October 2020

Our team at Millennium Agency just got off the phone with Clutch! Clutch interviews real clients, collects data, and compares competitors to help businesses find a firm for their next big project. They called our offices to tell us that we had just been named one of the top branding firms!

Hiring an outside provider is a smart business move in many ways and hiring the right branding firm is even more essential for brand success today than ever before. That is why we are so honored to be named one of Clutch’s top firms for 2020.

“We are honored to be chosen as one of Clutch’s top B2B companies in the United States! With the continued support of our staff and loyal clients we’ve been able to grow and continue to help businesses with their marketing needs.” – Linda Fanaras, CEO/Strategist Millennium Agency

Clutch is located in the nation’s capital city, just steps away from the White House in the District of Columbia. Their team of highly trained analysts takes the time to independently verify each and every client review they conduct, and then their editorial team curates and edits the content to present it in an easy to read format. When you’re purchasing B2B services, Clutch.co is the premier name for B2B reviews.

That is why we are so honored to maintain a superb average rating on Clutch and top the charts on a recent report! In a recent review, the director of marketing for Speare Memorial Hospital praised our branding and ad strategy!

Thanks to other stellar reviews, we’re listed as one of the leading firms in New Hampshire and a leading global branding firm!

Give us a call today to join our legions of satisfied customers!

About Millennium Agency

Millennium Agency is a national, award-winning, digital, creative, content/PR, and video marketing firm. With offices in Boston and New Hampshire, our team unites creative branding and data analytics to accelerate our clients’ growth, while combining our clients’ vision with our marketing expertise to increase sales opportunities and drive brand success. From video advertising and web design to social media and PR, Millennium can guide your marketing efforts every step of the way. Contact the professionals at Millennium Agency to learn more!

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, everything has shifted towards digitalization. This also includes the purchase of products and how they’re being purchases — putting pressure on businesses to have a stronger e-commerce branding strategy.

Mentalities change as well. People have started to be more focused on protecting themselves, their families, employees, and customers. But, at the same time, communities have started to stick together to face the crisis. Additionally, since we spend so much of our time at home, there have been major changes in behavioral trends. People are spending more time on social media, looking for new ways to escape and entertain themselves.

However, the need for physical goods puts pressure on businesses — the demand for e-commerce is rising. Even if people still venture out to shop for essentials in stores, the supply is inconsistent.

So many changes have happened so fast in a short amount of time. But slowly, people are moving past the survival mode and allowing this digital experience to settle in. What actions can you take so that your brand grows its customer base and takes care of its people?

Can You Do “Business as Usual” During a Pandemic?

You could. But that might make you come off as insensitive and unadapted. However, you don’t have to change the entire idea around your e-commerce branding strategy – though you should be focused on these important tips:

1. Don’t Target Fear

The worst thing you can do is take advantage of people’s fear during these times. Sure, manipulation can get you an increase in sales in the short term. However, in the long run, it will damage your business.

Just think about what side you want to be on when this pandemic is over. Do you want people to see you as a toxic, manipulative brand? Or do you want them to remember that you actually did something to help them through tough times?

2. Show Empathy

Everyone is vulnerable in times like these — from entrepreneurs to employees. Many companies offer essential services for free. This kind of conduct shows humility and decency in the face of a crisis.

You should use this time to shift your focus and your voice to positive messages around staying safe. Alternatively, give people ways in which they can improve their current situation — be it services or entertainment ideas.

The whole point here is to show that you understand what people are going through — and that you care. The time of being commercially exploitative has passed.

3. Improve Your Digital Presence

If people can’t find you, how will they buy from your store? It’s not as easy as it sounds, though. Before the outbreak, most small businesses generated only a minor part of their profits from a concrete e-commerce branding strategy. This means it will take more effort to generate more online sales.

First of all, aim to grow your website and your blog, if you have one. Use it as an opportunity to add value to people’s lives through your content. Start learning about SEO and link building if you are unfamiliar with these concepts.

If your social media game is not on point, this could be a great moment to work on it. Adapt your promotional messages—combine them with a positive idea or an incentive to stay safe.

You could suggest ways in which the products you sell can help your customers forget their troubles for a moment. Or simply suggest new activities for them to enjoy—with or without your goods.

