Ok, you may still need them here and there... Warning!  This is not marketing related... well maybe only a tiny bit!  I share a lot of similarities with my client base.  I am a new, small business with limited resources, but I am also trying to look like I have my stuff together!  That's why I find it relevant to share some non-marketing topics with you that I find interesting or helpful. I will be the very first to admit that I know very little about accounting and taxes.  I was a business major, but that was a million years ago!  I am really good at writing and drawing pictures on my computer (ha ha... that's what most people think I do), and my focus is there.  Numbers just are not my thing! Thankfully, I discovered that QuickBooks has a Self Employed version that I have come to love and is very affordable!  Is it perfect? Probably not, but it meets my needs! Everything is mobile either online or via an app for your phone.  It lin...

Just a little shout out to my women-owned clients on the International Women's Day!  I would not be where I am without your support! Urban Lash (https://www.urban-lash.com/) The Heavenly Lashes (www.heavenlylashesla.com/) Shear Sharpness (https://www.shearsharpness.net/) The Bronze Touch (http://www.thebronzetouch.com) Thee Heavenly Donut (http://www.theeheavenlydonut.com/)

As a small business, online reviews can be tremendously helpful to you.  Check out my video below about the importance and some of the impacts an online review can have. 

Eeep!  I have thankfully been busy, but I just realized my last post was several weeks ago.  For shame, Meg!!!  I figured I am way overdue on putting my two cents out there again.  So here's a juicy little story that recently came out regarding a community figure and his personal Facebook posts, but there's a definite twist, which clearly illustrates the importance of having clear, defined social media policies for your organization and employees. My very own, "C'mon, Man!!!" On Tuesday the Baton Rouge ABC news affiliate WBRZ issued a story regarding a Facebook post made by an Ascension Parish Sheriff's deputy.  The deputy shared a meme, which made a statement on riots and those who protest the national anthem.  In our grossly polarized political and social climate, we all see it all of the time and typically roll our eyes or chuckle or choose to engage to support or oppose it.  Clearly among his followers is someone with a strongly opposed view,...

The season of giving is just around the corner!   Additionally, your company may be inclined to donate to the recent Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.  Have you planned accordingly?  If not, the spirit of giving can end up hitting you were it hurts... your bottom line !  Below are some tips to considering for charitable giving.  Set an Annual Charitable Giving Budget  When preparing a budget for the year, set aside funds for charitable giving.   If you participate in the same charities and fund-raising events annually, then allocate funds to those from the start.   Be sure to leave some room for unforeseen giving opportunities such as disaster relief funds, an employee’s hardship, or client requests.   Keep in mind, there is always time that you can give as well.   Organize a service day amongst your staff and volunteer with a local charity.   Evaluate Charities It can often be difficult to sift through the millions o...

As crazy as it is to believe, we are nearing the end of 2017.  Seriously... we are half way through August!!!  That means we have football season and holidays nearing!  The most wonderful times of the year in my opinion... however...with that comes the logistical nightmare that is planning special events such as tailgate parties and holiday parties. Now is the time to start planning (if you haven't already)!  Here are a few tips from someone who has been organizing events for nearly 10 years: Book early.   Venues book up quickly for end of the year parties.  If you do not already have a venue scheduled, start looking and making calls.  Your date may need to be flexible, so pick a few dates that will work for you, and check the options.  Work Backwards.  In order to get a timeline together, you need to work backwards from the date of the event.  As an example, here's just one piece of the event planning pie... invitations... How f...

No way, José ! Now that I am a few months in, I thought I'd give everyone an update on the business (and my sanity) and dish out some credit where credit is due.  I am happy to report that things are chugging along.  I am certainly not where I need to be yet, but I am getting there. There have been a few weeks with not much to do, and then there are some where I am busy.  I fall into bouts of self-doubt occasionally and have to fight off obsessive thoughts of nightmare what-if scenarios.  It is scary having to be your own safety net!!!  However, I try my hardest to keep a positive internal dialogue and pump myself up when I need it.  My amazing clients have been so great about providing positive feedback that makes me believe in myself.  I am actually good at this!  I am actually doing it!  I will get where I need to be! So what have I been up to? I have been doing quite a bit of design projects (logos, branding, website l...

