Stevens 470 News

New Packaging for Peerless® Handcuff Company

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:18:00 -0500

Peerless® Handcuff Company was established in 1914 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Over ninety years later, the classic swing through design of the original Peerless handcuff continues to be the industry standard. Recent additions to their product line include new color-plated restraints. The different color finishes prevent equipment loss by allowing individuals, agencies or departments to more easily identify and track property.

Stevens 470 worked with Peerless to design new retail packaging for the release of these award-winning handcuffs, as well as update the existing packaging to match the new standard. The goal was to create a simple, bold impression that would stand out on the shelf and stress American manufacturing. Windows were added to the packages to showcase the most important feature - the different colors and models of the handcuffs.

see more in our portfolio>>

February Coffee Hour at the Studio

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:13:00 -0500

From the left and around the table: Bob Burch of Stevens 470, Ted Cassell of Park Square Realty, Michael Akey and Sandy Sorel of Berkshire Bank, Marcia Kielb of The Greater Westfield Chamber, Sean Hogan of Hogan Communications (not shown), Herb Mayer (not shown) and Ian Michael of American Benefits Group, and Tina Stevens of Stevens 470.

We hosted our monthly Coffee Hour on Thursday this week due to our local snow delays. Our discussion on Business Blogging brought in a full house of professionals. We covered both the marketing and the technical aspects of blogging for your business. Our guests asked great questions and shared their ideas and experiences with blogging.

Thank you to everyone for attending and sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing your new blogs!

At our next Coffee Hour we will discuss "How to Develop and Manage Brand Standards", held on March 24, 2010. Please join us for an interesting discussion and a light breakfast. Feel free to invite other professionals interested in our monthly topics. Register on line at our website http://www.stevens470.com/coffee-hours.html

Should you be blogging?

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:34:00 -0500

Blogging is one of the major social media platforms at this time. Blogging gives your business the opportunity to put out a mix of news, marketing and education to create a trusted relationship with your audience. With a blog you can write about your business, talk about recent events, and then receive feedback from your followers. Blogs are being used by businesses of all sizes to reach a wide range of demographic groups.

Keep in mind that your blog will need to provide relevant and interesting content for your target audience. The internet is full of information and entertainment; what can you provide that will be of ongoing interest? Business blogging can provide professional and technical information but it can also be the perfect place to share your thoughts, commentary, expertise and ideas about your industry.

In order to be fully effective your blog will need to be kept up to date. This will require a time commitment, but if you are networking through the web, it may be well worth it. Having a blog that is current will keep your audience's attention while letting them know what you and your business are up to at this moment.

Your blog content is easy for search engine spiders to crawl and categorize online, which will help your search engine rankings. The more updates you make, the more you will increase traffic to your site.

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

Business Blogging

February 24, 2010 | 8:30 - 10:00am | Stevens 470
more info >>

January Coffee Hour at the Studio

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:41:00 -0500

At our recent Coffee Hour "New Year's Resolutions for Your Website" we had the opportunity to review a website in depth and discuss specific changes to make it stronger. The website has a lot of great content, but the design was limiting the information site visitors saw immediately. As a first introduction to the company some important info was missing. We reviewed the homepage and talked about ways that it could easily showcase their many products and services and quickly send visitors further into the site. We also talked about the need to maximize the role our websites play in our business and monitor how well they are doing using easy and free web analytics tools. Managing our online presence is an ongoing job!

Our next Coffee Hour will discuss "Business Blogging" on February 24, 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

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.