THE RESOURCE CENTER
Educate yourself and improve your skills with our helpful articles, tips and tricks on web design, graphic design, copywriting, startups and many more subjects.
How Flocksy Works
When you submit a project request, you’ll be prompted to fill out information about the task. Before doing this, though, you should upload files to your brand bucket. Doing so helps ensure that the creatives have the information that they need to successfully complete your project. What is a brand...
Once you’ve established your creative brief and begun setting up your project request in Flocksy, you’ll see a section that asks you to invite team members. If you’ve already formed your creative team, these people will auto-populate this section. But what happens after you send those invites? Let’s take a...
Once you have a few creatives whose work you like and who have gotten to know your brand, you’ll have the option to invite them to work on your projects. You’ll find those team members when creating your project in the second step. Once the project reaches your current queue,...
Now that your creative project has been posted on Flocksy, you can sit back and await great results. But when the team member added to your project sends over a draft or proof, you might find yourself facing a difficult question: What do you do if you don’t like the...
To request your first creative project on Flocksy, you’ll need to fill out a project brief. Doing so ensures that the creatives who are added to your project will have the information and assets they need to deliver what you want. Here’s how to go through our project request process,...
Business
The modern world is chock full of distractions and that’s not going to change anytime soon. The most productive people are not those who learn to simply ignore these distractions (as that’s nearly impossible) but those who know certain methods and strategies to maintain their focus. There are a number...
Every morning you wake up with a plan and a purpose, you can thank your previous night’s evening regimen for creating the intention. Your nighttime routine makes all the difference in how you approach the following day with reckless abandon. It’s your overall self-care, well being, and your attention to...
The new year is a time of new beginnings. It’s a chance to close the door on the past and step into the future. The first month of a new year inspires us to start fresh. January is the month of resolutions and changes. Here are 5 ways to take...
Are you feeling the doldrums setting in as the days are shorter and the weather is chillier? Well, fear no more, as these 7 winter tips can be used to help keep you feeling efficient, motivated, and wonderfully productive. Life doesn’t always give you the opportunity to hibernate, and it’s...
Have you ever passed by a billboard that just didn’t make any sense? Did you ask yourself, “Wow, who let that happen?” Maybe you had the same experience when you saw a Facebook ad that was confusing, or a sponsored post from an influencer that was just cringey. What was...
Business relationships are built on the same things as personal relationships: trust, time, respect, and laughter.Tools like communication, generosity, and social media can make building relationships much easier.As you educate your customers, offer help, and ask for feedback, you’ll see your customers happily coming back because of the relationship you’ve...
Email has been around for a few decades now, which means there’s lots of advice out there on how to best organize your inbox. However, as both email technology and the way we communicate changes, we need to take the time to re-evaluate our email best practices. Our inboxes are...
The end of the year is an excellent time to take stock, clean up, and plan out your business’s growth.Be sure that you finalize all financial statements and HR documents so that you can meet important deadlines.There’s always a chance to revise your current approach and set new goals. 2020...
Focusing on creating a strong team can help your employees feel a sense of community, while also keeping their focus on your shared goals.Focusing on supporting your team will help them in their personal lives and by improving that space, you will see them being more productive workers.Focusing on yourself...
With everyone looking to make resolutions in the new year, you can gain access to customers looking to make themselves better.Hiring is easier in the new year as people commit to advancing their career and the holiday workers are out of a job.As people plan ahead, you can grab a...
What Is Zoom Fatigue?Why Does Zoom Fatigue Happen?Tips For Fighting Zoom Fatigue Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all turned to virtual interactions. We are calling, Face Timing, and on Zoom way more than we ever thought we would be. In the last nine months, with the sudden...
Managing remote work teams provides unique challenges, potentially affecting productivity.Remote workers can suffer from problems due to being disconnected from the manager, coworkers, and the physical workplace setting.Managers can implement techniques to successful manage productive remote work teams. With video conferencing platforms, file sharing sites, project management software and messaging...
Making small changes can have a huge impact on how productive you are.With a little forethought, you can plan out your day and your deadlines so you can finish everything on time.Being realistic about what you can do and how well you can do it is key. We’ve all experienced...
The business sphere is constantly moving and evolving. It’s difficult to keep up with the pace of business on a good day, but if you or your employees don’t manage their time well, it will be nearly impossible. Focusing from day to day can be difficult but there are many...
Gone are the hopes that the pandemic would be over by the end of 2020. What has already been a rough year for small businesses now seems to be concluding with a holiday season tainted by the coronavirus. To stay afloat, businesses need to develop a COVID coping strategy. Here’s...
Remote collaboration requires a different mindset than collaborating in an office.Using the correct tools, and making sure your employees know how to use them well is key.Making sure every employee knows their assigned roles, manages their time well, and avoids distractions is also essential to run collaborations smoothly. Most businesses...
Starting up a small business is a stressful and complex process. However, whenever you’re trying to start a small business of your own, there’s a guiding principle which will make your efforts easier and more efficient in many different ways. Having a brand in mind for your company and building...
While working from home may seem like a dream come true, at least in the beginning, the reality is that it brings its own set of challenges just like working at the office does. Lots of office workers find themselves working from home full time, for the foreseeable future, and...
"Commercial use" describes anything ultimately used for financial gain.All software you use to create for your business needs to be licensed for commercial use.Paying for commercial use licenses can be pricey, but lawsuits are pricier. Content Creation and Licensing Content marketing, naturally, requires creating a lot of content. You need...
The Covid-19 virus has changed how the world works in a dramatic and widespread fashion. One of the most lasting impacts the virus has and will continue to have is on the interviewing process. Since the proliferation of the virus in March, more than eighty percent of companies are conducting...
Working remotely has quickly become one of the most prevalent and important trends of the year in the business sphere. While workers and employers working from home can mean convenience and working at different paces and increasing job satisfaction, it also means increased difficulty in making sure new hires have...
Starting a small business is one of the most challenging goals an individual can accomplish for themselves. There are a multitude of challenges and obstacles that can seem impossible to overcome, but there are tenets of business which can help you get off the ground and attract new customers to...
