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Brand Ambassadors: All about them and their influence on brands

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Exceptional Branding For Exceptional Startups: A Step To Pay Attention To

There is something about entrepreneurship that is intriguing and appealing. But launching a startup can be a very tricky and complex thing to do, especially if you’re launching a new concept. Your idea must be attractive, revolutionary, and offer some kind of solution to an existing problem. And your startup should maintain exceptional branding, too. This step can make or break your launch, so don’t overlook it, no matter how overwhelmed you are.

Many startups actually fail to launch due to poor marketing or bad product-market fit. So trust us when we tell you that branding is not a luxury, it is a necessity. If you need more reasons, we’ve compiled a list for you:

1. Your Branding = Your Identity 
Today’s marketplace judges a book by its cover, which means visual branding is everything! This includes your brand’s color palette, font, packing, and logo. All these details will determine how consumers see and think about you. Marketing a great product or service is simply not enough. Make sure that those who work on your branding know who your target audience is. More importantly, they should know what this audience likes! You can get in touch with our team for a free consultation if you’d like to know more.

2. Branding helps differentiate you from the rest 
Having a visually appealing brand will help you leave a positive first impression on those who come across it. It will also help showcase the value and competitive advantage you provide the market. You will automatically get a spot in consumers’ minds.

Good and unique branding also helps build an emotional connection with potential customers. You want them to feel that you understand their tastes and preferences and branding can help you do that!

3. Branding boosts your credibility
Credibility rhymes with longevity. Being new in the market means that people don’t know you yet, allowing you to build your own reputation. That is why it is extremely important to lead with a professional visual side. Bad logos and collaterals will make you seem cheap and unprofessional, which is surely not the reputation you want your business to have. However, when your audience sees that your brand has worked hard to build a solid image, they will see you as a professional brand that is worth the consideration.

4. Good branding helps build trust
Building trust between your brand and potential customers is very important for the success of your startup. This trust is based on the first impression consumers get upon the first encounter with your brand, and that includes your logo. Once you win over a potential customer’s trust, you will be able to slowly get them to convert into a loyal customer.

You might not be focusing on branding right now, but we’re telling you that you should not postpone this step. If you think you will get funding and customers without professional branding elements, you’re wrong. The market is heavily saturated and competition reigns. Many brands are fighting for the attention of consumers, and so are you. Make sure to build a brand that leaves an impact on people the right way.

If you’re looking to build a strong brand, our experts are here to help. Book a free consultation today and let’s get the ball rolling.
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NFT Marketing: Why Is It Important?

If you’re reading this article, you probably already know what an NFT is and are looking for an agency to help out with the marketing side of it. But in case you happen to be a curious reader who may be considering delving deep into the NFT world, this article aims to give you a quick overview of what an NFT is, why NFT marketing is important, and the things needed to succeed.

 

What are NFTs?

NFTs, also known as Non-Fungible Tokens, are unique digital tokens that people can own, and therefore, serves as proof of ownership of an asset. An NFT cannot be replicated, meaning the owner of a specific NFT is the only one with exclusive access to it. Both brands and artists are jumping on the NFT trend, and that’s not only the reason why you should be doing so as well.

NFTs are selling for millions of dollars, and have built the curiosity of art collectors, gamers, tech enthusiasts, and investors, no matter where they are located on the map. It is also important to note that NFTs are for everyone, whether you’re a fashion brand, a painter, a singer, or a believer in the future of things.

 

Why is marketing your NFT an important part of its success?

Not all NFTs are worth large sums of money. To get to that point, you need a marketing strategy on hand with proper community management. Social media, influencer marketing, and email marketing are some aspects of a strong social media strategy that must be considered. When all of these are implemented the right way, they can encourage more bids, which ultimately translates into a higher selling price.

 

Two main NFT advantages for your business:

– They are additional sources of income, no matter the profession.  

– You can directly connect with your audience without the need for an intermediate.

 

NFT Marketing Strategy: Not easy, but essential

Now that you have a clear overview of NFTs, it’s time to talk about how people or businesses should market them. This step should not be overlooked as no one will buy your NFT unless you market it through various methods and channels.

It is also important to build a strong community and keep them informed about your next move and drops. Community management and building should be included within your marketing and content strategy because without a community, you will not be able to garner more bids and sales.

Here are some of the steps that should be taken into account when building a proper NFT marketing strategy:

 

  1. Build a strong community

This is done through the creation of social media platforms like Telegram, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And speaking of social media platforms, check out the work we’ve done for Garden Of Life Dubai.

