April 25, 2023

The Manifest Presents RocketDog Communications as Seattle’s Most Reviewed Design Agencies for 2023

Since 1999, we at RocketDog Communications, have been fiercely loyal and devoted to our clients. We strive to deliver the very best when it comes to their needs, aiming to help them with whatever endeavors they wish to pursue. Because of this dedication, we’ve created amazing brands that engage and drive stellar results.

Our commitment to our clients recently helped us achieve amazing recognition from a trusted industry resource. During the esteemed The Manifest Company Awards, RocketDog Communications was officially spotlighted as one of the most reviewed and recommended service providers from Seattle, Washington! According to their report, our team is a reliable partner for design and digital marketing solutions this 2023!

Making it on the 2022 Manifest list was a positive feat for us last year, and earning the same distinction once again goes to show our level of consistency and commitment.

“We are excited once again to be recognized as of the top agencies on The Manifest!” — Michael Elliott, President RocketDog Communications

For those of you who aren’t familiar with The Manifest, it’s an independent business news resource that publishes content like how-to steps and agency shortlists. Each year, the site holds an industry award to spotlight the stellar relationships formed by service providers with their clients. The award is given only to the top companies that earned the highest number of testimonials and ratings over the preceding year.

We cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are for our clients. The projects and support they’ve graciously bestowed upon us helped us become the company that we are today. We wouldn’t be celebrating this feat without their trust.

Thank you so much to everyone who cheered on and stood by us! RocketDog Communications is excited to see what else lies ahead for us.

April 4, 2023

Building Brand Loyalty: The Power of the “Feel, Felt, Found” Technique and a Well-Defined Brand Story

The "feel, felt, found" technique is a powerful tool that salespeople use to persuade potential customers to make a purchase. It involves acknowledging the customer's feelings, empathizing with them, and providing a solution that has worked for others in a similar situation. In this blog post, we will explore how this technique can be applied to how customers interact with your Brand and how having a well-defined Brand Story can help.

A well-defined Brand Story is crucial for establishing a strong connection with your customers. It helps to humanize your Brand, create an emotional connection, and differentiate you from competitors. By understanding your Brand Story and using the "feel, felt, found" technique, you can effectively engage with your customers and build brand loyalty.

First, let's explore how the "feel, felt, found" technique can be applied to how customers interact with your Brand. When a customer interacts with your Brand, they may have concerns or reservations about your products or services. By acknowledging their feelings and empathizing with them, you can build trust and establish a connection. For example, if a customer is hesitant to purchase your product because they think it's too expensive, you can say, "I understand how you feel. Many of our customers have felt the same way at first."

Next, by sharing your Brand Story, you can help customers understand what your Brand stands for and how it can help them. For example, if your Brand Story is centered around sustainability, you can share how your products are made with eco-friendly materials and how you're committed to reducing your environmental impact. By sharing your Brand Story, you're not only providing a solution but also building an emotional connection with your customers.

Finally, by sharing how your other customers have found success with your Brand, you can help build trust and credibility. By sharing testimonials or case studies, you're providing social proof that your products or services work. For example, you can say, "However, what our customers have found is that once they use our product, they see the value it provides and are willing to pay the price."

In conclusion, the "feel, felt, found" technique is a powerful tool that can be used to engage with customers and build brand loyalty. However, having a well-defined Brand Story is crucial for establishing an emotional connection with your customers. By sharing your Brand Story, you can differentiate yourself from competitors, create an emotional connection, and establish trust and credibility. By using the "feel, felt, found" technique in conjunction with your Brand Story, you can effectively engage with your customers and build a strong brand that resonates with your target audience.

Are interested in learning how a well-defined Brand Story can help you be "the ONE" in your customer's minds?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

March 27, 2023

Your brand is more than just a logo – it’s the emotional and psychological connection that people have with your business.

Creating a strong Brand experience is crucial for businesses looking to succeed in today's competitive market. As the saying goes, your brand is more than just a logo - it's the emotional and psychological connection that people have with your business. To truly connect with your audience, you need to create a brand experience that resonates with them on a deep level.

The first step to creating a brand experience that resonates with your audience is to understand who your target market is. You need to know their needs, desires, and pain points, as well as their values and beliefs. Once you have a good understanding of your target audience, you can start to develop your brand personality, tone of voice, and visual identity in a way that speaks directly to them.

Your brand personality should reflect the values and characteristics of your target audience. If your target audience is looking for a trustworthy and reliable business, for example, your brand personality should be built around those traits. Your tone of voice should also be tailored to your audience - if you're targeting a younger demographic, you might use more informal language and humor, while a more formal tone might be more appropriate for an older audience.

When it comes to your visual identity, consistency is key. Your logo, color palette, and overall visual aesthetic should be consistent across all touchpoints with your brand, from your website and social media profiles to your packaging and in-store displays. This helps to create a cohesive and memorable brand experience for your audience.

But branding is about more than just logos and visuals - it's also about storytelling. People connect with stories, and by sharing the story of your brand with your audience, you can create an emotional connection with them. Use your brand story to highlight your values, mission, and unique selling proposition. Show your audience why your brand is different from the competition and how your products or services can solve their problems.

In addition to storytelling, it's also important to focus on creating a memorable customer experience. Your brand experience should be consistent across all touchpoints, and you should strive to create a positive emotional response in your customers at every stage of their journey with your brand. This includes everything from the initial awareness stage to the post-purchase follow-up.

