General Business Blog
Why Research Helps your Business Sell More
A big part of my process is research. What research I do changes with each type of project, but regardless I’m always doing some. In all my years of helping businesses with their graphics, and oftentimes giving them communications or marketing tips, I’ve learned that...
Why taking action in your business matters
There are a lot of phrases meant to inspire action. I’m part of the generation that grew up in the USA in the 1990s. During this era, a specific sportswear brand's slogan was the inspirational catchphrase of the day. My personal favorite is one from my family that I...
The not fun, but very important thing your business needs!
I love designing and consulting my clients, but there’s an unfun side to my business – most businesses really. One of those things is contracts. Writing them, reading them. They’re important to understand. A contract doesn’t just protect the business, it also protects...
5 Things You Need to Craft a Good Sales Message
I’m not a professional copywriter, but I’ve written my fair share of sales messages over the years. Some were for clients who are struggling with their writing, but most were for me. I’ve also read a lot of sales messages and seen which ones have pulled in customers...
Why Everything is Sales
For many of us, our first exposure to learning to sell was for your school, another organization, or their family’s business. However, you unknowingly got your start learning how to sell goods and services is important. It’s especially important if you want to run a...
Why understanding where your marketing materials are going to be seen is important
If you’ve ever travelled or have family from another country, you’re well aware of the fact that communication is different in each country. Communication doesn’t just mean language, it’s also gestures, icons, and images as well. Now that the internet and social media...
Fun Ways to Stay Motivated in Your Business
At different points in the year, things can feel stale and the motivation to uphold your business's professional standard can disappear. This lack of motivation is totally okay and probably more common than you think. The question then becomes how do you get that...
What to do if you dislike making New Year’s Resolutions
It's almost the New Year. Everyone I know is busy setting goals and planning their New Year's Resolutions. Everyone, but me. See, I can't stand New Years Resolutions. They don't work for me. If they work for you, that is awesome and I'm excited for your success next...
What the heck is “Hustle” and “Manifestation” and which one is right?
When it comes to working for yourself, I see two camps. The hustle until you drop camp that glorifies working hundreds of hours a week and the manifestation camp that on the first pass seems to believe they can think their way to wealth. I got curious about which one...
3 Design Myths Busted
Every industry has those myths that they can’t seem to shake. Where these myths come from, no one really knows for sure. The design industry is no different! It’s got its fair share of myths. Today I’m going to examine and bust 3 myths in the design industry! Let's...
The Importance of Communications and Sales in Design
If you’ve been around me for any length of time, you’ll have heard me tell you graphic design is not pretty pictures and it’s about communications and sales. Today, I’d like to dive deeper into that a little bit and chat about why it’s a communications and sales tool....
Why Mindset is Science and How it Helps You Succeed!
Mindset, Alignment. These are some of the hot new buzz words everyone seems to be talking about! Everyone seems to have an opinion on this, some buy into it fully and trust their spirits and angels and such to lead and guide them. Others think it’s a load of horse...
Asking for Success: 3 ways to ask for client reviews or testimonials
Reviews! Testimonials! Feedback! No matter what you call them they really matter for your business as it is estimated that sales rise by over 50% when a business has around 10 current reviews. One of the hardest things to do for a lot of business owners is to find a...
Work from Home Productivity Tips
I’ve been a solo entrepreneur working from home for a long time now. I adore working from home, but it’s easy to get distracted. Through some trial and error, I have discovered a few easy tips to keep myself on track and working when I’d much rather skip out and read...
3 design must haves on mailer postcards
For my clients in the USA, mailer postcards either using EDDM or through their own bulk mailing permits have been a super popular way for them to get their name and message out to potential or current customers. They are probably the number one thing I create and I...
One of the Easiest Ways to Be More Productive in Business
Running a business on top of all of your other responsibilities can be a big challenge. There are a ton of different ways to get things done quickly, but one of my favorite ways to get things done is batching content! For the uninitiated content is the word used to...
The Secret Cost of DIY
I was on the phone with someone the other day chatting and we were talking about the concept of being a chronic do-it-yourselfer. During that discussion, I realized that all DIY has a hidden cost associated with it and I thought it was interesting and wanted to share....
Marketing Through the Mail: Basics about Postcards and EDDM
One of the main things I design all of the time is postcards. I always ask clients if they’re planning to mail them or not. The reasons why are many, but one of them is because I have to create a postcard for EDDM and mailing differently than a non-mailed one and I...
What to Discuss When Hiring a Graphic Designer
“How do I hire a graphic designer? What do I say?” I get asked this a lot especially as I network in my hometown and on the Internet. I figured since this question is so popular, I’d answer here for all of you too! Before you hire a graphic designer determine what...
How Planning Helps Your Business Grow
There’s no magic bullet to creating a successful business, but I feel like I’ve discovered the next best thing. When done strategically, it can save time, money and supercharge your business towards its goals. I’m talking about planning. It might seem boring to do and...