The results are in! Wilmington Design Co. was recently recognized with four graphic design awards at the 60TH GDUSA DESIGN AWARDS. Over the last 60 years, Graphic Design USA has presented competitions that focus on areas of growth and opportunity for creative professionals. WDC’s team of talented designers and developers were recognized for their outstanding creative work across the logo design and web design Industry.

Carolina Pick-N-Pull, Neiman Market, South by Sean Brock, and Channel: Powered by Live Oak earned the 2023 awards, making this the eleventh year the prestigious Graphic Design USA group has recognized Wilmington Design Company. The Carolina Pick-N-Pull logo project’s main goal was to create a logo reflecting the company’s new multi-location presence and its commitment to providing quality auto parts at affordable prices. The new logo features a modern, geometric design reminiscent of the patches worn on uniforms from the auto industry.

For the Neiman Market project, the client tasked our team with designing a logo that encapsulated Patty and Erik Nieman’s vision while leaving a lasting impression. The logo needed to convey the feeling of a premium service that had a bold and established look. The market is also located at a former Gulf Oil station, so we took into consideration the signage that was currently in place when designing their new logo.

Working with Sean Brock and his team over the years has presented us with some of the coolest projects to date, including his newest endeavor South by Sean Brock. The objective of this project was to familiarize individuals with Chef Sean Brock’s innovative Insanely Delicious cornbread chips and offer consumers a convenient platform for purchasing them. We crafted a straightforward and visually appealing one-page website that effectively showcased the delectable new product.

Our partnership with Live Oak Bank has proven to be a catalyst for growth and innovation, providing us with many new opportunities. Notably, we seized the chance to expand Channel: Powered by Live Oak into a standalone website. The site serves as a showcase, spotlighting not only the impressive facility but also the services provided to entrepreneurs who have found support through Live Oak Bank.

Graphic Design USA has been honoring great design through its national competition for more than five decades. This year’s 60th annual design competition honored outstanding work of all kinds and the best designs of the year — in print, web, packaging, interactive, video, and more. A record 8,000+ entries across the US were submitted, and only 10 percent of entries were recognized.’

“It’s always humbling to be recognized by your design peers, especially at the national level. I was really excited to see that 4 of our projects were recognized this year”, said Bill Hunter president and founder of WDC. “We are thrilled to be included again this year among so many cutting-edge creative & digital marketing firms.

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It’s a familiar question, “How did you hear about us?” There is little doubt that you have been asked this question before, either online, in person, or both. The original purpose of the question was to help identify the effectiveness of a business’s marketing efforts by shedding light on the journey of its customers. However, in the digital age, where consumers encounter brands through diverse channels like social media, Google, and YouTube, recalling the exact point of first contact has become increasingly challenging.

We all know that human memory, while remarkable, is not always dependable. When faced with the question, customers might draw a blank or offer uncertain responses, creating gaps and inaccuracies. Relying solely on memory poses a risk as humans can only retain 10% of what they read, potentially distorting the understanding of customer journeys and hindering businesses’ ability to identify successful marketing strategies.

In today’s bustling digital landscape, consumers navigate a maze of brands vying for attention. Customers often encounter a product or service through multiple touchpoints before direct interaction, making it difficult to pinpoint the initial encounter accurately. For instance, a shopper might discover a women’s shoe brand through a Facebook ad, engage on social media, and ultimately make a purchase prompted by an email newsletter. While the newsletter served as the final push, her first exposure was the Facebook ad. When customers attempt to recall, they often mention just one instance, missing the broader picture.

Recognizing the limitations of the traditional question, businesses need to evolve their approach to analog customer feedback. Implementing modern strategies is essential to gaining better insights into how customers discover your product and services. Instead of relying solely on human memory, businesses can take advantage of powerful tracking tools like Google Analytics and social media insights. These tools provide real-time, data-driven insights into customer pathways, reducing inaccuracies and offering a better view of touchpoints. By incorporating modern tracking methods, businesses can fine-tune their marketing approaches, efficiently allocate resources, and amplify their overall impact.