Finally, don't forget the power of social proof. Positive reviews, testimonials, and word-of-mouth recommendations can go a long way in building trust with your audience and establishing your brand as a leader in your industry. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and share their experiences with your brand on social media.

In conclusion, your brand is more than just a logo - it's the emotional and psychological connection that people have with your business. By focusing on creating a brand experience that resonates with your audience, you can build a loyal customer base and establish your brand as a leader in your industry. With a consistent visual identity, engaging storytelling, and a focus on creating a memorable customer experience, you can create a brand that truly connects with your audience.

Are interested in learning how your Brand can help you be "the ONE" in your customer's minds?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

March 2, 2023

Why Defining Your “Why” Is Essential for Your Business

"People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it."

Simon Sinek

Defining your "why" is a critical component of building a successful Brand. As Simon Sinek famously said, "People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it." In other words, if you can clearly communicate the purpose and values behind your company, you're much more likely to attract and retain loyal customers. In this blog post, we'll explore why defining your "why" is so important, and provide some helpful resources and links from Simon Sinek to help you get started.

First and foremost, your "why" is all about your company's purpose. What motivates you to do what you do, and why should your customers care? This is about more than just making money or providing a product or service; it's about tapping into the emotional drivers behind your business. When you can clearly articulate your "why," you're more likely to connect with customers on a deeper level, building brand loyalty and advocacy that can sustain your business over time.


At RocketDog, we believe that every business has a unique story and purpose that sets them apart. We work closely with our clients to help them define their "why" and develop a brand that truly resonates with their target audience. Here's why defining your "why" is essential for your business and how RocketDog can help:

  1. It Gives You Direction and Focus

When you have a clear understanding of your "why," you can create a roadmap for your business that aligns with your values and purpose. This roadmap helps you make strategic decisions that will ultimately drive your business forward.

  1. It Helps You Stand Out from Your Competitors

In a crowded marketplace, having a unique value proposition is key. When you define your "why," you differentiate your brand from your competitors and give your customers a reason to choose you.

  1. It Builds Trust with Your Audience

Customers are more likely to do business with Brands they trust. When you communicate your "why" effectively, you establish a deeper connection with your audience and build trust.

Here are some resources and links from Simon Sinek to help you get started:

Defining your "why" is a crucial step in building a strong Brand that resonates with your audience. With RocketDog's help and Simon Sinek's resources, you can create a Brand that drives your business forward and establishes a deeper connection with your audience.

Are interested in learning how we can help you define your "WHY"?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

February 22, 2023

5 Steps to Overcoming the Top Challenges in Marketing for Business Owners

The world of marketing can be challenging for business owners, as it requires a delicate balance of strategy, creativity, and execution. Many business owners face a variety of problems when it comes to marketing, from limited resources to a lack of understanding about the best practices. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the key problems that business owners face when it comes to marketing, and provide some tips and insights on how to overcome them.

  1. Limited resources

One of the biggest problems that business owners face when it comes to marketing is limited resources. This includes limited time, budget, and manpower. Marketing campaigns require careful planning, research, and execution, and can be time-consuming and expensive. Business owners may also struggle to find the right people to help execute their marketing plans, as they may not have the necessary skills or experience in-house.

Solution: To overcome this problem, business owners can focus on finding low-cost or no-cost marketing strategies, such as social media, content marketing, or email marketing. They can also consider working with a marketing agency to help execute their campaigns and free up valuable time and resources.

  1. Lack of understanding about the target audience

Another common problem that business owners face is a lack of understanding about their target audience. It's important to know who your target audience is, what they're interested in, and what motivates them to make a purchase. Without this information, it's difficult to create effective marketing campaigns that will resonate with your audience.

Solution: Business owners can overcome this problem by conducting market research to understand their target audience, their preferences, and their behaviors. This information can then be used to create targeted marketing campaigns that will resonate with their target audience.

  1. Ineffective marketing campaigns

Many business owners struggle to create effective marketing campaigns that produce results. This can be due to a lack of planning, research, or understanding about what works and what doesn't. As a result, business owners may waste time and resources on ineffective campaigns that don't produce the desired results.

Solution: To overcome this problem, business owners should invest time and resources into planning and researching their marketing campaigns. This includes understanding their target audience, the channels and tactics that will be most effective, and the metrics that will be used to measure success. By following a structured approach to marketing, business owners can create campaigns that are more effective and produce better results.

  1. Inadequate measurement and analysis

Another common problem that business owners face is a lack of measurement and analysis of their marketing campaigns. Without accurate metrics and data, it's difficult to understand the effectiveness of your campaigns and make necessary adjustments to improve results.

Solution: Business owners can overcome this problem by investing in tools and resources that will help them measure and analyze the success of their campaigns. This includes web analytics, social media analytics, and marketing automation tools. By tracking and analyzing data, business owners can gain a deeper understanding of what's working and what's not, and make adjustments to improve results.

  1. Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies

Finally, business owners often struggle to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in marketing. Marketing is constantly evolving, with new channels, tactics, and technologies emerging all the time. Staying on top of these changes can be challenging for business owners, who may struggle to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.