YouTube is the most popular video-sharing platform in the world, viewed by millions of unique users every day. The platform is free to use and trusted by users who watch videos covering every category under the sun. If you learn the ins and outs of the platform, there’s no limit...
Many businesses have mastered the art of lead generation and attracting new clients from all corners of the internet. However, in this new day and age, the problem has arisen of how to retain customers you’ve already attracted. Customers today want their time and worth respected and their payments to...
The workforce is changing in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic. We are seeing more and more companies make the switch to remote employees and WFH permanently. This new normal requires a lot of changes on behalf of employers and employees, from business hours, a technology learning curve and...
Communication is crucial in workplace relationships, yet it’s consistently one of the most undervalued and underused aspect of an office. Lack of communication can quickly lead to confusion and loss of productivity in the workplace, as well as resent between those who cannot seem to come together to solve their...
In the internet age, the race for efficiency has increased ten-fold among many of the world’s top businesses. Oftentimes, it seems that breaking down barriers between your employees’ home and work lives will bolster their efficiency and create a new era of production and results for your company…but this is...
In the modern age, it can be difficult to focus on one task for very long. This difficulty of focus can easily extend to your business, as distractions can pop up at any time and are sometimes impossible to ignore. Focusing is a lost art but there are a number...
If you’re familiar with Instagram, then you know that Stories have been around for a while now. If you prefer Twitter or Facebook over Instagram, then you might not know about the feature of this incredibly popular app. Essentially, Instagram added a Snapchat like feature to its platform where users...
Image file formats can be roughly divided into three types: raster, print and vector.The various formats lend themselves to different uses: print versus web, as well as the size at which they need to be displayedAlways check with your printer, developer, vendors and other team members to see which file...
Business success requires intentional work.Make the decision to grow and get started right away.Determine your vision, develop your brand, and make yourself visible. You’re in business for a reason. You want conversions, revenue, and overall success. By following your passions and your dreams, you’ve been able to start and run...
SEO strategy must pivot on occasion, just like businesses doSEO is a main source of visibility for your businessSEO has expanded far beyond keyword research, so make sure you look up the top guides Without SEO, there’s next to no chance that your business web page will show up in...
Social media can gain your brand direct contact with your existing and potential customers.Engaging in a dialogue with your audience is a more effective use of the platform than trying to sell a product.Playing it safe isn’t likely to pay off – when it comes to social media, different is...
Branding is essential for new businesses.The definition of a brand varies.Authenticity is key for businesses in the digital age. Branding can do so much to grow a customer base from scratch. New businesses face many challenges, and being known for who they are is one of them. Businesses have to...
Growth comes from both criticism and praise.It’s wise to learn to differentiate between relevant criticism and things that don’t make sense.Learning to understand our response to criticism is essential for growth Criticism and feedback can make some people want to run for the hills. And many people believe that growth...
Graphics play a crucial part in our life.Graphics can help to communicate what you have to offer to customers in an effective and straightforward manner.You can stand out from your competitors with great web graphics. Images play a crucial part in our world. From the internet to books, to blogs,...
Graphic Design
Having a specialty as a freelancer can help you identify your target market. As you do that, make sure you also know who you’re competing against.Sharing your knowledge can improve every team you work with. This will have clients clamoring to hire you again.Producing great work on a consistent basis...
Illustrations are powerful tools in web design. Throughout this discussion learn what conventions are best when using them.These conventions when used effectively can make your brand stand out among your competitors.Look over the examples included in this discussion and see how other companies effectively use illustrations. If you are a...
Your mindset is the determining factor of whether you’ll be successful or unsuccessful. Transform your mind with these 7 habits that will lead you towards success.Make resilience your best friend so that unexpected frustrations and failure don’t knock you off your feet.Don’t just count your abilities! Listen and take advice...
A professional graphic designer will be knowledgeable about the how and why behind logo design.DIYing your business logo may be tricky because you may have difficulty being objective, you may not have the right software or experience necessary.Outsourcing the design of your logo may be a better use of your...
Artists, including graphic designers and web designers, can sometimes fit into the stereotype of being so involved in their creative process that they don’t pay attention to the clock or the calendar. It’s true that time flies when you’re working hard and engrossed in your project. It’s also true that...
All of us are feeling a little isolated, even those who thrive on being alone. Creative people are often a combination of introvert and extrovert. They express emotions and thoughts in their art but are still conversational and draw zest from others. For an artist, painting, sculpting, or designing is...
Getting enough sleep is one of those novelties that seems to surpass even the most stalwart business executives and people who thrive on artistry. Not everybody is immune to insomnia, no matter how hard they try to convince themselves otherwise. Thus, it’s no surprise that a good night’s sleep is...
Branding is also applicable at an individual level and can help separate one designer from the rest.Understanding how you want you and your designs to be perceived as can help you define your niche.Continuous learning and creating will be able to enrich your experiences as a designer, and integrating these...
Establishing a fair rate can feel daunting to most creative freelancers, but it is also an essential part of the profession.Despite misconceptions, creative work shouldn’t cost pennies, nor do you have to go through uncomfortable negotiations to secure a fair fee.It is equally important for freelancers to understand their own...
Logos must express a business’s key messages and the experience that consumers should expect. This attracts new customers and builds trust in the brand.The best logos are simple, relevant, balanced, and memorable.Logos should be easily scaled up or down, with complementary design elements rather than tacked-on text or cluttered details....
Whether you’re just beginning your career or you’re a seasoned graphic designer, it’s a wise idea to invest some time and energy into marketing your services. Take a moment and ask yourself these three questions: Do I have a presence in the right online spaces?Do I feel like my web...
A company logo represents the entire business and holds the potential to make or break its chances of success.While it’s important to think outside of the box, there are certain guidelines to creating a winning logo design every time.All successful logos are unique in their own way, but they share...
Color can be as powerful of an element in your branding as the shape of the logo itself.People respond to color on an emotional level, but there’s an exact science to pleasing color combinations.As important as it is to be familiar with your industry color trends, you should also never...
When sending finalized logo files to a client, it is paramount that everything is formatted correctly. This could be the difference between keeping and losing a client. What follows is the checklist you should consult before sending out your final product. In short, you need to: Convert your text layers...
