How Do Customers Find You?

Most likely you’ll be found by a web search. That’s where SEO comes in.

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of optimizing a website and its content to increase the quantity and quality of traffic to the site through organic search engine results. It involves making changes to the website and its content to make it more appealing to search engines and improve its ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).

SEO is important to businesses because it helps improve the visibility of their website in search engine results, making it easier for potential customers to find their products and services. With the majority of internet users relying on search engines to find information, having a strong presence in search engine results can greatly increase the chances of attracting new customers and generating leads.

Moreover, SEO can also help establish credibility and authority for a business. A higher ranking in search engine results can indicate to users that the website is a trustworthy and credible source of information, improving the overall perception of the brand.

SEO can also provide a high return on investment (ROI) compared to other forms of digital marketing. Unlike paid advertising, where you pay for every click or impression, SEO efforts have the potential to continue generating traffic and leads long after the initial optimization work has been completed. This makes SEO a cost-effective way for businesses to reach their target audience and achieve their marketing goals.

For any business, SEO is a crucial aspect of any digital marketing strategy, as it helps improve the visibility of a website in search engine results, establish credibility and authority, and provide a high return on investment. By making strategic changes to a website and its content, businesses can improve their search engine rankings, attract new customers, and drive growth. To get the most out of SEO, it’s important to work with an experienced professional who understands the ever-changing landscape of search engine algorithms and can help develop a comprehensive SEO strategy tailored to the unique needs of your business.

Want to learn more about how Studio 23 can help your business? Contact us ››

Why You Should Be Social

Social media marketing has become an essential aspect of modern business, with companies of all sizes leveraging the power of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to reach new and existing customers. In today’s increasingly digital world, social media marketing has proven to be an effective tool for boosting sales and improving business success.

Social media allows companies to reach a large and targeted audience. With billions of users on various platforms, companies have access to a massive pool of potential customers. Social media platforms also offer robust targeting options, allowing companies to reach specific demographics, locations, and interests, making it easier to reach the right people with the right message.

Social media platforms provide a direct line of communication between companies and customers. By engaging with customers through social media, companies can build relationships, gather feedback, and address customer concerns in real-time. This level of engagement can foster a sense of community and increase customer loyalty, leading to increased sales and repeat business.

Companies can showcase their products and services in a visually appealing way on social media. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are particularly well-suited for showcasing products, as they allow companies to share images and videos that highlight the benefits and features of their offerings. This type of content can generate interest and drive sales, as customers are more likely to make a purchase when they can see a product in action.

Social media can help companies create a sense of urgency and drive sales through promotions and special offers. Companies can use platforms like Facebook and Twitter to announce limited-time offers and promotions, creating a sense of urgency and encouraging customers to act quickly. Social media also allows companies to run contests and giveaways, which can generate excitement and drive sales.

Social media platforms provide valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. Through analytics and tracking tools, companies can understand what types of content resonate with their audience and what drives engagement and conversions. This information can be used to inform future marketing efforts, leading to even greater success.

In conclusion, social media marketing has the power to improve sales and drive business success significantly. By leveraging the reach, targeting options, and engagement opportunities of social media platforms, companies can reach a large and targeted audience, build relationships with customers, showcase products in a visually appealing way, drive sales through promotions and special offers, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. To maximize the impact of social media marketing, companies should develop a comprehensive strategy, create compelling content, and consistently engage with customers.

On Brand

Why is the perception of my company’s brand important?

Corporate branding is the practice of promoting a company’s image and reputation through consistent messaging and visual identity. A strong brand identity can increase business success in several ways.

Corporate branding establishes credibility and trust with customers. A well-designed brand identity and messaging that is consistent across all touchpoints communicates professionalism and reliability, which in turn builds trust with customers. A strong brand also sets a company apart from competitors, making it easier for customers to identify and remember the company. This can lead to increased brand recognition and customer loyalty, which can translate into increased sales and revenue.