Solution: To overcome this problem, business owners can invest time and resources into staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in marketing. This includes attending industry events, reading industry publications, and following thought leaders in the field. By staying informed and educated, business owners can stay ahead of the curve and take advantage

Are interested in learning how we can help you implement and overcome some of these challenges?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

February 13, 2023

The Power of Branding in Successful Employee Recruitment Marketing

Attracting and retaining top talent is a key challenge for any company, and effective employee recruitment marketing is essential to achieving this goal. One key element of successful employee recruitment marketing is branding. A strong and consistent brand can help a company stand out in a crowded job market and attract the best candidates. In this blog post, we'll explore the power of branding in successful employee recruitment marketing and how it can help companies attract and retain top talent.

  1. Building Trust: A strong and consistent brand helps to build trust with potential candidates. By clearly communicating the company's mission, values, and culture, a company can demonstrate to candidates that it is a reputable and reliable employer. This can make it more likely that top candidates will choose to join the company.
  2. Differentiation: A strong brand can help a company differentiate itself from its competitors in the job market. By clearly communicating the unique value and characteristics of the company, a company can stand out and attract top candidates who are looking for a specific type of work environment or culture.
  3. Employee engagement: A strong brand can also help to engage and align current employees. When employees are proud of and engaged with their company's brand, they are more likely to serve as brand ambassadors and promote the company to potential candidates.
  4. Consistency: A consistent brand across all recruitment materials and channels, including job postings, career websites, and social media, helps to ensure that the company's message is clear and consistent. This can help attract top candidates and reduce confusion or mistrust.
  5. Employee retention: A strong brand can also help with employee retention. When employees are aligned with the company's brand and mission, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term. This can lead to a more engaged and productive workforce.
  6. Employer of Choice: A strong brand can help a company to become an employer of choice in their industry or sector. This can make it easier to attract top candidates and reduce the need to rely on expensive recruitment methods.

To build a successful employee recruitment marketing strategy, a company must first establish a strong and consistent brand. This includes identifying the company's mission, values, and culture, and clearly communicating them to potential candidates. A design agency can help with this process by conducting a branding audit, identifying problem areas, and developing a comprehensive branding strategy that aligns with the company's mission and values. This can include creating a brand guideline, developing a brand voice, and creating a consistent brand across all recruitment materials and channels.

In addition to building a strong and consistent brand, a company should also focus on creating engaging and informative recruitment materials, such as job postings and career websites. A design agency can help with this process by creating visually appealing and user-friendly materials that clearly communicate the company's value proposition and culture.

Social media can also play an important role in employee recruitment marketing. A company should use social media to promote its brand, culture, and job opportunities, and to engage with potential candidates. A design agency can help with this process by creating visually appealing and engaging social media content that aligns with the company's brand and communicates its value proposition.

In conclusion, branding plays a critical role in successful employee recruitment marketing. A strong and consistent brand can help a company stand out in a crowded job market, attract top candidates, and retain current employees. To build a successful employee recruitment marketing strategy, a company must first establish a strong and consistent brand, and use this brand to create engaging and informative recruitment materials, and use social media effectively. A design agency can help with this process by conducting a branding audit, developing a comprehensive branding strategy, and creating visually appealing and user-friendly recruitment materials.

Are interested in learning how we can help you attract the BEST talent?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

February 6, 2023

The Checklist for Successful Social Media Campaigns: A Design Agency Perspective

Social media is a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with customers, but creating successful campaigns can be challenging. To help you achieve your social media goals, we've put together a checklist for successful social media campaigns from a design agency perspective.

  1. Define your goals: Before launching a social media campaign, it's important to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, or generate leads? Defining your goals will help you create a campaign that is targeted and effective.
  2. Understand your audience: Knowing your target audience is key to creating a successful social media campaign. This includes understanding their demographics, interests, and behavior on social media. Use this information to create a campaign that resonates with your audience and reaches them where they are.
  3. Create a content calendar: Having a content calendar in place will help you stay organized and on track with your social media campaign. It should include a mix of different types of content, such as text, images, and videos, and be planned out in advance to ensure consistency and engagement.
  4. Use visual storytelling: Visual storytelling is a powerful way to engage with your audience on social media. Use high-quality images and videos to tell your brand's story and create an emotional connection with your audience.
  5. Use social media advertising: Social media advertising can be a powerful tool for reaching your target audience and driving results. Use advertising to promote your campaign and reach a larger audience.
  6. Track and measure your results: It's important to track and measure the results of your social media campaign to see what's working and what's not. Use social media analytics to track engagement, reach, and conversions, and make adjustments as needed.
  7. Continuously evaluate and improve: A successful social media campaign requires continuous evaluation and improvement. Use what you've learned from tracking and measuring your results to make improvements and optimize your campaign for better results.

By following this checklist, you can create a social media campaign that is targeted, effective, and engaging. A design agency can help you with each step, from setting goals and understanding your audience to creating content and measuring results.

Are interested in learning how we can create a successful Social Media Campaign for you?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

January 30, 2023

Why Your Company Needs a Brand Guide: The Key to Consistency and Differentiation

A Brand Guide is a document that outlines the key elements of a company's brand, including its visual identity, messaging, and tone of voice. It's a vital tool for ensuring consistency and cohesiveness across all of a company's marketing and communication efforts. In this blog post, we'll discuss why companies need a brand guide, and how it can help them achieve their business goals.

