Budgeting for Marketing Success

by Chris Arnold on October 23, 2009

Quite often current or potential Clients will come to Limber Creative with terrific ideas that even some of the best designers might not think of. The fact is, you, as the Client, understand your business better than anyone else. You are able to connect with what your customer pulse is and therefore can best understand how your marketing should be approached.

As designers and developers, we are tasked with wrapping those important tidbits of knowledge around an end product that not only stands out visually, but also communicates your end goals to the most important audience(s).

When it comes to print, it might be the correct paper selection or finishing touches; when it is web or interactive, it may be valid code structure and hierarchy to best showcase the work.

Making Time

Moreso than not, though, many business owners and marketing managers don’t take the time to understand the budgeting landscape for high quality creative work. With so much on your respective plates, it’s entirely understandable. With customers, bills, goals, and your own deliverables, it can get hectic on a day to day basis.

As one who strongly believes in providing only the best for his own Clients, I ask you this: Why should anything you produce be less than the best it can be? We must research, plan, and execute accordingly. Before you contact a design firm with your next big idea, consider this…

The Analogy

There are two lawn care providers. Company A can service your entire lawn and install planters along your front walk for $500. Company B can offer the same services but at an estimated rate of $1500. Many would jump at the $500 solution. But why? Same services, different prices; what is there to think about? The fact is, sometimes our ability to process value only stays within arms reach — how this effects him/her/us in this moment.

In reality if we were to take a step back, we’d realize Company B uses higher quality materials. They bring more experience to the job. They also take the time to hand select the best array of flowers for the newly installed planters, working alongside your suggestions the entire way. Company B also insures their flowers won’t die in a year, and they even clean up your yard after the install; something many other providers don’t take the time to do.

The experience is elevated and so is the end product.

Your Success

You see, creative success is much like evaluating quality and value in our everyday lives. As those who poise ourselves for greatness, we must evaluate, budget, and execute the best options; even when the cheapest option appears to the best in the short term.

More

For an extended version of this article, visit Design Litmus to read more about the topic.