Keep Your Brand Safe

Get your Twitter name before someone else does!

Even if you do not plan on using twitter as a way to promote your business or brand – you need to secure your twitter ID so that someone else out their doesn’t snag it and ruin your brand reputation.

Think of it as a matter of “brand security”.  It is like abstinence before you are married – it keeps your reputation intact.

Things To Consider When Choosing Your Twitter User Name

1.  Your twitter user name is limited to 15 characters (no spaces).

2.  I recommend NOT using dashes or underscores.

3.  Secure your actual company name if possible.

For example, if your business is Starbucks then your Twitter user name should be Starbucks. If your actual company name is not available then think of appropriate variations.

4.  Secure all appropriate variations of your twitter user name.

Sometimes you need to redirect twitter traffic to your correct username.

Sometimes you will need to redirect twitter traffic to your correct user name.

For example, there is a twitter user named MACvPC (whom I love and recommend to everyone to follow), but to avoid confusion, misdirection, and to secure his twitter identity, MACvPC has also secured the twitter user name MACvsPC. When you go to MACvsPC there is a little message there that will redirect you to MACvPC. This is a smart and appropriate use of securing a twitter name variation  There are no other updates on the MACvsPC twitter page (see left), it merely serves as a digital sign post to point the potential follower to the correct twitter account.

5.  Determine if you will have (or need)  multiple active twitter accounts.

If you are going to have people or departments tweet for your business, determine the naming conventions you want to use now. For example, if you have 3 people tweeting their user names could be representative of the departments they are in: AcmeSales, AcmeService, AcmeTech or they could be more personal like LizatAcme, BobatAcme, and JoshatAcme.

6.  Use numbers in your twitter user name wisely.

Be careful when using numbers in your name. Bob1582 is not easy to remember, but 1Bob is a little easier. If you are Remember911 – that is an appropriate use of numbers in your twitter user name. I suggest trying other variations before you add a stream of numbers that doesn’t have relevant meaning to the masses, and is thereby not memorable.

How to set up multiple twitter account.

DurbinDigital pointed out to me that new twitter users may need assistance in know “how to” set up multiple twitter accounts.  Here is how you do it.

1. Log-on to Twitter.com (do not sign in with your current account, or sign out if you are signed in)
2. Sign up for a new twitter account.  (you must have a different email address than the one you are using for your primary twitter account)
3. Set up your new twitter account and profile.  Add a custom background, etc.  I suggest using the same settings as your primary twitter account.
4. Post your first and only Tweet.  This tweet should redirect the person to your primary twitter account.  See the MACvPC example above.  Your tweet could say something like, “You are in the wrong place!  Find me @yourtwittername “

How I followed these recommendations above.

My twitter user name and general on-line moniker, is CreativeWisdom – see how that is much easier to read than creativewisdom? I was unable to secure the name BlueleafCreative (too many characters), and Blueleaf was already taken. So I had to think and think hard. This was before the days of my blog, so I chose the twitter id Blueleaf-Gal. (I had already broken one of my guidelines above, but I was new and this was a long time ago, lol). When I started my blog Creative Wisdom, I decided that I would use the same name as my twitter user name. It was available. Excellent! So CreativeWisdom I am! I have since secured the following twitter user names to secure my twitter reputation: Creative_Wisdom, LeahDossey, and Leah_Dossey (see how you can’t see the underscores in my username becuase of the link?  This is why I recommend NOT using underscores in yout twitter user name) I only suggest securing your actual name if it is a part of your business and your brand.  Each of these twitter accounts is branded and collectively they serve as digital sign posts to redirect people to my active twitter account CreativeWisdom.

So secure your twitter user name (and relevant variations now). Don’t let someone else tweet out in “your” name and ruin your reputation!

Happy Tweeting!  If you found this article useful, please pass this information along to your friends, send a “Tweet Out”, Stumble or subscribe to our RSS Feed.

Go secure your twitter user name now. Yes, NOW.  What are you waiting for?

Connect on Facebook, Visit Blueleaf Creative on-line. Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com Follow Leah on Twitter, join the facebook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

Here are the three causes Creative Wisdom and Blueleaf Creative have chosen to support on 2009.

1.  Count Me In. is the leading national not for profit provider of resources, business education and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow micro businesses to million dollar enterprises.  The program provides a combination of money, mentoring, marketing and technology tools that women entrepreneurs need to help grow their businesses from micro to $millions.  For 2009 Count Me In will be sponsoring The M3 Race (M3 stand for  Make Mine a Million $ business).  You can learn more about The M3 Race by visiting their site or by reading my blog post Make Mine a Million $ Business.  It was through Count Me In that I was selected as one of 25 women in the country to receive the Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur Award.  The support I am getting from Sam’s Club and Count Me In as a result of receiving that award is amazing.  HOW I AM SUPPORTING THIS ORGANIZATON: It is one of my top priorities to share with women business owners everywhere the amazing resource Count Me In provides and thank Sam’s Club over and over again for selecting me for this amazing honor.  I will be sharing information on my blog, answering questions you may have about Count Me In on Twitter, Facebook and via email.

2.  The Emancipation Network The Emancipation Network (TEN) is an international organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and modern day slavery. They help survivors of slavery rebuild their lives after rescue from slavery, with sustainable income, education and help reintegrating into society. They work to prevent slavery in high risk communities such as red light and refugee communities, by creating jobs for adults and through volunteer trips and donations to our shelter partners for rescue, school fees, emergency needs and reintegration.  TEN imports and sell beautiful handicraft products made by survivors of slavery and persons at risk of being trafficked into slavery.  Sarah Symons, who I have met personally, is an amazing woman who is dedicated to this cause.  You can learn more about Sarah and what she is doing by reading Everyday Miracles.  HOW I AM SUPPORTING THIS ORGANIZATON: I will be working with Sarah at MadeBySurvivors.com & The Emancipation Newtork pro bono to help them increase awareness of global slavery and human trafficking.  Look for tweets, blog posts, Facebook updates and more regarding this amazing woman and her work!

