ZenMedia

Web Design with You in Mind

Author: Dana Nöllsch

  • When to Rebrand

    When to Rebrand

    A business should consider rebranding when its current brand identity no longer effectively represents its current goals, target audience, or market position. Outdated branding can manifest as a mismatch between the brand and the company’s vision, obsolete visuals, or difficulty in differentiating the brand from competitors. 

    Signs that indicate it’s time for a rebrand:

    • Outdated Brand Identity:
    • A brand that appears and feels outdated compared to its competitors can negatively impact perception and engagement. 
    • Shifting Target Audience:
    • If a business has expanded its reach or changed its focus, the existing brand might not resonate with the new or evolving target market. 
    • Mergers or Acquisitions:
    • When businesses merge, a rebrand can help create a unified brand identity that reflects the combined entity. 
    • Negative Associations:
    • If the brand has been linked to damaging events or perceptions, rebranding can help distance the business from these associations. 
    • Lack of Differentiation:
    • If a business struggles to differentiate itself from the competition, a rebrand can help establish a distinct brand identity and a competitive advantage. 
    • Outgrown Brand:
    • A brand created for a smaller, earlier stage of the business may feel restrictive or no longer suitable as the company expands or evolves. 
    • Changing Business Model or Strategy:
    • When a business pivots its core focus or introduces new products or services, a rebrand can align the brand with the new direction. 
    • Struggling to Attract Customers or Talent:
    • A weak or outdated brand can hinder the ability to attract new customers, retain existing ones, or recruit top talent. 
    • Poor Brand Consistency:
    • If the brand is not consistently applied across different touchpoints (such as the website and marketing materials), it can create confusion and dilute the brand message. 
    • Negative Feedback from Customers or Employees:
    • If customers or employees consistently express dissatisfaction with the brand, it’s a strong signal that a rebrand may be necessary. 

    Please let us know if you are looking to rebrand or would like to learn more.

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  • Time for a new look and a new attitude.

    Time for a new look and a new attitude.

    In business as in life, things change; this change is inevitable. How we react to that change will define where we are going and who we will be. ZenMedia is going through some fundamental changes.

    A few months ago, I had a friend redo the logo for ZenMedia as well as Reno Arts News, our online arts magazine. Seeing the logo from another person’s perspective was, in a word, “Eye-opening” (yes, I know that is two words, but it is hyphenated). With this change, we also decided to change our URL from ZenMedia.ws to ZenMedia.Agency to reflect our new direction.

    I need to interject here: Catzeye Graphics (https://catzeye.myportfolio.com/) did an excellent job with the new logos. Cathy Harvey is easy to work with, and her years of experience helped us to work together to create a logo that shines light upon our business. Catzeye Graphics is one of the talented partners we are excited to work with in the future to bring more dynamic results for our clients.

    I also have to shout out to Mike Higdon of Higdon’s Storytelling Studio (https://mikehigdonstudio.com/), who did our headshots and made us feel and look fabulous.

    With a new URL comes a new website, a new email address, and all the confusion these changes bring. This sounds like a lot, and it is.

    So here we are, bright and shiny new bits and pieces. But I haven’t told you why the change. ZenMedia is expanding what we are offering. You know us for Websites, but now we are offering social media marketing as well as some traditional marketing, and to top that off, there is consultation and training.

    Let us know how your business has changed and how we can help you to let your customers see the new you.

    Michelle and I are excited to be part of your success, and we invite you to be part of ours as well.

  • What is your definition of success

    What is your definition of success

    Every business is looking for that definition of success.

    Defining business success is a complex task. While profit may seem like the obvious answer, it’s not the whole story. For some, success is about making a tangible difference in the lives of others. This is evident in the work of many non-profits, but it’s a rare trait in the business world.

    Remember, making a difference is not limited to non-profits. No matter your business, you have the potential to create a positive impact, which can be a source of personal growth and fulfillment.

    It is as simple as Championing Others. Make a social media post about a company you work with that does an excellent job. Spread the word and be a champion for them. You will be surprised how this will work.

    But Wait

    But there is a word of caution: always be positive. Resist the temptation to talk about something negative. This is not the forum to discuss a company you have had a problem with.

    On that note, here is the first of our business spotlights.

    One of my favorite Art Galleries is the Artists Co-op of Reno. It is a non-profit, member-run gallery that has been continually successful. 

    If you are looking for art to decorate your house, business, or gift, the Artists Co-op of Reno has what you are looking for. 

    Now, this sounds like an advertisement, and it is, but there is more to it. If you are looking for a business that shows an example of what can happen when the people running that business have buy-in, then look to the Artists Co-op of Reno. Each member takes a turn running the retail each month and acknowledges the responsibility of being a thriving art gallery.

    What is the takeaway for you?

    Now, you know of a place to see and purchase art, but more than that, here is an example of what can be done if you have dedicated people with a common goal. Truthfully, this simple element in business can be easily lost in the minutia of the day-to-day drudgery.

    And now for a question

    Do YOU have buy-in when running your business?

    On a side note, the image was generated by Adobe Firefly AI. I am not a fan of AI, but we must face the fact that AI is here to stay. AI has given us an evolutionary ethical dilemma that will spark conversation for years to come.