1. Built it and They Will Come. Not.¹
   You need to tell people about your Facebook fan page if you really want to build fans. Put the link on your website and blog and create a nifty Facebook banner or two to post.
2. Your Picture
   The ideal size for a Faceook fan page image is 200 pixels wide by 600 pixels high.² For your posts there will be a thumbnail of your image so experiment to get exactly what you want.
3. Email Invites
   If you have an email list consider sending an email invite to your Facebook page. If you do this you might want to have something special on your page when they get there. Don’t forget to put a Facebook link icon on all your emails.
4. Fill out your About Us
   Every Facebook fan page has a tab for company information. Make sure to build this out with company information, link to website, and information about your products and services.¹
5. Your Logo
   Consider putting your URL in as part of your logo at the top of your Facebook page so viewers know where your site is.
6. Content and Keywords
   Provide lots of fresh content that will inform, entertain, educate, and help your customers. And like most areas online, don’t forget to incorporate relevant keywords into your copy.
7. Encourage Interaction
   Encourage your fans to add their own content and photos so it becomes a community. Invite them and ask them to do things with calls to action.
8. Respond
   When your fans do post, make the time to respond to their comments, questions and concerns. Remember, this is about community and relationship.
9. Announce Events
   Use your page to announce events and specials, and to share important happenings – yours, your company’s, and your followers.
10. Check out your competition
    Cruise through the fan pages of your competition to see what they’re using to get their fans involved.

Facebook is fun. Don’t feel you have to make it complicated or go into it worrying about ROI and numbers. Just put up regular interesting content and try to bring people together who like your products or services. You’re giving them a forum to interact and meet, and maybe learn how to best use your products. Aim to create a community where everyone benefits. There’s time to worry about the numbers later.

Resources

1. 13 ‘Old-School’ Marketing Techniques That Take Your Facebook Fan Page From Wimpy to Wow
2. Ten Steps for Creating a FANtastic Facebook Fan Page

Both sides of your postcard are a blank canvas ready for tantalizing images, bold text and colorful design elements. Use them to your advantage and once you have the viewer’s attention, present them with a targeted offer they can’t pass up, with a clear call to action.

Check out these fantastic full color postcard designs below for some inspiration and insight into what designers are doing with color in the postcard marketing world.

Full Color Postcard Designs

iPhone 3g

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1. Good Page Titles

You titles need to include a keyword or two, be unique and relevant to your target audience.  When crafting your title keep in mind that this is one of the very first things search engines “look at”¹ to see what the page is about. Avoid repeating your company name on all your pages.

2. Let the Past Go

Your content should be about the future,² not the past, and focus on the current and upcoming needs of the reader. Keeping up can be hard but look at it this way – a nice byproduct of constantly searching for, and providing up-to-date timely content is that it’ll make you better at your job because you’ll be forced to keep up with your industry with enough in-depth knowledge to talk about it.

3. Have Your Proof Points³

Before you sit down to write, have your research, evidence, testimonials, or stats that will back up what you want to say.

4. What Do Readers Want to do Next?³

Guide your readers from step to step with what you write and then anticipate what they’ll want to do after they read your content – AND THEN – make it easy for them to get what they   want.

5. Be Direct

Don’t get so enamored with your own words that you feel the need to drivel on or you’ll end up like those people who go on talking long after anyone is listening because they like the sound of   their own voices. You know the type. You see them coming and quickly make your exit plan. That’s the last feeling you want readers to have when they come to your site because online, an exit is only a click away. So, provide important information and then be direct with your offer or request when there is one.

6. Remember your Limitations

Don’t try and create content that says you are all things to all people. No one is. And it dilutes    your brand and real value. So, know what you’re good at and keep coming back to aspects of that in your writing. It’s okay to be narrow and feverishly focused because you’ll be speaking to your true target audience.

7. Rework, Reuse, Recycle

Providing fresh content doesn’t mean you can’t rework what you have and use it across different channels. In fact you should. This can help you stay true to your brand voice and also stretches your content further. Once you’ve done the initial content legwork, rework it and   reuse it for different areas such as Twitter or your Blog. Twitter copy, being very short and sweet, looks and reads entirely different than an article on your blog – though the essence can be the same. Hint – use a good synonym source and then go ahead, spread the word.