Another thing you can try is participating in digital events and live streaming. Doing this will help you connect with your customers on a more personal level. People will feel like they resonate with your brand and be more inclined to trust you.

4. Focus on Convenience

If your brand is capable of providing fast service and shipping—let people know. This is a strong selling point to have during these times. If not, it might be a good thing to improve. People have enough to worry about. Try and go out of your way to make it easier for them to buy your products.

Consider offering both delivery and pick up services. In this way, you’re offering your customers a choice of service and convenience.

5. Associate Your Brand with Good

If it’s possible, try to offer your services for free to people that need them most. Or, if you can afford it, make donations. People will see you and remember you as a company that made a stand and made an effort at a time when action was needed.

Also, feel-good content that promotes a positive message will go a long way. Just be sure not to make your efforts solely for commercial reasons. Your clients will acknowledge your contribution and true purpose.

6. Keep an Eye Open

Trends change with the speed of light. Tracking the behavior of your clients can help you gain better insights. In this way, you can adapt your messages or improve your services and keep your customers happy.

If possible, try to plan and build multiple scenarios of what might happen in the future. Even though nobody has answers, it can’t hurt to be prepared, no matter what. This will help you stay one step ahead of your competition.

7. Offer Safety

It should go without saying, but make sure that you follow all health regulations. People need to feel safe in order to do business with you. Offer contactless methods of payment and limit the contact between people at delivery.

Try to find new and safer ways to deliver your products. Like a drop-off point where clients can collect their orders without any human contact. Always consider the safety of both your clients and employees as a priority.

Keep Safe and Adapt

There is a silver lining to this situation—there are ways to improve your e-commerce branding strategy so that you will come out as a stronger company when this is all over. The methods you use to sell your products must be ethical and actually serve your customers. This way, people will remember you as a brand that didn’t take advantage of a bad situation.

The important thing is to constantly adapt – and never go dark with your business. Staying in the spotlight for the right reasons can help you tremendously.

About Millennium Agency

Consumer demand for CBD products is exploding. Seventeen states have legalized the use of CBD extract, and some experts predict that sales could hit 22 billion dollars by the year 2022.

Not everyone is cheering those rosy sales predictions. Regulators in Washington are deeply concerned. In November, the FDA issued a serious crackdown to 15 companies currently selling CBD-infused food and drink. To summarize: the FDA is stating it can’t conclude that CBD is “GRAS” (Generally Recognized as Safe).

One of the main reasons for this concern is that 70% of US hemp is grown and imported from China, with little to no transparency when it comes to their growing practices. After extensive testing by a leading analytical chemistry laboratory, most products were found to be “highly contaminated” with heavy metals, herbicides, BPA and toxic mold. With the FDA keeping quiet until recently, most US CBD products are not yet regulated for purity and safety, and few companies have gone the extra step to be transparent. Many industry insiders are worried that with the rise of popularity and access, the possibility of a full-blown CBD health scare is also coming as well. Such a scare would rattle consumer confidence, much like vaping.

So how do you prepare your cannabusiness for what lies ahead in 2020?

Transparency

CBD manufactures and retailers must be ready with contingency plans to include the addition of transparency marketing practices. It has been shown that 73% of customers are willing to pay more for a product that offers absolute transparency across all layers and aspects of its production and marketing. Businesses that market cannabis and its derivatives can learn from brands like Patagonia that have focused on brand transparency for years. Patagonia allows customers to view all aspects of their products’ journey, including the (usually hidden) textile mills and sewing factories. This tactic has worked: CEO Rose Marcario estimated that the total revenue of the company reached $1 billion in 2017.

Even though the CBD market in the US is relatively new, many companies expect a need for transparency from CBD consumers and have built it into their business plan. Veritas Farms, which owns a 140-acre hemp farm in Pueblo, Colorado, has taken steps to do just that. They boast sustainability as one of their core principles and provide consumers full transparency of their growing practices–even going so far to link to Colorado State’s Industrial Hemp Program website. The proof that full transparency is crucial in the market going forward is in the profit. Veritas Farms saw a 165% lift in their total revenue from Q3 of this year and a 347% lift from September 2018.

Being honest with your consumer isn’t just good for your business – it’s good for your overall reputation. Lay the foundation for being your customer’s trusted brand today. Not sure how to get started? Our sub-brand, Cannabis Brands, can help you!

About Millennium Agency