up to appeal to the current mood of the country.

When you’re saying the same thing in the same way that so many others are, you can’t stand out. You won’t be remembered as delivering a unique solution. You may even weaken your brand by moving in step with the crowd, rather than daring to cut your own path.

I encourage you to keep that in mind as you move forward to create post-pandemic content. 

Here are a few of our other articles that can help you define your brand and content style.

• Giving vs. Taking: A Fresh Approach to Advertising
• The Value of a Good Story
• Are There Worthless Words in Your Advertising Copy?
• Specificity and Trust
• Tell Your Brand's Story from All Angles
• The Best Policy

"Humor is a tool you can use to surprise and delight your customers," said Scott Greggory, our Chief Creative Officer. "It can be especially effective when it's unexpected, like it is in the on hold environment and many other customer touchpoints, from website copy and direct mail to packaging and corporate video."

And when mixed with information that serves a real need, humor can attract and maintain an audience's attention longer and create memorable brand impressions.

The judging panel at The Communicator Awards agrees. During their 2020 competition, they honored two Humor On Hold productions from BusinessVoice, our Caller Experience Marketing agency.

Our unique work for Lakeland Auto and Marine called “Previously” was acknowledged with a Gold Award. "All Roads," an On Hold Marketing production we created for Binkelman, won a Silver Award. You can hear both winners in the videos below.

The Communicator Awards is a leading international awards program that recognizes big ideas in marketing and communications. The show is judged and overseen by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, an invitation-only organization of leading professionals from various forms of traditional and interactive media. The current membership is a “Who’s Who” of acclaimed media, advertising and marketing firms, including GE Digital, Republica, Tinder, PureMatter, Tool of North America, Fast Company, Territory Studios and others.

Our third of four 30-Minute Marketing Cardio sessions on May 6th focused on staying nimble and developing strategies to propel your organization forward.

Digital Marketing Strategist Nathan Steinmetz offered these suggestions.

Take advantage of digital advertising’s flexibility. You can literally start and stop your digital campaigns with a couple of clicks. Even if you’re not advertising online now, you might begin again once your company resumes normal operations. Use any downtime to create digital ads so you'll be ready to place online media buys at a moment’s notice. Having your digital ads ready to launch may also allow you to take advantage of lower-priced media as soon as it becomes available.

Use digital advertising to promote specific locations or times. Do you have stores open in some areas but not others? Run ads targeted only at audiences in those markets you’re currently serving. And if you’re open again but just for a few days a week or during limited times, schedule your ads to run only during your business hours.

Use digital advertising to test different messages. Your message to a younger audience might focus on the fact that you’re back in business, while your older, more cautious audience may be more interested in what you’re doing to keep customers safe. Digital advertising provides many targeting methods that let you reach specific audiences based on demographics and psychographics.

Digital advertising provides instant feedback. One of the most powerful features of digital advertising is that it allows you to see how your ads are performing in real time. You can then adjust your content, your target audience and your ad spend based on those results.

Digital advertising has never had a more engaged audience. With so many people forced to stay at home, the level of online traffic is higher than ever. And since many businesses are pulling back on their advertising, there’s more inventory available. That means you may be able to pick up some deals on media.

If you want to rocket past your competition once the economic climate improves, consider digital advertising now.

Steve Evert is our VP of Business Development. He shared these thoughts on how you might look ahead.

As you consider how to generate new sales from existing customers, it might be tempting to lower your prices or reduce your margins. You may think you need to be cheaper now, so your customers don’t defect to your competitors.

Historically, though, that approach hasn’t been as successful as you might think. If the need or desire for what you sell has been reduced, lowering your prices is unlikely to drive enough volume to offset your lower margins. In fact, there is significant academic and applied evidence that shows customers are far less motivated by a price decrease than they are deterred by a price increase.

In the long run, the healthier alternative is strengthening relationships.

Encourage your sales and marketing teams to use this time to secure ties to your customers. Those relationships are all that insulate you from losing current or potential buyers who are presented with lower-priced alternatives.

By adjusting your focus, your organization will likely have to change its expectations of sales results in the immediate and short term.

So, are there activities your sales and marketing teams would normally be engaged in now that don’t make sense anymore? Are some of their tactics no longer a priority?

If so, what can those teams be doing instead to strengthen relationships? A few ideas:

• Enroll customers in your online services and/or email lists.

• Start reaching out to individual customers for one-on-one conversations about their pains and needs. Provide insight on how you’ve solved similar problems.

• Grow customer interest with offers that begin at a future date.

• Take a deeper dive into your client base to find unknown connecting points between clients.

For help with any aspect of your digital marketing, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him directly at 419/724-7311.

During our second 30-Minute Marketing Cardio Webinar on April 29th, members of the MadAveGroup team provided ideas on how you can prepare now for the post-pandemic world.

April Rietzke, Director of MadAve Marketing Management, offered these thoughts on using customer data.

“Take this time to get to know your customers and understand them,” she said. “Companies that leverage customer insights outperform their [competitors] by 85%.”

How can you learn more about the people who buy from you? A few of April’s ideas:

• Talk with your frontline employees about the questions your customers ask and the needs or problems they express.

• Listen to your customers on your social channels and third-party sites like Yelp.

• Consider surveying your customers.

• Use the customer data you already have - demographics, buying habits, communication preferences, Google analytics, etc. - to segment your buyers and provide better customer experiences.

Once you’ve compiled this information, review it for improvement opportunities. Is there a gap or weakness in your customers’ buying journey? Do they want more options, products or services from your company? Are your policies or processes frustrating?

You can also use the data you collect to create personas - representations of your audience defined by human characteristics, such as age, income, job type and interests. What challenges do those personas face? Who or what influences their buying decisions?