Once you activate the above, you will need to start sharing informational content about your business and NFTs. Considering NFTs are still a new concept, make sure to include educational content and adopt a storytelling approach. And don’t forget to engage with other creators and your own community. It’s time to get social! 

 

  1. Conduct Q&A sessions

This will help you engage with your community on different digital platforms like Discord or Telegram.

 

  1. Boost your SEO for more visibility

This step will help you earn a more profitable income, and increase your visibility by appearing in front of buyers and niche audiences that are searching for NFTs similar to yours. Traffic improves popularity and helps in getting more bids.

 

  1. Consider influencer marketing

A lot of people trust the influencers they follow, which is why choosing the right niche influencers can help spread the word about your NFT on various social media platforms. Choosing the right people to collaborate with will lead to an increase in buyers and total bids.

In our previous blog, we wrote an article related to this topic. Read it here: Social Media Strategy For Influencers

 

  1. Educate your audience about what you do and how your NFTs are unique

That can be done through videos and animations that would clearly explain how your NFTs are unique and why they should buy from you and not someone else.

 

  1. Consider PR

This step is really useful, especially when launching new NFTs. Reach out to the RIGHT media outlets that have the niche audience you’re looking for. You will amass the right reach and exposure. 

 

  1. Invest in paid ads

We’re talking about PPC Campaigns or pay-per-click on Search (e.g. Google) and social media. Paid ads will help you generate qualified leads and boost your chances of selling your NFTs or adding users to your community.

 

  1. Use email marketing

To keep your audience well informed about your NFTs and next steps, consider email marketing. This includes welcome emails for new subscribers, as well as the newsletters that will be sent according to your selected sharing frequency.

 

NFT marketing is not only limited to the above and requires a lot of time to build. This means that you will need a team of marketing experts to facilitate the whole process.

Curious to know more about how our agency’s NFT marketing services can help you leverage your NFT game? Book a free consultation with Zein Design!

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SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY FOR INFLUENCERS: HERE’S WHY YOU NEED IT

Why developing a social media strategy is essential for influencers

Becoming an influencer in today’s online world is not an easy task. It requires more than just posting numerous photos and stories. It requires a strategy, a value proposition, and continuous effort to build a community and connect with members of that community. Developing a social media strategy is essential. Understanding what source of influence you’d like to be for users is key. Differentiating yourself from others is a priority. It is also important to lay out your end goal: Is it to work with brands? Is it to grow your personal brand in the long run? Know your WHY because it lays out the foundation of your strategy. Now, let’s start with the basics.

Who are social media influencers?

Influencers are everyday people who either have knowledge of a certain topic and want to share it with people who share the same interests or people who have a passion for something and want to share that passion with an online audience. These influencers put a lot of effort into building a community that trusts them and takes their reviews of products or services way more seriously than direct advertising made by brands. They directly influence users’ buying decisions.

Why do brands need to work with influencers?

Consumers today differ greatly from pre-digital-era consumers in that they are not influenced by billboards and commercials by brands in the same way. They spend more time and effort reading about a product/service and trust the reviews of real people more so than claims made by businesses. Having said that, here is why brands need to work with influencers to make it in this cluttered digital world:

  • To connect with their target audience
  • To increase exposure, drive traffic to their websites, and eventually, generate sales


What are the steps one should take to become an influencer?

1. Select your niche
This depends on what it is you are an expert in. This will help you plan your content and social strategy more efficiently in the long run. Examples include:

– Beauty
– Food
– Motherhood
– Travel

2. Determine who your audience is and create personas
This is one of the most difficult parts of developing a strategy as you will have to identify who your audience is, their pain points, their interests, and so on. And without these things, you won’t be able to build a content strategy. Once you have determined these points, you will be able to proceed with the following steps.

3. Select the social platforms that best suit your personas

It is not about the number of social media platforms you are on, it is about being active on platforms your audience is most present on.

4. Optimize your personal brand identity

– Make sure that you have a “creator profile” to get access to various features like growth statistics.
– Write an appealing biography that describes who you are and what you do.

– Add an attractive profile picture and cover image (applicable for Facebook and LinkedIn).

The process doesn’t stop here. As an influencer, you will also need to develop a content strategy that showcases what you will be sharing with your audience online. Once you have this set in stone and start posting, you must follow it up with proper community management. This step will help you stay connected with your audience and builds a foundation with brands and other influencers in the sector you’re interested in. Competitor research is also an important step that shouldn’t be overlooked as it allows you to stay up-to-date with what’s happening online and helps you identify what is working for others.

If you’ve been thinking about becoming an influencer, we can definitely help with that. As a creative agency, we will come up with a winning strategy that will help you grow your personal brand online – in a way that you see fit. Reach out to get started.