Modifying the methods for gathering customer insights allows businesses to not only enhance marketing strategies but also foster a more satisfying experience for customers.

Ready to move beyond the limitations of traditional tactics and embrace innovative strategies? We’re here to guide you! Contact us to learn more.

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What truly sets Paid Media and Organic Media apart? This has become one of the most common questions our agency has answered over the years. It’s the question that has crossed the minds of countless business owners, marketers, and curious minds alike. So, we wrote this to compare and ultimately help you navigate the realms of Paid and Organic Media with confidence and clarity.

In the first few years of Facebook, if you followed a page or were friends with someone, the chances were pretty good that you would see their posts. As Facebook matured and more businesses began utilizing the platform to generate business, Facebook created a distinction between personal pages and business pages. A Facebook Business page represents a business or brand and showcases the services it provides. A personal page represents a singular social media user and is used to share updates about the user’s personal life and to connect with friends and family. With this distinction, there also came changes to Facebook’s algorithm.

Facebook also introduced the business ads platform and shifted the focus away from organic opportunities for businesses in favor of paid advertising.

As a result, Facebook updated its Algorithm starting in 2017, which reduced the organic reach of a post that you make on your business page to around 6% of your followers. For example, if your business page had 500 followers and you made a post (5% – 6%), around 30 people would see your post organically.

What does this mean for businesses?

Diminishing organic reach on Facebook forced business owners to consider opportunities for getting in front of potential customers on the platform. With the introduction of the business ads manager, Facebook offered businesses the ability to target specific audiences with ads and content. Business owners were forced to consider the value of the time and effort required to generate organic content compared to the cost/value of running ads.

The organic approach often operates at a more gradual pace when it comes to achieving business objectives. While it’s cost-free in theory, it demands a substantial investment of time, experimentation, and/or experience to yield positive results.

Organic Media: Building Sustainable Relationships

Organic media refers to the content you create and share on social media accounts. When you post organically, your content is shown to a limited percentage of your followers. This is because the platform’s algorithm determines what content is most relevant to users based on their interactions and preferences.

Benefits: Posting content keeps your followers engaged & up to date.
Best use cases: Announcing new products, services, sales, events, or special offers.
Not great for: Reaching new customers.

Organic activities remain a great way to build relationships and awareness with your existing followers. It has limitations for reaching new potential customers.

Paid Media: Amplifying Your Reach

Paid media involves running ads on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach a broader audience beyond your organic reach. For example, with Meta Business Suite, you have the ability to target specific audiences based on demographics, psychographics, and more through Facebook and Instagram ads. With paid ads, you can increase your visibility outside of those who already follow your page, drive traffic to your website, generate leads, and increase conversions.

Benefits: Reach potential customers who don’t know about your business, driven by data, effectively reach your target audience.
Best use cases: Raising awareness & introducing new products or services.
Not great for: Establishing relationships with current followers.

Paid social media strategy is great for reaching new clients, it requires a bigger financial commitment, and it comes with its own specialized expertise to manage.

Finding the Perfect Balance: Paid & Organic Media

To achieve the most impactful social and digital marketing strategy, it’s important to strike the right balance between paid media and organic media. Creating a strategy to keep your existing followers up to date with updates and offers, as well as allocating resources to run paid ads to reach new clients, is the best way to balance the social presence for your business.

Ready to dive deeper into the differences between paid and organic media and understand how they can impact your business? We’re here for you! Contact us today!

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Patty and Erik Nieman, a dynamic duo with a combined 70 years of experience in the retail grocery and banking industries, are bringing a breath of fresh air to downtown Whiteville, North Carolina. The Nieman Market is set to provide Whiteville and surrounding Columbus County with access to farmer-produced, high-quality meats, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.

Knowing the importance of proper branding for their new venture, Patty and Erik wanted to create a logo and supporting branding that would promote the ideals of their market and provide a memorable experience for customers. We were thrilled when they chose our team to help bring their vision to life.

