What You Will Learn By Reading This
This article covers getting your own blog, finding great FREE content for it, how to get interviews from famous designers for your blog, setting up a list and driving traffic to your site. Read on, o great one!
Be A List Rock Star In No Time
Why, you say? Why should I get a list? Well, one, your opinionated right?
Get Your Own Megaphone, & Force The World To Listen To You
Ok, starting from scratch, you are a creative person. All creative people, you, have big strong opinions. These opinions can hurt you and help you! The best thing to do if you cannot shut up is get your own megaphone, a blog, for instance. If you go to www.blogger.com and you can get your own free blog. This way, you can start writing about your passion, graphic design, typography, layout, fonts, advertising methods and marketing, photography, etc.
Get Your List On
Starting a list can be hard. Basically you need to have really relevant content for your audience. Websites they have never seen, books they don't know about, podcasts they would love, other designers they can get inspiration from. You get the idea. Inspire, communicate, create a community.
The Three Steps To Fame & Fortune In Design & Advertising
1. Go to www.Blogger.com and set up a free blog. Or go to www.godaddy.com, get a domain name, then go to www.bluehost.com and get hosting. Then, go to www.wordpress.org and install your new blog on your own site. If you don't know to do any of this, stick with blogger.com for now or www.typepad.com or something. A simple blogger platform.
2. Write 15 or so posts on your new blog, the contents. Link to other authoritative blogs in your area. One such site is Brand Nu out of England. Look him up. I think it's http://www.brandnu.co.uk
He is amazing. Become friends with him.
3. Go to www.technorati.com and research what others are writing about. Comment on their blog and exchange links with them. Add them to your blogroll or link bar on Blogger. See traffic grow.
4. If you have a website, but no list, you should start using www.aweber.com, which is a free auto responder. It will help you put up forms like the opt-in one to the right of this article. See it? The one with the headline? This is how I capture opt-ins.
The main benefit to the opt-in list is that they get certain products I am working on for a big discount, and they also get more targeted, very specific advice and secret website links to boost their graphic design business.
5. Get Relevant content to your list. How? Contact other designers and advertisers and ask to interview them. It's simple. Go to their site, email them and ask for a quick interview by email.
TIP: Email the questions for the interview in the same email that you ask them for it.
This makes it easy for them.
TIP 2: Do not ask more than 8 questions.
I've already contacted Radim from Brand Nu and he has agreed to be interviewed. Do the same thing. Drive traffic to your site this way. Also, go to www.Goarticles.com and www.Ezinearticles.com. and get free articles to put on your blog about your niche topic.
There you go!
Lawton
Lawton Chiles Chiles Design
-> Who Is Chiles Design?
Chiles Design focuses on getting your business specific, measurable results from advertising ad campaigns, copywriting, and graphic design. Using these three mediums together, Chiles Design accomplishes one thing: Creative more money from your advertising, and elimiates the guesswork on whether or not you are actually making money from that ad in the paper or the commercial you did, or the radio spot.
---> Benefits of Hire Great copywriting, headlines, bullet points, subheads, captions and copy that does not demand anything, but copy that eases the reader who wants to buy anyway into picking up the phone, cutting out a coupon, or coming in for a sale.
Designs that compliement the ad, not distract from it.
Only a few people have studied the direct response ad masters. Chiles Design is one of the firms that has.
Please contact me today at lchiles@gmail.com or http://www.songsblog.com
Simply call me at 850.728.0212 and we can just talk about your needs and desires for your business.
By: Lawton Chies
Monday, September 10, 2007
Are You A Great Graphic Designer? If Not, Read On...
But not all design can be considered great, or even good for that matter. Great design must convey a message quickly and cleanly, with little guesswork. Your audience should never have to guess what it is you’re trying to say. Some of the more popular tools used by graphic artists today are, the Adobe products (Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, InDesign), along with web applications such as Dreamweaver. Here are some tips you can use if you’re just starting out in the graphic design field.
Too Many Fonts
You should strive to keep the number of fonts to no more than two. I typically prefer a serif font, which is a font that has “feet” if you will, such as Times, for body copy. Then I create my headlines with a san serif font such as Helvetica to distinguish paragraphs from one another. Too often, a novice designer will attempt to experiment with too many different fonts in the same piece. Keep it down to two if possible.
Too Many Design Elements
Another issue concerning novice designers is that they tend to cram in as many visuals as they can. All in a bid to display their design skills. It’s important to remember that you are trying to convey a message and get the viewer to react to your design. You are not trying to show off your design skills because more often than not, you will create an eyesore and distract the viewer.
Colors
Like all of the other elements in your piece, you should control the amount of colors used. Generally, two complementing colors should be used, with a third color for accent. This is a general rule so you can be flexible. Just remember, keep it simple!
Keep It In The Family
It’s important that all of the elements in your piece complement one another. Each image you use should relate to any other image in the piece, thereby creating a consistent theme to your piece.
I hope these guidelines can help you be a better designer. Keep in mind that you want to reel the user in so keep it simple, legible and attractive. If you can master this idea, you’re on your way to a great career in graphic design.
Steven Pepe has been a graphic designer for over 15 years. Working as both an employee and a freelancer, he has worked in many areas of the field, from graphics production to web development. He is the founder of http://www.BuyLance.com a freelance community site working with individuals across the globe seeking freelance work. If you're looking for freelance work, or interested in posting a job, visit http://www.buylance.com
Too Many Fonts
You should strive to keep the number of fonts to no more than two. I typically prefer a serif font, which is a font that has “feet” if you will, such as Times, for body copy. Then I create my headlines with a san serif font such as Helvetica to distinguish paragraphs from one another. Too often, a novice designer will attempt to experiment with too many different fonts in the same piece. Keep it down to two if possible.
Too Many Design Elements
Another issue concerning novice designers is that they tend to cram in as many visuals as they can. All in a bid to display their design skills. It’s important to remember that you are trying to convey a message and get the viewer to react to your design. You are not trying to show off your design skills because more often than not, you will create an eyesore and distract the viewer.
Colors
Like all of the other elements in your piece, you should control the amount of colors used. Generally, two complementing colors should be used, with a third color for accent. This is a general rule so you can be flexible. Just remember, keep it simple!
Keep It In The Family
It’s important that all of the elements in your piece complement one another. Each image you use should relate to any other image in the piece, thereby creating a consistent theme to your piece.
I hope these guidelines can help you be a better designer. Keep in mind that you want to reel the user in so keep it simple, legible and attractive. If you can master this idea, you’re on your way to a great career in graphic design.
Steven Pepe has been a graphic designer for over 15 years. Working as both an employee and a freelancer, he has worked in many areas of the field, from graphics production to web development. He is the founder of http://www.BuyLance.com a freelance community site working with individuals across the globe seeking freelance work. If you're looking for freelance work, or interested in posting a job, visit http://www.buylance.com
Sunday, September 9, 2007
How to Find A Reliable and Experience Graphic Designer?
If you're looking for a graphic designer that is both reliable and experienced and creates excellent graphics then keep reading this short article which will list a few key points from the above title.
The first thing when looking for a graphic designer is to decide why you are looking for one in the first place whether you need just a custom ebook cover, a header graphic, logo, blog, or even a website template. Once you have decided why you need the graphic designer you then need to search for one on Google or maybe try asking your friends if they have any recommendations for any designers they have used in the past.
When you find a graphic designers web site you then need to study the sales letter, the portfolio if they have one, if not then maybe try asking for them to show you some work and any testimonials they have, also their prices depending on your budget.
If you come across the graphic designer’s web site and you like their style of work, they have good testimonials, price is right then should you order straight away. Possibly! What I would do is search for a few more graphic designers because every graphic designer is different, you might find that you actually like maybe two or three different graphic designers so it’s always best to search out graphic designers for all of the above; portfolio, testimonials, price.
Once you're happy that you have found the right graphic designer and the price is right you then need to follow their instructions on their website to order your graphics some graphic designers make you pay first then they deliver your graphics usually a rough draft within so many hours or days. Other graphic designers create your graphics first and then after you have seen what they have dawned you then pay them, both ways have their advantages.
Also you need to find out if they offer a guarantee or a refund if you're not happy with their work, most designers will work with you until you are completely satisfied, and some even offer a 90 day money back guarantee, there are even some designers that will create your graphics, you then put them to use on your website and if you don't generate any sales within a certain period you can then get them to redo your graphics or you can ask for your money back.
So make sure before you even hire a graphic designer that you do some research.
Sean John is a fantastic graphic designer that’s just hit the market, but don’t let the fact that he’s new put you off. You really should see his work; he offers professionally designed graphics at affordable prices, book covers, header templates, & many more… not only that but Sean also offers great customer service and the fastest delivery of your graphics. You really need to see his work you will be pleasantly surprised. Visit http://www.ecovergeeks.com/adtrackz/go.php?c=reliablegraphicdesigner
The first thing when looking for a graphic designer is to decide why you are looking for one in the first place whether you need just a custom ebook cover, a header graphic, logo, blog, or even a website template. Once you have decided why you need the graphic designer you then need to search for one on Google or maybe try asking your friends if they have any recommendations for any designers they have used in the past.
When you find a graphic designers web site you then need to study the sales letter, the portfolio if they have one, if not then maybe try asking for them to show you some work and any testimonials they have, also their prices depending on your budget.
If you come across the graphic designer’s web site and you like their style of work, they have good testimonials, price is right then should you order straight away. Possibly! What I would do is search for a few more graphic designers because every graphic designer is different, you might find that you actually like maybe two or three different graphic designers so it’s always best to search out graphic designers for all of the above; portfolio, testimonials, price.
Once you're happy that you have found the right graphic designer and the price is right you then need to follow their instructions on their website to order your graphics some graphic designers make you pay first then they deliver your graphics usually a rough draft within so many hours or days. Other graphic designers create your graphics first and then after you have seen what they have dawned you then pay them, both ways have their advantages.
Also you need to find out if they offer a guarantee or a refund if you're not happy with their work, most designers will work with you until you are completely satisfied, and some even offer a 90 day money back guarantee, there are even some designers that will create your graphics, you then put them to use on your website and if you don't generate any sales within a certain period you can then get them to redo your graphics or you can ask for your money back.
So make sure before you even hire a graphic designer that you do some research.
Sean John is a fantastic graphic designer that’s just hit the market, but don’t let the fact that he’s new put you off. You really should see his work; he offers professionally designed graphics at affordable prices, book covers, header templates, & many more… not only that but Sean also offers great customer service and the fastest delivery of your graphics. You really need to see his work you will be pleasantly surprised. Visit http://www.ecovergeeks.com/adtrackz/go.php?c=reliablegraphicdesigner
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Website Optimisation & Design: Which Screen Resolution to Design for?
