Welcome to the entrepreneurial journey, a path filled with wild ideas, marketing strategies, brilliant innovations, and the thrill of creating something from scratch. While you’re already a pro at creating stellar products or services, I get that sales might not be your forte. It’s a common challenge — you’re not alone. And that’s exactly why I’m here to help.

If you’re a titan in product creation but your sales pitch is more of a weak wobble, then this blog post is your ultimate guide. I’m going to turn your sales frown upside down, getting those numbers soaring higher than a rocket heading to Mars. Fasten your seatbelts as we delve into how and why you should prioritize and strategize effective sales strategies. I’ll also reveal how this ties into creating a powerful brand identity and website design.

Why Sales Strategies Matter

Ever heard of the phrase, “Build it, and they will come”? In a perfect world, this might be true. But in the business sphere, having a stellar product or service is just one part of the puzzle. The other crucial piece? Making sure people know about it. This is where a sales strategy becomes as necessary as oxygen to a scuba diver.

The right sales strategy positions your product in the marketplace communicates its value, and most importantly, convinces your audience to press ‘buy’. In essence, it acts as the bridge between your business and the customer, converting interest into income.

Breaking Down the Sales Strategy

Your sales strategy should be as unique as your business. But let’s break down some fundamental principles that can guide you:

1. Understanding your dream customer: You should know your customers as well as you know your favorite song. Who are they? What do they want or need? Understanding their pain points, desires, and behaviors gives you insights to tailor your sales pitch and meet their needs.
2. Knowing your competition: In the business world, ignorance is never bliss. Identify who your competitors are, what they offer, and how they sell. This will help you differentiate your product and define your unique selling proposition (USP).
3. Defining your sales process: Your sales process is the roadmap that guides a prospect from the first contact to the final sale. It should be clear, consistent, and effective.

Prioritizing Sales Strategy

Alright, I get it. You’re already juggling a thousand tasks. Why should you add another one? Well, because prioritizing your sales strategy could be the difference between a sputtering start-up and a thriving business.

Without a targeted sales strategy, you risk shooting in the dark, wasting resources on unqualified leads, and missing opportunities for growth. On the other hand, a focused sales strategy can increase efficiency, improve customer relationships, and drive revenue.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Read the rest of this post and how to put everything into motion here.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog, Kingsley. So today we are setting the time machine controls for New York 1942. (Sound of time machine blasting off!)

Today is about women empowerment and the Wonder Woman logo. Do you remember waking up on Saturday morning as a kid and pouring a bowl of your favorite cereal? You could take your time eating it because there was no school. Even having a second bowl. Then curling up on the sofa and turning on your go-to cartoon show. Mine was The Superfriends. I never missed an episode. The intro alone would get my heart racing. Or maybe it was the frosted flakes?

If you don’t know, The Superfriends was a team of D.C. comic superheroes who fought villains every week. As a girl, I of course was mesmerized by Wonder Woman. To see a female fight alongside the mighty Superman and Batman was amazing to me. She was beautiful and strong. She wore a crown, bracelets, and a magic lasso at her side. She is an equal to men.

Here we are in Rye, New York 1942. Kingsley and I start our walk to the neighborhood of Dr. William Marnston who was the creator of Wonder Woman. The neighborhood is so cute with all the kept flowers and white fences. I love all the cars! The Buicks and the Oldsmobiles are so big and have a ton of personality. Kids are playing outside everywhere. They are on bicycles and in the trees, even playing stickball in the street. We come upon the address and start our way up to the door. I notice every neighbor outside on their porch keenly watches us as we approach the door. I wave to a few of them and they return a wave to me.

Now I have to admit I usually do research on the person I’m seeking out, however this time I just quickly read that the Wonder Woman character was first printed in 1941 and was created by a Harvard professor Dr. William Marnston. I wanted to talk to him right at the time the comic took off. So I figured out where he was living at the time and didn’t investigate much else about him personally. Instead, I went down a rabbit hole reading about World War 2 because that’s what was happening in 1942. I was unprepared for this encounter.

I knock on the door. Children answer the door and are immediately won over by Kingsley. They surround him and begin petting him and fawning over him. Kingsley loves it. Then a woman comes to the door.

“May I help you?”