  1. Consistency: One of the most important reasons for having a brand guide is to ensure consistency across all of a company's marketing and communication efforts. A brand guide lays out the rules for how a company's logo, color scheme, typography, and other visual elements should be used, helping to ensure that all materials, from business cards to website and social media, are aligned and consistent.
  2. Clarity: A brand guide also helps to ensure that a company's messaging is clear and consistent. It lays out the key messages that a company wants to communicate, as well as the tone of voice that should be used, helping to ensure that all communications are aligned and consistent.
  3. Flexibility: A brand guide is not meant to be a one-time document, but rather a living document that can be updated and adapted as needed. A well-designed brand guide allows for flexibility and scalability while maintaining the core elements of the brand.
  4. Differentiation: A strong brand guide helps a company differentiate itself from its competitors. By clearly and consistently communicating the unique value of a company's products or services, a brand guide can help a company stand out in a crowded market.
  5. Employee engagement: A brand guide is not only a valuable tool for marketing and communication efforts, but it also helps to engage and align employees with the company's mission, vision and values. By providing a clear understanding of the company's brand, employees can better understand their role in representing and promoting the brand, leading to a more engaged and aligned workforce.

A Brand Guide is an essential tool for any company looking to build a strong, consistent, and effective brand. It lays out the key elements of a company's brand, helping to ensure consistency and cohesiveness across all of a company's marketing and communication efforts. By providing a clear and consistent brand, a company can differentiate itself from competitors, engage employees and ultimately achieve its business goals.

Are interested in learning how we can create a comprehensive Brand Guide for you?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

January 23, 2023

Is Your Branding Turning Potential Students Away from Your College?

As a college or university, your Brand is one of your most valuable assets. It's what sets you apart from other institutions and helps you attract and retain students. However, if your Branding is not up to par, it could be turning potential students away. In this blog post, we'll discuss the warning signs that your Branding may be turning potential students away and what you, as a college or university, can do to fix it from a design agency perspective.

  1. Your messaging is unclear or inconsistent: A key component of your Branding is your messaging. If your messaging is unclear or inconsistent, it can be difficult for potential students to understand what your institution is all about. This can lead to confusion and ultimately result in potential students choosing another institution. A design agency can help you develop a clear and consistent messaging strategy that effectively communicates the unique value of your institution.
  2. Your visual identity is outdated or unappealing: The visual elements of your Branding, such as your logo, color scheme, and Website design, are also important. If your visual identity is outdated or unappealing, it can give the impression that your institution is not current or relevant. A design agency can help you update your visual identity to create a modern and visually engaging Brand that effectively communicates your institution's values and mission. See our work for the University of Washington (Look Book) to see how we used updated design to attract new students.
  3. Your Website is not user-friendly: Your Website is often the first point of contact for potential students. If your Website is not user-friendly, it can be difficult for them to find the information they need, leading to frustration and ultimately resulting in them choosing another institution. A design agency can help you create a Website that is easy to navigate, visually engaging, and provides relevant and up-to-date information about your institution.
  4. Your social media presence is weak or inactive: Social media is a powerful tool for reaching potential students. If your social media presence is weak or inactive, you're missing out on a valuable opportunity to connect with potential students. A design agency can help you create a social media strategy that effectively communicates your institution's Brand and values and reaches your target audience.
  5. Your Branding is not aligned with your mission and values: Your Branding should align with your mission and values as an institution. If your Branding is not aligned with your mission and values, it can be difficult for potential students to understand what sets you apart from other institutions. A design agency can work with you to ensure that your Branding is aligned with your mission and values, and effectively communicates the unique characteristics of your institution to potential students.

In addition to these key areas, a design agency can also help you with other aspects of your Branding such as creating a Brand Guide, developing a Brand voice, and creating a Brand that is consistent across all platforms and touch points. A design agency can also help you create a Brand that resonates with your target audience, by conducting research and testing to ensure that your branding is effective and appealing to potential students.

In conclusion, it's important to regularly review and update your Branding as a college or university to ensure that it's effectively communicating the value and unique characteristics of your institution, and attracting potential students who are a good fit for your school. A design agency can help you with this process by conducting a thorough branding audit, identifying problem areas, and developing a comprehensive Branding strategy that addresses those issues and aligns with your mission and values.

Are interested in knowing how we can help your university be "the choice"?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

January 19, 2023

Overcoming the Biggest Pain Points of Marketing for Businesses

Marketing is essential for any business looking to attract and retain customers, increase brand awareness, and drive sales. However, with so many marketing channels and strategies to choose from, it can be overwhelming for businesses to know where to focus their efforts. In this blog post, we'll discuss the biggest pain points of marketing for businesses and how to overcome them.

One of the biggest pain points for businesses when it comes to marketing is determining which marketing channels and strategies will be most effective for reaching their target audience and achieving their goals. With so many options available, such as social media, email marketing, search engine optimization, and content marketing, it can be challenging for businesses to know where to focus their efforts and budget. The key to overcoming this pain point is to conduct research and understand your target audience and their behavior. Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience, you can then choose the channels and strategies that will be most effective for reaching them.

Another pain point for businesses is creating and executing a consistent and cohesive brand message across all marketing channels. This can be challenging for businesses, especially those without an in-house marketing team or agency. To overcome this pain point, it's essential to create a brand style guide that outlines the tone of voice, messaging, and visual elements of your brand. This will ensure that all marketing efforts are consistent and cohesive, helping to build trust and credibility with your target audience.

