Week Eight: Let's Get Visual!

Find examples of 2 or 3 business that are similar to yours. See what visual social media they are using and how they are using it.  Is it effective? Some businesses work best when they have visual support. Does visual media work for the type of business you have started? 

I love this quote because of how it resonates in both personal and professional ways. If you are a horse with blinders on, you only see what's in front of you. While a horse might be able to operate just fine, one can't say the same for a business owner trying to make their way down the road to prosperity. 

With regards to LoBue, I think a visual component to their marketing and design is HUGELY important....after all, they are a VISION center. The problem is finding where the boundaries are. Let's take a look at businesses similar to LoBue and what how visual media finds its way into their marketing mix. 

Southern California Eye Physicians & Associates

In addition to a very well developed website, SoCalEye offers a Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and a blog that contains video clips as well as written content. This is the vision I see for LoBue's offices, but with one important difference - a connection to their customers. I love the continuity and flow between the various websites, but I feel somewhat sterile when I read everything. I know there are humans that work in Dr. LoBue's offices. I don't necessarily want to know what they all had for lunch, but I want to feel a connection to the office. Given the 25+ years LoBue has been in business in a relatively small (well, used to be relatively small) community, I feel this is an important factor to have. 

Saddleback Eye Medical Associates 

Saddleback Eye Medical Associates appears to be set up similar to LoBue's offices, which is why I selected this for comparison. Upon visiting their website, it looks well put together and complete. However....yes, there is a but. There is nothing showing that they have any social media presence. I was able to find their Facebook, but it was as dry as the Sahara. As we've stated in the past, social media is a GREAT tool...but does you no good if your entire toolbox has fallen off the truck. Even the "Contact Us" page leaves a visitor empty handed. Users want to connect with businesses on Facebook, but they can't unless you let them!