Community Update

I'm not sure if the past few days have made me ashamed to be
part of the marketing & publicity industry or proud of what my company
stands for. I was already pretty disgusted with the tactics I've observed from
some of my competitors when I received a phone call from a web designer who
does work for a mutual client. He designs the site, I create the textual
content and test the site after completion to make sure everything is correct
and the links are working. He called to yell at me because he doesn't like the
fact that I don't stop until the site is perfect! He actually said, "I
gave him such a good price, and he expects too much!" How about charging a
realistic price and providing quality work? Now there's a thought! You just
can't make this stuff up.  If you operate
within the world of small business on Long Island, you've probably come across
a lot of these things as well.



At any rate, here is my company's code of ethics. Please feel free to comment
and let me know if I'm just being naive.

At Building Your Image Publicity Consulting:

1. We won't stop till your project is perfect. 
We want you to look good and be happy. 
We would rather have one happy customer who speaks well of us than 5
with valid complaints.

2. We consider testing after the fact a part of the job of website design
and/or content creation.

3. We respond to all contact in a timely manner, even if the answer is that we
can't do it right now. At least you know we got your message.

4. We don't assume that just because you gave us your business card it means
you want to receive our newsletter.

5. We also don't assume that having your e-mail address or other contact
information gives us the right to sell or share that list. We NEVER sell our
clients' or contacts' information.

6. We will never recommend a marketing tactic that is illegal, unethical,
immoral, or just plain dumb. 

7.  We don't try to
"fake out" the search engines with black hat SEO techniques.  The search engines are getting smarter every
day and in the long run, it will cost you more to try to take the shortcut.

8. We are a full service company, so we will never push you to buy a particular
product because it's the only product we sell. 
If you don't need it, we don't recommend it.

9.  We take the time to
understand your business so that our words sound like your words (only better).

10.  We learned in
kindergarten to work and play nicely with others, so we can work with your web
designer, graphic designer, printer or other marketing people without getting
into a battle of egos.  We can also
provide excellent services in those areas if you don't have someone you're
working with.

11.  We never hold any of
our work for ransom.  If you commission a
logo, it is yours outright.  You get the
original artwork and several variations that will allow you to use it on
anything, whether you continue to work with us or not.  If we design your website, you will own your
URL (web address) and have your access information, so you can update it
yourself or hire someone else.  You paid
for it.  You own it.  We want you to work with us because you WANT
to, not because you HAVE to.

12.  We recognize that
marketing and lead generation are an integral part of your business that can't
be done in a vacuum.  If you need help
with branding, organization, documentation and more, we can help.  And if we can't, we are connected to a large
network of professionals who can.

13.  We provide a FREE, in-depth
consultation and analysis.

14.  We actually care
about our clients.  We work to create
long term professional relationships.

Perhaps the fact that our federal elected officials are behaving
like petulant children is making it more obvious to me that I am surrounded by
the same thing within my industry.  If
you've enjoyed reading my thoughts here, you might enjoy my blog at http://wantagh.patch.com/blogs/mary-redlers-blog,
and you can learn more about