Connectivity
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As graphic designers we like to create and share inspiring Facebook graphics and original design images containing positive quotes in our posts for social media pages. From Pinterest, to Twitter and Facebook (we still haven’t jumped into Instagram with both feet yet – baby steps…) and even Linkedin company pages… posting inspiring Facebook graphics, web memes and digital designs allows us to share our beliefs and have a little fun with our graphic design skills at the same time. Since we are often seeking Facebook graphics, twitter photos and the most inspiring pins for our pinterest boards we decided to post a lot of them here in our blog for you to reference for your own social media sharing.
We hope you enjoy these inspiring images and motivational quotes all developed for sharing to your social media followers and fans. Please feel free to share them, pass them along, print them out and hang them on your wall – if one of them inspires you to take a positive action then all of our effort has been rewarded.
Everything is fine.
You are your wisest guide.
whatever makes you feel bad, leave it whatever makes you smile, keep it
Good things are happening
“Don’t try to win over the haters; you are not a jackass whisperer.” ― Brené Brown
“Intention without discipline is useless.” ― Caroline Myss,
Know your worth.
Laugh as much as you breathe.
“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” – Wayne W. Dyer
“What we know matters but who we are matters more.” ― Brené Brown
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” ― Maya Angelou
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” ― Rumi
whatever makes you feel bad, leave it
whatever makes you smile, keep it
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” Lao Tzu
What if you fly?
You make the world more beautiful
You are your wisest guide.
Subscribe to the RSS feed and get regular updates as we continue to post more in the future. Or follow us on our social media pages for more inspiring Facebook graphics and social media images! We also offer Facebook cover photos and free ecards for sharing!
Have You Looked at Your Company Website Lately?
I confess there are times when customers call and say; “I’m on your website and I want a logo design similar to the second one on your logos page”. Meanwhile, I frantically call up the website to see what this fabulous number two logo is that they love so much.
Truth is everyone should visit their website regularly and your website should be updated regularly.
These are facts for a couple of reasons:
- Software, browsers and web code updates can effect your site functionality..
- Customers want to see current information
- Search engines index websites with the freshest content
- Business changes, updates on policies, expansion, staff, etc.
To help you keep your website current and functioning Connection Group is creating three annual Website Maintenance Plans for 2015.
- For companies who want assistance a few times a year
- For companies who want a handful of updates every few months
- For companies who want monthly updates throughout the year.
Plans will be based on average time spent at a reduced hourly rate. Maybe it’s a code glitch, or maybe you want to add new photo slides to update your home page, or you need to add blogs or new staff emails, social media files etc. Whatever the cause or plan a maintenance plan can help you without worrying about breaking your budget.
Many of you have hired us to create economical WordPress websites that you can update yourselves. (The latest ones are responsive – they look fab on smart phones, tablets and desktops!). Some of you actually find the time to update your WordPress sites — until we hear from you that you broke something! Not really, typically a fix by us can correct what went wrong. Our maintenance plans will cover these too. You’re not going to be paying for your website all over again with emergency fixes or because you want to add more features.
We will be sending more information in December with a link to the plans on the website. Plan to get us on retainer for 2015, keep your site current and alleviate the stress of troubleshooting your messes.
FROM THE BLOG
Are Business Cards Still Necessary?
Someone asked this in a forum recently. Maybe they were just looking for attention, I don’t know. Business cards have a long history of service in many forms and are still the the cheapest form of advertising.more on the blog…
Monthly Promotion:
Business Cards
Still the cheapest form of advertising, business cards are the first step to demonstrating what your brand message is. Are you high quality, professional, stylish? or are you unclear, hard to read, and flimsy? Step it up. Leave customers and prospects a memorable card that brings you first to mind when they need your services.
Cards Cards:
• custom card design
• full color
• two sided
• coated cover stock
Someone asked this in a forum recently. Maybe they were just looking for attention, I don’t know. Business cards have a long history of service in many forms and are still the the cheapest form of advertising.