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VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS: THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING?

We’re one year into the new decade and we know for a fact that there will be so many innovations in the next 9 years – more so than what we saw in the previous decade. So much changed between 2010 and 2020, and in the world of marketing, influencers made their way during those years. Then robot influencers took over. And in the world of digital marketing, they are called AI influencers.
 
So, what is an AI Influencer?
AI influencers have been around for longer than you know, before 2016 even. They really boomed in 2018 and well, they will probably rise in popularity in this decade. AI influencers are not real; rather, they are programmed by a computer and managed by an entire team. They are more present and popular on Instagram as opposed to other platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. The main reason for this is that Instagram is an image-dominant platform, making it easier for AI influencers to create content.

Many big brands around the world have already worked with AI influencers, especially companies in the fashion and lifestyle industry. And it may come off as a surprise to you, but there are several AI influencers with millions of followers online, some of which exceed the average number of followers of real influencers. And this is considering the fact that users know that these influencers aren’t real – yet still choose to follow them.

Two of our favorite AI Influencers:

1. Imma
https://www.instagram.com/imma.gram/
Imma is an AI influencer based in Japan who has worked with Amazon, IKEA, and some big fashion brands as well. If you just scroll through her photos, you will notice just how realistic her features are. Her content is extremely diverse and appealing to users. She currently has over 330K followers … so that speaks for itself!

2. Miquela
https://www.instagram.com/lilmiquela/?hl=en
Miquela is an AI influencer who is involved in activism and is particularly an advocate of the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement. She uses her platform to spread awareness on issues such as the former, among many other important topics as well. She has released her own music videos as well and has collaborated with various brands, including Calvin Klein, Prada, and Samsung. She has 3M followers and is – so far – the most popular AI influencer.

AI Influencers VS. Real Influencers
So far, AI influencers have attracted gurus from the fashion world – from international fashion houses to more local streetwear brands.
Now, AI influencers may seem cool and all, but not everyone is a fan of them. Though you have major supporters, especially those who believe in the power and future of AI, there are some people who are quite skeptical about the whole idea. They believe AI influencers are missing that “human” element, a feat that no robot could actually attain to the fullest. They also believe that there is no way an AI influencer could actually “influence” users as a real human could. And if we truly think about it, there is a bit of truth to that. To give just one example, if we look at the world of cosmetics, there is no way an AI influencer could give an authentic review of a product, even if the team behind the influencer does the actual work – which might be the case in reality.
Either way, AI influencers are helping brands boost their sales and they don’t seem to be vanishing anytime soon. In fact, we believe they’re here to stay and dominate!
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WHAT CLIENTS REALLY WANT FROM CREATIVE AGENCIES

All any business really needs to thrive is happy customers. That’s a fact. And the overwhelming majority – 85% to be exact – of small businesses get customers through word of mouth. So in a nutshell, happy customers lead to new customers, driving the success of a business upwards.

Creative agencies are often left with this challenging task in addition to another one: keeping clients happy along the way. More often than not, clients cannot really pinpoint what they want out of their professional relationship with an agency. But there are things you can do to reassure them that they’re on the right path, to show them that you care about their company as if it is your own.

How? We’re here to break it down for you. Clients really just want:

1. To know they’re getting value for what they’re paying

Clients, just like anyone making an investment, want to know that they are putting their money in the right place. As a creative agency, you don’t have to tell them how they are getting value; you can simply show them. With good design and set-metrics, you can show the client numbers and data to give them the reassurance they really need.

2. To know that their ideas are being heard and materialized

Always involve the client in the design process. Ask them how they envision things to be, what they aim to achieve, and what message they want their brand to embody. Listening to their ideas and brainstorming together will make the client feel appreciated and understood.

3. To be able to contact you at any time

Sometimes, the light bulb in the client’s mind goes off outside your working hours. At other times, a brand crisis may erupt, demanding your attention on the spot. It is important to never make the client feel that they are in the wrong for contacting you. On the contrary, try to engage in a discussion and let me know why it is or isn’t feasible to execute their request at the time of contact. If it’s possible to get it done, do it.

4. To see unmatched results, designs, and ideas

Nothing speaks louder than good work. As long as the client is happy with the output and the numeric results, nothing else matters. They will know exactly how they are reaping the rewards of working with you. Make it worthwhile.

5. To know you’re offering them the best service

Clients want constant reassurance that you are their go-to for any kind of problem. They expect solutions at every turn. Engage in constant discussions to ensure a proper understanding of what the client wants at every stage of the business cycle. Always have solutions right under your nose.

