1. Exigencies: One thing I noticed with this company is that it has a lot of history and a major community outreach. The homepage and links may overwhelm a new visitor.
2. Audiences: Members of the Lancaster community and building contractors would benefit most from this company’s layout. For those outside of the community, it may be difficult to find what they are looking for.
3. Constraints and Assets: The desire to appeal to the community is understandable; however, alienating those from other communities may not be the way to go. Instead, they should showcase how the company has helped their community and explain how they can help other communities as well.

Issues:

1. How does the organization portray itself as qualified or authorized to speak about a particular issue?  The company portrays itself as a fixture in the community and a company partnered with B Corporation, an acknowledgment of the company’s commitment to social and environmental ethics, transparency and accountability.
2. Is there evidence in the rhetoric that interested audiences have been consulted and have had a reasonable opportunity to influence the process? The website offers a “Testimonials” tab and has a “When Clients Become Family” section that details the extent of the company’s relationships with its clients.
3. What is said about an issue and what is not said? A major issue within the painting community is the surge of DIY enthusiasts who prefer to tackle their paint job on their own. The website does not acknowledge this as a potential problem for those seeking superb results.
4. Based on your knowledge of the rhetorical situation and rhetoric, does the organization appear to conceal or de-emphasize information that might influence the issue? I do not feel that simply not mentioning the issue is “concealing” it. I would say no, they are not.

I have chosen to do the alternative project which means I will be creating a website and other promotional pieces for The Dyer Paint Company, my dad’s business. Beginning with this blog post, I will analyze an existing website for a company like my dad’s to get the best view on how to approach creating the website.

The company I’ve chosen to analyze is James River Painters, a painting company located in Richmond.

a) JRP associates the company with Richmond, VA. This allows them to appeal to locals who want a contractor with experience in the area that they can compare to other contractors. This also allows for the testimonials that they mention to really resonate with locals. Richmond, VA is a very successful city and therefor has big business coming to plant their companies as well. JRP can say, “We know the area, we’ve done work here before, and we’re ready to work for you.” They also use association by saying, “No job too big or too small.” This associates them with not only major corporations but little companies or customers as well. They list their services on the homepage as well, allowing potential customers to see that they are not simply just a painting company but do other work as well.

b) JRP disassociates with phrases such as, “15 years in business,” implying that they have experience over other companies, “no subcontractors” and “work around your schedule, indicating that other companies will not do the same.

c) The branding that JRP uses is minimal on the homepage, but customers are given the idea that this organization can effectively “do it all”. Perhaps tying themselves to Richmond, VA is their most major branding.

d) The organization lists its’ services on the homepage along with their experience and mission statement for their work. They prove to their customers that the customer is the most important, not the company.

e) Facebook seems to be this company’s biggest advantage on social media. The Google+ link given on the website does not work and the only other existing link to outside sources is a telephone number. The FB page shows pictures of their work and connects them to their customers who can leave reviews and comment on the pictures supplied by the company.

f) Based on the company’s experience of the area after fifteen years of working there can be used to attest to their longevity in a city that has changed so much over the years. They can say that they’ve seen it all and have survived Richmond’s changing face to this point – and how they’ve also improved Richmond from what it once was.

2. The rhetorical situation is a company that needs business to survive and must outreach to customers in a unique way in order to outsource other companies in the area. Richmond has boomed over the last few years, and with that has come many new painting companies who may have an edge of youthfulness that they are employing.

a) This situation requires identity maintenance. The company has been here for fifteen years and must stay relevant with the changing city.

b) JRP stresses that all customers, big or small, are welcome. This particular company reaches out to the Richmond locals and surrounding areas.

c) They must maintain their credibility as a staple in Richmond.