How many consumers will use digital tools such as social media and mobile phones this holiday shopping season? If you guessed about one in five (nearly 17%) you would be correct.¹ Take a look at the stats below when you’re fine tuning your social media and mobile holiday campaigns – it might help you decide what information you want to post where. According to Deloitte’s 24th Annual Holiday Survey of retail spending and trends²:

Social Media Users:

• 60% will find discounts, coupons, and sale information.
• 53% will research gift ideas.
• 52% will check gift wish lists of friends and family.

Mobile Phone Users:

• 55% of them will look for store locations.
• 45% will research prices.
• 40% will seek product information.
• 32% will look for discounts and coupons.
• 31% will read reviews.
• 25% will use mobile phones to make a purchase.

And what about those elf heads? Well, just so we don’t take things too seriously, consider the viral power of the  Office Max “ Elf Yourself ” campaign that’s enjoyed popularity for a number of years.³ This simple, make-you-smile campaign, lets you attach your own head to an elves’ body. What could be better than that?

Resources

1. Social Media, Mobile to Guide Holiday Shopping
2. Forget Rudolph, Consumers Looking To Digital To Guide Their Holiday Shopping
3. Enjoy Some Good Holiday Cheese

Meet Jen James

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and in celebration of the yearly feast this month’s Beyond Design offers a tasty twist – sweets! We’re featuring Jen James, graphic designer, photographer, and self-taught culinary pastry expert.  With a strong background in marketing she founded Jen James Design in the summer of 2008. She’s always been drawn to creativity and at age 24 decided to be her own boss doing what she loves most - being creative.

NDF: Do you have central themes running through your graphic design work?

Jen: The central themes that usually run though my work are often marketing related – What message am I trying to convey? Who is my target audience? Is my message clear? I think it’s important for a piece of graphic design to be aesthetically pleasing, but also effective in conveying the message of the company or client.

NDF: What are your primary areas of artistic expression outside of graphic design?

Jen: Photography and creating sweets. I have my own patisserie where I bake all kinds of sweets including, but not limited to cheesecakes, pies, tarts, cookies, and seasonal items. With photography I’m always trying to pick up new techniques and skills that will help me capture those beautiful images.

NDF: What drew you to photography?

Jen: I was drawn to photography because of its magical ability to stay with you long after the first encounter. I first became interested in photography when I began taking Photoshop classes. I bought a Canon DSLR and began shooting anything I could find – along the way learning the basic skills needed to capture amazing images.  I live in a town where we are fortunate to have access to the ocean, redwood forest, and vineyards; I am very drawn towards taking pictures of landscapes. It’s great how a single visual shot can have so much complexity and visual intensity, as well as its power to provoke so many different thoughts and emotions among a wide variety of people. I love capturing beauty with my camera and taking away a simple moment in time.

NDF: Tell us about being a self-taught sweets chef.

Jen: I think I got into baking sweets because it reminds me of the festive holiday seasons of years gone by, when my mother and I would make all types of snowman cookies and tasty treats to celebrate the occasion. I enjoyed those happy memories and relive them every time I bake something sweet. I bake everything from flourless chocolate cakes to shortbread cookies.

NDF: Where do you find your inspiration?

Inspiration is everywhere. I find my inspiration in my relationships, a piece of music, or a certain place that I’ve visited. For me, keeping an open heart and spirit helps foster that inspiration.

NDF: Tell us about some of your most recent sweet creations.

Jen: Recently I had a chance to put my baking skills to work. I made a sinfully delicious chocolate cheesecake and pumpkin cupcakes with an allspice cream cheese frosting to go along with the fall season.  Yum.

NDF: What do you feel is the best picture you’ve ever taken?

Jen: I think the best picture that I’ve taken – the picture that has given me the most satisfaction – was a picture I took when I was in Mendocino, California. I was standing on the edge of a precipice near the main road looking out onto the ocean. The sun was finally starting to come out after a morning of dreary clouds and I saw two small boys on the beach below me chasing waves. The sun glistened off the water as the boy’s feet made trails along the sand and I just had to capture that shot.

Photographs by Jen James
Sweets by Jen James

Many CD cover designs feature powerful self portrait shots of the artist, band photos or some crazy Photoshop design, with typography often taking a backseat. That is why I thought it would be cool to take a look at some album cover designs that show type some love! I hope you enjoy the inspiration.