It’s important to know…
At the end of the day, the client has the upper hand. That does not mean that they control what you do, but they do have the power to call it quits anytime. But if you show them you are on their side, they’ll stick around for the long haul. No doubt about that.

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BUILDING GOOD DESIGNER-CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS: A GUIDE

The designer-client struggle is real; the memes on the internet are proof. For designers, there lies a dilemma of having to choose between staying professional and putting up with unreasonable client demands. For clients, the hunt for a designer who is both talented and diplomatic seems to be never-ending. However, this is not to say good client-designer relationships don’t exist.

It takes patience and communication to get the ball rolling – smoothly. Here are some tips on how to maintain the no-tension atmosphere between clients and designers.

1. Communication

Communication is a two-way street. Both the client and the designer must remember that. Designers must learn to empathize with clients, as this will help them understand things from the client’s perspective. At the same time, clients must be diplomatic in the way they communicate with designers. Always show appreciation, despite whether you like what has been presented to you or not. Good communication is key to easing all the tension in the room.

2. Guidelines

Having a clear set of guidelines will ensure a smooth workflow. Attempt to agree on the main points prior to execution to avoid misunderstandings along the way. This would also help reduce the back-and-forth process that usually takes place after a designer presents the outcome to the client.

3. Criticism

Challenging as it may be, a designer – just like any other professional in any industry – must accept criticism. The criticism is never personal, it really is always business, quite literally. At the same time, the client must learn to deliver criticism in a professional manner, without personally attacking the designer or their skills. It’s true that feedback usually means more work, but how else can one grow and gain experience?

4. Feedback

Constructive feedback is key here. The point of this process is to communicate the pros and cons of what the designer has presented in a constructive manner. Always thank the designer for the efforts put into the design, and pinpoint the ways in which they could improve what has been presented to better reflect your ideas. Here, it is also vital that the designer maintain patience and passion to be able to deliver the best version of their work.

5. Fees

Unless you want something that looks like it has been made by a newbie, you must be willing to pay for the design you want. Everything comes with a price – you just have to set yours. The price you’re willing to pay must match your expectations. The price offering also works as an incentive for the designer, pushing them beyond their limits to deliver great work.

6. Edits

Some designers charge for post-client-feedback edits, while others include them in their original price. Therefore, it is advised that designers discuss the various options with clients prior to starting work. If you include edits in your original price, make sure to include the details of how many rounds of edits your offering includes. Set a price point for all additional edits that go beyond what is included in the agreement.

Whether you’re a designer or a client, keeping it professional is key to maintaining a good relationship and delivering exceptional work. Invest in business relationships as much as you do in your private ones. The outcome is worth it.

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DESIGNING CREATIVITY: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DESIGN?

When the word design comes up, many people tend to assume it is synonymous with style. In reality, design spans a wide range of different fields, focusing on aesthetics and function in all its elements. It is part of everything around us — from the phones we use to the rooms we sit in.
Whether in the real world or the virtual one, designs’ importance cannot be overlooked. Curious to know about the different types of design? We’ve got you covered.

1.
 Graphic Design

Just as a writer uses words to deliver a certain message, a graphic designer does the same, but with visuals. Graphic design is closely related to aspects of a business such as branding, marketing, and advertising — from social media posts and banners to collateral and publications. It is the secret behind almost all forms of visual art we see today.

2. UI Design

A UI (User Interface) designer resembles a graphic designer but for the web. Their main job is to design layouts for webpages that are visually appealing. A UI designer ensures a pleasurable user experience in terms of look and feel.

3. UX Design

Though sometimes used interchangeably, UI and UX (user experience) design are not the same. While UI design has to do with graphical user interfaces, UX design has to do with the science behind it. A UX designer deals with the technicalities of user interface, producing webpages that are easy to browse.

4. Interior Design

Moving on to real-life designs, an interior designer is responsible for sketching indoor and outdoor spaces, in terms of both form and function. In other words, their job is to sketch layouts that make use of available space in a given area and execute them in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

5. Industrial Design

All products start off as a sketch on paper. It could be a car, a watch, or even a toy. Industrial designers provide a balance between a product’s appearance and function.

6. Fashion Design

Fashion design is more than just a fancy way of designing clothes and accessories. It is about choosing the right materials and fabric to complement the design and provide comfort above all else.