8. Review What You Write

Reread what you write – ALWAYS – and ask yourself this: Did I enjoy reading it? If not, where did you lose interest? That’s where you need to start your rewrite. Did you believe in what you were reading? If not, you’d better make it believable.

As a final note I’d like to provide a tip given that’s been passed down to writers of all genres – Kill Your Babies. Your babies are those words and sentences you are in love with – those brilliant gems that outshine all the words around them. When something stands out like this, quite simply, it doesn’t fit in. And if you can’t quite make yourself kill it, then just pull it out and start a file titled “My Brilliant Babies” and put all those Pulitzer-winning lines in there.

Resources:

1. Get Fresh! Go Organic!
2. Problem Solved: How Do I Keep My Website Interesting, and Keep Visitors Coming Back?
3. Before You Write: Your 10-Point Checklist

• Flush out marketing areas you don’t usually have time for
• Make this awesome coffee bourbon barbecue sauce!

1. Build out your case studies¹

Here’s a format for developing your case studies so you have them ready to go for busier times of the year:

a. Customer description

b. Customer challenges

c. Solution – how the customer solved their issues using your product or service

d. Results – stay focused on the customer and weave your company into that story

2. Join Festivals and Fairs²

Local festivals and fairs offer good opportunity for sponsorship which can give your brand a boost by introducing new and potential customers to what you have to offer.

3. Run a Contest

Generate some publicity for your business by creating a summer contest. Try and tie your prize to something that increases the likelihood that people will utilize your business.

4. Newsletter

Brainstorm and create that newsletter you’ve always wanted to start for your business and write some of the content to get a head start.

5. Write a Press Release

Write a press release about summer business within your industry. If you need help with writing one give us a call.

6. Awesome Coffee Bourbon Barbecue Sauce³ (5 minutes prep, 15 total)

• 1 cup strong brewed coffee
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Simmer all ingredients in a 2 1/2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 1 cup, 15 to 20 minutes (sauce will be thin). Cool to room temperature. Serve with steak or chicken.

Resources

1. Summer Studies: Building a Business Case
2. 5 Hot Summer Marketing Tips for Small Businesses
3. Coffee Bourbon Barbeque Sauce

Include on Your Landing Pages

General Structure of Page.
Keep in mind that many very successful landing pages don’t follow this structure at all but if you’re just starting out it’s not a bad idea to work off of this format.

• Generally speaking you’ll want your headline with subtext or subheading at the top of the page,
• Put the bulk of content in the middle. This includes your promotional copy, bullet points, positive customer experiences (testimonials), and images.
• Near the bottom (but not below the fold) you’ll want your specific crystal clear call to action with links.

Your Landing Page Emotional Theme
Many landing pages have an emotional angle. It’s good to be aware of the approach you want to use – what’s going to work for your product or service or requested call to action? As examples you might use:

• Fear – “Don’t Look Now but Your Cholesterol can Kill You”
• Curiosity – “Did You know that One in Three Women have This Secret Problem?”
• Opportunity – “Try XYZ and We Guarantee You Will Lose 10 LBS in 2 Weeks”

Avoid these Mistakes on Your Landing Page

The list below is my take on what Tim Ash (for google) called the “7 Deadly Sins of Landing Page Design.”² They are worth repeating often because you don’t need to spend more than a few minutes online before you’ll see some really poor landing pages. Poor landing pages are cluttered, distracting, have no focal point or make it really hard for the reader to tell what in the heck they are actually supposed to be doing. So, when at all possible avoid making these 7 mistakes on your landing pages:

1. Unclear call to action – your reader needs to know instantly what they are expected to do – don’t make them work to convert, buy, or sign up. Make it obvious!
2. Too many choices. Your reader should know exactly what to read next, what to do next.
3. Asking for too much information. Only request information you need for the current process.
4. Too much text. Whatever is most important should go first, edit well and use short lists. If you can use a visual representation of something rather than text, use it.
5. Not being true to your promise. Your landing page must be what the reader expected if you’re going to get optimal conversions. Whether they’ve come from an ad, a blog article or another source, you never want them to feel that they might have landed on the wrong page.
6. Visual distractions. When you have too many images or the graphic presentation does not make it obvious what the reader should look at then you need to cut down and trim. Your images, like your text, should be specific and relevant.
7. Lack of Trust. Unless you’re a well known trusted brand then you need to provide compelling evidence (testimonials) that you are to be trusted. Place your trust symbols above the fold.

