class="tag"Posts Tagged ‘business sign’
No Comments Ways To Make Business Signs Part Of Your Marketing Mix In The New Year
Managing Modern Marketing
With the New Year just around the corner, now is the time to decide how your business will move forward in the coming year. Many business are finding it difficult to maneuver their way through a modern marketing plan and are looking for ways to update their marketing and advertising campaigns. We want to ensure your branding is at the forefront of your marketing mix, so we have put together a plan that is simple to incorporate and meant to elevate your business.
A Business Sign Is Your Best Branding Tool
An outdoor business sign is a 24 hour advertisement for your business. Make sure it represents what your company stands for and properly brands your establishment. It is best when choosing your business sign to select something that is highly visible. This mean it can be seen by both vehicle traffic and those passing by. You also want it to be memorable and create buzz around your business.
Is It Instagram Worthy?
Will it make it to IG? Did it get liked and shared on facebook? How many times was it re-pinned? Did they RT it? When it comes to modern marketing, nothing has changed the game the way social media has. It is important that your signage makes to masses, as many people spend a good part of their day on at least one social network. It is a way to get your messaging across many platforms to connect with both current and potential clients.
Your Influencers Can Be Found In Your Client List
Influence marketing is one of the best ways to keep your business current and on trend. All it takes is the right people talking to your target audience to create online buzz and potentially media attention. Often the influencers you need are already on your client list. Be sure to engage with your customers online by sharing their content and quite often they will reciprocate by sharing yours as well. They may even talk about your services and products online and refer others to you. This is a great way to get your brand in front of their audience and bring your business to those who may be unaware of it.
These are just a few ways that your business sign can used in a modern marketing mix. If you have other ideas or insights, please let us know by leaving a comment below.
The Importance Of Custom Signs – Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week Information
Mid November means the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week. This is a week for entrepreneurs world wide to celebrate their accomplishments and tackle new goals. It is also a time for governments to look how to assist businesses from a political point of view. Here at Sign Depot we recognize Global Entrepreneurship Week as a time for companies to look towards the new year and see how their custom signs can be refreshed to increase brand awareness and push sales.
How Custom Signs Assist Entrepreneurs
Whether you are a startup, an expanding business, a family run business or a business to business company, the right kind of custom signs can elevate your company in the marketplace. Below are a few examples of businesses that use custom signs as part of their marketing strategy.
Supporting Startups With Custom Signs
Thamlic Labs is a great example of a company that began as a startup in the Communitech Tannery building an has gone from tech startup to an Internet of Things business.
Another way we custom signs have been used is by startup incubators such as Velocity. They have changed their branding as their involvement with startups changes.
Custom Signs For An Ever Expanding Business
If you are a fan of Dragon’s Den then you will recognize Balzac’s Coffee Roasters as one of their ongoing success stories. As they continue to open locations their custom signs reflect the surrounding area of each location.
Finding A Way For Family Run Business To Stand Out From The Surroundings
Robin’s Goldsmithing is a locally run family business that is known well in the community. To make their customers aware of a location change they used a mix of temporary and permanent custom signs to ensure they kept their current clientele and attract new customers to their establishment.
Help Build Your Business To Business Company With Custom Signs
Some businesses are not retail based, but rather business to business based otherwise known as B2B. Little Mushroom Catering was known to many in Southern Ontario as the go to catering company for their business. Their focus on B2B, brand recognition and word of mouth referral has since brought them into the wedding catering space as well. This opens a brand new sector of clientele to their company and thus and increase in sales.
Do you know an entrepreneur that uses custom signs as part of their sales and marketing strategy? We would like to learn more about them during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Let us know their story in the comments.
As always, feel free to CONTACT US for any custom signs you require.
