By Ken Gasque Have you seen the ABC program Shark Tank? Quite often the ‘Sharks’ have to point out to the entrepreneur that they have lost focus and they need to get back on track. It reminds me of a story about selling cheese. It started in 1941 with Admiral Nimitz in the South Pacific. … Continue reading …
Don’t underestimate the power of a sticker
By Ken Gasque “The human race built most nobly when limitations were greatest.” – Frank Lloyd Wright. I think this applies equally to marketing and advertising. Any fool can take a budget of $2,000,000 and create a great campaign…well maybe not, because I see some very stupid and annoying advertising being produced by some very … Continue reading …
“…Better quality and cost less.”
By Ken Gasque “Our Story” as presented on their web site—“The story of Parkway Brewing Company is a love story, a story that embodies the American Dream, a story of do-it-yourself determination, a story that continues on an exciting journey- much like the scenic highway for which Parkway Brewing is named. Two couples with a … Continue reading …
Do you need Brand-Aid?
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘What gets measured gets done’? I think it’s true because it focuses attention on the thing that is most important. Business consultant and writer Tom Peters agreed this was the soundest management advice he has ever heard. That’s a pretty strong endorsement. But my favorite brand development quote from … Continue reading …
How to create a brand with a product that is not distinguished by taste, smell, touch, or appearance?
Insight and Marketing Positioning When you hear the name Mercedes Benz what do you think? High end luxury not to be confused with Kia. Mercedes’ brand statement is “The best or nothing.” What do you want your position to be? Positioning and pricing are the two most important marketing decision you will make in developing … Continue reading …
Specialty Foods Retailer Prints Own Product Labels
Holistic health coach and entrepreneur Candice Berthold of The Olive And The Grape first began printing on a Primera inkjet roll label printer 12 years ago when she decided to bring label production inhouse. Today, she is still using her Primera LX800 and Primera LX810 printers, but her label suppliers have changed over the years … Continue reading …
The Benefits of Printing Product Labels In-house
If you are on the fence about whether it makes good financial sense to print product labels in-house, there are benefits to consider about custom printing labels with an inkjet roll printer such as Primera or Afinia. You have the control. When printing labels on your own equipment, you control the quality, printing schedule, and … Continue reading …
The Biggest Reason Your Advertising Fails
Most often your graphics and your brand do not align and send mixed signals to the consumer. Before they taste the quality of your beer they buy with their eyes. Another Reason I met Bob Evans Jr., CEO of Bob Evans Resturants, several years ago at a convention. He was the keynote speaker. After his … Continue reading …
Is It Time to Print Your Own Product Labels?
Deciding whether it makes financial and business sense to print product labels in-house on an inkjet roll printer or send them out to a custom printer to handle for you, is an important step in the health of your small business. You may be (a) making an initial decision about printing labels for a new … Continue reading …
Choosing Weatherproof Labels that Last
Some businesses have a need for labels that will last through rain, shine, sleet, and snow. If you are in a business such as landscaping supply; garden center sales; masonry products; lab product supply; an entrepreneur providing personal care products like shampoo and body wash; or a small company bottling food products such as sauces, … Continue reading …
Coffee Roastery Relies on In-house Label Printing System
When Mattie Barnes decided to begin printing her own product labels for the roasted coffee products produced by Mattie’s Mountain Mud, she purchased a Primera LX900 label printer. The printer was an affordable and effective solution for her small production needs, but then a little trouble struck. She had a difficult time locating labels and … Continue reading …
Streamline Product Labeling Before the Holiday Scramble
Sales may have been rolling in at a steady clip during the year, but the holidays can throw entrepreneurs into disarray if careful planning doesn’t precede the surge. The holiday rush is not a bad thing for business, of course, but don’t let it become a stumbling block to maintaining a fast-flowing fulfillment process. Proactively … Continue reading …
Breaking Down Logo Copyrighting
Out of all the assets your company owns, or will come to own, none may be as important as your logo. It’s the defining feature of your company, helping consumers recognize your company when they land on your website, download your app from the app store or pick up one of your products at the … Continue reading …
The Most Important Aspects of a Logo
Whether you’re selling cans of soup or a new line of haircare products, your logo will be the first point of contact between your company and the customer. It’s like stuffing the entire story of your company into a jar. One look at your product labels and the customer should know who you are, what … Continue reading …
Some Advice About Your Labels and Your Marketing
The first thing I did after reading this book was to order four more for my children (I will send a note and tell them to read it and read it to my grandchildren). The book is about creativity and how we achieve it. Most of our creativity comes from our take on the work of others. by Ken Gasque
Why Choose Pressure Sensitive Labels?