3.  Boys Scouts of America My son has been involved with cub scouts for 4 years now and I have volunteered over 800 hours of my time to help this amazing organization.  I recommend everyone with son’s to get them involved with scouts and then volunteer with scouting yourself!  HOW I AM SUPPORTING THIS ORGANIZATON: I will continue to serve as den leader, assistant cubmaster and PR chair for my son’s pack to help him and other boys become strong men in our community.

What are the 3 organizations you believe in?  Please share them and help create awareness!  If you believe in any of the causes I do – please let me know – I would love to work with you on helping those causes through a joint effort!

Much love and prosperity to you all in 2009 and beyond!

Posted By Leah Dossey, owner, art director and designer at Blueleaf Creative.  Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com  Follow Leah on Twitter,  join the facbook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

candid career advice for twenty-something divas

Nicole Crimaldi @ExecutiveVision on Twitter
(http://twitter.com/ExecutiveVision) has featured the Make Mine a
Million $ Race as well as Blueleaf Creative on her blog Career Girls.
You can read the article here:
http://careergirls.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/make-mine-a-million-business-race/

Career Girls is a great new blog that targets “twenty-something” women to help them become successful women with not only their careers, but all things important to that age group.  Nicole has some interesting posts – and I’m looking forward to see what her future posts offer.

Join The Race in 2009

Ladies as a fellow female entrepreneur I am always looking for ways to increase the revenue for my business.  I have to share with you a unique and very special organization that will help you on your path to success in doing so.  Count Me In – the organization for women’s economic independence is the single most worthwhile organization you should join. Women business owners who participate in their “Make Mine A Million $” business program see increases of revenue up to 40%.  Why?  Because Count Me In provides you with the resources and tools to make your business a success.  Count Me In founder, Nell Merlino (who also instituted Take Your Daughter To Work Day) has partnered the organization with corporate sponsors like OPEN from American Express, JetBlue, Dell, FedEx, Sam’s Club, Reader’s Digest and other organizations that are committed to helping women take their business revenues to a million dollars or more.  (If that isn’t credible, I don’t know what is!)

Starting in 2009, Count Me In will be sponsoring The Make Mine a Million $ Business Race, I encourage – no I implore each and everyone of you to register for this event that will change your business.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

Register early, set your 2009 revenue goal at $250,000, $500,000 or $1mm.  Take advantage of our recommended preparation tips before the M3 RACE begins. (You will be given this information once you register)

WHAT DO YOU GET?

Starting January 27, at the click of a mouse, you will have access to experts, resources, and opportunities tailored for YOU!  You are never alone.

* Cutting-edge on-line business assessment with expert advice and education
* Personalized “dashboard” to track your goals and annual revenue
* Social network to find other M3 RACE participants and post questions
* Invitations to three national educational and networking events
* Opportunities to reach new national markets with partners like American Express OPEN, Reader’s Digest, Dell and Sam’s Club
* Promotion through local and national TV, newspapers, magazines, radio, and blogs

Prizes and national recognition for crossing your personal finish line, as well as the chance to win our Grand Prize of $100,000 cash for your business with national PR, advertising and press for your business, and other business-boosting and work-life-balancing prizes for success on the national and state level.

Because of the level of expertise that will be offered to the participants of this program, there is an entry fee.  However, register by December 14th and save $25!

The Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE is an exciting year-long business growth marathon to support you in becoming a successful and productive business owner and help rebuild our nation’s economy.

1.    What is the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE (M3 RACE)?

No, you don’t have to run.  The Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE is an exciting year-long business growth marathon to support you in becoming a successful and productive business owner and help rebuild our nation’s economy.

Just like the walk/run marathons that you know to benefit breast cancer research and other causes, you can choose your own pace for your 2009 business revenue goal: $250,000, $500K, or one million dollars or more!

Whether you have a business or are just starting one, we will help you “train” by assessing your business strengths and weaknesses, introducing you to coaches, peer groups and experts, increasing your access to new markets, financing and national recognition so you can grow, create jobs where you live and provide economic stability for your families, communities and the country.

2.    Why should I enter the M3 RACE?

There has never been a better time to focus on exactly what you want for your business and what it will take to get it.  Now is your time to stand up and count yourself in.

Enter the M3 RACE to:

* Become a more successful and productive business owner
* Run and enjoy a balanced life as a woman, entrepreneur and/or mother
* Take the mystery out of running a business
* Create your own personal vision for your business
* Manage and control your business and keep it from controlling you
* Delegate to gain the results you want
* Exceed your customer’s expectations so they return and promote you to others
* Find, attract, hire and keep excellent employees
* Achieve and surpass a million $ or more in annual revenue more quickly

3.    What do I get by entering the M3 RACE?

By joining the M3 RACE starting January 27, you will have access to support and assistance that has never before been available to women entrepreneurs.

* You are never alone.  Support, tools and guidance to prepare you for the M3 RACE.
* Online business assessment tool to help you identify where your business stands and what you need to reach your 2009 goal
* Your own personalized Dashboard where you can track your short term goals and annual revenue, find other M3 RACE participants and post questions
* Exposure for your product or service to new audiences
* Access to three national events, which will include intensive workshops and competitions for business-boosting and work-life-balancing prizes
* Opportunities to reach new national markets with partners like American Express OPEN, Reader’s Digest, Dell and Sam’s Club and promotion through local and national TV, newspapers, magazines, radio and blogs
* Prizes and national recognition for crossing your personal finish line, as well as the chance to win our Grand Prize of $100,000 cash for your business and national PR, advertising and press for your business and other prizes for success on the national and state level.