What Consumers Think About Business Signs And Retail Signage
Your Business Sign Says A Lot About Your Company
A few years back FedEx Office asked American consumers about their thoughts on business signs and retail signage. The reason for the survey was to see how important signs are when making decisions on where to shop. The survey results revealed that almost 8 in 10 (76 percent) of American consumers enter a store they have never visited before based on its signage. It also went on to say nearly 7 in 10 (68 percent) have actually purchased a product or service because a sign caught their eye. These stats are eye opening to many business owners. In fact we have had our clients tell us that their sales increased significantly after they had the expert signmakers at The Sign Depot create new signage for their company. We even had a business owner tell us that after he purchased a sign from The Sign Depot that he received new business from people who thought they had just opened. They had no idea that his business had opened a year earlier.
Ensure Your Business Sign Makes An Impact
According to the survey mentioned above, over two thirds (68 percent) of consumers believe a store’s signage is reflective of the quality of products or services it provides. It also mentioned that poor signage or signs in need of repair deterred people from entering a business. Be sure that your exterior business signs make a positive impact on potential clients. You want to ensure your signage is highly visible at all times, as your sign is a 24 hour advertisment for your business.
Plenty Of Signs Might Equal Plenty Of Sales
If you’re a fan of The Big Bang Theory you will recognize the quote from Leonard’s Mother “If a little is good, more must be better.” Consumers also feel that way when it comes to signage. The FedEx survey mentioned that on average, consumers think a small business should have two or three signs around its storefront. In addition this, we also believe that interior retail signs, reception signs and wayfinding signage also assist potential clients with finding what they need in your establishment.
Is your business ready for an upgrade? Be sure to visit our CONTACT US page and we will be happy to send you a FREE QUOTE for new business signs and retail signage for your company.
Bringing Business Signs And Branding To The Forefront
Business Sign Strategy
Here at The Sign Depot we can carry out numerous tasks to help you get your business branding working for you. Your business sign and company wide signage stragey can show you as an industry leader and can propel you to the top!
See Four Of Our Sign Depot Videos All In One Spot
At times the options you have for business signs can be overwhelming so to give you some good starting spots, hover over the image below and click on the coloured arrows. Let our videos give you a basis of where you want to direct your attention when it comes to your business signs.
Whether you signs are for a small company or a large corporation, we have lots of options to fit your needs and budget.
We specialize in the following
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Retail And Point Of Sale Signs
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Reception Signs
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Exterior Building And Storefront Signs
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Restaurant Signs
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Parking Lot Signs
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Dimensional Sign Structures
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Architechtural Signs
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Wayfinding And Directional Signs
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Accessibility Signs
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Farm Signs
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Heritage Signs
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Window Decals
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Car Graphics
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LED lit signs
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Roadside Attraction Sign Structures
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Meeting Room Signs
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Cubicle Indicator Signs
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The type of signs you need
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The size required for the sign
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The budget you want to work with
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The logo, colours, text and graphics you want on it, or if you require it to be designed by The Sign Depot
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Whether you need The Sign Depot to install the sign, or if your company will be taking care of the installation
Business Sign Grants And Funds
Investing In Local Businesses
Many businesses are looking for economical ways to raise awareness of their company in hopes to increase profits. Mashable suggests that brick and motar businesses should act like startups when it comes to funding. That is one of the many approaches that businesses should look at when it comes to their finances. Another way is to look into grants and funds that the local area has to offer. Many City Halls and Business Improvement Associations offer Facade Grant Programs to revitalize areas in their communities.
Facade Grants And Funds
Many Facade Upgrade programs see business signage as a big part of improving storefronts and streetscapes. They will want to know that you are working with a professional sign maker before the approval process can begin.
Steps To Sign Up For A Business Sign Upgrade
There are several steps in acquiring approval for a Facade Grant. These are some starting points to find out how much your business qualifies for when it comes to funds and grants.
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Talk to an expert sign maker about what type of sign you will want to have placed on your storefront
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Let them know if they should request the sign permit or if you will be taking the task on yourself
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Contact the administrator of the grant/fund program to find out about any stipulations and/or timelines you need to meet
Although this may seem like a big task to undertake, a grant can take your business from this
to this
You can read more about this Business Sign Project on our post about giving Downtown Kitchener A Facelift
Below are list of 10 areas in Ontario that are offering Facade Upgrade Grants. If you think your company qualifies for a new business sign, be sure to Contact Us and we can help start the process!
