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The Incredible Image -- 8 Steps to Put Your Business' Best Foot

Article:

Look into the mirror? Do you see your image--the You that others

see?

Image counts Big-Time in today's super - competitive and

demanding world. But the secret to developing a strong brand

identity is to crystallize--in your target market's mind and

heart--the image you want to convey, and broadcast that message

actively and consistently.

For example, how do you and your team treat your customers? Is

your service somewhat like this?

** Pens & Pencils and High Finance **

Some months back, I met with my financial advisor from Insurance

Company named Pete. Pete sported a 79¢ pen and his $4.99 solar

Calculator - standard issue. Ugh.

This supposed sophisticated financial advisor expected me to

sign a million-dollar life insurance policy. Yet, he handed me

this cheap pen. And he used a lousy $5 calculator to make

financial projections regarding my retirement.

Did Pete consider my family's future to be important? Not that

another calculator's answer would be any different or better

from the answer generated by the solar calculator mind you...but

...

*** Perceptions Drive All. ***

> What are your customers' perceptions about you?

> Do your tools, materials, and style match your customers'

expectations and demeanor?

> Do your actions, marketing tools and branding efforts Enhance

your image?

Consider these eight (8) ways to shape and sharpen your image

And help you develop your personal brand and your business'

Incredible Image:

1. Decide what message you want to send your customers and the

image you want to display.

2. Figure out what's important to your customers and then design

or redesign your image.

3. Study how other leading organizations, including your

competitors, broadcast their message. What do they say?

4. Select the optimal way to broadcast your message and present

your image.

5. Make Sure your actions consistently and continually Enhance

your image.

6. Analyze whether any of your actions Detract from your image

and make changes.

7. Analyze whether your actions, business cards, web Site,

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e-mail sig (signature) files, brochures, letters, etc., are

consistent with the image you want to broadcast.

8. Make sure your marketing programs are consistent from start

to finish--Internally and Externally--and consistent with all

your other business activities and initiatives. And consistent

with your customers' expectations.

Truth IS stranger than fiction. So remember, every marketing

and promotion activity, every effort, etc. can make a

difference.

Even a small yet novel approach, special trait, or standout

quality will help you create your own distinctive brand and

enhance Your Incredible Image, which in turn will set you ablaze

in your marketplace. Then you'll truly multiply your business

fivefold, tenfold or more.

-30-

About the author:

Eric Gelb, MBA & CPA, is a copywriter and brand management

expert. He edits the original Publishing Gold e-zine. For more

information, visit

http://www.PublishingGold.com T: 516-374-1387 or

PublishingGold@Yahoo.com

Copyright © 2005 PublishingGold.com, Inc.