The ability to create awesome landing pages is part science and part art. The key is to learn the best practices that are out there and then decide which aspects best suit you and your industry.

Resources

1. Anatomy of a Novel-Sized Landing Page (Part 1)
2. Google Webinar: 7 Deadly Sins of Landing Page Design

Enjoy!

1. Ask the 4 Key Questions: Before you begin to write, ask yourself these four key questions.

o What am I selling (at emotional level)?

o To whom am I selling?

o Why am I selling this now (will it make sense to the customer)?

o What do I want my reader to do (Calls to Action)?

2. Consider Your Font Style: Sans-serif fonts, such as Arial, Verdana and Helvetica, are easier to read online than serif. If people find it difficult to read your copy, they won’t!

3. Read Your Copy Outloud: This will help you hear what your readers hear.

4. Cut the Clutter: William Zinsser wrote that “clutter is the disease of American writing.” The quickest way to improve your copy is by removing any uneccesary words such as “that”or “to.”

5. Use the Rhythm of 3: List your examples in groups of three. The Rhythm gives a great cadance to your copy.

6. Use Bucket Brigade Words: Bucket brigade words help you move your copy forward. They include remember, and, but, consider, however, for example..and more!

7. Vary Sentence Length: It is important to vary your sentence length to hold your reader’s attention. And don’t be afraid to use sentence fragments – this isn’t your college English class!

8. Differentiate Between Features vs. Benefits: Features are what the product has. Benefits are what it will provide the customers. The customer will always ask, “What’s in it for me?” Be sure you tell them.

9. Write In the Second Person: Focus on one person (you/your) rather than a group (our customers). This makes your reader feel special and highlights how the product can benefit them.

10. Write Less Copy: People read 25% slower online than offline, so you need to write less copy so they will read it.

11. Don’t Hide Your Key Points: Keep your most important points at the beginning of paragraphs, bullets and lists.

12. Keep Paragraphs Short: Make sure your paragraphs are no more than 3 lines long. Otherwise you might lose your reader’s attention.

13. Remember Odd vs. Even: Odd numbers are easier to remember than even, so use an odd number whenever possible.

• Red: excitement, strength, passion, speed, boldness, determination, desire, courage
• Yellow: warmth, sunshine, happiness, comfort, energy
• Blue: trust, reliability, belonging, loyalty, professionalism (popular color for businesses.)
• Orange: playfulness, warmth, vibrant, enthusiasm, creativity
• Green: nature, fresh, cool, growth, abundance, harmony
• Pink: soft, sweet, security
• Purple: royal, spirituality, dignity, nobility, luxury, elegance
• White: pure, clean, youthful, innocence, simplicity
• Black: sophistication, formality, seductive, mystery
• Gold: prestige, expensive, elite
• Silver: prestige, cold, scientific

2. Decide whether to use a photo¹
Using a photograph or headshot on your card might depend on your business. A relationship business such as counseling or real estate can benefit from a headshot. Here are some considerations:

• Pros
  • Build trust
  • Help people recognize you
  • Adds color
• Cons
  • People might prejudge you
  • Your photo can date you
  • Good photos can be pricey

3. Give people a reason to keep or pass on your card
Make your business card more than a business card. Aim to put something different or useful on it such as a quote, a calendar, or emergency numbers. Make sure your card has what you do on it, and presents what you want to present in a clear manner. This means double check your copy and assume the person you hand it to is going to pass it on so you won’t be able to verbally clarify anything. In other words, your card needs to speak for itself.

4. Make it active
Business cards can go beyond providing your vital stats like your name and website. For instance, if you don’t have a slogan consider developing one. A great slogan will tell people what you do in a catchy unforgettable way. Also, put on a call to action – what would you like them to do after looking at your business card? Visit your site? Call? Email? Let them know.

5. Easy on the eyes
Obviously you need to include your name, title, website and blog or other vital information you know you want to include. However, your business card will only hold someone’s attention for a few seconds at most. So, don’t want to overload the card – open space is good. Use a large enough font so people in any age category can easily scan the card. And when you set up your design know what you want people to look at first and highlight that when you set up your card.