Sign Depot Business Client Spotlight – Zenia Horton Of XTEA CO And Zen Design
Get To Know Zenia Horton
1. Zenia can you tell us a bit about businesses?
My name is Zenia Horton and I am the owner /operator a kitchen design business by the name of Zen Design.
Out of my love of design and relationships I founded a loose leaf tea company by the name of XTEA CO.
2. What makes your company unique from others in your industry?
What makes XTEA CO unique is that we only sell premium, artisan and trade tea. Premium means that we are committed to offering you the highest quality, outrageously flavourful tea that the world has to offer- a commitment to sourcing sustainable product first. Artisan means we are committed to our partners around the globe, their communities and the individual artisans who help us create unforgettable taste experiences- a commitment to giving you the freedom to create along side us. Trade means that we are committed to “better than fair trade” and sourcing with integrity, a commitment to fairness, equality, and looking out for the little guy. After all, we are a little guy too!3. How do people find out about your businesses?
People find out about XTEA CO mainly through referrals but we have an online store, www.xteaco.com a facebook page, and an YouTube video as well.4. Can you tell us a bit about being located in Downtown Kitchener?
XTEA CO is located downtown Kitchener in a space called THE UNDERGROUND. It is awesome location as you are part of a community that is constantly creating events and opportunities to be involved in. I also let others share the space with us as well.
5. Do you have one expert tip that you can share?
The one expert tip I would share is that tea does not need artificial seasonings or flavourings to taste amazing if it is good quality tea. Tea can fix anything from digestive problems, low energy, lack of focus, anxiety etc to name a few. My industry is growing very quickly. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. People, especially young people are starting to pay a lot more attention to what they are putting in their bodies. They are starting to understand the health benefits assocociated with tea. Last year, Starbucks dropped more than $600 million dollars to acquire 300 of the Teavana chain stores, 59 of them in Canada.
Damage Control – Where Menno S. Martin Contractor Ltd. Goes When They Need A New Custom Sign
Custom Signs Can Be A Hot Topic
It all began with a twitter conversation. After both The Sign Depot team and the Menno S. Martin Contractor Ltd. team attended the Sign Painter Film we had a lengthy twitter conversation about custom sign making. This turned into a meeting in our showroom and plans to manufacture their sign when the time came.
Mother Nature Works Wonders
The winter of 2014 was a memorable one. Ice storms, lots of snow and hazardous driving conditions. Unfortunately the mix of weather resulted in Menno S. Martin’s sign meeting with a vehicle.
@TheSignDepot looks like someone had it in for our old sign. Might need a new one sooner than we thought. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/AEPSwgJpWK
— Trent Bauman (@trentbauman) January 4, 2014
This pushed the timeline forward for their signage requirements. Shortly after this incident production began on a new custom wood sign.
Creating A Custom Wood Sign
The Menno S. Martin Contracting Limited custom sign began with cut rubber stencil for the raised letting and logo on the sandblasted wood sign. This process gives the sign dimension and shows off the natural wood grain.
After the sandblasting process the custom sign weas prepped for paint finishing. 
Once the custom wood sign was finished all they needed to do was wait for spring to arrive. When the spring thaw began their craftsman went to work on installing the new sign for the business.
Connect With Us
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, this sign custom sign was the result of an online conversation. Be sure to connect with us on our Facebook Page, Twitter Feed, Pinterest Account or leave a comment below. You never know where that conversation will take you!
