Agri-Insights Issue 15

IN THIS ISSUE. 4 MAKE IT REAL. In today’s fast-paced business culture, how do you formulate the right message to send to the right people at the right time when your objective is to strengthen customer relationships and win new business? Help is here! Readers want to know, “What does this mean to me?” Make your communication relatable. Testimonials and case studies are invaluable in supporting your message. Tell about your customers’ challenges and provide solutions others can learn from. We’re presenting six (6) foundational principles for communicating with a purpose supported by real stories of real people in real situations. Storytelling. Yes, you’ve heard it from us before. At VistaComm®, we believe storytelling is vital in marketing today, and we’re using our clients’ compelling, thought-provoking and engaging stories to get our point across. So, let’s get started. Hopefully, our thoughts will help you communicate with a purpose. FARMERS RANCHERS: “OUR CUSTOMERS SELL OUR PRODUCTS” ▲ PAGE Define your message up front, and then communicate it directly and concisely. Give your audience enough information so they understand, but avoid irrelevant data, unclear terminology, and repetition. Be clear at the start, and then maintain focus throughout your message. THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR FOR NUWAY PAGE ▲ ▲ 6 3 BE CLEAR. 8 14 6 KEEP IT FREQUENT. Agri-Insights magazine is published quarterly by VistaComm, America’s Precision Marketing Leader. With smart and successful clients coast-to-coast, the purpose of Agri-Insights is to provide you with a quarterly collection of the nation’s most profitable and best business practices. Topics have been selected from VistaComm’s extensive library of solutions and profit-based experiences. Client names are used only when permission has been given. More information at: www.VistaComm.com Send your message often, so your audience remembers you. When they’re seeking products and services you provide, be the first one they think of. Repeat your message through direct mail, website, and print ads. Get in front of your audience regularly. FREQUENCY IS KEY FOR PROAG ® PAGE ▲ ® SD FARM BUREAU : TWO AUDIENCES, TWO VERSIONS 4 PAGE Who are you talking to? What do you know about them? Think about age, gender, education, and profession. Where do they live? Next, determine their communication preferences—print, digital, electronic, social, or mobile. Don’t guess—ask! PAGE ▲ What do you want your message to accomplish? Inform? Share an idea? Sell something? Persuade? Consider your end result. Have a vision, a goal, a purpose—and make sure you maintain that objective throughout your communication process. 2 CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE. GAME-CHANGING IDEAS FOR INNOVATIVE BUSINESSES Put visuals to work. Photography. Colors. Graphics. Fonts. Infographics. Even white space. Maintain high quality and relevancy to your message. Strong copy supported by strong visuals makes the biggest impact. DESIGN & IMAGERY PAY OFF FOR GROWTH ENERGY™ SM 12 5 CREATE IMPACT. 1 HAVE A PLAN. AG360 INSURANCE™ LAUNCHES A NEW BRAND PAGE ▲ HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH A PURPOSE? This issue of Agri-InsightsSM focuses on communicating with a purpose. Our approach offers renewed insight on what you need to do to improve your communication and grow your business. Agri-Insights 16 BUILDING BRANDS. STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS. Please provide address change to : VistaComm 1401 North C Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57104 Phone: 866-752-7707 Agri-Insights is published quarterly by VistaComm and other individuals or entities. All materials within are subject to copyrights owned by VistaComm. Any reproduction of all or part of any document found in Agri-Insights is expressly prohibited, unless VistaComm or the copyright owner of the material has expressly granted its prior written consent to so reproduce, retransmit, or republish the material. All other rights reserved. NEED ASSISTANCE FINDING WAYS TO MAKE YOUR ORGANIZATION STAND OUT? We can help! Contact one of our representatives at 866-752-7707 to discuss creative ways to reach your target audience and grow your business. ©2015 VistaComm®• All Rights Reserved.

Agri-Insights Issue 15 | Page 2