It is at times a common mistake for web designers, especially beginners, to create a website which is not optimised for various screen resolutions. With over 40 different screen resolutions, it is extremely important to optimise your web pages for the most popular screen resolutions so that your web pages can be viewed by a greater number of online visitors.
Here are some basic facts to consider when designing for screen resolutions:
- 800x600 is the minimum resolution offered on most PCs and notebooks. 800x600 is also the preferred viewing option for 14% of internet users.
- The most popular resolutions used by approximately 60% of online users is 1024 x 768, followed by 1280x1024 and other resolutions, with 26% of internet users.
Designing for a wide spectrum of resolutions is therefore essential. But how is this achieved?
The process of designing for all resolutions is achieved through a “lowest-to-highest” resolution technique. Which ever image editing or web building application you are using, it is important to set your working area or table width to a resolution within 800 x 600. A suitable area of 770 x 560 is recommended for best viewing in a web browser on a 800 x 600 screen resolution. This recommended area will not only alleviate horizontal page scrolling but will keep your pages user friendly and easy to read.
Designing web pages for all resolutions is especially useful for attracting and keeping visitors for a longer period of time on your site. Easy to use and read websites are always more likely to attract customers. A poorly designed and structured website with irritable horizontal scrolling will only drive away visitors and potential buyers.
About the Author: Ilan Touri is a search engine optimisation specialist and website designer working for SEO Sydney. He has worked on many projects and offers website optimisation services and e-Commerce website development to companies in Australia.
Here are some basic facts to consider when designing for screen resolutions:
- 800x600 is the minimum resolution offered on most PCs and notebooks. 800x600 is also the preferred viewing option for 14% of internet users.
- The most popular resolutions used by approximately 60% of online users is 1024 x 768, followed by 1280x1024 and other resolutions, with 26% of internet users.
Designing for a wide spectrum of resolutions is therefore essential. But how is this achieved?
The process of designing for all resolutions is achieved through a “lowest-to-highest” resolution technique. Which ever image editing or web building application you are using, it is important to set your working area or table width to a resolution within 800 x 600. A suitable area of 770 x 560 is recommended for best viewing in a web browser on a 800 x 600 screen resolution. This recommended area will not only alleviate horizontal page scrolling but will keep your pages user friendly and easy to read.
Designing web pages for all resolutions is especially useful for attracting and keeping visitors for a longer period of time on your site. Easy to use and read websites are always more likely to attract customers. A poorly designed and structured website with irritable horizontal scrolling will only drive away visitors and potential buyers.
About the Author: Ilan Touri is a search engine optimisation specialist and website designer working for SEO Sydney. He has worked on many projects and offers website optimisation services and e-Commerce website development to companies in Australia.
Tips For Choosing The Right Graphic Designer
Before you begin a relationship with a graphic design firm it is worth spending some time asking about their work processes, and telling them about yours. By following the suggestions below you can avoid the costly mistake of commissioning the wrong graphic designer for your company.
1. Ask who will you be working with
You need to know who will be working on your project from day to day. Larger firms sometimes send their best person to win your business but palm the work off to junior designers once they have you through the door. Asking this question from the outset can save you disappointment at the final results. It also gives you a chance to see if you like the person assigned to your project.
2. Tell them what you want
Let your designer know why you need the item of communication you are producing. Then tell them what you want it to achieve. Who is your audience? What are the project constraints - time, budget, materials, approvals etc.? Make sure they understand the scope of the job and ask them how they will go about achieving the results you want.
3. Get the right fit
Good graphic design is only part of the picture. You need a design firm that has the right amount of formality, documentation and account management to suit your business’ needs. That means if it takes forever to get a formal quote or you feel like you are constantly checking up on the progress of the job, it might be time to look for a more customer focused firm.
4. Past Success
Though a graphic designer may have a distinctive style, when you look at their folio of work you should see that each project has a different feel. After all, every company is unique and you need to feel confident that the designer knows how to translate a point of difference visually. You might also want to ask how they contributed to the project and if they made any suggestions that added to the original brief. (Good designers do this all the time)
5. If you are on a good thing stick to it
It is to your advantage to develop a long-term relationship with your designer. That’s because they need to thoroughly research your business and industry to best understand how to represent you. Not only that, but consistency in design is one of the keys to strengthening your brand image.
6. What’s the damage?
Before you embark on a relationship with a design firm ask how their fees are structured so that you can budget for future projects. Also, if your project is complicated, you will want to make sure they understand (and can handle) the amount of project management involved.
7. Value for money
Your budget is going to determine to some extent the quality of work you can expect. But if you ask your designer to share any great ideas they might have, you profit from their years of industry experience. And a good idea is worth its weight in gold.
To find out more about how graphic design can work for you just visit us at http://www.monodesign.com.au.
Ruth Clare is a professional copywriter with a passion for putting the customer first. She runs a graphic design business, Mono Design, with her husband in Melbourne, Australia http://www.monodesign.com.au.
By: Ruth Clare
1. Ask who will you be working with
You need to know who will be working on your project from day to day. Larger firms sometimes send their best person to win your business but palm the work off to junior designers once they have you through the door. Asking this question from the outset can save you disappointment at the final results. It also gives you a chance to see if you like the person assigned to your project.
2. Tell them what you want
Let your designer know why you need the item of communication you are producing. Then tell them what you want it to achieve. Who is your audience? What are the project constraints - time, budget, materials, approvals etc.? Make sure they understand the scope of the job and ask them how they will go about achieving the results you want.
3. Get the right fit
Good graphic design is only part of the picture. You need a design firm that has the right amount of formality, documentation and account management to suit your business’ needs. That means if it takes forever to get a formal quote or you feel like you are constantly checking up on the progress of the job, it might be time to look for a more customer focused firm.
4. Past Success
Though a graphic designer may have a distinctive style, when you look at their folio of work you should see that each project has a different feel. After all, every company is unique and you need to feel confident that the designer knows how to translate a point of difference visually. You might also want to ask how they contributed to the project and if they made any suggestions that added to the original brief. (Good designers do this all the time)
5. If you are on a good thing stick to it
It is to your advantage to develop a long-term relationship with your designer. That’s because they need to thoroughly research your business and industry to best understand how to represent you. Not only that, but consistency in design is one of the keys to strengthening your brand image.
6. What’s the damage?
Before you embark on a relationship with a design firm ask how their fees are structured so that you can budget for future projects. Also, if your project is complicated, you will want to make sure they understand (and can handle) the amount of project management involved.
7. Value for money
Your budget is going to determine to some extent the quality of work you can expect. But if you ask your designer to share any great ideas they might have, you profit from their years of industry experience. And a good idea is worth its weight in gold.
To find out more about how graphic design can work for you just visit us at http://www.monodesign.com.au.
Ruth Clare is a professional copywriter with a passion for putting the customer first. She runs a graphic design business, Mono Design, with her husband in Melbourne, Australia http://www.monodesign.com.au.
By: Ruth Clare
How to Find A Reliable and Experience Graphic Designer?
If you're looking for a graphic designer that is both reliable and experienced and creates excellent graphics then keep reading this short article which will list a few key points from the above title.
The first thing when looking for a graphic designer is to decide why you are looking for one in the first place whether you need just a custom ebook cover, a header graphic, logo, blog, or even a website template. Once you have decided why you need the graphic designer you then need to search for one on Google or maybe try asking your friends if they have any recommendations for any designers they have used in the past.
When you find a graphic designers web site you then need to study the sales letter, the portfolio if they have one, if not then maybe try asking for them to show you some work and any testimonials they have, also their prices depending on your budget.
If you come across the graphic designer’s web site and you like their style of work, they have good testimonials, price is right then should you order straight away. Possibly! What I would do is search for a few more graphic designers because every graphic designer is different, you might find that you actually like maybe two or three different graphic designers so it’s always best to search out graphic designers for all of the above; portfolio, testimonials, price.
Once you're happy that you have found the right graphic designer and the price is right you then need to follow their instructions on their website to order your graphics some graphic designers make you pay first then they deliver your graphics usually a rough draft within so many hours or days. Other graphic designers create your graphics first and then after you have seen what they have dawned you then pay them, both ways have their advantages.
Also you need to find out if they offer a guarantee or a refund if you're not happy with their work, most designers will work with you until you are completely satisfied, and some even offer a 90 day money back guarantee, there are even some designers that will create your graphics, you then put them to use on your website and if you don't generate any sales within a certain period you can then get them to redo your graphics or you can ask for your money back.
So make sure before you even hire a graphic designer that you do some research.
Sean John is a fantastic graphic designer that’s just hit the market, but don’t let the fact that he’s new put you off. You really should see his work; he offers professionally designed graphics at affordable prices, book covers, header templates, & many more… not only that but Sean also offers great customer service and the fastest delivery of your graphics. You really need to see his work you will be pleasantly surprised. Visit http://www.ecovergeeks.com/adtrackz/go.php?c=reliablegraphicdesigner
By: Sean John
The first thing when looking for a graphic designer is to decide why you are looking for one in the first place whether you need just a custom ebook cover, a header graphic, logo, blog, or even a website template. Once you have decided why you need the graphic designer you then need to search for one on Google or maybe try asking your friends if they have any recommendations for any designers they have used in the past.
When you find a graphic designers web site you then need to study the sales letter, the portfolio if they have one, if not then maybe try asking for them to show you some work and any testimonials they have, also their prices depending on your budget.
If you come across the graphic designer’s web site and you like their style of work, they have good testimonials, price is right then should you order straight away. Possibly! What I would do is search for a few more graphic designers because every graphic designer is different, you might find that you actually like maybe two or three different graphic designers so it’s always best to search out graphic designers for all of the above; portfolio, testimonials, price.
Once you're happy that you have found the right graphic designer and the price is right you then need to follow their instructions on their website to order your graphics some graphic designers make you pay first then they deliver your graphics usually a rough draft within so many hours or days. Other graphic designers create your graphics first and then after you have seen what they have dawned you then pay them, both ways have their advantages.
Also you need to find out if they offer a guarantee or a refund if you're not happy with their work, most designers will work with you until you are completely satisfied, and some even offer a 90 day money back guarantee, there are even some designers that will create your graphics, you then put them to use on your website and if you don't generate any sales within a certain period you can then get them to redo your graphics or you can ask for your money back.
So make sure before you even hire a graphic designer that you do some research.
Sean John is a fantastic graphic designer that’s just hit the market, but don’t let the fact that he’s new put you off. You really should see his work; he offers professionally designed graphics at affordable prices, book covers, header templates, & many more… not only that but Sean also offers great customer service and the fastest delivery of your graphics. You really need to see his work you will be pleasantly surprised. Visit http://www.ecovergeeks.com/adtrackz/go.php?c=reliablegraphicdesigner
By: Sean John
Friday, September 7, 2007
"Google Friendly" Solutions to Graphic-Intense Sites
We all know that the search engines can’t “see” or “read” the graphics on our pages. We also know that we need to provide text on a page, so the spiders will have something to crawl and index.