What is the history of business cards?
Visiting cards – used in 15th century China these cards communicated the desire for meeting another person.
Calling Cards – Very popular in 17th century Europe these cards were used by the upper classes as personal advertisement as a formal request of an introduction
Trading Cards – Late in the 17th century tradesmen began using these cards to inform customers of their services and shop address
Business Cards – 18th – 19th century less formality was practiced and the trading card and visiting card merged.These cards were used in formal and informal settings as personal advertisements and trade promotion.
Business cards have been the go to item for businesses to get and give contact information into this century. Beside a short stint of the late 1940s’ invention, the rolodex. The rolodex was very popular with businesses in the 80s’ and 90s’. Companies even included pre-printed contact information on rolodex cards in direct mail pieces. As much as recruiters sought out candidates with the most complete rolodexes in the 90s they were quickly replaced by the emergence of the desktop computer. Databases and synchronized address books are now stored on smart phones a third of the size of the smallest rolodex.
Will business cards go the way of the Rolodex?
Rolodex cards were nearly twice the size of a standard business card size (3.5 x 2) plus they had an odd die cut that didn’t exactly travel well. Business cards are lightweight an easily tuck into purses, billfolds, and standardized sleeves found in many office products.
Admittedly not everyone holds onto business cards they receive these days. Computer scanners with OCR readers and software such as Neat allow direct feed into computer databases that even store the graphics and corporate logo on the cards. Business cards can be disposed of at this point since all of the information can be accessed on a future date. Yet, all of this content still begins with a printed business card.
How are business cards used now?
Like every good invention there are abusers amongst us. Watch out for those business cards grabbers at networking events who return to their offices, scan each business card they receive, import the contacts to multiple mailing lists and the spamming begins.
Of course not everyone has embraced this latest business card scanning software. Business card holders are still overflowing or stuffed in piles on desks, in purses and cars — even if there are Neat scanners waiting to receive them in the office. Let’s be honest, some of these business cards may never see the light of day. Some people are guilty of taking business cards out of courtesy and politeness with no intention of ever looking at them again. It’s that one person who takes it and uses it that we all seek — and the handful of cards that are taken out of courtesy are pennies on the dollar.
Of course haters gonna hate and many claim they can Google the information they want or search on a corporate website for the contact information they need. But how do you search for the person you met at the networking event last week who sold the exact service you are Googling right now? What was that company name again? What was that smart account representatives name? Only a business card is going to help you recall all of this information.
Business cards are here to stay
- A business card is a basic tool for start up companies trying to get their brand in front of people at a low cost.
- Usually the first touch a prospect will have of your brand messaging.
- A business card is an instant connector and leave behind piece for casual or impromptu meetings.
- A business card is small and fits standardized office tools
- Sales training 101 promotes carrying businesses with you at all times
- It’s no wonder business cards are essential to business. The cost to reproduce them are usually less then a few cents a piece. When printing business cards choosing a professional design and printer is critical to show professionalism and details are important to you. A smeared, bent card doe not a good impression make.
Are business cards necessary these days? I say yes. However, I also confess I am somewhat stingy with my cards in networking events. I have experienced those marketing firms and over zealous small business owners who believe since I gave them my card it was permission for them to add me to all of their email campaigns, direct mail campaigns plus phone me way too much. I’ve gotten picky who I give my card to -especially at networking events. Consider this the next time a business owner offers you a card – they may not give them to just anyone – but they chose to give it to you.
Business cards are this month’s special. Business cards are discounted 20% through December 30, 2014.
Please connect with us today if you need a new business card design or if you need reprints of an existing business card design Connection Graphics has created for you in the past.
We Don’t Mean to Scare You But Do You Realize 2015 Is Only Two Months and a Week Away?
Are you taking advantage of the extra week in October? I actually find myself (mostly) caught up. This ‘free’ week has allowed my staff and I to dedicate some time on the design of our 2015 printed calendars plus setting the editorial calendar for next year.
