Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Why Effective Corporate Branding Is Important Today

Branding is something that has become essential for success today. Good branding creates a unique consumer experience that can overcome shortfalls and defeat aggressive marketing from the competition. Not all businesses understand branding or how it fits into other areas like marketing, customer service and product development. Corporate branding is important for several reasons.



Stand Out From the Competition

One of the largest reasons corporate branding is important is because it allows a business to stand out from the competition. Consumers are constantly inundated with similar products and services in the marketplace. The brand of a product is something that drives a significant amount of consumer decision-making when choosing between products. Without a brand consumers tend to choose products based on nothing more than price or placement in a storefront.

Build Customer Loyalty and Trust

Building customer loyalty and trust will help to increase lifetime values while also establishing a firm position in the market. This is only possible when customers start to feel a connection with the company and the product or service. Corporate branding provides this type of connection by giving customers something to relate to beyond the product or transaction. Customers are more willing to be loyal to a brand that generates a personal and meaningful experience. This also builds loyalty and prevents customer churn.

Increase Value

The perceived value of a product or service is limited by what consumers believe the item is worth. Corporate branding works to assign perceptions of enhanced quality and value when attached to a line of products. Customers are willing to pay more for an item if it is part of a larger brand. Continued interactions with the brand through marketing or advertising can increase the value. This will increase margins as the brand grows and becomes more recognizable.

Make Future Expansion Easier

Corporate branding makes future expansion easier. If a brand is associated with a business instead of just a single product or service, then the brand can be leveraged as new items are introduced to the market. All of the loyalty, trust and other positive perceptions about the brand will carry over once the logo, name or colors are seen. This makes it easier to explore new markets and niches.

Focus Marketing Efforts

Marketing efforts can be diffuse and scattered if there is no direction. Branding provides this type of direction. Branding can provide the framework that needs to be used for effective marketing. This framework makes it much easier to plan a campaign and develop strategies that work with the core message of the company.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Unusual Hedge Fund Marketing Materials

Hedge fund marketing materials can be a bit bland, and most hedge fund managers stick with tried-and-true documents. However, standing out from the crowd is important for attracting interest, and using the right tools can lead to more effective marketing campaigns. Here are a few unusual types hedge fund marketing materials.

Comparisons

Those who invest in hedge funds are often highly competitive, but hedge fund managers rarely compare their funds to those of their competitors. Find disclosure documents for other hedge funds, and compare them to the hedge fund you're marketing. It is important, however, to avoid comparisons that will place competitors in a positive light. Investors are often impressed by boldness.

Market Analysis

Many hedge fund managers only release their analyses to existing investors. By opening the books and sharing this information with potential investors, you can show them how your hedge fund differs from the competition and why it is a superior option. Transparency matters, and showing the reasoning behind decisions your hedge fund makes can lead to better results.

Feedback Forms

Hedge fund investors participate to avoid having to spend time performing their own research. However, some like to play an active role, and providing hedge fund marketing materials that offer space for feedback allows them to do so. Many investors also have experience handling their own investments, and their feedback can provide great guidance. Make management a two-way activity.

Predictions

Success in investment requires making predictions. These predictions are not mere guesses but are based on available information. Most hedge fund managers only discuss their future predictions with those who explicitly ask for it, so providing these predictions to all investors can lead to better transparency. You might even want to consider sharing this information online to attract a broader base of potential investors and to establish a brand.

Hedge fund documents are critical for the industry. However, most managers only provide a limited set of documents. By producing types of documents most investors will never see, managers can set themselves apart from the competition and leave a positive impression on those looking for a more proactive hedge fund to invest with.