After all, we have to prove to the search engines without a shadow of a doubt that our pages are about what we say or claim they’re about if we want to achieve top rankings. That’s why I believe so strongly in focusing each page on one single keyword phrase only. As soon as a spider hits a page, I want the spider to know exactly what that page is about.
But, many sites out there are graphic intense, often by virtue of their very nature. The sites may sell prints, wallpaper, pictures, graphics, or posters. Or, the sites may sell hats, for example, so that each page is full of pictures of a particular type of hat.
Many Web site owners don’t want to add text to those pages, because they want to highlight exactly what they’re selling. They’ve created the site with their audience in mind, which is as it should be. After all, when visitors stop by a wallpaper site, they want to see loads of pictures of the different wallpaper samples. They don’t want to read about them!
So, being careful to adhere to Google’s Guidelines that prohibit hiding text, what options do we have with our graphic-intense site?
Let’s look at some possible solutions.
1. Can you put visible text above or below the graphics on the page? If so, this is your best solution, because you’re giving the engines some content to crawl.
Simply add a paragraph of content above the graphics, and then a paragraph or two of content below the graphics. Make sure the content focuses on your keyword phrase and that it describes the page accurately.
If you don’t want to add a full paragraph of content above the graphics, try adding a heading tag containing your keyword phrase. Then, add content beneath the graphics.
The bottom line is: you want to start the page with text if at all possible, not graphics.
2. Be creative! Can you add descriptive text about each graphic under or beside the graphic? Can you add little “Tips” or “More Info” boxes on the page that contain valuable information for your users and keyword-containing text for the engines? Can you include testimonials from happy customers that will add valuable keyword-containing content to your page?
3. Leave your existing graphic-intense pages the way they are, and create some new text-based interior pages that are full of valuable content related to your graphics. Pull in traffic through those pages, and provide text links to your pages full of graphics. Be sure to use your important keyword phrase in the link text that links to the pages of graphics.
Keep in mind that these new pages are interior pages, which means that they should provide a link to other pages on your site, and your site should provide a link back to those pages. If you’ve done your homework right, these new pages are providing value to your users, therefore providing value to the search engines, so there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to link to these new interior pages.
Can you use redirects from the text-based pages to the pages of graphics? I highly recommend not doing so. The engines have never been fond of redirects for one thing. But, even if your redirects aren’t “sneaky” (as Google says in their Guidelines), if you don’t use text links with the keyword phrase in the link text, you’re missing out on one of the most valuable search engine optimization strategies available to you: using your keyword phrase in link text pointing to your pages.
4. You can leave your existing graphic-intense pages as they are, and instead concentrate on “off page” factors such as building link popularity to those pages and making sure that the pages linking to the graphics pages use link text that contains your important keyword phrase. In other words, you can work on your “link reputation.”
After all, you can compete with the big boys using almost any strategy that is detrimental to search engine rankings if your link popularity and link reputation is strong enough, and if the sites linking to you describe your site using your important keyword phrase.
By “strong” enough, I mean that the links should be from popular, authoritative sites in your topic area. Sheer numbers aren’t what we’re after here. We’re after links from popular and authoritative sites in our topic area. We’re also after links that use our important keyword phrase in the link text describing our pages.
In Conclusion
Though the best solution is to add text to your pages of graphics, sometimes you (or your client) won’t want to go that route. They may want to keep the existing pages just as they are.
In those situations, it’s important to have some “Google friendly” solutions that will give you the best chance at achieving top rankings for your pages, while making sure that you’re following the guidelines as stated by Google.
About The Author
Robin Nobles is the Co-Director of Training of Search Engine Workshops with John Alexander. They teach 2-day beginner, 3-day advanced, and 5-day all-inclusive "hands on" search engine marketing workshops in locations across the globe. She also teaches online search engine marketing courses through http://www.onlinewebtraining.com, and she’s a member of Wordtracker’s official question support team. With partner John Alexander, she's co-authored a series of e-books called, "The Totally Non-Technical Guides to Having a Successful Web Site." And, they opened a networking community for search engine marketers called The World Resource Center for Search Engine Marketers.
robin@searchengineworkshops.com
After all, we have to prove to the search engines without a shadow of a doubt that our pages are about what we say or claim they’re about if we want to achieve top rankings. That’s why I believe so strongly in focusing each page on one single keyword phrase only. As soon as a spider hits a page, I want the spider to know exactly what that page is about.
But, many sites out there are graphic intense, often by virtue of their very nature. The sites may sell prints, wallpaper, pictures, graphics, or posters. Or, the sites may sell hats, for example, so that each page is full of pictures of a particular type of hat.
Many Web site owners don’t want to add text to those pages, because they want to highlight exactly what they’re selling. They’ve created the site with their audience in mind, which is as it should be. After all, when visitors stop by a wallpaper site, they want to see loads of pictures of the different wallpaper samples. They don’t want to read about them!
So, being careful to adhere to Google’s Guidelines that prohibit hiding text, what options do we have with our graphic-intense site?
Let’s look at some possible solutions.
1. Can you put visible text above or below the graphics on the page? If so, this is your best solution, because you’re giving the engines some content to crawl.
Simply add a paragraph of content above the graphics, and then a paragraph or two of content below the graphics. Make sure the content focuses on your keyword phrase and that it describes the page accurately.
If you don’t want to add a full paragraph of content above the graphics, try adding a heading tag containing your keyword phrase. Then, add content beneath the graphics.
The bottom line is: you want to start the page with text if at all possible, not graphics.
2. Be creative! Can you add descriptive text about each graphic under or beside the graphic? Can you add little “Tips” or “More Info” boxes on the page that contain valuable information for your users and keyword-containing text for the engines? Can you include testimonials from happy customers that will add valuable keyword-containing content to your page?
3. Leave your existing graphic-intense pages the way they are, and create some new text-based interior pages that are full of valuable content related to your graphics. Pull in traffic through those pages, and provide text links to your pages full of graphics. Be sure to use your important keyword phrase in the link text that links to the pages of graphics.
Keep in mind that these new pages are interior pages, which means that they should provide a link to other pages on your site, and your site should provide a link back to those pages. If you’ve done your homework right, these new pages are providing value to your users, therefore providing value to the search engines, so there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to link to these new interior pages.
Can you use redirects from the text-based pages to the pages of graphics? I highly recommend not doing so. The engines have never been fond of redirects for one thing. But, even if your redirects aren’t “sneaky” (as Google says in their Guidelines), if you don’t use text links with the keyword phrase in the link text, you’re missing out on one of the most valuable search engine optimization strategies available to you: using your keyword phrase in link text pointing to your pages.
4. You can leave your existing graphic-intense pages as they are, and instead concentrate on “off page” factors such as building link popularity to those pages and making sure that the pages linking to the graphics pages use link text that contains your important keyword phrase. In other words, you can work on your “link reputation.”
After all, you can compete with the big boys using almost any strategy that is detrimental to search engine rankings if your link popularity and link reputation is strong enough, and if the sites linking to you describe your site using your important keyword phrase.
By “strong” enough, I mean that the links should be from popular, authoritative sites in your topic area. Sheer numbers aren’t what we’re after here. We’re after links from popular and authoritative sites in our topic area. We’re also after links that use our important keyword phrase in the link text describing our pages.
In Conclusion
Though the best solution is to add text to your pages of graphics, sometimes you (or your client) won’t want to go that route. They may want to keep the existing pages just as they are.
In those situations, it’s important to have some “Google friendly” solutions that will give you the best chance at achieving top rankings for your pages, while making sure that you’re following the guidelines as stated by Google.
About The Author
Robin Nobles is the Co-Director of Training of Search Engine Workshops with John Alexander. They teach 2-day beginner, 3-day advanced, and 5-day all-inclusive "hands on" search engine marketing workshops in locations across the globe. She also teaches online search engine marketing courses through http://www.onlinewebtraining.com, and she’s a member of Wordtracker’s official question support team. With partner John Alexander, she's co-authored a series of e-books called, "The Totally Non-Technical Guides to Having a Successful Web Site." And, they opened a networking community for search engine marketers called The World Resource Center for Search Engine Marketers.
robin@searchengineworkshops.com
Flow Text Around a Graphic in Microsoft Word
Flow Text Around a Graphic
Question: I have inserted a photo in my Word document but when I try to make my text go around the photo, it will only go above and below it. How can I make it go around the photo?
Answer: Once you have inserted your photo or clip art, left click the object to select it, then right click it to open the shortcut menu. Left click Format Picture. Left click the Layout tab at the top of the dialog box. You will see a row of dogs. They represent how the text will flow around the graphic. To flow the text around the object in an evenly spaced square, click the dog above the word Square. Then left click Left, Center or Right under Horizontal Alignment. This tells the program where you want the photo to appear on your page (at the left, center or right side of the page).
Now left click Advanced in the lower right corner of the dialog box. Left click the Text Wrapping tab at the top of the dialog box. Under Wrap Text, left click beside the way you want your text to wrap around the graphic: Both Sides, Left Only, Right Only or Largest Only. Click OK, click OK again. Voilà. You’ve wrapped text. If it isn’t exactly the way you want, start over and try various other wrapping formats. Congratulations! You’re an expert!
Barb Walker is known as The Computer Lady in the Denver, Colorado area where she provides in-home computer training for senior citizens. She has written two computer manuals for seniors, Taming Your Computer -- The Simple Basics, and Taming Your Computer -- Beyond The Basics. Both books have received rave reviews from readers who have been searching for computer instructions they can understand. They are available on her website, http://www.TamingYourComputer.com. Her patient, laid back teaching style makes her a favorite among seniors. "I think I get along so well with seniors because I'm one too. I'm working with my peers. Most of them have had adult children and grandkids try to teach them how to use their computer, but they don't have the patience to explain and demonstrate slowly."
By: Barb Walker
Question: I have inserted a photo in my Word document but when I try to make my text go around the photo, it will only go above and below it. How can I make it go around the photo?
Answer: Once you have inserted your photo or clip art, left click the object to select it, then right click it to open the shortcut menu. Left click Format Picture. Left click the Layout tab at the top of the dialog box. You will see a row of dogs. They represent how the text will flow around the graphic. To flow the text around the object in an evenly spaced square, click the dog above the word Square. Then left click Left, Center or Right under Horizontal Alignment. This tells the program where you want the photo to appear on your page (at the left, center or right side of the page).
Now left click Advanced in the lower right corner of the dialog box. Left click the Text Wrapping tab at the top of the dialog box. Under Wrap Text, left click beside the way you want your text to wrap around the graphic: Both Sides, Left Only, Right Only or Largest Only. Click OK, click OK again. Voilà. You’ve wrapped text. If it isn’t exactly the way you want, start over and try various other wrapping formats. Congratulations! You’re an expert!