To stay connected to our customers we develop blog posts on services we provide. Our blogs offer tips, cautions and on occasion, even a bit of humor. We do our best to keep our social media posts relevant and fun and we send these monthly newsletters to you. Spending time now, before the year ends helps us know ahead of time each month what information we will cover. Adjustments are made as needed when news and trends change that may be of value to our customers but having a plan in place is always a time saver.
If you are interested in growing business and staying connected to your customers more consistently in 2015,we can help you get a plan in place.
Choose one or all of the following:
• Annual Marketing Plans
• Editorial Calendars
• Social Media Strategies
FROM THE BLOG
The 8 Agreements for Working With a Graphic Design Firm
There are a variety of reasons why a small business can benefit from working with a graphic design firm. Skilled graphic designers can help your company shine and organize information efficiently in a graphically appealing manner. Once you have determined the project you are hiring the graphic design firm for the next step is to establish a clear understanding of who is responsible for each element of the project(s). more on the blog…
Monthly Promotion:
Greeting Cards
As I type this it is 70 degrees and sunny in Michigan. However, by Friday the weather forecasters are scaring everyone with threats of snow flurries – just in time for trick or treating. And yes, I CAN hear the snickers of our West coast customers. Wherever you live now it is the time to start planning for corporate holiday promotions and communications.
Holiday Cards:
• custom card design
• animated cards sent via email
• consider full color business card size magnets
There are a variety of reasons why a small business can benefit from working with a graphic design firm. Skilled graphic designers can help your company shine and organize information efficiently and in a graphically appealing manner. Once you have determined the project you are hiring the graphic design firm for the next step is to establish a clear understanding of who is responsible for each element of the project(s)
8 Agreements for Working with a Graphic Design Firm :
Explain Yourself – know what you are trying to communicate, to who (target audience), how (in print, billboards, or online, etc.). If you are not sure about the direction you need to take, you may want to schedule a marketing consultation or graphic design consultation before you begin working with a graphic design firm on a project that is defined ahead of time. Many graphic design firms offer consultations and provide marketing services to help you at this stage.
Be Prepared – Compile all text, copy, logos, photos, graphics, charts, etc. that will be included when the graphic design firm begins the project. If the graphic design firm is responsible for creating the graphics, locating photography, it is a good idea to share your ideas on style, color, size, etc.
Content – Will you be writing the copy for your project? Will a copy writer be providing copy? If you are working with a graphic design firm that also offers copywriting services request a bid for copywriting. Graphic design services do not automatically include copywriting, choosing headlines, compiling captions, etc.
Proofread – Graphic designers are paying attention to fonts, placement, scale, dimensions, color, graphics, photos and flow. Graphic designers are not editors or proofreaders. Sometimes while working through a project they may catch a typo or inconsistent use of text this is a bonus – this is an editing and proofreading task and is ultimately the client’s responsibility. Make sure you always get a proof and proofread it carefully before you go to print or post online… and then have someone else proofread it again.
Don’t Make Assumptions – You know your small business or organization best. It is important to share everything you want to include or depict. Don’t assume the graphic designer knows which are the featured services, products, mission and message you want to convey. A graphic design firm will learn about your company or organization but you know your organization best. Don’t assume it’s obvious what your company’s unique selling proposition (USP) is. Your current website and other marketing materials may not be explaining it as clearly you hope.
Share Ideas – Provide samples of designs you like. The examples can be from companies in your industry or just eye-catching designs with compelling messages that speak to you. This sharing helps designers follow your desired trajectory right away. A professional graphic designer will not copy these ideas, they will use them as inspiration, a jump off point, to build original work for your company.
When you are working with a design firm and leave it entirely up to them without any examples of what you envision you may have a rocky road ahead. If you are someone who is open to innovation and new ideas and you envision working with a graphic design firm as a refreshing exchange of creativity, give them full reign! It could be a great experience for both parties. If ideas go off track however, you will be paying for the revisions to get them back on track.