Sign Depot Business Client Spotlight – The Bauer Kitchen’s Amandah Wood
Get To Know Amandah Wood
1. Amandah can you tell us about your role at The Bauer Kitchen?
As New Media Culturalist for the Charcoal Group, I manage The Bauer Kitchen’s online community through their Twitter account @thebauerkitchen and their Facebook page. In addition I was brought on to update the overall online presence of TBK, by developing a new website, that functions on every device and represents the TBK brand more effectively. The new site reflects TBK’s upbeat, soho image and allows guests to make reservations, browse food and drink menus and check out upcoming events. I love being able to interact with TBK’s guests online everyday, the restaurant has a vibrant community and loyal regulars which makes my job really rewarding.
2. What drew you to this role?
I was originally recommended to Jody Palubiski (Managing Partner of the Charcoal Group) and Cindy Perri (Brand Guardian) by a friend on Twitter who had been following the stuff I had been working on during my Bachelor’s degree. I reached out to Jody and Cindy and we discussed how my experience might make me the kind of person they were looking for. I was about to graduate from the New Media program at Ryerson University and was overjoyed at the possibility of working for a group that had been such a huge part of my life growing up in Kitchener-Waterloo region. Time and again the group has proved not only their excellence in service and food but they truly believe in supporting local, and hand crafting every possible element of the dining experience. They also embrace new technology and innovation and try to think outside of the box. I knew I would have no trouble representing a restaurant that aligned so perfectly with things I care so deeply about. This is what really drew me to the role.3. The restaurant industry has a lot of competition. What do you do to make sure that The Bauer Kitchen stands out?
The short answer to this is that the incredible team at TBK makes it easy. Conrad and his team are consistent when it comes to attention to detail, positivity, and passionate service. Chef Brian leads a culinary team as equally passionate in their craft and supporting the local food community surrounding them.
4. What do you think are some of the deciding factors that keep customers coming back to The Bauer Kitchen?
Consistency & passion. Business folks bring their clients for meetings because they know they’ll get the same great experience every time. Friends come back because they love the diverse selection of cocktails and the upbeat environment that makes it ideal for socializing. Wine lovers know they’ll always find something they like as our sommelier Jake keeps the extensive wine list ever changing and of course the delicious, delicious food. Together, this team exudes this passion that all of the Charcoal Group restaurants have, and that, is truly magnetic.
5. How do you attract new clientele to the establishment?
By always thinking two-steps ahead. We use technology to our advantage. the maegan™ platform is a good example of this by introducing new ways for a guest to use the restaurant experience. We are always asking ourselves “what’s next?”.We also love socializing events like Cinq a Sept, that reflect the casual and social nature of The Bauer Kitchen and the community surrounding it. Every Thursday between 5pm to 7pm we encourage people to join us around the bar for drinks and good conversation, we also provide complimentary appetizers that offer a sample of our menu. Teaming up with other local businesses is such a great way to build connections and introduce us to new markets. For example, using local suppliers like the Bauer Butcher and Caudle’s Catch on our menus, Promotional Elements for parts of our employee’s uniforms and retail program in the Bakery, Sign Depot for signage needs, local contractors for architectural elements, offer in restaurant promotion like our last one with Goliger’s travel, Centre in the Square and Spike Mobile for additional promotions, and supporting local arts and technology (ie. maegan and Communitech) in events. That’s just a few off the top of my head, there’s too many to mention but we are always interested in connections.Mostly we reach out into the community and leverage word of mouth via regular guests and those who have enjoyed their experiences in the past.
3 Dimensional Signs – How Street Signs Can Increase Business
Sometimes It’s Helpful To Throw A Wrench In Your Plans
Here on Borden Ave in Kitchener Ontario we get a lot of drive-by traffic. Finding ways to capture the attention of passers-by can prove to be difficult for some businesses. We often suggest that you walk across the street from your business and take a look at your building’s exterior. Do you think the company storefront will stand out to those passing by at 50 km/h?
When Integraflift moved into our neighbourhood last year, they encountered this problem and the solution involved throwing a wrench in their plans.
