Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Should I Spend On Marketing?

Marketing should be considered an expense, like office supplies. As such, it should be budgeted for at the beginning of every year. When you make it part of your business budget, you'll find it much easier to plan a marketing program that is consistent (and thereby consistently generates sales).

How Much Will This Cost?

The Secret Ingredient Brand Marketing Company bills it's services in two different ways:

1. By the project: For new clients and/or those who contact us to perform a specific task we provide a cost estimate for each project and request 50% down payment to begin and the remaining 50% upon completion.
2. Hourly: Regular clients are billed every month for the hours spent working on their marketing plan.

• The standard hourly rate is $65/hour.
• Surprise projects with deadlines that require a delay of our previously planned projects will be billed an Urgent Rate of $85/hour.
• Surprise projects with deadlines that require immediate attention will be billed an Emergency Rate of $120/hour.

How Can I Reduce Project Costs?

There are many ways that you can help control project costs:

• Planning is the biggest single way to reduce costs. Knowing what you want to accomplish, and conveying this clearly will ensure that the work we do reflects your objectives and expectations.
• Numerous changes can dramatically increase your bill, so spend a little time up front to ensure you provide complete and correct information.
• Providing text for brochures, ads and other printed collateral on a computer disk will save you typesetting charges. Please remember to proofread what you provide; this will cut down on changes/corrections.
• Take your proofs seriously. Carefully reviewing materials submitted for your review helps take care of errors early in a project, and can prevent costly misprints.
• If you like (or dislike) a particular "look," color or style, communicate this to us clearly from the beginning. Show us samples of work, text, ads, brochures, etc., that convey your personal taste. If you have a corporate slogan that you've used and would like us to incorporate, show us so we can include this element in your materials.

How Are Project Costs Estimated?

Based on previous experience with other projects, The Secret Ingredient will estimate how many hours are required for your project. All this information is compiled into a written proposal that provides a project price tag. Please note: if you make changes to your original specifications, you will be invoiced for the additional time.

Will I Be Charged For Meeting, Phone Or Travel Time?

Yes. When The Secret Ingredient is consulting with its clients or on behalf of its clients, this is considered billable time. You are paying for our consultation services, expertise, and time spent on your project(s).

Other charges for expenses related to your job, such as travel, printing, shipping, copies, and proofs may also be incurred.

How Will I Know How Many Hours Were Spent In Relation To My Project?

We keep track of all time spent on each project. Each invoice shows a breakdown of time spent on your behalf and what that time was spent doing. If you ever have questions please don't hesitate to ask.

How Can You Claim To Be An Expert In So Many Areas?

Although I may seem like a "one man marketing band" my actual role is more like that of an orchestra conductor. I've spent years scouring the globe to find specialists in every aspect of marketing ranging from printing to programming and everything in between. So that means when you hire The Secret Ingredient you are tapping into the abilities of some of the most intelligent, creative, and experienced professionals in the world.

Why Should I Order Printing From You If You Are Just Going To Markup The Prices That I Could Get If I Just Called A Local Printer?

I have special relationships with printers across America who provide me with wholesale pricing. The price you get from me is the price you would get from them if you decided to contact them directly. The only problem is that you don't know who these printers are because most printers don't advertise themselves.

Another problem is that different printers are better at doing specific things like 1 and 2 color printing, custom folders and binders, full color business cards, letterhead and envelopes, banners, postcards, etc. Sure, any printer will tell you they can print your project but if it's not something they do on a regular basis it's going to cost you more and the quality won't be as good as if you went to someone who specializes in that kind of printing. I know who the best companies are for each kind of printing.

If you are ready for a bigger print job I have overseas printing / manufacturing contacts.

I Have A Limted Budget... Why Should I Spent It On You Mr. Mastermind?

Short Answer

Without a "marketing mastermind" to act as a conductor, the result is an orchestra with every section playing a different piece of music. The listener (the market) can't follow along because there is no clear message or the messages are conflicting.

With a "marketing mastermind" involved, the messages from all these different media combine like puzzle pieces to form the whole picture of a business and the value of what it sells.

Long Answer

When I am called in to assist a company the first thing I have them do is send me all of their marketing materials. This includes anything with their company name on it like print ads, yellow pages ads, pictures of trade show displays, brochures, and even the letterhead and business cards they use.

When I lay these items out on the table in front of me what I usually find is that the messaging on the website is different from the messaging used in the print ads and in the yellow pages, so on and so forth. This is because a different person was involved in the creation of all of these pieces and none of them collaborated with each other.

Here is how it usually works:

• The yellow pages ad was a collaboration by the sales person and in house graphic designer at the yellow pages.
• The Val-Pak coupons (yuck!) were a collaboration by the sales person and in house graphic designer at Val-Pak.
• The radio spots (and those for about 10 other companies in that same night) were produced by the chain smoking, Red Bull addict DJ working the graveyard shift.
• The website was created by a web designer.
• The stationary and other promotional goodies like pencils with the company logo on them were designed by the in-house designer at the printing company.
• All magazine ads were created by the respective sales person and in-house graphic designer at those magazines.

Without a "marketing mastermind" to act as a conductor, the result is an orchestra with every section playing a different piece of music. The listener (the market) can't follow along because there is no clear message or the messages are conflicting.

With a "marketing mastermind" involved, the messages from all these different media combine like puzzle pieces to form the whole picture of a business and the value of what it sells.

Why so many businesses operate without someone to coordinate their marketing efforts is beyond my understanding. Either they don't know how/where to find a person that does what I do, or they want to cut corners by having free ads made by the in-house people at the yellow pages and the radio station.

If you are going spending thousands of dollars on radio spots, yellow pages listings, and other media placement make sure your messaging is congruent across the board.

You've learned all about me and what I do. Let's get started!