Don’t take things personally – a professional graphic designer will present new ideas you may not have considered yet. Be open to hear about the concept. Remember you hired the professionals for their expertise. If you really don’t like the new ideas a professional graphic design firm will not force them. Hopefully a compromise can be offered that merges both ideas and a winning design will result. Remember you are working with a design firm who wants to keep you as a customer, they want you to succeed and sometimes that means attempting to break you out of your comfort zone.
Always Do Your Best – Plan ahead for your graphic design and marketing projects. Whether you are looking for a brochure design, annual report design, logo design or website design, etc. allot enough time for all the project stages and mostly for design time. A full campaign will require more time than a corporate brochure. Creativity can not be turned on and off like a computer. A minimum of two weeks is requested. Although most design firms will do their best to fit in rush jobs, keep in mind you may not be getting their best work when creative time is cut short. Also remember to include the time it will take for the next steps of your projects, committee previews,board approval, printing, distribution, coding, etc.
Connection Group is a marketing and graphic design firm located in the Lansing, Michigan area. We work face to face on graphic design projects for small businesses and organizations in Grand Ledge, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Mason, DeWitt and Charlotte, Michigan. When working with companies throughout Michigan we like the initial meeting to be at your location to get a feel for your business environment. Connection Group also provides marketing and graphic design services to companies throughout the United States. Consultations via Skype, phone and email offer opportunities to collaborate, share proofs and meet comfortably without additional travel expenses.
If you feel confident working with a graphic design firm is your next step, connect with us today.
Stay connected!
Improving Workplace and Economic Opportunities for Women
Connection Group was pleased to assist Grand Rapids Women’s Resource Center (GRWRC) in the development of their 2013 Annual Report. GRWRC is an exemplary non-profit that serves as an advocate for women in the Grand Rapids community. The Center works with women to chief economic independence through meaningful employment. read more…
FROM THE BLOG
How to Hire a Graphic Designer 101
Maybe on the onset your secretary’s business card designs helped get the word out about your company. Now that you are past the launch stage you are curious about how to hire a graphic designer – a professional graphic designer who can present the company at a higher level. Whether your small business needs an updated logo design, sales sheets, brochures, or digital artwork created for websites and social media, knowing how to hire a graphic designer will save you time and money. Checklist on the blog…
October Promotion:
Save 20% on Banners
Want to attract attention? Full color banners are an excellent marketing tool for events, promotions, advertising, trade shows, schools and more.
For either indoor or outdoor use, and at a variety of sizes, custom 
banners are an economical option that takes advantage of full color printing.
Our Value Banners are printed on non-tear stock and are best for indoor use or short-term outdoor use, and include self-adhesive PowerTabs® for hanging. Our
Durable Banners are printed on vinyl with hem, ropes and grommets included,
and are ready for hanging outdoors.
All Banners include:
• custom design
• full color printing
• durable stock
Maybe on the onset your secretary’s business card designs helped get the word out about your company. Now that you are past the launch stage you are curious about how to hire a graphic designer – a professional graphic designer who can present the company at a higher level. Whether your small business needs an updated logo design, sales sheets, brochures, or digital artwork created for websites and social media, knowing how to hire a graphic designer will save you time and money.
How To Hire a Graphic Designer Checklist
First, ask around, ask for referrals from trusted colleagues. Next, refer to this checklist. Clear communication up front will make for an enjoyable exchange of creativity and successful graphic design solutions for your company.
- Does the graphic designer have samples to review? Graphic artists (aka graphic designers) love to show off their talent. Ask them for samples of similar work to your project or view their website.
- Can they provide references or testimonials? Established firms and freelance graphic designers will have client testimonials for your review.
- What services does the graphic designer provide? There are specialty graphic design services such as website design, animation, and companies who offer logo design only. Make sure the graphic design firm you choose offers the services you need.
- Do you need to hire other professionals? Graphic designers are responsible for design. Typically they are not editors, copywriters or even photography retouchers. These are all elements that may be needed as part of your project but are not necessarily the role of all graphic designers or from every graphic design firm. Clarify upfront what you think you need and determine who is responsible for each role.