“Yes, I’m Alley Jean. Are you Mrs. Marnston?

“No, I’m Olive Byrne.”

“Oh, I’m sorry I must have the wrong address.”

“No, this is the right address.”

“Is Dr. Marnston here?”

“Yes, come in, I’ll get William for you.”

The children ask if they can play with Kingsley in the backyard.

“Of course, you can, he’ll love it.”

Off they go and everything becomes quiet. I adore the inside of the house. The colors are very midcentury… ochre, orange, and brown. It’s all very neat and simple. The living room has no television, only a radio, and a phonograph. The next decade would bring the television to the average home.

Dr. Marnston strolls in with another woman.

“Hello, I’m Dr. William Marnston and this is my wife Elizabeth, and I see you’ve met Olive. What brings you to our home?”

“I’m Alley Jean and I’m a huge fan of Wonder Woman! I found out you lived close by and I thought I would try and meet you.”

“That’s fantastic, I really appreciate our fans.”

I immediately ask about the logo.

“What was the inspiration behind the logo design? What does it mean to you Dr. Marnston?”

Without hesitating Dr. Marnston replies. “Please call me William. Well, it represents America and truth and justice. It also had to have some relevance to Greek mythology being that Wonder Woman is from ancient Greece. Also, let’s not forget Harry Peter the cartoonist who illustrated the eagle symbol.”

The official Wonder Woman logo has gone through several transitions since the 40s. But the color palette of bright yellow, gold, red and black along with the “W” and the eagle symbolism has remained rooted in the design. Because they stuck to these foundational forms, the Wonder Woman logo and brand have stayed recognizable and loved.

Color Palette:

1. Yellow and Gold: The yellow and gold color scheme psychologically draws our attention and emotions around the idea of compassion, magic, love, optimism, wisdom, godliness, perfection, power and courage.
2. Red: The color red is iconic and represents the United States of America, energy, confidence, beauty, and intelligence.
3. Black & White: Most of the logos contain black and white in them to create space, simplicity, and elegance.

Twin “W’s”:

The twin “W” in the logo is a very clever way to use the initials of Wonder Woman along with creating the idea of the eagle. Initial logos also known as monograms, are great because they are easy to understand and personal to the brand.

Eagle:

The eagle symbolizes freedom, truth, justice, and women empowerment.

The most current logo version is my favorite. This logo shows more strength than all of them and they added a little notch to the center of the “W’s” to symbolize the eagle head. It is gorgeous and could be in a beautiful bright yellow and/or gold too.

Back to the story…

Elizabeth jumps in. “When William was hired by Maxwell Gaines to create a new superhero I insisted it be a woman.”

Olive gets in on the conversation. “She is styled after me.” She clings her two gold bracelets together.

I ask Elizabeth and Olive. “Are you two related or…..?”

“No, no we are all lovers here.” Elizabeth casually states.

She adds. “William and I are married and Olive is our grand polyamorous life partner.”

“Perhaps a little too much information dear.” Dr. Marnston says.

“Oh, nonsense the whole neighborhood already knows. Mrs.You Know Who walked in on the three of us having a bondage session.”

“Would you like some iced tea?” Olive asks, seeming uncomfortable with Elizabeth’s declaration.

She heads to the kitchen without me even answering.

I had to ask. “So are the children …..”

Before I could finish my sentence William states, “Yes they are all our children.”

“Live and let live you know. Seems like you have a very happy family.” I tell them.

“You don’t have to state the obvious to me, Alley Jean.” Elizabeth snaps.

“Oh Elizabeth, she’s just telling the truth,” Olive says in my defense while handing me a glass of iced tea.

“No really, you have an awesome family,” I say.

Elizabeth repeats. “Awesome family. I like that, a bit untraditional but awesome.”

Olive gives me a comforting smile.

“You see Alley Jean, I molded the idea of Wonder Women after Elizabeth and Olive. She has Elizabeth’s brilliance and independence blended with Olive’s build, nurturing nature, and feminist pedigree.” William informs.

“What do you mean feminist pedigree?” I ask.

“I’m Margaret Sanger’s niece,” Olive says.

I blurt out “Get the hell out of here! Sorry, I mean…Really?”