4.    When does the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE Begin and End?

The M3 RACE starts online at www.makemineamillion.org on January 27, 2009, where you sign up to race and declare your revenue goals for the year and get ready for the journey of a lifetime!

Advance registration:  December 1, 2008 thru December 14, 2008
Standard Registration:  December 15, 2008 thru June 30, 2009

The M3 RACE ends on midnight, December 31, 2009 and winners will be announced in February 2010.

5.    How do I enter the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE?

It’s easy!  Enter the M3 RACE

6.    Who is eligible?

Eligibility requirements:

* Own a business or have an idea for a new business
* 18 years or older
* U.S. Citizen or legal resident
* Female
* Business is at least 50% women owned

7.    What do I win?

You win just by being in the M3 RACE.  On average, women who have participated in the Make Mine a Million $ Business program have increased their revenue and job growth rate by more than 40% within 12 months.

By joining the M3 RACE, you will have an opportunity to be part of a community of women entrepreneurs across the country growing their businesses, creating jobs and providing for their families.  We are in it together.

8.    What are the prizes?

The Grand Prize winner will receive a $100,000 cash prize and a year’s worth of marketing, advertising and press opportunities.

Runner up winners from all 50 states and in 15 business sector categories receive a coveted prize package including one-on-one business coaching, technology products, media exposure, access to financing and new markets, and products and services like grocery delivery services to help them manage their families and household.   Stay tuned for more…

*Prizes are subject to change.

9.     How do I win?

Judging criteria is based on:

* Sales levels (compared to base year)
* Percentage revenue growth (compared to base year)
* Percentage employee growth
* Business net worth
* Profitability after owner(s) draw

Certification of figures: Count Me In will require your assistance in collecting figures to evaluate your business growth. You will be required to enter monthly metrics.  All figures will be confidential and not disclosed or shared with third parties.

Winners will be selected based on company-submitted information, but will not be officially named until Count Me In has received and reviewed either tax returns or CPA prepared financials for 2008 and certification of sales for 2009.  This information must be provided no later than February 1, 2010.

10.     Is there an entry fee?

Yes.  To provide you with the best coaches and experts, a dynamic online business assessment tool, and a national network of women just like you, there is an entry fee of $100.  If you sign up before December 15, you will be able to enter the M3 RACE for $75.

11.    What if my 2008 sales already exceeded $1 million?

Congratulations!  We encourage you to register for the M3 RACE so you can continue to grow your multi-million dollar business.  We will also expose you to media opportunities, send you information relevant to your stage of business growth, invite you to mentor other women and speak on expert panels.

12.    How can men get involved?

Men can support women in the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE as business partners, vendors, employees and contractors.  As husbands, brothers, fathers, sons and friends, you can pay the registration fee for a woman you know.

13.    Who is supporting the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE?

Our supporters are growing everyday.  Today, the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE is supported by our founding partner American Express OPEN, Cisco, Dell, Sam’s Club, and Reader’s Digest.

14.    How do I support the M3 RACE?

There are a number of ways that you can support a Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE.

To sponsor a racer, you can:

* Buy their products
* Tell your friends about them
* Begin a movement in your neighborhood to support the M3 RACE

Click here to make a tax free donation to Count Me In.  Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is a 501c3 organization.  For information about becoming a corporate sponsor, contact jhamerman@countmein.org.

15.    Why is Count Me In launching Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE?

There are 10.5 million women owned businesses in the United States today, yet only 3%, or 250,000, generate a million dollars or more in annual revenue.  With the right support, tools, and encouragement we can all surpass a million dollars in business revenue, create jobs for our communities, and help rebuild America’s economy.  If one million women grow their businesses to one million dollars in revenue, we will have created 4 million new jobs and $700 billion in economic activity.  Count Me In believes there is no better moment to inspire a movement of women’s economic development.

Through our most successful business growth program, Make Mine a Million $ Business™, we have learned what propels women to grow sustainable and thriving businesses.  That is why, Count Me In is launching the Make Mine a Million $ Business RACE — to pass on our knowledge to help thousands more women entrepreneurs succeed in hitting their goals in a year.  The M3 RACE marks the beginning of a chain reaction that places the strength of one million women behind every entrepreneur’s success.  This is our race to run, and we are in it together.

16.    Who is Count Me In?

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community for women entrepreneurs.   We believe in you, and we believe in the ability of women entrepreneurs to create jobs for our communities and provide thriving environments for their families and future generations through achieving and surpassing their goals of business growth.  We also believe that to grow your business, you have to grow yourself.  Count Me In is dedicated to providing inspiration, resources, and the community support women entrepreneurs need to scale their businesses to a million dollars in revenue and beyond.

As one of the 25  first women in the country to be awarded the  Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur Award , and a member of Count Me In, I have committed to be one of the Ambassadors to this program.  If you have questions regarding Count Me In, The Race to a Million or just general questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  If I don’t know the answer, I will find out, or point yo to the person who does.  When you enter, please return here and leave a comment to let me know – we can support each other as we race to increase our business revenue for 2009!

Thanks and much success,

Leah Dossey

If you found this article helpful, please STUMBLE or give a Tweet!