Designers should make a habit of collecting, organizing, and making lists of their own ideas, strengths, and points of improvement, as well as their favorite designs. These can be used as viable sources for inspiration and reference during creative blocks.Designers should immerse themselves in the world around them-- the art,...
Packaging design must accommodate branding, required information, and the visual assets that most appeal to the target audience.To stand apart from the crowd, be innovative with visual elements, how the packaging closes or folds out, and the overall look and feel of the design.Even with a creative approach, it’s important...
Design thinking is a process with a methodology.Fostering great design thinking is a delicate balance of the elements of a design-focused culture.Design thinking can grow a company’s bottom line. Great graphic design is never an accident. But how, exactly, does a company get great results consistently? If it were as...
Logos have a few new aspects this year.Some major trends are the same.Expression and storytelling are taking a center stage for many brands. Those in design who love big headlines avidly watch the newsreels every year hoping for something groundbreaking. For the last few years, they haven’t gotten it. The...
There are three categories of logos: text-only, image-driven, and combination logos.The type of logo you choose will depend on your business type.You don’t have to stick to one logo. A logo variant is called a lockup. It is just fine to have different lockups of your logo. The logo is...
Creative jobs and their scope of influence has widened over the years, helping professionals explore a diverse range of career opportunities. Organizations tend to hire graphic designers to craft appealing designs for packaging and advertising purposes whereas illustrators are highly sought-after by novelists, marketing agencies, and advertising firms. The demand...
Throwback palettes embrace a vintage aesthetic in 2020. Dark Mode has inspired a new wave of color trends. Classic hues remain the height of sophistication in design. There’s a reason that Oz is portrayed as a land of brilliant color in the film The Wizard of Oz. Color is able...
● A minimalist design is still a strong design. ● A minimalist website encourages engagement. ● Minimalism encompasses usability and the form of the website, not just the extras. Minimalism is an important design trend. Things are growing on the World Wide Web. It’s gotten to be too much for...
The importance of an online presence A glimpse at the best online logos An online presence is important these days. Many brands are finding that they have to adapt their logos to look amazing online. They are simplifying things to make them look good on mobile. But some brands have...
With all the time you put into your ministry, you don’t want your church to be overlooked. Instead of being passed over, you can make your church stand out with some simple design ideas. The right design will pull the attention of the person searching for their place of peace....
A good infographic can be a powerful marketing and educational tool. Designed the right way, it can not only offer valuable information on a subject, but it can also educate a viewer on a business and how it works. What is not commonly known is that there can be different...
The fascination with logos. What is about them? Maybe it’s the fact that they say a lot about a brand without even needing text. Perhaps it’s the fact that they can be so unique and stand out from the sea of other designs. No matter what it is, we know...
A logo maker or logo generator is a cheap, effective option for getting your branding off the ground in a jiffy. While a logo from a logo maker could never replace the endless hours and expertise of a design agency, it will work for the short run! A Quick Turnaround...
Higher education can take a page from business when it comes to marketing. The principles are the same, and nearly every school wants more students in at least one discipline. If your school is already full, you can still use marketing strategies to target types of students you are looking...
If you’re a new business, you need a logo. And if you’re rebranding, a new logo is a great way to freshen up your look. But how do you find a designer who really gets you? It’s easier said than done. Even the best designers may not produce a logo...
So, you’re considering a rebranding. Perhaps your old brand seems a little tired or outdated, or you’re moving into new markets and outgrew your old brand. Either way, a rebranding is not to be taken lightly. Here’s how to navigate the rebranding process in a way that boosts your company....
So you’ve just spend a good portion of your work day putting together the prefect design for a print project. The size and proportions look great, the colors are vibrant and seem to pop right off the page. You just can’t wait to show off your accomplishment to your boss...
For many small businesses that are just starting out, it may seem counterintuitive to focus much attention on graphic design. However, in actuality, this is one of the best strategies and early moves for any company trying to expand their clientele and reach. That is because we live in an...
Startups
The proliferation of the internet has connected people as more than buyers and sellers. All over the web communities have sprung up. These communities are made up of like-minded people who all share a passion for a particular hobby or other interest. Small businesses have been increasingly keen on taking...
There are many different parts to creating a business. You have to identify your product or service, then start building your brand. Building your brand is a crucial part of starting a business. All brands need a catchy and recognizable business name. Picking the right name can be challenging, but...
Small businesses today are doing everything they can to keep up with global corporations in terms of marketing and visibility. Luckily, the internet has provided an even playing field for many components of a well-run marketing strategy. One of the most popular platforms on the web today is the video...
Good business names are descriptive, expressive, and simple to understand and spell.Before choosing a name, do your homework to make sure it’s available and not too similar to your competitors.The best names are concise, memorable, and aligned with your target audience’s expectations for price, service, and experience. Your business name...
Don’t be afraid to seek outside council from consultants and other business professionals in your field.Try not to overload yourself with too much work, train your employees well and learn how to delegate.Keep your business out of the red by paying special attention to your finances. If you don’t have...
If you have an idea for a fantastic innovation or a new invention, and you’re ready to bring it to life, then it’s time to embrace your calling as an entrepreneur. Whether you’re in the initial stages of your entrepreneurial journey, or you’ve been working for yourself for years, you...
Thinking of a business idea is the easy part, but careful planning ultimately determines whether your business will sink or float.Make sure you’re passionate about what you’re planning to invest in. Being stuck doing something you don’t really want to do can drain the motivation out of you so choose...
Improving client relationships is crucial for long-term business successSaying thank you, speaking positively about your competition, and having an upbeat attitude goes a long wayDon't forget to get to know your clients, get their feedback, and focus communications on their needs When you're running a business, few things are as...
Keeping a clean, tidy, and comfortable spot to work is paramount if you want to do your best work.A reliable internet connection is very important when it comes to working from home.Surround yourself with nature to help calm stress and anxiety. Working from home used to be optional, but the...
Around 90% of startups fail. You need more than just a great idea. In this article, you will learn 8 essential tips to guide your startup to success. To get your startup off the ground, you need: A well thought out product that fulfills a specific needA solid business modelA...
The start up phase of creating a business is exciting. It’s full of potential and possibilities. But what happens if there’s a sudden dip in the economy? What happens if there’s an unprecedented global pandemic? There are sure to be surprises along the way for any start up and the...
