- Graphic Design
- 1. Why would I engage a graphic designer when I can make a logo or download one myself?
A client who did this came to us for a redesign after receiving a distasteful letter from a lawyer - it turned out that their logo was an almost exact replica of another. A strong logo will be original and should reflect you in some way. The logo should be sized up against your competitor to make a better impression. We create logos that are clear, memorable, enduring and versatile.
- 2. What if I don't like your design?
We are not 'precious' about our designs ... but we are well considered. Our designs always carry a purpose - and are not thrown together 'willy nilly'. If you don't like the design, no drama! However we will ask your reason why? We want to understand in what way does it not reflect you and the appeal to your target customers. If it is a 'personal taste' leaning, we are happy to be fluid with your preferences (within reason) to create an identity that is appropriate and memorable.
- 3. Is a logo worth anything?
Yes! Actually a brand can become one of THE MOST valuable assets your company has. We talk about this as 'Brand Equity' - the value placed on having a well known and respected brand is associated with market share, customer reach and generous profit margins. Remember to list your logo, tagline and mark as a registered trademark!
- 4. Can marketing collateral really boost my sales?
This collection WILL help boost your sales as it communicates who you are and what you are offering; it communicates your value proposition and it assists your sales and customer service staff in selling. This is a system that works together to educate and excite your prospect about your product or service. Without this collateral you may be left spending a hefty budget on staff that have poor material with nothing to substantiate your valuable message.
- 5. I don't know where to start.
We always start with the question: "What will make a difference to your business ... tomorrow?". Exploring this with you, we will help prioritise needs and we will assist you with co-ordinating all efforts to ensure you have the sales and marketing collateral you require.
- 6. I have big plans for my small business - I don't know quite how to execute a sales and marketing strategy that supports those plans.
We have founded, grown and sold businesses. Two were successfully exited to a large acquirer and two more are still under our leadership and going strong. We have also operated as non-executive directors to start-ups to advise on business growth - understanding the constraints and challenges of new businesses. We know the intensity of raising investment whilst keeping your business profitable. We know the delight of winning new customers and the despair of something not quite going as planned. We have been there ... and we can help.
- 7. How long will it take for us to see results?
This often depends on what work has preceded ours, however we usually start seeing results from as early as 4-weeks to 6 months. It is always with great excitement that we wait to hear that good news - when a customer has responded to your campaign or has found you online, understands what you do, and has reached out to buy. That makes our day - so we always aim to get results as quickly as we can.
- 8. I don't know where to start, can you help me?
Yes! We can assist with any part of the process, or all of it. We can help to write and confirm the design brief, plan your catalogue and advise on which products to include.
- 9. We already produce catalogues but we aren't sure that we are maximising results from it. Can you take a look?
Yes! We are happy to review your catalogue design and processes. From the right mix of product selection on each page through to catalogue dimensions and paper stock, we can recommend you improvements.
- 10. We require assistance with particular element of our catalogue production, e.g. copywriting. Can you support us with this?
Yes! Actually, we are often called upon by other large design agencies to write copy for their catalogue production, or to assist with other parts of the process. We are happy to contribute to any part of the process, as required.
- 11. If you do the design can I write my own copy?
Sure! We are also happy to guide you and to edit along the way. Most importantly the design and the copy should come together to produce the results you desire.
- 12. I struggle to find the right words to communicate our sales message, can you assist?
Yes! Interestingly, those who are closest to their business often struggle to find the right words. Too often they find themselves swamped in the detail and they forget about the benefits - in the mind of the customer. We can help you craft that clear-sighted message.
- 13. I don't know where to begin, how do we do this?
The first step - we will listen to your sales-pitch. How do you sell your service or product face-to-face to your customers. We will explore the types of questions they ask and the objections you often face. That's it - your job is done. Leave the rest to us.
- 1. Why would I engage a graphic designer when I can make a logo or download one myself?
- Website Development
- 14. I have noticed advertising for super-cheap websites. What's the catch?
Many of our clients have been 'caught out' by this. They thought they were getting a bargain however when it came to making changes like having a page or a line of text added - they were charged, charged, and charged. The result was spending a lot more for a poor site and not getting any value for money.
- 15. There are several web-design companies, why should I work with The Big Grin?
Our clients tell us that we are a pleasure to work with. We understand that you have your full-time job and putting time into a website - which is not a core skill - can be extremely time consuming and full of stop-start hurdles. We do the bulk of all of the work for our clients so that all you need to do is proof-read, edit and approve.
- 16. The last time I had my website developed, it cost me a fortune.
What can I expect now?