Posted By Leah Dossey, owner, art director and designer at Blueleaf Creative.  Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com  Follow Leah on Twitter,  join the facbook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

Find people to follow on Twitter

So you are new to Twitter and you want to find people to follow.  Good people.  People relevant to your industry or markets that you find interesting.  How do you find them?

There are sites that offer tools to help you find people to follow – they are very useful tools in finding new people to follow.

Twellow is cool because you can search for people by catagory.  The services also tells you how many followers a person has.  This is important becuase if they have a lot of followers, then they should have interesting content.  I always check a persons Follwers/Follow ratio.  If they have a lot of followers but they don’t follow many people, then they are likely not going to follow you.  I look for a mutral follow relationship with most of my follows as I belive Twitter is all about creating new opprotunities for building relationships.  Expect to spend some time on Twellow as you will have to navigate from catagory to catagory to find the people that you find interesting.

Just Tweet It Just Tweet It is a directory.  If you want others to find you – sign up!  Then look for other people in the catagories that interest you.  Nice interface and easy to use.

Twubble Created by @crazybob Twubble suggests followers based on who your followers are following.  You can then see which of your followers is following any of the recommended Tweeters twubble suggests.

Finding great people to follow when you start can be difficult, these tools should help make your search easier!  You can always follow me on Twitter as well!

Written By Leah Dossey, owner, art director and designer at Blueleaf Creative.  Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com  Follow Leah on Twitter,  join the facbook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

Twitter seems to be the new “buzz” word.  So I set up my account and stared at the screen.  Like many of you, I was like, “Really?  How can THIS help my business?”

Then my “Ah-ha” moment happened.

I noticed that Twitter is about sharing information.  All kinds (like what’s for lunch?) but that doesn’t get you new business. So what is the deal?  How does this Twitter thing work?  When I started my blog  I needed to drive up traffic. “Perhaps I could promote via Twitter?”, I thought.  I did – hits went up.  THEN I noticed that I was clicking on links that people posted that I found useful.  So I thought, “Hmmm, what could I post that people would find useful on Twitter?”  So I created a post to my blog called “How to create a twitter background”.  Suddenly my hits went up 10 times!

Bingo – but that was only half of it.  I didn’t have a large follow base.  I had offered some help to a Tweeter I was following Jim Connolly (he has around 7,500 followers) and BAM he put up a Tweet asking everyone to
follow me as a “thank you”!  Now I didn’t offer to help him because he had so many follower – I just offered to help because I wanted to.  Be sincere in your actions on Twitter.  After his tweet, my followers went from 39 to 149 in 24 hours.  Hits on the blog went up 10 times again!  I have gotten two new job requests for my effort in the last 48 hours.

What I have learned from all this – and why I wanted to share it with you-is that Twitter can increase the traffic to your website or blog.

You need 3 key elements to get a successful outcome from Twitter

1. Followers

2. Someone to give you a “Tweet-Out” that links to your website or blog.

3. A URL about your company, product, services, tutorial, guide, etc. That people can visit and learn more about YOU!

Despite the evening news there are still LOTS of good people out there and those good people would love to help you out.  So post relevant, interesting and human tweets and your follow base will increase, as your follow base increases hits to your blog or website should also increase if you tweet the links out to your group.  When someone helps you, help them in return by promoting them (so they get more followers) or hits.  How do you do that?  It is simple.  If someone posts a link you like, then “re-tweet” the link to your group.  Your twitter post might look like this:

How to give credit on Twitter

As you can see, The topic of the tweet is clear, the link to the article is next, and then I thank MillerMosaicLLC and problogger for sharing the information.  What this does is that it allows my followers the opportunity to view the post, but it also allows them to click on the two posters names and then they can follow them as well.  Good content, with proper credit will introduce your followers to new people that have relevant content (and the two people I thanked will be apt to do the same for me when I make relevant posts that they like).

If there is someone you REALLY like and they have lots of relevant information you think you group would enjoy, you can ask your group to follow that person and explain why.  Most of the time, but not always, they will return the act in kind either by promoting your tweets or suggesting to their group that they add you!

Suggest Tweeters with excellent content to your group

Twitter is called a Social Media tool for a reason.

Be kind to your followers.  It is all about interesting content.  Don’t just tweet one sales pitch after another to your group.  Get to know your followers, make connections with them, allow them to see you and your business as a real person.  Help other people out, share information that will let others know that you are an expert in your industry.  Your followers may not need your product or services, but they may refer to you someone who does. Be warm and friendly.  Be helpful.  Be interesting.  This is how you gain followers and how your followers will want to support you and your efforts.  It really is that simple.  By doing these things you can accomplish the three things that will help boost your business and make Twitter a tool for free advertising for your blog or website.  Pretty cool huh?  Tweet on!

Posted By Leah Dossey, owner, art director and designer at Blueleaf Creative.  Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com  Follow Leah on Twitter,  join the facbook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

Tag Your Blog

I have always enjoyed helping others.  It make me feel good – as Jim Connolly says, “It is nice to be nice.”  Here is how you can help fellow bloggers (and yourself – bonus!) by using tagging.

Tagging – Helping Your Fellow Bloggers

Tagging other bloggers brings attention to their blog. Why would you want to do this?  By doing so, you can bring more readers to your own blog!  It is a win-win.  Nice is nice!

I learned about tagging from loongirl, a photographer, antiquer and a gem of a lady (a real bona fide, make you not want to swear, lady).

Tagging is a really great way to introduce yourself to other bloggers – so I’m going to ‘tag’ her blog and then add four other bloggers to the Tag List that I think you should meet.

Here is how you do it (no, not that “it” stay with me)

1. Link to your original tagger, and list these rules on your blog.

2. Share five facts about yourself in the post – some random, some weird – be interesting.

3. Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.

