Working Solutions
Print Marketing for a Small Business Microlender
Role: Creative Director | Working Solutions, a respected San Francisco Bay Area microlender providing funding for businesses unable to access traditional loans, engaged us to revamp their marketing and unify their brand across multiple channels. With a history of funding hundreds of businesses, they needed to boost their visibility. Our work refined and streamlined Working Solutions’ message and amplified outreach to a larger audience via cohesive, integrated marketing materials.
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Research & Insights
Stakeholder Interviews
Brand Audit of Existing Print, Website & Social Media
Print Marketing Materials
Key Brand Messages
Print Collateral Style Guide
Art Direction
Brand Action Plan Including Strategy for Website, Blog, Video, Social Media & eNewsletter -
Working Solutions had 20 pieces of print collateral (postcards, flyers, brochures, etc.) with no unifying design as well as six different mission statements and multiple taglines. Additionally, they needed to unify their branding across six social media channels, an email newsletter and a website.
They wanted to keep their existing logo but needed a singular clear message and a cohesive, but adaptable marketing vehicle to communicate the multi-faceted services they provided to small businesses.
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Initially commissioned to redesign six pieces, we ultimately overhauled the majority of Working Solutions’ collateral to create new, integrated, and cohesive print marketing materials. In the process, we interviewed stakeholders encompassing donors, staff, board members, and clients to understand how they perceived Working Solutions. We discovered that few were aware of a key differentiator: Working Solutions is the only San Francisco Bay Area microlender offering free small business consulting, which we made a central pillar of their clarified purpose.
We also developed a comprehensive content strategy to revamp their social media, improve their website and email campaigns, and boost site traffic with an SEO strategy. Our collaboration also led to the creation of a new tagline, 'Capital. Consulting. Community,' and a revitalized mission statement.
Working Solutions Rebranded Print Collateral
We created a coil-bound booklet that could be assembled and customized by Working Solutions staff. It features offset printed pages in the front, showcasing the organization, services, and clients, as well as a front pocket that holds a small marketing piece. The back has customizable templates, and a bookmark-shaped postcard with quotes, as well as a revamped Eligibility Checklist—an important piece for stakeholders—that highlights the qualifications for Working Solutions borrowers. Photos by Tamisie Honey depict funded businesses and owners throughout.
Working Solutions Collateral Color Palette
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#6d2f80
Deep Violet
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#a1ca3a
Tea Green
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#126fb7
Sapphire
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#e14525
Persimmon
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#ccb391
Almond Tree
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#96a92c
Pear Green