While stock art, stock layouts, templates, and impressively good starter layouts in consumer applications have sped along the democratization of design, I was recently reminded, as a designer, I still have some special knowledge and experience. I’m not pompous, I’m merely acknowledging that, as a professional, I have specific knowledge within my field and industry.  »

​Small businesses come in all shapes and sizes. But regardless if they’re manufacturing a product, selling a service, or doing a little of both - most face similar problems, especially when it comes to marketing. Here are three problems we see commonly, along with possible solutions. »

Social media influencers are individuals (usually bloggers or online “celebrities”) who have the power to shape the purchasing habits of their audience. We all know how well “word of mouth” marketing can work for (or, in unfortunate cases, against) a brand. And while we typically think positive word of mouth marketing can only come from someone we know personally, industry-specific authority figures have become an important part of building a successful brand. »

Like many Americans, I have made a conscious effort to be more responsible consumer. I’ve taken full advantage of our township’s single-stream recycling system, and find myself analyzing each piece of trash my household creates to search for something that can be recycled. I also try to research the companies I buy from, finding out how they produce their products, how they treat their employees, etc.  »

On the surface it seems like such a simple question. But scratch just underneath and you’ll discover the reality can be much more complicated. So let’s examine the question about handing off your marketing to someone other than yourself. »

Every entrepreneur has big dreams. It’s what motivates them to start a business. They want to make it big, to change the world, to get rich. Many do eventually. But if you talk to enough of them you’ll discover three commonalities. One; often their seemingly overnight success took years. Two; this wasn’t their first – in fact, they may have had others that failed. Three; success came when they found their niche market. »

Growth hacking, a phrase coined by Sean Ellis in 2010, is tossed around frequently today. It’s usually associated with technology start-ups or small businesses that use cunning and low-cost strategies to acquire customers and sales, as opposed to spending heavily on traditional marketing tactics. User acquisition is generally the singular focus. But is this really something different and unique? Or is it just savvy targeted marketing on a low budget?  »

In most industries, technology has shortened the turnaround time – and the creative field is no exception. But in a recent clickz.com article by Anji Ismail, he explains the future is already rapidly materializing. What was a week timeline is now 48 hours. And what was 48 hours is now 24 hours. To address this, big agencies are already distributing their work forces globally so creative teams can pass projects around the world – so the agency is always on.  »

When a prospect contacts us, it’s usually because they are not getting the sales they want or think they should have. They are looking for solutions to increase their sales – either online or in brick-and-mortar locations. While there is seldom one thing that is a “silver bullet” when it comes to increasing sales, there are several steps we take to help our customers improve their sales. »

There’s a peculiar phenomenon that occurs once you start marketing your business. Once prospects and customers become acclimated to seeing your marketing, if you stop, a negative perception will creep into their minds. That is, if you abruptly reduce or stop your marketing, it can affect how consumers regard your business. »