tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33475499621744521072024-02-06T18:03:45.008-08:00CE Print Solutions, IncCE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-53832131796061307042021-04-08T14:29:00.003-07:002021-04-08T14:29:19.488-07:00Add Unity to Your Design with Clever Repetitive Elements<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS8_HW23EFjgLT149GwOP5ZhZsM2cgGgSJbTqNpe5kGtoXSJTzwus7PxYGe6yjzzRV1wfsVZqRzjVFdblzixBI3sJ4rHISVGUva7XcyqpD-GyOokUPkgi-pAEG3UdvWLL-D28R_FYRvc/s1600/GettyImages-1213529419-759555.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS8_HW23EFjgLT149GwOP5ZhZsM2cgGgSJbTqNpe5kGtoXSJTzwus7PxYGe6yjzzRV1wfsVZqRzjVFdblzixBI3sJ4rHISVGUva7XcyqpD-GyOokUPkgi-pAEG3UdvWLL-D28R_FYRvc/s320/GettyImages-1213529419-759555.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6948902144942619906" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Do you ever find pleasure in the chiming of a grandfather clock or in honking geese as they migrate for the winter?</p><br> <p>Repetition is therapeutic.</p><br> <p>Rituals provide structure and something to hold on to, and they free us from the tyranny of choices and chaos. Repetition can help complicated pieces of music, movies, or books reveal the depths of their richness. And repetition in design adds consistency, beauty, and unity.</p><br> <p>Strong designs repeat some aspect or element throughout the entire piece. The recurring element may be a bold font, a thick line, a snappy bullet icon, a repeating color or page layout, or anything that a reader will visually recognize.</p><br> <p>From business cards to complex multi-page booklets, subtle repetition is a visual cue that ties every piece together. Want to be more intentional in your repetitive elements? Here are some options to try:</p><br> <h3>Headlines and Subheads</h3><br> <p>All text starts somewhere, and text banners are a perfect way to add graphic unity.</p><br> <p>Are all the headlines in your newsletter 14-point Times Bold? How about investing in a very bold sans serif and making all your heads something like 16-point Mikado Ultra? Take the repetition that’s already part of the project and elevate it, making it stronger and more dynamic.</p><br> <p>This adds beauty to the page and anchors readers in a framework of ideas.</p><br> <h3>Rule Bars or Page Numbers</h3><br> <p>When creating multi-page publications, it should be perfectly obvious that pages 2 and 12 are part of the same piece.</p><br> <p>Beyond similar layouts, adding simple elements like rule bars and page numbers can bring harmony to your design. Try a thick, heavy rule bar on the top of each page and a narrow bar of the same color at the bottom. Label your pages with more than just numbers; design these digits with heavy fonts, fun shadow boxes or slashes, or print them vertically by rotating them 90 degrees.</p><br> <h3>Recurring Shapes</h3><br> <p>Patterns are a pleasing way to add visual continuity to flyers, reports, or even product packaging. Here are three ideas:</p><br> <ol><br> <li>If you choose a branch as one of your central graphics, you might add smaller leaves throughout the document (as column markers, page number outlines, or bullet icons, for example).</li><br> <li>Add colored waves behind the text that repeat in variations of your color palette or in repeating style (like a freeform eggplant shape) throughout the document.</li><br> <li>Splatter your text across a subtle background of grid and dot patterns.</li><br> </ol><br> <h3>Playful Characters or Color Matching</h3><br> <p>Not everything needs to be serious!</p><br> <p>Have a little fun by adding repetitive elements that have nothing to do with your page’s purpose. Add funky bird caricatures, petroglyph characters, or a toss of confetti. Borrow the colors in these images and match or complement them with handles in your text.</p><br> <p>Feel free to add something completely new simply for the purpose of repetition!</p><br> <h2>Consistency Counts</h2><br> <p>Don’t underestimate the power of the visual interest of your pages.</p><br> <p>The repetition of your work will eliminate chaos and add beauty to your work. Think of repetition as consistency, but push those existing patterns a bit farther. Can you turn some of your repetitive elements into a part of the conscious design strategy? Take a unifying graphic and create spinoffs of this concept to bring subtle accents to each page.</p><br> <p>Sound time-consuming? It’s worth the effort! Repetition matters because when a piece looks more interesting, it is more likely to be read.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-1913606844886469132021-04-08T14:29:00.001-07:002021-04-08T14:29:17.472-07:00Add Unity to Your Design with Clever Repetitive Elements<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jQpD32NibLPs6pZJhywjjJKYa88PD6TLoFpalpMUhAmRUnjRg9nx1vKOdh7ncZmTOwK8lF_C1K3DUpo6N0Kf11L6e3tTZdLQ911J60PvXKemZSw9l3nXWrf1KY4Ip_sIpiq5Lopt0Pk/s1600/GettyImages-1213529419-757539.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jQpD32NibLPs6pZJhywjjJKYa88PD6TLoFpalpMUhAmRUnjRg9nx1vKOdh7ncZmTOwK8lF_C1K3DUpo6N0Kf11L6e3tTZdLQ911J60PvXKemZSw9l3nXWrf1KY4Ip_sIpiq5Lopt0Pk/s320/GettyImages-1213529419-757539.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6948902138122824674" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Do you ever find pleasure in the chiming of a grandfather clock or in honking geese as they migrate for the winter?</p><br> <p>Repetition is therapeutic.</p><br> <p>Rituals provide structure and something to hold on to, and they free us from the tyranny of choices and chaos. Repetition can help complicated pieces of music, movies, or books reveal the depths of their richness. And repetition in design adds consistency, beauty, and unity.</p><br> <p>Strong designs repeat some aspect or element throughout the entire piece. The recurring element may be a bold font, a thick line, a snappy bullet icon, a repeating color or page layout, or anything that a reader will visually recognize.</p><br> <p>From business cards to complex multi-page booklets, subtle repetition is a visual cue that ties every piece together. Want to be more intentional in your repetitive elements? Here are some options to try:</p><br> <h3>Headlines and Subheads</h3><br> <p>All text starts somewhere, and text banners are a perfect way to add graphic unity.</p><br> <p>Are all the headlines in your newsletter 14-point Times Bold? How about investing in a very bold sans serif and making all your heads something like 16-point Mikado Ultra? Take the repetition that’s already part of the project and elevate it, making it stronger and more dynamic.</p><br> <p>This adds beauty to the page and anchors readers in a framework of ideas.</p><br> <h3>Rule Bars or Page Numbers</h3><br> <p>When creating multi-page publications, it should be perfectly obvious that pages 2 and 12 are part of the same piece.</p><br> <p>Beyond similar layouts, adding simple elements like rule bars and page numbers can bring harmony to your design. Try a thick, heavy rule bar on the top of each page and a narrow bar of the same color at the bottom. Label your pages with more than just numbers; design these digits with heavy fonts, fun shadow boxes or slashes, or print them vertically by rotating them 90 degrees.</p><br> <h3>Recurring Shapes</h3><br> <p>Patterns are a pleasing way to add visual continuity to flyers, reports, or even product packaging. Here are three ideas:</p><br> <ol><br> <li>If you choose a branch as one of your central graphics, you might add smaller leaves throughout the document (as column markers, page number outlines, or bullet icons, for example).</li><br> <li>Add colored waves behind the text that repeat in variations of your color palette or in repeating style (like a freeform eggplant shape) throughout the document.</li><br> <li>Splatter your text across a subtle background of grid and dot patterns.</li><br> </ol><br> <h3>Playful Characters or Color Matching</h3><br> <p>Not everything needs to be serious!</p><br> <p>Have a little fun by adding repetitive elements that have nothing to do with your page’s purpose. Add funky bird caricatures, petroglyph characters, or a toss of confetti. Borrow the colors in these images and match or complement them with handles in your text.</p><br> <p>Feel free to add something completely new simply for the purpose of repetition!</p><br> <h2>Consistency Counts</h2><br> <p>Don’t underestimate the power of the visual interest of your pages.</p><br> <p>The repetition of your work will eliminate chaos and add beauty to your work. Think of repetition as consistency, but push those existing patterns a bit farther. Can you turn some of your repetitive elements into a part of the conscious design strategy? Take a unifying graphic and create spinoffs of this concept to bring subtle accents to each page.</p><br> <p>Sound time-consuming? It’s worth the effort! Repetition matters because when a piece looks more interesting, it is more likely to be read.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-68315088943342074582020-11-10T06:13:00.001-08:002020-11-10T06:13:10.686-08:00Finish in Fine Form with Beautiful Varnish Coatings<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOjVBxxPFhIPjidt_dR8SBdG0j51K_RPUMW5RRR3XzW-vZkQ_jDIPSBQtZS-cOEwIpe7MmugFlj5ovXX1w030f9i9brvuAudk_58YcKSUbi8nJ2V5_nWnV09sMuwZsDNSbqLz83CWt2Y/s1600/GettyImages-1193522974-790733.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOjVBxxPFhIPjidt_dR8SBdG0j51K_RPUMW5RRR3XzW-vZkQ_jDIPSBQtZS-cOEwIpe7MmugFlj5ovXX1w030f9i9brvuAudk_58YcKSUbi8nJ2V5_nWnV09sMuwZsDNSbqLz83CWt2Y/s320/GettyImages-1193522974-790733.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6893498066995705298" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Have you ever judged a book by its cover?</p><br> <p>You’re not alone! First impressions are essential to how people judge a person, a product, or a business. And when you’re going for visual impact, research suggests visitors will form an impression in as little as <a href="https://cxl.com/blog/first-impressions-matter-the-importance-of-great-visual-design/">50 milliseconds</a>!</p><br> <p>Once you’ve invested all the hard work and planning into your print marketing materials, it is important to go the extra mile on quality.</p><br> <p>Want a simple technique that beautifully enhances your impact and appeal? For a budget-friendly bonus, try adding a varnish!</p><br> <h2>Know Your Options</h2><br> <p>Just as varnish on a dresser or table protects the wood and gives it a nice finished look, the varnish used on printed pieces enhances their look and durability.</p><br> <p>Adding a print varnish brings a transparent coating to your printed page. Varnish can add a unique, creative element to get that five-star appearance, so make sure you choose the one that best fits with the look and tone you’re trying to communicate.</p><br> <p>Here are a few options to consider:</p><br> <h3>Dull</h3><br> <p>Also known as matte, this is very different from a varnish-like gloss.</p><br> <p>A matte finish is best suited if your design contains a lot of text, as it will deflect light and glare. Using a dull varnish can be an excellent tool for improving readability on pages containing text. Although called dull, matte finishes scream sophistication. These varnish coatings are never overdone but carry a simple and stylish vibe.</p><br> <h3>Gloss</h3><br> <p>As its name indicates, this varnish is the diva of the bunch and gives a glossy type of appearance.</p><br> <p>Gloss varnish makes colors look more saturated, and your design elements look crisper and sharper. It is perfect for printed pages containing items like photographs and graphics, adding a glare or shine to bring extra attention to the areas where it is applied. An overall gloss varnish will protect areas with heavy coverage from rubbing off and will keep your piece from scuffing.</p><br> <h3>Satin</h3><br> <p>Looking to strike a compromise?</p><br> <p>Satin varnish is created by mixing gloss and matte varnishes and offers a moderate amount of shine. This option is ideal if you have a lot of photo and text combination pieces.</p><br> <h3>Spot Varnish</h3><br> <p>Want to highlight a certain section of your piece, so it leaps off the page?</p><br> <p>Spot varnishes are a great way to maximize the contrast between matte and gloss surfaces. This technique allows you to apply varnish to an individual image or graphic on your printed piece (such as a logo or photo) while leaving the rest of the piece unvarnished.</p><br> <h3>Aqueous Coating</h3><br> <p>The most popular coating for printed material is aqueous coating.</p><br> <p>Aqueous is a clear, water-based coating that is environmentally friendly. Since it is water-based, it is best used on papers with a text weight of 80# or heavier, so you do not end up with curling or wrinkles. Aqueous coating dries quicker than varnishes and makes it ideal for running inline on the press.</p><br> <h3>UV Varnish</h3><br> <p>A UV varnish is applied off-line and is cured with ultraviolet light.</p><br> <p>This process gives the surface an exceptional gloss and rub resistance. A great example of the glossiness of UV Coating is sports trading cards. These have a UV coating on the photo side but no coating on the stat side. This coating is cured by passing under an ultraviolet light that quickly dries and hardens the coating, creating a high-level sheen but the greatest possible protection. UV coated elements in your piece will take center stage.</p><br> <p>Want to add excitement and durability to your next print product? Give us a call to talk about varnish options today!</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-52449071184025815482020-11-09T12:00:00.001-08:002020-11-09T12:00:26.975-08:00Add Spice to Your Print Ads with Distinct, Arresting Images<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGiAoBbQbZ5-nHqI-OaNUEObrJksNbydlpSVBIPCjDliNHHXYaoWh-CsWtXQb36yKpkQnw5qp4HFwXS35ikg9cP28DxMHvHDbOmFYbnmkI9A-_qZT40zFZUuEQBy96voN5vAMwxX7foA/s1600/GettyImages-801948336-726981.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGiAoBbQbZ5-nHqI-OaNUEObrJksNbydlpSVBIPCjDliNHHXYaoWh-CsWtXQb36yKpkQnw5qp4HFwXS35ikg9cP28DxMHvHDbOmFYbnmkI9A-_qZT40zFZUuEQBy96voN5vAMwxX7foA/s320/GettyImages-801948336-726981.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6893216471286569970" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>In a world where digital advertising screams for attention, print ads need a little extra spice to compete.</p><br> <p>Ads that evoke emotion, add humor, or spark curiosity have extra impact. Need inspiration? Here are three imaginative print campaigns to consider.</p><br> <h3>Opel: A Road Safety Campaign</h3><br> <p>Opel, a German automobile manufacturer, wanted to draw attention to the danger of texting while driving. </p><br> <p>Opel’s message is distinct because it uses nothing more than the black background and a short line of text that packs a big punch:</p><br> <p>“Your typjng whille you drive is asbad as your drivinh whilr yoou typr.”