Once you’ve established personas, you’ll know how to create targeted messaging and promotions for your actual customers who fall under each persona. And targeted content is more likely to convert.

MadAveGroup CEO Jerry Brown kicked off the session with an alliterative list, asking these high-level questions and urging attendees to think about their brands in a post-coronavirus marketplace.

• Position: What was your position before the pandemic? What is it now? What will it be next year?
  
  
• Perspective: What is your company’s perspective? Has the pandemic changed it?
  
  
• Perception: What perception did your employees and customers have of your company? Has your response to COVID-19 changed it?
  
  
• Purpose: What is your company’s purpose? Does it need to evolve?
  
  
• Plan: What is your company’s plan for bouncing back?
  
  
• Projects: What new projects do you need to implement?
  
  
• Priority: Which of those projects should take priority?
  
  
• Preparation: Are you prepared to execute those projects and other plans for moving forward?
  
  

For help with any aspect of your digital marketing, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him directly at 419/724-7311.

During our first of four webinars - 30-Minute Marketing Cardio with MadAveGroup - Digital Marketing Strategist Nathan Steinmetz provided these suggestions on how to tweak your company’s online presence during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Website

If your business is open:

• Make sure you’re letting visitors know as soon as they reach your website.

• Prioritize crisis-related information by positioning it at the top of your homepage or as a banner on every page of your site.

• Link from that homepage messaging or the banner to a detailed page of information about your hours of operation, especially if they’re different than normal.

• Be very clear about the precautions you’re taking to protect your customers and employees during this crisis.

• Let customers know if your products and/or services are limited during this time.

• Describe any alternatives to visiting your location: home delivery, curbside pick-up, etc.

If you’re temporarily closed:

• Communicate the details so your customers don’t get frustrated trying to call or visit you.

• Provide details on how customers can reach you through alternative channels or in the event of an emergency.

Nathan says, “We’re seeing quite a bit of traffic to these COVID-19 pages, but many companies aren’t taking full advantage of them. Make sure to optimize your page with clear information about what’s going on with your business.”

And he offers this great idea: “One way to utilize this type of page is to add a form that collects email addresses of the people who want to be notified as soon as your business opens.”

Third-Party Sites

• Update the other online resources that feature your company’s hours, including Google My Business, Facebook and Yelp.

Social Media

• With so many people at home, traffic and engagement on social media sites are increasing. Take advantage of the growing exposure by continuing to post relevant content.

• On your Facebook and Twitter pages, pin a post with your most important pandemic-related information to the top of your feed. Many people are going directly to company social pages looking for current information. They’ll appreciate that your info is at the top of the page.

• People are sharing stories of how they’re coping with this crisis. Share your company’s story, too. Let your audience know how you’re adjusting for their sake and what you’re doing to make the situation easier for them.

Digital Advertising

• Many businesses are pausing their advertising during the crisis, which means media is now more affordable. Couple that with the larger captive audience quarantined at home and you may find that this is an ideal time to advertise.

For help with any aspect of your digital marketing, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call him directly at 419/724-7311.

My dog got sprayed by a skunk last night.

I let Gidget out at 10:15. My wife Amy let her in about five minutes later.

Within seconds, Amy was shouting, “Oh no! OH NO!”

Yep, Gidge was covered in the not-so-subtle smell of skunk. We got her cleaned up easily enough, though, thanks to solid advice from the AKC website. 

Later, it occurred to me that - despite the negative experience we’d just had - skunks are mighty cute. Look at that little guy in the picture above. If not for his troublesome anal scent glands, he'd be downright lovable.

And that got me wondering, as I often do post-skunk-attack: Is there something offensive about your company that’s preventing people from loving (or buying from) you?

For instance, does your industry suffer from trust issues? Or maybe your firm has struggled with a public relations problem recently.

I would imagine skunks don’t know that they drive people away, and they’re probably immune to their own tear-inducing mist. You could be just as unaware about a reputation problem your business has, or even personally unaffected by it. (You never did have a problem with dirty restrooms.)

Your company may be attractive to customers for many reasons, but others might be repelled by your “stink” - whatever form it may take.

Can you use any coronavirus downtime you have right now to address possible issues? 

A few thoughts to consider.

Read your reviews. People who comment about your business on Google, Yelp and anywhere else are doing you a favor, even if their posts are negative. They're bringing problems to your attention, so don’t ignore or dismiss their input.

Address any issues politely and with an appreciative tone. And remember, when you see a pattern of complaints about a specific issue, that’s not a coincidence. That’s a red flag that's worthy of your quick attention.

Re-position the problem. Help people see the bright side or even the value in a perceived negative.

An example: if your restaurant is far off the beaten path, encourage customers to celebrate the getaway they’ll enjoy when they drive to your establishment. Promote the sights and shops along the way or urge them to turn the trip into an overnight vacation by partnering with a local hotel or B&B.

Ask for feedback. Has a potential client turned down your proposal in favor of a competitor’s? If so, don’t just slink away from the relationship. Respectfully ask your contacts why they didn’t choose you. Let them know you value their opinions. Ask them to be specific and, yes, brutally honest.

And, again, look for any patterns that may develop. If the last three people you've presented to turn you down for the same reasons, they’ve identified your legitimate weaknesses for you. Embrace that feedback and use it to get better.

Start a conversation. Are too many people walking out of your store empty-handed? Have an employee with strong communication skills stand by the door. When she sees that a visitor hasn’t made a purchase, she can ask, “What couldn’t you find today?”

If the shopper identifies an item that you do, in fact, carry, your employee can lead the shopper back into the store to help find the item. If the shopper didn't buy because she was "just looking for inspiration,” your employee can hand the shopper a catalog or suggest that she sign up for your weekly emails that are "filled with great ideas."