4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs.

Five Facts About Leah Dossey

1. I believe in Creative Wisdom. I believe that we can all help each other succeed by sharing our past experiences and what we have learned from them and then translate that knowledge into new and useful applications.  This is the foundation of Creative Wisdom.  This is why I blog and why I try to do everything I can to help those I can.  (like you, right now – and we’ve never even met!)
2. I believe in empowering others to become the best they can be. I do this by volunteering with cub scouts (I’m a den leader, assistant cub master and the PR chair for my pack), reading at the local elementary school (knowledge = power), and sharing what I know about graphic design and printing to business owners to help them build stronger businesses through powerful visual communication.
3. I have a chronic illness. I have to take shots weekly to stay mobile.  I was diagnosed when I was 27.  I’m not telling you this so you will feel sorry for me, I’m telling you this because it is a part of who I am now.  Don’t feel sorry for me.  I don’t!
4. I am a first generation American.  I am proud of my Greek heritage.
5. I have nerd tendencies. I love TNG (Patrick Stewart is hot!), Star Wars, The Matrix, Harry Potter, Artimis Fowl, and the art of Yoko Ono.  My kids love that I can kick their butts on “expert” in Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

So those are five facts about me.  Hope you think I’m as interesting as I do!  lol

Tag Your Blog

Tag – You’re It!

Here’s the Five Bloggers I’m tagging, and I’m not giving you any clues about any of them – you’ll have to decide for yourselves.  They all have something different or interesting to offer and also provide great Tweets on Twitter.

1. Beth Pulsipher http://redmoonantiques.blogspot.com/ Twitter:  loongirl
2. Jim Connolly http://jimsmarketingblog.com/ Twitter: Jimconnolly
3. Dominick Evans http://www.dominickevans.com/ Twitter:  Dominicevans
4. Darren Rowse http://www.twitip.com/ Twitter: @twitip
5. Sharlyn Lauby http://www.hrbartender.com/ Twitter @sharlyn_lauby
6. If Nell Merlino wrote a blog I’d list it here too – but google her – you’ll be glad you did!

Now that you’ve seen how tagging works – make it work for you, and share with us 5 of your favorite blogs! Please come back and let us know what success you have had with Tagging.

Follow Leah on Twitter, join the facebook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative. Connect on Facebook, Visit Blueleaf Creative online. Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com

Who has the most interesting, informative or creative Twitter background?  Nominate your friends (not your self – any side deals you make with people to nominate you in DM (direct messaging) is up to you. 

We want to be inspired by others and see their Creative Wisdom.  So post links to your favorite Twitter background pages below and share with us why you like them!  Share your suggestions on how they could be better.

Here are three I really like – the bug thing is just a coincidence. (two happen to be designers…hmm, do I just like designers or do they “get” the fact that visual communication is important and know how to execute it?)  The third is by Jim Connolly – I like this because it shows both his professional photo and his “everyday” photo – makes him more approachable.

Looking forward to seeing everyone’s creativity!

Follow Leah on Twitter, join the facebook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative. Connect on Facebook, Visit Blueleaf Creative online. Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com

Did you find this article helpful?  What questions do you still have.  Please leave comments below.

If you found this article helpful, please Stumble or give a TWEET.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

Follow Leah on Twitter, join the facebook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative. Connect on Facebook, Visit Blueleaf Creative online.

Get the Most for Direct Mail Marketing

Many of you may have tried direct mail marketing only to feel like it was a waste of time, energy and money.  Why did your campaign not perform?  What type of response were you expecting and how did you measure that response.  I am sharing this information with you because I want you to succeed – not just with your direct mail campaigns – but in everything you do.  If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me or leave a comment below.

Here is what you should know about direct mail

The average response rate for the 1,122 industry-specific campaigns that the DMA studied was 2.61%.

Within sectors, nonprofit fundraisers enjoy the most success with direct response, getting rates of 5.35%. Close behind are retail stores (with 3.36%) and establishments selling services to businesses (3.34%).

Manufacturing delivers 3.17%; personal and repair services 3.07%; and travel 2.98%. The two sectors at the bottom of the list — computer/electronic products and packaged goods — still get better than 2% response.

Variable Print Campaigns increase the response rate by up to +5%

(from http://www.directmag.com)

So what does that mean to you?

Have a resonable expectation.  If you send out 1,000 postcards to a qualified mailing list, you should expect about 20 people to respond (don’t confuse respond with purchase).  Make it a variable print campaign and that number could up to as high as 75 people.

Here are some tips to have a successful direct mail campaign.

• Use a qualified mailing list. Seems like a no brainer, but often companies miss this step.

• Have a resonable expectaion on the return. Don’t expect a 50% response.  It isn’t going to happen.

• Take advantages of new technologies to drive up and track your response rate.
  

1. Variable printing (where you can customize the message on each card to be relevant to the recipiant) has great power and will increase your response if done correctly.  (Not those stupid postcards you get with a billboard that has your name on it – very, very lame.
2. Personalized URL (PURL) allows you to add a url to your campaign where recipeients can log on to get thier offer.  For example, you can offer a generic 10% discount for your product or service, but then have a second “Vist www.personalizedurl.com and get 20% off!”  When they arrive, you can give them what you have offered, ask them to take a survery, gather more information from them etc.  It is a win-win for everyone.

• Make sure you direct mail campaign is strongly branded and consistent with other items you may already have out there.  You want your prospects to recognize you and have a sense of familiarity when they recieve the item.  Working with a graphic designer can be a very critical key to this process.  For example, you send out your item, someone goes to your website and they leave becuase they think they are at the wrong place – there is no visual consistency to tie your messages together.