</p><br> <p>Sharp, memorable, and humorous, this ad immediately shows why texting driving is a bad idea. Opel paired this with gigantic <a href="https://lukaskoelling.com/Opel-7-meters">black and white sidewalk banners</a> of a person pushing a 7-meter-long baby stroller. The banners included this caption, highlighted in yellow:</p><br> <p>“1 second on your phone are 7 meters on the street. Don’t text and drive.”</p><br> <h3>Vodol: Smelly and Simple</h3><br> <p>Did you know the human brain can process images <a href="http://www.t-sciences.com/news/humans-process-visual-data-better">up to 60,000 times faster</a> than words?</p><br> <p>With a picture, you convey much more than you can with words. In some cases, it can take a thousand words to describe what is displayed in one picture!</p><br> <p>Whenever possible, use pictures that share concepts in striking, unusual ways. Vodol, one of Brazil’s best-known brands for preventing athlete’s foot and odor issues, nailed this strategy. Its print ad featured a foot with normal toes and arches, while <a href="https://www.adsoftheworld.com/media/print/vodol_nose">a rounded nose</a> took the place of the heel’s natural curve. The nostril – mashed into the ground – was accompanied by this caption:</p><br> <p>“Protect your feet. And our noses.”</p><br> <h3>French Ministry of Health: Offend Others or Let a Bland Message “Melt” Away?</h3><br> <p>Print ads in magazines, newspapers, and catalogs are viewed as more trustworthy by consumers who already have connections with that print advertising channel.</p><br> <p>Looking to address childhood obesity and target behavior change, the French Ministry of Health created a print ad where a flesh-colored, triple-scoop ice cream cone was melting into the shape of a very large belly.</p><br> <p><a href="https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/anti-obesity-poster-looks-like-france/">This arresting image</a>, accompanied by the caption “obesity starts at a young age,” caused people everywhere to think twice about daily food choices. Sometimes a stark image is needed to grab attention, and in this case – with the number of obese people doubling in recent years – France was serious about getting its message across.</p><br> <h2>Strategic Design is Key</h2><br> <p>While each of these print ads each hold some shock value, they also carry a distinct, easy-to-understand message.</p><br> <p>To create effective print ads, thoughtful design is essential. Because of its tactile nature and sensory impact, print offers a more curated approach than digital media. Use highly targeted content and distinct, powerful images to grab attention and compel engagement from your viewers.</p><br> <p>And, as these ads demonstrate, simplicity is powerful. To go for more, sometimes what you really need is <em>less.</em></p><br> <p> </p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-62874245009298081292020-11-03T06:12:00.001-08:002020-11-03T06:12:08.907-08:00How to Restart the Conversation When a Lead Has Gone Cold<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAk0HwRcL4LGonWko3c3manOCwnYrxwYgx4qPJmHORozVBANxe31YbUSHfJ0iHTWPJROE-2_EswDIYLgqSptq0RB8uWznuNcnwjQGqpfEcs9DDQnxooVSHb3LSTGD_ujsnET_FnLUw1g/s1600/GettyImages-683509308-728956.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAk0HwRcL4LGonWko3c3manOCwnYrxwYgx4qPJmHORozVBANxe31YbUSHfJ0iHTWPJROE-2_EswDIYLgqSptq0RB8uWznuNcnwjQGqpfEcs9DDQnxooVSHb3LSTGD_ujsnET_FnLUw1g/s320/GettyImages-683509308-728956.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6890900204181956722" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Adding new customers to your sales funnel is essential for growth, and lead generation is vital.</p><br> <p>For many industries, generating a lead can cost anywhere from $25 to $300. So, after you’ve made an initial contact or pushed for a commitment, what should you do when prospects disengage?</p><br> <p>Don’t give up! When leads stop responding, hope is not lost. Smart entrepreneurs can use many strategies to rekindle interest. Here are a few options to consider:</p><br> <h3>Prime the Pump</h3><br> <p>Leads go cold for a variety of reasons, but that doesn’t mean you should abandon them.</p><br> <p>According to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Sales-Leads-Prospects-Customers/dp/0324205465">Jim Obermayer</a>, author of <em>Managing Sales Leads: Turning Cold Prospects Into Hot Customers,</em> <a href="https://www.pointclear.com/blog/bid/106307/PowerViews-with-James-Obermayer-Lead-Management-Integrated-Direct-Marketing">56% of people</a> who indicated they might like to buy a product are still in play six months later, and 35% percent are still in the market after one year.</p><br> <p>“Leads do not go cold as much as it is not yet their time to buy in the one-year cycle,” Obermayer said. “A rep may approach them before they are ready.”</p><br> <p>Though it’s challenging to follow up after a long window of time, Obermayer suggests priming the pump, using an email first, followed by a personal call.</p><br> <h3>Ask One Key Question</h3><br> <p>Don’t start a conversation without a strategy or direction.</p><br> <p>When you reconnect, remind the prospect of the last time you spoke, the level of interest they expressed, and any questions you discussed.</p><br> <p>If they weren’t initially ready to buy, tell them you’re following up to gauge interest or update them on what’s changed since the last interaction (like a revamped product or updated subscription options). If they still seem non-committal, don’t be afraid to ask this question:</p><br> <p>“Should I close your file?”</p><br> <h3>Differentiate Your Approach</h3><br> <p>If leads have been ignoring your outreach attempts, try adding value, or shifting your approach.</p><br> <p>Consider a direct text message campaign, an email with a link to a freebie, or a direct mail invitation to a special event. Custom videos can also provide a non-threatening way to break the ice. Call prospects by name, refer to your previous conversation, and send an encouraging message to show you care about them personally.</p><br> <p>You may be surprised by what a kind word can do!</p><br> <h3>Send a Break-Up Email</h3><br> <p>If you’ve followed up with someone multiple times and your prospects seem bleak, it’s ok to send a farewell message.</p><br> <p>In fact, a last chance email can elicit a 76% response rate. Used in a friendly, conversational way, giving final notice can jolt someone out of complacency and get them moving.</p><br> <p>Here’s one example:</p><br> <p><em>Hi Tina,</em></p><br> <p><em>After several attempts to reconnect, it seems your interest in _____ may have waned. That’s totally fine, but I’m just wondering if we should keep trying or find a better time?</em></p><br> <p><em>To keep things simple, I’d appreciate if you could respond with a simple keystroke (reply with either A, B, C, D, or E) to indicate your level of interest:</em></p><ul><br> <li><em>A. Stop emailing me with attempts to connect but continue to send event invitations.</em></li><br> <li><em>B. Please remove me from your list.</em></li><br> <li><em>C. I may need your help, but the timing isn’t right. Please keep trying!</em></li><br> <li><em>D. I want to schedule a time to talk – could you please send your availability?</em></li><br> <li><em>E. I forgot who you are. Can you refresh my memory?</em></li><br> </ul><p><em>Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you!</em></p><br> <h2>Think of Reconnecting as an Opportunity</h2><br> <p>One of the best ways to revive a cold lead is to stay positive.</p><br> <p>Don’t worry about annoying a prospect; the only way you’ll know if someone’s interested is by asking! While you don’t want to be pushy, it’s better to error on the side of optimism. In reality, only 10% to 25% of all leads are followed up on. By following up, you stand a chance of standing out.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-8529028787649191622020-08-25T11:51:00.001-07:002020-08-25T11:51:58.396-07:00How to Keep Your Cool in Pressure-Packed Situations<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcx0hIA3ZiiFeDhBhyphenhyphenlkbwXqB8DsTGoo8pFzkFUQpeXQ3-g70pN2DvvxuN4LYEztFcWOrkhQ0swfgAO76oF1ivGr4ORFMLt6exBRInKgBbzffq0CWswo5Zwk83GJ6BklOgCHJMpnCIik/s1600/GettyImages-617773680-718462.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcx0hIA3ZiiFeDhBhyphenhyphenlkbwXqB8DsTGoo8pFzkFUQpeXQ3-g70pN2DvvxuN4LYEztFcWOrkhQ0swfgAO76oF1ivGr4ORFMLt6exBRInKgBbzffq0CWswo5Zwk83GJ6BklOgCHJMpnCIik/s320/GettyImages-617773680-718462.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6864996350406572642" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>In July of 2020, more than four million people savored the chance to watch live Major League Baseball on the opening night of a historic 60 game series.</p><br> <p>Due to the intensity of the abbreviated coronavirus season, each game matters immensely. By winning the first game, a team instantly has nearly a 3-game lead over the team that it beats. With the number of season games shrinking by half, every homerun and strikeout is intensified. Only those teams that can perform well under pressure can pull out a short season victory.</p><br> <p>Many people in the business world are facing a similar pressure. </p><br> <p>Corporate teams have been forced to adopt tighter timelines, operate with a slimmer margin, or do more with fewer teammates. How will you respond to that pressure? And how can you encourage those around you to avoid panic or stress?</p><br> <p>Here are three tips to guide you through moments of high intensity:</p><br> <h3>1. Create a Prioritization Strategy</h3><br> <p>Make a list of monthly tasks and then assess each item. </p><br> <p>Ask questions like: is this item important to me? Will it relieve pressure or clear space in my day? Does it move our team forward? If not, look at delegating, postponing, or eliminating this task. </p><br> <h3>2. Focus on the Fundamentals</h3><br> <p>You never really become better in the moment. </p><br> <p>In moments of immense stress, it is easy to make foolish decisions or go for the "Hail Mary" option. With so much uncertainty, playing a wild card can be a costly mistake. Instead of looking for a magic bullet, focus more on the most basic, time-tested strategies for success. Whether this is following up on prospects, or just a willingness to make the high-percentage "predictable" move again and again, stick with strategies that have historically brought success. </p><br> <h3>3. Change How You Think About Pressure</h3><br> <p>"Pressure is a privilege."</p><br> <p>Tennis great Billie Jean King has been credited with this quote, and there is a reason it hits home for so many.</p><br> <p>One of the most daunting parts about working in tense conditions is the temptation to psyche yourself out. Sports psychologists help athletes overcome this by using visualization of positive outcomes. Before a match or competition, top players coin short phrases describing who they are at their best: "I am consistent, I am intimidating, and I never give up without a fight." When stressful moments come, athletes don't focus on the worst ("don't strike out, don't strike out") but consciously visualize success. When confidence flows, players are more likely to rise to their potential.</p><br> <p>Another way to visualize success is by breaking a mammoth task into manageable pieces so you can actually "see" how the work could be completed. Best-selling author and business coach Dave Anderson says people can face overwhelming situations by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/07/28/18-ways-to-get-better-at-working-under-pressure/#438bfa282e35">breaking their response into manageable pieces</a>: </p><br> <p>"More often than not, we worry about some imaginary catastrophe that never happens, and that tends to render us powerless," Anderson said. "Focus on one aspect of the task at a time, instead of looking at it in its totality. If you make a list of every step and use a "paint-by-numbers" approach, you'll be fine."</p><br> <h2>Resistance Training Builds Strength</h2><br> <p>Whether it is demands from your boss or supply chain obstructions, every person has obstacles that threaten to derail them from success.</p><br> <p>But ultimately, stressful situations can push your performance to levels you could never reach otherwise. As University of Tulsa psychologist <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/nov/18/under-pressure-how-stress-can-change-our-lives-for-the-better">Jennifer Ragsdale says</a>, "without challenge comes boredom. A life with zero stress is not a life worth living."</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-50313001089482659322020-08-04T07:27:00.000-07:002020-08-04T07:28:03.125-07:00Target the Right Customers with Your Next Direct Mail Piece<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dQMaiSTc9UmD_kheWj7k1n13jDwOeJN-yztwrvdqhQeoTqMYu5ORBFBDXA-5B_dIjLxjWUeln0zUSA625kMbq8PyIcm-sWfPgZbiXeLNCVsoRX0KACo_K9stv8OCMhPCxHiYA049oQA/s1600/GettyImages-469202236-783257.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dQMaiSTc9UmD_kheWj7k1n13jDwOeJN-yztwrvdqhQeoTqMYu5ORBFBDXA-5B_dIjLxjWUeln0zUSA625kMbq8PyIcm-sWfPgZbiXeLNCVsoRX0KACo_K9stv8OCMhPCxHiYA049oQA/s320/GettyImages-469202236-783257.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6857135552732923314" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>You wouldn’t spend $100 million on a new national advertising campaign without carefully set goals and objectives.</p><br> <p>But when it comes to direct mail, marketers often spray out postcards or fliers without a great deal of thought. In direct mail marketing, careful planning is vital to your success. While the average direct mail response rate is around five percent, strategic targeting can drive that number <a href="https://www.iwco.com/blog/2019/01/16/direct-mail-response-rates-dominate-other-channels/">to nine percent for house lists</a> and as high as <a href="https://www.brandunited.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/BRAND_United-Data_and_Digital_Printing.pdf">16 percent for personalized mail</a>.</p><br> <p>To simplify your targeting, start with these questions:</p><br> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><br> <li>Who is the audience?</li><br> <li>Who is the prospective buyer?</li><br> <li>Who will receive, read, and hopefully respond to this mailing?</li><br> </ul><p>The beauty of direct mail is that you can use it to reach only those people who are potential buyers for your product or service.</p><br> <p>This is called target marketing, and it means that during the development stage, you can use multiple criteria for selecting recipients.</p><br> <p>Demographics may include age, income, gender, geography, home value, marital status, vehicle driven, occupation, hobbies, and more. Selections for B2B mailing lists can also vary, including the company’s industry, type of product, annual sales, number of employees, locations, etc.