If you run a small business and operate a website, there’s a good chance you’ve used WordPress to create that site. WordPress is one of the most popular and simplest tools for website creation, but this popularity and simplicity can also make it a common target for online hackers. If...
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought seismic shifts to how the world does business. By now, many are familiar with the trends the pandemic has brought about, such as using remote sites for documents and contacting colleagues through mobile means. One of the most important components of this new normal by...
The growing business-minded use of the internet has spawned innumerable start ups and small businesses around the globe. While many of these businesses are run by highly experienced, talented professionals, they often fail to find a following or attract the customers needed to sustain business. In this article, you’ll learn...
Rebranding can breathe new life into your business, help you make a fresh start, or enable you to have a breakthrough if you have been stuck in the rut for a while. But what do you need to consider when facing the project of rebranding your business? Read on to...
Identify your strengths and focus on using them to build your success.Be thoughtful when laying the foundation for your business.Hold yourself accountable to the same standards that you hold your employees.Be mindful and intentional about the workplace environment that you create.Document your experiences. Learn from the setbacks as much as...
Your brand is essentially your company’s personality, and that plays a big role in the type of relationships you have with your customers or clients. Are you the fun and friendly brand that customers can relate to, or are you a tough-love authority figure who whips clients into shape? Are...
Whether you’re promoting a personal brand or a full company, a professional blog is a powerful way to drive potential customers to your site and establish your authority. Unfortunately, it does require some writing — and not the kind you did in school! Blogging has evolved beyond its early days...
Think Beyond the Logo Graphic design is one of the most important elements to any business’s long- term marketing strategy. More and more increasingly, customers rely on visual cues to make a split-second decision about a business and the value of its communications. Don’t let your hard work and strategy...
They say nothing is as good as word-of-mouth advertising — but flyers run a close second. These versatile print media can establish a strong visual presence for your brand, anywhere from coffee shops to light poles to networking meetups. That said, a badly designed flyer can harm your brand’s reputation....
Web Development
Digging into the elements of successful landing pages and showing you how to create ones that pack a punch and convert well every single time is what defines high-performance websites. Let’s cover the basics on landing pages and how to ensure your website draws in the eyes, the business, and...
Effective websites clearly align with and express the business’s brand identity.Good web design limits itself to a few colors and typefaces that suit the brand.UX is crucial to the overall brand experience. Your website needs to pull a lot of weight. It must be optimized to attract and convert leads,...
Web hosting is like renting space on a server so your website runs smoothly and efficiently.There are a ton of options when it comes to web hosting plans. Picking the right one comes down to the size of your business, the amount you can spend, and the features you’re looking...
As a business leader, you know the importance of a strong online presence. Everything from your Instagram captions to your blog posts needs to reflect your company well and align with your brand identity. While social media is important, the most fundamental part of any company’s web presence is its...
Starting a small business of any type, and in any field, is always a difficult process, and it only gets more difficult if you don’t know how to develop a relationship and a great rapport with your clients. There are many complicated and complex steps to owning and operating a...
What Is A Landing Page? Before you can create a top-quality landing page that converts your leads into customers, you need to know exactly what a landing page is. Essentially, a landing page is the webpage that appears after an interested person clicks a link in a search engine result...
Customers today are more finicky than ever. They expect world class presentation at every stage of their relationship with your company. While this may sound difficult, maybe even impossible, there are some basic steps you can take to let your customers feel more appreciated and at ease. Your website should...
The explosion of content in the last few years has fueled the demand for developers. Companies need creatively skilled individuals who can help craft and develop their brand online to appeal to consumers. Developers are highly sought after, but those who can do their own designing and understand the creative...
The internet is a vast and widespread force, but many still don’t know even the basics of how a website works and how it’s “stored.” This guide will take you through what website hosting is and how it works, breaking down the different components of the process and giving you...
The competition among businesses online is cutthroat and strategic. One of the most powerful indicators of a company’s successes is the responsiveness and design of their website. Potential customers decide to stay or leave in an astounding .05 seconds, so only the most responsive and engaging websites are guaranteed to...
The most effective websites demonstrate the trustworthiness and authenticity of your business.Consistent design and copy promote a good user experience, greater trust, and more sales.For best results, focus on the value that you can offer to your audience rather than merely talking about your business. These days, your online reputation...
You’ve put so much work into developing the content that makes up a website, and now it’s time to put on the finishing touches. That includes choosing the typography that represents your client, the site, the products, or the service in the best light. There are many different factors to...
In this article we’ll cover: Why documentation is importantWhom documentation is forWhat to include in your documentationMethodology Why is documentation important? Documentation helps users understand how a code works—it’s like a layperson cheat sheet for what was going through the developer’s mind when she coded it and how to most...
Web designers spend their days behind the screen, building the many different parts that ultimately come together to create a stunning website. Hours and hours of concentration and communication – that all happens online – are required before the website is complete. The world of web design requires designers to...
A landing page should follow from the sales conversation that begins with an ad, social post, or other promotional item.Every landing page should have a clear message undiluted by fluffy or inconsistent language.Effective landing pages build a trusting relationship between the brand and the consumer. A landing page is a...
We’ve all been there before: visiting a website that makes us want to scream and throw our computer across the room. It could’ve been for any number of reasons. Maybe you finally found the right page, then it loaded slowly, and once it was finished loading you realized it wasn’t...
Web design is keeping its minimalistic trend, but with a bold new twist.At the same time, lush, immersive visuals and animations are becoming more popular.The human experience is at the center of the latest design renaissance. The web has always been a place where new horizons are crossed. We’ve come...
Designers create many beautiful products throughout the course of their careers. When you invest your time and creativity into a project, it’s so tempting to automatically include it in your portfolio. You’re proud of the design, whether it’s elegant and intricate or bold and dramatic, and you want to share...
Your website design can make or break your online presence, which is vital to a successful business. It is important to choose the most efficient design features to compete with numerous other websites trying to make a lasting impression on site visitors. By understanding the website design elements that are...
Building your personal brand is essential.Social media doesn’t provide the freedom or longevity your personal brand needs.A personal website is the best way to share your content and build your brand. Building your personal brand can be just as important as building a company brand. No matter what your business...