Tips on developing a direct mail campaign

1. Develop A Primary Offer

If you sell something – tacos, make-up or elephant dung – that is pretty simple.  Create an offer that would interest clients like, “Free Taco Tuesdays for Kids”.  If you are in a service industry – accountant, home design, exterminator – this step may not appear easy, but it is!  It is a two step process.  FIRST you have build the value of the service to your audience – then you can offer them things like a free consultation, discounted rate on hourly services, or free evaluation. Here is a good example, “We will inspect your home for pests at no cost and make recommendations on how you can avoid future infestation, while saving you 10% on your first home treatment.”

2. Develop a Secondary Offer

Your primary offer will attract prospects that are ready to do business today or in the near future. However, this represents only a small fraction of the potential market. Therefore, you need to make a secondary offer to attract those prospects who are not ready to buy right now but may have a need in three, six or 12 months.

This secondary offer can be a free booklet, special report, brochure, fact sheet, free gift or other item  the reader can calling or visiting your site or PURL. Going back to our taco example, it could be something like, “Purchase a $25 Taco gift card and get a $5 Taco gift card for yourself!”  Stress the primary offer with strong graphics all over your mailing.  The secondary offer needs to be visible, but think of it as a “P.S.” in terms of the impact it needs to make visually.  For our exterminator your message could be “Call today to request your FREE 3 Simple Steps to a Pest Free Home Guide”

3. Encourage a Targeted Response

How do you want these prospects to contact you?  Phone?  Email?  Decide and make that message loud and clear!  If you want them to pick up the phone – your phone number should be in at least 2 VERY VISIBLE places.  Want them to email?  Same deal?  Want them to visit your web site?  (That can be a slippery slope if you are not using PURL as you are asking for 2 actions – visit web site and then contact us – you may loose some along the way)  But always free free to promote your site by providing your web address.  Those doing research or wanting to learn more about you will appreciate it.  Bottom line -  contact information should always be clear and easy to read.

4. Establish Credibility

Prospects want to deal with businesses who are experts in their field or marketplace. Here are some techniques that can build this sense of credibility into the direct-mail package:

• Add a few quotes from happy customers, it makes prospect comfortable about what you offer.  “Taco Palace has the friendliest staff and tastiest food.  My kids won’t eat anywhere else!  Thanks Taco Palace!”  “Bob’s Bug Bashers provided fast and professional service, they showed up 20 mintes before my dinner party to remove a dead rat in the wall.  I will alwasy use Bob’s Bug Bashers for all my bug bashing needs!”
• If there has been positive press, you may want to add that too.  “Taco Palace – Voted Houston’s best Taco 3 Years in a row!”  “Bob’s Bug Bashers received the award for most bugs bashed in 2007.”
• Name drop (if it is relevant – and true).  “Oprah’s favorite taco spot in Houston!” “Bob’s Bug Bashers services the homes of Mayor John Doe and rap star Real-E!”
• Include associations you are a part of including the Better Business Bureau.
• Make sure the direct mail item is consistently branded with what prospects have seen before from you.  This increases reconition and builds consumer confidence.  (Just putting your logo somewhere does not count)

5. Use other promotion techniques to build your reputation

Direct mail is effective for generating immediate leads, but it is not the primary tool for enhancing credibility. To build a professional reputation, get involved in your community, get local press from the newspapers, join associations and volunteer your time.  Make visable donations to causes you feel strongly about – in your business name – not yours.  You can also use social media and social networks as well as blogs to build credibility.  Get endorsements for people others respect. Performing these activities will lead to a higher response to direct mail because the recipient will have already heard of you when he receives direct mail piece.

6.  Stay Visable!

Plan on doing at least a 2 part or 3 part campaing.  If your offer is time sensitive and ends in four weeks – send out a mailing three times reminding them that the deadline is approaching for you offer and to ACT NOW.  If your offer is no

t time sensitive you’ll want to stay “in their face”.  Maybe they accidently threw away the first post card you sent out, maybe they were meaning to call and forgot.  Either way, staying in front of your prospects is a way to build recogntion and credibility.

7.  Have a Great Design

Your direct mail items needs to be effectively designed.  A graphic designer is the best person to do this for you (your sister’s son who has taken a few college courses, does not count!).  They will know the best techniques to make your direct mail piece stand out from the rest of the mail.  They will know how to emphasize your primary message and secondary message.  They will add credibility to your business by making you look professional. They will know the best ways to visually communicate your message with the greatest impact.  Working with a graphic designer does not guarantee results, but it increases them.

8.  Understand the Printing of your Direct Mail Piece

How will it be printed?  Is it going to be full-color?  Glossy?  How big?  How will the size effect your postage?  What is the best method for printing that is the best value?  Establish a relationship with a qualified printer and they will be able to guide you through these question and make recommendations.  A qualified graphic designer will do the same.  For my clients, I turn-key these types of projects, not only providing the design services but the printing as well.  This benefits them in two ways.  First, it allows me to make recommendations on the design and the ENTIRE project that fit my clients budget.  If a client says, I want a JUMBO post card that is full color with lots of zing – I don’t design one until I know they understand that a JUMBO post card will cost more postage, that full-color can also add additional expense, etc.  This is part of a qualified consultation – one each of you should be getting if you work with a designer.  Second, it allows my clients to focus on the business of doing their business.  We work on the design, they finalize the artwork and BAM in a few days the final printed items arrive on their door step.  Find someone that you can develop that kind of relationship with. If you don’t have someone you know and trust, contact me.  I’ll be happy to assist you!

Happy Direct Mail Marketing!