Strong corporate branding can increase the value of a company. A well-established brand can provide a significant competitive advantage and increase the value of a company by creating a unique and memorable image in the minds of consumers. A strong brand also helps companies attract and retain employees, as well as potential investors, who are drawn to companies with established brands. This can lead to increased funding opportunities and the ability to attract top talent, both of which can drive long-term business success.

Corporate branding can improve customer experiences. A consistent brand image and messaging across all touchpoints can make it easier for customers to navigate a company’s products or services. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, as customers are able to easily find what they are looking for and understand the benefits of the company’s offerings. Additionally, a strong brand can create an emotional connection with customers, making it easier for them to form a relationship with the company and increasing the likelihood that they will return for future business.

Memorable corporate branding can increase brand awareness and drive new business. Consistent messaging and visual identity across all touchpoints, such as websites, social media, and advertising, can help spread the word about a company’s offerings and increase brand awareness. This can drive new business, as customers are more likely to remember and seek out a company with a well-established brand. Additionally, a strong brand can make it easier for companies to enter new markets or expand into new product categories, as customers are more likely to trust a company with a well-established brand.

In conclusion, corporate branding is an important aspect of business success. A strong brand identity can increase credibility and trust with customers, increase the value of a company, improve customer experiences, and drive new business. Companies that invest in building and maintaining a strong brand identity are more likely to achieve long-term success and compete effectively in their industry. To build a successful brand, companies should focus on creating a consistent brand image and messaging across all touchpoints, as well as building and maintaining a strong reputation for quality and professionalism.

Looking to build your brand? Contact us today ›

Happy ’23

The number 23 has a long history of being considered a special or significant number. It has been the subject of numerous books, movies, and other works of popular culture, and has been associated with a variety of superstitions, mystical beliefs, and numerological practices. Here are just a few reasons why the number 23 may be considered special and why we’re excited for 2023.

The number 23 is considered lucky or auspicious in many cultures including in ancient China where the number 23 was believed to bring good luck and fortune. In many parts of Europe, the number 23 was also considered lucky and was often incorporated into talismans or other objects believed to bring good luck.

The number 23 has been associated with numerological practices and beliefs for centuries. In numerology, the number 23 is considered a “master number” and is believed to have a special significance. Numerologists often associate the number 23 with leadership, creativity, and the ability to inspire others.

The number 23 has been the subject of numerous books and movies that explore its supposed mystical or supernatural significance. One of the most famous examples is the book “The Number 23” by Jim Carrey, which explores the idea that the number 23 is somehow connected to the universe in a mysterious and profound way. Other books and movies that have explored the significance of the number 23 include “23 Minutes in Hell” and “23 Enigma.”

The number 23 has been linked to a variety of superstitions and beliefs—some people believe that the number 23 is connected to the idea of synchronicity, or the belief that certain events or coincidences are meaningful and connected in some way. Others believe that the number 23 is connected to the concept of the “23rd parallel,” or the idea that certain events or occurrences are more likely to happen when the sun is at a certain position in the sky.

The number 23 has also been linked to various scientific and mathematical concepts and is a prime number, which means it can only be divided by itself and 1. It is also the lowest integer that cannot be expressed as the sum of the squares of two integers. In addition, the number 23 is the smallest odd prime that is not a member of the Mersenne prime family.

The number 23 has a long and varied history of being considered special or significant in a variety of contexts. Whether it is considered lucky or auspicious, connected to numerological practices, or linked to superstitions and beliefs, the number 23 has captured the imagination of people around the world for centuries. And so it is with great anticipation that Studio 23 welcomes the new year and wishes everyone a very happy ’23.

The Color of the Season

Colors play a significant role in our daily lives and can evoke strong emotions and associations. These associations are often culturally ingrained, and certain colors are often closely associated with specific holidays. In Western culture, the history and cultural significance behind some of the most iconic holiday colors is well-documented.

One of the most iconic holiday colors is red, which is closely associated with Christmas. In Western culture, red is often associated with love, passion, and warmth, and these associations are likely part of the reason why it has become such a prominent color during the holiday season. In fact, the use of red as a Christmas color can be traced back to the early Christian Church, where it was used to symbolize the blood of Jesus and the sacrifice he made for humanity. Red is also a traditional color in many cultures worldwide and has long been associated with festivals and celebrations.