Additionally, tracking and measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns is also a pain point for many businesses. Without the right tools and metrics, it can be difficult to know if the efforts are working or not, making it hard to adjust or optimize the strategy. The solution for this is to invest in marketing analytics tools that allow you to track and measure your campaigns. This will give you the insights you need to make data-driven decisions about your marketing strategy.

Lastly, staying up to date with the latest marketing trends and technologies can be a pain point for some businesses. The marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and businesses need to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies to stay relevant and effective in their industry. To overcome this pain point, it's essential to stay informed about the latest marketing trends and technologies. This can be done by reading industry publications, attending marketing conferences, and following thought leaders in the industry.

In conclusion, marketing is essential for any business looking to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. RocketDog's understanding of these pain points of your business and how to overcome them, we can create a marketing strategy that is tailored to your target audience and goals, and achieve success.

Are interested in knowing how we can help relieve some of the pain of marketing?  Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

January 12, 2023

When is it Time to Refresh Your Brand?

As a creative agency, one of the most common questions we get asked is "when is it time to refresh a brand?" It's a question that doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on a variety of factors. In this post, we'll explore the key considerations for refreshing a brand from a creative agency's perspective.

Signs that it's time to refresh your brand

There are a few key signs that it's time to refresh your brand:

  1. Your Brand is no longer aligned with your business: As your business grows and evolves, your brand should reflect those changes. If your brand no longer aligns with your mission, values, or target audience, it's time to consider a refresh.
  2. Your Brand is no longer resonating with your audience: If you're not seeing the engagement or results you want from your brand, it may be time to reconsider your messaging and visual elements. A brand refresh can help you connect with your audience in a more meaningful way.
  3. Your Brand looks dated: Just like fashion trends, branding trends come and go. If your brand looks dated or out of style, it may be time to give it a fresh update.
  4. You're launching a new product or service: If you're launching a new product or service, it's a good opportunity to consider a brand refresh. This can help you align your new offering with your overall brand and ensure a consistent experience for your customers.
  5. You're entering a new market: Expanding into a new market is a great time to consider a brand refresh. This can help you tailor your messaging and visual elements to better resonate with your new audience.

How to refresh your brand

Refreshing your brand doesn't have to be a daunting process. Here are a few key steps to take:

  1. Define your Brand: Start by revisiting your brand foundation - your mission, values, and target audience. What has changed since you first established your brand? What do you want your brand to represent now?
  2. Conduct market research: It's important to understand how your brand is perceived by your audience and the market. Consider conducting market research, such as surveys or focus groups, to gather insights and feedback.
  3. Evaluate your current Branding: Take a good look at your current branding elements, such as your logo, color scheme, and messaging. Are they still relevant and effective? What changes do you want to make?
  4. Create a Brand refresh plan: Once you have a clear understanding of your brand and what changes you want to make, it's time to create a plan to bring it to life. This should include everything from your visual elements to your messaging and tone of voice.
  5. Update your Branding elements: Once you have a plan in place, it's time to start updating your branding elements. This can include creating a new logo, updating your color scheme, and revising your messaging.
  6. Communicate the refresh to your audience: It's important to communicate the refresh to your audience and stakeholders. This can help ensure a smooth transition and build excitement around your new brand.
  7. Monitor and adapt: As with any branding effort, it's important to monitor and adapt. Keep an eye on how your refreshed brand is being received and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it's effectively communicating your value proposition and resonating with your audience.

In conclusion, refreshing your brand can be a valuable investment in the long-term success of your business. By regularly evaluating your Brand and making updates as needed, you can ensure that it stays relevant and effective in the ever-changing landscape of your industry. Don't be afraid to shake things up and try new things - a fresh Brand can bring new energy and opportunities to your business.

Are interested in knowing more about we build successful Brands for our clients? Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

January 9, 2023

The Importance of UI/UX in Product Design

When it comes to creating a successful product, the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are crucial components to consider. These elements play a major role in how people interact with your product and can have a big impact on its success. In this post, we'll explore the importance of UI/UX in product design and how it can benefit your business.

What is UI/UX design?

UI design refers to the visual elements of a product, such as its layout, color scheme, and font choices. It's about creating a visually appealing and intuitive interface for users.

UX design, on the other hand, is about the overall experience that people have when using a product. It's about making the product easy to use, enjoyable, and satisfying.

Together, UI and UX design work to create a cohesive and seamless experience for users.

Why is UI/UX important?

UI/UX is important for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:

  1. Improved user engagement: A well-designed UI/UX can improve user engagement with your product. If people find it easy to use and enjoyable, they are more likely to spend more time using it.
  2. Increased conversions: A great user experience can increase conversions, whether it's through increased sales or sign-ups for a service. If people find your product easy to use and valuable, they are more likely to take the desired action.
  3. Improved customer satisfaction: A great UI/UX can improve customer satisfaction and lead to positive word-of-mouth marketing. If people have a positive experience with your product, they are more likely to recommend it to others.
  4. Competitive advantage: A strong UI/UX can give you a competitive advantage in your market. If your product is easy to use and provides a great experience, it can differentiate you from the competition.

How do you design a great UI/UX?