Did you find this article helpful?  What questions do you still have.  Please leave comments below.

If you found this article helpful, please Stumble or give a TWEET.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

Follow Leah on Twitter, join the facebook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative. Connect on Facebook, Visit Blueleaf Creative online.

Posted in Direct Mail Marketing, Increase Sales, Printing Tagged: Digital Printing, Direct Mail Marketing, Personalized URL, Printing, PURL, variable printing ]]> http://blueleafcreative.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/8-ways-to-make-sure-your-direct-mail-marketing-is-effective/feed/ 16 blueleafcreative mailvendmailbox1 2361223017_299381b262 services_-direct_mail subscribe_to_creative_wisdom http://blueleafcreative.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/creating-a-twitter-background/ http://blueleafcreative.wordpress.com/2008/11/10/creating-a-twitter-background/#comments Mon, 10 Nov 2008 10:39:15 +0000 blueleafcreative http://blueleafcreative.wordpress.com/?p=149 ]]>

How to Create Twitter Background

You are on Twitter and you want a custom background.  Here is what you need to know.

You can create your own background in any application that will let you save the file as a .jpg, .gif or .png and allows you to create the graphics you desire.  I used Adobe Photoshop to create mine (take a peek to see what it looks like).

Here are some things you need to know before getting started:

• Your twitter background will force itself to the far left of the page.  Give your self some room from the left side.
• People have different size monitors, so it is best to keep the graphics on the left and a solid color on the right so that you know they are seeing what you want them to see.

Creating your background

Set Your File Dimensions (page size): 378 px x 583 px or 5.25 inches wide x 8 inches tall

Now Set A Logo Area: 80 px by 583 px or 1 inch x 1.25 inches (this is about how big you want it to be)

Left Margin: Remember to set everything over 3/4 of an inch from the left side.

Top Margin: 14 px or 1/8 inch from the top is where you are going to want to put your logo (this way it lines up with the Twitter logo).

Right Margin: 3/4 inch – 1 inch  from the right is where you are going to want to put your guides.  Place your information between the left and right margins.  This will give you a little “elbow room” as people expand and collapse their windows.  Thanks The Harriman Team for point this out.

Important Note:  Different monitor sizes, and different screen resolutions will cause variations on how your background appears.  The sizes above were created so to meet the needs of most people.

Final file size according to Twitter:  “Images must be smaller than 800k.”

Make it “Purdy”

Colors: Select colors that match your Twitter template colors. You can change the colors for Text, Name, Link, Sidebar fill and Sidebar border as needed in the dialog box on Twitter.
Recommendation: Choose colors that work with the template you have choosen and save yourself the headache of matching the links, etc. to your image.

How to Upload your Twitter background

1. Login and click ‘Settings’ >> click ‘Design’ >> Select ‘Use my custom style below’ radio button >> Upload your image

It took me quite a bit of time to get a background image that I was happy with. There was a lot of editing and uploading again, and again until it was just the way I wanted it. Have patience and you’ll be thrilled with the results. Remember that you are working within someone else’s website and can’t control all the features.

Keep these things in mind when creating your new background for Twitter.

Things to remember when creating a twitter background image

Good Luck!

If you found this article helpful, please Stumble or give a TWEET.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

If you have any questions or problems, please leave comments below, Tweet me or send me a direct message via Twitter.  I’m always here to help!

Happy Tweeting!

Connect on Facebook, Visit Blueleaf Creative online. Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com Follow Leah on Twitter, join the facebook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

What I am about to say may seem counter-intuitive, but hear me out, it makes sense.  SPEND on your marketing and advertising.  SPEND as much as you can reasonably afford.  Why?  Because while others are pulling out, that frees up room for YOU to get in front of more potential clients and customers. 

The competition is being weeded out by poor marketing and advertising decisions – capitalize on their mistake!

Many newspapers, magazines, print and online publications are discounting their ad placements to help fill the gaps – let your companies message fill that gap!

This is a great opportunity to gain new customers and be seen where you haven’t been seen before.

How to be smart about it.

So let’s not go off the deep end and spend a bunch of money on stuff that isn’t going to get you the best return on your investment.  You should know what works for your company (if you don’t work with a company, like Blueleaf Creative and others that can help you develop a good strategy) use that method now and double your efforts.  The opportunity for great reward is out there.  For example.  If you usually post on ad in a local magazine with success, post 2 or 3 in the same publication – not the same ad, but variations on that ad that will build your brand and get you repeated exposure and increase your chance of making a sale.  Perhaps you use direct mail marketing or email marketing – keep it up and increase your mailings.  The repeated exposure will pay off.

Try something new (but be sensible about it).

Try a new marketing technique that will get you in front of NEW potential clients to help you increase sales and GROW your business.  Again, be sensible, don’t put all your eggs in a “new” basket that isn’t proven.  Do a test.  Track the results and if it works – hit it hard!

Time is of the essence.  If you haven’t already developed a Holiday marketing and advertising plan, you need to start NOW – like right now.  On average you will need 2-4 weeks (or longer) to successfully put a campaign together.

Gain last minute sales.

Many customers and clients wait until the last minute to make holiday purchases.  Plan now to gain those last minute dollars.

BUT I’M NOT RETAIL. I don’t care if you are a roofer, a tutor, a valve distributor, or an elephant wrangler, the opportunity is the same.  Your competition is pulling out – so step up, fill the gap, increase your sales and grow your business!