Green is another holiday color that is closely associated with Christmas. In Western culture, green is often associated with nature, growth, and renewal. These associations are likely part of why it has become such a prominent color during the holiday season. The use of green as a Christmas color can also be traced back to the early Christian Church, where it was used to symbolize the evergreen trees and plants that remained green throughout the winter season. Green is also a traditional color in many cultures worldwide and has long been associated with prosperity, luck, and good fortune.

Another iconic holiday color is gold, often associated with Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. Gold is a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and luxury, and these associations are likely part of the reason why it has become such a prominent color during Hanukkah. In the story of Hanukkah, a small jar of oil that was supposed to last only one day miraculously burned for eight days, and gold is often used to symbolize this miracle and the light it brought to the world. Gold is also a traditional color in many cultures worldwide and has long been associated with royalty, power, and divinity.

Purple is another holiday color that is closely associated with Easter, the Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. In Western culture, purple is often associated with spirituality, royalty, and nobility, and these associations are likely part of the reason why it has become such a prominent color during Easter. Purple is also a traditional color in many cultures worldwide and has long been associated with royalty, power, and luxury.

Finally, orange is a holiday color that is closely associated with Halloween, the annual holiday that is celebrated on October 31st. In Western culture, orange is often associated with autumn, the harvest season. These associations are likely part of why it has become such a prominent color during Halloween. Orange is also a traditional color in many cultures worldwide and has long been associated with the fall season, prosperity, and abundance.

Holiday colors play a significant role in our cultural traditions and can evoke strong emotions and associations. The history and cultural significance behind these colors help to enrich our understanding of the holidays and the cultural traditions that we celebrate. Whether it is the warm and passionate red of Christmas, the vibrant and renewal green of Christmas, the luxurious and prosperous gold of Hanukkah, the spiritual and noble purple of Easter, the autumnal and abundant orange of Halloween, or some other color of the holiday you celebrate, each color adds its own unique meaning and significance to the holiday season. For whatever holiday you celebrate, I wish you a happy and colorful one.

Running, and Growing, a Local Brand

Leatherman Harriers Sunday Runs Aims to Attract New Runners.

Ten years ago, half a dozen trail runners got together to train for the Leatherman’s Loop, a local 10k trail race and what is arguably the largest trail race east of the Mississippi. Lee Willett, the owner of Studio 23, was one of those founding members. In those early days, runners were contacted by email and maps were hand-drawn and shown to runners the morning of. But early on, the group’s organizer was injured and Lee offered to take over to keep things moving forward.

Quickly, it became clear there was potential to grow so Lee suggested registering SundayRuns.org and got to work creating the website which has grown over time. Today, ten years later, there are 200 unique trail maps on the site, an updated calendar, weekly run updates, lists of east coast trail races and 100-mile ultras, weekly photos of the group, and useful tips and files for all levels or runners—all for free.

Recently, we updated and expanded the organization’s branding to include new initiatives including the establishment of our Rookie Runners program aimed to get new runners onto the trails. As the club evolves, we’ll be there to update the brand as necessary and keep the group, ahem, running.

 

Is Your Font Conservative or Liberal?

Is that font you’re about to use conservative? Is it liberal? What does it tell others about you, your business, your political affiliation? It’s a lot to consider.

True, fonts are not conservative or liberal but people are and bring their proclivities into any dialog. People tend to associate serif fonts with conservative values and candidates. They tend to associate sans serif fonts with liberalism. Conversely, if fonts that are liked by someone who is politically conservative will be viewed as communicating more conservative values and fonts that are liked by those who are more liberal will be viewed as conveying a more liberal aesthetic. This is not an absolute rule, however. Bernie Sanders uses a bold serif font (Jubilat) in his campaign materials and, by exposure, it is now associated with being a more liberal font. The fonts that convey the most conservative aesthetic? Blackletter fonts since those were the earliest styles developed when the movable type printing press was invented (and why newspaper headlines often use that style today.)