Several very good reasons: they are easy to apply; they don’t require heat, solvent or water to adhere to packages, containers or bottles; and they offer a multitude of applications and printing. What’s more over 80% of all the labels in the market are Pressure Sensitive. What is missing from our video? The mess associated … Continue reading …
Get Your Shipping Costs in Shape: 15 Ways to Trim Your Fulfillment Budget
Regardless of if you’re a small business practicing self-fulfillment or have partnered with a logistics company to relieve some of the shipping burden, you know how important a lean yet well-oiled fulfillment strategy is to your brand. Consumers have high expectations—studies show that Amazon has had an undeniable impact on the consumer’s expectation for quick, … Continue reading …
2017 Review: 15 Companies with the Most Creative Marketing Strategies
From funny tweets to guerilla marketing campaigns gone viral, 2017 was an impressive year for creative marketing. We saw Wendy’s vie for chicken nuggets, Patagonia save public lands and American Express master content creation, all for the sake of brand promotion. The best marketing strategies of the year fall into four primary categories: content marketing, … Continue reading …
Inspiring Ideas For Label Designs
You can’t judge a book by its cover, but you do. An attractive label may be the only advertising and branding your prospects and customers might see. Craft beer drinkers are loyal to their favorites but are always willing to expand their favorites list. While you can’t judge a book by its cover, it is … Continue reading …
Top 12 Healthcare Charities Making a Difference
The holidays are the best time of year to give back to charity. The season of giving should encourage you to reflect on your good fortune and express gratitude for the bounties of your life. Healthcare charities are a particularly popular sector for those who are looking for great ways to give back this time … Continue reading …
Start-up Spotlight: The Dos and Don’ts of Branding
Start-ups are, by definition, disruptive in some manner. They’re the businesses thought up by the crafty thinkers and entrepreneurs who want to solve a problem. So, it’s no surprise that the early-stage entrepreneurs behind the most disruptive companies have some of the most unique branding ideas. Think of TOMS Shoes’ philanthropic angle or Patagonia’s commitment … Continue reading …
Nailing Your Marketing Scheme for Various Demographics
A marketing strategy is only as good as the audience to which it caters. If you’re able to identify your target audience by a single or group of characteristics — age, gender, location or education level, for example — you can get more out of every single marketing dollar you spend. That’s because more targeted … Continue reading …
It’s Moving Day! The Ultimate Checklist for Your Big Move
Moving is one of the most necessary and stressful times in our lives. Whether you are moving to a new house or a new office, there are a lot of tasks that must be accomplished and many things that may be forgotten. This process can be very time consuming and frustrating. This stress can be … Continue reading …
Industry Spotlight: Pharmaceuticals
The pharmaceutical industry, a significant sector of our economy, works to develop, produce, and market a variety of pharmaceutical drugs for use as medications. The scope of these medications covers everything from itchiness to end-stage cancer drugs. The companies may deal in brand name or generic medical devices and medications. To keep the public safe, … Continue reading …
Three Rules for Naming Your New Beer
Ask any parent—naming your child is hard; naming your newest beer may be harder. There are library shelves full of baby naming books and you still went to school with three Johns. Beer names are an important part of a brewery’s brand and a good beer name can attract more customers so, you want to … Continue reading …
Beating the Market: Small Companies vs. Industry Leaders
To put it plainly, small business is now big business. With roughly 30 million businesses operating in the United States, one surprising statistic is where the job creation is coming from. In the two decades preceding 2013, small businesses were responsible for the creation of more than 60% of new jobs. Seventy-five percent of all … Continue reading …
Industry Spotlight: The Medical Field
Printed labels are universal on almost every good and service available to us. They allow acquisition and management of data, along with recording and tracking of items and information to a very sophisticated level. These qualities make them highly versatile, and their usage endless across a multitude of industries. The digital packaging and labels industry … Continue reading …
Tips on Optimizing Your Artwork for Printing
Custom label printing often involves specialized fonts and coloring for logos and other artwork. It can be difficult for non-graphic designers to understand exactly what criteria they need to provide for the printer to optimize the artwork for printing. Labels need to look just as professional as storefront signs and require attention to detail with … Continue reading …
How Have Subscription Services Been So Successful?
In the twentieth century, the subscription business model essentially belonged to magazine and newspaper publishers. As these publications have shifted their presence to be primarily online, and it has become easier to get the news for free, the type of businesses we think of when we hear “subscription” has also changed. Subscriptions can get consumers … Continue reading …
How did the Reformation Make Your Beer Bitter? And Better?
Based on NPR article by William Bostwick, author of The Brewer’s Tale. Luther’s Reformation not only transformed the church it promoted a new ingredient which changed the way beer is made; and the labels today look pretty close to the images on the mugs in Luther’s day. Great beer has always had great labels. “Whoever … Continue reading …