“Yes, it’s true. We are all feminists here. Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for a new type of woman who should rule the world. Women are more honest than men and I can prove it to you. Let’s show Alley Jean our truth machine.” William proudly states.

Everyone began making their way to what is their home office. As I entered, there on a table snug against the desk was the most peculiar machine. A metal box with several knobs and gauges. Lots of wires and sensors.

William explains,” Elizabeth and I are both psychologists and we have been perfecting our little invention here for some time now. This instrument measures the systolic blood pressure of a person. When that person is asked a question and the blood pressure rises this needle will also rise. This needle draws a line on the paper proving if the person is telling the truth. If the line is straight they are telling the truth. If the line spikes it is a lie. Out of the men and women we have tested, the women are always more truthful.”

“It seems quite accurate,” Elizabeth says.

“Let us show you.”

“It is a lot of fun. It really works.” Olive ensures.

Olive and Elizabeth begin hooking me up. Wrapping spiraled chords around me and my right hand connected to wired sensors. I sit down in a chair as they turn the machine on. Different colored lights come on. The paper begins slowly moving as the needle begins a floaty straight line.

As I sat there watching Dr. Marnston checking the gauges I thought to myself, “What the hell I’m I doing?”

Dr. Marnston fans out five cards facing down and asks me to choose one only showing myself.

I look at the card and place it down.

He then asks me to answer “no” to his four questions.

“Is your card the 4 of hearts?”

“No”

“Is your card the 3 of spades?”

“No”

“Is your card the Queen of clubs?”

“No”

“Is your card the King of diamonds?”

“No”

“Your card was the 3 of spades.”

“Yes, it was!” I announce.

Dr. Marnston adjusts some of the controls.

“Alright, I have you all dialed in now. Are you ready for the real questions?”

It was then I realized the connection between this early polygraph and Wonder Woman’s magic lasso of truth. Suddenly it was as if it was the real lasso wrapped around me emitting gold light across the entire room. The lasso I saw as a child breaking down villain after villain.

I never even heard the first questions Dr. Marnston asked… I just shut my eyes and started pouring out the entire truth.

“My name is Alley Jean…

I am a time traveler …

I’m from the future, 2022…

I love logos…

I created a time machine to find people who made awesome logos

I’m from Michigan, I really don’t live in New York

I love dogs

I love cats for only a couple of minutes

I think you guys are great

Wonder Woman inspires millions of girls and women for 80 years and beyond

She is made into a television series, and several movies

The Wonder Woman logo evolves into a powerful symbol of empowerment

In the future women will have all the opportunities of men

In the future women hold important roles in every industry

They even become astronauts flying around in space

And…

And…

I like to eat chocolate when I’m sad…

I slowly open my eyes to three very bewildered faces staring at me. Then simultaneously all four of us look down at the results. The line was straight the whole time.

(I can’t believe I just told them everything!)

“Do you know what this means?” Dr. Marnston exclaims.

Elizabeth stands and answers, “Yes, it means this damn thing isn’t working!”

She adds, “Check the controls, something must not be right. Quite a story there. Time traveling with a golden retriever. Women flying in space. You should be writing comics Alley Jean. ”

“I don’t see anything wrong with the test.” Dr. Marnston claims.

The children fill the house with laughter and make their way to us. Kingsley is sporting a new red cape. I take advantage and quickly start removing the sensors off of me. Elizabeth keeps rambling on while Olive still looks stunned.

“Thank you everyone this has been an extraordinary visit but Kingsley and I must be on our way.”

I turn around one last time and say, “Well, its been emotional.”

Kingsley and I exit and start making our way down the sidewalk.

Behind me Dr. Marnston shouts, “Alley Jean wait!”

I stop and we walk towards each other. He is holding a long torn piece of the testing paper in his hand.

He looks straight into my eyes and asks, “If everything you said was true, then we must win the war?”

“Yes, we win the war.”

Every generation has a special relationship with Wonder Woman.

I feel the power, do you?

Join me next time for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!