If something as neutral as a typeface can convey a political agenda, what of other elements? Is it any wonder that male Democratic candidates wear blue ties and Republicans wear red ones? Because we have divided the country into red states and blue states, those colors have now taken on an outsize role in communicating political affiliation. But because liberal candidates will tend to stray from the typical red, white, and blue themes more than conservatives, other colors tend to be associated with democrats and particularly independents. And which blue or red is chosen also conveys a message. Bernie Sanders uses a relatively light blue which conveys a more gentle, friendly message. But a deep, dark blue would convey a more conservative message. Deep reds with hints of blue tend to read more conservative while bright warm reds tend to read more liberal.

Even shapes tend to be assigned political meaning. Stars tend to be perceived as conservative, particularly those that connect the upper left and right points with a straight line. Stars with softer angles tend to communicate a less conservative message. Flat stripes tend to read as neutral though may now be assigned more of a democratic bent by  Joe Biden’s campaign which uses them liberally. Swashes, too, are relatively neutral though they tend to be used on more democratic campaigns.

What does this all mean? If you’re a Republican candidate must you use a dark red sign with serif font and stars? If you’re a Democrat, do you use only a bright red sign with a sans serif font and swashes? No. No candidate would ever be elected solely on his or her branding. But it does allow the brand of any particular campaign to flex to fit an audience. A more liberal candidate may opt for more conservative branding in a Republican area just as a more conservative candidate may opt for less conservative branding in Democratic areas. Candidates already modify their language when speaking to different audiences, it stands to reason that their visual language should vary too.

In the end, the candidate with the message (verbal and visual) that resonates with voters will win.

One Delicious Project

Studio 23 Brands New Delivery Service in New York

Peacock Gourmet is a startup gourmet delivery service in New York City. Their subscription-based business model targets high net-worth individuals who don’t have time to cook but who want healthy home-cooked meals. Studio 23 understood that at its core, Peacock Gourmet’s brand required bringing an experience to life. Every element of the brand experience was considered from the use of fresh ingredients to how the end product was delivered. So as not to distract from their delicious products, Studio 23 created a simple black-and-white identity using an elegant script font arranged in a fan—a nod to the tail feathers of a peacock. We also recommended using recycled materials and minimizing plastics as a way to cut down on waste and convey that the company is a more healthy and sustainable alternative to fast food. Since the company is bootstrapping its startup, we worked to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses wherever possible. The cornerstone of the identity was a simple round sticker that could be used on bags, as box closures, or on beverage cups.

In the end, Peacock Gourmet received a look that was tasteful. When they’re ready to take the next step and fan out, Studio 23 will the there to help them.

One Healthy Launch

Studio 23 Helps Relaunch Ridgefield VNA as RVNA Health

Ridgefield VNA has been providing health care services to the community for over 100 years and, as a result, has a large and devoted following in the Ridgefield area. To appeal to a larger geographic service area, though, the name was always limiting. Potential customers beyond the Ridgefield area often didn’t know they offered services to them. To help attract new customers, Ridgefield VNA decided to undergo a renaming as RVNAhealth. The renaming and offline branding were handled by a local design firm but RVNA approached Studio 23 to help them redevelop their web presence and email campaigns in line with their new brand. As part of that, Studio 23 worked closely with the branding company, RVNA’s in-house marketing team, and company stakeholders to develop sitemaps depicting a new architecture, user flows, and wireframes in preparation to develop the new site. Once approved, we thoroughly documented the current site, identifying all URLs and where they would forward. We then created interactive sketches the client could navigate to understand how the new site would function.

Since time was tight to meet a specific launch date, we created a tiered phase-in plan so that key functionality would be ready for launch and other pages would wait for phase 2. After launch, Studio 23 monitored the site closely, checking for security issues, errors, or functionality issues. So far, though, we can say that the site is perfectly healthy. See the site live ››