The great thing about having your own custom vinyl sign banners is which you will have an identity of your own with these banners and signs. You are able to have your own designs, prints, logos; and you can play around with the designs, until you discover one that you will like. You can even use your personal tailor made designs on the banners, which will make your banner much more prominent.

Custom vinyl banners can be utilized for various occasions. Their main purpose would be to grab attention from people, who pass by. They are seen by hundreds of individuals, and they make an impression in each one of their minds; some favorable and some unfavorable impressions. When someone looks at custom vinyl sign banners, the images and also the graphic designs register in their minds, even if they make an effort not to look at the banner. For example, when someone is driving a car and looks out from the window, and sees a banner, if he or she is in traffic, he or she may definitely try to look away, so as not to get distracted. But the few seconds in which he or she saw the banner, will probably be sufficient to create an impact in their minds.

Schools and colleges also make use of custom vinyl sign banners. They usually use them once the admissions are open, and they’re looking for students to join their colleges or universities. And as mentioned earlier, they certainly grab attention with the students, and numerous students end up in their colleges, simply because from the vinyl banners!

If you can use your own custom vinyl sign banners, they’ll definitely help your company or whatever organization or event which you have, to become an accomplishment.

1. Share Regularly

You need to share regularly on your social media sites, just as you would with good friends. “If you do not share content regularly enough, you will not be considered a reliable source for your key topic.”2 If you don’t have the resources to provide fresh new posts and comments on a pretty regular basis, you may want to wait on using that social channel.

2. Listen Effectively

Effective listening is not just about paying attention to who and how many people you’re following and who are following you, or the keywords you’re tracking, it’s also about the meaning of the conversations. This means someone needs to be actually reading and responding to at least a portion of the social media mentions.

3. Give Reasons for Customers to Follow You

Give customers compelling reasons to follow you. Contests, sweepstakes, and social media coupons are good ways to help build your social media subscriber base.3

4. Appeal to Your Visual Customers with YouTube

Many companies have joined in on Twitter and Facebook conversations. But a great way to boost your online presence and appeal to the more visual customers is with a YouTube video. According to Forrester Research, “any given video in the index stands about a 50 times better chance of appearing on the first page of results than any given text page in the index.”4 Embed the video onto your site, make sure you put relevant keywords in the video title and tags and promote the video on your other social sites.

5. Don’t Know Where to Go? Ask

If you’re not sure where to begin in the social media arena, then ask your customers which channels they like. It’s more important to go where they are, than to start blank, take a stance, and say, “hey, over here.”

Marketing used to be about getting a big megaphone and shouting about your company attributes and specials. Those days are, for the most part, gone, because what matters a lot more than what you say about your company, is what others say about you. So, you need to take the time to have conversations; conversations that engage current customers, and conversations that give potential customers to choose your company over another.

Resources

1. Starbucks Used Social Media to Get One Million to Stores in One Day
2. Content Curation: Engage Your Customers in Three Simple Steps
3. Four Ways Email Can Strengthen Relationships in Other Channels (and Why You Should Care)
4. Eight Tips for Optimizing YouTube Videos

4 Reasons to Use Mobile Marketing¹

1. Increase customers and direct sales
2. Lead generation
3. Keep up with competition
4. Expand company visibility

7 Ways to Use Mobile Marketing

1. Provide information on industry developments
2. Build personal relationships with customers
3. Send Product alerts
4. Offer trade show, conference, meeting updates
5. Deliver benefits to professionals²
6. Deliver content in “bite-sized chunks”³
7. Customer care Q and A
8. Opt in mobile coupons (go green!)

Free Mobile Tools for Marketers⁴

1. Key Insights (insightory.com) – whitepapers and presentations on marketing topics
2. Napkin Genius – sketch, edit, and share your ideas (the free “Lite” version offers sketch without photos)
3. SnapDat creates custom-designed virtual business cards with the ability to link to your social-networking profiles and incorporate personalized messaging for individual clients
4. Domain Tracker displays Alexa rank and PageRank according to Google, along with PageRank history
5. HTML Email (Western ITS Limited) lets you write HTML emails from your phone
6. TwitterFon provides a basic interface with Twitter