</p><br> <h2>Helpful Hints for Compiling a Mailing List</h2><br> <p>If targeted mail is so crucial, how do you find a list filled with these “perfect” customers? </p><br> <p>If you haven’t compiled your own mailing list (of current customers, qualified leads, or streamlined prospects), there are two basic types of mailing lists: compiled lists and response lists. </p><br> <p><strong>Compiled lists</strong> are those assembled from a variety of sources (think association members, graduates of specialty programs, qualified purchasers, etc.). For example, a list might include dentists from Boston or Lutheran youth pastors. Compiled lists are more complete and can work well for driving people to a specific online landing page you’ve designed specifically for your direct mail campaign. You can usually get a compiled mailing list in one business day.</p><br> <p>Purchasing a compiled list might work best when you:</p><br> <p> --Have a limited marketing geography<br> --Want to reach all households or businesses in an area<br> --Want to reach all homes or businesses that fit specific demographic criteria<br> --Are on a limited budget<br> --Want to mail fewer than 5,000 pieces<br> --Want to make telemarketing follow-up calls before or after your mailing</p><br> <p><strong>Response lists</strong> consist of prospects who have inquired about or responded to other marketers’ offers, like purchasing a swimsuit through a catalog or by participating in a nonprofit fundraiser. Typical response list sources are magazines, membership clubs, catalogs, warranty cards, etc. Response lists are more expensive than compiled lists because they are more targeted, and you have more assurances about the buyers’ behaviors. You can usually get a response mailing list in 3-5 business days.</p><br> <p>Response lists might be best if your product has a high price point or your target customer is very narrowly defined. The list cost will be higher, but your ROI will increase as well. Response lists are also not always current, so make sure you ask when the list was last updated before purchasing.</p><br> <h2>We’re Here to Help</h2><br> <p>Feel overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be.</p><br> <p>For a simpler option, Every Day Direct Mail lists can be compiled using the <a href="https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/customer/routeSearch.action">EDDM Online Tool</a> available through the United States Postal Service. Here you can target customers by demographics like age, household size, income, zip code, etc. Not sure where to start? We can help! Give us a call.</p><br> <p>Most experts agree that selecting the right mailing list is the most important factor in your mailing’s success. The more information you can collect and refine, the better your response rate will be!</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-24782271568616455272020-04-14T06:19:00.001-07:002020-04-14T06:19:39.818-07:00Responsible Marketing During COVID-19<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlIy8-aI99C1WfT32rbuUwREevH7_TBOs9ICDs9M67Gfi7q_7UvtaHM-NH21bshi5U7npCi3LIULlz06exgvZld8f18Er33UGfBSrlIXyBLrhYpvKdy7HSLnvI9Pk6bZHMzlNxdbt77I/s1600/GettyImages-1092581362-779824.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlIy8-aI99C1WfT32rbuUwREevH7_TBOs9ICDs9M67Gfi7q_7UvtaHM-NH21bshi5U7npCi3LIULlz06exgvZld8f18Er33UGfBSrlIXyBLrhYpvKdy7HSLnvI9Pk6bZHMzlNxdbt77I/s320/GettyImages-1092581362-779824.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6815556388459717058" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Fear. Stress. Helplessness.</p><br> <p>Whether you’re caring for elderly parents or homeschooling your kids, people across the globe are struggling with big emotions during the COVID-19 situation.</p><br> <p>How do you lead well in times like these? While daily leadership is essential for your business, crisis moments reveal the quality of your vision like nothing else. And while you may be exhausted or overwhelmed, now is not the time to push pause on your leadership. What are the “next best steps” you can take in this hour of uncertainty?</p><br> <h2>1. Increase the Frequency of Communication</h2><br> <p>During hard times, the frequency of communication <a href="https://online.purdue.edu/blog/effective-crisis-communication-strategies">should go through the roof</a>.</p><br> <p>Even if you have bad news, it’s important to acknowledge this ASAP. While you may not have all the details, a prompt announcement can minimize speculation, reassure panicked contacts, and let people know that you are proactively addressing each challenge.</p><br> <h2>2. Be Authentic</h2><br> <p>Now, more than ever, people are craving connection.</p><br> <p>Since many of your customers and subscribers are working from the kitchen table, this is an important chance to re-tool your communication. Get in touch with your own feeling of isolation and use this to inform your messaging. From email communication to print mailings, review all your messages through the lens of people who are stuck at home. Ditch the corporate-speak and seek a more human tone for your brand, and use this framework to empower empathy while focusing on others’ needs.</p><br> <h2>3. Break Up the Depressive Mindset</h2><br> <p>All of us need a break from 24/7 bad news. So, how can you bring positivity in this hour?</p><br> <p>Noting the deluge of video-conferencing, Audi of America recently launched a series of <a href="http://media.audiusa.com/en-us/releases/398">specially curated images</a> to serve as a glamorous backdrop in virtual meeting rooms. Now enthusiasts can bring their favorite Audi with them to their next conference call or virtual happy hour, and Audi plans to release new images weekly. Simple pleasures make a big difference in tough moments!</p><br> <p>Now, make it personal. How can you <a href="https://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/regularly-updated-list-tracking-marketers-response-coronavirus/2244251">sound a note of joy</a> or generosity today? Could you post a funny video, release a helpful blog, highlight hero stories, or offer incentives that benefit customers or people on the front lines?</p><br> <p>Or look at your own product mix and ask: “what could I change to help my customers?” Do you have a paid or premium service that you could offer for free to help people get by over the next few months?</p><br> <h2>4. Sow Seeds of Honor</h2><br> <p>When you look at your schedule today, things seem rather quiet and eerie.</p><br> <p>Companies of all sizes have sent people home, and every distraction has been silenced. While the coronavirus has ushered in strange times for all, good leaders won’t just hunker down. Instead, it’s time to push back with a different spirit.</p><br> <p>In an age of mocking and disdain, today is a great day to show respect and gratitude. Whether personally or professionally, use this forced pause to repair a strained relationship, to say thank you, or to serve others. Make that difficult phone call. Donate blood or serve at your local food pantry. Show public or private appreciation for your leaders. And appreciate people who don’t deserve it (despite their inadequacies).</p><br> <p>As you honor people, they will honor others. Perhaps this is a chance to shift the atmosphere and proactively build honor into the fabric of your network. As a leader, you WILL set the pace for others.</p><br> <h2>Connection is the New Currency</h2><br> <p>Though today’s challenges are extreme, it’s important to remember they’re only temporary.</p><br> <p>It may not be easy, but many of us will come out of this stronger. Though it may feel that the waves are continuing to rise, take heart. Prioritize connection, and the uncharted waters can be parted in order to lead you toward a prosperous future and a newfound hope. </p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-57543314450199073002020-04-14T05:44:00.001-07:002020-04-14T05:44:23.750-07:00Add Drama and Depth with Custom White Balance<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBGZYnMoFOvDA0y_lmgVL1IV8eSTky6tOBZ5H5n_wHRInQNNvI3UCA_zWKYidvmqfqefflHoP0CIwdYhePWuZEDsAmxu1l5h5gN19jAAdHDPAx5DoPjVovx6gvYkApeqSBxM8JgQncRg/s1600/GettyImages-1160030415-763785.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBGZYnMoFOvDA0y_lmgVL1IV8eSTky6tOBZ5H5n_wHRInQNNvI3UCA_zWKYidvmqfqefflHoP0CIwdYhePWuZEDsAmxu1l5h5gN19jAAdHDPAx5DoPjVovx6gvYkApeqSBxM8JgQncRg/s320/GettyImages-1160030415-763785.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6815547301220180034" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Have you ever struggled to take a classy (yet natural) family picture?</p><br> <p>Or photographed an incredible wilderness scene, only to be sorely disappointed by flat results? If the world has so much wonder, why is capturing that majesty so tricky?</p><br> <p>Many photos are simply too dark or too light, with awkward shadows, blinding background rays, or glaring reflections (think Grandma’s glasses!). The color can seem artificial or just washed out. But photos with proper lighting come alive, creating a drama and depth that resonates with viewers on a heart-stirring level.</p><br> <p>Whether you adjust your camera on the front end or edit the photo later, here are some tricks to getting the photo balance just right!</p><br> <h2>Adjusting Your Digital Camera Settings</h2><br> <p>Different sources of light have varying color hues, so a picture taken with a normal white balance under artificial lighting conditions transmits low heat to the camera’s sensor, resulting in dull yellow or orange shades in the photo.</p><br> <p>Though <a href="https://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-white-balance/">human eyes can automatically adjust</a> lights and color temperatures to “sense” the right color, a camera needs to be adjusted to different lights for accurate color reproduction. By adjusting the white balance setting of your digital camera before you start shooting, you can produce the most accurate colors in your image.</p><br> <p>Most upscale digital cameras include presets like these:</p><br> <p><strong>Tungsten:</strong> Best for indoor shoots under a little light bulb.</p><br> <p><strong>Fluorescent:</strong> Grabs brighter, warmer shots while compensating for cool fluorescent tones.</p><br> <p><strong>Cloudy:</strong> Warms up a subject and its surroundings when natural light is limited.</p><br> <p><strong>Shade:</strong> Useful for warming up the surroundings that have a cooler, bluer tone.</p><br> <p>You can also adjust your camera manually by setting a white object as the reference point.</p><br> <p>To manually set the white balance in your image, take a photo of something white in the same location (and under the same light) you intend to shoot. Then go to your camera’s shooting menu, choose white balance settings, and select the image you just photographed by pressing the “set” or “Ok” button. This will enable you to customize a white balance setting for your next round of photos, resulting in more neutral, natural shades and less post-production editing.</p><br> <h2>Mastering Post-Production Tints and Temps</h2><br> <p>Suppose you get the perfect photo, but the colors aren’t quite right.</p><br> <p>Adobe Lightroom can help!</p><br> <p>Adobe Lightroom is an inexpensive post-processing program used by designers worldwide. In the past, developing exquisite images required excellent photos, nuanced darkroom abilities, and expensive equipment. In contrast, Lightroom allows even beginners to normalize light tones they weren’t able to land in-camera.</p><br> <p>When you’re ready to edit the balance in a photo, here are three methods:</p><br> <p><strong>Option 1:</strong> In Adobe Lightroom, adjust white balance with the eyedropper tool or use the preset menu that best describes the lighting conditions you shot in.</p><br> <p><strong>Option 2:</strong> Using the white balance drop-down list, manually drag the “temp” and “tint” sliders in the WB panel to adjust how warm or cool your image is.</p><br> <p><strong>Option 3:</strong> Select the “White Balance Selector” tool in the White Balance Panel (or for a shortcut, press “W” and scan across your image to locate an area that has a neutral grey color to serve as a reference point). Once you click this grey or neutral area, the appropriate white balance settings will be applied to the entire image.</p><br> <p>If you don’t like the result, simply use the reset button to remove all adjustments.</p><br> <h2>In the Eye of the Beholder</h2><br> <p>Sound tricky?</p><br> <p>Don’t sweat it. There is really no “perfect” white balance because the best contrast is what looks pleasing to YOUR eye. In the end, learning and experimenting is half the fun! Reach out to us if you’d like to learn more about adding the perfect white balance to your next piece.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-74397679716823272962020-04-09T08:26:00.001-07:002020-04-09T08:26:09.596-07:00Ideas for Paying Employees When Finances are Tight<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jIMVlbblHY9EPHbMkuaEzh7F7IX30N-waaWlkoEpRhuUrRkPO5wBrIhi_bo2GQxVTv5UQzE2WCXn4bedzHswo9Y_G61Jf0KYluDkUEB0oKOsNoiqft3V8pBuGx8p9DiQ_FrhRYZGhps/s1600/GettyImages-1164644800-769629.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jIMVlbblHY9EPHbMkuaEzh7F7IX30N-waaWlkoEpRhuUrRkPO5wBrIhi_bo2GQxVTv5UQzE2WCXn4bedzHswo9Y_G61Jf0KYluDkUEB0oKOsNoiqft3V8pBuGx8p9DiQ_FrhRYZGhps/s320/GettyImages-1164644800-769629.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6813733561112463218" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>The coronavirus has rattled the world, and while the health consequences are dire, the economic fallout could be worse.</p><br> <p>In just one week, from March 7 to March 14, initial unemployment claims <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rachel-greszler-policymakers-can-do-more-for-unemployed-americans">jumped by a third</a>, rising from 211,000 to 281,000. And while we don’t know whether workers have been laid off or furloughed, we do know that lost jobs are bad for families, employers, and the nation.</p><br> <p>Job losses translate into increased federal spending and a slower response to unemployment claims, and those businesses that have to hire or train new employees down the road will undoubtedly take a financial hit later. Even if it’s difficult, your business can benefit by keeping employees on payroll and by modifying your business plan.</p><br> <p>What might this look like? Here are some options to consider:</p><br> <h3>Lower Overhead Expenses</h3><br> <p>The most effective response to financial pain is to freeze spending wherever possible.</p><br> <p>This may mean holding off on new investments, eliminating projects where costs exceed value, or re-proposing previously rejected cost-savings ideas. Want a more comprehensive guide to cutting costs? Check out <a href="https://hbr.org/2010/05/when-youve-got-to-cut-costs-now">this article</a> from the Harvard Business Review.