Key Takeaways: 
Design is something we cannot do without. It links beauty with function, striking the perfect balance between both in all different kinds of categories of life. Let design lead the way. Everything else will follow.
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CLIENT-DESIGNER RELATIONSHIPS: HOW TO GIVE FEEDBACK

We need to talk about the elephant in the room that surfaces when designers and clients meet. It is the result of “feedback” and it can cause a spike in tension in a matter of seconds. You have the designer who has put their heart and soul into crafting something good. And then you have the client who is just not seeing eye to eye with the designer. And so the conflict begins.
Between the designer’s goal to produce an artistic piece and the client’s eye for business, a lot of miscommunication can arise, leading to undesired results. But that doesn’t have to the case. If the feedback loop is clear, concise, and objective, that elephant in the room shall disappear.
Want to save that client-designer relationship of yours? Here is how you should approach the feedback process:
1. Be specific

Avoid saying things like “I don’t like the logo in general” because feedback should never be generic and vague. Instead, you should pinpoint the elements – from big to small – of the design that you believe should be amended. Be as specific as you can because only then will the designer know that your feedback is not targeting their skills. You want to give the designer guidance into where to start with their edits to reach the outcome you had initially envisioned.

2. Be respectful
If you have concerns about the design, think before you speak to the designer. Acknowledge the effort they put into crafting their work. List all the pros and cons of the design to show them where they got things right and where they did not. Maybe consider posing some of the cons as questions to make the designer think about the various ways they could go about the amendments. Turn the feedback into a two-way conversation rather than a speech.
3. Be supportive
No matter what you think of the design, always express your thoughts in a way that won’t put the designer down. That is unless the design is sloppy, then that’s another story. Oftentimes, the designer does a good job but doesn’t necessarily execute in the way you had envisioned. Talk about what you don’t like and explain why you don’t like it. Try to give the designer a reason for your dislikes.
4. Trust the designer
Designers are the experts — after all, they design for a living. Always remember that when presenting your feedback. Don’t address matters in a condescending tone, rather engage in an active discussion with the designer to better understand their perspective on the matter. You will eventually reach a solution.
5. Be realistic
When it comes to design, and everything else in life, there’s always reality versus fantasy. While it is great to dream of the best, not all goals are attainable given certain resources. If you request something and the designer delivers a missing version of that request, ask them about it before making a judgment.
6. Find a middle ground
When you approach a designer with a project, you may have already envisioned what the executed version would look like. Still, you should always take a designer’s opinion into account – because they know best. They have experience in graphic design as much as they do in branding, which means that they know how to make your designs look good while adhering to business goals. Try to keep an open mind and you will most definitely reach a middle ground.

 

No two humans on the face of this planet can see eye to eye on everything. This is particularly a struggle when it comes to the world of design, specifically between clients and designers. They each have their own set of thinking and their own ideas. But with proper communication, constructive feedback, and respectful discussions, beautiful designs can come to life.
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Q&A WITH ZEIN KHALIFEH

1. What does a typical day in the life of Zein – the mother and the director of her own business – look like? 
It’s always a challenge to balance between work and family. I wake up at 6 a.m. to get my son ready for school and arrive at the office by 7 a.m., or at least this was the case before I got pregnant a few months ago. I try to finish everything at the office no later than 3 or 4 p.m. to go back home to cook and spend some time with my son until he goes to bed.
2. How did Zein Design come to be?
I used to work at an agency that treated its employees poorly, so I decided to start my own agency where I now have my own clients and treat employees fairly.
3. How is Zein Design different?
We are a family, not just an employer and her coworkers. Our office enjoys a homey atmosphere where we appreciate working together.
4. What’s your favorite part of your job?
If I had to choose, it would be the fact that I’m close to the people I work, something that pushes us to overcome obstacles together. Sharing things, especially with those who treat the company as their own, always makes things exciting.
5. How do you manage a remote team?
I put my trust in employees. We agree on certain basics regarding the workflow, which facilitates the process for both sides. Over time, I’ve learned how to express anything that concerns me in a diplomatic way.
6. How is it like to manage a multicultural team?
It’s confusing, but interesting. You get to learn things about other cultures, which is very enjoyable. At the same time, it’s crucial to know the importance of respecting others’ differences.
7. What qualities do you look for in an employee?
Self-discipline. Honesty. Good communication skills. Good vibes. Hard work. Respect.
8What do you think makes a person successful?
A successful person is one who sets their goals and works towards them without comparing themselves to others.
9. What is it like to be a leader?
It is nice but challenging. It’s a challenge to be fair, to be close to people, to lay down the rules, to understand how each person thinks in their own different way, all while trying to spread positivity without affecting the quality of work.
10. What does Zein Design add to its home, Lebanon?
Quality. Innovation. Positivity. Raising Lebanon’s name high. Portraying a good image of Lebanon to the outside world.