In the last few months, I’ve been super active on Twitter. I’m following about 2500 people/businesses, and there about 2800 following me.

Twitter profile graphic

In the real world, one cannot concisely follow 2500 people on Twitter; however, I make an effort to look at every single profile and company website, when someone chooses to follow me. That is where business identities either jump out at you, or don’t.

Are people and companies interesting/rare? Or do they just have a Bludomain website with a two or three big squares on the home page (Nice sites, but they are starting to look generic). Perhaps calling something nice is the ‘kiss of death.’

The first things that catch me on Twitter are business name and profile image. Good images for the small profile square are usually a good logo or an appropriately sized graphic. This graphic for Cupcake Rehab is a pullout from their logo.

The name of the business, Cupcake Rehab, gave me a belly laugh. The Twitter Bio was even better: “A 27- year old female and her tales of cookin’, bakin’ and beatin’ people with whisks in the York of New. With other stuff thrown in. Beware- I can tweet A LOT.”

Cupcake rehab logo: Designed by Mariloca.com

OK, now I was curious. This business owner, Marilla, clearly has a passion for what she’s doing. She has a big-time sense of humor and doesn’t take herself too seriously.

I click through to her website and find logo showing a Super Hero image of the Business Owner, armed with tools of her trade. Above her, the header reads: “Beating batter and people with whisks since 2007.”

One could over analyze the logo, but why? The designer, Mariloca.com, has captured the spirit of the owner and the business with full flourish.

The welcome page of her is too busy my standards, but it doesn’t matter much. One gets drawn in to her activities, interests, great photos and recipes on the blog. In this case, personality trumps everything.

I suggest you do a couple of things. Visit CupcakeRehab.com, spend some time reading the blog and poking around, generally. Then visit the CupcakeRehab Twitter page. Follow, if you dare. Remember, she Tweets a lot.

Closing Comment: Even from 2500 miles away, for me, this business has more than an identity. It has SOUL. It communicates its excitement, its product, and its vibe.

Can you say that about your business and you? If not, what are you going to do about it?

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, Bludomain website, business identity, Cupcake Rehab, logo, soul, tweet, Twitter, wedding marketing, Wedding Marketing Authority

In segment two of Best Practices: SAY NO, this item addresses frequent tunnel vision of wedding venues. Tunnel Vision Syndrome (TVS) is a function of filtered awareness: Seeing only what venue staff are directly responsible for, and nothing else.

The overarching premise is this: A wedding reception ballroom should be functional and easy on the eye. Unfortunately, some vendors have a tendency to litter the room with their gear, road cases for their gear, or other assorted stuff (that’s a technical term).

This issue is not just about aesthetics, it’s also a potential safety a liability problem. For example, when photographer or videographer gear or cases are just strewn against a wall, it creates a tripping opportunity for event guests.

Here are some of the common offenders and violations:

Bands and musicians: Members often arrive individually, depending on the degree of difficulty for set up for their instrument (i.e. drummer vs. trumpet). Depending on security at the property (think LARGE hotel), it’s a long schlep to and from their vehicle. In these cases, it’s helpful for the venue to provide a small room, closet or other area, away from the reception room to store road cases. Cables should be secured, neatly, with Stage Tape (not Duct Tape). No glassware should be on the stage. Preferably only bottled water, and not on the stage, itself. Mobile DJs: DJs tend to come more self-contained than bands; however, the same guidelines apply about storing cases, hand-trucks, etc.,. (also see DJs make an impression by cleaning up their act) Bands and DJs: Speaker Tripods should be recessed, slightly away from the dance floor. Venues should allow for this, so that there is NOT encroachment, creating a tripping hazard on the dance floor.

Hide necessary gear, nearby

Videographers and Photographers: Many of these fine folks are famous for walking up to the DJ or Band Leader and asking: “Hey, is alright if drop my gear, here (on the stage or adjacent to the entertainer)?” This is code for: I need some place to put my stuff, and if I drop it by you, I know it will be safe. The entertainer, will usually grumble, perhaps give a dirty look, and usually relent. Here’s the thing. A videographer or photographer need access to their gear throughout the event. Changing a battery, swapping out a non-functioning item with a backup, or any other quick need is key. Therefore, storing gear in a separate room isn’t going to get it done. A simple solution can be to set up a nice 3-panel screen in a corner, defining and shielding a specific space. The thought that a photographer or videographer have their own screen is not a bad idea, either.

Banquet staff: There are occasions where the entertainers and photo/video crews have handled their business, set up neatly, and put away their extraneous gear. Then, a random banquet staff member opens up a bussing tray right next to the stage or DJ console. Really, this item isn’t invisible, either. It should be positioned in a less prominent area. Another bad habit for waiters is to interrupt a ceremonial moment by walking in front of the photographer or videographer. This is simple room awareness. One can avoid this by taking a longer route to one’s destination or simply pausing for a few moments (depending on the situation).

Vendors and Venues are inextricably linked at events. It doesn’t matter whether a vendor was referred by the venue, guests typically look at vendor performance as an extension of the venue. They will rarely remember the vendor’s name (unless they have particular need for that service, in the near future). But you will hear someone say, “I attended a wedding at the XYZ Hotel last weekend and the stage looked like a mess. That will look bad in the photos. Can’t believe the hotel allowed that to happen.”

The hotel gets bad-rapped because they have the biggest name recognition. It’s a shame.

This discussion points out the importance of team effort and discussion. Life is smoother when vendors and venues act in concert, on everything. It starts with simple things. Like putting away your toys.

Presentation of everyone and everything is part of marketing. And if everyone isn’t on board, all wedding professionals at that event get tainted. It’s pretty simple stuff. Don’t get lazy. And don’t let your counterparts get lazy, either.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, band leaders, business identity, clutter, duct tape, gear, live bands, mobile DJs, photographers, Public Relations, road cases, Say NO, stage tape, videographers, wedding marketing, Wedding Marketing Authority, wedding venues

This morning, I noted a full-page ad in USA Today, promoting the new logo for the Holiday Inn brands.

Holiday Inn’s familiar logo dates back perhaps 50 years in my memory. In the 50’s, the growth era for America’s burgeoning highway system, Holiday Inn became synonymous with affordable family hotel/motels… always with a pool. As a San Franciscan for many years, the Holiday Inn Union Square (now Crowne Plaze) was notable because it was the only Holiday Inn without a pool.

In the past couple of decades the company has diversified its brands. Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Select, Holiday Inn Express. Each of those hotel groups has its own distinct set of services and price points, attracting a specific customer group.

So, today Holiday Inn has launched a refreshed logo group, still with the dominant color green, but with an updated look.

What does it represent? Hopefully, it is the indicator of refreshing the product and service. Updated decor, remodeling, additional services, innovations, and the like.

Will the buying public get on board? A better question is ‘Will the Holiday Inn employee get on board?” -

Ultimately, it is easier to change the wallpaper or offer free wireless internet access than it is to modify the outlook of a 15-year employee.

As you are prompted by this blog and other influences to modify your marketing, ask yourself one more question? “Is your marketing ahead of your company mindset?”

Marketing innovation without incremental product and service improvements is “like putting lipstick on a pig.” You must have actual positive change, staff buy-in, and accompany it with a fresh look and marketing message.

The immediate future will tell us if Holiday Inn’s updated logo is accompanied by true innovation. Now, step back and ask yourself if your company has a cohesive identity. And what can you do to improve its image, identity, operations, and product or service, from the customer perspective.

Andy Ebon
The Wedding Marketing Authority

written by Andy Ebon \\ tags: Andy Ebon, branding, business identity, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Select, logo, wedding marketing