So I've been attending a lot of events lately - expanding both my network and my horizons. I've handed out a hundred or so business cards and have received many compliments on the logo, the printing or both, so I realized I'm long overdue to give those guys a proper shout out.
My good friend TJ Harley designed the Element logos for us and we couldn't have been happier. TJ is the graphics manager for The Collegiate Licensing Company so you can usually see his work on the 50-yard line at a college bowl game, but his capabilities and creativity are hardly limited to logos. He also does corporate identity and apparel, print and package design and is available for freelance work.
Mike Strelser is the president of Square Fruit Communications and ColorCards.com, and is married to one of my oldest friends, Laura (who, by the way is an amazing interior designer). Mike was not only patient with us as we went through the never-ending options of layouts, stocks, and finishes, but he also provided expertise that allowed us to ultimately defer to his judgement for this important piece of our visual ID. And based on the responses we've received, I'd say that was the right choice.
So if you've been one of the many to receive one of our cards and compliment the work of these two talented guys, please continue to help me say thanks by considering them next time you have graphic or print needs of your own.
October 30, 2009
October 21, 2009
Do you know the difference between a Facebook Page and a Group?
If you're on Facebook (and let's face it, who's not these days?) you're probably "friends" with at least one business. But how do you befriend a business? On Facebook anyway, you don't, or shouldn't, but many businesses are so eager to have a presence that they don't take the time to research or understand how to go about it correctly.
Below is a link to an informative article which discusses the difference between Groups and Pages from a marketing perspective, but I've seen way too many businesses who are not yet ready for that conversation because they're still using Profiles to represent themselves on Facebook.
http://www.insidefacebook.com/2009/06/08/4-reasons-why-marketers-should-choose-facebook-pages-over-facebook-groups/
So to supplement the article, I'd like to provide a brief Facebook 101 lesson on the differences between the various Facebook entities: Profiles, Groups and Pages. I'm sure there will be more lessons to come, and I'll do my best to post/comment on them as I see the need.
Profiles - Profiles are intended for personal use only. Per Facebook: Profiles can only be used to represent an individual and must be held under an individual name. Profiles have "friends."
Groups - Think of Groups like fan clubs. They are "unofficial" in that they can be created by anyone for anything. For example, someone may love a team, tv show, restaurant, product or other entity and they can create a Group for people who like the same thing. Groups are not necessarily endorsed by the represented company, and in many instances there is no affiliation with the company at all. Groups have "members."
Pages - Pages are reserved for the "official" presence of a business or entity on Facebook, and can only be created by an authorized representative of the business for which the Page is for. They are intended to help an entity communicate publicly. Pages have "fans."
Below is a link to an informative article which discusses the difference between Groups and Pages from a marketing perspective, but I've seen way too many businesses who are not yet ready for that conversation because they're still using Profiles to represent themselves on Facebook.
http://www.insidefacebook.com/2009/06/08/4-reasons-why-marketers-should-choose-facebook-pages-over-facebook-groups/
So to supplement the article, I'd like to provide a brief Facebook 101 lesson on the differences between the various Facebook entities: Profiles, Groups and Pages. I'm sure there will be more lessons to come, and I'll do my best to post/comment on them as I see the need.
Profiles - Profiles are intended for personal use only. Per Facebook: Profiles can only be used to represent an individual and must be held under an individual name. Profiles have "friends."
Groups - Think of Groups like fan clubs. They are "unofficial" in that they can be created by anyone for anything. For example, someone may love a team, tv show, restaurant, product or other entity and they can create a Group for people who like the same thing. Groups are not necessarily endorsed by the represented company, and in many instances there is no affiliation with the company at all. Groups have "members."
Pages - Pages are reserved for the "official" presence of a business or entity on Facebook, and can only be created by an authorized representative of the business for which the Page is for. They are intended to help an entity communicate publicly. Pages have "fans."
October 19, 2009
Southwest Bags Fly Free
I just saw Southwest Airlines tv spot promoting their "bags fly free" policy (and pointing out that they remain in the minority of airlines not charging fees for checking bags). This hits particularly close to home as my husband and I recently took a 5-day tip to Austin, TX via US Air, and ended up spending $140 to get our bags there and back (US Air charges ... one suitcase each plus golf clubs). And while no, the golf clubs didn't have to come, isn't that our prerogative as ticket holders? As American Airlines points out isn't that "why we travel"? (note: American charges $20 for the first bag and $30 for the second).
I've heard various comments to the tune that these baggage fees are here to stay however, especially as the public didn't complain enough about them when first introduced, and we've simply locked ourselves in by dutifully paying them. But with passengers switching to Southwest, could this be enough to spark a little competition by other airlines to force them to do the same? By holding out, is Southwest taking the stand that the rest of us should have when these fees were first announced?
As much as I'd like to show Southwest my support with my dollar, I can't as I live in Atlanta, and they don't service the busiest airport in the world - as much as we all wish they did. But from an advertising perspective, I say "Bravo!" to Southwest, and pass along the wish that this may be one of those instances where advertising has the power to change things for the better.
I've heard various comments to the tune that these baggage fees are here to stay however, especially as the public didn't complain enough about them when first introduced, and we've simply locked ourselves in by dutifully paying them. But with passengers switching to Southwest, could this be enough to spark a little competition by other airlines to force them to do the same? By holding out, is Southwest taking the stand that the rest of us should have when these fees were first announced?
As much as I'd like to show Southwest my support with my dollar, I can't as I live in Atlanta, and they don't service the busiest airport in the world - as much as we all wish they did. But from an advertising perspective, I say "Bravo!" to Southwest, and pass along the wish that this may be one of those instances where advertising has the power to change things for the better.
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