A while back I acquired what I consider to be one of the coolest cameras available, a very early Rolleiflex SL66. I’ve only shot a couple rolls through it, and excited to finally own one.

Try following these guidelines and you can get the most out of every social media post, for your business.

Tips to Create an Effective Facebook Post

• Pick a thumbnail image which can easily be understood, especially at a small size.
• Relevant images, links, status updates, or videos which are specifically targeted to your audience profile.
• Great teaser copy. Sum it up quickly and write a great headline.
  See The Huffington Post for some great example headlines.

Tips to Create an Effective Twitter Post

• Make the text short (obviously), but descriptive
• Add hashtags which are appropriate to your tweet
• Use a url shortener
• Don’t use all 140 characters, leave space for retweets and mentions

I recently had the pleasure of working with the team at Deen Construction providing the development of a new logo for the first phase of their new brand update.

While there are many visual approaches available to a designer for a construction firm, the strategy we chose was to develop a logo which would visually define Deen Construction as a leader in the large scale commercial industry.

The idea behind this approach was to create a visual that would align itself with the aesthetic tastes of architects, engineers and commercial development firms. By using strong type, bold color and simple yet smart design, the logo provides reference to the building aesthetic and commercial leadership Deen Construction embodies.

Many took notice of the 5/20/2012 eclipse. There are some really great photos of by amateurs and pros alike floating around the web. In my opinion were the images of the eclipse projected on to walls of houses and buildings.

via Instagram - user: kcvsf8

What we are actually seeing projected onto the walls are dozens or hundreds of images of the sun itself. The the areas in the trees and leaves that allow light to pass through create nature’s very own pinholes. These pinholes focus the light that is passing though the leaves enough for the images of the sun to visible and recognizable.

Though this happens all the time, we are accustom to it and think nothing of the little blobs of light. But when a large object passes infront of the sun we get to see the crescent of the sun as illustrated in these photos.

via Instagram - user: smartboydesigns

projected onto our garage

Successful companies turn to design studios that focus on quality design for the solution to their marketing, strategic graphic design and web design needs and many other companies follow suit in an economic downturn. It’s critical for businesses to maintain the company image they have worked hard to create, especially in a tough economy.

Companies have many options to consider when researching what type of establishment to use for their graphic design needs. Many turn to independent design houses that focus on high-end strategic design.

Resilient companies maintain their industry lead through effective marketing and excellent design.

Personally, I have used my 16 years of experience to develop a strong team of outstanding business associates; we design everything from logos to catalogs to e-commerce websites. Our clients receive exceptional quality design services, resulting in unique and effective products every time.

Throughout its life span, a company invests large amounts of money, time and research to create a solid company identity and its components, including logos, websites, catalogs and all other marketing collateral. An investment in good design creates strong customer confidence and instant company credibility with existing clients, potential clients and competitors. Cutting corners on quality design inhibits customers’ confidence by raising questions about a company’s stability. The price companies’ pay in an attempt to recapture customers’ confidence far outweighs the costs of doing it correctly the first time. Resilient companies maintain their industry lead through effective marketing and excellent design.

As most designers and design firms are well aware of…our work always comes last. My personal mission was to spend as many weekends as it takes to finally finish up our new business cards, letterhead, envelopes, and logo update, and now I’m proud to say, “they are done”.

SEO SERP is a great plug-in for Chrome. The plug-in allows a user to type in a keyword or phrase and check to see which position their website ranks in Google organics. This is a heck of a lot more efficient than clicking through the first 50 pages of results only to have missed your website listing on page 2. While none of these tools are 100% accurate, SEO SERP still gives you a pretty good idea where/if your site is listed.

Direct mail has become easier and more affordable than ever before. With traditional direct mail, businesses were required to either have or purchase an address list, purchase postage (approx. 28¢/piece), purchase a permit, and have your marketing piece printed.

Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) simplifies the entire direct mail process. EDDM gives businesses a lot of control to where their mailings will be distributed. You can choose your mailing areas by zip code or by specific mail routes. USPS provides an online tool that display’s specific mailing routes and data for the number of residential and business addresses that your mailing will go out to. Not to mention postage starts at just 14.5¢/piece.

EDDM offers a great opportunity to businesses since it enables customers that would have never tried direct mail to take a test without significant risk.

From the USPS website:

Now you can tell the whole neighborhood what your business has to offer.

With Every Door Direct Mail® service from the U.S. Postal Service®, you can reach the market that matters most to your business: nearby neighborhoods. Postage is as low as 14.5¢ per piece – and you don’t even need to know names or street addresses. You simply identify the neighborhoods you want to target, and your printed piece is delivered with the day’s mail to every address.

Choose the option that is best for you.

• Every Door Direct Mail – Retail™ - Most local businesses choose this service. It’s our simplest, most cost-effective option. Every Door Direct Mail – Retail lets you send up to 5,000 mailpieces per day and doesn’t require you to purchase a postage permit. What’s more, you can take your mailings right to the front counter of the Post Office™ that serves the neighborhoods you want to reach. You can pay for postage with cash, check, or debit card.
• Every Door Direct Mail - This option is designed for businesses that want to send larger mailings. You submit your mailing at a Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU).

What Every Door Direct Mail brings to your marketing efforts.

• Reaches consumers in their homes. With Every Door Direct Mail, you can saturate an entire neighborhood with your message, and your mailing gets directly into the homes and hands of consumers.
• As much or little space as you need. Every Door Direct Mail offers a flexible range of sizes – making it ideal for anything from a quick sales announcement to an in-depth product story.
• Helps your messages work harder. With Every Door Direct Mail, you can include coupons, menus, event calendars, store maps, and more – all of which can help bring customers to your door.

How to get started – use a local printer or do it yourself.

Many local printers offer Every Door Direct Mail. They can help you produce, print, and submit your mailing to the Postal Service™.