Improved technology makes the design and development of websites much easier. This translates into greater cost reductions with your website up and running sooner. For our client www.predictivehire.com - we wrote the copy, created the wireframes, completed the graphic design, completed the HTML design and had it developed all within a two-week timeframe ... from scratch, with no templates!
- 17. I have a web development company - I just need help with the user interface and user experience (UI/UX). Can you assist?
Yes! We work with many start-up IT companies who are often focused on 'back-end' algorithms, dots and dashes - but haven't given much thought to the user experience. As development is never done, so too is the case that design is never done.
- 18. Why is The Big Grin good at user interface and user experience design.
We believe that is our skills in combination. Firstly we have combined psychology and sociology backgrounds. This gives us a natural inclination to question, and gain an understanding of what users want. With Secondly we bring combined experience of excellent graphic design and business acumen, we ensure that the user experience matches what you intended for your product.
- 19. What experience do you have with online businesses?
Plenty! Two of our own start-up businesses have been pure-play online businesses and many of our clients are purely online businesses or technology platforms. From a reverse-auction platform to a regression econometric platform (that calculates the likelihood of tenure and performance in your new hire), to a Skills Analysis tool - we have helped them with website and platform usability, design and development.
- 20. I don't know whether I need an app, or just a mobile compatible
website?
It is estimated that there are around 650 million websites today with 4.12 billion indexed web pages whilst three are less than 1 million apps today across all platforms. There is a reason for this. Users can access your website from their mobile device and with very little further investment a mobile website they can be viewed clearly on a smaller handheld device with a touch-screen interface.
An app, on the other hand, is like software. It is an actual 'application' downloaded and installed on your device. Always ask yourself this question first: "do I need an app at all?". If you are a service based business, e.g. legal, accounting, recruiting, etc. chances are that an app is probably not 'core' to your offering. However if you offer an online product - a web service - which has user logins then 'yes' a native mobile application may be an excellent investment for you. Alternatively if you provide customers offline access to your product, then an app will be a good option for you. The bottom line? Always focus on the needs of your customer.
- 21. Do we design our website first and then our mobile site, or vice versa?
This reminds us of the old debate - 'what came first ... the chicken or the egg'! As with this debate - you can argue both sides. Our view is that it doesn't really matter. The key as always is to focus on the customer experience. Always consider what content you are using and why its there first. How that content then 'behaves' across devices can then be 'rolled out', e.g. if designing a website, have smaller screens in mind so that when you are ready to go mobile or responsive - you can.
- 14. I have noticed advertising for super-cheap websites. What's the catch?
- Marketing Plans
- 22. I have big plans for my small business - I don't know quite how to execute a sales and marketing strategy that supports those plans. Can you help me?
Yes! We have founded, grown and sold businesses. Two were successfully exited to a large acquirer and two are still under our leadership and going strong. We have also operated as nonexecutive directors to start-ups to advise on business growth - understanding the constraints and challenges of new business. We know the intensity of raising investment whilst keeping your business profitable. We know the delight of winning new customers and the despair of something not going as planned. We have been there ... and we can help.
- 23. What experience do you have with online businesses?
Plenty! Two of our own start-up businesses have been pure-play online businesses and many of our clients are purely online businesses or technology platforms. From a reverse-auction platform to a regression econometric platform (that calculates the likelihood of tenure and performance in your new hire), to a Skills Analysis tool - we have helped them with website and platform usability, design and development.
- 24. How long will it take for us to see results?
This often depends on what work has preceded ours however we start to see results from as early as 4-weeks to 6 months. It is always great excitement to hear good news - when a customer has responded to a campaign or has found you online, understands what you do and has reached out to buy! That is what makes our day - so we always aim to get those results as quickly as we can.
- 22. I have big plans for my small business - I don't know quite how to execute a sales and marketing strategy that supports those plans. Can you help me?
Some clients we have worked with over the years.
- AAMES
- ApproachPlus
- Austin Hospital
- Bombora Financial Group
- City Collection
- Criterion Hotel Castlemaine
- Cummings Flavel McCormack
- DataVeil
- EndeavourTools
- Expresso Bagels
- Home Timber and Hardware HydroCo
- Kooyong Physiotherapy
- Koslex
- Minimax
- Mr Furniture
- Peddle Thorpe Architects
- PFG Financial
- Plants Plus
- PMP Digital
- PureData
- Quench Showers
- Rushworth Community House
- Thrifty-Link Hardware
- Trained Up Media
- Sancell
- Seafood on Malvern
- SkillsGapAnalysis
- Spring Physio Gym
- TissuPath
- Tourism Malaysia
- Wild Cards & Gifts