</p><br> <h3>Consider Alternative Financing</h3><br> <p>While borrowing may not have previously been in your plans, the Small Business Association is working directly with state governors to provide <a href="https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources">targeted, low-interest loans</a> to companies that have been severely impacted by COVID-19.</p><br> <p>The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program may provide the vital support you need during this temporary loss of revenue. Other options to consider are family borrowing, hard money loans, or seeking a float loan from a customer or an external “<a href="https://www.thebalancesmb.com/types-of-equity-financing-for-small-business-393181">angel investor</a>.”</p><br> <h3>Liquify Assets or Discount Existing Receivables</h3><br> <p>How can you attain missing funds to pay employees in a crunch?</p><br> <p>“Beg, borrow, or sell whatever you need in order to come up with the funds,” says Rod Jorgensen, the director of counseling at the Nevada Small Business Development Center. Whether you sell vehicles, buildings, or equipment, put every option on the table for consideration.</p><br> <p>Donald Todrin, founder of the Northhampton, MA-based Second Wind Consultants, says taking as much as a 50 percent hit on your outstanding receivables may also be a wise strategy:</p><br> <p>“If I’ve got $25,000 out on the street that I’m owed, I’d slash it down to $10,000 on a promise [that vendors] wire me the money today,” Todrin said. “Pay me half [of what you owe me] and I’ll wipe [the debt] out. And you raise cash instantly and overnight. Now you pay a price for that because that’s your overhead money, but you cover your payroll. You got to play for another day.”</p><br> <h3>Be Resourceful and Keep Employees in the Loop</h3><br> <p>If you know you are unlikely to make payroll, it’s essential to be honest upfront.</p><br> <p>Proactive communication is crucial during a crisis. If finances are tight, tell people up front, starting with the natural hierarchy of company leaders and involving them in the process. Allowing leaders to inform their teams can soften the blow and make it easier to gather feedback.</p><br> <p>And be creative. Teams that want to retain employees in extremely tight situations may consider shrinking paychecks across the board or ask the highest paid, top-level staff members to (electively) forgo paychecks for a short time so lower-level employees can still be paid. This spreads out income and grows confidence and unity in your staff.</p><br> <h2>People First</h2><br> <p>Though you may not be closing shop, many businesses will experience shortfalls in this season. Creative, sacrificial entrepreneurs will work hard to protect their most valuable asset: people.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-5639427889062822042020-04-08T09:17:00.001-07:002020-04-08T09:17:40.308-07:00Master Font Psychology to Bring Personality and Purpose<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtzHHIq78H32KDwNBmzfOfsEPDoV4HYWaufrihQYVVF8UGNLqfziCNb9X-aPf4Zti_McP2F9MRuf-MqaRp_CIUAokVrc8onJQllOamuAcxMhapVe-Knba2a12P2I57ylnHpC8jec2FNE/s1600/GettyImages-1081512620-760338.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtzHHIq78H32KDwNBmzfOfsEPDoV4HYWaufrihQYVVF8UGNLqfziCNb9X-aPf4Zti_McP2F9MRuf-MqaRp_CIUAokVrc8onJQllOamuAcxMhapVe-Knba2a12P2I57ylnHpC8jec2FNE/s320/GettyImages-1081512620-760338.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6813375748846298146" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>If you wanted to make a splash at a spring gala, what color would you wear?</p><br> <p>If you wanted to be known for your edgy personality, what kind of car would you drive?</p><br> <p>Just as your personal appearance creates emotion or impact, your design choices will too. While we often undervalue text in designs, every font has a unique personality and purpose. A little font change can go a long way.</p><br> <p>With that in mind, take a look at font psychology and see how using it well can win customers through print!</p><br> <h2>How Fonts Influence Emotion</h2><br> <p>What is font psychology?</p><br> <p>Font psychology deals with the impact fonts have on the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of readers. For example, when you use a Bookman Old Style headline, it’s going to carry a very different tone than a Brush Script or a fanciful Curlz font. When you feature Tempus Sans in primary body copy, it will bring a more contemporary vibe than Franklin Gothic. Once you understand the associations a font carries, you’re on your way to using fonts to create the emotional impact you desire.</p><br> <p>Fonts contain features like line, weight, size, and orientation. When you see a font, your brain disentangles those components and associates them with characteristics from the real world. For example, italicized fonts mimic movement (like a runner leaping off the starting blocks), and flowing scripts convey creativity (like a dancer spinning across the stage). Fonts mimic visual characteristics from the real world, so if you want to choose an appropriate font, choose one that visually resembles your context.</p><br> <h2>Keep it Simple with This Font Cheat Sheet</h2><br> <p>When you think of the vibe you want to convey, what adjectives come to mind? Basic or bold? Gentle or hardcore? Elegant or gritty? Once you’ve identified the tone you want, here is a cheat sheet you can use to craft corresponding messages:</p><br> <p><strong>Slab Serif fonts</strong> (or “Egyptians”) are perceived as important, bold, impactful, or attention-grabbing. Great slab serifs include Sentinel, Adelle, Clarendon, Linoletter, Archer, and Amasis.</p><br> <p><strong>San Serif fonts</strong> are perceived as simple, sensible, straightforward, neutral, and easy to read. Popular selections include Apercu, Futura, Avenir, Verdana, and Avant Garde. </p><br> <p><strong>Simple Serif fonts</strong> are seen as stable, respectable, timeless, formal, or traditional. Classic serif fonts include Garamond, Times New Roman, Georgia, and Palatino.</p><br> <p><strong>Bold or weighty fonts</strong> are seen as dominant, commanding, gallant, significant, and reputable. Have fun with bold fonts like Qanelas Soft Typeface, Nevis, Municipal, or Andor.</p><br> <p><strong>Condensed or ultrathin fonts</strong> carry a professional, forward-thinking, logical, or influential quality. To sharpen your image, try fonts like District thin, Antipasto pro thin, or Cocotte ultralight.</p><br> <p><strong>Vintage fonts</strong> come across as old school, retro, stylish, and remarkable. Type outside the box with six different Zing Rust fonts and carefree fonts like Palm Canyon Drive, Parker, or Lovelo. </p><br> <p><strong>Script fonts</strong> bring a sense of femininity, elegance, connection, and indulgence. Fun script fonts include Allura, Mistral, or the Segoe family.</p><br> <p><strong>Decorative fonts</strong> are seen as casual, cool, unique, or high-spirited. Stretch the limits with The Bomb, Circus, Cute Notes, Keep on Truckin’, and more!</p><br> <p><strong>Mono-spaced fonts</strong> can bring a techy, sophisticated, or smart vibe. To sell your credentials, try Courier, Inconsolata, Maison Mono, or BP Mono.</p><br> <p><strong>Display fonts</strong> bring a chivalrous, quirky, friendly, or eccentric tone. Use fonts like Amadeus, Anudaw, Bearpaw, and Collegiate to make design twice as fun!</p><br> <h2>Keep Fonts Front and Center</h2><br> <p>While fonts are sometimes an after-thought, text is an integral part of your branding and emotional impact. And many online resources are available to help you find <a href="https://www.dafont.com/">fun, free fonts</a>.</p><br> <p>Use your font choices to shape perceptions, streamline messages, and project your intent.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-5225972779230126402020-03-24T11:25:00.001-07:002020-03-24T11:25:52.220-07:00How to Shift from Reactive to Proactive Customer Care<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yQMR8VKdMFw7QSPstdNXiHwVsBZoIqF750WdHe78D1lK1WWdHl0SuFsjSajmxHLO_85ZbHXEFyXL71AZtVMEMY7mBRE_j83njJvCvE_SBjUyX8jeEgxRH2oewGxMVaQOXQwEgRTs5sI/s1600/GettyImages-861310528-752253.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yQMR8VKdMFw7QSPstdNXiHwVsBZoIqF750WdHe78D1lK1WWdHl0SuFsjSajmxHLO_85ZbHXEFyXL71AZtVMEMY7mBRE_j83njJvCvE_SBjUyX8jeEgxRH2oewGxMVaQOXQwEgRTs5sI/s320/GettyImages-861310528-752253.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6807842506018763682" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Everyone makes mistakes, but no one likes admitting them.</p><br> <p>If we’re honest, business professionals hate owning up to mistakes because of pride, embarrassment, or fear that customers will leave. But denying weaknesses only magnifies awkward situations and hurts your company’s reputation. Dealing proactively with problems will strengthen credibility and spark improvements that benefit your brand.</p><br> <p>When Micheal Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey founded Barefoot Cellars, they started in a laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse. Knowing next to nothing, they made many mistakes. In one instance, they discovered a barcode error that led a shipment to ring up for less than it should, which lost the distributor money.</p><br> <p>When he caught the mistake, Houlihan showed up personally at the store’s corporate office with a check for the loss, including an added bonus for the distributor’s time and expense. Houlihan described to the manager how Barefoot Cellars was shifting internal processes to make sure the problem never happened again. Because Houlihan owned the mistake and informed the distributor in person, the orders kept coming, and a potential complaint became <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224491">a memorable learning experience.</a></p><br> <h2>Overcoming “Survival Mode” Mentality</h2><br> <p>For many companies, the default approach is to respond to problems as they arise.</p><br> <p>This survival mode mentality may work temporarily, but long-term success is built as your brand is able to impress and delight customers in a more proactive, personalized way.</p><br> <p>Future forecasters predict that by 2023 businesses will transition into a season of “<a href="https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/6-tips-shift-reactive-proactive-customer-service/">continuous service” through artificial intelligence</a>. But in the meantime, customers still need care, and the best strategy is upfront intervention.</p><br> <p>Looking to sharpen your systems? Here are three ways to be more proactive:</p><br> <h3>1. Inform Customers About Your Mistakes Immediately</h3><br> <p>It’s always better for customers to hear about a problem directly from you instead of discovering it themselves.</p><br> <p>If your company identifies a problem upfront, you can avoid costly damages and harmful publicity. As you identify errors, take responsibility for the mistake, offer refunds or future discounts, explain how you are remedying the problem, and let people know who to contact for assistance.</p><br> <h3>2. Offer Self-Help Customer Service Channels</h3><br> <p>One reason service can be so frustrating is the wait time and red tape it involves.</p><br> <p>Many customers prefer to find answers themselves, so generate accessible content that addresses common complaints. This may include a FAQ page, live chat software, webinar tutorials, or a customer care focus in your print newsletter. Not sure where to start? Review customer service call and email logs or use survey data from clients and customer service representatives. </p><br> <h3>3. Build 5-Star Service into Your Company Culture</h3><br> <p>For proactive service to work, it must be embedded into your company culture.</p><br> <p>Here employees are trained to deliver not only “at” the level expected, but above and beyond what is promised. This means everyone (not just the people on the front line) must understand and desire a 5-star service. Teach employees to anticipate what a client MIGHT need and have a solution ready before they ask.</p><br> <h2>Build Your Brand by Fortifying Customer Confidence</h2><br> <p>One of the most effective ways to stoke customer confidence is to do things for your customers before they know they need it.</p><br> <p>Like a vase on a pottery wheel, proactive service means continually molding and reshaping the interactions customers have with your business. As you preemptively address sore spots, you’ll confirm the customer made the right decision to do business with your company.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-30378805759936360242020-01-13T08:51:00.001-08:002020-01-13T08:51:19.586-08:00How Successful Entrepreneurs Overcome Self-Doubt Each Day<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOJ7TObbqcoOW3TXnoAr1xIAcqJ-bFOHLOFvx4KiM8l1uiLWjZQBUncZ1wfdWqaF4dH6EYDeXnBjbPP63MhUcwfyoDAoKml-yJCPFULIXUEeD_x2nSaHyECUUUjbWlwm86aen5BRW6Uo/s1600/GettyImages-1190572650-779626.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOJ7TObbqcoOW3TXnoAr1xIAcqJ-bFOHLOFvx4KiM8l1uiLWjZQBUncZ1wfdWqaF4dH6EYDeXnBjbPP63MhUcwfyoDAoKml-yJCPFULIXUEeD_x2nSaHyECUUUjbWlwm86aen5BRW6Uo/s320/GettyImages-1190572650-779626.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6781471094781861410" /></a></p><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><p>Diane von Furstenberg is a Belgian fashion designer who has built her namesake company into one of the most recognizable in the world.</p><br> <p>Furstenberg has been listed as the world’s 68th most powerful, received an honorary doctorate, and been president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America for years.</p><br> <p>Confidence should come easily to someone like this, wouldn’t you think?</p><br> <p>But Furstenberg does not see herself this simply. She believes she’s a constant work in progress and says successful people (like herself) probably feel like losers <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/341802">at least once a week</a>.</p><br> <p>Furstenberg said she feels self-doubt continually. What does that look like in her life?</p><br> <p>“Oh, just, you know. You feel like a loser, you wake up and you doubt. So my trick is, I look in the mirror and say, “If you doubt your power, then you give power to your doubts.”</p><br> <h2>Squash Doubt to Bring Your Best Work to Life</h2><br> <p>Can you relate to Furstenberg?</p><br> <p>You’re not alone. Even successful business owners grapple with self-doubt. Sometimes this can be a good thing, keeping you humble and helping you soberly evaluate limitations.</p><br> <p>But for the most part, self-doubt is a form of sabotage that keeps you from fulfilling your potential. Successful people aren’t immune to uncertainty, but they refuse to let it derail their goals. Want to overcome doubt and achieve what you’ve set out to accomplish?