In Part 2 of the PeopleCount story, I told how we made a business plan, formed a partnership, built a first product, and prototyped the website. Next, we incorporated, polished it and got ready for a launch.

The first website was simple text and somewhat long-winded. Although the ideas were sound, the delivery lacked punch and aesthetics. Graphics and brevity are not my strong suits, but one of my board members, Ed, an expert in branding, and my friend Jackie, a graphic designer who designed my business cards, had impressed on me how important these are.

Toward the end of September, I read about a marketing team that could help, and was excited to see they had inexpensive packages for startups, starting with tailoring the messages and website.  We began working together at the beginning of October.

Ed, brainstormed some possible main messages. The marketing team and I chose a tagline that spoke not only of PeopleCount’s mission, but also one that would empower our users to create a difference: Make your Political Opinion Count! Continue reading →