8 Not Free Mobile Tools for Marketers⁴

1. Card Snap lets you photograph the physical business cards you’ve collected and upload them into your phone automatically ($9.99)
2. CardLasso will also incorporate the data into your Salesforce CRM software. (Free with subscription)
3. Blog with iBlogger! supports blogging features such as pictures, tags, categories, links, and location, compatible with most publishers, including WordPress, ExpressionEngine, MovableType, and TypePad ($9.99)
4. Blog Press by Coollittlethings Studio offers a less-expensive option for users who simply wish to post images and text. ($2.99)
5. SenseApp by Hans Schneider also helps keep track of your Google AdSense revenue data. ($3.99)
6. Tweetie allows you to manage multiple Twitter accounts through the same application ($2.99)
7. Twiltr filters your Twitter account so that you see posts only from your favorite “tweeps” ($2.99)
8. Birdhouse lets you jot down your ideas, plan your tweets, and publish when ready. ($3.99)

We’re not saying we recommend or don’t recommend any of these applications in particular, just wanted to give you an idea of what’s out there. It’s time to give going mobile some serious consideration!

Cool Typography Examples

Start by focusing on your biggest customers. Send them an e-mail or a postcard letting them know they are a valued customer. You may even consider putting them into a separate category, and offer them special deals on multiple occasions. Make sure they know that not all your client base is receiving these deals. If you succeed in making them feel like they are indeed a valued customer you are appealing to them on a more profound level.

Make sure though, that you remember everyone else. Think of ways that you can add a little extra to your service at a base level, perhaps offering something to your customers that your competition doesn’t, like a guarantee.

Remember though, you can’t exceed expectations that you haven’t met. Customer service is important, but if your product is lacking it doesn’t matter how attentive you are to your client’s needs. The flip side of the coin is that an excellent product can be completely disregarded due to lousy customer service. Balance is key. Make sure that your products are quality, and that your customer service leaves nothing lacking. Surprises are an excellent tool, but are only worth it if the product and service that accompany them are consistent and good.

Take a note from nature: I remember being a kid growing up in Michigan. Come December I waited every day for the snow. I knew it was coming, but it didn’t change the excitement and surprise I experienced every time the first snow fell. Can you do the same thing for your customers?

Offer a yearly deal or special that they can look forward to throughout the year. You might also try having a yearly contest or a special giveaway. If you make it a once a year blow-out sale your customers will come to expect the surprise, and wait for it with eager anticipation.

Keeping your customers satisfied will keep you in business, keeping them surprised will keep your business growing.

So, what do customers really want to see in a reward program? According to a survey from the CMO council:¹

Members want better financial rewards and more individualized communications:

• 70% say they want to see more discounts and savings from loyalty programs.
• 58% want better personal benefits and services.
• 52% want more compelling personal offers as a reward for steering their business to loyalty-program operators.

What You Need to Do for a Successful Reward Program²

• Understand who your best customers are and put your resources there
• Treat your best customers differently with higher levels of service and benefits
• Personalize rewards whenever possible
• View your reward program as a long term strategy – part of your relationship with the customer
• Make sure the Rewards are achievable – within the reach of the customers³
• Recognition/rewards should be provided frequently enough to make performers feel valued for their efforts³

What You Must Avoid¹

• Sending too many messages – spam and junk email
• Too many restrictions and conditions (think airlines here)
• Rewards that lack true value

If you’ve ever initially enjoyed a company, only to get turned off over time, because of low value, spammy communication, then you know that poorly done rewards program can actually drive customers away, doing more damage than good. But if you create a rewards program that gives loyal customers real value at the right time, and is in line with your brand and strategies, you’ll have a great base for a solid program that helps both your company, and your customers.

Resources

1. Disconnects Plague Loyalty Programs
2. Customer Loyalty Dos and Don’ts
3. The Do’s and Don’ts of Effective Reward Programs.

1. Stand out or risk being forgettable

How are you different? Company size does not matter when it comes to showing how you are unique or special. The things that make you special-make you better. Your site needs to help potential customers decide that your company is a good fit for them.

2. What’s it all for?

Customers and potential customers should be able to easily see what products and/or services you offer. It’s vital that they don’t have to search for this information.

3. Contact information

Don’t be vague. For starters, you want potential customers to be able to contact you. Also, providing this information helps build trust and credibility.