</p><br> <p>Here are several ways to combat that accusing voice:</p><br> <h3>1. Stop and Reset</h3><br> <p>When inner doubts creep in, deal with them immediately.</p><br> <p>Don’t let paranoia spin out of control or imagine worst-case scenarios. Talk back to that doubtful voice with phrases like these:</p><br> <p><em>“No. Stop. I’m not listening to this.”</em></p><br> <p><em> “I know where this train of thought leads, and I’m not getting on!”</em></p><br> <p><em>“I’ve been successful in the past, and I will be again.”</em></p><br> <p>As Steven Pressfield says in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Do-Work-Overcome-Resistance-Your/dp/1936891379"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Do The Work! Overcome Resistance And Get Out Of Your Own Way</span></a>,</p><br> <p>"The enemy is our chattering brain, which, if we give it so much as a nanosecond, will start producing excuses, alibis, transparent self-justifications, and a million reasons why we can't/shouldn't/won't do what we know we need to do."</p><br> <h3>2. Deal with Anxiety Triggers</h3><br> <p>One way to squash doubt is to deal with it straight on.</p><br> <p>What personal deficits or situations trigger your insecurity? If it’s a lack of skill, seek specific training. If it’s uncertainty about a decision, get counsel from other experts in your field. If it’s fear of the unknown, find coaches or mentors to walk you through this stage of uncertainty.</p><br> <h3>3. Avoid Comparisons</h3><br> <p>If you compare yourself to others, you will usually lose.</p><br> <p>In today’s connected generation, usually your perspective of others is only the highlight reel, and certainly not the struggle or discipline it took to build success. Instead of comparing yourself to others, compare yourself to YOU. Look at how far you’ve come, the progress you’ve made toward current goals, or how you’ve overcome obstacles in spite of hardship.</p><br> <h3>4. Don’t Depend on Validation</h3><br> <p>While the input of others can be helpful, confident leaders trust their own instincts.</p><br> <p>We all like a pat on the back, but in seeking continual validation, you erode vision and weaken faith in yourself. When tackling a big project, get input initially, then trust your gut and make decisions that feel right to you.</p><br> <h2>Move Forward With Confidence</h2><br> <p>Having confidence in yourself is the best way to sharpen your unique voice.</p><br> <p>Say no to accusation, confront anxiety triggers, and avoid putting too much weight in others’ opinions. Overpower doubt so you can maximize your potential.</p>CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-32292047629796467182019-11-19T07:12:00.000-08:002019-11-19T07:13:00.904-08:005 Fantastic Color Combinations for Your Next Design<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCfsBVcmvktThe8sRlzgB-wQY8WrZrAe0G4ZtgjpQIr30dTJNm0MUuFUdWUOqlxCoihIbSSv5HbZeDRecZxuwuI82hFaOwg1lKAuIInImppqS-61wf2tEmsUa3NnQ5mx1tOFCPCXX-zI/s1600/GettyImages-178721014-780976.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCfsBVcmvktThe8sRlzgB-wQY8WrZrAe0G4ZtgjpQIr30dTJNm0MUuFUdWUOqlxCoihIbSSv5HbZeDRecZxuwuI82hFaOwg1lKAuIInImppqS-61wf2tEmsUa3NnQ5mx1tOFCPCXX-zI/s320/GettyImages-178721014-780976.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6761036078682563250" /></a></p><p>Feeling blue?</p> <br> <p>Maybe it's the color of the room you're sitting in.</p> <br> <p><a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824">Color psychology</a> is something that has fascinated people for decades. Artists and interior designers have long believed that colors can dramatically affect moods and emotions, and color marketing has become a hot topic in marketing, art, design, and print. As Pablo Picasso once remarked, "Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions."</p> <br> <p>Color is a powerful communication tool, so understanding it can help you signal action, sway the mood, and even influence psychological reactions. Want to give it a try? Here is a quick snapshot of color harmonies, including color combinations to try in your next poster, banner, or custom label.</p> <br> <h2>The Best Ways to Create Balance</h2> <br> <p>The color wheel consists of three primary colors (red, yellow, blue), three secondary colors (colors created when primary colors are mixed: green, orange, purple), and six tertiary colors (colors made from primary and secondary colors, such as blue-green or red-violet).</p> <br> <p>When you draw a line directly through the center of the color wheel, you will <a href="https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory"> separate the warm colors from the cool colors</a>.</p> <br> <p>Warm colors (reds, yellows, and oranges) are vivid and bold in nature and tend to advance forward when viewed. They communicate energy, brightness, and action. Cool colors (blues, greens, and purples) appear soothing by nature and typically make a space seem larger. Cool colors are often associated with nature, calmness, peace, or serenity.</p> <br> <p>When choosing your next color combination, remember that complementary colors (those opposite on the color wheel) provide sharp contrasts. This can make your imagery really pop, but are best when used sparingly.</p> <br> <p>To avoid overdoing things, remember complementary colors do not need to exist in equal parts. If you want to use purple and yellow, allow one color to dominate and add only a tiny bit of the other.</p> <br> <p>For a more subtle approach, use triadic colors in your design (those that are evenly spaced around the color wheel). Or use analogous colors (those next to each other on the color wheel). Here one color will dominate, and the other will provide a sophisticated accent.</p> <br> <h2>Set the Mood with Five Gorgeous Blends</h2> <br> <p>Ready to get started? Check out these gorgeous blends:</p> <br> <h3>For a friendly, playful feel:</h3> <br> <p>Try magenta, goldenrod, turquoise, and brick. This four-color combination brings zest, personality, and a friendly, exciting tone.</p> <br> <h3>For a sophisticated yet energetic feel:</h3> <br> <p>Try gold, charcoal, and grey. This perfect combination of sunshine and somberness offers a cheerful tone with a grounded, mature accent.</p> <br> <h3>For an aged, natural tone:</h3> <br> <p>Try tan, deep turquoise, and black. Against the more neutral base, turquoise leaps to the forefront to evoke creativity, life, and freedom. For a more serious feel, use turquoise sparingly and add touches of brown or deep orange.</p> <br> <h3>For a contemporary, chic tone:</h3> <br> <p>Try mauve, sapphire, and powder blue. The baby blue brings a gentleness, while the rich pink and deep blue highlights scream femininity.</p> <br> <h3>For an invigorating, rustic feel:</h3> <br> <p>Try pine green, burnt orange, and light peach. When you want to set your design apart, orange is guaranteed to stop traffic. Burnt orange offers a more distinguished feel than a pumpkin or neon orange hue, but it still gets the job done. The rich green offers a warm, natural accent, and light peach ties everything together perfectly.</p> <br> <h2>Colors That Connect</h2> <br> <p>Want to set the mood or connect with your core customers?</p> <br> <p>Whether you lean toward simple and sophisticated or edgy and eccentric, colors build emotional bridges like nothing else can. Bring that wow factor to your professional printings through beautiful, unforgettable color combinations.</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-80291916114641095732019-11-19T07:08:00.001-08:002019-11-19T07:08:52.953-08:00Bringing Your Dream to Life<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwBy_PpVAbtffhPNelBtBOCKLuSWlIoiGXdSK4_JWGhB-px7G74Wk6Y9z8QBOMQwqpJKKnFUZe9104J7bAyvpgt3DrDm6LtyBjxDdyyqdHdBPv9wYsJviqO1aPp1RVn3gAY46grzk2FI/s1600/GettyImages-1130729936-732989.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwBy_PpVAbtffhPNelBtBOCKLuSWlIoiGXdSK4_JWGhB-px7G74Wk6Y9z8QBOMQwqpJKKnFUZe9104J7bAyvpgt3DrDm6LtyBjxDdyyqdHdBPv9wYsJviqO1aPp1RVn3gAY46grzk2FI/s320/GettyImages-1130729936-732989.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6761035011655091890" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>"Someone is sitting in the shade today</em></p> <br> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>because someone planted a tree a long time ago." </em>(Warren Buffet)</p> <br> <p>Dr. Julie Silver is a giant among medical practitioners.</p> <br> <p>As an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, Silver has published several award-winning books and is the Chief Editor of Books at Harvard Health Publications, the consumer health publishing brand of Harvard Medical School.</p> <br> <p>But Silver is known for more than her accomplishments, she's known <a href="https://www.chickensoup.com/biography/41242/dr-julie-silver"> as an overcomer</a>. At age 30, Silver found herself on the other side of medicine – as a patient instead of a physician – when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her story from surgery through radiation, chemo, and rehab is now the backbone of her identity.</p> <br> <p>Through cancer recovery, Silver found herself exhausted and depleted, <a href="https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/article/20111121/NEWS/311219456"> with few resources</a> for getting back on her feet:</p> <br> <p>"Returning to work and caring for my young children was very difficult," Silver says of that time. "I was not given rehab care and therefore had to rehabilitate myself. If I had been a stroke survivor or been in a car accident, I would have been offered rehab treatment. But, as a cancer survivor, I was left to figure it out on my own."</p> <br> <p>Silver says this experience, combined with loads of research touting the benefits of cancer rehab, prompted her to team up with others to reshape the recovery road. She and a team of experts created STAR (Survivorship Training and Rehab) certification programs for hospitals, group practices, and individual clinicians. STAR programs have empowered post-cancer treatment centers, improved life for thousands, and given legs to Silver's dream.</p> <br> <h2>Pursue a Dream</h2> <br> <p>Do you need the courage to pursue a dream in your life?</p> <br> <p>You have to believe a dream before you can see it come true. Every great achievement begins in the heart of one individual who took a risk and asked, "what if?" As Walt Disney <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/lewishowes/2012/07/17/20-business-quotes-and-lessons-from-walt-disney/#23c97da04ba9"> once said</a>, "all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them."</p> <br> <p>Dreamers are people who don't let negative thinking discourage them, even when their vision is beyond their capabilities. In Silver's case, she started with a hope for better cancer rehab. But as her journey progressed, she discovered hospitals needed much more than information. They needed an entire training system.</p> <br> <p>"I quickly realized that [my colleagues] needed a lot more information and assistance than I could offer with a simple conversation," Silver said. "They needed to be educated about cancer rehabilitation and to implement protocols to deliver this care."</p> <br> <h2>Share a Dream</h2> <br> <p>One reason dreams die is that you never share them with others.</p> <br> <p>People who genuinely want to achieve a dream must talk about it! Frequently. Why? Sharing a dream aloud helps you believe in it more and to make necessary tweaks along the way. Sharing dreams builds momentum, inspires others to collaborate, and holds you accountable to a plan. And plans break visions into actionable steps while pushing you to gather necessary resources in realistic time frames.</p> <br> <h2>Work the Dream</h2> <br> <p>How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.</p> <br> <p>After you've done the necessary planning, it's time to work. When it comes down to it, cathedrals are built one brick at a time. So, the most successful dreamers aren't just people with bold ideas; they are people who follow through in ordinary moments.</p> <br> <p>Hard work isn't always fun, but success looks something like this:</p> <br> <p>Short-Term Tasks * Regular Follow-Through = Long-term Achievement</p> <br> <p>Sound difficult? Just remember, it can be hard to work the dream, but it can be even harder to work for someone else's dream. Do the work today and enjoy the results tomorrow!</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-28026933818357137542019-08-02T06:47:00.001-07:002019-08-02T06:47:56.341-07:00A Beginner's Guide to Correct Printing Resolution<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZ8JziltVzxHtB6XckZdT96uQiqsbNrlKdTZqFt0gSRbWAu_jar8rFcbcWKfEcIIYXUyzDSm1Q-IO9iMxSntHBRYAPPqb6TSnkwDPX-C5wqSTYi83qe1kMHQ9iho_AMlNqTlpbQEi6_U/s1600/GettyImages-843408508-776373.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZ8JziltVzxHtB6XckZdT96uQiqsbNrlKdTZqFt0gSRbWAu_jar8rFcbcWKfEcIIYXUyzDSm1Q-IO9iMxSntHBRYAPPqb6TSnkwDPX-C5wqSTYi83qe1kMHQ9iho_AMlNqTlpbQEi6_U/s320/GettyImages-843408508-776373.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6720565867229887410" /></a></p><p>Design resolution refers to the sharpness and detail of images, and print resolution is measured in DPI, or dots per inch. Quite simply, the more dots of ink that are printed per inch, the higher the resolution, sharpness, and quality you will find in an image. High-quality images are stunning, seeming to leap off the page, while low-quality images look fuzzy, indistinct, and very unprofessional. </p> <br> <p>Looking for a beginner's guide to get the best possible outcome in your design and print? Here are a few basics on proper print resolution:</p> <br> <h2><strong>Go Big (But Not Too Big)</strong></h2> <br> <p>When you're creating your source image (the image you want to be printed), make sure it has a suitable resolution.</p> <br> <p>The higher the DPI, the better the image quality. But don't go too big – higher resolution images can create larger file sizes. For printed pieces, the ideal resolution is 300 DPI for images at the final printed size.</p> <br> <p>If you're taking pictures from a digital camera for your project, its best to set your camera to the highest resolution setting. You can always "scale down" the resolution on an image later (but you can never scale a poor resolution up). Also, remember that a large file size does not necessarily mean the file itself has a high resolution. The best way to be sure your file is at least 300 DPI is to go into the image information and double check.</p> <br> <h2><strong>Avoid Website Images</strong></h2> <br> <p>Web images are created digitally from electronic pixels.</p> <br> <p>Pixels are box-shaped units of colors that join to create visually recognizable images. The resolution of web images is usually around 72 PPI (pixels per inch), which works well digitally since these images take less storage space and load quickly on screens. However, this lack of detail causes images to look jagged or blurry when printed on commercial presses.