We’re stronger together

Firstly I trust you and your family stay safe and well. My thoughts are with you all as we all navigate through this new phase of business and beyond.

It’s business as usual here at JFM Creatives, and I would like you to know if we’re currently working on a project for you, this will continue on as normal. 

We’re here to fully support you through these times, helping you to update and communicate with your clients and network in the form most appropriate for you.  As the dust starts to settle and some staff is working from home, you might be thinking about what can do now. 

Not sure what you could be doing right now? Here are a few ideas to get you started;

  • Update your website home and contact page to confirm your current business operational status, hours, points of contact, service expectations etc
  • Create a client or network newsletter or set up Mailchimp so you can communicate as and when required to your clients.  An email group can be great too
  • Update social media graphics to reflect your current offer/brand building
  • Google place – check yours is updated with your current hours and points of contact
  • Social media channels – check contact details and about sections are up to date
  • Pin a post to the top of your Facebook page which features your latest update
  • Group chat with your team/clients/suppliers – so everyone’s informed and updated
  • If you can connect with clients virtually, book appointments online (Microsoft bookings, Timely, Acuity are all great) or connect with them via Skype or Zoom
  • Create a daily focus within your team, to keep everyone connected and engaged. Voxer is great for those who love talking, typing, sharing images…  something for every type of communicator
  • Create video tutorials on products and services or even a company update.  Loom is a fabulous platform
  • Database cleanse – what no one truly loves doing, but it allows you to easily and effectively communicate
  • Check answerphone messages are updated with the latest contact points and directions – including mobiles for staff who are on leave or working reduced hours, along with out of office replies
  • If you have on-line booking software for face to face meetings/appointments – check the status of these links
  • Lastly, there will be plenty more things to check-in with, as the days go by… 

What’s staying the same?

The business model at JFM Creatives is virtual and continues as normal. All my virtual team, have the resources and virtual software platforms to carry out any project like normal for you.  My team happens to be around the country – Sam (Christchurch), Teesha & Taryn (Wellington), Terry (Napier) are all safe, well, and ready to help and support you.

If you would like to update your website, communicate with your customers, or talk click my email link below and then we can quickly get your update or new project underway.  Email –   jo@jfm.co.nz.

What’s changing?

Maybe rather than meeting in person we can connect on a video Zoom call?  That’s about all that will be changing around how we might work together.

How will you and your teams maximise this time?

Already for some, this moment in time is creating superb focused planning space and for others project team brainstorming sessions are getting underway, to kick start those projects you know are so very important (for one client that’s an eCommerce store).  As the old adage goes, it’s not what you have, it’s what you do with what you have, that counts… 

Stay safe, keep well and be kind.  Kia Kaha.

Jo x

Mob: 027 292 5004

Click here to schedule a time to connect on Zoom over the next few days and weeks ahead. Even just to chat and have a laugh!

P.S.

(At the close of day 1 yesterday, my son Ryan had created the first pillow mountain, and indoor “camp out” as he calls it).  I think Terry summed it up the best… “It’s like sheltering for a cyclone, except the mess is all indoors!”. 

New brand launch – Papawai Farms

“Jo and the team at JFM were amazing to deal with and are very professional.  Having never done anything like this before, they made the process so easy.

It didn’t matter that we farm in the North Island, they took the time to ask questions to get know us, our family and the business. With emails, skype, and telephone conversations, these were made to look like it was no hassle for the team.

The ideas they came up with were very exciting for us.  JFM took us to another level and we are getting many positive comments. They got us excited about promoting our business.”

Helen Ellis – Papawai Farms

We were honored to have crafted a fresh brand identity for Papawai Farms, a fabulous award-winning family farming operation in the sunny Central Hawke’s Bay.

It was a true pleasure to work alongside Helen and her family to craft a unique hand-drawn icon representative of their family farming values and a range and supporting marketing tools such as business cards and apparel illustrations. We love getting to know and understand the leaders behind businesses and crafting memorable logos and brands which set them apart today and into the future. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out about how to brand or rebrand their business, feel free to book here https://buff.ly/2MZpIDm and arrange a complimentary 20-minute insight session today.

Growth & innovation

Mainland Minerals, one of our long term clients is always focused on adding value to their farming clients. Recently we were tasked with crafting a print and electronic promotional flyer their sales team could utilise to promote one of the latest product innovations.

Having come from a farming family, Jo McCloy, JFM’s creative director brings to the table agribusiness farming insight that can help present products and services in a manner farmers respond to. If you would like some help with marketing to the rural sector, feel free to book a call with Jo here https://buff.ly/2MZpIDm and arrange a complimentary 20-minute insight session

Who’s Dolly?

Our clients Alliance know that brand building takes time and after 70 years, they’re experts at playing the long game. They know that connecting with generations of families is important for keeping their business sustainable.

For the kids, they’ve created a cute wee character called Dolly the sheep. Inspired by Where’s Wally? we helped them create Where’s Dolly? Along with a high quality activity book that children and families can bond over and cherish together.