- What are the steps in their creative process? How many concepts will be presented at the initial design stage? How many proofs will be provided as part of the estimate? How many and what types of changes are included in the estimate? Are proofs provided electronically or through hard copies or in person?
- How much time is allotted for the graphic design consultation? To build a new corporate brand image for your small business or provide elements in support of an established company brand such as a brochure or catalog it is important for the graphic designer to consult with someone in the company prior to beginning the project. How much consultation time is included in the estimate? This will usually depend on the scope of the project. Less time is allocated for a brochure and more will be needed for a complete campaign. Is additional consultation time available for a fee if needed via phone, in person or emails?
- What if you don’t like the design? If you have done your diligence, viewed the graphic designers work and determined their design style fits your style you’ll probably get a winning design right off the bat. If the design is not what you are looking for first ask yourself why, what’s working, what’s missing, etc. Provide the designer with this feedback. Try not to be vague – have concrete feedback to avoid wasted time and additional design fees.
- How much do graphic designers charge? Graphic designers charge hourly and by the project. With established clients graphic designers may also work on retainer or hold an annual contract. Fees vary from agency to freelancer. Keep in mind just because you are hiring a freelancer doesn’t mean you are paying less than a firm may charge.
- What is availability and turn around time? Turn around time for design projects is often based on first come first serve but exceptions can be made with rush projects. Additional rush fees may be added and you may not get lead designers on your rush graphic design project. The more time you have to create your project the better to allow for the full creative process. Keep in mind that freelancers may work full time jobs and have a limited amount of time to work on your projects. It is also important for you or your staff to be available to respond timely to proofs and keep the project moving forward without delay.
- How many edits/changes are included in estimate? This is an important variable when pricing your project. Proofs and changes take time and additional fees can add up quickly. Find out how many are included, what types are included and what the charge is if additional changes are needed beyond the original set amount. To reduce changes and proofs, make sure all of the copy is proofread and have received final approval before sending it to the graphic design stage.
- What are payment terms? Standard industry practice is 50% of the estimated cost at the start of the project and rest upon completion. If a project is larger in scope such as an annual campaign or new branding campaign a three part payment term may be utilized or monthly fees can be determined. If printing or website hosting is required the design is usually expected to be paid in full prior to release. Cost of printing may be required to be paid up front or may have 30 day terms.
- What files will you receive at the end of the project? Standard graphic design industry practice is to provide final approved files in high quality print pdf for all printed pieces and jpg, png files for digital projects. Original concepts, working files, software, fonts or limited use stock photography are not released but may be negotiated outside of the original contract dependent on copyright and availability. Often if a file is needed for use in another media graphic designers and design firms will release them if applicable.
- Who owns the graphic design copyright? Original logo designs, publications and website designs are applicable to submit for copyright. Some graphic design and advertising firms retain full ownership where others like Connection Group maintains that once you’ve paid in full for the work, you should own it. As mentioned above software, fonts, limited use stock photos, etc. may be subject to copyright by the original creators.
- Is printing, writing, editing provided? This is an important question to ask in the beginning. Most design firms can offer printing also but typically do not include it in their design fees. Some firms hand you the electronic files and then have you contract the printing. Same with copy writing and editing as mentioned previously. Make sure everyone knows who is responsible for what stage.
- Can the files be used in other formats after the initial order? Often when a clever design solution is created a small business may decide to use it in multiple promotions or create a full ad campaign around it. If files are originally created for the web or online use a complete recreation may be order to meet print resolution requirements. SInce the creative has already been established at this point you are paying for production, not design time so you will still see a savings. In opposite circumstances, when going from a print design to web, designs may only need to be adjusted to fit online dimensions.
- How are additions to the project handled? If part way through the project the customer adds new items, for instance you add a letterhead and brochure to a business design project, you will want to get additional bids for these pieces and determine time line. Also, if you are foreseeing many edits because a design will be reviewed by a committee, etc. get an idea of expenses up front if possible. Please review caution about edits and changes.