</p> <br> <p>To get the best quality design for print, make sure source photos are coming in at 300 DPI, and use design programs like Adobe InDesign or Illustrator to handle text and create vector logos and other design elements.</p> <br> <h2><strong>Zoom in or Adjust Proportions</strong></h2> <br> <p>When working with your design, remember your screen resolution may not accurately reflect your image resolution because monitor displays usually have about 72 to 116 pixels per inch.</p> <br> <p>To accurately view the print resolution of your image, zoom in to 300-400%, and observe the quality of your project.</p> <br> <p>Also, image resolution is directly and inversely proportional to an image's physical size. When you increase the resolution of an image, it reduces in physical size. When you physically enlarge an image, it lowers in resolution. This means you cannot make a 72 DPI image 300 DPI by dragging it up in size.</p> <br> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Resolve to Finish Well</strong></h2> <br> <p>By understanding the basics of print resolution, you can avoid unnecessary headaches and ensure your job is done on time and looks great.</p> <br> <p>Have any questions? Call today; we're always happy to help!</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-17741266942887384062019-05-28T05:42:00.001-07:002019-05-28T05:42:52.662-07:00Effortless: Three Tips to Boost the "Cool" Factor of Your Designs<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUwam8R5ocdD_wDXG9k3Qnts2-XBE63_HBvVl25i09OhcTLuainpCUrqrS-iH5TBuhMmGzpVysitVupwO9sq93TXZfmUenxRcvVDrc2B464PPknd9ss7H_CU0_4qt8O4THBQ4b2ei2ME/s1600/GettyImages-908333824-772667.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUwam8R5ocdD_wDXG9k3Qnts2-XBE63_HBvVl25i09OhcTLuainpCUrqrS-iH5TBuhMmGzpVysitVupwO9sq93TXZfmUenxRcvVDrc2B464PPknd9ss7H_CU0_4qt8O4THBQ4b2ei2ME/s320/GettyImages-908333824-772667.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6696057476232024226" /></a></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Fashionable. Admirable. Timeless.</strong></h3> <br> <p>If you were to define cool, what words would you use?</p> <br> <p>Cool is just . . . cool.</p> <br> <p>In some sense, even describing what makes something cool can diminish its appeal. But in print and design, nothing is more appealing than cool.</p> <br> <h3><strong>What Makes a Brand Cool? </strong></h3> <br> <p>How do you add this edge to set your products apart?</p> <br> <p>To find out, marketing scholars Caleb Warren and Margaret C. Campbell <a href="https://www.calebwarrenresearch.com/"> carried out six experiments</a> comparing consumer products, coolness ratings, and participant reactions.</p> <br> <p>In their research, Warren and Campbell discovered a relationship between the qualities of coolness and autonomy, finding designs perceived as cool were those that radiated autonomy in a socially acceptable way. Cool things tend to go a step beyond "stylish" things, so cool designs often push the boundaries of style. Think normative styles like jeans – but add excessive grunge rips. Or ordinary 1950s T-shirts – but add packs of cigarettes rolled into the sleeve.</p> <br> <p>Coolness is not an inherent quality, but rather a social construct. If coolness comes from stretching limits, one of the keys to cool designs is knowing your niche and understanding what customers perceive to be unconventional. As Warren & Campbell conclude: "objects and people are cool only to the extent that others consider them cool."</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Bringing Coolness to Life</strong></h3> <br> <p>Looking to push the boundaries in a way that's meaningful to your customers? Here are three ways to set your designs apart:</p> <br> <h3><strong>1. Define the Gap in Your Market</strong>.</h3> <br> <p>Look beyond your design to the people you are designing for.</p> <br> <p>What brands, social values, or fashion cues motivate them? Look at products your customers typically buy and find the "gap" between current designs and those that are too intense or extreme.</p> <br> <p>To design in the gap, add a bold twist to the colors, fonts, or ideas that might typically interest them. Wrapping paper company Gift Couture saw a gap in the market for wrapping paper "sets," so they <a href="https://www.giftcouture.com/products">created a series of themed papers</a> that coordinated together, like the Cheeseburger set (bun, meat, lettuce, and tomato wrapping papers) the steak set (raw meat and cutting board style designs), and the pizza set (pizza paper with a coordinating pizza box).</p> <br> <h3><strong>2. Bring Magic to the Mundane</strong>.</h3> <br> <p>Cool people or concepts have a flow, grace, or character all their own.</p> <br> <p>Cool things often appear effortless (though they rarely are), so how do you add this sense of simplicity to your work?</p> <br> <p>Seek authenticity that focuses more on a core concept or idea than on the perfected final outcome. For a photographer, this might mean focusing on the moment, not the shot. For an advertiser, this might mean expressing character irrespective of the norms, beliefs, or expectations of others. For a designer, this might mean using minimalist designs, stark angles, or unfiltered photos one might generally reject. </p> <br> <h3><strong>3. Re-purpose the Old</strong>.</h3> <br> <p>Sometimes the best designs are a twist on history.</p> <br> <p>Awaken inspiration for what WILL be cool by looking to what HAS been cool! From refinished wood to vintage art deco backdrops, sometimes the coolest things to come around are those that have been around.</p> <br> <p>Designs nodding to the past evoke nostalgia and spark a profound emotional response. And cool designs don't just reproduce old styles; they recreate them in arresting new ways.</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Find the Sweet Spot</strong></h3> <br> <p>Cool designs understand their consumers' tastes and hit the sweet spot between the ordinary and the unconventional.</p> <br> <p>From the unique to the unexpected, when you appear effortless, incorporate the past, and design one step beyond the norm, it will give you an edge an set your products apart.</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-69054312197747893692019-05-03T05:11:00.001-07:002019-05-03T05:11:42.605-07:00Savvy Tips for the Best Stock Photo Selection<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60_ymghFF44CcHMPcuTUu63D9t9do1DeQLxF4u3yYgpp7ke2fixJh6eery4iZ14JuuX7OCrHUjIlBrSEu6JGzTR0s17MvjlOKzFgzsd-pTlI3jxtzrKsG3N6jI_H785nuk8VXngKeF2o/s1600/GettyImages-915675116-702619.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60_ymghFF44CcHMPcuTUu63D9t9do1DeQLxF4u3yYgpp7ke2fixJh6eery4iZ14JuuX7OCrHUjIlBrSEu6JGzTR0s17MvjlOKzFgzsd-pTlI3jxtzrKsG3N6jI_H785nuk8VXngKeF2o/s320/GettyImages-915675116-702619.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6686772316559750194" /></a></p><p>Image is everything.</p> <br> <p>Statistically speaking, compelling images average <a href="https://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/925-image-stats.html%20"> 94 percent more views</a>, are three times more likely to be shared online, and significantly increase your likelihood of capturing new leads. Professional photos are a fantastic way to boost the impact of your brochure, booklet, or mailing. But if you're planning to use a stock image, here's some interesting info to consider.</p> <br> <p>A few years ago, the Marketing Experiments tested the performance of stock versus custom photos. They found that, when swapping a generic stock image of a woman with a photo of the ACTUAL founder (and a caption naming him), they saw a <a href="https://marketingexperiments.com/digital-advertising/stock-images-tested"> 35% increase in conversions</a>. Later, the Nielsen Norman Group eye-tracking studies found that, when photos of "real" people were compared with stock photos, <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/articles/photos-as-web-content/">the stock photos were largely ignored</a>. The conclusion? When it comes to design perception, humans seem to have a sixth sense for authenticity.</p> <br> <p>Unfortunately, most small businesses don't have time to arrange for custom photos, and stock photos are the most convenient and cost-effective option.</p> <br> <p>How can you make stock photos more personal or effective in your publications? With the right eye and a few helpful tips, you can select stock photos that look more natural, professional and unique.</p> <br> <h3><strong>1. Use all your senses to evaluate photos</strong>.</h3> <br> <p>What has a more powerful impact on you – a steaming plate of stir fry or a generic picture of a grocery aisle?</p> <br> <p>Texture and sensory cues in photos can whet appetites, evoke emotions, or awaken desire in your clients. When designing an event flyer or business brochure, look for photos with strong visual cues: a cuddly bathrobe, a sun-drenched field, a sinful piece of chocolate, or a brilliant vase of fresh flowers, for example. Sidestep photos that seem generic, dated, or bland to the senses. </p> <br> <h3><strong>2. Avoid clichés</strong>.</h3> <br> <p>Since the eye tends to ignore stock photos, search for images that are more personal and specific in focus. Some of the most over-used symbolic clichés include piggy banks (savings), plain light bulbs (ideas), crossroads (decisions), high fives (teamwork), or handshakes (business partnerships). Instead choose photos that show real action, stark color contrasts, facial close-ups, stunning landscapes, playful pets, or generational diversity.</p> <br> <h3><strong>3. Add extra search filters</strong>.</h3> <br> <p>When searching for images, enter multiple keywords to narrow your focus.</p> <br> <p>The more personal your photo is, the more effective it will be, so make search tags as specific as possible. This can include anything from image orientation and aspect ratio to the number or people pictured and the activity they're involved in. When setting search filters, try geographical landscapes, types of food, sports activities, board game names, alphabet letters, times of day, emotions, temperatures, and more. Long-tailed searches with multiple keywords can help you find images that scream authenticity.</p> <br> <h3><strong>4. Finish well</strong>.</h3> <br> <p>Always choose the highest resolution available on the stock photos you purchase.</p> <br> <p>This will give you many options for zooming in or altering an image. Sometimes a single image can be cropped in unique ways to give you multiple photos while maintaining a cohesive theme for your layout. Resolutions higher than 300 PPI are essential for professional printings, though large-scale printings may vary. If you have questions on a specific question, just give us a call!</p> <br> <p>Images work best when they don't look like stock photos, so work hard to avoid clichés, to arouse the senses, and to personalize your selections. Keep it creative and keep it real, and your designs are sure to stick!</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-84491805125631704552019-02-26T05:44:00.001-08:002019-02-26T05:44:34.723-08:00How Emotions Win Customers<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSugytDGjPEPwuM5-cBx9cj4snleyE0hwWlUmigZbwSjSeacZexMvNeDf6Qm10S_lDc23dBLkE-tHAYsPwOXip-GXQh0GYum4bl8z2jGmoKRJshf4WxZJcfk0Yp_ba-s9rPyYGhm_SI9k/s1600/GettyImages-938923982-774729.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSugytDGjPEPwuM5-cBx9cj4snleyE0hwWlUmigZbwSjSeacZexMvNeDf6Qm10S_lDc23dBLkE-tHAYsPwOXip-GXQh0GYum4bl8z2jGmoKRJshf4WxZJcfk0Yp_ba-s9rPyYGhm_SI9k/s320/GettyImages-938923982-774729.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6662304632576598738" /></a></p><p>Cassell's Hamburgers is something of a Cinderella story.</p> <br> <p>Founder Al Cassell launched the iconic lunch counter in Los Angeles in 1948. Famous for grinding beef daily, Al's passion for great burgers and homemade mayonnaise lived for years. But by 2012, struggling owners decided to sell off Cassell's rights, recipes, and equipment. It seems there was no magic touch that could save this beauty.</p> <br> <p>Jingbo Lou had other ideas.</p> <br> <p>As a Chinese exchange student, Lou came to the U.S. to study at the University of Southern California and developed a passion for architectural restoration that grew out curiosity for American culture:</p> <br> <p>"As an immigrant to this country, my very big task is to learn the culture," Lou says. "I really fell in love with the history."</p> <br> <p>J Lou put this love to work bringing Cassell's back to life in a salvaged, crumbling 1920s inn called the Hotel Normandie. J Lou recognized a hotel/restaurant combo was a chance to cater to the nostalgia of many Californians.</p> <br> <p>And he was spot on.</p> <br> <p>Since Cassell's reopening in 2014, the business has topped many "best of" lists and expanded into Downtown LA and a LAX location in Terminal 1.</p> <br> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Why such phenomenal success? Because emotions sell.</strong></em></p> <br> <h3><strong>Emotions Win Customers</strong></h3> <br> <p>Brands build loyalty because emotions win customers!</p> <br> <p>While you may believe your decisions are rational, most choices are actually controlled by your intuitive (emotional) mind. Studies show that people rely on the heart, rather than on logic, to make decisions. Douglass Van Praet, author of <em>Unconscious Branding: How Neuroscience Can Empower (and Inspire) Marketing</em>, says this:</p> <br> <p>"The most startling truth is we don't even think our way to logical solutions. We feel our way to reason. Emotions are the substrate, the base layer of neural circuitry underpinning even rational deliberation. Emotions don't hinder decisions. They constitute the foundation on which they're made!"</p> <br> <p>Brands put emotional marketing in play by focusing more on the needs and passions of customers instead of on the unique product benefits their products bring.</p> <br> <p>For example, Pampers exalts healthy, well-rested infants instead of dry baby bottoms. Nike inspires people to overcome limitations instead of highlighting superior shoe quality. Harley sells people freedom without limits rather than offering a mode of transportation. And Cassell's Hamburgers offers people a return to simpler days, including original chairs, tables, signage, and original menus hanging on the wall.</p> <br> <p>Want to enhance the emotional message your brand brings? Brand marketers suggest starting with steps like these:</p> <ul> <br> <li>Treat prospects as people rather than buyers</li><br> <li>Give people multiple chances or channels to try or become familiar with your products</li><br> <li>Use ads with identity messages that motivate or move people</li><br> <li>Create a shared community among purchasers</li><br> <li>Inspire users to have dreams</li><br> <li>Offer messages that give people an experience, not just information</li><br> </ul> <p>Create stories that allow your company to be part of people's lives and appeal to every aspect of your customers' personalities: their ego, needs, dreams, or general emotional state.