Soto Group was formed through a merger in 2019 of Soto Brand Consulting and a collective of Strategic Advisory Firms, several of which had been in operation since 2010-12.
Yes, but you must seek prior approval before running any paid advertisements promoting the Referral Program. This is to ensure that all promotions align with Soto Group’s brand positioning and standards. We are happy to collaborate with you to create compliant campaigns if needed.
Many small businesses and new companies start without a true understanding of the difference between a brand and a logo. In the same breath, 60% of businesses in Australia fail within the first 3 years of operation. Scary stats. There could be some correlation between the two.
With that said, a brand strategy is what defines a brand and is essential. We have written an article on just this topic, but here is a birds eye view of why you need a brand strategy:
At Soto Group a strong brand strategy is the foundation of all our brand and rebrand projects. We pride ourselves on launching and relaunching businesses and organisations for long term success.
We certainly do! At Soto Group, we understand the importance of a strong brand name in making a memorable impression and setting your business apart.
Our experienced team is skilled in the art of brand naming and can help you find the perfect name that resonates with your target audience and reflects your brand identity.
When we consider a brand name, we will walk you through the various options and why they are important. We will also help you understand the Intellectual Property (IP) implications when selecting a brand name.
We provide what we call ‘flattened monthly retainers” which are a little different to most agencies. Typical agency retainers lock you (and them) into a set monthly deliverable i.e. 2 x social media posts, 1 hour of community engagement, 1 x email campaign blah blah. You pay a set fee for set services and anything outside of that is at an extra charge.
But let’s get real. That is NOT how growing businesses run their marketing departments. What the majority of the companies that work with us need, is an agency partner that can flex with their needs. A B2B business might need social media services, however if social media is a brand awareness channel not a lead development channel, why prioritise it over other marketing options that can yield a better result?
Our retainers work as an extension of your marketing department, or as your own marketing department complete with a CMO, Marketing Strategist and Marketing Coordinator that plan upcoming campaigns based on seasonality, industry trends and many other factors.
You get full visibility to our internal project management systems and can see where campaigns and projects are at, along with their success at any stage.
This freedom is truly unique to Soto Group, and is the reason the majority of our customers who use our marketing services remain with us year on year.
No, having a website is not required. You can promote your referral link through whichever channels suit you best, including social media platforms, professional networks, direct client conversations, or email outreach. Many of our successful referrers simply use personal introductions to recommend Soto Group services.
Your referral link includes a 90-day tracking cookie. This means that if someone clicks your link but does not sign up immediately, you will still receive credit for the referral if they become a client within 90 days. This generous tracking window gives your referrals time to decide, while still ensuring you are rewarded for the introduction.
No, there is no limit to the number of referrals you can make. You are welcome to refer as many qualified leads as you like. There is no cap on earnings, so the more successful referrals you generate, the greater your potential income from the program.
Understanding Brand IP is a really important factor that can often be overlooked. We are known as rebranding specialists, and many companies that come to us looking to be rebranded, are forced to rebrand due to Trademark and Intellectual Property breaches, or potential risks.
So we always recommend factoring in IP searches as part of a new brand process. Determining if your brand can be trademarked involves several factors:
Brand Name and Logo Distinctiveness
Your brand must be distinctive, meaning it should stand out from other brands in the marketplace. It should not be generic or too descriptive of the products or services you offer.
Brand Name Availability
Before committing to a brand name, you should conduct a search to ensure that there are no existing brand names that are identical or similar to yours in the same category of goods or services. This helps to avoid potential conflicts. You should also conduct a domain search to see if an ideal domain is available without paying too much for it.
Non-Infringement
Your brand name, logo and icons should not infringe on existing trademarks. This means it should not be confusingly similar to trademarks that are already registered or in use by other companies.
Legal Requirements
Your brand should meet the legal requirements for trademark registration in the jurisdiction where you intend to register it. This typically includes being capable of being represented graphically and being used in commerce.
Whilst we do conduct preliminary high level desk top research when developing a brand name, We highly recommend you seek the advice of a trademark attorney or professional who can guide you through the process and help ensure that your brand meets all the necessary requirements for trademark registration.
At Soto Group we can assist you with considering these factors and conducting thorough research, so you can determine if your brand is eligible for trademark protection.
User journey mapping is a method to understand and visualise the interactions a user has with a product or service. It involves creating a narrative or visual representation of the user’s experience, from initial contact to goal completion.
When Soto Group commence a project research is conducted to gather insights about the target audience, including demographics, behaviours, and preferences. Touchpoints are identified, including digital and physical interactions.
We will develop a user journey map illustrating the user’s actions, emotions, and pain points. We ask questions like – What is it they truly need? What will be a driver for them to take action?
We analyse the map and identify opportunities for improvement and optimisation. Continual iteration is essential to ensure the map remains accurate and reflective of user experiences.
As long as the referral uses your unique link or you have made a clear introduction that can be confirmed, and they become a client within the 90-day window, you will still be eligible for commission. If significant time has passed, providing supporting information, such as introduction emails, can help validate the referral
Yes. Once your application to the Referral Program is approved, you will be able to find your unique, personalised referral link in the portal. You can use this link across your channels – including email, social media, direct messages, or even within your website content – to introduce Soto Group to your network. This link ensures all referrals are tracked and attributed accurately to you.
