I am a news addict, so I pretty much read everything going on, every place that I can. You might think I’m exaggerating, but I can assure you (and so can my husband), I’m not! When you write a blog and post every day, it is important to keep a steady stream of information coming in so that a steady stream can come out. Hopefully, it’s an informational stream. The New York Times Magazine this Sunday had a great article that I thought I’d share with y’all (as we say in the South). It is super for those of you who are trying to decide how to allocate your marketing budgets during lean times. My eyes almost fell out of my head when I saw the article. I was searching for some Monday blogging inspiration, and there it was!

Keep Your Logo Out Front, says New York Times

The introduction to Sunday’s article The Brand-ness of Strangers says “Some major brands may be pondering a cutback on advertising in this shaky economy, but there is one form of marketing that will soldier on: people walking around wearing logos.” The article highlights a study done by Rosellina Ferraro, a marketing professor at the University of Maryland. The study told the participants that they were looking at “facial expressions.” After all participants had seen 20 photographs, they were divided into groups based on whether they had seen photographs with Dasani water bottles in the pictures. All participants were then given a choice of four different brands of bottled water to choose. SECRET: The study was not, in fact, about facial expressions, but was about logo branding! In the study 40% of the people who had seen Dasani photographs chose the water, compared to the “control” group of people that had not seen photographs with Dasani water in the picture. Interesting. . .

The Election, Logos and Choices

I thought about all of this while the election was going on. I had read an article on Slate Magazine that gave advice to people about the most effective things to do in terms of influencing friends and neighbors re: the
election. On the bottom of the list: Campaign signs in yards. I always thought that was probably not true because I feel strongly that name, logo and brand recognition play a big part in people’s choices. I know that when I open the phone book to look for an electrician, if I have heard a friend or co-worker talking about a particular company, or they have a fridge magnet for a company, I am more likely to call that company. I don’t necessarily know more about that company, but the “quiet endorsement” of the fridge magnet does influence me. The New York Times article vindicated my views!

Logo Apparel: Perfect for Any Size Business

Ultra Fine Micro-Fleece Pullover

My friends tease me all of the time because I am constantly wearing my own logo out. I have jackets, fleeces, shirts, etc. The catch? I don’t have a brick and mortar business. I am a freelance writer. However, I do have a lot of people ask me about what I do when I wear my logo out. If you’re a professional, well, anything really, it is worth your while to invest in some logo apparel. Wear it yourself, give it as gifts to friends, give it as gifts to clients. The power of logo persuasion is not all-encompassing, but it is fairly low cost, and surprisingly effective. Queensboro lets you order logo shirts, logo caps, logo bags and more, with low minimums and at great prices. If you haven’t branched out into logo merchandise for your business, it’s time!