As always, we also got a real kick out of helping Alliance design a range of elements for their stand at the New Zealand Agricultural Show. We helped them execute high impact mesh banners, wall banners and client invitations and more.

We love our clients and helping them bring their ideas to life!

4 Easy Steps to Facebook Engagement

How would you like to create Facebook posts that make your audience smile, nod, and take action?

When creating posts for social media, try to remember the AIDA acronym. This stands for Attention, Interest, Desire and Action.

Attention
Grab people’s attention with a catchy headline, cheeky statement or question.

Interest
Get them interested by telling them a wee yarn that relates to them or highlights a problem they may have. Entertain, inform, inspire.

Desire
Increase their desire by showing them that you can solve their problem, or highlighting benefits. You could provide them with an influential thought.

Action
Finally use a call to action. Now that you have called them up and given the reader some value – you can ask them to return the favour by taking part! Ask them to join in, share a thought, welcome someone, direct message or shoutout to a friend.

Christmas cards personalised to your company

Christmas cards are a simple, effective way to pass on your good wishes for the upcoming festive season and to highlight your opening hours over the festive season. We can offer packs with the following prices (includes printing, envelopes and personalised design, prices are GST exclusive):

  • DL folding, outside colour, inside black and white: 50 ($285), 100 ($302),
  • 250 ($360), 350 ($400), 500 ($456)
  • DL folding, double sided colour: 50 ($293), 100 ($318), 250 ($396), 350
  • ($450), 500 ($542)
  • A5 to A6 folding, outside colour, inside black and white: 50 ($282), 100
  • ($298), 250 ($344), 350 ($380), 500 ($430)
  • A5 to A6 folding, double sided colour: 50 ($287), 100 ($304), 250 ($371),
  • 350 ($419), 500 ($521)

If you would like to order Christmas cards, please get in touch ASAP so we can get these printed in time for you. Christmas cards can also be personalized with your client names, and envelopes printed with addresses.

Matt Smith Construction

Matt Smith Construction is a relatively new business in the Ashburton area. With a number of established construction competitors also using the first name in their brand name, there was a need to craft a visual identity, which was fresh, memorable and punchy.

Considered thought was given to the colour palette and development of the icon to make sure it was eye-catching, memorable and unique. Red was chosen, as it is a highly visible colour that is able to gain attention quickly, allowing all signage to be visible and stand out from the rest. Red is often associated with leadership, strength, action and energy which are all traits of Matt Smith Construction.

Matt Smith also wanted the brand to give a sense of the company’s values, which include professionalism, high quality workmanship and a small team focus. The collateral that was crafted included the design of business cards, design of a services site sign and vehicle signage. The website domain name and email address were also secured.

At JFM Marketing + Design, we love being involved with setting up the brand identity and collateral for a new business. If you would like to discuss a new brand identity and logo for your business, give us a call.

I’m heading on maternity leave

The past 12 months have been an absolute whirlwind for my husband and I. Not only have we emigrated from Australia and bought a new house in Ashburton, our first baby is also on the way.

New Zealand really has been full of magic and happiness for us, and we are absolutely delighted to be welcoming our new addition early next year. My kiwi husband has already bought an All Black’s onesie whilst my family is threatening to send over a Wallaby’s onesie. I’m not sure it’ll get worn if it does make it over (maybe when he’s at work).

I will be heading off on maternity leave in mid January during our holiday shut down period and will return in January 2019. I have really enjoyed getting to know all of JFM’s lovely clients and know that my replacement will feel the same. Recruitment will occur shortly and you’ll receive an introduction to the new recruit via our JFM newsletter. If I don’t see you before I go, I wish you and your family a fantastic 2018!

Dance into the new year with this vivacious and appealing reddish orange

Tangerine Tango – Pantone 17-1463

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”  Over the past several years, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike.

Introducing our new Facebook Advertising workshop

It is always challenging for business owners to know how to promote their business products and services. Facebook Advertising is an easy medium for business owners to use that can reach a large number of people quickly and best of all, with a detailed and measurable approach.   JFM Marketing + Design is pleased to launch our second social media workshop in August called Facebook Advertising workshop.

This course covers a variety of subjects including:

  • Setting Up Ads Manager
  • Campaign Objectives
  • Choosing A Target Audience
  • Creating A New Advert
  • Calls To Action
  • Difference Between Boosted Posts and Advertising
  • Factors of Successful Ad Campaigns
  • Budgeting
  • Terminology
  • Statistics And Insights

We will be running this workshop in two locations, Ashburton and Timaru. The Ashburton session will be held from 9am – 12pm on the 16th of August in the Rakaia Room at Community House, 44 Cass St Ashburton 7700. The Timaru session will be held from 9am – 12pm on the 17th of August at the Comfort Hotel Benvenue conference room, 16/22 Evans St, Maori Hill, Timaru.

If you would like to find out more, please read our Facebook Advertising web page. If you would like to secure your place on this course, which is already proving very popular, please head to our booking page.