Signing off,

Alley Jean

Brand Strategist, Web Designer & SEO for Women
“2022 Local Business Person of the Year Ann Arbor, Michigan” Learn more about how I support women with their personal creative brand image across the globe…

Originally this article was published at https://alleyjean.com/the-amazing-wonder-woman-logo-story/

So here we are in Nice, France, at the construction of the Castle Château de Crémat in 1906. Antoine Mari, a wine merchant, is having the Castle built on land that was used for the cultivation of olive trees and vineyards that goes back to the Roman Empire. The Romans built these underground galleries that were used for oil and wine. These lavish galleries will become the Castle cellars.

Kingsley and I leave the time machine and venture across many rolling hills to reach our destination. The Castle is an inspired medieval design with magnificent tower parapets and ornamental rococo.

Kingsley starts running ahead of me as we encounter the final stages of this Castle being worked on. He zooms past the workers and runs through the open front door. I can barely catch up. The workers pay little attention to us as they go about their work. They believe we belong.

As I enter the Castle to find Kingsley I am awestruck by the stained glass window art. That is why we are here. On the Castle windows, among all the intricate colors and designs are two interlacing letters “C’s” which will go on to be one of the most famous logos in history. CHANEL.

These are the very same stained glass windows that inspired Coco Chanel to develop and launch her logo in 1925. Chanel revolutionized women’s wear and built a feminine empire.

Coco Chanel’s Logo

Chanel logo meaning

The iconic Chanel symbol and logo capture unity, luxury, and perfection through two interlocking “C’s”. As you stare at the logo you begin to see how the “C’s” form an overall oval shape. This shape represents eternity. The oval is also seen as an eye and stands for the brand’s vision. The stark contrast of black and white gives the logo an elegant look and feel. A typographer created the font for Chanel by using Coco Chanel’s own handwriting. Her use of the symbol created an acronym that became a personal expression. It completed her brand.

The iconic logo captures unity, luxury, and perfection through two interlocking “C’s”.

-Alley Jean

I climb the stairs and look upon the countryside from the highest view.

Stunning. I see Antoine Mari’s beautiful teacup roses shining in the sun.

The roses would someday be world-famous. Kingsley and I go through the entire Castle. The place is beyond description. Love it! As we finally exit an older burly man with a white mustache is waving us over calling out in French. We walk over to where he is working on a small pad of concrete that will hold a flag pole. I tell him I speak only English. He hastily motions to imprint my hand into the cement. I kneel down and put my hand into the concrete. It feels like wet peanut butter. He gives me a towel and smiles. I point to my dog and then the concrete. He nods yes. I take Kingsley’s right paw and press it down next to my handprint. I wipe off his paw and stare at our impressions. Crazy cool!

We take our time walking through the young vineyard. It was there that outstepped the cutest female gold poodle I ever saw. It was as if Cupid shot Kingsley with an arrow. I literally saw hearts in his eyes. Then in an instant, they ran off out of sight. I called out for him over and over and feared I may never see him again. I laid down on a hillside and waited and waited…..then fell asleep.

I was awakened by a Kingsley bark and I was so happy he returned I couldn’t be mad. I gave him a bear hug! There, by his side, was his new mate. She followed us back to the time machine where Kingsley and I argued about taking her back. Me saying, “No, No!” while he aggressively barked in defense. Love is powerful. So off into the future the three of us went. Unlike Lady and the Tramp just kissing while eating a noodle… she and Kingsley started having doodles. What?!!! Yep! Nine weeks later the two of them multiplied like gremlins.

May I introduce Riley, Lily, Bear, Jojo, and FuFu.

Nice.

Join me next week for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!

Signing off,

Alley Jean

Brand Strategist, Web Designer & SEO for Women
“2022 Local Business Person of the Year Ann Arbor, Michigan

Learn more about how I support women with their personal creative brand image across the globe…

FOR ALL WHO SEEK KNOWLEDGE AND HARBOR AN ABUNDANCE OF CURIOSITY.

Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog Kingsley, and today we are setting the time machine controls for 1970.

So, today is all about, Taking Care of Business; Elvis Presley’s infamous personal logo!

Being an eighties baby, I was hit with the aftershock that carried over thirty years later from the rock & roll earthquake of 1956.

The first time I heard Heartbreak Hotel it was biblical.

The first time I saw his face on a record… he looked perfect.

A ROCK-N-ROLL BIBLE WOULD START WITH, “IN THE BEGINNING, GOD MADE ELVIS.”

