Stevens 470 News

New Year's Resolutions for Your Website

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:34:00 -0500

Allocate resources to my website.

Your website is never done. It should be continuously reviewed, updated and managed. Changes can be large or small, but treat your website as a live presentation. You will need to allocate some time and money to it as part of your ongoing marketing plan.

Ensure that my website accurately reflects my business.

In today's marketplace, your website is often the first introduction to your business. Customers and potential customers are visiting your website and making a decision about doing business with you. Take a good look at your website and see if it is up to the task. Don't ignore such an important marketing channel!

Have a written plan for regularly updating my website.

Your website visitors expect fresh content and a new reason to visit your website. Given how busy most businesses are, the one way to ensure that content is updated, is to have a plan for the next six months to a year. That way you can gather information ahead of time, know what current events you need to publish, and keep on track.

Review my website design and content.

Website standards continue to evolve and website "styles" change rapidly. Your website should be visually current. When is the last time that you reviewed and updated the content on your website? Nothing will turn a visitor away faster than seeing dated information. Returning site visitors expect to see fresh information and new products. Remember that online, we are competing with big brands and best practices.

Convert to a content management system (CMS).

Using a content management system allows you to update your content as often as you want while reducing your operating expenses. There is no need to understand the html language because every update can be made through a back-end administration section. This web-based function has an interface similar to a standard word processing program.

Understand the latest search engine standards.

Do you know that keywords are no longer relevant to Google's search engine? It is important to know current standards so you can invest your search engine optimization (SEO) time and money effectively.

Test social networking for my company.

The popularity of social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin are growing. Evaluate if your company can benefit from using one, or even a number of these tools.

Gather e-mail names on my website.

This may seem obvious, but many websites are not requesting e-mail sign-ups. People who have chosen to visit your website are excellent prospects to be communicating with. You need to offer them something in return - special offers, industry news, technical information, etc. Determine who visits your website and decide what you can offer them in exchange for their e-mail address.

Add interactive elements to my website.

People like the ability to interact with your company. You can place a survey on your website, a test to be taken, a blog that people can respond to, etc. Find a simple way to let people talk back.

Create video for my website.

What do millions of people do every day online - watch video! Video has endless possibilities and is an excellent way to introduce yourself, present information, show products or give a tour. Creating video for your website can be quick and simple or you can develop a more formal presentation.

Join us at our next Coffee Hour to continue this discussion:

New Year's Resolutions for Your Website

January 20, 2010 | 8:30 - 10:00am | Stevens 470
more info >>

Goodwill's Annual Appeal is Underway!

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:21:00 -0500

300,000 Pounds of Donated Goods

Goodwill Industries of the Pioneer Valley is currently requesting donations of gently used clothing and household items. Donations from families and individuals in our community will help Goodwill reach their Annual Appeal goal of collecting 300,000 pounds of donated goods by the end of the year. This will translate into $150,000 when those donations are sold locally in one of Goodwill's eight retail stores.

Make Your Donation by December 31

Donations can be made at any of the Goodwill retail stores which are open daily and located throughout Westfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Springfield, Chicopee and Palmer. You can also donate through the "Last Chance!" donation drive at all Rocky's Hardware Stores and the Holyoke Mall on December 31st from 9am - 4pm. All financial contributions and donations of goods are tax-deductible for 2009 if made before the end of the year.

Goodwill store locations and details on the Annual Appeal can be found at www.ourgoodwill.org.>>

Stevens 470 works with Goodwill to prepare and execute the media campaign for this event, including a TV spot, radio ads, newpaper ads, a direct mailing and website updates.

Stevens 470 Coffee Hour, January 20: New Years Resolutions for Your Website

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:00:00 -0500

January 20, 2010 | 8:30 - 10:00am

Join us for this complimentary session in our studio

This is the year to get your website into shape! Your website is often the first impression of your company and is a primary resource for information about your business. Now, more than ever, your website needs to be a powerful tool for your business. At this coffee hour we will review: the features you need for an effective website, today's web standards, and methods for driving traffic to your website.

Join us in a discussion on website plans you can implement for 2010 to optimize the effectiveness of your website. Leave our coffee hour with an understanding of the role your website plays in your business success, key elements to monitor, how and when to update your website, and ideas for improving your online presence.