Designing a great UI/UX requires a thorough and iterative process. Here are a few key steps to take:

  1. Define your user needs: Start by understanding your target audience and their needs and behaviors. What are they trying to achieve when using your product? How can you make their experience better?
  2. Conduct user research: User research is an essential part of the UI/UX design process. This can include user interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather insights and feedback.
  3. Create wireframes and prototypes: Once you have a clear understanding of your users, it's time to start creating wireframes and prototypes of your product. This can help you visualize the layout and functionality of your product and make iterative improvements.
  4. Test and iterate: Testing and iteration are crucial for ensuring a great UI/UX. Make sure to test your product with a variety of users and gather feedback to make iterative improvements.
  5. Implement your design: Once you have a solid UI/UX design, it's time to start implementing it in your product. This can include designing visual elements such as the layout and color scheme, as well as integrating functionality and features.
  6. Monitor and adapt: Your UI/UX design should be an ongoing process. Make sure to monitor how your product is being used and gather feedback to make ongoing improvements.

In conclusion, UI/UX design is an essential aspect of creating a successful product. It's about creating a cohesive and seamless experience for users that meets their needs and improves their engagement with

Are interested in knowing more about we use UI/UX to build great experiences for our clients? Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

January 2, 2023

Importance of Branding for Your Business

Branding is an essential aspect of any business, big or small. It's more than just your logo and color scheme - it's the overall perception that people have of your company. A strong Brand can differentiate you from the competition, attract high-quality customers, and even command a higher price for your products or services. In this post, we'll explore the importance of Branding and how it can benefit your business. (See our Case Study for Comprehensive Wealth to see how we evolved a trusted Brand)

What is Branding?

At its core, Branding is about creating a unique identity for your business. It's about defining what sets you apart from the competition and crafting a message that resonates with your target audience. Your Brand is the sum of all interactions that people have with your business - from your Website to your customer service to your social media presence. It's about creating a consistent and cohesive image that reflects your values and mission.

Why is Branding important?

Branding is important for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few:

  1. Differentiation: In a crowded market, it's important to stand out from the competition. A strong Brand can help you differentiate yourself and make it clear to potential customers what makes you unique.
  2. Trust and credibility: A consistent and professional Brand can help build trust and credibility with your audience. People are more likely to do business with companies that they perceive as trustworthy and reliable.
  3. Customer loyalty: A strong Brand can foster customer loyalty. If people have a positive experience with your Brand, they are more likely to become repeat customers and even recommend your products or services to others.
  4. Value: A well-established Brand can command a higher price for its products or services. People are often willing to pay more for a brand that they trust and perceive as high quality.

How do you create a strong Brand?

Creating a strong Brand requires careful planning and a consistent approach. Here are a few key steps to take:

  1. Define your Brand: Start by identifying your target audience and your unique selling proposition (USP). What sets you apart from the competition? What are your core values and mission?
  2. Develop a Brand strategy: Once you have a clear understanding of your Brand, it's time to create a plan to bring it to life. This should include everything from your logo and color scheme to your messaging and tone of voice.
  3. Implement your Brand: Once you have a solid Brand strategy in place, it's time to start implementing it across all channels. This includes your Bebsite, social media profiles, marketing materials, and customer interactions.
  4. Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to Branding. Make sure that all of your branding elements - from your logo to your messaging - are consistent across all channels.
  5. Monitor and adapt: Your Brand should be an ongoing process. Keep an eye on how your brand is perceived by your audience and be willing to make adjustments as needed.

In conclusion, Branding is an essential aspect of any business. It's about creating a unique and consistent identity that resonates with your target audience and sets you apart from the competition. By investing in a strong Brand, you can build trust, credibility, and customer loyalty - all of which can drive business growth and success.

Are interested in knowing more about we help build successful Brands? Drop us a line! Our team is looking forward to working with you.

August 10, 2022

Which Social Media Platforms are Best for Your Brand?

As a brand, it is important to ensure that your marketing strategy is effectively reaching your target audience. Your customers may love Facebook, but does your brand? At the same time, you might find that Twitter works well for your business, but TikTok doesn’t make sense. When it comes to social media marketing strategy, it’s important to know which platforms are best aligned with your goals. Here are four ways to create a social strategy that makes sense for your brand.

Research your Target Audience

Before engaging on any social channels, it is important to conduct adequate market research. Researching your ideal consumer base is a vital step in planning your campaigns and determining which networks will be most successful. Social media outlets vary based on many factors, including user demographic. Because of this, it is important to take into consideration age, race, gender and location when choosing how to engage individuals. Based on the platform you utilize, you can customize content that is designed for different audience subsets. Before you spend any time developing a social strategy, make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the users that will be viewing your content.

As an overview, here are the current trends in social media according to Sprout Social:

  • Facebook: 2.9 billion users, primarily between the ages of 25-34 (31.5%)
  • Twitter: 211 million users, primarily between the ages of 18-29 (42%)
  • Linkedin: 810 million users, primarily between the ages of 25-34 (58.4%)
  • Instagram: 2 billion users, between the ages of 25-34 (31.2%) and 18-24 (31%)
  • TikTok: 1 billion users, primarily between the ages of 10-19 (25%)
  • Youtube: 2 billion users, highest reach with users between 15-35

Create a Comprehensive Social Media Strategy

Once you understand where your audience is, it is time to make a content plan. This involves deciding which social media platforms you will be using, what your brand’s voice will be on each one, and then constructing a set of tactics that can help you reach your goals. This strategy will combine the use of graphics, images, videos, content, and creative copy that will attract users. 

