Logo Love
This logo is a favorite of mine that I found on Pinterest
Why I LOVE it:
The color palette is modern and clean. Contact information is clear and easy to read. The touch of the envelope liner is the accent that takes this stationery suite to the next level. The edging color on the sides of the business card is also incredibly gorgeous.
This design was created by Twig and Thistle .
Top 5 Event Planning Tips
Photography by Justin and Mary
Work with The Best
Working with the right team of professionals will ensure a smooth planning and production process. Interview your team carefully and select those who have the tenure and talent to deliver what is needed.
Timing is Everything
Allow for enough planning time. If you are planning an event in a Venue it can often take a year or more to get the exact day of week and room you are looking for.
Entertaining at Home is Costly
While entertaining at home is quite lovely it can often cost twice as much as entertaining outside of the home. Rentals of furniture , chairs, plates, glasses are often not considered. A caterer and a staff must also be hired. Entertaining at home may also requires a tent , extensive lighting and other extra’s like valet companies, generators and much more.
Conceptualize
Pick a Concept or Theme. It is much easier to stick to a design plan and make important decision when those decisions are based on an overall concept or theme for your event.
Event Insurance
Always investigate Event Insurance – always ! With the weather and natural disasters we have experienced not to mention the world climate – it is imperative to insure the work you have done and monies you have paid for your event. If you event needs to be rescheduled – you have the ability to do that with the proper insurance.
The Art of High Tea
I adore Tea and this inforgraphic I found today while reading an article from another tea lover simply made my day ! This infographic combines my love of entertaining + events with a brilliant marketing infographic. Thank you for creating this Confused.com
A Wedding with Bruce Plotkin
In his own words ….
The stars were in perfect alignment for our good friends Jen and Tim on the day of their wedding this past October. The rain, which had been threatening all week, held off long enough for the folks at Sperry Tents to pitch their beautiful tent in New Haven’s Edgerton Park, and by the wedding day, there was no rain at all. Their ceremony took place at The Church of St. Mary in downtown New Haven, perhaps the prettiest church I’ve ever seen. With catering by Barcelona (how could you go wrong?), music by the simply outrageous Cafe Wha’s House Band, flowers by Sharon Elizabeth, wedding cake by the extraordinary Hope Wright-Martell of A Little Imagination Cakes, Jen in her amazing Lilly Pulitzer “Lindsey” gown by Beth Chapman of White Dress by the Shore and Traci Garceau of 25 Thompson coordinating the entire day, it was everything they could have hoped for. A honor, of course, to have been included in their celebration, and an added bonus having the chance to hang with some of Jen and Tim’s good friends, who we’re lucky enough to call our friends as well.
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To see the stunning images of this amazing wedding – hop on over to the blog of the super talented Bruce Plotkin
No Fear
What would you do if you had no fear ?
This is a great exercise for business owners. It is amazing to think about what you would do or could accomplish if fear was NOT a factor.
Would you?
- Invest in a new product?
- Hire more employees?
- Attend a Seminar or Conference?
- Host a Networking Event
- Launch into a new Market?
- Take a Vacation?
- Invite a Competitor to Lunch?
- Seek out an Investor?
Each of us holds a fear or set of fears that distracts from our ability to be our very best. Some of us are better at being able to compartmentalize our fears more appropriately than others. Facing fears takes practice and is a true skill.
Try this easy tip to help you overcome a fear…
Ask yourself what the worst case scenario is of a risk that you would like to take but are fearful of? When you narrow it down to the absolute most miserable end result – ask yourself if you could handle that. Chances are that indeed, YES you can and probably already have in your business.
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy”
Dale Carnegie
Don’t let fear stand in the way of making you a stand out ! Shift your thoughts and let fear be the catalyst that projects your company into wild success.
Get your Company Linked In !
Now is the time to get your Company Profile on Linked In !
TIP – Before you jump in – plan to spend at least 30 -60 minutes on setting up your company and its profile. You will need to have your logo, company description, keywords and url’s for Twitter and your Blog Feed to begin the basics.
Add Your Company
Place your company name in the search field. If you are not there ” add” your company. Enter your company email address and then verify your company via the link they will send you. You will need to have an email address that is the same as your domain name for this. Gmail , Hotmail etc.. will not work for this log in.