Google offers several tools to find out if you’ve been hacked.You are likely to receive notifications from service providers if you’ve been hacked.You will need to do a bit of research to find out what has happened and how to fix it. Not knowing will get to you. After all,...
Responsive web design is the practice of designing websites to look good on mobile devices.Best practices include one-column layouts and minimized navigation.As a rule of thumb, shrink images and enlarge text in responsive design. While big, beautiful websites look amazing on people’s HD monitors, most of your business’s target audience...
In the age of online business, it’s hard to know which web developer has your best interest at heart. When you’re preparing to hand over your precious passwords, it can pay to do the research beforehand. With a lackluster website one wrong step away, I recommend you keep the following...
The best emails place content first, design second.Lots of white space and short text ensure that your emails get read. Single-column, responsive email designs perform better than complex grid-based newsletters. Email marketing is one of the highest-ROI forms of marketing, but only if it’s done well. If you’ve ever unsubscribed from...
Many old websites are neither mobile-friendly nor accessible. A website audit is a crucial first step toward deciding the next actions. Modern design principles can help improve business results on your website. If you’ve been in business for quite a few years, you probably have a website that’s seen better...
● Development mistakes can come from inexperience. ● Lack of concern is another cause. ● Common mistakes can cost you in SEO. Developing your website or app isn’t easy. It’s a large and often long endeavor. But it should be a fairly seamless process once you sit down with a...
Web design trends come and go like everything else. But there’s one that stands out among the pack for it’s huge impact and convenience. That is the trend of pre-built websites. Pre-built websites offer: Options to lightly customize them Niche-specific interfaces Support The options increase every day for pre-built websites. These...
Do you love to code and love to use templates? But do you wish that you could have more control over the final look and function? Wix Code is a new developer tool with a JavaScript backend. It allows you to work with the existing templates without sticking to every...
So, you need a website. Whether it’s for your personal brand, creative portfolio, blog, or company, you want something that will excite your readers and convince them to read your work, hire you, or buy your products. With the widespread availability of website builders such as Wix and Weebly, you...
So you have a website. Whether it’s a personal blog that only your mom reads, or it’s a business site that brings in hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, you want to protect your content. While it would be great to say that technology has advanced to a point...
It’s no secret that coding is a highly valued skill, one that could help you advance or start a brand new career path. But even more so than any other acquired skill, coding is a laborious learning process that could be intimidating to anyone who is just starting out. You...
While most websites have multiple pages, sometimes there’s a strong need to pare it down. Whether you’re creating a landing page for your latest campaign, designing a portfolio site, or just want to keep it simple, a one-page website can be just as effective as a multi-page site — or...
“Less is more”. That adage especially applies to modern web design. In the past, cluttered sites were the norm as the web design was still in its experimental phase. Minimalist web design focuses on making use of typography, white space, and a focus on content to achieve a balance of...
In the old days of website design, everything was done with HTML. If you’ve been coding a long time, you probably remember those websites: clunky, laid out with tables, and tedious to code and update. The worst part was that each element needed to be styled on an individual basis....
It seems like everyone has an e-commerce site now, whether it’s someone’s side gig with dropshipping or a full-fledged online store. Either way, the same principles for success apply. Selling anything requires an understanding of your target audience and a compelling sales presentation. Your e-commerce site has to pull triple...
Copywriting
Have you ever been on a fishing trip? If so, you know that it requires a lot of preparation. You need to make sure you have the right rods, bait, and gear, just to start. There’s another component of fishing that doesn’t get as much attention: the mental aspect. You...
So you’ve decided you want to be a writer. You’ve chosen a difficult career path, but one that can be extremely rewarding. There are so many different types of writers, including: marketers, journalists, fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and others. But right now, as you’re just beginning, you might not want...
Creativity happens best when the brain is calm, focused, and motivated.Stress and anxiety can harm creative flow, so be sure to take care of your mental and physical needs.The best way to stimulate creativity is to engage in reflective, rewarding activities. As a creative person, you’ve probably enjoyed the state...
Digital communications have transformed the world in many different ways. One of the most profound effects digital technologies have had is on the way people view work and the value of content. Online material is getting more valuable every day and there are many around the country who go into...
Businesses nowadays are looking for every competitive advantage to expand their reach and attract new customers to their offerings. There are many digital marketing methods which work to accomplish these goals, but one of the most popular and cost effective is the business blog. Business blogs are a simple and...
Content generation has certainly hit its stride over the last several years. The race to create great content has seen the creation of hundreds of thousands of articles every year, but the art of writing the headlines for these articles has seemingly been lost. There are many principles and foundations...
Despite what you may have heard, there is real money to be made for professional writers in today’s job market.Content holds a crucial role in the digital marketing process, which means a high demand for those with the skill, dedication, and love for writing.Here’s what you should know if you’re...
Blogs have proliferated in both personal spheres and the business world over the last few years. But what’s the difference between writing content in a blog and writing content in the form of copywriting? The short answer: a blogger shares personal insights and opinions while a copywriter tries to persuade...
Many people today are shunning traditional jobs to work from home or join a creative company. Copywriting has become one of the largest jobs in the country, as the internet has opened the floodgates for calls for content. Thousands of employees and sites are competing for clicks and views, and...
Wordy writing will lose your reader.Writing concisely will get your talent noticed.Break down your last piece using these writing tips. Think about the last article or blog post you read. Did it have unnecessary words? Overly formal language and word choices? Huge paragraphs and blocks of text? Was it a...
Writing about business and business topics can often be a dry, tedious experience – but it doesn’t have to be. There are many ways to make business books – both historical accounts and motivational booklets – read like some of the most engaging and thought-provoking pieces of literature out there...
There are many different ways and techniques to write quality copy. Though the minutia of the writing process can be tough to read and process, there are a number of steps crucial to create professional, well written copy for your readers and clients. This article will detail some typical steps...
No one wants to be bad at their job, and most of us actually want to be better than we currently are. When you work in a creative field like copywriting, you have to balance the art and the skill. There’s a lot of technical knowledge that goes into copywriting:...