Our team began the logo design process by meeting with Patty and Erik to gather as much information as possible about their new venture. Understanding their goals and target market, we created a vision board to help them make choices for overall fonts, colors, and imagery. This collaborative approach allowed us to create initial concepts that truly reflected the essence of Nieman Market.

After revising the concepts based on Patty and Erik’s feedback, we finally reached a design that encapsulated their vision and created a lasting impression. “Thank you all so much. I teared up and toasted the hubs with a glass of wine. He really loves the Monogram, as he wasn’t expecting that. So nice that little surprise for him.”

We worked closely together to finalize the logo design and introduce additional branding elements for their street signage and packaging.

Nieman Market is set to become a beacon of hope for the revitalization of downtown Whiteville. Housed in a beautifully restored 1921-era building, the market will partner with local businesses and farmers who share their values and mission. They are committed to offering customizable, made-to-order cuts per customer specification, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

With a focus on supporting the local economy and providing fresh, high-quality farm-to-plate products, the market will offer a wide variety of products, including fresh beef, pork, lamb, goat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables. Customers can also expect to find pre-cooked and cured beef and pork products, as well as various types of sausages.

As Nieman Market prepares to open its doors, Patty and Erik Nieman have already made an impact on the community by championing local farmers and businesses. With their passion, expertise, and now a powerful logo and branding to match, Nieman Market is destined to become a thriving hub in downtown Whiteville.

Stay tuned for more updates on Nieman Market as they embark on this exciting new journey. Together, let’s support Patty and Erik in their mission to revitalize the heart of Whiteville, North Carolina, and provide the community with access to the best farm-to-plate experience.

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This weekend the buzz is all about “Barbenheimer”, two seemingly unrelated films – Barbie and Oppenheimer – converging to dominate the box office on July 21st. This unexpected collision between the extravagant pink world of Barbie and the biopic of theoretical physicist Julius Robert Oppenheimer has set social media ablaze. Let’s take a closer look into the ingenious marketing strategy driving this explosive trend and what it teaches us about effective digital marketing.

What is “Barbenheimer”?

“Barbenheimer” emerged as a humorous meme when the release dates for “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” were announced, cleverly blending the two movie titles. This trend quickly spread across the globe, becoming a pop culture phenomenon, fueled by both strategic marketing efforts and the passionate support of fans on the internet. The significant contrast between the themes of these two films sparked the creation of entertaining memes and merchandise by their respective fandoms, resulting in organic fan-generated marketing that proved beneficial for both movies.

Embrace the Power of Social Media

“Barbenheimer” is a testament to the immense power of social media in today’s digital landscape. The clever combination of the two film titles resulted in a meme that spread like wildfire across various social media platforms. Brands and marketers can learn from this by understanding the significance of creating shareable content that resonates with the target audience. By tapping into the humor and creativity of memes, companies can organically promote their products or services, generating viral engagement that extends beyond traditional advertising methods.

Seize Opportunities in Unexpected Places

Barbenheimer’s journey revealed the immense potential of seizing opportunities in unexpected places. It emerged as a spontaneous response to the movie release dates, capturing the attention of the audience and quickly gaining traction. The actors and filmmakers of both movies have wholeheartedly embraced this popular double-feature concept. By encouraging their followers to watch both contrasting movies, the hype surrounding the “Barbenheimer” trend only amplified. Movie theaters have even gotten involved by offering package deals for fans to purchase tickets to both movies and experience them back-to-back on the same day.

By venturing into unexplored territories, brands can connect with new audiences and generate genuine interest, further strengthening their position in the market. Digital Marketers should remain agile and adaptable, ready to seize opportunities that present themselves and create engaging content in real-time to ride the wave of trending topics.

Embrace Niche Targeting

This phenomenon showcases the effectiveness of counterprogramming as a marketing strategy. Releasing two tonally different films on the same day catered to underrepresented groups, effectively targeting diverse sets of audiences. Digital marketers can learn from this by identifying niches within their target market and adopting a counterprogramming approach to stand out from competitors. Tailoring content and promotions to specific audience segments can create a deeper connection and drive higher conversion rates.