Stevens 470 Coffee Hours are informal discussions on current marketing communication and web development topics. Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, information, ideas and the opportunity to ask questions.

Seating is limited, so please register early. Register now >>

December Coffee Hour at the Studio

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:13:00 -0500

From the left: Tina, Kevin Boyle of American Benefits Group, Ted Cassell of Park Square Realty, Rick Miller of RJM Landscaping, Christine Hill of RJM Landscaping, and Jennifer Champigny of Stevens 470

Yesterday was our monthly Coffee Hour at Stevens470 and we asked the question "is your marketing ready for 2010?" We were so pleased that several businesses joined us to answer that big question. We did a review of the information that goes into a marketing plan and why it is so important to have one in place guiding your business in the direction that you have chosen.

I think our most relevant topic was the understanding of who we will be in 2010 - the business we embrace and present to the world - will be the business that we are for years to come. 2010 will be a watershed year as all our businesses continue to evolve due to economic changes. So, who are we now, and what can we do to improve and expand our services in the coming years? My hope for all of us in business, is that we can embrace and display the courage to be the greatest business possible. This time of change may be the perfect opportunity to tailor your business into your very finest.

Happy New Year to everyone and I wish you courage and success!

Our next Coffee Hour will be "New Years Resolutions for Your Website" on January 20, 2010. Please join us for an interesting discussion and a light breakfast. If you are interested, you can register at our website http://www.stevens470.com/coffee-hours.html

You need a marketing plan for 2010!

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:37:00 -0500

It has been a challenging year for everyone as few of us have been untouched by economic changes and a global recession. A lot has changed, and while some things will return to the way they were, others have changed forever.

Take the time to evaluate your business and your opportunities.

If there has ever been a time when you should be preparing a marketing plan for the new year, this is the time. Creating a marketing plan requires you to really assess your company as well as clarify your business objectives. It is not something to be done quickly and you should plan some time away from your daily business activities to really turn your attention to the big picture.

Here are some questions to start the process:

what are my major business objective(s) for 2010?
how is my brand doing in today's economy?
what changes in the marketplace are affecting my product/service?
is my current audience the same?
are there new audiences for my product/service?
what message will ring true and show the benefits of my product/service?
what media will best reach my audience?

Having a marketing plan will guide your decisions and use of resources.

You may think it is futile to make a plan in the midst of so much change. None of us can predict the future and no one knows what will be happening 12 months from now. But consider the fact that without a plan you are at the mercy of whatever comes along. You can only react to the marketplace. With a plan in place you can steer your company in the direction you have chosen, even if course adjustments need to be made along the way. By having a plan you can allocate your resources to the projects of greatest priority. A marketing plan will also clarify the goals of your business to your staff and associates. We can't expect other people to be on board with an objective if we have not made that objective clear to them. The first step in successfully making progress is the ability to determine and visualize the end result. Once you do that, each decision can be made within the framework of "does this bring us towards our goal?"

Evaluate your current situation and determine your future objectives.

Think about the type of growth you want for the coming years (3-5 years). If we define growth as "the process of increasing in amount, value or importance" then your business is most likely addressing some issue of growth. Your business, at this moment, sits at a point along its own unique timeline, with a specific number of years in business, a certain level of business maturity and its own history of successes and failures.

Your business also has changing objectives based on: the products and services you can currently offer, the skills of your people, your available technology, company resources, changing needs in the marketplace, and your company's business goals and ambitions. There are a lot of issues involved, and when you factor in the recession, you have an even more complex situation to evaluate.

Use multichannel marketing to reach current and potential clients.

Business growth can only be achieved through successful multichannel marketing. Marketing is more than a brochure, an advertisement or a website. It is the complete process of defining objectives, analyzing the marketplace, finding an audience, creating a strategy and implementing that strategy with gusto. Using every available marketing channel will help you reach your target audience.

I encourage you to start on your marketing plan today. It doesn't need to be a fancy document but it does require serious thought and evaluation. Take the time to gain clarity and purpose for the year ahead.

Join us at our next Coffee Hour for help with your 2010 marketing plan.
Is your marketing plan ready for 2010?
December 16, 2009 | 8:30 - 10:00am | Stevens 470
click here for more info >>

Stevens 470 Coffee Hour, December 16: Is your marketing ready for 2010?