There exists a fine line between writing that is personal and insightful, and that which crosses into self-indulgent territory.Many writers struggle to achieve a healthy balance between being open and over sharing.Luckily, there is a straight-forward approach to stripping your text of unnecessary information that distracts your reader. As writers,...
You might have been used to sitting down at a desk all day when you worked in an office or co-working space, for instance. Routine breaks, like walking across the building to go to the bathroom or chatting with a friend, were naturally built into your schedule. Now, in the...
Finding your voice through the written word can be a challenge, yet once found in the world of creating content, the rewards far outweigh the obstacles. Herein, we examine the essentials on how to capture your audience--and hopefully--keep them engaged throughout the world of copywriting. It’s not for the faint...
Many people are spending more time working from home, and it looks like it’s going to stay that way for the foreseeable future. Working from home can create challenges. If you live in a small space, how do you separate your work area from your relaxation area? If you have...
There are several ways to edit.There are several perspectives on editing.These creative editing methods will help you catch major and minor errors. Even the best of us make typos and grammatical errors at times. Whether you’re writing quickly and getting “corrections” from your text editor or just miss a beat...
Why good copywriting is so importantHow copywriting can make or break a businessHow to use copywriting in branding and advertising to the best advantage Humans have been processing information through words since the dawn of time and are likely to continue doing so forever. Words have the power of evoking...
To write efficiently, create a plan of action, including a desired angle, key points, and takeaway, before diving in.Never multitask while writing. Instead, get into a state of flow.Be willing to cut and edit your work, but wait until after your first draft is done. Whether you’re working under a...
Copywriting has been a major industry for as long as humans could write. So why do we have such trouble writing copy that hooks our readers? We personally have not been writing for centuries. If you’ve been working on copy for that long, you’re immortal and don’t need any of...
Use an apostrophe to show possession the right way.A little bit of Latin never hurt anyone: i.e. vs. e.g.You could have, but you never could of. Writing seems to flow out of some people while others need a little bit of tugging and pulling to get their thoughts out. When...
Language is a fascinating thing to think about. In today’s world, we have words for most of the concepts, thoughts, things, and events that we encounter in our day-to-day life. And if we don’t have a word, we can just make one up or adopt one from another language and...
Copywriting establishes a relationshipFocus on your specific target marketTry out different techniques with your target market Think of the last company website you visited. There were likely several pages that incorporated text, either to sell a product or explain the benefits of a service. Every company at some point needs...
To win your audience’s loyalty, focus on more than just grabbing their attention. Leverage storytelling techniques to make an emotional impact on your customers. Use a strong CTA to guide your reader to take action. Content marketing is commonly touted as a way to garner traffic to your website. After...
Copywriting is more relevant than ever. The landing page is one of the spaces that takes the most ruthless editing in the online space. People have limited time and millions of pages to browse. You’ve got to make things worth their while. When you start your copywriting project, consider these...
Trying to be persuasive on paper isn’t easy for the average writer delving into a new talent such as copywriting. The tough part is overcoming insecurities and lack of creative confidence. The overall goal is to craft content that zooms in and registers on the reader’s brainwave that says ‘yes,...
Copywriting is a challenging, interesting art form: You often have limited space in which to sell something big. You have to instantly hook the reader’s attention and tap into one of their deep-seated needs and desires. And you have to capture the brand’s core promise and voice at the same...
It’s a problem encountered throughout the internet. Copy that doesn’t engage, doesn’t excite, doesn’t encourage visitors to do more than click and leave. How many products and services are out there that are being underused because a website doesn’t adequately convey how amazing it is? Well your website doesn’t have...
Copywriting isn’t just writing copy — it’s leveraging the power of words to convince someone to make a purchase. That means you have to be persuasive, authoritative, detailed, and yet direct and to-the-point. Because copywriting has to strike this delicate balance, it takes practice to become an expert copywriter. You...
If you’re reading this article, that means the headline did its job: It convinced you to click. Writing headlines is an art form. Some of the most brilliant pieces of writing in the world go unread if the headline cannot sell the reader on the piece. One might say that...
Headlines. That is what first attracts a reader’s attention and draws them in. Not surprisingly, headlines can be a make or break on a piece of writing. While the content can be excellent if the headlines are not noticeable it may be passed by. Headlines have a few purposes. Not...
Copywriting is both broad in scope and narrow in focus. While it can take many forms — ads, brochures, taglines, social media posts — it has one consistent goal: to sell a product or service. That makes copywriting a unique, and sometimes frustrating, form of writing. It differs from writing...
Whether you are a copywriter or are looking to hire one, it’s easy to misunderstand the role of this broad art form. How can you use copywriting efficiently when it covers everything from brochures and posters to social media posts and webpages? Make no mistake: Copywriting is done to sell....
Marketing
If you’re planning to start a small business, there are some essential things you’ll need on day one. The first is a business plan: what are you selling and who are you selling to? This is the easy step and, for many, the most fun. But it’s not the only...
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many people spent their days sitting and staring at a computer screen for work. Now, since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of people looking at a screen all day has increased. As a result, the number of people suffering from eye strain and...
Blogs have been around for decades now, and they lasted for a very good reason. They’re the best place to share long form information with your audience. Your customers and clients want to know your opinion on different topics, what’s going on with your business, and what helpful information you...
Businesses have a lot on their plate these days. There are expense reports, keeping track of overhead and making sure your employees feel validated and are working efficiently and effectively throughout the day. There are so many variables and complex tasks associated with running a business, that owners can sometimes...
The number one question businesses are asking today is, “how can we improve our Google search rankings for our website?” The answer is making improvements to SEO, or search engine optimization. SEO is a term which refers to the ability of a website to consistently rank high in Google’s search...
Marketing is critically important in the age of the internet. It’s even more crucial for owners of small business and startups, as marketing efforts could lead to substantially more customers and profits over the course of your growing years. Marketing is one of the best methods today for maximizing profits...
Customers are your biggest asset and can be a hugely effective marketing asset, as well.By pivoting your marketing strategy to include your customers, you can create a cost-effective, sustainable marketing plan.Try using free items, rewards for returning customers, and social media as a way to get your customers to sing...