Administrator
Add yourself as an employee and also as an Administrator. This will allow you to be able to post company status updates . Remember to post updates frequently.
Company Basics
Enter information on the type of company you are , when founded , key links to find you , where you are located, and how many employees you have.
Products and Services
What do you provide ? Products, Services or Both ? Add them. Offer key information and why your company would be most beneficial if selected for these services.
Following You !
Once you are listed – other companies can follow you and your company. Once this begins it is very important to post regular updates so your followers are up to speed on the latest and greatest you are offering or involved in.
Analytics
In the past on profile pages you needed to create a bit.ly profile to track analytics. The new company pages offer robust analytics. You can not only track who is following and visiting your page but you can also compare yourself to similar companies and learn which content is most relevant to those who are visiting you. Take advantage of this information and put it to work for you by tweaking your company information to better meet the needs of your visitors.
Linked In Company pages offer a great platform in a very professional setting. Reach out and be heard today !
Add a Personalized Signature to your Posts
Adding a personalized signature to your posts takes a little patience and a few quick steps to make happen.
1. Create a Free Signature
Navigate to MyLiveSignature.com
Once you are in this site – select New Signature “New Sig ” and off you go following the prompts to selecting your personalized signature. Once you select the font and style you like you must now select Use Signature ” Use Sigs ”
Generate the HTML code and copy and save this. Save it on your computer anywhere , even in a word file or on one of my favorites - Evernote.
2. In WordPress you must now add a plug-in – I chose WP Signature. Add this and activate.
3. Next under Settings – select WP Signature and paste your html code . You can opt here to place at top or bottom of post or to add signature as a default. I suggest doing this.
4. Write your next post and view your signature -
Easy !
Twitter – Do you have lists?
So, your Twitter account is up and running and for the most part you are engaged in this social media platform.
How do you list:
When was the last time you looked at your lists? Do your lists help to promote your identity as an expert in your field? Will your lists help others with their own business? These are important questions to ask yourself on a regular basis.
Showcase who you are:
Other than some of the more obvious reasons to keep lists – lists also allow your readers to know you on a more personal basis. Outside of your industry what else do you follow ? Philanthropies ? Comedians ? PTA’s? It is yet another peek into who you are as a human and why your future clients/customers should engage with you.
Ideas on how to Categorize :
Here are some suggestions as to how to group your lists:
- Clients
- Employees
- Business Groups
- Industry Colleagues
- Partners
- Competition
- Geographical
- Personal Interests
- Influencers
Keywords
Remember when selecting names for your lists that SEO is always important. Make sure you name your list items carefully so they can be searched and found.
Social Media Inventory
While taking an inventory of your Social Media in planning for 2012 – make sure to review your lists ! List and get listed !
3 Fun Email Campaign Company Suggestions
Email campaigns when done well can be very successful and effective in engaging your customers. Other than some of the larger more well known companies, here are 3 fun companies to consider helping you to reach your clients:
1. Mail Chimp
” MailChimp helps you design email newsletters, share them on social networks, integrate with services you already use, and track results. It’s like your own personal publishing platform.”
2. Mad Mimi
“Mad Mimi is a simple, intelligent and powerful email marketing utility that anyone can use. Mad Mimi makes email marketing easy for the creator, and easier on the eyes for the receiver. With ground-breaking technology, Mad Mimi is the simplest way to create branded, well-designed newsletters and promotions. Sign up free today and get started with simple, lovely email marketing.”
3. My Emma
“Intuitive and stylish Email Marketing to power your business. Ready for better design , better customer service and better results? Create, send and track great-looking emails and surveys. Engage your customers. And [ gasp !] have fun along the way.”
Shortstack Please !
I have recently been playing with the website Shortstack to enhance my Facebook Business Page for 25 Thompson.
The site allows you to create a free account and create custom tabs for your page . There are many pages to select from in the free version including a tab to connect via linked in.
This is what my linked in page looks like when you select the tab:
This footer is visible to Page Admins only. Page admins see both fan and non-fan content, and country restrictions are ignored. Tab ID 436599
Upgrade to remove the branded footer below
I like that it allows me to add photographs, as well as links to sites where I would like my visitors to go. There are 4 pages of free templates to play with that can showcase anything from a realtor’s listing of a home to a contest or coupon you may want to offer.
It is worth spending some time on the site to see how your page can possible engage more visitors.