</p> <br> <p>These connections can happen through music, artworks, logos, signage, slogans, sport, or anything that really 'speaks to your customers.</p> <br> <p>Above all, emotional branding seeks to build lifelong partnerships between a business and its customers. Once someone is emotionally captured by a brand, they are more likely to stay loyal for decades.</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-44204846686157770862019-02-12T10:31:00.001-08:002019-02-12T10:31:59.861-08:00Four Exercises to Fuel Your Design Innovation<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm4Qgmq3Px2LtRUeWTO5iHDayXmHwMd5y131956EO9cZv12Z-EnjBSOQDbLvqtuqP47Uz6ijuSgP08vdFCeos5GLcCkvQccbM-r2CMEFCB6pqU-IBl4Kvqlu30xK2hPRzJYbkx2H7pIk/s1600/GettyImages-869440688-719894.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm4Qgmq3Px2LtRUeWTO5iHDayXmHwMd5y131956EO9cZv12Z-EnjBSOQDbLvqtuqP47Uz6ijuSgP08vdFCeos5GLcCkvQccbM-r2CMEFCB6pqU-IBl4Kvqlu30xK2hPRzJYbkx2H7pIk/s320/GettyImages-869440688-719894.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6657183505216698306" /></a></p><p>Even the most brilliant creators need new fuel from time to time.</p> <br> <p>If you're feeling stifled or uninspired (or you just want to have fun!) consider some of these <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sparks-Concepts-Exercises-Ingenuity/dp/1581804385"> creative "sparks" from designer Jim Krause</a> to ignite fresh perspective in your monthly routine.</p> <br> <p><strong>Exercise:</strong> Make a puddle of ink. Blow the ink around using a straw. Consider layering different colors of ink and using different kinds of paper. To mix things up, repeat this exercise but start the puddle of ink on an existing picture—a landscape, a silhouette, a cultural icon.</p> <br> <p><em>Takeaway: </em>Creating things that create themselves reminds us that art is fun and beauty can arise from unexpected places.</p> <br> <p><strong>Exercise:</strong> Choose a subject and create 25 thumbnail icons that depict its message and its meaning. If that's too easy, try 50 or 100. Start with basic sketches and transition into graphic design or photos. Consider different line weights, shaded and filled areas, or combinations of geometric shapes.</p> <br> <p><em>Takeaway:</em> Forcing yourself to sketch the same thing in different ways can build and broaden your artistic muscle. The next time you work on a concept, fill a full page with icon sketch versions of it before you settle on your design of choice.</p> <br> <p><strong>Exercise:</strong> When was the last time you took out a paintbrush? Still-life portraits are a tangible way to sharpen your skills, especially when you combine objects of various shapes and textures in interesting arrangements (think eggs in a bowl surrounded by glass spice bottles on a bustled cloth napkin).</p> <br> <p><em>Takeaway:</em> Still-life paintings are like eating your carrots: they're good for you and increase your appreciation of texture. Painting helps you learn to see forms and colors, which makes you a more effective artist in any field.</p> <br> <p><strong>Exercise:</strong> Begin with a blank piece of paper. Make a mark using the media of your choice (India ink, acrylic paint, and toothbrush, sketching pencils, chalk). The next mark you make will be a reaction to the first mark. This can be a new mark, a line, shading, fillers, or finishes. The goal here is not to "plan" what you're going to draw but to practice progressive art by following one element to another (like a group of people taking turns adding sentences to a narrative). Your goal is not to create a thing of beauty, but simply to flow. If the results are pleasing, that's fine. If not, that' s ok too. </p> <br> <p><em>Takeaway:</em> This exercise teaches the artist to rely on instinct: to react or flow rather than to plan and control. The best art can be born out of spontaneity.</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Tend Your Roots</strong></h3> <br> <p>Creating is like breathing: it brings energy and life! If you only create what you're "told" to do, you will stagnate. Tend your roots by cultivating the passions and interests that nourish your artistic core. As you pursue creative expressions outside your job or career, originality will flow in your profession as well.</p> <br> <p>Now that your designs are really singing, find high impact print options that won't shock your budget. Want to talk cost-effective wow factors like thermography, high shine coatings, or alternative bleed options? Give us a call!</p> <br> <p> </p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-27426540592745763172019-02-11T12:28:00.001-08:002019-02-11T12:28:17.139-08:00Team Collaboration Transforms Customer Service<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbLcjYf4uQ_zQQN16Sym9w6RKiBhuBL6AQCziQ-ZZRFHhi5pMFaWEz9hQQ_2mvv6Z3gGJao9sVTp2Rk8QsHXNWIZcWHfkOgsx7LdwCyoNSaatQXPla1eWK8TwPyEr2dsHE8U3GcWJY9w/s1600/GettyImages-925689844-797177.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbLcjYf4uQ_zQQN16Sym9w6RKiBhuBL6AQCziQ-ZZRFHhi5pMFaWEz9hQQ_2mvv6Z3gGJao9sVTp2Rk8QsHXNWIZcWHfkOgsx7LdwCyoNSaatQXPla1eWK8TwPyEr2dsHE8U3GcWJY9w/s320/GettyImages-925689844-797177.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6656842386930324530" /></a></p><p>T-Mobile touts itself as "America's Fastest Unlimited Network."</p> <br> <p>In a fiercely competitive market, T-Mobile knows one of its most crucial responsibilities is to bring pleasurable customer support to the millions who call their helpline each month. While traditionally its call service center resembled a factory floor (cubicles brimming with reps donning headsets), T-Mobile has dedicated the past decade to reinventing its service sector.</p> <br> <p>Today when you enter a T-Mobile contact center, you'll find reps sitting together in shared pods as they collaborate to solve customer issues as a "Team of Experts," or TEX. TEX teams include cross-functional groups of 47 people who serve named customer accounts in a specific market. Each team has a point leader, four coaches, and eight technology specialists. Customers no longer wade through a "call tree" but have immediate access to a dedicated, reliable team. Teams are so connected to their service region that they follow the daily news in this area and decorate their pods accordingly (like a Lego replica of the Golden Gate bridge).</p> <br> <p>"We're constantly talking about what's happening there," said a senior rep whose team serves San Diego. "I've never been to San Diego, but I know what's going on in the local news, where the best place is for fish tacos, and what the surf report looks like for the next few days."</p> <br> <p>Now a team in Chattanooga is responsible for 120,000 customers in Detroit, and a Charleston team responds to suburban Philadelphia. This collaboration allows each service team to operate like a small business, with members laboring together to increase performance. As a result, employee turnover has decreased by 48%. T-Mobile now boasts its lowest "cost to serve" ratio in company history (down 13% since 2016) and has been ranked the number one wireless company for service by Nielsen for the past 24 months.</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">T</span>ogether <span style="text-decoration: underline;">E</span>veryone <span style="text-decoration: underline;"> A</span>chieves <span style="text-decoration: underline;">M</span>ore</strong></h3> <br> <p>Team collaboration fuels innovation and provides consistent service for your customers.</p> <br> <p>Does your team have a sense of enthusiasm or shared DNA that brings measurable results? T-Mobile started with four questions:</p> <br> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <br> <li>Are our customers happier?</li><br> <li>Are they staying with us longer?</li><br> <li>Are we deepening our relationship with them?</li><br> <li>Are we making their service experience low-effort? </li><br> </ul> <p>Embracing a team-service focus brings your clients more effective answers. Reps develop more authentic relationships with clients, which means they can improve their everyday service functions. And this ultimately enhances the product or service you offer. A superior output prompts higher customer loyalty, increased sales, and better word-of-mouth for your business.</p> <br> <p>Here are three tips to help you improve customer service teamwork:</p> <br> <h3><strong>Clearly State the Team Objectives</strong></h3> <br> <p>Teams can't move fluidly until everyone knows what the "win" is.</p> <br> <h3><strong>Highlight Team Performance</strong></h3> <br> <p>Regularly communicate achievements, challenges, and specific goals. As progress is celebrated, motivation and unity increases.</p> <br> <h3><strong>Create a Sense of Belonging</strong></h3> <br> <p>While T-Mobile's traditional customer-service managers only measured individual performance, today compensation is variably weighted according to both individual and team performance.</p> <br> <p>Teams use collaboration software to resolve calls and alert each other of escalating issues (like regional power outages). From this ownership mindset to a wholesale transformation of the factory floor, customer care vice president Callie Field says <a href="https://hbr.org/2018/11/reinventing-customer-service">team unity has empowered everyone to do more</a>:</p> <br> <p>"If all you ask people to do is bring down their handle time, they can do that. But if you empower them to do more—to think like a small-business owner who is focused on the customer's happiness and the strategic management of their P&L—they can do that too. And they'll do it really well if you give them the tools and get out of their way."</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-42225343807021059732019-02-04T11:45:00.001-08:002019-02-04T11:45:49.677-08:00Etiquette Training for a New Generation<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssCDrIGCFTAeyds25TV9RM_IsLi25y29aGh01rAdlKMG9i_jnZbzPzH-YMW9bng7flHqM3GH54reyuGaW9CXx-7O5EMAYFQQj91H8Q5vpaIUKSbXEYgc8foQfS0Inp7WgzDcf5naCf90/s1600/GettyImages-847330938-749714.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssCDrIGCFTAeyds25TV9RM_IsLi25y29aGh01rAdlKMG9i_jnZbzPzH-YMW9bng7flHqM3GH54reyuGaW9CXx-7O5EMAYFQQj91H8Q5vpaIUKSbXEYgc8foQfS0Inp7WgzDcf5naCf90/s320/GettyImages-847330938-749714.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6654233848133203410" /></a></p><p>Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post has a bone to pick with millennials and their bad manners. Consider one <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/04/26/heres-what-millennials-can-do-to-fix-their-terrible-manners/"> technology-related example</a>:</p> <br> <p>"Last week I watched in horror as a 20-something girl carefully snapped a photo of a basket of onions," said Oleksinski. "But we weren't at a serene farm or the Marché d'Aligre in Paris — we were crammed into the Columbus Circle Whole Foods. Thousands of customers were streaming through the aisle trying to grab some garlic for their dinners, and Little Miss Annie Leibovitz was blocking traffic to get some artsy snaps of nightshades. Will she print out these photos? Nope. A pile of white spheres under fluorescent light is even too dull for Instagram. Next time, Annie, take a breath and think about where you are . . . Pay for your brie wrap and vamoose."</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;"><strong>Etiquette is Part of Your Brand</strong></h3> <br> <p>Oleksinski isn't alone. Modern professionals are finding a suffocating relationship with technology has left them oblivious to social basics their elders took for granted.</p> <br> <p>Presentation, both personal and professional, is a key to showing who you are. And etiquette training of all kinds is making a resurgence for millennials.</p> <br> <p>"Etiquette is so much a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/colehaan/2018/11/06/all-manner-of-manners-etiquette-training-for-a-new-generation/"> part of your brand</a>," said Rachel Isgar, a Phoenix-based etiquette coach and author. "Just a few improvements can help your career." </p> <br> <p>People respond to people, and poor manners may mean a hindered partnership, a missed promotion, or a collapsed deal. Companies like Beaumont Etiquette, which runs a marquee "finishing program" in the Plaza Hotel of Manhattan, have recognized a unique need for social training in the modern generation.</p> <br> <p>For $125, a participant can take part in a two-hour group session that teaches courtesy gestures, personal hygiene, and a range of soft skills conducive to successful socializing.</p> <br> <p>"Even if it was not something you were taught as a child, <a href="https://www.jltulsa.org/one-on-one-with-mentorship-luncheon-keynote-speaker-myka-meier/"> anyone can learn to have good etiquette</a>, and it's up to you to teach yourself," founder Myka Meiers said. "I think, sadly, people become very self-involved . . . and forget about others. What I wish these people could learn is that by spending just a little time each day making someone else happy and spreading kindness, even the smallest gesture, their lives could be so much more fulfilled."</p> <br> <p>Meiers says honoring others includes everything from table manners to Twitter posts. Just as we once taught people to "think before you speak," how much more crucial should it be to "think before you post?"</p> <br> <p>"If you don't want your grandmother or your boss to read it, don't post it," Meiers said. "Once it's on the web, it's out there for good." </p> <br> <p>Want to curb your own bad behavior? Consider ten smartphone tips for starters: </p> <br> <ol> <br> <li>Never ignore those you're with to make a call or text.</li><br> <li>Apologize to your guest if you need to respond to an important message.</li><br> <li>Never leave your ringer on in quiet places. </li><br> <li>Never use offensive language while using your phone in public.</li><br> <li>Don't post work-related complaints on social media.</li><br> <li>Don't photograph everything.</li><br> <li>Never post on social media while you're under the influence.</li><br> <li>Don't place your phone on the table during meetings.</li><br> <li>Don't text people about work outside of normal office hours.</li><br> <li>Don't dehumanize cashiers by using your phone while someone serves you.</li><br> </ol> <br> <p>Daniel Post-Senning, co-author of the 19th edition of "Emily Post's Etiquette: Manners for Today," says ultimately good manners are about putting others first, whether that's online or at a dinner party. While social customs change, manners are timeless:</p> <br> <p>"Manners are really <a href="https://nypost.com/2017/04/26/heres-what-millennials-can-do-to-fix-their-terrible-manners/"> reflections of core principles</a>," Daniel says. "Consideration, respect and honesty."