Don’t play the field when it comes to hiring graphic designers.
Once you’ve learned how to hire a graphic designer, sit back and enjoy. A good designer, who really GETS YOU and your business is an important part of your success team. Build loyally, save money, reduce errors and present consistent branding images throughout all of your company marketing, promotions and advertising – in print and online. You’ll enjoy cost savings when you are able to keep your marketing and advertising campaigns with the same design firm. Plus, you’ll avoid costly surprises and know where to find all your files instead of spending time chasing them down each year.
As one of a handful of graphic design companies in Lansing, Michigan area we’ve served a variety of non-profit and for profit clients in the over 17 years in business. We continue to provide graphic design solutions for small businesses and organizations across the United States and Canada. As budgets get tighter, company staff must handle projects they are not trained to manage. We hope this ‘how to hire a graphic designer checklist’ will be a helpful guide to key personnel who are not familiar with how to hire a graphic designer. Please connect with us today if you have any questions. We appreciate the opportunity to design online and print marketing solutions that connect with your customers.
Stay connected!
We recently were selected to provide new membership website ideas and design for a local Lansing Michigan All Seasons Club JugAndMug.org. We worked with the president and a few other board members to re-create the site. I wish I had a screen capture of the old membership website – a before and after would have been dramatic and impressive.
We were happy to hear the group contacted us because we were referred to them as a company who would provide quality service and a website design that met all the goals of the organization at a reasonable rate. Upon our initial meeting with the website committee we learned more details about their ideas for the new membership website.
Local Club Membership Website Ideas:
- Bring website design into the current decade
- Offer a content management system that was easy for non-programmers to update
- Responsive website format: detects screen size and format for smart phones, tablets or desktop monitors
- Slide show of photos that can be updated easily
- Blog page to be part of the membership website and not a separate url
- Online inquiry forms, contact forms or registration forms
- Emails with domain name (name@jugandmug.org) that forward to each board persons personal email if desired.
- Ease in updating content and adding photos in all areas
- E-commerce capability for accepting payments, ticket sales, membership dues, etc.
- Members only section – password protected with different access levels
We have provided similar membership website ideas and solutions in the past with password protected areas, e-commerce, events pages, and specific administrative access. Membership websites can range between local clubs like jugandmug or large national or state associations, non-profit and political groups as well as business groups membership sites.
When we’re provided membership website ideas and solutions throughout our 17 years of business that incorporated content management systems (CMS) we typically built them from scratch. Now we can often use the robust WordPress options available.
Jug&Mug.org was built with a WordPress theme that supports e-commerce interactions. There were a plethora of plug ins available if we needed for the password protected area or the photo slide shows. The use of WordPress for this particular project was ideal primarily because of the ease in updates. Since membership websites are often updated by different people and the administrator may change with each board member update it is important to keep website updates simple. Jug and Mug is lucky, they have a President and website committee right now who is knowledgeable of computer programming and interested to learn. Other memberships, associations and clubs may have people responsible for managing the website who have no clue what web code is. Use of WordPress CMS helps alleviate worries and errors and helps newbie website managers to feel at ease.
There are some particular rules to follow when choosing a website company and a WordPress theme,
- do you want the website for business or just for fun
- do you want to use your own domain name (hosted on it’s own)
- a responsive theme
- a theme that allows e-commerce
- a theme that allows third party plug-ins
- customizable
- … and more depending on your website goals
Discussing WordPress, membership website ideas as well as customizing existing WordPress themes really requires another article. For instance I throw WordPress plug ins out there like they are little miracles… they can also be mean little sprites that choke your website speed and may not play nice together… So much to cover so little blog space.
If you are interested in using WordPress as a new website design solution and would like to talk to us about your considerations whether you have your own membership website ideas, an e-commerce site, or a website offering a service that you need help with. please call us today, 517-645-4387.
Stay connected!