4. Put your best, first

There are a lot of people who only spend a short time skimming a website so give them what they want right at the beginning – this includes gripping content and awesome design.

5. Think verbs

Websites are dynamic so don’t be afraid of verbs.

6. Testimonials, clients, awards, etc.

3rd party validation is important. So provide case studies, a client list, testimonials, quotes, or awards, or any other form of validation that tells readers someone other than you, loves your company.

7. Social presence

If you have a presence on social media sites and blogs, particularly those serving your industry, make sure they are on your site. Announcing your social networking links helps readers view you as legitimate.

8. SSL or other safeguards

This is vital if you are an ecommerce site. Customers need to know their information, particularly credit card information, is safe.

9. Easy navigation

Easy to find means easy to buy. Make sure that no matter what the customer wants, whether it’s information or ordering, that it looks easy to get, and that it is easy to get.

10. Clear process

A site visitor should be able to easily see procedures and costs and know what to expect. Having an FAQ section on your site can help with this information.

11. Feedback process

Encourage feedback and provide a clear path for customers to give you input – good and bad.

12. Call to action buttons

Whether your call to action is “buy now,” “subscribe,” or “learn more,” make the choices obvious and appealing.

13. Personalized touch

Do your best to personalize a sale, whether it’s a handwritten note, coupon, or other incentive for repeat business.

14. Hey, interesting works

Bland is boring. Find a way to tell a story and deliver compelling messages. The more memorable you can make your site, the better your chances of success.

The Internet is competitive. When you’re working on site design and what makes you unique, check out your competitors’ websites to make sure you’re not emphasizing the same things they are. Finally, find ways to infuse your site with your personal or company personality because, let’s face it, a good personality counts.

Resources

1. 10 Things Customers Want on a Website
2. 10 Tips for Building a Better Web Site
3. Why You Need to Transform Your Website Into a Story

There are various benefits which you are able to incur, from opting for the services offered by these large format digital printing companies. When you opt for large printing, you should know that you are able to make customized designs. Once the designs are made, you are able to work on variable sizes, and accordingly, the total length and breadth from the posters or banners could be fixed. When you’re embarking up on a promotional campaign for your brand, you surely need posters or banners of variable sizes. Some of the posters could be advertised as hoardings, and Large Format Digital Printing ensures that aspect quite efficiently.

When large format digital printing solutions first stepped into the marketplace, paper printing was the only thing that was implemented. But with the advent of time, the technologies has completely shifted to the digital domain, which has multiple advantages. One of the key benefits of digital technology is the innovative edge which it provides. Digital printing is a technological bliss, which has spread to various corners of the world. It saves you ample time as well, simply because bulk orders can be catered to, within the least feasible time.

There are various technical specifications, which can be associated with large format digital printing. So that you can maintain the various compatibility standards, numerous kinds of papers are utilized. Basic papers are utilized for specific purposes like line drawing and resolutions, where sharp lines need to be maintained. On the other hand, the coated papers are utilized for the creation of colorful and visually appealing images. Some from the most upgraded papers which are used for digital printing are the gloss photo ones. The glossy ones dry up quicker; but the images made out from the papers have a superb visual brilliance, which is always valued.

I am fortunate to have been on both sides of the process. I’ve been sending files for print to various PSPs for the past 20 years, and I am currently employed by a PSP. Over that time I’ve seen many print files that designers believed were perfect be either rejected by the Printer , or when printed, did not meet the expectations of the designer.

Here are four of the most common concerns:

1. Improper use of “Bleed” – Most designers know what a bleed is, but they don’t always know how to incorporate it into designs properly. Most PSPs require a minimum of 0.0625” (1/16”), some require 0.125” (1/8”). The bleed requirement is usually in the product specs section of the website. The most common problems with the bleed are when a graphic or photograph extends to the edge of the final size of the piece, and PSP is forced to either stretch the background so that the image bleeds, or shrink the background, or add a border. Neither of these solutions will result in a printed piece that matches the original artwork.
2. Files not converted to CMYK – We live in an online world. Computer monitors emit light in three channels, Red, Green, and Blue. Offset presses print with ink that reflects light rather than emitting light, and therefore needs the four color inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. Many RGB colors shift when converted to CMYK. Also spot colors e.g. PMS colors need to be converted by the designer to CMYK to insure that they will print as planned.
3. Low Resolution Images – Most PSPs require that the graphics to be printed are 300ppi at the size they will be printed. Most modern digital cameras and scanners are capable of producing high resolution images. Pulling images from web sites will usually result in 72ppi resolution and should be avoided.
4. Fonts not outlined and Images not embedded – You find a fancy font for your printed piece, one you have never seen used before and you know it will make an impact. When you send the artwork to the PSP, chances are they do not have that unique font. The solution is to convert the text to outlines in Illustrator or flatten the layers in Photoshop. Also be sure to embed the images in Illustrator. It’s a good idea to save a version of the file with the fonts editable and the layers not flattened, and then send an outlined flattened version to the PSP.