Digital marketers today are doing everything they can to improve the reach and content of their business. Recent studies have shown that content marketing is more than three times more likely to generate leads than paid search advertising, and that eighty-one percent of B2B companies have a blog to improve...
The business landscape has evolved rapidly in the last several years, and small businesses who want to keep up with this rapid pace must embrace the power of digital marketing. There are many different avenues to choose from when trying your hand at digital marketing, but one of the most...
Twitter has changed the rules of the marketing playbook. There’s no doubt about it: the social media platform has become a marketing force for all types of businesses, from large corporations to small businesses. So, just how (and why) can you use Twitter to help your business grow? In this...
In the last four years, the video component of brands’ advertising on Facebook has tripled, and videos are the highest on the Facebook algorithm’s list of priorities. If you want to capitalize on this feature, you’ll need some techniques to ensure your videos get the maximum amount of engagement. Some...
In the arsenal of digital marketing techniques marketers use today, few are as efficient and cost effective as social media. Social media platforms have transformed the business realm, as companies of any size can now garner thousands or tens of thousands of views and clicks through simple campaigns and the...
Instagram is a primarily visual platform in which accounts share photos, videos, and special posts called Stories. The community appreciates engagement, entertainment, and education above all else. Building your brand presence on Instagram happens when you regularly engage with your target audience and provide valuable content.To reach more people, you...
Now more than ever, businesses are harnessing the power of social media to expand their reach and connect to their customers in new and exciting ways. While social media is a great marketing method which is currently working wonders for many small and large businesses alike, there are a number...
Thank you emails can be sent before or after a purchase, and they are a great way to demonstrate your appreciation for your leads and customers. When crafting a thank you email, balance your expression of gratitude with any sales pitches. Your chief goal is to nurture a loyal customer...
The internet has brought rapid change throughout the business world. This change has been slower to come to the manufacturing side of the process, but it has come. Many companies today are vetting manufacturers online before they ever decide to purchase their products, prompting many manufacturers to adopt digital marketing...
Knowing your brand and your customer are the first steps to a successful media campaign.Have a good mix of images, video, and text for the most success.Don’t forget your analytics! So, you’ve done the work to start your business. You’ve probably dedicated your time, your life, and your finances to...
In the internet age, digital commerce has exploded. While Amazon is responsible for a large portion of this growth over the last few years, Facebook has done its fair share to help companies advertise and enhance their business. The global social networking company has had a massive influence on purchasing...
You’ve put in so much work to build up your business. You’ve spent hours refining your products and your sales approach. You’ve invested your energy into offering the best products you possibly can. But you aren’t seeing the results you imagined. Your sales are down and your stress levels are...
In the age of online businesses, SEO is a key focus in most marketing strategies. SEO stands for search engine optimization, which is a fancy term for how easily your company or product can be found online. The companies that show up in the first few links on Google, or...
Video has established itself as the most engaging form of content, leading many companies to adapt their marketing strategy accordingly.This growing trend has spurred businesses to evolve their approach to video content in order to get to get the most out of their marketing approach.Thankfully, there are many ways to...
In the business world, coming up with the golden idea or product often means nothing if you don’t know how to market it effectively. Luckily, there are many ways to market your product or business to drive interest and increase sales. Effective marketing will generate interest, leads, engagement, drive sales...
Successful rebranding requires careful assessment of your current brand position and a vision for where to go.Always take your current customers’ and staff’s insights into account.Make sure that your brand’s visual presence matches the values, goals, and target audience for your rebranding. Times change and your business changes with them....
Email marketing is how you connect your customers to your product, service, or craft.Mastering the fundamentals is essentialWith email marketing built on fundamentals, you can weather any change in the market and platforms. A great thing about email is how easy it is to now communicate with your customers directly....
Developing a detailed customer persona helps you craft an email campaign that’s naturally appealing to your audience and more likely to be opened.Always aim for clarity and keep your message concise and to the point.Get up close and personal with your readers, but take advantage of automation technology whenever possible...
A major ethical consideration for marketers is selling too much of something that isn’t needed.Steering clear of predatory tactics toward people who self-medicate with shopping is important.Considering the value of selling something that is needed versus something that is wanted matters also. Marketers don’t often have to discuss the ethics...
Crowdsourcing projects tend to go faster than ones with traditional fundraising.Crowdsourcing has been in use for a while, with Pillsbury creating notable campaigns in the 1950’s, but it’s fairly new to the internet.Crowdsourcing is an effective method of getting content for your brand. Crowdsourcing is in use on many platforms...
Marketing and branding go hand-in hand to promote your business. While they are similar, marketing and branding each have a distinct purpose in furthering the awareness and growth of your company. Your unique brand identity represents you and your business. Marketing is the use of tactics to introduce and push...
Infographics are a fantastic way to convey information. The best businesses in 2020 are making sure that their websites feature these creative visual representations. Keep these considerations in mind when you want to create an infographic that makes an impact. Read on for more information about: when to use an...
A content pillar is a way of strategically building and aligning content that meets your target audience’s interests and needs.Content pillars are supported by topic clusters that encourage users to keep engaging with your brand.Building a successful pillar requires careful keyword research and an audit of your existing content. If...
A vision map provides a comprehensive visual overview of your company’s values, goals, and metrics.Creating the vision map can help you refine your vision and put it into action.Your team should play an active role in the creation of the map. It’s hard to grow without vision. Having a clear...
It’s hard to believe it, but the year 1990 was 30 years ago. Back then, the World Wide Web was still growing, although Web 2.0, now better known as social media, was right around the corner. There were multiple search engines, but Google didn’t yet exist. The digital landscape was...
● Global teams benefit everyone ● Geographical and cultural diversity can present some challenges ● Help team members to work together by embracing their backgrounds More and more companies and organizations are finding their workforce expanding to include talented individuals around the world. Instead of simply pulling from local job...
Your email newsletter open rate boosts your business’s success. Know your email newsletter open rate and work to improve it. Cater to your audience through good email timing and enticing subject lines. You put a lot of work in to your email newsletters. An open newsletter excites the customer about...
There are a few reasons why paid media doesn’t work. Finding out that your paid media isn’t working is never fun. Luckily, you can turn that ship around with some tweaking. Consider these things when evaluating your paid ad. ● Is your ad targeted correctly? ● Are you knowledgeable about...
