Take Note and Stay Tuned.

As a Business Development/Marketing company, we often get asked “show us what you have worked on”. An interesting question, indeed; we at The Cypress Group like to focus not so much on the end result (which is important, granted), but rather what projects looked like before any rework. Placing  “This is what was being done” next to a “This is what is now being done” provides a much more comprehensive picture of what we do for our clients. This gives us the opportunity to showcase the Business Development aspect of our business, which is one of our driving passions.

Thus, without further ado, here is a “Before” portion of a case study. This rebranding/positioning project for a local ‘to the trade’ design center,  just happens to start with a web redo. Eventually encompassing a full range of media (web, print, event marketing, targeted outreach, etc) we are also putting in place a tracking matrix to monitor results and really… THAT is what is the most important facet of any project. Right?

Stay tuned (translation: check back often) for more updates and images on this project!!

When Less IS More.

IF a picture really is worth a thousand words, why do so many people choose to market their products with a thousand words?

By bringing your messaging down to it’s base elements – what you do and why people care – you really can create an informative and effective piece of collateral. Case in point, this marketing piece The Cypress Group created with Creative Vortex for Judy’s Custom Workroom for placement in Luxe Magazine. Aside from working to break away from an image heavy world, this piece is seeks to inform what the clients business *really* is, and in today’s market, information IS King!

Linda’s Case for Direct Mail.

Every now and again, I run across someone who says something that makes me go “That’s a great article!”. So when I received Linda Coss‘  (of Lake Forest, CA, based  Plumtree Marketing ) article on “The Case for Direct Mail”, it was worthy of passing along. So that is what I am doing.

Why? Well, because it’s spot on!

The Case for Direct Mail:  Today’s Low Mail Volume = Opportunity!

With the overall economy still down, and with so many companies moving their marketing efforts online, mail volume has dropped tremendously. The resulting empty mailboxes present a unique opportunity. While competition to get noticed in email in-boxes just keeps growing, a well-crafted direct mail package is now far more likely to garner attention than before.

The Advantages of Direct Mail

While both “snail mail” and email allow for targeted marketing, direct mail has some distinct advantages:

• High Delivery Rates - If your mailing list is current, nearly all of your direct mail will get delivered. Email, on the other hand, must get past spam filters, service provider issues, and more.
• High Readership Rates - While many people review their email inboxes with their fingers on the “delete” button, studies show that 81% of consumers will at least scan the direct mail they receive.
• Nearly Limitless Format Options - Direct mail offers virtually unlimited formatting options, from postcards and envelopes (of all sizes and colors) to mailing tubes and boxes.
• Much More Space - With direct mail you have as much space as necessary to tell your story and deliver a compelling message in one package. You can include letters, brochures, coupons, photos, DVDs, product samples, small promotional items, and more.
• Extreme Personalization - It is now possible to personalize every element of a direct mail package, without the expense of multiple print runs. For example, direct mail provider MMi showed me a college alumni fundraising piece in which everything from the text to the photos was personalized based on the year in which the recipient graduated.

The bottom line: with so much less competition, in some cases direct mail may now offer a higher return on investment than email marketing, even after factoring in its higher cost structure

Cards Aflutter.

Client: Remarx Media, Inc.

Project: Corporate ID/Business Card (s).

What we love: Clients who realize that branding doesn’t need to be boring & business owners need to infuse their own personality into their brand. In this case, it’s all about fusing high technology, corporate communications,  traditional public relations, social media and personal brand equity with a heavy dose of 1980s inspired punk rock. Certainly individualized. Incredibility unique positioning.

Pick Up the Phone.

With the start of a New Year, one of our goals at The Cypress Group is to promote quality programs available to businesses who desire expert (and effective) guidance, but who may need a lower point of entry cost- wise.  After all, who wouldn’t want affordable help for any number of experts!

Here at The Cypress Group,  we spend a lot of time working with companies to help them identify who they need to be talking to. After all, talking to people who might be well suited to your product or service is generally seen as a good way to grow your business. Yes? Anyway, given that prospecting is generally one of those “Do I have to?” kind of tasks,  we thought we’d tell you to check out this grand seminar being put on by Sandler Sales. They have a great approach to “being yourself” while growing your business.

Yes, it’s sales. But really, isn’t that what Life is?

Check them out HERE.