Barb Walker is known as The Computer Lady in the Denver, Colorado area where she provides in-home computer training for senior citizens. She has written two computer manuals for seniors, Taming Your Computer -- The Simple Basics, and Taming Your Computer -- Beyond The Basics. Both books have received rave reviews from readers who have been searching for computer instructions they can understand. They are available on her website, http://www.TamingYourComputer.com. Her patient, laid back teaching style makes her a favorite among seniors. "I think I get along so well with seniors because I'm one too. I'm working with my peers. Most of them have had adult children and grandkids try to teach them how to use their computer, but they don't have the patience to explain and demonstrate slowly."
By: Barb Walker
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
How to Create Your Own Website in Eight Easy Steps
When I first decided to learn how to create my own website I had no clue on how to go about it. After floundering around for many years I finally came up with these 8 steps that I use each and every time I design a website, whether for myself or a client.
1. Brainstorm Ideas
I found that just a plain piece of paper, a pen (or pencil if you prefer), and searching the Internet through places such as Google Hot Trends, Digg or StumbleUpon is the best way to gather ideas. When I first tried this technique I was quite amazed at just how many ideas I came up with after a half hour of browsing.
Now if you already know your website's purpose, then just move on to the next step.
2. Which Pages?
Once you know your website's purpose, the next step is to decide if it's purpose warrants pages or not. If your website is going to be for your business then you'll definitely need a certain amount of pages to start with. If your website is a personal one you might want to consider setting up a weblog instead of a website.
All website's should include a home page, an about page, and a sitemap.
Weblogs are different as they're more of a time line into your life and/or your thoughts. If you go the route of a weblog you might only want to include an about page to tell people more about you.
3. Brainstorm & Create Layout
A layout constitutes of how your content of your website going to be presented to your visitors. A great place to get ideas for layouts (also referred to as templates) is Open Source Design, or do a search in your favorite Internet search engine for free templates or open source templates. There are litterly thousands of great websites that offer layouts for you to use. Just be sure to read the fine print before you use any template, as some template creators will allow you to use their template if you keep their copyright information intact.
4. Write Content for Pages
Once you know which pages your website will include, the next step is to write the content for those pages. I find that doing one of two things works best for me; writing an outline and then writing the content, or just writing the content as it flows through me. Choose what works best for you.
Always remember to proofread your content, bad grammar and/or spelling can turn some visitors into "never to return visitors". This isn't so important if it's a personal website, though if it's a business website this is extremely important. I would go far as to say it's mandatory to proofread your business website content.
5. Add Content to Website
Now that your website content is written it's time to add it to your template. If you have never created a website or edited source code before, your best bet would be to open the template you chose in Step 3 within a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. This will allow you to see where all your page elements (menu, graphics, etc) are located, and where you need to place your content.
When I first started out, I found the best WYSIWYG editor for learning to be Microsoft FrontPage as it came installed on my computer already. You might want to check in your Programs folder/directory to see if you have this also.
6. Find Platform to Use
Now that you've got your own website created you need a place to host it so all the world can visit. If you're using a weblog for your personal website I would recommend you check into WordPress.com to host it. WordPress.com makes it verily easy to step up and maintain a weblog, you can litterly have your weblog up and running within 5 minutes with their service.
A business website will need more than just a weblog platform host, you will need to find a website hosting service that meets your needs. I highly recommend looking into LotsMoreHosting.com. I have used their services since 2003 and have always found their prices to be very reasonable, and their support exceptional.
7. Getting Those Pages on Your Hosting Account
Moving your website files/pages to your hosting account for your visitors to view your website isn't a huge chore as some people make it out to be. You have two options to uploading (moving) your files, either through the cPanel of your hosting account or through an FTP (file transfer protocol) program. Both of which offer tutorials to help you use them, and most FTP programs these days have wizards built in to walk you through the steps.
I recommend using FileZilla, not only will not not cost to use it, it is pretty straightforward to use and does offer a wizard and great tutorials to help you through understanding how to use the program.
8. Validate Your Website!
This is one step that most non-professional website creators don't do, though it is vitally important step. Validating your website will mean that your website will be able to be viewable by anyone using any web browser. Not all browsers are created equal, and until such time that the browser creators decide to join forces to come up with standards that all browsers will conform to, we're stuck with having to make sure that our websites conform to their own browser standards.
The only place I highly recommend to validate your website is with the W3C Markup Validation Service. W3C is a non-profit organization that is helping to set standards for the world wide web. If the validation process comes up with errors, you will need to go back into your WYSIWYG editor to correct those errors.
Conclusion
I hope that by sharing my own process to creating a website, you'll find that creating your own won't be very difficult. If you continue to follow these eight steps, creating your own website will become a simple process in no time.
Tina Stephen is the owner of DesignNewbie.com that offers a wide variety of website design and development resources (article & resource directory, online courses, weekly newsletter) for those wanting to learn how to create their own website. She has been designing websites for 6 years and owns her own web design business.
By: Tina D Stephen
1. Brainstorm Ideas
I found that just a plain piece of paper, a pen (or pencil if you prefer), and searching the Internet through places such as Google Hot Trends, Digg or StumbleUpon is the best way to gather ideas. When I first tried this technique I was quite amazed at just how many ideas I came up with after a half hour of browsing.
Now if you already know your website's purpose, then just move on to the next step.
2. Which Pages?
Once you know your website's purpose, the next step is to decide if it's purpose warrants pages or not. If your website is going to be for your business then you'll definitely need a certain amount of pages to start with. If your website is a personal one you might want to consider setting up a weblog instead of a website.
All website's should include a home page, an about page, and a sitemap.
Weblogs are different as they're more of a time line into your life and/or your thoughts. If you go the route of a weblog you might only want to include an about page to tell people more about you.
3. Brainstorm & Create Layout
A layout constitutes of how your content of your website going to be presented to your visitors. A great place to get ideas for layouts (also referred to as templates) is Open Source Design, or do a search in your favorite Internet search engine for free templates or open source templates. There are litterly thousands of great websites that offer layouts for you to use. Just be sure to read the fine print before you use any template, as some template creators will allow you to use their template if you keep their copyright information intact.
4. Write Content for Pages
Once you know which pages your website will include, the next step is to write the content for those pages. I find that doing one of two things works best for me; writing an outline and then writing the content, or just writing the content as it flows through me. Choose what works best for you.
Always remember to proofread your content, bad grammar and/or spelling can turn some visitors into "never to return visitors". This isn't so important if it's a personal website, though if it's a business website this is extremely important. I would go far as to say it's mandatory to proofread your business website content.
5. Add Content to Website
Now that your website content is written it's time to add it to your template. If you have never created a website or edited source code before, your best bet would be to open the template you chose in Step 3 within a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor. This will allow you to see where all your page elements (menu, graphics, etc) are located, and where you need to place your content.
When I first started out, I found the best WYSIWYG editor for learning to be Microsoft FrontPage as it came installed on my computer already. You might want to check in your Programs folder/directory to see if you have this also.
6. Find Platform to Use
Now that you've got your own website created you need a place to host it so all the world can visit. If you're using a weblog for your personal website I would recommend you check into WordPress.com to host it. WordPress.com makes it verily easy to step up and maintain a weblog, you can litterly have your weblog up and running within 5 minutes with their service.
A business website will need more than just a weblog platform host, you will need to find a website hosting service that meets your needs. I highly recommend looking into LotsMoreHosting.com. I have used their services since 2003 and have always found their prices to be very reasonable, and their support exceptional.
7. Getting Those Pages on Your Hosting Account
Moving your website files/pages to your hosting account for your visitors to view your website isn't a huge chore as some people make it out to be. You have two options to uploading (moving) your files, either through the cPanel of your hosting account or through an FTP (file transfer protocol) program. Both of which offer tutorials to help you use them, and most FTP programs these days have wizards built in to walk you through the steps.
I recommend using FileZilla, not only will not not cost to use it, it is pretty straightforward to use and does offer a wizard and great tutorials to help you through understanding how to use the program.
8. Validate Your Website!
This is one step that most non-professional website creators don't do, though it is vitally important step. Validating your website will mean that your website will be able to be viewable by anyone using any web browser. Not all browsers are created equal, and until such time that the browser creators decide to join forces to come up with standards that all browsers will conform to, we're stuck with having to make sure that our websites conform to their own browser standards.
The only place I highly recommend to validate your website is with the W3C Markup Validation Service. W3C is a non-profit organization that is helping to set standards for the world wide web. If the validation process comes up with errors, you will need to go back into your WYSIWYG editor to correct those errors.
Conclusion
I hope that by sharing my own process to creating a website, you'll find that creating your own won't be very difficult. If you continue to follow these eight steps, creating your own website will become a simple process in no time.
Tina Stephen is the owner of DesignNewbie.com that offers a wide variety of website design and development resources (article & resource directory, online courses, weekly newsletter) for those wanting to learn how to create their own website. She has been designing websites for 6 years and owns her own web design business.
By: Tina D Stephen
Irish Graphic Design Industry
Although communication, not aestheticism, was the primary concern, one can still argue for the overall visual design of the prehistoric artists. With the 1584 Gutenberg Printing Press, graphic design took on a whole new meaning. Now, text, coupled with visual appeal, could reach a wider audience than ever before. Although the use was – at first – primarily for Biblical and other important writings, the trend would soon spread to visual-appeal. Graphic design, as we know it, didn’t reach its boom until the computer era. With companies finding it increasingly necessary to have a corporate identity solution, visually-pleasing logo, and an online presence, graphic designers are definitely getting all the work they can handle.
Today, graphic design and website design are two separate but closely related entities. Most all websites offer some visual appeal – that is, they include graphical elements. When one understands this, they can really begin to grasp the widespread effect that graphic design can have. Creating something with aesthetic appeal is a laborious task, when one considers all the elements of graphic design, along with the viewing audience. Attempting to convey an emotion or theme is especially difficult. Special consideration to the following principles is necessary – mood, style, message, and hierarchy.
Moreover, one must consider the audience. Although anyone can view a website, logo, or corporate identity package, only a few are really in the ‘target audience.’ With graphic design’s worldwide appeal, designers have developed geographic markets in which to showcase their talents.
With Ireland’s technology boom, a widespread graphic design industry has developed. A Google.com search for “Irish Graphic Design” yields almost 2 million results, a true testament to this unparalleled growth.
David Davis, is the lead developer and project manager of Redfly Studios LTD. Graphic Design Ireland. For more information visit http://www.redflystudios.com
By:David Davis
Today, graphic design and website design are two separate but closely related entities. Most all websites offer some visual appeal – that is, they include graphical elements. When one understands this, they can really begin to grasp the widespread effect that graphic design can have. Creating something with aesthetic appeal is a laborious task, when one considers all the elements of graphic design, along with the viewing audience. Attempting to convey an emotion or theme is especially difficult. Special consideration to the following principles is necessary – mood, style, message, and hierarchy.