Encouraging User-Generated Content (UGC)

The outpouring of fan-made trailers and merchandise for “Barbenheimer” exemplifies the power of user-generated content. UGC is a potent tool for digital marketers as it builds a sense of community around a brand or product. Encouraging users to share their experiences, reviews, or creations related to a brand not only fosters a stronger relationship but also amplifies brand visibility through authentic testimonials.

The “Barbenheimer” trend has proven that in the digital era, creativity, authenticity, and a keen understanding of the audience’s preferences can truly make a marketing strategy stand out in the crowd. It serves as a valuable case study in the realm of digital marketing, showcasing the power of seizing opportunities, social media, niche targeting, and user-generated content. Digital marketers can embrace these things to craft more engaging and effective campaigns, sparking excitement and creating lasting connections with their audiences.

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If you step into our office, you’ll hear the phrase “glass half full” being used quite often. This is because our team wholeheartedly embraces a positive mindset and encourages one another to apply it to our work in all aspects of our digital marketing efforts. To add a touch of fun and perspective, we have taken the opportunity to draw comparisons between an agency with a “glass half full” mindset and one with a “glass half empty” mindset. Through our experiences working with diverse clients, we have come to recognize that we perform at our best when we collaborate with clients who share a similar outlook. So, let’s delve into the distinct characteristics that set these two agency types apart.

Tackling Obstacles & Difficulties

HALF FULL: Have the ability to see opportunities where others may see challenges. They’re motivated to find solutions that will benefit your business. They understand that a problem can also be an opportunity for growth. 

HALF EMPTY: These are typically hindered by obstacles. Their focus is primarily on the problem rather than the solution itself, which can become a major distraction.

Business Goals & Intentions

HALF FULL: Will spend time listening to your needs and understanding your business goals. They take the time to get to know your business and its challenges, ensuring their marketing strategies are tailored to your business’s needs. 

HALF EMPTY: Are more focused on selling you their services than providing you with solutions that will help your business grow. They’re less likely to customize their services to properly enhance your business.

Strategy

HALF FULL: Committed to using data-driven strategies. They use data to measure the effectiveness of their strategies and to make informed decisions about future campaigns. This ensures their marketing strategies are targeted and effective, providing your business with the best possible results. 

HALF EMPTY: Implement marketing strategies based on assumptions instead of data and analytics.

Maintaining A Competitive Edge

HALF FULL: Understand the importance of innovation and creativity in marketing and always look for new ways to promote your business. They stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, ensuring that your business is always at the forefront of the industry.

HALF EMPTY: If something is working, then they’re typically content with keeping things how they are. Will try new things, but only after many other people have done it first.

Finding a solutions-oriented marketing agency can be a game-changer for your business in today’s competitive market. Their “glass half full” mindset allows them to view challenges as opportunities, focus on data-driven strategies, cater to your business’s specific needs, and keep your business ahead of the curve. If you are seeking a marketing partner that shares your values and goals, working with a solutions-oriented marketing agency will help your business thrive and achieve the success you desire. 

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QR codes (Quick Response codes) are becoming increasingly popular again as a way to access digital content or information quickly and easily. These codes are similar to barcodes but can be scanned by smartphones and other devices, making them a versatile tool for businesses to connect with customers. 

QR codes have become more user-friendly, as most smartphone cameras now have built-in scanners. They offer a quick and efficient way to access digital content and can be used for marketing various materials. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of QR codes in the restaurant and hospitality industry, where they can be used for contactless menu ordering, payments, and check-ins, reducing physical contact and limiting the spread of the virus.

So, how can businesses take advantage of QR codes? Here are three ways:

1. Build Engagement

QR codes can be used as part of marketing campaigns to provide customers with additional information about a product or service. For example, a QR code on a product package could direct customers to a landing page with product reviews, a video demonstration, or other relevant information. This can help businesses build engagement with their customers and provide them with a more immersive shopping experience.