3 Dimensional Sign Displayed For All To See
The idea for the Integralift sign was to highlight all of the services they provide. Everything from forklift sales, to automobile repair. The signage package included two exterior business signs with the company’s contact information and the services they have. In addition to the exterior signs, a 3 Dimensional sign was added to the mix. Using High Density Urethane (a signfoam often referred to as HDU), the sign experts here at The Sign Depot created a oversized wrench. This scupltural projection sign was created to grab the attention of the passing traffic, and serve as a landmark sign for the business.
See More Images At The Bottom Of This Post
The Best Business Signs Make An Impact
When the project was completed and installed Dennis, the owner of Integralift, let us know that the new signs made quite an impact. He received new business from people who thought they had just opened and had no idea that Integralift had been there for a year already.
The View From Across The Street
Here at The Sign Depot we encourage our clients to think of their custom signs as an investment in their company. They are a 24 hour advertisment for your business and a display of what your company represents. These are things to think about when budgeting for your signage upgrades and branding designs.
Finding ways to show off your company’s assets through signage is something we excel at. For more information on how street signs can increase business awareness and 3 dimensional signs, be sure to visit our Contact Us Page or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
Sign Depot Business Client Spolight – Stephanie Tanner Of Little Mushroom Catering
Get To Know Stephanie Tanner
1. Steph can you tell us what made you decide to get into the catering business?
Since I was a young teen I was often in the kitchen cooking for my family. My first job outside of babysitting was at a local restaurant called La Costa. I started out as the hostess, then learned other positions in the restaurant including some fun shifts in the kitchen prepping meat, making salads, and plating desserts. I worked in restaurants all through highschool and both of my University degrees, on my road to becoming a high school teacher. When I moved back to town with my first child only a year old I wasn’t so sure that teaching was the right field for me. I started working in the restaurant in the Centre in the Square and quickly moved up to having more responsibilities there, including managing our off-site catering functions. I had worked in catering businesses before and loved going into people’s homes for cocktail parties, or setting up party stations at larger events. When the restaurant eventually closed, I was left with a decision to make. Did I go back to teaching? Did I start on the bottom rung at another local restaurant? Or did I create my own job? It was time for me to venture into business ownership doing what I love to do – making people happy with great food & friendly service.2. The catering industry has a lot of competition. What makes your company unique?
I have several food sensitivities including nuts and shellfish. Many people have called me out as the pickiest cook they know because I can’t stand mushrooms (Ironic, I know!) and would never order a steak. At Little Mushroom we take allergies, food sensitivities and even “particularness” into consideration when planning menus to make sure that there is something for everyone at the event. We also offer full-service catering for everything from breakfast meetings to business lunches, cocktail events to wedding receptions and even funerals. A lot of places in town just offer drop offs of sandwich platters but go beyond with our friendly knowledgeable staff and delicious local fare.
3. How do new clients find Little Mushroom Catering?
We are active on social media @CateringFungi on Twitter, you can connect with me on LinkedIn and you can Like us on Facebook. You can find all our menus on-line at www.littlemushroomcatering.ca or call us at 226-929-7927. We also have a consultation & tasting room at 32 Ontario Street if you’d like to pop in to say hello.
4. Can you tell us a bit about your new location?
I recently purchased Nom Nom Treats, a cookie company that puts your logo on edible swag for tradeshows, client appreciation events, or just to have out for people at the office. The bakery for Nom Nom is located in the back half of the storefront at 32 Ontario Street. I’m happy to now have office space and a place to meet with clients in the front half that isn’t surrounded by our fridges and stoves at our prep kitchen on Whitney Place.
5. Do you have one kitchen tip that you can share?
Here’s a tip for life that definitely translates to the kitchen: be aware of your surroundings – for safety actually in the kitchen, but also in regards to what is available locally.6. How do you see your role changing in the coming years?
I’ve recently been stepping away from the kitchen and leaving things in the capable hands of my full-time chefs & baker. Instead my focus is on client relations and experience. I have a wonderful new business development coordinator and an event coordinator who also help keep the train on the track for me so I can focus on the tasks of a business owner & ensuring my clients have the best experience possible.