Moreover, one must consider the audience. Although anyone can view a website, logo, or corporate identity package, only a few are really in the ‘target audience.’ With graphic design’s worldwide appeal, designers have developed geographic markets in which to showcase their talents.
With Ireland’s technology boom, a widespread graphic design industry has developed. A Google.com search for “Irish Graphic Design” yields almost 2 million results, a true testament to this unparalleled growth.
David Davis, is the lead developer and project manager of Redfly Studios LTD. Graphic Design Ireland. For more information visit http://www.redflystudios.com
By:David Davis
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Graphic Artist
Graphic artists create art and layouts by arranging images and text to communicate a message in print and electronic media such as magazines, newspapers, books and websites, as well as for corporate branding, exhibitions and advertising purposes. Most graphic artists specialize in a number of fields including television, film and computer graphics, exhibition designing, corporate branding, book and magazine designing, advertising and illustration. A graphic designer can rise up in the creative world through his vivid imagination and hard work, and can acquire the post of design directors, art directors or creative directors in his career.
The profile of a graphic artist usually requires him to talk to clients to get a better understanding of their visual communication requirements and, on that basis, develop rough designs or sketches for approval. Once the client approves the idea, a designer prepares layouts of the sketches by using modern techniques like photography, illustration and computer-generated imagery. The layouts, once approved by the client, are printed and then set up for exhibitions or for advertising purposes. Although a graphic artist is only supposed to prepare designs for his clients, it is also imperative for an artist to interact with his client on a regular basis to understand his requirements, and supervise the design production stages to ensure a quality product for his client.
Graphic artists mostly work as a member of a team in design studios or advertising agencies, and after gaining considerable experience one can also undertake freelance work. Although a diploma in creative design is a plus for an artist, personal aptitudes like a creative and imaginative mind, good sense of color and form, good communication skills, good marketing abilities, the ability to work under pressure and ability to work in a team are some of attributes which are essential for a designer to succeed.
Graphic design is quite a rewarding career, and one can gain not only monetary wealth but can also amass fame through hard work and creativity.
Graphic Artist provides detailed information on Graphic Artist, What is a Graphic Artist, Graphic Artist Salaries, Find a Graphic Artist and more. Graphic Artist is affiliated with Graphic Design Jobs.
By: Jimmy Sturo
The profile of a graphic artist usually requires him to talk to clients to get a better understanding of their visual communication requirements and, on that basis, develop rough designs or sketches for approval. Once the client approves the idea, a designer prepares layouts of the sketches by using modern techniques like photography, illustration and computer-generated imagery. The layouts, once approved by the client, are printed and then set up for exhibitions or for advertising purposes. Although a graphic artist is only supposed to prepare designs for his clients, it is also imperative for an artist to interact with his client on a regular basis to understand his requirements, and supervise the design production stages to ensure a quality product for his client.
Graphic artists mostly work as a member of a team in design studios or advertising agencies, and after gaining considerable experience one can also undertake freelance work. Although a diploma in creative design is a plus for an artist, personal aptitudes like a creative and imaginative mind, good sense of color and form, good communication skills, good marketing abilities, the ability to work under pressure and ability to work in a team are some of attributes which are essential for a designer to succeed.
Graphic design is quite a rewarding career, and one can gain not only monetary wealth but can also amass fame through hard work and creativity.
Graphic Artist provides detailed information on Graphic Artist, What is a Graphic Artist, Graphic Artist Salaries, Find a Graphic Artist and more. Graphic Artist is affiliated with Graphic Design Jobs.
By: Jimmy Sturo
Graphic Design, Direct Response Ads - Make Your Ad Jump Off The Page in 3 Easy Steps
Step #1: Keep The Message Clear.
Despite what some have been led to believe, no-one is in the business of spending a fortune to sell acres of white space or pretty pictures to art-starved consumers.
Your mission is to make a sale.
Don’t cut sales copy for massive margins, vast areas of empty “white space” or ponderous photographs. You’re just asking for trouble and, quite possibly, you could blow the sale.
Step #2: Great artwork doesn’t always sell.
This isn’t about art. It’s about business. Specifically, it’s about selling a product or service.
Art is subjective. Certain techniques have been proven over many years to be more effective at generating attention, readership and response than others.
The first lesson that great designers have learned is that design does NOT sell products. Copy sells the product. Great design helps the copy do its job. Bad design gets in the way of the sale.
You only have a limited amount of space in each promotion. Every element that gets through to final draft displaces something that didn’t.
Every unnecessary graphic element you add means crucial sales copy has to be smaller, shorter – or worse, cut altogether. That means you sell less. Bottom line.
Step #3: Recognize that your design only has to accomplish two, simple but essential tasks.
Graphic designers’ first job is to help the copy grab the prospect’s attention. Do this one thing well – and yes, that usually means big, “ugly” headline and deck type – and you’re 60% of the way there.
Their second job is to convert that attention to readership and to help keep the prospect reading until he responds.
Do these 3 simple things well, and you’ll create more responsive ads and bigger winners, more often!
Clayton Makepeace is a direct response consultant and copywriter whos marketing brainstorms and copy have sold over $1 billion worth of products for his clients in his over 33 years in the business. Clayton's e-zine THE TOTAL PACKAGE shares his billion dollar copy, design and marketing secrets for direct response professionals FREE in your in-box every Monday. To sign-up and claim your FREE copy of Clayton's latest guide "Beat the Blank Page Blues - 3 beginning outlines for every type of copy you'll ever write" visit: http://www.MakepeaceTotalPackage.com/?s=M151&e=63030
By: Clayton Makepeace
Despite what some have been led to believe, no-one is in the business of spending a fortune to sell acres of white space or pretty pictures to art-starved consumers.
Your mission is to make a sale.
Don’t cut sales copy for massive margins, vast areas of empty “white space” or ponderous photographs. You’re just asking for trouble and, quite possibly, you could blow the sale.
Step #2: Great artwork doesn’t always sell.
This isn’t about art. It’s about business. Specifically, it’s about selling a product or service.
Art is subjective. Certain techniques have been proven over many years to be more effective at generating attention, readership and response than others.
The first lesson that great designers have learned is that design does NOT sell products. Copy sells the product. Great design helps the copy do its job. Bad design gets in the way of the sale.
You only have a limited amount of space in each promotion. Every element that gets through to final draft displaces something that didn’t.
Every unnecessary graphic element you add means crucial sales copy has to be smaller, shorter – or worse, cut altogether. That means you sell less. Bottom line.
Step #3: Recognize that your design only has to accomplish two, simple but essential tasks.
Graphic designers’ first job is to help the copy grab the prospect’s attention. Do this one thing well – and yes, that usually means big, “ugly” headline and deck type – and you’re 60% of the way there.
Their second job is to convert that attention to readership and to help keep the prospect reading until he responds.
Do these 3 simple things well, and you’ll create more responsive ads and bigger winners, more often!
Clayton Makepeace is a direct response consultant and copywriter whos marketing brainstorms and copy have sold over $1 billion worth of products for his clients in his over 33 years in the business. Clayton's e-zine THE TOTAL PACKAGE shares his billion dollar copy, design and marketing secrets for direct response professionals FREE in your in-box every Monday. To sign-up and claim your FREE copy of Clayton's latest guide "Beat the Blank Page Blues - 3 beginning outlines for every type of copy you'll ever write" visit: http://www.MakepeaceTotalPackage.com/?s=M151&e=63030
By: Clayton Makepeace
Monday, September 3, 2007
How To Make a MySpace Layout That Stands Out
If you are a MySpace user, you have learned what an easy to read and fun profile looks like. The only problem is, you may not know how to create or find out. Most of the time when you see an awful MySpace layout, it's because its sloppy, hard to read, or has annoying links you didn’t even see. That is because since MySpace has been growing so much, so have the layout sites. In fact, MySpace layout sites have been generating tons of revenue through advertising. This advertising can even be through hidden spam in your own profile.
Once you start seeing all the nice profiles on MySpace, you instantly hit Google and start searching away for a great free MySpace layout site. What you don't realize that the ones you are going to find the easiest will most likely have the most spam. As a website publisher myself, I understand why this spam is there, and what it accomplishes. But as a MySpace user, these hidden links can get annoying. So you have to know what you are looking for in a layout.
MySpace layout designers will put hidden backlinks to their site in all of their layouts. What this does for them is 2 things. 1. It creates free advertising for them and possible hits from all over the MySpace world. 2. These backlinks help their page rank in Google. The more links to their site, the more important their site looks to Google, therefore the higher up it will rank when MySpace layouts are searched for. The site MySpace Trends goes into great detail about this, and how web marketers use this.
Now all hope is not lost when looking for a good layout. These backlinks that MySpace layout designers use is not all bad. In fact, it does help keep your favorite MySpace layout site in business. But knowing what you are looking for is important.
Try and stay away from the layouts that have lots of links and menu bar modifications. I have found that most of the back links will come from modifying the menu bars. The good MySpace layout sites you will find are the ones that let you "hack" your MySpace profile. This will let you edit one aspect at a time instead of just throwing a new layout on your profile all at once. This will also let you control any unwanted layout designs, and you will also become familiar with the coding.
These tips will help you create a great looking MySpace layout without much hassle.
Add up to 500 MySpace Friends, automatically send comments, messages, and bullitens all with The Official Friend Adder
PaulG is an expert on internet social groups, especially MySpace. Check out his blog MySpace Trends for more great tips and ideas about MySpace.
By: Paul Giordano
Once you start seeing all the nice profiles on MySpace, you instantly hit Google and start searching away for a great free MySpace layout site. What you don't realize that the ones you are going to find the easiest will most likely have the most spam. As a website publisher myself, I understand why this spam is there, and what it accomplishes. But as a MySpace user, these hidden links can get annoying. So you have to know what you are looking for in a layout.
MySpace layout designers will put hidden backlinks to their site in all of their layouts. What this does for them is 2 things. 1. It creates free advertising for them and possible hits from all over the MySpace world. 2. These backlinks help their page rank in Google. The more links to their site, the more important their site looks to Google, therefore the higher up it will rank when MySpace layouts are searched for. The site MySpace Trends goes into great detail about this, and how web marketers use this.
Now all hope is not lost when looking for a good layout. These backlinks that MySpace layout designers use is not all bad. In fact, it does help keep your favorite MySpace layout site in business. But knowing what you are looking for is important.
Try and stay away from the layouts that have lots of links and menu bar modifications. I have found that most of the back links will come from modifying the menu bars. The good MySpace layout sites you will find are the ones that let you "hack" your MySpace profile. This will let you edit one aspect at a time instead of just throwing a new layout on your profile all at once. This will also let you control any unwanted layout designs, and you will also become familiar with the coding.