It doesn’t matter if you were in the 46% of voters who voted for McCain or the 52% who voted for Obama there is no denying that Barack built a strong recognizable brand and then used that brand recognition to help him get to the White House.  How can we repeat his success with our own business?  Sure, he had millions of dollars to spend and you don’t, but that doesn’t matter – that type of brand recognition can be accomplished by anyone on any budget.  The idea is simple.  Start with a strong visual image that accurately communicates what you are trying to say and then repeat it everywhere.  It is okay to have variations – you message or call to action will change – but the overall image should connect with what people have already seen.  This is called building brand equity.  Just like the equity you build in your home, the more and more people see your brand the more and more they will identify with it.  There is power in this recognition so don’t squander it by constantly changing your visual presentation of your business.   All visual communications should connect, so that they can in turn connect with your target audience, each time stronger than before.

How do you do this?

Practical Application

1.  You need a logo (or brand).

See my post regarding this all important part of your business and how to hire someone to create one for you and what to expect.  This is the foundation of all your brand building and brand equity.  Love your brand.  Make sure that it can be adaptable to other applications.  Make sure it effectively communicates what you want it to say.  Your logo itself does not HAVE to be the only visual item associated with your brand.  Think of Wal-Mart and their use of the smiley face.

2.  Plaster your brand.

Now that you have your logo or brand, (or other linked identifying item that is consistent with your brand, like the Wal-Mart smiley face) you need to adapt it to everything associated with your business.  It needs to be everywhere.  Your website, invoices, facebook page, letterhead, brochures – everywhere.  The more places you put it the greater the chance someone will see it.  That is what this is about.  You have to have brand recognition before you can have brand equity.  (kinda like you need a down payment before you can buy that house)

3.  Police your brand.

Maintain your brand standards.

Nothing irks me more as a designer than to work long and hard with a client to build and create a perfect brand for them, and the get an email from someone in the office who has little hearts and flowers all over the page and not the branded email signature we created for the company.  Is this the message you want your employees to send out?  This weakens your brand (not to mention it isn’t professional).  Select a company font and use it.  No more emails or Word Docs using Comic Sans.  Select a professional font for ALL of your correspondence (email too!) and then make everyone use it.  Period.  It is your company and font choice is not anything anyone should get twisted about.  If they do, they obviously don’t have enough work to do.

Nothing irks me more as a designer than to work long and hard with a client to build and create a perfect brand for them, and the get an email from someone in the office who has little hearts and flowers all over the page and not the branded email signature we created for the company.  Is this the message you want your employees to send out?  This weakens your brand (not to mention it isn’t professional).  Select a company font and use it.  No more emails or Word Docs using Comic Sans.  Select a professional font for ALL of your correspondence (email too!) and then make everyone use it.  Period.  It is your company and font choice is not anything anyone should get twisted about.  If they do, they obviously don’t have enough work to do.

4.  Be consistent.

Don’t change things every six months or every year.  Just like your home building brand equity takes time.  Stick with your brand for the long-haul.  (note:  it is okay to rebrand yourself, but only after careful consideration and a plan.  Think about the Cingular and AT&T.  Two and a half years later they are still merging those two brands.)

5.  Develop a plan for the brand.

How will you use it in new and creative ways?  Do you have it everywhere you can put it?  Does everything surrounding your brand help to promote your brand?  (Do you hand a brochure with your brand on it, only to have a new client then go to your web site and they FREAK out for a second because they don’t think they are in the right place because your brochure and website look NOTHING alike?)

6.  Self promote your brand.

Your facebook page, myspace, personal email, etc.  It is okay to be shameless when promoting your brand.

“Well, I have a logo, but none of my stuff is branded and I don’t have the money to do what you are talking about!”

Yes you do.  Just not all at once.  Again, and I’ll say this over and over again on this blog, you need a plan!  List all of your current items and the importance they are to your business.  Then item by item have them reworked to fit into your new branding, as your cash-flow allows.  Be diligent and self-promote by letting your current clients know what you are doing.  Send out a letter, email, press release, what ever and tell them, “Acme has a new look and feel.  Over the next few months we will be getting a make-over.  Keep your eyes open and watch how we transform!”  Get them excited about making your brand consistent – tie it into new products or services you are offering.  Use your Creative Wisdom and make it happen!

Still not convinced.  Think about how Barack branded himself, use that to benefit your business.   It isn’t that hard.  You just need a plan.

Written By Leah Dossey, owner, art director and designer at Blueleaf Creative.  Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com  Follow Leah on Twitter,  join the facbook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

How to make a your press release SEO friendly

Posted By Leah Dossey, owner, art director and designer at Blueleaf Creative.  Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com  Follow Leah on Twitter,  join the facbook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.

Here are a list of site that the pro’s use.  It’s a free country – use them too!

• Help a Reporter Out (HARO) – a free resource where reporters submit queries directly to PR professionals. Subscribers to the list serve receive up to three daily emails, each with anywhere from 15-30 queries per email.

NOTE ABOUT HARO: I started using this service the day I posted this link.  I have already been featured in one blog and will be featured in another magazine.  Now that is a site that really can help with your public relations!

• PitchEngine – Sending out a press release?  What about your social and professional networks like Facebook and the like?  Pitch Engine allows you to create a press release and then submit it to all of your social networks with one click.  Easy.  Smart.

• ReportingOn – Want to know what people are writing about so you can get an angle for your business?  This is a “status update” of what real reporters are writing about, right now!

• Your Pitch Sucks (YPS) – Send your draft pitch to public relations experts for a serious review. They will let you know whether or not your pitch is up to par (and if it’s not they offer suggestions).

Posted By Leah Dossey, owner, art director and designer at Blueleaf Creative.  Contact Leah at ldossey@blueleafcreative.com  Follow Leah on Twitter,  join the facbook group Creative Wisdom, or become a fan of Blueleaf Creative.