Should we alter our customers brands??

[Advink - Mark]

We are finding that although we offer great marketing advice and great products... Some of the artwork supplied by clients make the overall finished product look lower value than it should!

We are starting to offer graphic design more and more so we have more control over creating a great promotional item!

Will clients realise we are trying to help? Or will they be offended by our suggestions to alter their branding very slightly?

 

[XanderMarketing]

I think offering good customer service is being able to be honest with your clients and help them get the best results, even if it means potentially offending them. If you don't believe designs are good or could be improved you should tell them...it's up to the client if they act on your advice or not.

 

[Advink - Mark]

Its just tricky when we usually need to show them designs to show them how much better it can look and then we have already spent several hours doing the artwork...

 

[SandyBrendel]

I think everyone would appreciate kind moves. But it pays to ask your clients about that first. We surely do not know how the minds of the people operate. What could be good for us might be bad for them.

 

[RHardy]

It's a useful service to offer, but I'd personally be wary of offering 'unsolicited' criticism, however constructive. That godawful logo may have been designed by the client's wife/husband/brother/mother/son and they may be very fond of it.

Making it an optional, 'free', 'value-added' service would at least get their buy-in before delivering the coup de grâce.

 

[AshCasey]

We offer a similar service in Paper Carrier Bags, we recently got an in house designer and offer it for FREE with our Customised Bag option. We find it's a great help to attract customers especially if they arent sure about their branding and they do not have the added hassle of trying to do it themselves or pay for their own graphic designer.
It also speeds up the process as when we do it in house we control the process and we are not waiting around to receive Artworks or if any amendments need to be made we can do it in-house quickly and it doesn't have to go back and forth between 4 different people.
Most clients are happy once you keep their colours and give them their idea and maybe one from your designer and let them make the decision!

Hope this helps!