These tips will help you create a great looking MySpace layout without much hassle.
Add up to 500 MySpace Friends, automatically send comments, messages, and bullitens all with The Official Friend Adder
PaulG is an expert on internet social groups, especially MySpace. Check out his blog MySpace Trends for more great tips and ideas about MySpace.
By: Paul Giordano
6 Quick Steps to Make More Profit with Web Site Design
Web site design does not have to be a frustrating exercise. Nor do you need a degree in graphic design to make a good one. A little common sense and a user friendly attitude will go a long way to help you. Here are 6 steps to help you with profitable web site design.
Step 1: Analyze Your User
Is your goal to attract professional in the baby boom generation? Then don’t fill your page with bright graffiti-styled lettering. However, if you’re attracting a young urban user, then the graffiti is fine. You can figure out what the color preferences are for your target group by looking at other websites that appeal to them.
Step 2: Know The User’s Word Choices
Much in the same vein as Step 1, you would not want to try to appeal to home gardeners by the using language of an architect. Web site design targets a user carefully.
Step 3: Write for Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing
Either that or hire it done. SOE and SEM techniques are designed to get a website noticed by telling the search engines that your site is relevant to the search terms the customer has just entered.
Step 4: Get Email Lists
Use your website design to convince people to send you their email address. Use squeeze pages, check boxes, and other means to get new contacts.
Step 5: Use Hooks
When you’re writing your content, say things that will make people want to continue reading your other pages, like, “For more information, simply turn the page.”
Step 6: Keep Track of Links
Whether it’s someone else linking to your site or you linking elsewhere, make sure they all work. It’s frustrating to a potential customer to click on a broken link.
Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, ‘Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide‘
Download it free here: Secrets of Article Promotion
Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 1574 articles in print and 11 published ebooks
By: Sean R Mize
Step 1: Analyze Your User
Is your goal to attract professional in the baby boom generation? Then don’t fill your page with bright graffiti-styled lettering. However, if you’re attracting a young urban user, then the graffiti is fine. You can figure out what the color preferences are for your target group by looking at other websites that appeal to them.
Step 2: Know The User’s Word Choices
Much in the same vein as Step 1, you would not want to try to appeal to home gardeners by the using language of an architect. Web site design targets a user carefully.
Step 3: Write for Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing
Either that or hire it done. SOE and SEM techniques are designed to get a website noticed by telling the search engines that your site is relevant to the search terms the customer has just entered.
Step 4: Get Email Lists
Use your website design to convince people to send you their email address. Use squeeze pages, check boxes, and other means to get new contacts.
Step 5: Use Hooks
When you’re writing your content, say things that will make people want to continue reading your other pages, like, “For more information, simply turn the page.”
Step 6: Keep Track of Links
Whether it’s someone else linking to your site or you linking elsewhere, make sure they all work. It’s frustrating to a potential customer to click on a broken link.
Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, ‘Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide‘
Download it free here: Secrets of Article Promotion
Sean Mize is a full time internet marketer who has written over 1574 articles in print and 11 published ebooks
By: Sean R Mize
Graphic Design Companies
Graphic design companies specialize in producing images, layouts, and other designs to promote a product or present a work of art. As the world becomes more competitive, the need for communication grows. Graphic design is useful in communicating a message. Graphic design deals with the arrangement of images and text to communicate a message, or facilitate understanding. Since it is not possible for every company to have a team of graphic designers, the work is outsourced to specialized companies.
There are many advantages of outsourcing such tasks. It simplifies the task and minimizes the time and money spent on it. It not only reduces manpower but also makes it easy for an organization to invest resources in other projects. The experience of the graphic design companies is also beneficial to the client company. As these graphic designers work with clients in various fields, they know the trends in the market. Considering their past experience and learning, they do the work better than the clients. These companies perform tasks in web development, branding, advertising, other promotional tasks, and management of portfolio and printing.
The selection of a graphic design company is the important task. The company may be full-service or a part-time agency. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. The selection of the company depends on the type. The selection is also made on the basis of compatibility, the company’s methods of working, their team of designers, the age of the company, the stability of the company, service provided, credibility, creative ability, and problem-solving ability.
Graphic Design provides detailed information on Graphic Design, Graphic Design Schools, Graphic Design Jobs, Graphic Design Companies and more. Graphic Design is affiliated with Graphic Artist Salaries.
By: Marcus Peterson
There are many advantages of outsourcing such tasks. It simplifies the task and minimizes the time and money spent on it. It not only reduces manpower but also makes it easy for an organization to invest resources in other projects. The experience of the graphic design companies is also beneficial to the client company. As these graphic designers work with clients in various fields, they know the trends in the market. Considering their past experience and learning, they do the work better than the clients. These companies perform tasks in web development, branding, advertising, other promotional tasks, and management of portfolio and printing.
The selection of a graphic design company is the important task. The company may be full-service or a part-time agency. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. The selection of the company depends on the type. The selection is also made on the basis of compatibility, the company’s methods of working, their team of designers, the age of the company, the stability of the company, service provided, credibility, creative ability, and problem-solving ability.
Graphic Design provides detailed information on Graphic Design, Graphic Design Schools, Graphic Design Jobs, Graphic Design Companies and more. Graphic Design is affiliated with Graphic Artist Salaries.
By: Marcus Peterson
Graphic Design Opportunity
The opportunity for a graphic designer to express creativity in a unique prosperous way has been discovered! Hand painted window ads is an untapped avenue of expression and requires no artist talent to implement. It has been proven that graphic designers can be highly successful at this business by either creating these ads on their own or hiring others to implement the display layouts that the designer has created.
As any graphic designer knows, the ability to display information in a balanced enticing way is extremely important to achieving the results that marketers are searching for. The way an idea is presented has far reaching abilities, and implementing this talent into an untapped industry has success written all over it.
Window painting is a specific form of sign advertising done on a client’s windows. Its potential to draw desperately needed attention to retail outlets is incomparable to any other form of marketing. Most retailers spend the majority of their marketing dollars on advertising avenues such as radio, TV, and print adds. Although their importance in generating traffic is undeniable, there is a financial sacrifice to be made and it is high. As an example a half page black and white ad in a local newspaper may run around $1000. If you were to add color, plan on adding an additional $500. The distribution is one time. How many of those people will actually take the time to read the ad, remember the ad, and act on the ad?
For a mere fraction of the price, window advertisements work 24 hours a day, every day for the duration of the ad. It provides direct attention not only to the storefront, but also up front, no nonsense information about in store promotions. All information is readily available to the potential customers right in front of their store.
Due to the demand of the well-informed consumer, the retailer has to offer far more than good deals. They must offer an experience, a felt experience. Graphic designers have the ability to create this needed felt visual experience through creative, enticing window design layouts.
An unrealized opportunity has been discovered that will enable graphic designers to express their talents through an amazingly lucrative business. The launching of the the website http://www.wildways2ads.com offers a graphic design idea that is lucrative as well as rewarding. It has proven to be a most profitable start up business!
By: Darcie Zackowski
As any graphic designer knows, the ability to display information in a balanced enticing way is extremely important to achieving the results that marketers are searching for. The way an idea is presented has far reaching abilities, and implementing this talent into an untapped industry has success written all over it.
Window painting is a specific form of sign advertising done on a client’s windows. Its potential to draw desperately needed attention to retail outlets is incomparable to any other form of marketing. Most retailers spend the majority of their marketing dollars on advertising avenues such as radio, TV, and print adds. Although their importance in generating traffic is undeniable, there is a financial sacrifice to be made and it is high. As an example a half page black and white ad in a local newspaper may run around $1000. If you were to add color, plan on adding an additional $500. The distribution is one time. How many of those people will actually take the time to read the ad, remember the ad, and act on the ad?
For a mere fraction of the price, window advertisements work 24 hours a day, every day for the duration of the ad. It provides direct attention not only to the storefront, but also up front, no nonsense information about in store promotions. All information is readily available to the potential customers right in front of their store.
Due to the demand of the well-informed consumer, the retailer has to offer far more than good deals. They must offer an experience, a felt experience. Graphic designers have the ability to create this needed felt visual experience through creative, enticing window design layouts.
An unrealized opportunity has been discovered that will enable graphic designers to express their talents through an amazingly lucrative business. The launching of the the website http://www.wildways2ads.com offers a graphic design idea that is lucrative as well as rewarding. It has proven to be a most profitable start up business!
By: Darcie Zackowski
Friday, August 31, 2007
Digital Photography Tips for Beginners and Experts
Do you own a digital camera? Have you started to make the most out of it? Without really starting the features of a digital camera, one can start using his or her digital camera to take beautiful pictures because of the technology embedded into that small little device.
A digital camera can help movies like me to autofocus I do on a mountain view, or a small little beautiful flower. When I first bought my camera, the salesman was very persuasive. And I quote, all you need to do is point and click. I was instantly sold on getting that wonderful camera.
As the days and weeks go by, I began to be familiar with the digital camera and suddenly digital photography became a passion for me. I wanted to take more than just ordinary pictures! I dug through my old closet and found the manual to this digital camera and started reading it. I learned about quality, that a 300 dpi will produce a better quality than a 72 dpi resolution. If only I have learned this much earlier! I learned about shutter speeds and exposure, white balance and how to remove red eye effects... digital photography is becoming very interesting!
Do you have problem taking pictures through a window? every time I take a picture to a window, there is always a reflection on the picture. Sometimes the reflection is so small I can only is it after I transfer it onto my computer. If only I knew to stand closer to the window, I would have reduced the reflection that reflects on shiny surface of the glass.
Have you tried to take pictures in the dark? if you try to use the flash with the camera, the picture could look too bright. Especially if you use it in a jungle, you will scare away most of the animals. There is a way to use the camera to take pictures without flash in the dark. That is to increase your light exposure. You can control your shutter speed by decreasing it. By decreasing the shutter speed, you allow more light to go your camera and brighten up the dark picture.
In addition to the light present, the amount of light that is reflected from the image is then absorbed into the shutter. The longer the shutter close its lead, the high exposure and brighter the image. Have you wonder how cats can see very well in the night? Their eyes are so sensitive to light, a candle in the dark can lid up a whole room for them. It takes some practice for you and I to learn about the shutter speed. Experiment and testing is crucial to know what is the correct speed.
As digital camera is getting cheaper and cheaper these days, digital photography is being picked up by many amateur Digital photographers. The younger generation to be able to pick up on softwares in many leading pictures past digital photography is a growing hobby.
Are you a beginner or seasoned professionals in digital photography? There is always something new to learn isn't there? Visit David Chong's http://digital-photography.for-free.com
A digital camera can help movies like me to autofocus I do on a mountain view, or a small little beautiful flower. When I first bought my camera, the salesman was very persuasive. And I quote, all you need to do is point and click. I was instantly sold on getting that wonderful camera.