2. Track Effectiveness

By using unique QR codes for different campaigns, businesses can track which campaigns are driving the most engagement and conversions. This data can then be used to optimize future campaigns for maximum impact.

3. Contactless Payments

Contactless payments have become increasingly popular, especially in the wake of the pandemic. QR codes can be used to facilitate contactless payments, allowing customers to pay for products or services with their smartphones. This can reduce the need for physical contact and help businesses create a safer shopping experience for their customers.

These are just three examples of how we see businesses using QR codes. There are many other ways that you can take advantage of QR codes to create a more immersive experience for your customers. Let us know if you have unique ways of using QR codes in your business.

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Recently, our team was pleasantly surprised to learn that our Digital Marketing Strategist, Madison Kay, umpires youth softball games in her free time. As we chatted about her experiences, we realized that there are actually a lot of similarities between sports officiating and digital marketing. Although these two fields seem to be completely unrelated, there are “striking” similarities between them that we were eager to explore. Madison’s passion for both digital marketing and sports officiating inspired us to take a closer look and share our findings. Let’s explore how these two seemingly disparate fields have more in common than one might think.

1. Spot the Details, Score the Wins!

Sports referees/umpires must have a keen eye for detail. In the same way, effective digital marketers must be meticulous in their approach to data analysis and campaign optimization. The ability to pay attention to the details can make all the difference in sports officiating and digital marketing.

2. Consistency Matters

Consistency is key in both sports officiating and digital marketing. Referees/umpires must apply the rules of the game consistently, while digital marketers must maintain a consistent brand voice and message across all channels. Consistency builds trust with your audience and creates a strong brand identity.

3. Communicate with Clarity

Effective communication is another critical skill shared by sports referees/umpires and digital marketers. Referees must communicate their decisions clearly to players and coaches, while digital marketers must convey their message effectively to their audience. Communication is essential in building relationships with your target audience and maintaining engagement.

4. Adapt to Thrive

Adaptability is also crucial for both sports officiating and digital marketing. Referees/umpires must be able to adapt to changes in the game, while digital marketers must keep up with evolving technology and trends. Adaptability allows businesses to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in their respective markets.

5. Own your decisions

Accountability is vital for sports referees/umpires and digital marketers alike. Referees must take responsibility for their decisions, while digital marketers must be accountable for the success or failure of their campaigns. Taking ownership of your actions builds trust with your audience and shows that you are committed to their satisfaction.

6. Make the Right Call

Both in sports officiating and digital marketing, it is crucial to make decisions based on what you see and not what is popular. It’s important to remain impartial and unbiased. Sometimes, this may entail sharing negative information to uphold ethical practices. It is widely recognized that ethical conduct is essential in building a positive reputation for your business and distinguishing yourself from competitors.

7. Analyze and Conquer!

Data analysis is a critical component of both sports officiating and digital marketing. Referees/umpires must analyze every aspect of the game, while digital marketers must analyze metrics to make informed decisions. The ability to analyze data allows businesses to make data-driven decisions that can have a significant impact on their success.

The role of sports referees/umpires provides valuable insights into the world of digital marketing. Both require a keen eye for detail, consistency, effective communication, adaptability, accountability, ethics, and data analysis. By incorporating these principles into your marketing strategies, you can build a strong brand identity, maintain engagement with your target audience, and drive sales

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What are Local Service Ads?

Local Service Ads were created by Google to help local service businesses generate leads at a fair rate, while at the same time, aiding customers searching for a reputable company.

Local Service Ads, also known as LSAs,  are shown at the very top of the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) when a user searches for a service in an area where these ads are running. Search terms to generate an LSA may be “window cleaner near me”, “lawn care in Wilmington”, “HVAC services”, etc.

The prime location of these ads combined with the visible review count and Google Guaranteed badge will help your business stand out.

What is the Google Guarantee?