A global team working seamlessly together is a dream come true for organizations and worldwide businesses. Every team member has their role and every team member is on point with the tasks at hand that lead to the ultimate goal of company and customer success. Are there hiccups to the...
Video Editing
Videos need to be short enough to sustain interest but long enough to suit the platform where they appear.Each video topic should be specific enough that you can provide value without taking up too much of the viewers’ time.Storytelling is the most effective way to get viewers engaged with your...
There are lots of different types of videos that can be used in marketing your business, from culture videos and video testimonials to product or educational videos and educational.Your audience may need different video content depending on where in the buying process they are.The most important thing about video marketing...
Your company may think it’s doing all it can to garner views through social media marketing, but it could be missing a major component of the digital marketing experience. Video marketing is more poplar than ever and utilized by a plethora of companies to expand their reach and attract new...
As with any sort of digital content, videos need strong titles, descriptions, and markup so that bots can analyze them and show them in search results. Video content needs to quickly address your target audience’s pain points and engage them with your solution.Every publishing platform has different needs, so make...
Marketing videos are excellent tools to provide viewers some form of information; whether that information be a tutorial or to provide special updates. Marketing videos are also beneficial at promoting campaigns by finding areas of mutual understanding and relatability between the viewers and business behind the campaign. The most effective...
How-to instructions and video content are both immensely popular. Combining them powers up your digital marketing strategy.How-to videos should focus on providing value rather than pitching products or services.The best how-to videos are concise, visually interesting, relatable, and easy to follow. They use a conversational, entertaining style rather than relying...
In the modern age of overflowing content and creatives working around the clock to make a name for themselves, many aspire to be a video editor who directors look forward to working with and would partner with if given the chance. Get creative without stepping on the director’s vision or...
Due to the overwhelming amount of content on the web and on streaming services, content creators are more valued now than ever before. One of the most specialized roles in the process of creating content is that of video editor. Video editors usually work in relative isolation, focusing on their...
Video editing is a unique and complex skill.The fundamentals lie with the editsOrganization, knowing what your client wants, and mastering skills are all crucial elements It takes immense patience and savvy to turn raw footage into a coherent structure, and even the most skilled editors have trouble adding the correct...
Use the skill sets that video editors already haveEducate others on personalized knowledgeDesign and create unique final work product The COVID-19 global pandemic has taught many people that sole reliance on one source of income is not sustainable for any household of any size. This holds for works in all...
Videos, and live videos in specific, are taking over as the most engaging types of content, making them something of a goldmine if used correctly.To capitalize on your live streaming, you need a certain amount of preparation and equipment to produce quality content.Any business can stand to increase their bottom...
YouTube is a fantastic platform that allows everyone to have a voice. But how can you make sure your voice stands out from the crowd? Follow these three important steps to make sure you’re using YouTube to your best advantage: Research your nicheDevelop a video timeline strategyKnow when and where...
Vlogs are an important type of content for the modern marketer.There are two main styles of vlog.The content is more important than the type of camera you use. Vlogging offers an amazing type of content that can be about virtually anything. Design, decor, technology, business...you name it, and someone can...
Confidence is key to great-looking videos, but practice makes perfect.Good lighting and sound, along with easy prompting, make the shooting process easier.To look and feel more confident, control your breath and don’t forget to smile! Videos are quickly becoming the number-one form of content that people consume online. That means...
Video editing is the art of blending different sets of footage together in a seamless, natural way. When in doubt, edit different shots together in a way that reflects how people naturally perceive the world.Work in opposition: static shots with moving shots, zoom ins with zoom outs. Video content is...
You probably own equipment that will do the trick, but it’s important to have good lighting and audio.Always test before shooting.There are plenty of affordable upgrade options on the market. Video content is dominating the Internet and quickly becoming essential to anyone who wants to run a business or side...
Make technology work for you by using good software and a computer that can keep up with work demands.Staying organized will save you time and help streamline your workflow.Learn to speak the video editing language so you can effectively communicate with other editors.Use keyboard shortcuts to shave time off your...
Use editing software to create new videos. You can organize, cut, and add features to your videos. Put your finished video on the Internet. New content is created every day, and video editing is an invaluable skill to learn in order to produce a video. Good editing can contrast the...
Video editing brings us some of the most powerful moments in history up close. Without editing, our raw shots wouldn’t have much feeling to them. We rely on editing to make sure that our speakers appear human, our animals seem wild, and our oceans look full of fish. Combined with...
With the rise of video-based marketing and increased affordability of video equipment, video editing is becoming an essential skill. At first glance, it seems daunting, but apps such as iMovie have made simple movie editing relatively easy to do. If you want to be a professional video editor, though, you...
Although it may appear easy from the surface, there are many tricks and techniques to navigate through to achieve a successful video. While the preferred techniques depend on the type of video story and the tone, there are basic tricks every video editor should know. Before you determine that you...
Anything news station reporters can do, you can do, too! Well, at least that’s the case when it comes to live video. Thanks to progressing technology, anyone with access to a smartphone or a laptop with built in microphone and web camera capabilities can be a content creator. The key...
Editing is the heart and soul of a video production process. One may have excellent content and photography-recording done for the video, but without proper editing even the best of the videos will fail to entice the audience. A video is complete only upon editing. It gives the Midas touch...
Films can be written, seen, and heard. Photographers and videographers may shoot video, but they don’t create the final cut. They don’t tell the entire story intended for a film. That’s the job of the video editor, a job that you may hold one day. The video editor takes footage...
There are an endless number of reasons you might be looking into shooting and editing your own video. Whether you’re looking to document a family vacation, market a product in an engaging, new way or simply want to try your hand at filmmaking, you’ll likely need to go through the...
Videos are now being used more than ever in marketing. During the last few years, we have seen a rise in videos being used for both promotional and educational purposes. Many design businesses are advertising video editing as one of their services, and you may be wondering exactly what that...
Often when you’re recording a video the most important mission is getting the shot. Regardless of the situation - a commercial, a scene in a short film, or an unboxing for your followers, a lot of filming comes down to the perfect moment, and in that moment, editing is the...