Ep. 1 I always wondered why cups of cold water were important to the One who taught us so much about sacrificial love. He said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones he will be rewarded.” My father exemplified that to me. Every day he would show small acts of thoughtfulness to those around him. I remember him helping my blind mother with the dishes, bringing meals to a family in need, and offering up his two apartments so missionary families had a place to stay and visit. For him, every day was a day to look around and ask, “What can I do today to remind the people around me that they are loved?” In this episode, I share defining moments that shaped my journey, including: 🎨 A trip to an art store that unlocked my creative calling 🖌️ Drawing an African chief and discovering that bringing joy to others is my purpose in art 📚 A librarian’s encouragement that led me to Kendall College of Art & Design 📖 A gifted book that inspired the marketing agency we are today These moments may have seemed small at the time, but they left a lasting impact. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode "How It All Started" and that it might inspire you to see the beauty in simple, thoughtful gestures. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

Why do great designs stand out? While it may be challenging to pinpoint the exact reason, most people can recognize them instantly. In this episode, we explore the fundamental principles that guide designers in their creative process. Our goal is to provide you with a deeper understanding and practical insights into crafting exceptional designs. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

Writing is the bridge to people’s hearts. In the latest episode, we discuss "Stein on Writing" by Sol Stein. The book is a masterclass on effective communication and storytelling, offering insights that nonprofits can leverage to improve their messaging. Sol Stein wrote, “Readers don’t want to be told what to think or feel—they want to experience it for themselves.” We vaguely tell our audience to buy (and read) the book. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

When it comes to naming or renaming your organization, it’s easy to feel the weight of the decision. A name is often the first impression, a lasting one that will shape how people view your brand. Whether you’re starting fresh or considering a rebrand, two primary approaches can help guide the process. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

Hear the story behind the rebrand that Scott Allen Creative did for a nonprofit organization in Arizona that went from Veterans Heritage Project to Imprints of Honor and the lessons we learned from the process. Learn more about Imprints of Honor at https://www.imprintsofhonor.org/ Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

You may be thinking of rebranding your organization. Rebranding may come in the form of a new name or an entire new visual identity. How do you know if it’s a good time to rebrand? In this episode, we’ll share two reasons why you shouldn’t rebrand and three reasons why you should. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

When research moves our heart, our goal should be to bring that enlightenment to other people’s hearts in a beautiful way through our marketing efforts. It invites them into that journey of discovery. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

In the realm of market research, looking to experts can provide invaluable guidance. By understanding what industry leaders are saying, we can align our strategies with broader research and societal attitudes. The greater conversations about our nonprofit's mission may be beneficial in determining a marketing objective. In this episode, we do a case study of how studying psychology experts helped craft a lead brand statement for a local nonprofit, Literacy Center of West Michigan. The research provided key insights that ultimately led to a powerful brand statement. A more informed decision can create more meaningful change. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

You can learn a lot by looking at your competition and looking at those who are simply knocking it out of the park (experts) regardless of endeavor or application. How should these two approaches be combined to get the results you are looking for in marketing? In this episode, we discuss why the two different approaches in external research is important before starting the creative process. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

One-on-one interviews are the most effective way to gather the quantitative research you are looking for. This is where you can discover your belief, your hero, or how you can best make an impact in the world. The interviews help provide the understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing. It gets to the heart of the organization more clearly. In this episode, we discuss these methods of market research and how interviews should be handled. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

One of the first things we do in marketing is look at all the outward demographics - age, race, gender, income, geography, etc. We can identify what makes us different from each other and we try to understand how those differences can help us market to other people better. But, what if we asked the question, “How are we alike?” when we begin the marketing process? How would that shift your messaging or appeal? In this episode, we discuss three insights that help can figure out the right message for your nonprofit. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

Before writing a headline or designing anything, we must do the research first. David Ogilvy, a British advertising executive known for his emphasis on creative copy and considered the "Father of Advertising," wrote about the importance of research before any creative is done. In this episode, we discuss the "four knows" of research - the four things you should find out about through the act of research. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

What is the greatest need at your nonprofit? Donor acquisition? Unified message across all departments? New name and brand for the organization? Connecting with a younger generation through social media? Trying to keep the lights on? Saying no to so many things? Focus. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

You may not be aware of the history of our marketing agency, let alone, where the name Scott Allen even came from in Scott Allen Creative. When people first come across the name, people’s initial reaction is typically, “Who is this Scott Allen!?” or “How did you come up with the name?” Well, if you have ever found yourself wondering how this name came about, we want to provide you with those answers. There is a rich history involved and we decided to tell the story in this episode. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…

What do you do if you find yourself in "survival mode" as a nonprofit organization? How do you pitch to donors when you are just trying to keep the lights on? This is an incredible challenge that nonprofits face. This question came about when discussing the second step of creating a marketing plan. Hosted by Jeff Terpstra and Jayson Brewer through Scott Allen Creative, a marketing agency in Grand Rapids, MI. Your passion is our inspiration. Watch this episode on YouTube or find our more at scottallencreative.com .…