If you address these four issues you will save a lot of time and frustration and you can be confident that your file will print exactly as you have set it up… no surprises when it is delivered to you!

With the growing need to reduce carbon emissions, Lacey Art Service is doing its part to invest in Green Energy. We have completed our installation of our roof top solar panels. Read more.. at our website under Go Green.

Read the technical specs about our Micro Inverter System:

The Enphase Microinverter System consists of three components:

• The Microinverter that attaches to the racking beneath each solar module and converts DC power to grid-compliant AC power
• The Envoy Communications Gateway (EMU) that collects and transmits performance information from each solar module to a proprietary website for use by the customer
• The Enlighten website where Enphase customers can monitor and manage their solar power systems 24 hours a day

Enphase now offers the world’s first solar-integrated smart thermostat. Known as theEnviron Smart Thermostat, this device helps Enphase system owners save time, energy and money through better control of their heating and cooling system.

Benefits

Productive

• Per-module Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) contributes to energy harvest gains of 5 – 25%.
• With Enphase Microinverters, the modules are resilient to dust, debris, and shading.
• Enphase Burst Mode technology provides greater production in low-light conditions.

Reliable

• No single point of failure.
• The Microinverter provides continuous monitoring of the performance of each PV module.
• Soft switching reduces component stress.

Smart

• Quick and simple installation.
• No central or string inverter to install or design.
• The system provides 24/7 monitoring and management for each module.
• Ability to integrate with other smart energy technology.

Safe

• Low voltage DC.
• Reduced fire risk.

This year a lot of companies are combining traditional, with digital and social marketing. The trick is to find the combination that works well for your products and/or services, and to tap into trends to give you that edge. Here are eight trends for you to consider:^{1, 2, 3}

1. Hauls

Several large companies, such as J.C. Penny are tapping into “Look what I got at the store” videos, known as hauls. This consumer generated content mainly involves young women showing off what they’ve bought. And yes, some of the larger stores are now paying for customers to display their hauls on YouTube and other video sites.

2. Aging

Yup, with the large population of aging baby boomers the senior market is growing. This means any way you can associate your products or services with aging is a smart move since this market will only continue to grow.

3. Local Business

The demand for local products is growing so make sure your marketing, whether direct mail or online, specifically targets your local areas.

4. Education

The sagging job market has sent droves of people back to school to retrain, relearn, and reinvent themselves.

5. All things Texas

Austin and Dallas are among The Wall Street Journal’s top Youth Magnet cities. In addition, Texas cities made up half of the Brookings Institution’s list of top 10 strongest metro areas.

6. Affordable Alcohol

The economy hasn’t seemed to slow our alcohol consumption habits. The difference now is we’re drinking more at home and making less expensive selections.

7. Parental Outsourcing

More parents than ever are paying professionals to do their domestic chores and this trend even has a new name; parental outsourcing.

8. Health and Wellness

Healthcare reform, combined with the above mentioned aging baby boomers, are contributing to a growing health and wellness businesses.

Trends are worth knowing as you plan your back to school – and beyond – marketing strategies. As you make your marketing plans and how you’re going to tap into these trends, think innovation. For instance, the Seattle Sorrento Hotel is tapping into the education trend by offering cultural night school for guests (Midnight Symposiums). So don’t settle for been done, when there are a lot of inspiring ideas out there that can give all your Fall campaigns, a smart boost.

Resources

1. Macy’s, Penney Unleash Epic Back-To-School Efforts
2. 2010 Trends: 10 (and ½) Trends to Watch
3. Innovation Insanity