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:46:00 -0500

December 16, 2009 | 8:30 - 10:00am

Join us for this holiday session at our studio.

The new year is coming, is your marketing plan ready? Having your marketing plan in order will help you achieve your 2010 business objectives. Business growth can be achieved through successful marketing. A comprehensive marketing process will include defining your business objectives, analyzing the marketplace, identifying your audience, creating a strategy and then effectively implementing your plans. In today's multichannel environment you will need to take into account all the possible channels your business can use to reach your audience, as well as the channels your customers and prospects will use to find and interact with your business.

Join us as we discuss the important elements of your marketing strategy and help you get started putting yours in place. Maximize the value of your marketing dollars in 2010!

Stevens 470 Coffee Hours are informal discussions on current marketing communication and web development topics. Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, information, ideas and the opportunity to ask questions.

Seating is limited, so please register early. Register now >>

KosherKeepers® Award-Winning Food Storage Containers

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:37:00 -0500

KosherKeepers® Food Storage Containers won the Giftware and Novelties new product competition at the 2009 Kosherfest. KosherKeepers is a division of Plastic Packaging Corporation in West Springfield, MA. KosherKeepers containers provide an easy, inexpensive method for storing kosher food in a systematic organized fashion without the need for labeling. They are available in a variety of sizes, printed in red, blue and green with corresponding colored lids for easy kosher classification - meat, dairy and pareve. KosherKeepers are available online and are being introduced into retail stores. For more information, please visit www.kosherkeepers.net.

KosherKeepers chose Stevens 470 in Westfield, MA to create the brand identity, design retail packaging, and develop their website. At Stevens 470, we are knowledgeable in the many packaging production processes and the wide range of materials available. When working on a packaging project, we create an effective solution that provides both product appeal and the appropriate protection for the product. We also develop point-of-purchase materials including three dimensional store displays and custom products for in-store promotion. Our package designs have consistently proven successful on the store shelf.

see more in our portfolio>>

November Coffee Hour at the Studio

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:13:00 -0500

From the left, Robert Burch of Stevens 470, Chris Desrosiers of Hadley Printing, Peter Gill of Peerless Handicuff, Pam Lohr of Connecticut Valley Biological, Marcia Kielb of Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Mitchell of Chartpak, Rob Lohr of Connecticut Valley Biological, and me.

We hosted our monthly Coffee Hour at Stevens470, discussing effectively using e-mail marketing. We enjoyed coffee with a wonderful group of professionals, and reviewed methods and ideas to improve the effectiveness of e-mail marketing. Generating e-mail lists, quality content, audience, having a call to action, testing, deliver ability, and tracking were covered. Thank you to all who attended.

Our next Coffee Hour asks the question is your marketing ready for 2010? and will be on December 16, 2009. Please join us for an interesting discussion, a light breakfast and some holiday cheer. If you are interested, you can register at our website http://www.stevens470.com/coffee-hours.html

Stevens 470 Coffee Hour, November 18: effectively using e-mail marketing

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:46:00 -0500

November 18, 2009 | 8:30 - 10:00am

Join us for this complimentary session at our studio.

E-mail marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tools available today and is less costly than many other types of direct marketing activity. Direct e-mail can be designed to increase sales, drive traffic to your website, or send customers to your retail store. It is also highly effective for building customer loyalty. E-mail marketing will generate an immediate response - usually occurring within the first 48 hours after the e-mail is broadcast.

Join us in a discussion on best practices for using e-mail. Leave the coffee hour understanding e-mail marketing strategies, with ideas for utilizing a variety of e-mail formats to reach your chosen audience, and knowing how to implement an e-mail plan.

Stevens 470 Coffee Hours are informal discussions on current marketing communication and web development topics. Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, information, ideas and the opportunity to ask questions.

Registration is limited to 10, so register early. Register now >>

We are proud to be a sponsor of the film George: Wrestling with Resistance

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:45:00 -0500

Please join us for the
premier screening of the film
George: Wrestling with Resistance.

Thursday, November 12^th
at the Basketball Hall of Fame
in Springfield, MA

George: Wrestling with Resistance parallels the tough sport of wrestling with the adversities facing youth in Springfield's inner city. The film follows George Hargrove's wrestling season during his freshman year at Springfield Technical Community College. He travels from Springfield to Niagara Falls to Minnesota for the National Wrestling Championship.