When developing this plan of action, make sure that you are creating focused efforts. Rather than trying to do a little bit on every platform, invest more time and resources on the channels that are most suitable for you. During this strategic period, it is important to identify the individuals that will be responsible for execution. When it comes to social, consistency is key. Having key individuals who are skilled at optimization is vital for this strategy. If you have a lean team and are not able to dedicate enough time to social media, consider hiring a third-party agency that can embody the brand voice and maintain your online community. 

Understand What Competitors Are Doing On Each Platform

Check out what your competitors have been posting on social media. In particular, pay special attention to the platforms that you are looking to focus your efforts on. As you push out content, it is important that it is both unique and engaging. When your content is engaging, you will drive impressions among your audience. Your content needs to contain information that is worth talking about. No matter what approach you take, it is important that the information that you share is on brand and relevant at all times. Based on the nature of your business, there are many different tones that you can adopt. For example, some brands choose to post humorous and unexpected content that is used to spark conversation and develop a positive association with users. Other brands like to provide more formal and educational information that is used to educate their audience. If your audience is not talking about your content, you’re doing something wrong. 

Although it is important not to copy the work of your competitors, it is good to have a pulse on the type of content they are producing. Having an understanding of the strategy of your competitors will help ensure that the posts you create are unique and relevant. 

Create Unique Content Based on the Audience On Each Platform

It is important that you are customizing your content with a specific audience in mind. For this reason, many brands create customer personas that help them direct their language towards a specific customer demographic. Whatever your social platform of choice, you'll want to be targeting consumers who are most likely to purchase your products. For example, teenagers don't tend to visit Facebook as often as they do TikTok; they're also more likely to follow brands on Snapchat. If you want to focus on this audience, it is important to develop content that is designed to appeal to younger people. On the other hand, when you're targeting an older audience, LinkedIn is often a better bet than Twitter. Once you know what platform(s) will best fit your brand's needs, you can customize each campaign to hit home with your audience. Although it requires extra effort to create customized campaigns, your impressions and engagements will increase with this method.

Overview

It can be overwhelming to keep up with social media marketing: there is a seemingly endless list of platforms and it can be difficult to know which ones are best for your brand. According to a recent study, it takes brands on average 20 hours per week to manage their social media accounts. 

These difficulties may cause brands to stick with what they know or opt out of social media entirely. To create a successful strategy, it is important that you have a sound understanding of your brand’s unique value proposition, target audience, and desired results. If you are struggling to maintain social platforms with your in-house marketing team, consider using a digital agency that is skilled at optimizing results from both paid and organic ads.

August 10, 2022

5 Things All Businesses Should Know About Digital Advertising

Did you know that digital advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach your target audience? According to a study by Hubspot, digital advertising and SEO play a massive role in customer conversion. If you're not taking advantage of digital advertising, now is the time to start. Have you tried digital marketing before to no avail? Are you tired of reading long-form blog posts about what SEO actually is? In this blog post, we will discuss five things you need to know before you begin your next digital campaign. Keep reading to learn more!

1. What is digital advertising and how does it work?

Digital advertising is one of the most effective ways to reach customers. There are several advantages that make digital advertising more appealing than other more traditional advertising channels, such as TV, radio, transit, traditional magazines, and social media. 

Many businesses are struggling because the digital advertising environment is constantly changing. With so many brands looking to up the ante with their digital campaigns, it is hard to execute a project that excels. With things like SEO and keyword searches changing constantly, it is important that you have a team member or third party firm that knows exactly how to make your brand rise above the noise.

2. The different types of digital advertising

Online marketing takes many different shapes and forms. Here are some of the most commonly used techniques:

  • Display advertising: This type of advertising appears on Websites or apps, and usually takes the form of a banner ad. These banner ads are strategically placed before audiences that are likely to be interested based on terms they searched for or display networks that focus on behaviors.
  • Search engine marketing (SEM) - this type of advertising uses search engines to drive traffic to a company's Website by targeting a set of keywords. This type of marketing relies heavily on the algorithms of the specific engine being used. 
  • Social media marketing (SMM) - this type of advertising uses social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn and Twitter to reach target customers by creating targeted campaigns using key characteristics of the users. 
  • Email marketing - this type of advertising sends targeted emails to customers who have agreed to receive their communications.
  • Affiliate marketing - in affiliate marketing, companies pay others to promote their products or services alongside other brands.
  • Native advertising - this type of advertising is designed to look like editorial content and helps promote based on copy.

The audience you are trying to reach determines the channels that you need to invest time and resources into developing. For example, universities could recruit new students via TikTok and other social media platforms. However, a medical facility will likely have more luck with display advertising and email marketing. Knowing your audience ensures that you are investing in the right platforms and utilizing your resources effectively.

3. How to measure the success of your digital advertising campaigns

Developing a campaign is much more than creating stellar graphics and quality content. After researching the ways to ensure your media gets in front of the right audience, you have to measure if it is actually successful. This is where the help of a third party agency comes in. Data capture and success reports are often tedious to develop if you are new to the industry. Working with a third party digital agency not only ensures that your campaigns will be aligned from start to finish, it will help provide a baseline of reporting metrics that you can use to gauge successful campaigns in the future.