Typographically Terrific Album Cover Designs

Which CD design is your favorite? Feel free to link to any cool type heavy designs you created or know of. Enjoy!

Door hangers are a great promotional tool used by many such as hotels, churches, political groups, local businesses, non profit organizations and more. They can be a highly effective marketing tool if you have a solid design, targeted placement and get professional Door Hanger Printing so they come out perfect. If you are ready to print, NextDayFlyers.com offers exceptional door hanger printing services at unbeatable prices with 24 turnaround!

Door Hanger Design Inspiration

This month’s topic "Successful Marketing Ideas to Increase the Visibility of Your Business” comes from David Keane. Congratulations David! He just won a credit for 250 free business cards.

5 Free Marketing Tips to Increase the Visibility of your Business

Wouldn’t it be great if we all had hefty budgets to help us increase the visibility of our business? Well, maybe next year. In the meantime, here are some ideas you may not have thought about that have worked for others. Many of them fall under the category of public relations – more important than ever in the current social marketing climate. And these ideas won’t cost you money, just an investment of your time.  

1. Become an Online Expert

Everyone is an expert - or can become an expert - at something. Choose an area within your industry that you know something about or are highly interested in. Research the area to fill out your knowledge, find out what others are talking about within the area, and find resources. Keep good records of what you find so you can refer to them as needed. Then develop articles, PDF downloads, online newsletters, or any other method for displaying your knowledge. This raises your business profile and when people see you as an expert they are more trusting of your business.  

2. Public Speaking¹

Public speaking not only makes you and your business credible, it’s great brand exposure. Additionally, public speaking forces you to increase your own industry knowledge. When you’re first starting out you may need to speak "free of charge” but at some point you might be able to charge. At the end of your talks make sure to mention some sort of offer, for instance, a free download on your website, to bring audience members to you online.  

3. Write for professional publications¹

Many industries have publications – online and off – that are great places to submit when you’re working on getting your company name out there and profiling your business as an expert resource within your industry. Search for a publications writer’s guidelines then follow their process for article length and focus. Often you will need to submit a query letter which is basically a 1-2 paragraph proposal on what you want to write about, along with your credentials.

4. Become a Quote Source for News Media²

Reporters are sometimes in need of a quote from an authority. The process of getting your name in the loop is not too difficult. Tech Republic blog does a nice job of breaking this down. Begin by identifying a reporter, and then introduce yourself by phone or email. If you speak on the phone ask the reporter if they are on deadline and if they are, offer to call back. If you send an email include a very short bio or resume and "stress why your knowledge is important to the reporter’s readers.” Don’t speak for your company unless you have permission.  

5. Get listed in web directories²

If you are a local business make sure you submit your site to "Google Maps, Yahoo! Local, SuperPages.com, Local.com and other local search engines that offer free listing service.”³ Angie’s List (angieslist.com)  is a great site that lists information about service companies in your area.
Also, search your city’s website for links to places that list local businesses. And if you have a blog make sure it’s listed in Google Blog Search and Technorati Blog Search.

Resources

1. 10 tips for increasing your professional visibility and exposure
2. Video: Five ways to increase your professional visibility
3. Increase the Visibility of your Small Business Web Site on a Shoestring Budget
   

With Thanksgiving coming up, I will be getting the Gourd Placecard Kit. At just $12.50 for 12 place cards, they’ll add some cheap and easy festive color to the table this year!

Everything is already cut out for you, minimal assembly required. That’s my kind of craft!

Also check out the equally adorable Turkey, Wheat Bundle, Acorn and Owl Placecards. If you’re really into decorating, Paper Source has some other awesome seasonal stamps and kits for wreaths and cards, too. I can’t wait for thanksgiving to pass so that I can get the Holly Wreath I have my eye on!

1. Hierarchy of Text

Door hangers are not very big, so this means you will not have much room for text. In order to make the most of your copy you need to have a clear hierarchy of text. A big bold headline is often a great way to grab attention, followed by mid-sized text with more details and finally information on your offer, product or service and how they can take advantage of what you are telling them about. Information such as phone numbers should also be relatively large in size.