This film provides a positive media message for a community that is seldom shown in a positive light. Tim O'Donnell, the filmmaker, also a teacher at Central High School, witnesses the stark difference in the kids he sees every day and the stories seen in the news. He hopes this film will expose the community to the potential of our inner city youth.

http://www.georgewrestling.com

Arts Pioneer Valley Website

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:45:00 -0500

The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) has launched a new website dedicated to the arts community in the Pioneer Valley. A central feature for ArtsPioneerValley.com is a rich cultural calendar filled with arts events taking place in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Developed to become the "go to" source for all cultural happenings in the three-county region, ArtsPioneerValley.com is accessible to anyone involved in the arts. There is no membership necessary; simply log onto the website and submit events through an online form. The goal is to gather all of the wonderful exhibits, events and performances and place them in one easy-to-use place for visitors and locals alike.

Stevens 470 worked with the GSCVB to design and build the new ArtsPioneerValley.com website. We developed the interactive tools to allow people to post their own events which are submitted for approval and then made live. The postings are formatted so that events are automatically removed from the website on the last day of the event. The website was designed to be automated and user-friendly for both the public and GSCVB. We look forward to the website growing as the community posts their events.

Be sure to visit and post your arts related events for free at ArtsPioneerValley.com.

Stevens 470 Coffee Hour, October 21: social media in the marketing mix

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:46:00 -0500

October 21, 2009 | 8:30 - 10:00am

Join us for this complimentary session at our studio.

Social media creates "community" through online conversations. Social media marketing utilizes social networks, online communities, blogs, reviews, and other collaborative internet media for marketing, sales, public relations and customer service. Common social media marketing tools include Twitter, blogs, LinkedIn, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.

Given all the marketing channels available to you, what is the best way to utilize social media to meet your business objectives? We will discuss how to best implement social media marketing for your specific audience, how to get started, and what resources might be needed.

Stevens 470 Coffee Hours are informal discussions on current marketing communication and web development topics. Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, information, ideas and the opportunity to ask questions.

Registration is limited to 10, so register early. Register now >>

Stevens 470 Coffee Hour, September 23: how to clearly express your benefit statement to clients and prospects

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:46:00 -0500

September 23, 2009 | 8:30 - 10:00am

Join us for this complimentary session at our studio.

It’s challenging to take a step back from your business and see what your clients see. What sets your business apart? It’s not as simple as saying that you offer the best product or commodity; you need to clearly define the benefits your clients will receive when they choose your business. The power of a benefit statement is in pinpointing the unique value your business has to offer, to elevate yourself above the competition.

Join us for an informal discussion on:
   • evaluating your goals and objectives
   • defining your audience
   • creating customer benefits
   • determining support points
   • expressing your benefit statement

Registration is limited to 10, so register early. Register now >>

Strathmore® Announces Illustration Contest

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:46:00 -0500

Stevens 470 worked with Strathmore to create a unique look for their new illustration contest. We developed the theme and overall design for the contest materials, and coordinated with Strathmore to finalize the contest entry details. Stevens 470 handled promotion of the contest to retailers and consumers, which included posters and signage, ads, emails and programming the Strathmore website for online submissions. For the final piece of the contest, Stevens 470 will develop an online gallery which will allow visitors to vote for the winners.

The contest "How do you see green?" invites artists to submit their original artwork representing the theme of “green” and “environment” using dry media and Strathmore paper. The winners will see their artwork featured on special edition Strathmore Premium Recycled pads!

Stevens 470 Coffee Hour, August 19: Using Online Video

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:46:00 -0500

August 19, 2009 | 8:30 - 10:00am

Join us for this complimentary session at our studio.

Video has taken over the internet! All types of businesses, from corporate and service-based to entertainment, are using video on their websites to capture attention and tell a story. Join us for an informal presentation and discussion about the many ways you can use video to bring people to your website. We will discuss video concepts, general guidelines for web video, how to plan your video, how to prepare for a shoot and how to work with a videographer.

Stevens 470 Coffee Hours are informal discussions on current marketing communication and web development topics. Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, information, ideas and the opportunity to ask questions.

Registration is limited to 10, so register early. Register now >>