Previously I discussed incorporating pets into your promotional projects and/or product designs.  The pet may even become part of your brand.  Even if your business doesn’t involve pet products or items with pet designs, you may include a pet reference for interest in some way.
Children’s author/illustrator Jan Brett has written about and drawn her hedgehog, Hedgie.  However, Hedgie has somewhat become her trademark or brand. 
The e-mail newsletters I receive from Jan essentially come from Hedgie.  When I receive postcards or book signing announcements, they include Hedgie’s pictures.  Hedgie makes his way into Jan’s web site and blog. 
Perhaps you have a …read more

“Dress the “brand” for your home business.”  I heard this phrase from a speaker recently when she was describing appropriate dress to promote yourself.  Are you wearing apparel that promotes products and services other than your own?  Or are you wearing something that calls attention to your business?
 You might not be aware when you’re advertising a competitor’s business.  However, when you wear apparel (hat, t-shirt, tie, sweats, shoes) that is inscribed with someone else’s name or logo, you’re actually promoting their brand. 
 So…why not wear something that promotes your brand?
 The speaker was promoting vitamins and nutrition.  To teach her workshop, she …read more

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While we’re on the topic of Harry Potter (see the post about Susan Gunelius and her book on the Harry Potter global phenomenon), why not take a look at a related book by J.R. Rowling?  This is just another example of the expert marketing and branding that Susan mentions. Harry Potter fans are intrigued by any reference to a new book.
The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.R. Rowling, is a book of fairy tales written to supplement the Harry Potter series.  It will be published in two new editions, the Standard and Collector’s, on December 4, 2008.   (However, it’s available for pre-order now at …read more

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Susan Gunelius, author of Harry Potter, The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon, will visit Home Biz Notes, on Tuesday, August 19, the day her book is launched in the United States.
You won’t want to miss this upcoming interview with Susan, also a b5 blogger at Brand Curve.  We learn how and why she wrote the story concerning the phenomenal marketing strategy that made Harry Potter a brand name and fantastic success. 
We shall be featuring a giveaway of the book later in the day of August 19.  (Susan’s book also is available for pre-order at the above link.)
So…..Keep Tuned!
(Amazon image; click …read more

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The big question mark looms there instead of my photo on social media sites. So my granddaughter is helping me rectify that.
As she showed me the pictures she’d taken of her quilts, I thought, “That’s it! I’ll have a quilt photo instead of the question mark. This is characteristic of me because I love quilts and quilt history. I write a quilting blog, Quilting and Patchwork”
We selected the picture of a quilt she made as a school project for American Studies, a quilt based upon Civil War designs and history.
We only have it at one location …read more

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I’ve often wondered about the marketing behind the Harry Potter phenomenon that caused a book to skyrocket to sales and an author to fame to the point where it has taken on a life of itself. I imagined there was superb marketing strategy behind it that caught the market and readers at the right place and right time.
Susan Gunelius, a b5 blogger , announced the release of her first book, Harry Potter – The Story of a Global Business Phenomenon.
Susan explores the story of the business and marketing behind the Harry Potter brand, and …read more

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Looking for that “Wow” factor, that something extra that makes your business stand out from the rest, sometimes can be like seeking an elusive treasure on a scavenger hunt.  However, there you usually have a map or clues to guide you.
Well, now the b5media Business Channel bloggers have given you some of these clues in their Theme Day round-up of posts, Finding the Wow Factor in Business, at Eric Eggertson’s Common Sense PR blog.
We’re pleased to participate in Theme Day with our post, Why Do Certain Bloggers & Blogs Stand Out From The Crowd?  We hope our readers find a …read more

HomeBizNotes.com
Do you have a business slogan or tagline? Business owners often spend a lot of time and effort on logos and business cards. But you can make your logo do double duty as part of your business branding, if you have an effective slogan to complement it. A slogan needs to be short, clear and effective. It’s not a mission statement, although it can double as one.
Nike’s slogan is Just Do It. Mommy Revenue, a home business site for work at home moms, expands on the business slogan concept.
Wouldn’t it be great if your slogan became a catch phrase? If …read more