Many businesses need a consistent image to become successful among their customers.  A creative ad keeps you attractive and stylish, regardless of who contacts you and why.  It is essentially a design.  It serves to represent your business’ purpose and it provides needed information for your client, but more importantly, it teases your potential customer with the possible value that doing business with you could have for them and covey a message that is unique to you to connect with your target audience.

Step 1

Write 3 qualities that represent your business.  Draw these qualities or represent them with relevant graphics.  Ask yourself what makes your business special and unique and be creative with design?

Step 2

If you have a business name, Create a logo.  Does it make sense?  Does it need color changes? If your logo needs clarification, think of an drawing or photo that helps tell a customer who you are and what you can do for them.

Step 3

Answer the following questions: Who would be your ideal customer?  Describe them well and identify what they are attracted to.  How do you appeal to this demographic and be different from your competitors?

Step 4

Pick a theme.  Think of a sign, symbol, or image that you enjoy which also represents your business.  Think of its meaning and significance.  Is this a positive image?  Aim for a logo-type of concept.  What visual ID can represent your theme?

Step 5

Putting it all together is simple.  Steps 1 through 4 require creative design in order to be useful, and they are an exercise that only gets better with repeated attempts.  Repeat Steps 1 – 4 two more times so that you have a total of 3 possible answers.

Step 6

Review the outcome of Step 6.  What consistent patterns do you see in your designs?  Pull the clearer and more unique concepts.  Get rid of cliché drafts.

Step 7

Design your ad and save the draft for personalization.  Include your business logo with name and tagline at the image display, almost as an introduction, using Step 2.  Connect with customers and relay your clear message and offer a need to engaging in business with you first and use designs that appeals to the type of person described in Step 3!   Keep it to 3 well-designed and comprehensive images. Explain your theme or logo in terms of how the people in Step 3 will make the items in Step 1 genuine for them in 2 sentences.

Step 8

Review.  Upload. Edit.  Repeat.  Show your creative ad to closer family and friends who will be more comfortable and judging your creativity.  Check for clarity.  Check for possible misunderstandings.  Review.  Upload. Edit.  Repeat.

Once you have created your creative ad, use it often.  Add value, promotions, and other key information as you go along your business advertising.  Send your creative ad within 24 hours of any type of contact from a potential network or customer.  Say the same thing to everyone with one well-designed graphics.  And of course, feel free to use your creative ad in snail mail, too.