As the days and weeks go by, I began to be familiar with the digital camera and suddenly digital photography became a passion for me. I wanted to take more than just ordinary pictures! I dug through my old closet and found the manual to this digital camera and started reading it. I learned about quality, that a 300 dpi will produce a better quality than a 72 dpi resolution. If only I have learned this much earlier! I learned about shutter speeds and exposure, white balance and how to remove red eye effects... digital photography is becoming very interesting!
Do you have problem taking pictures through a window? every time I take a picture to a window, there is always a reflection on the picture. Sometimes the reflection is so small I can only is it after I transfer it onto my computer. If only I knew to stand closer to the window, I would have reduced the reflection that reflects on shiny surface of the glass.
Have you tried to take pictures in the dark? if you try to use the flash with the camera, the picture could look too bright. Especially if you use it in a jungle, you will scare away most of the animals. There is a way to use the camera to take pictures without flash in the dark. That is to increase your light exposure. You can control your shutter speed by decreasing it. By decreasing the shutter speed, you allow more light to go your camera and brighten up the dark picture.
In addition to the light present, the amount of light that is reflected from the image is then absorbed into the shutter. The longer the shutter close its lead, the high exposure and brighter the image. Have you wonder how cats can see very well in the night? Their eyes are so sensitive to light, a candle in the dark can lid up a whole room for them. It takes some practice for you and I to learn about the shutter speed. Experiment and testing is crucial to know what is the correct speed.
As digital camera is getting cheaper and cheaper these days, digital photography is being picked up by many amateur Digital photographers. The younger generation to be able to pick up on softwares in many leading pictures past digital photography is a growing hobby.
Are you a beginner or seasoned professionals in digital photography? There is always something new to learn isn't there? Visit David Chong's http://digital-photography.for-free.com
Website Creation and the Eye of the Spider
Picture, if you will, a Rocky-style montage. A team is involved in website creation from the ground up. A driving, inspirational song begins. The first scene is a highly contentious meeting, with a sweating and nervous marketing executive frantically drawing away at a whiteboard in front of a hostile audience. Flash to copywriters, fingers cracked and bleeding, churning away at their keyboards. Jump to web designers, sporting blurred eyes rimmed with dark circles, peering into their monitors in obvious discomfort. Finally, we see signs of it all coming together. A beautiful home page briefly appears. The music ends. A bell rings. And...
Nothing happens. The website would seem to have tripped over its own shoelaces and fallen right through the canvas, disappearing into cyberspace. The credits roll, to the eternal shame of those whose names appear.
What went wrong?
The team engaged in website creation without any regard for the role of the search engine spider. You see, there is quite a difference in what is seen by humans on a website and what is seen by a search engine "spider" (a program that routinely combs the Internet indexing websites). There are an untold numbers of expensive websites out there that are beautiful to behold from a human perspective, yet all but invisible to search engine spiders (and thus searchers), just as there are untold numbers of expensive, beautiful yachts silently and pointlessly resting on the ocean bottom in the Bermuda Triangle.
What follows is a small list of common website elements, broken into two categories: what search engines can see, and what they can not.
Three Things a Search Engine Spider Can't See
Graphic text - Most professionals involved in website creation take great pride in their work, which is obviously a desired trait. Occasionally, however, this can present problems. When a web designer decides to use text in a graphic form (meaning that the text is actually an image), the search engine spider can not read what that text says. A common reason for a designer to use text in a graphic is because he or she wants to use a rare font that most visitors won't have on their machines. Another reason is that the designer wants to have absolute control over how the website text renders. When faced with the choice over which kind of text to use, it is important to weigh the aesthetic choice against the potential loss of search engine visibility.
Images - As touched upon above, a search engine spider is not yet able to look at images or pictures and determine what they are (although you can and should attach a tag to them which the spider can read - commonly referred to as an "alt" tag). A spider will skip directly over your logo and masthead, any pictures, and most other graphical ele
ments.
Flash - Search engine spiders will not read through the text in any Flash animation on your site (or any other animation). This does not mean that using Flash elements will render your site invisible; it merely means that you should not count on the text that appears in any Flash animation on your website to be indexed. If the team responsible for your website creation decides to build the entire site in Flash, however, you will encounter unique problems. While some search engines are getting better at trying to index websites built entirely on this platform, it is still an overall rankings killer. If you must have a website created entirely in Flash, it is wise to also have an alternate HTML version for search engines and people who prefer HTML sites.
Three Things a Search Engine Spider Can See
HTML text - A search engine spider relies heavily on HTML text to determine what a web page is about. Spiders, therefore, index HTML text and will even make distinctions between differences in how the text is presented. For example, text that is in a headline or is bolded is assumed to be slightly more important than regular text.
Links - Outgoing links on your pages are easily understood by the spider, especially if they are text links. The wording of these links (or the alt tags attached to them) can, like HTML text, give the spider an idea of what your page is about. However, there are certain types of links that are not easily indexed. If your website creation team embedded your links in a pull-down menu that utilizes JavaScript or other scripting language, most search engine spiders will not see them.
Tags - There are many kinds of tags, but not all are important for search engine optimization. Meta tags include the "keywords" tag, which should list keyphrases that describe the page. Another meta tag is the "description" tag, which should be one or two brief sentences that describe the page. Another tag, which is not actually a meta tag, but which has significant importance to search engine rankings, is the "title" tag. This tag contains the words that you will see in the blue bar at the top of your web page.
This list is by no means comprehensive - there are many other attributes that aren't mentioned in this article. The primary message here is that companies should do their homework before engaging in website creation. There are thousands of resources available on the Internet that can answer your questions about any element you are considering adding before you build (or redesign) your site. Take the time to study each so that you can be sure you aren't sacrificing your search engine rankings for the sake of something largely unnecessary.
As for the downtrodden website creation team mentioned earlier in the article, let's remember that Rocky has been known to get beat down in the first fight but then to pull himself up from the floor and triumph in the end. The team will go back into training and eventually understand the Eye of the Spider. Cue the music...
Source: isedb.com
Nothing happens. The website would seem to have tripped over its own shoelaces and fallen right through the canvas, disappearing into cyberspace. The credits roll, to the eternal shame of those whose names appear.
What went wrong?
The team engaged in website creation without any regard for the role of the search engine spider. You see, there is quite a difference in what is seen by humans on a website and what is seen by a search engine "spider" (a program that routinely combs the Internet indexing websites). There are an untold numbers of expensive websites out there that are beautiful to behold from a human perspective, yet all but invisible to search engine spiders (and thus searchers), just as there are untold numbers of expensive, beautiful yachts silently and pointlessly resting on the ocean bottom in the Bermuda Triangle.
What follows is a small list of common website elements, broken into two categories: what search engines can see, and what they can not.
Three Things a Search Engine Spider Can't See
Graphic text - Most professionals involved in website creation take great pride in their work, which is obviously a desired trait. Occasionally, however, this can present problems. When a web designer decides to use text in a graphic form (meaning that the text is actually an image), the search engine spider can not read what that text says. A common reason for a designer to use text in a graphic is because he or she wants to use a rare font that most visitors won't have on their machines. Another reason is that the designer wants to have absolute control over how the website text renders. When faced with the choice over which kind of text to use, it is important to weigh the aesthetic choice against the potential loss of search engine visibility.
Images - As touched upon above, a search engine spider is not yet able to look at images or pictures and determine what they are (although you can and should attach a tag to them which the spider can read - commonly referred to as an "alt" tag). A spider will skip directly over your logo and masthead, any pictures, and most other graphical ele
ments.
Flash - Search engine spiders will not read through the text in any Flash animation on your site (or any other animation). This does not mean that using Flash elements will render your site invisible; it merely means that you should not count on the text that appears in any Flash animation on your website to be indexed. If the team responsible for your website creation decides to build the entire site in Flash, however, you will encounter unique problems. While some search engines are getting better at trying to index websites built entirely on this platform, it is still an overall rankings killer. If you must have a website created entirely in Flash, it is wise to also have an alternate HTML version for search engines and people who prefer HTML sites.
Three Things a Search Engine Spider Can See
HTML text - A search engine spider relies heavily on HTML text to determine what a web page is about. Spiders, therefore, index HTML text and will even make distinctions between differences in how the text is presented. For example, text that is in a headline or is bolded is assumed to be slightly more important than regular text.
Links - Outgoing links on your pages are easily understood by the spider, especially if they are text links. The wording of these links (or the alt tags attached to them) can, like HTML text, give the spider an idea of what your page is about. However, there are certain types of links that are not easily indexed. If your website creation team embedded your links in a pull-down menu that utilizes JavaScript or other scripting language, most search engine spiders will not see them.
Tags - There are many kinds of tags, but not all are important for search engine optimization. Meta tags include the "keywords" tag, which should list keyphrases that describe the page. Another meta tag is the "description" tag, which should be one or two brief sentences that describe the page. Another tag, which is not actually a meta tag, but which has significant importance to search engine rankings, is the "title" tag. This tag contains the words that you will see in the blue bar at the top of your web page.
This list is by no means comprehensive - there are many other attributes that aren't mentioned in this article. The primary message here is that companies should do their homework before engaging in website creation. There are thousands of resources available on the Internet that can answer your questions about any element you are considering adding before you build (or redesign) your site. Take the time to study each so that you can be sure you aren't sacrificing your search engine rankings for the sake of something largely unnecessary.
As for the downtrodden website creation team mentioned earlier in the article, let's remember that Rocky has been known to get beat down in the first fight but then to pull himself up from the floor and triumph in the end. The team will go back into training and eventually understand the Eye of the Spider. Cue the music...
Source: isedb.com
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Brochure Printing and Persuasive Brochure Design - 12 Ideas
Be it through the allure of the product’s beauty, through an idea or fantasy or through a promise of better solution, brochures and brochure printing do all these things and much more.
Brochures are effective for promoting causes, ideas, products, services and even companies. Yet, more commonly, brochures used in marketing are made to steer customers towards a particular product or service. This, as designed, prompts the customer to avail of such products.
Yes, brochures are ingenious products of persuasion and creativity. And whether through individual effort or team ideation, the results are always geared towards making effective concepts and effective brochures.
Here are some tips on how to make your brochures stand out and capture your target audience:
Prepare your images
Images are made up of photos and illustrations. Combined, they will form the backbone of the brochure design. These images will be the first thing that prospective customers get to see.
• Use lively colors to indicate the exuberance of your brochure’s message.
• Likewise, the illustrations and images should complement each other. Along with the choice of color, these three could already reveal what the message of the brochure is.