</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-64275048741131079782019-01-08T17:22:00.001-08:002019-01-08T17:22:48.192-08:00Build Momentum with Contests that Make Your Customers Smile<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyl6oadLlcOw5sW-mGrR5BBkRtoGPi33yztDGtt8mNF2bRiozbxwRRCTkJZKW3OkGA5HFfMU2JCMk_BG1nPUSlzq1mAvqXDOj3Si9ivcj4XK2wAE64CF02TvkEd3G6MJrQYmlgjJhE2A/s1600/GettyImages-869218386-768237.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyl6oadLlcOw5sW-mGrR5BBkRtoGPi33yztDGtt8mNF2bRiozbxwRRCTkJZKW3OkGA5HFfMU2JCMk_BG1nPUSlzq1mAvqXDOj3Si9ivcj4XK2wAE64CF02TvkEd3G6MJrQYmlgjJhE2A/s320/GettyImages-869218386-768237.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6644301385852785954" /></a></p><p>Boston was overjoyed again as their darling RedSox capped off a 5-1 series victory over the Dodgers to take the 2018 World Series title.</p> <br> <p>The championship was well deserved, as Boston won a record 119 games, more victories than any World Series champion except the 1998 Yankees. "Now we deserve to be known as the greatest Red Sox team of all time," said infielder Brock Holt.</p> <br> <p>If the RedSox are not the greatest, they are <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/red-sox-have-most-obsessed-fans-data-shows/"> certainly the most loved</a>. According to numbers crunched by Bundle, Boston fans are "America's most obsessed baseball fans." Bundle's stats include money spent on tickets, food, and merchandise, including neighborhood restaurants and bars. From May of 2003 to April 2013, the Red Sox sold out every home-game seat – a total of 820 games for a major professional sports record!</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;">The "Perfect Game" Promotion</h3> <br> <p>One Boston retailer recognized this passion and tapped into the momentum.</p> <br> <p>In 2013, Jordan's Furniture held a "Perfect Game" promotion with <a href="https://bostononbudget.com/jordans-furniture-perfect-game-promotion/"> one simple premise</a>: any fan buying furniture or merchandise before May 5 would receive the furniture for free if a Red Sox pitcher threw a perfect game between July 17 and October 1. While that perfect game never materialized, the contest was certainly a home run. In 2014, Jordan's offered a new promotion: if the Sox could repeat their 2013 World Series victory, everyone who bought furniture between before May 18, 2014, would get a full rebate on their purchase!</p> <br> <p>Jordan's grabbed local excitement and used it as fuel for sales. And why not? A wonderful way to build brand loyalty is by making your customers smile. Like a "kiss a pig" contest generates giving, you can grow marketing engagement with an entertaining contest of your own. Here are three examples to get your creative juices flowing:</p> <br> <h3>1. Get Them Snapping. </h3> <br> <p>People love to snap and share photos, especially of themselves.</p> <br> <p>Capitalize on that obsession with personalized photo contests! Any photo contest can begin with these words: "Show us your _____." Contestants then take photos that demonstrate their best, their worst, their ugliest, their cutest, etc.</p> <br> <p>Perhaps the winner of the ugliest couch gets a free upgrade from your showroom. Maybe the cutest baby picture nets a year of free diapers. The craziest bedhead gets a free cut and style from your salon. Get them sharing and enjoy the results!</p> <br> <h3>2. Get Them to Go Wild. </h3> <br> <p>In this scenario, customers capture shots of themselves using your product "in the wild."</p> <br> <p>This contest could include video or traditional photo categories and might also be used as a monthly or bi-annual promotion. Winners receive a prize, a service credit, or a gift card.</p> <br> <p>When you publicize the contest, include questions that might draw fun testimonials as well. Feature results in your newsletters, social media posts, or in hilarious product reviews!</p> <br> <h3><strong>3. Get Them Celebrating</strong>. </h3> <br> <p>What food do you adore? Do others love it too?</p> <br> <p>Get their taste buds tingling by building contests around minor secular observances like national doughnut day, coffee day, s'more day, etc. (Run a quick internet search of "national food days" for inspiration!)</p> <br> <p>Seasonal contests allow you to foster anticipation every year, especially during your off seasons. Ask people to vote on their favorite pie flavor then serve samples. Ask contestants to guess the number of Ghiradelli chocolates in your vase on National Chocolate Day. Ask for sweetest first date stories and give away a Valentine's Day package at a local restaurant or hotel.</p> <br> <p> Make customers smile and keep your name front and center all year!</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-11109846643094192342018-12-04T06:04:00.001-08:002018-12-04T06:04:21.246-08:00Print: Use Faces to Command Viewer Attention<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2tEm2i4XSSW96Jug3Qghmy-3TenRScWEzai2JQyafR6heTtztwbQNktIzD5SxOt2tAb_xj__ihtDJr-XYKHC3khzgtytar5b_Ibchh0bcoQ8atpWXiqNkJHyzxsy-4-HhvQbxXtvBE0/s1600/GettyImages-950646540-761284.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2tEm2i4XSSW96Jug3Qghmy-3TenRScWEzai2JQyafR6heTtztwbQNktIzD5SxOt2tAb_xj__ihtDJr-XYKHC3khzgtytar5b_Ibchh0bcoQ8atpWXiqNkJHyzxsy-4-HhvQbxXtvBE0/s320/GettyImages-950646540-761284.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6631138570800923010" /></a></p><p>Did you know that humans are the only primates with eyes that contain a white sclera around the dark iris and the pupil?</p> <br> <p>Consequently, unlike our animal counterparts, we have the ability and tendency to follow each other's eye gaze, to pinpoint precisely what someone is focusing on, and even to read into the emotion behind a viewer's eye. This also gives us an innate ability to sense when we're being looked at or to hastily avert our gaze in awkward moments.</p> <br> <p>Eye contact plays a crucial role in human communication, and faces have an incredible ability to command a viewer's attention.</p> <br> <p>Imagine yourself walking down a busy street in a large city where you don't know anyone. Suddenly, among a sea of faces, you spy a family member. Among hundreds of people, you can immediately recognize one individual and you have a strong emotional response.</p> <br> <p>Why is this experience so powerful?</p> <br> <p>Scientist Nancy Kanwisher identified a special part of the brain called the <a href="http://web.mit.edu/bcs/nklab/media/pdfs/KanwisherStanleyHarrisNR99.pdf"> fusiform face area</a> (FFA). The FFA allows faces to bypass the brain's usual interpretive channels and helps us identify faces more quickly than objects. Because the FFA is so close to the brain's emotional center (called the amygdala), the time lapse between recognition and response is nearly non-existent.</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Faces Add Impact in Marketing</h3> <br> <p>How does this play into marketing and print? First, it's important to recognize the impact of faces so we can prioritize them in design.</p> <br> <p><a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/1467-9280.00179">Research by Catherine Mondloch</a> (1999) shows that newborn babies less than an hour old prefer looking at something that has facial features. Humans prefer humans, and people buy from people! It would be careless to overlook these statistics while continually deferring to inanimate objects. When you're looking to add that personal touch to your marketing mix, remember faces can help you to:</p> <br> <h4>Connect With People</h4> <br> <p>Large, faceless corporations feel cold and manipulative.</p> <br> <p>Putting faces on your brand allows people to connect with your audience in a way they can relate to. As you position faces in your ads, remember eyes looking right at people will have the greatest emotional impact, because the eyes are the most significant part of the face.</p> <br> <h4>Create Curiosity</h4> <br> <p>If a face on your poster is gazing toward another spot or product in the margin, people will also tend to track toward that area.</p> <br> <p>Emotions can be carried from a subject to a viewer as you set a tone within your design. The emotion in the faces you display can draw people to linger at your design or to be drawn deeper into the message.</p> <br> <p><strong>Cultivate Trust</strong></p> <br> <p>People react to a photo on a page faster than any other design element, and seeing the people behind a business can establish credibility very quickly.</p> <br> <p>You can use faces to cultivate trust by using staff profiles on your website, facial photos in welcome displays or high traffic areas, or by utilizing brochures that include testimonials and photos from real customers. If viewers can relate to the people enjoying your product they will automatically build positive associations.</p> <br> <p>When used properly, the use of people and faces can help you connect with people, create curiosity, and cultivate trust. Bypass resistance and build connections through the magnetic power of people!</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3347549962174452107.post-68768220206315819002018-11-27T10:22:00.001-08:002018-11-27T10:22:45.634-08:00The Ideal Length for Tweets, Facebook Posts, and More<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiGRjdhaGO01anUu5CdMLJX02YXpd2z2PhCFWH5UBMpelpUJdOV95qUDxcke58eqXBoxcpUo8MPVk0OczmHv8ZQGMdridmjtvaFKEe2W6MmgPVxa4nFCEQYBkCNqzOfq1fXinAJu6G0U/s1600/GettyImages-903294148-765666.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiGRjdhaGO01anUu5CdMLJX02YXpd2z2PhCFWH5UBMpelpUJdOV95qUDxcke58eqXBoxcpUo8MPVk0OczmHv8ZQGMdridmjtvaFKEe2W6MmgPVxa4nFCEQYBkCNqzOfq1fXinAJu6G0U/s320/GettyImages-903294148-765666.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6628607562774369362" /></a></p><p>You've taken the time to collect your thoughts. You've carefully outlined your ideas, your theme, and the overall tone you'd like to communicate. Wouldn't it be nice if people actually read it?</p> <br> <p>Better make it quick!</p> <br> <p>Generation Z, born after 1996, is already emerging from the shadow of millennials. Making up a quarter of the U.S. population, they will account for 40 percent of all consumers by 2020. Gen Z processes content faster than other generation, especially considering most can sort through piles of information using four screens simultaneously.</p> <br> <p>Although their options seem limitless, their time is finite. Gen Z consumers have an <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2017/11/27/how-to-win-the-hearts-of-the-gen-z-consumer-base-in-eight-seconds/"> average browsing attention span</a> of eight seconds (as compared to twelve seconds for millennials).</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Make Every Word Count</h3> <br> <p>As lead time decreases, efficiency must increase.</p> <br> <p>How do you evaluate the "right" speed for sharing? Research has answers! Here are some research-based guidelines on the ideal length for Tweets, Facebook and blog posts, headlines, and e-mails.</p> <br> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Twitter</h3> <br> <p>Twitter allows a maximum of 280 characters, and your posts should resemble the same type of short and sweet chirp you might hear from a bird.</p> <br> <p>The essence of Twitter is its commitment to bite-sized, sharable comments. What is the ideal length of a tweet?</p> <br> <p>Research by Buddy Media shows 100 characters is the <a href="https://stories.buffer.com/the-ideal-length-for-every-social-media-update-infographic-1c544f1b0048"> engagement sweet spot</a> for a tweet. This analysis saw a spike in retweets among those between 71-100 characters (so-called "medium" length tweets). These posts have enough characters for the original poster to share something substantial and for a person sharing (or re-tweeting) to add commentary as well.</p> <br> <h3>Facebook</h3> <br> <p>Exactly what size is a 40-character post?</p> <br> <p>The sentence you just read had 41 characters. That's pretty brief! Research by global marketing influencer Jeff Bullas found that posts with 40 characters received the <a href="https://www.jeffbullas.com/10-powerful-tips-to-increase-fan-engagement-on-facebook/"> 86 percent higher engagement</a> (including comments, shares, and "like" rates from viewers) than other posts. Can't limit yourself to such blunt communication? Posts with 80 characters or fewer received 66 percent higher engagement. Minimize length and you'll maximize reach!</p> <br> <h3>Blog Posts</h3> <br> <p>Medium is a <a href="https://medium.com/">blog platform</a> that taps the brains of the world's most insightful writers, thinkers, and storytellers.</p> <br> <p>When measuring content that performed best on their site, Medium found that an ideal blog post is around 1,600 words, meaning the post will engage people for about seven minutes. A photo-heavy post is better suited to around 980 words, and any blog post longer than 300 words should be filled with subheads to create enhanced readability or "skim layers" for viewers.</p> <br> <h3>Headlines</h3> <br> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>"Bold and Brief is Best!"</strong></em></p> <br> <p>According to KISSmetrics headline experts, six words is the ideal length for headlines.</p> <br> <p>Usability research reveals people don't only scan body copy, they also skim headlines. Consequently, they tend to absorb only the first three words and the last three words of each headline.</p> <br> <p>Don't want them to miss your point? Then don't use any words in between!</p> <br> <p>Six-word headlines can be challenging, so Kissmetrics suggests that rather than stressing about length, just make every word count. Especially the first three and the last three!</p> <br> <h3>E-mail Subject Lines</h3> <br> <p>Can you boost the open rate for your e-mails by manipulating the subject length? A <a href="https://blog.bufferapp.com/the-ideal-length-of-everything-online-according-to-science"> study released by Mailer</a> found a slight bump in opens and clicks at a certain range of characters:</p> <br> <p>· 4–15 characters: 15.2% open; 3.1% click</p> <br> <p>· 16–27 characters: 11.6% open; 3.8% click</p> <br> <p>· <strong>28–39 characters: 12.2% open; 4% click</strong></p> <br> <p>· 40–50 characters: 11.9% open; 2.8% click</p> <br> <p>· 51+ characters: 10.4% open; 1.8% click</p> <br> <p>Mid-range subjects brought the highest response. Also, research found higher open rates for e-mail subjects that convey timely information, imply benefit for quick action, and avoid exaggeration (such as capitalized letters or exclamation points).</p> CE Print Solutions, Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07176721519297884627noreply@blogger.com0