When I heard Lawdy Miss Clawdy, it made my heart race and truly dance for the first time. I spun around the room so fast I almost fell out the front window!

After Elvis had his successful 1968 comeback he began touring again and called his band, TCB (Taking Care of Business) This time period is when the TCB logo design was made.

So let’s go! (sounds of time machine taking off)

So here we are in Tennessee on June 4th, 1970. I’m sipping a sweet tea outside RCA Studio B in Nashville. Kingsley and I are waiting impatiently for the King to arrive along with other fans. I notice Felton Jarvis, record producer, step out of the building for a minute. He takes a look around and goes back inside.

A car pulls up and there he is! When Elvis steps out of the car… read more

FOR ALL WHO SEEK KNOWLEDGE AND HARBOR AN ABUNDANCE OF CURIOSITY.

Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog Kingsley, and today we are setting the time machine controls for 1928. So let’s go! (sounds of time machine taking off)

So here we are at MGM Studios. (I got in by telling a stage-hand that Kingsley is part of a movie! Shhh!) Beautiful ladies and moving sets are whirling by! I can’t seem to keep my feet on the ground with so much going on! I can feel the glamour, drama, and creative sophistication in the air! Making our way through the wardrobe area is filled with glitter, beads, silk, sparkle, shine, and feather boas! Oh my god, Joan Crawford just walked by me! Wow!

Today is about the iconic branding of MGM Pictures. The original design of the lion logo was made in 1916 by ad executive Howard Dietz. Some say he designed it after the company’s owner Marcus Leow because his name translates to, “lion.” Others say he designed it after his Alma Mater’s lion mascot at Columbia University.

The reason we have traveled to 1928 instead of 1916 is that we are here to watch the recording of Jackie the lion’s roar being recorded, which will be added to the live MGM logo. Jackie is my dog’s favorite actor and I promised him we would see him! Jackie the lion will appear in over a hundred films. In real life Jackie the lion survived a sinking ship, two train wrecks, an earthquake, an explosion in the studio, and a plane crash in Arizona. ” (This cat truly has nine lives!) There will be seven lions used during the hundred years of evolution of the MGM branding. All the lions were known as Leo to the public even though they had their own names. Only the last lion actually was named Leo.

Read more…

WELCOME TO ALL THAT SEEK KNOWLEDGE AND HARBOR AN ABUNDANCE OF CURIOSITY.

I’m Alley Jean and we will be taking my time machine through history to witness the evolution of branding. So let’s go! Come on Kingsley (my English Cream Golden Retriever) get in! Let’s set the controls for 1877. But, before I pull the lever to begin our travels I want to quickly inform you of the origins of the modern word, “brand.” The word was derived from the ancient Norse, Scandinavian word, “Brandr” meaning to burn. Now, many, many ancient civilizations use what I would think of as “proto-brands” or “ancestral brands.” Such as wax seals on letters, coin stamps, battle flags, and even vessels to carry goods.

These proto-brands for ancient civilizations were information that completed at least one of three functions.

Information regarding place of origin.

Information used to allow basic functions of marketing such as transportation, sorting and storage.

Information on the quality to remove risk and uncertainty in the customers purchasing decision.

Since the Industrial Revolution, it is now understood that branding is not just a graphical representation of a product or service. Branding is the communication of features and benefits that reach its audience with an emotional connection. Our focus will be on the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries where modern branding began.

So let’s pull the time machine lever and off we go to 1877!

So here we are in Staffordshire England. Let’s make our way to the local pub. Here we are in the pub. This is a place to meet, relax, where people drink and talk and traditionally play games like cards and billiards. And this is why we are here, a bottle of Bass Ale made by the Bass Brewery. Here this brand, with its iconic red triangle logo, will soon become one of England’s biggest beer companies.

This logo is the first trademark ever registered in England. Let’s have a taste. The taste of this ale has a thick body while still being thin with a caramelized sweet malty taste upfront. Very good indeed! Little do they know they will be producing 1,500,000 barrels annually by 1890.

Now this red triangle on the bottle is our focus. For the time, it was practical to use just the shape of a triangle because there were few logos of any sort back then. In its simplicity, the red triangle signifies vital energy and the brand name is underlining the logo in a handwritten authenticity.

Let’s have a few more sips.

Read more…