Written by Jay Mattingly

Working with the Sertoma Club of Greenwood to redesign their website for WAMM Fest I learned a lesson about what is really important in web design and marketing in general. WAMMFEST, scheduled for Aug 22 is the first of what organizers hope will be an annual event celebrating Wine, Art, Music, and Microbreweries. It is a great opportunity for people to experience all that Indy’s vibrant cultural scene has to offer.

The Sertoma Club, a volunteer organization wanted a website which would allow them to communicate updates on a regular basis to their target audience throughout the central Indiana community. We went through several rounds of changes in the process and along the way I’ve been reminded of something very important.

The organizers of WAMM Fest weren’t willing to just settle for flashy graphics or innovative site navigation. To them, the most important aspect of the website was making sure it conveyed the exact message and core values of what the festival was really based on. Too often in marketing, we are distracted and forget to focus on emphasizing our core message and values. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s new, what’s next, or what’s on the cutting edge. It’s easy to just stick flashy graphics and unorthodox style on your website; but what separates your business is what you-and only you-can offer. Sertoma Club never forgot the core message was the most integral part of the WAMM Fest marketing campaign. They reminded me your core values are who you are; and those values are, and will always be, the most important part of your marketing message. And at the same time, we were able to transform their first attempt into a site they could be proud of!