Enjoy Your Labor Day!
In our hearts we proclaim it ‘the last weekend of the Summer’ we celebrate the sacred Monday off and try and squeeze as much fun out of the long weekend as possible.
As I bring the week, month, and maybe Summer, to a close I have found a new and high regard for this holiday. Labor, help, staff, employees, life-lines, I am so grateful!
This week I went it alone and I was reminded what it was like to be a sole proprietor. Remember those days? Burning the midnight oil and still 30 or more ‘hot’ emails in your inbox each morning? Answering phone calls, managing AND producing a full docket of projects from press kits to social media campaigns, monthly blog posts to project estimates and e-newsletters to web hosting troubleshooting.
Lesson learned (((loud and clear))) what a great job the staff and contractors do to keep each aspect of this business moving smoothly. Next year when staff says, “I’d like to take the last week of August for my vacation.” or “Fall classes begin next week, can I do work updates from home?” I will take note well in advance how many people will be out, how many meetings and deadlines are scheduled for the week and I will bribe them all to reconsider.
TGIF everyone and sincere apologies to those patient customers who suffered through my attempts to be Super Woman. After 5pm today please call back Tuesday, the ones who are really in charge will back to answer your questions quickly and efficiently- promise!
Cheers!
FROM THE BLOG
Jug & Mug Membership Website Design
We recently were selected to provide new membership website ideas and design for a local Lansing Michigan All Seasons Club JugAndMug.org. We worked with the president and a few other board members to re-create the site. I wish I had a screen capture of the old membership website – a before and after would have been dramatic and impressive.more…
September
Promotion:
Save 20% off
Presentation Folders
How often do you develop a proposal, presentation or sales materials and realize you need to make yet another trip to Staples for ugly pocket folders that don’t match your brand print materials? A customized folder that promotes your brand each time your customer sees it helps you stand out from the boring office store folders – and the cost is probably more reasonable than you think!
All Folders include:
• custom design
• full color printing
• two sided printing
• heavy card stock (choose from uncoated to shiny UV coating)
Why Are Infographics So Popular?
“Infographic search volumes have increased by over 800% in just over 2 years.” – Jeff Bullas
The infographic on the right explains visually the biggest reason why infographics are so popular.
Well designed infographics can clarify complex data with simple imagery. It’s like shorthand for mountains of data!
Besides breaking down all the web content we receive daily they also compliment your marketing efforts because:
- Compelling and attractive – people love facts and statistics, add graphics and visuals and you have a shareable item.
- Easily scanned, viewed and understood – 90% of the brain is visual so tapping into the optic nerve communicates the message clearer.
- Increases brand awareness – adding your logo and contact information (plus the link to your website) increases brand exposure.
- Identifies you as an expert
- Easily shared – Visuals are shared more frequently on social networks and are used in presentations more than ordinary text content.
- Increases website traffic and SEO – by posting to your site you can have a direct url associated with the image. Every time the infographic is shared the person is linking to your website, the viewer is then taken to your website, and Google will index your website higher.
Connection Group creates infographics for many of our internet marketing customers. We want to create some for you too! Do you have industry stats that would work well in visual form? Prefer to have us research the stats and create the graphics and post them? We can do that too! Whichever you prefer connect with us today we love designing infographics and the extra bonus of helping you to boost your brand.
FROM THE BLOG
Why is website content king?
Content, content and more content. Every move we make in internet marketing is to drive more content. From content management systems of custom websites, to blog entries, to custom infographics, to white papers, our travels around the web are leading us to more and more website content everyday. more…
August’s Monthly Promotion:
Save 20% off
Full Color Announcements
Elevate your branding. Send your customers and prospects branded announcements to promote new product releases, special events, anniversaries, sales, relocations, etc. Or take advantage of the 20% discount and get a jump on your custom designed holiday cards. Be first in line for Custom Thanksgiving card design, custom corporate holiday card designs, personal or professional Christmas card designs, custom new years’ cards and custom wedding invitation designs.