4. The benefits of using digital advertising

The benefits of digital advertising are truly incredible if a campaign is successfully executed. Not only does digital marketing allow you the opportunity to get in front of an extremely large number of potential customers, it makes your product extremely accessible. If someone sees your ad on their phone while scrolling, they should be able to immediately book a service or order one of your products! This real-time conversion can lead to immediate results and a higher return on your investment.

5. How to avoid common mistakes made in digital advertising

Does digital advertising sound too good to be true? Unfortunately, this type of marketing often is hard to execute well. If you have spent time trying to gain a better understanding of the space, you understand that there is no “one size fits all” approach to the digital environment. Because of this, it is more important than ever that you have a team of individuals that is committed to spreading your Brand to the right audience.

RocketDog is now conducting digital advertising campaigns that are yielding 20x - 40x the number of click-through-rates (CTR) compared with the industry average. Rather than “dabbling” in digital to see what works, invest in a plan that will pay off exponentially.

Summary

Embarking on a digital advertising campaign can be difficult and frustrating. With so many channels and nuances to the industry, it is hard to know where to begin. Thankfully, there are many skilled professionals that have the knowledge and savviness needed to help Brands excel in the digital space. If you are interested in learning more about how to make your next campaign more successful, contact RocketDog today!

May 11, 2022

A Comprehensive Guide To Creating and Executing a Successful Branding Strategy

Before developing marketing campaigns or investing in branding initiatives, it is important to have a brand alignment from the inside out. Internally, you must know the purpose that is at the core of your brand. You must understand what makes your business unique. From the outside, it is important to develop a concise message and branding strategy that clearly communicates the solution that you want to offer customers. 

Thankfully, there are many resources that can help businesses develop a strategy that works for them. In this article, we will share a comprehensive guide to develop a strategy that actually delivers results.

Step 1: Understand Your Brand

Before you begin working on your brand strategy, it is important to understand the purpose of your company and what your mission statement communicates. Understanding your core values will help you stay true to your goals while making sure that you are meeting the needs of your audience. Understanding your unique selling propositions will help you grow and expand by leaning into the differentiators that set you apart from the competition.

At the core, a brand is the promise you make to your customers. This includes the name, symbol, design, and content that identifies your goods and services as distinct from those of other sellers. The key elements that make up a brand include brand name, logo design, tagline or catchphrase, product packaging, visual identity system, and voice in advertising. By creating a brand that is aligned on every channel, you can better communicate with your audience.

2. Determine Your Priorities

As you begin outlining a branding strategy, it is critical that you identify your company priorities. What is the most important factor that contributes to your growth and development? What are you trying to accomplish with your branding strategy?

These are the questions that you need to answer before executing a plan. Once you know what you want, it will be easier for you to develop a plan that leads to success. This is important because it allows you to allocate resources to the right places. For example, if you need to expand your brand across multiple states, you can determine where you can reduce and increase ad spend in order to reach the most relevant audience.

3. Create The Ideal Customer Persona

An ideal customer persona is a fictional representation of your target customer. Having this fictional character in mind helps marketers and business owners develop a message that effectively speaks to the audience.

The process of creating an ideal customer persona starts by asking some questions: What are the needs, interests, motivations, and goals of your target customer? What are their demographics? Where do they live? What are their values? Who do they trust? How much money do they make?

The answers to these questions can give you insights into what type of messaging will most effectively capture the attention of your customer.

4. Accentuate Your Unique Value Proposition 

There are many ways that businesses can establish a unique value proposition. You may create innovative products, offer customizable services, or develop products that are more effective than competitors. However, the most effective way to differentiate yourself from your competition is by finding and emphasizing your unique values.

Your uniqueness might come from the quality of your products or services. It might come from the quality of customer service that you provide. Whatever it is, you should make sure that you are putting it on display so that customers know exactly what sets you apart from other businesses in your industry. By accentuating this unique service or product, you can help customers begin to see why they need to choose you over your competitors.

5. Streamline Your Messaging

In order to effectively communicate, you must have a clear understanding of your brand and messaging. This is a process that can be difficult to do on your own. In order to ensure that there is a cohesive voice and tone for your brand, there must be an understanding of your goals from every member of the department.

There are many tools out there that can help streamline this part of the branding process for both small and large companies alike. In addition, there are many third party agencies, like RocketDog, that can help identify gaps in communication. 

6. Make Sure Your Brand Guidelines Accurately Represent You

After the fundamentals are established, a playbook of brand guidelines are the next step in developing an overarching strategy. These guidelines should include how to use your logo and assets, the details of your standard color scheme, your messaging strategy, and the mood of your imagery.

The guidelines should be clear and concise, outlining what you want to represent and how you want to present it. These guidelines should include the tone and voice of the company, as well as any other design elements that might need to be included, such as colors, fonts, imagery, etc.

These guidelines help you target your ideal audience and identify what channels you want to use for marketing purposes. These guidelines will act as a framework and outline for all initiatives that you engage in.

Conclusion

A brand strategy is much more than just logos and colors, it is the way you communicate your value to customers. By spending time developing the mission, vision, and core values of your brand, you will be better able to streamline your messaging and communicate your values to customers. If it is difficult to align both internally and externally, consider working with a third party marketing agency that can help identify gaps in messaging and streamline the proposed strategy.

RocketDog Communications

1700 Westlake Ave N. #200

Seattle WA 98109

©2022 RocketDog Communications, Inc.

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