Try Marketing

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Hiring a full-time designer to join your staff may not be in the cards this year, but making sure your website, brochures, business cards, and other marketing materials are up-to-date and well-designed should be on your must-do list in 2009.

Want to know the top five pieces of marketing material you should keep current and professionally designed? We asked experts in the design field – experienced designers on Elance – for their top picks of materials every business needs to make pop, and here’s what they said:

1. Company Logo
First impressions are often made after viewing a company logo. Is your logo something your customers will remember? Is it cookie-cutter or custom designed?

Make sure your logo stands out, represents your brand and is memorable. An elancer can review and update your company logo so that you make a great first impression with customers.

2. Website Design
Your website is your customers’ window into your business. Customers seeking information about your company will likely check out your website first and make a purchase decision based on what they see. Your website may be the most visible piece of marketing material you have and needs to be easy to use, visually appealing and updated with current products and information.

Impress your customers and turn page views into sales by keeping your website up-to-date. Find a balance between great design and simplicity and win your customers over by giving them something great to look at while keeping it easy to navigate.

3. Company Image
How do customers view your business? Does your company have the image needed to reach your target market?

If you feel like your company image needs a boost, it may be time for a visual audit. A designer on Elance can review your company’s overall image and corporate collateral and propose new marketing materials and designs based on your ideas and company goals.

4. Business Cards and Thank You Cards
Business cards and thank you cards go a long way in solidifying the relationships you have with your customers. If you’re sending thank you notes on generic thank you cards and stuffing them with uninspiring business cards – your brand could get lost among the crowd.

Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion about your business cards and thank you cards – an elancer can review what you have and redesign the materials to meet your standards. With a new, redesigned look – you will instill confidence in your customers.

5. Sales Materials
It goes without saying that the information you send to clients should be up-to-date, but it’s also important to take a step back and review the overall visual design. You may send out brochures, emails, and flyers, to hundreds of customers a week – and each piece they receive from you should be eye catching and easy to read and understand.

Talented freelance designers are available for hire on Elance to review and update all your marketing pieces. Check them out here.