The Google Guarantee is a badge awarded to businesses that pass Google’s screening and verification process. This process varies by industry but may include a background check, proof of insurance, license checks, and other minor review requirements. Learn more about Google’s screening process here.

If your customer discovers your business through a Local Service Ad and is dissatisfied with your service, Google, within their discretion, will reimburse the customer for that initial service. The potential reimbursement provides potential customers some comfort when they decide where they will purchase their service.

What is the difference between Local Service Ads and “general” Google Ads?

Next to their different locations and layout on the SERP, the big difference between LSAs and “general” Google Search Ads is the bidding process.

Google decides how high your Google Search Ad ranks based on how relevant your site is to a user’s query and, more importantly,  how much you are willing to pay for a user’s click. Once a user clicks on your search ad, they are directed to your website where they ideally will fill out a form or call you. The price of a click is usually quite low, but you are depending on a well-optimized website to move the user down the buying funnel.

Local Service Ads are also ranked by a live auction, but in this case, you tell Google how much you are willing to pay for a lead. Other ranking factors in addition to your budget include your Google Business Profile review count and rating, and your office’s proximity to the user. Rather than directing users to your site, they are prompted to call your office number or message you through the Google Local platform, instantly giving you a lead.

If an unqualified user gives you a call, say they are outside of your service area or are requesting a service you do not provide, you can dispute the lead to Google where the cost of that lead will be credited back to your Local Service Ad account. Typically, your request will be approved if submitted within 30 days of receiving the lead. Local Service Ads allow you to know that what you are paying is going directly to a worthy potential customer, whereas with Google Search Ads, there is more of a risk.

Should I run Local Service Ads?

When deciding if Google Local Service Ads are something you would like to test out with your business, we recommend first making sure LSAs are available in both your industry and area. Check your company’s eligibility here.

If you are eligible to run these ads, have a healthy paid ad budget, and value lead generation, we highly suggest enduring Google’s screening process and giving Local Service Ads a go.

The screening process, budget maintenance, and optimization of these things may feel overwhelming, but we are here to help! Give us a call if you would like to see if Local Service Ads and working with Wilmington Design Co would be a good fit for you.

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Hoping for the best where website maintenance and care are concerned is like hoping that your car won’t need an oil change. You wouldn’t be able to drive your car for very long if you didn’t take care of it and provide it with the regular maintenance that it needs. The same is true for your website. Your website should always be up and running, ready for customers 24/7. Website maintenance plans are now an integral part of website ownership. Just like your iPhone or tablet, the software of your website needs to be updated. It requires care and maintenance to keep your website working properly. 

Let’s be honest, when it comes to websites, most business owners don’t give hosting a lot of thought. As long as your website is up, most business owners assume that everything is fine.  

Here are 4 important questions to ask your current hosting company.

1. Who do I call if something goes wrong? This may seem obvious, but if you have a question about your hosting or your website, you want to make sure that you know who to contact. You want to double-check to see if they offer support for your hosting AND website (or do you have to call another company for your website support).
2. Do I have a backup of my site? Ideally, you want to have a full backup of your website that can be restored in case of an emergency.
3. Is my site secure? Does your site have the latest software updates and an SSL certificate? If your site is built on a platform like WordPress, ask your current host if they are updating the core framework to avoid security vulnerabilities. 
4. Does my site get regular updates? Does your website have plugins installed? If so, these plugins should be updated on a regular basis to maintain functionality and keep your site secure.

When it comes to website hosting security, reliability, and support are necessities. The most effective sites are also the best-maintained. It doesn’t matter how great your site design is or how well you rank in Google at the end of the day, your site needs to work. As internet users become increasingly tech-savvy, their expectations rise. Your site needs to be fast, secure, and bug-free, or they’ll move on to your competitor.

Take a few minutes to think about the answers to these questions. If you aren’t sure or would like help figuring it out, give us a call. We’re happy to provide a free website hosting assessment or answer questions. Our local team has years of experience managing complex hosting environments. We’ll take care of your website and hosting so you can stay focused on running your business.

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