Meaty Content
Your content are made up of text and statements representing your company or organization. It too holds the necessary information that will persuade and sway your clients towards your side. Hence observe the following in your content writing:
• Choose your words and sentences carefully. Words can help select and shape your target market. Use of certain words such as slang and lingo to embellish and add character to your tone.
• Slang and lingo can communicate well to a selective audience. It, however, limits itself and the general public may not understand or appreciate your brochures well enough.
• Make sentences short and catchy. Brochures are most often than not read on the go. So make it easy for your readers to grasp even complex ideas by exercising brevity.
• Brochures are, after all, a piece of literature, a very short literature that can occupy time waiting for the bus, standing in line and the like. Use bullets and numbering to organize information that clients can digest easily.
• It would also do well to provide clients with a short overview or outline as to what your product or service is all about.
• Highlight product features, it strengths and the solutions it provides that makes it different from other products.
• Provide useful product information as well as your company details and contact numbers.
• You have to put yourself in the position of your target customer and try to ask yourself questions that you as a client would want to know firsthand.
Brand Recall
Make your product more memorable. Use colors that maintains the integrity of your brand logo. Also, ensure that your colors make your brand logo stand out not just for the whole brochure, but against competition too.
• Provide customers an alternative name to remember. Include your company logo to accent and expose yourself better. Doing this builds your image and gains you media mileage. Doing this makes your presence felt among your clients and potential ones as well.
• And to end on a final note, a brochure printing company is necessary to fulfill all your desired goals for the success of your brochures.
With a professional brochure company, things can be fairly simple. With little research you will be able to find out about lots of sites offering online brochure printing Learn to compare what you read regarding the services they offer. From turn around times to cost of print jobs and folding options available, you will be able cut your list short and pick out the best printer for you.
This composition is projected to give the readers information about Brochure Printing and on how brochures can help you in your marketing schemes and provide you a higher sales rate. For more topics and tips about Brochure Printing please refer to Catalog Printing Experts
By: Carla San Gaspar
Brochures are effective for promoting causes, ideas, products, services and even companies. Yet, more commonly, brochures used in marketing are made to steer customers towards a particular product or service. This, as designed, prompts the customer to avail of such products.
Yes, brochures are ingenious products of persuasion and creativity. And whether through individual effort or team ideation, the results are always geared towards making effective concepts and effective brochures.
Here are some tips on how to make your brochures stand out and capture your target audience:
Prepare your images
Images are made up of photos and illustrations. Combined, they will form the backbone of the brochure design. These images will be the first thing that prospective customers get to see.
• Use lively colors to indicate the exuberance of your brochure’s message.
• Likewise, the illustrations and images should complement each other. Along with the choice of color, these three could already reveal what the message of the brochure is.
Meaty Content
Your content are made up of text and statements representing your company or organization. It too holds the necessary information that will persuade and sway your clients towards your side. Hence observe the following in your content writing:
• Choose your words and sentences carefully. Words can help select and shape your target market. Use of certain words such as slang and lingo to embellish and add character to your tone.
• Slang and lingo can communicate well to a selective audience. It, however, limits itself and the general public may not understand or appreciate your brochures well enough.
• Make sentences short and catchy. Brochures are most often than not read on the go. So make it easy for your readers to grasp even complex ideas by exercising brevity.
• Brochures are, after all, a piece of literature, a very short literature that can occupy time waiting for the bus, standing in line and the like. Use bullets and numbering to organize information that clients can digest easily.
• It would also do well to provide clients with a short overview or outline as to what your product or service is all about.
• Highlight product features, it strengths and the solutions it provides that makes it different from other products.
• Provide useful product information as well as your company details and contact numbers.
• You have to put yourself in the position of your target customer and try to ask yourself questions that you as a client would want to know firsthand.
Brand Recall
Make your product more memorable. Use colors that maintains the integrity of your brand logo. Also, ensure that your colors make your brand logo stand out not just for the whole brochure, but against competition too.
• Provide customers an alternative name to remember. Include your company logo to accent and expose yourself better. Doing this builds your image and gains you media mileage. Doing this makes your presence felt among your clients and potential ones as well.
• And to end on a final note, a brochure printing company is necessary to fulfill all your desired goals for the success of your brochures.
With a professional brochure company, things can be fairly simple. With little research you will be able to find out about lots of sites offering online brochure printing Learn to compare what you read regarding the services they offer. From turn around times to cost of print jobs and folding options available, you will be able cut your list short and pick out the best printer for you.
This composition is projected to give the readers information about Brochure Printing and on how brochures can help you in your marketing schemes and provide you a higher sales rate. For more topics and tips about Brochure Printing please refer to Catalog Printing Experts
By: Carla San Gaspar
Corporate Logo Design
A corporate logo design is essential in today's corporate world. If used effectively, it will be highly instrumental in building your corporate identity and should successfully exude the company's attitude. The viewers must have some idea about the disposition, character, or fundamental values of your company through your logo.
Following certain basic principles can ensure that your corporate logo design is professional easy to remember and creates a great impact on its viewers while successfully expressing the nature of your business.
Go for Professional Logo Designers You might save a few dollars doing your own logo or getting it done from the next door boy who knows the basics of designing but if you are serious about your business you should always go for a professional logo design firm. Your corporate logo is your identity, your customers recognize you by your logo, so the more professional and sophisticated your logo is the better will be your customer's impression about your company.
Though most of the logo design companies charge exorbitant rates to create a corporate logo design but the industry is changing. These days there are companies that offer excellent professional logos for nominal charges ( e.g., corporate logo design
Simplicity – Keep it Simple An ideal corporate logo design should be simple and memorable. Corporate houses spend thousands of dollars to ensure that customers remember them at all point of time and a simple logo is the key to that. Think about the Nike logo, it's simple and memorable—once you see the Swoosh, do you ever need to think twice about the company name?
Colors Colors you use for your corporate logo are a very important factor in your brand establishment. If you already have your corporate colors ask your logo designer to use those colors for the logo. If you don't, suggest the colors that you think might give your prospective clients some idea about the type of business you do. For example, a company working in the fields of forest conservation might like their logo to be in green. At the same time, you also need to consider which colors will go well with your corporate stationeries as well.
Black and White version While emphasizing the colors we must also remember that it is important for a corporate logo to come out well in black and white. A corporate logo design is used in all corporate communications including fax and photocopied document where they will be in black and white and the logo design must be such that it holds the same impact even in black and white.
Minimize Colors this is more important from an economic and usability point of view. Corporate logos are often required to be printed for stationary and corporate literature. Using a one or two spot color logo can save a lot of cost compared to printing a full color logo.
Logo Format It is advisable to always use a vector format for your corporate logo design. A corporate logo may be required to be reproduced at any size for different purposes in the future. A logo design done in vector format can be expanded to any size without any loss of image quality, where as a corporate logo in raster format will loose image quality, if scaled up. Also it is easier to convert a vector logo design to bitmap than vice versa.
If you get a professional logo design firm to do your corporate logo and brief them about these basic tips (most of the knowledgeable firms are well aware of these principles) you are sure to get a satisfactory corporate logo design that would go a long way in helping you establishing your brand.
Use your Logo: Once you are ready with your corporate logo start giving it maximum exposure possible. Not only on your business cards and letterheads but also on your packaging, uniforms, pens and all possible goods should contain your logo. This gives wider exposure to your logo and people gets familiar with the corporate logo much faster. With all these you are on your way to establish your brand. Take leaps with your new corporate logo.
www.LogosArea.com is one of the largest logo design firms in the world. We've created a unique business model designed to eliminate the hassles and uncertainty of traditional logo design. Customers appreciate our streamlined, simplified process, talented designers, and personal service. That's why over 45,000 clients have chosen LogosArea to design their logo .At LogosArea, our mission is to make small businesses look great. We do this by providing small businesses with graphic design services that inspire you and enable you to emotionally connect with their customers.
By: Imran Adrees
Following certain basic principles can ensure that your corporate logo design is professional easy to remember and creates a great impact on its viewers while successfully expressing the nature of your business.
Go for Professional Logo Designers You might save a few dollars doing your own logo or getting it done from the next door boy who knows the basics of designing but if you are serious about your business you should always go for a professional logo design firm. Your corporate logo is your identity, your customers recognize you by your logo, so the more professional and sophisticated your logo is the better will be your customer's impression about your company.
Though most of the logo design companies charge exorbitant rates to create a corporate logo design but the industry is changing. These days there are companies that offer excellent professional logos for nominal charges ( e.g., corporate logo design
Simplicity – Keep it Simple An ideal corporate logo design should be simple and memorable. Corporate houses spend thousands of dollars to ensure that customers remember them at all point of time and a simple logo is the key to that. Think about the Nike logo, it's simple and memorable—once you see the Swoosh, do you ever need to think twice about the company name?
Colors Colors you use for your corporate logo are a very important factor in your brand establishment. If you already have your corporate colors ask your logo designer to use those colors for the logo. If you don't, suggest the colors that you think might give your prospective clients some idea about the type of business you do. For example, a company working in the fields of forest conservation might like their logo to be in green. At the same time, you also need to consider which colors will go well with your corporate stationeries as well.
Black and White version While emphasizing the colors we must also remember that it is important for a corporate logo to come out well in black and white. A corporate logo design is used in all corporate communications including fax and photocopied document where they will be in black and white and the logo design must be such that it holds the same impact even in black and white.
Minimize Colors this is more important from an economic and usability point of view. Corporate logos are often required to be printed for stationary and corporate literature. Using a one or two spot color logo can save a lot of cost compared to printing a full color logo.
Logo Format It is advisable to always use a vector format for your corporate logo design. A corporate logo may be required to be reproduced at any size for different purposes in the future. A logo design done in vector format can be expanded to any size without any loss of image quality, where as a corporate logo in raster format will loose image quality, if scaled up. Also it is easier to convert a vector logo design to bitmap than vice versa.
If you get a professional logo design firm to do your corporate logo and brief them about these basic tips (most of the knowledgeable firms are well aware of these principles) you are sure to get a satisfactory corporate logo design that would go a long way in helping you establishing your brand.
Use your Logo: Once you are ready with your corporate logo start giving it maximum exposure possible. Not only on your business cards and letterheads but also on your packaging, uniforms, pens and all possible goods should contain your logo. This gives wider exposure to your logo and people gets familiar with the corporate logo much faster. With all these you are on your way to establish your brand. Take leaps with your new corporate logo.
www.LogosArea.com is one of the largest logo design firms in the world. We've created a unique business model designed to eliminate the hassles and uncertainty of traditional logo design. Customers appreciate our streamlined, simplified process, talented designers, and personal service. That's why over 45,000 clients have chosen LogosArea to design their logo .At LogosArea, our mission is to make small businesses look great. We do this by providing small businesses with graphic design services that inspire you and enable you to emotionally connect with their customers.
By: Imran Adrees
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