Also, be sure the font sizes of your hierarchy levels are different enough so that users can clearly make out the most important information first. The size differences will also add contrast allowing people to read the copy of your door hanger quickly and easily.

You can also try adding white space between different blocks of text to make reading even easier. White space is simply open space between two areas making the text and design feel more open. White space is proven to make reading easier and will help hold a viewers attention for longer.

2. Powerful Imagery

Since door hangers are often small, you need powerful imagery to draw in a person’s eye. Once you have grabbed their attention with interesting visuals, they will be more likely to read the text on your door hanger and either save the door hanger or take you up on your “call to action” right away.

Stock photo sites such as iStockPhoto have tons of great high-quality photos available that you can download and include in your door hanger designs. Even if you do not use a photo of say a person or object, you should consider using and eye catching background design or colors. Just make sure your text is readable over the background and if it is not, you can always add a block of color behind the text to make it pop and add contrast.

3. Call to Action

A door hanger is pointless unless you have a clear call to action allowing you can make a return on your investment. Call to actions can vary greatly, but the most common ones are getting people to call a number, send an email, visit a website or take advantage of a sale or coupon of some sort. So make sure the point of your door hanger is clear or people will not know what to do with them.

Even if your door hanger is going to say “thank you” you can still pitch some sort of offer to make sure the customers return again.

4. Proper Door Hanger Template

When you are designing a door hanger it is essential that you use an accurate door hanger template from your printer. NextDayFlyers.com has great 4.25 x 11 Door Hanger Templates available for free, which includes the correct file size, bleed, trim marks and color profiles! This will help ensure your door hangers come out great when you print with NextDayFlyers.com

5. Professional Door Hanger Printing

A great door hanger design is important, but a bad printing job can quickly destroy all your hard work and invested money for your door hanger promotion. NextDayFlyers offer cutting-edge Door Hanger Printing to help ensure your door hanger’s edges, color, card stock and overall printing quality come out amazing.

A great night club flyer design combined with top-quality printing can give your club, party or event a great first impression and can help you get the best return on your investment. Enjoy the cool club flyer inspiration below and don’t forget NextDayFlyers.com for all your printing!

Need to Print Night Club Flyers? Check out NextDayFlyers.com!

Creating a stand-out brand experience for your company is getting harder. The competition is worldwide and at the click of a mouse, potential customers can compare benefits, prices, and find out what kind of experience previous customers have had. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. This means it’s more important than ever to go that extra distance in your marketing. So, to create unique marketing tools to distribute to your clientele, here are some ideas for using custom CDs and DVDs.

Trade Shows

Consider promoting your product, service, or company and build brand awareness by distributing custom DVD/CD cases with covers and booklets that include your logo and contact information. You could also spread your message by including part of your mission statement or company philosophy.  

Presentations

If you do presentations on a regular basis as part of your business, consider developing your own personalized CDs, which could certainly give your presentation that professional, finishing touch. When you’re finished with your presentation, leave your potential clients a CD of information with a branded custom cover that will keep your name at the top of their mind.   

Graphic Designers

Create a CD or DVD highlighting some of your top designs – a portable digital gallery. Then create your CD or DVD covers with your logo and some amazing original artwork. Hand these out as a stand out extension of your business card. 

Photographers/Wedding Videos

Photo albums are great for showing your talent, but a CD/DVD can give you more flexibility in presentation and is easier, faster, and more cost effective in order to keep your content up to date. Photo CDs and wedding videos that you give to your clients and potential clients should all have inserts that include your contact information.  

Realtors

Sure, anyone can go online and search for houses that are for sale. Yet, what if you handed potential clients a DVD with house tours of houses that fit that buyers criteria? Or, create a custom DVD with house remodeling tips to give to new homeowners? 

Final Tips

Custom CDs and DVDs are a great way to show customers and potential customers that you go that extra mile. This can help you stand out from the competition, in addition to building brand loyalty. DVDs and CDs could also be used in your seasonal marketing. For instance, offer your customers a free Holiday Music CD. CDs and DVDs offer a dynamic form of communicating information, displaying work samples, or providing a unique bonus to your customers. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Looking to create custom DVDs and CDs? Check out our CD Insert and DVD Insert Printing services.