For my third blog installment on graphic formats, I will go over raster graphics. Have you ever noticed when you zoom into an image or try to make one bigger that it gets grainy or pixelated or when you print some images they print blurrier than they appear on your screen?   That is because these images are raster graphics and are a set size based on the number of pixels it contains and how dense those pixels are on a grid.   Typically, the size is measured in dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI), which are essentially the same thing.   As I discussed in Part I of this series, 72 DPI is typically referred to as a low-resolution image and is more commonly used in digital/web formats.  72 DPI images do not work well in print formats.  Instead 300 DPI resolution is best for print and is considered high resolution.  Therefore, pulling images off the internet or using your snipping tool is not sufficient for quality, professional-looking print ...

As I explained in my last post , vector images are created mathematically by using formulas to create an image that can be enlarged or reduced with no loss of image quality.   The picture shown illustrates a vector graphic.  Even when enlarged, the image keeps smooth edges.  I also explained that y our logo should be initially created as a vector image, and you should have a copy of the original file even if you cannot open it.   The programs to create vector files, such as Adobe Illustrator, may not be available to you, but at some point you may need to make a change to the file, and most designers can use this file to make those changes.   Common vector file formats and their uses include the following: ·         AI (Adobe Illustrator) – This is the software that most graphic designers use to create your design or illustration (as the name would suggest). This design tool is the easiest to manipulate (should you kno...

In my previous post on working with a graphic designer to develop your logo , I mentioned that you should know what the different image file formats are.   Have you ever wondered what the heck the different image file formats mean?   When do you use which version?     In my next few blog posts, I will go over some image file basics, but I will start with the differences between Vector and Raster graphics. Vector Graphics Vector images are created mathematically by using formulas to create an image that can be enlarged or reduced without loss of image quality.  Your logo should be initially created as a vector image, and you should have a copy of the original file even if you cannot open it.   The programs to create vector files, such as Adobe Illustrator, may not be available to you, but at some point you may need to make a change to the file, and most designers can use this file to make those changes.   The file shown here repres...

Logos are part of the front line for your brand.  So it makes sense to really think about it and commission a graphic designer to make it original and professional.  Graphic designers and creative firms all work differently.  Some just charge by the hour.  Some offer a flat fee and limit your revisions and draft iterations.  Either way, you are limited by time and/or money.  In order to save both, be prepared before you talk to your designer and know what to ask for.  Below are some tips on logo development and working with a designer. Research : Research your competition's logos and color choices to make sure you stand out.  Also look up other logos, design elements, color combos, fonts, etc. that you like.  Share these with your designer to make sure you are both on the same page. Maintain your brand : Make sure to clearly explain your brand to your designer in order to maintain the same look and feel you have overall for your company...

"Thought Leadership" has been a bit of a buzz word (I guess words in this case) in the marketing world for a few years now.  What does it mean though?  I like to look at it as "Show Don't Tell," where you position yourself as the expert in your area of focus by providing helpful resources to your customer base at little to no cost to them without overly self-promoting your business.  This is the information age, and it is more important than ever to really prove yourself.  So, show people why you should be the trusted resources for their  [fill in the blank]  needs instead of telling everyone to use you or buy from you.  The self-promotional efforts can sometimes become white noise if that is all you are putting out there.  How do you show and not tell?  Below are some great ways to help develop yourself as a thought leader.  Know your audience's interests, pain points, lifestyle, communication style, etc...

So, I've gone on and on about why your brand is important and how to define it, but what the heck do you do with it? What about your company should be branded?  Essentially, everything.  Your brand should be consistent and reflected in any communication or experience you have with the outside world , your employees included.  Now for small businesses and start-ups, this can seem impossible or cumbersome.  So to begin, just start with your front line...logo, website/online presence, brochures, and even signage.  It is important that these look professional and consistent (same colors, fonts, message).  Be sure any written materials web or printed are proofed and are relatable to your target audience.  As a quick example, I will go into some of the thought behind my branding choices.   Logo : My logo is a snarky, confident little dog ready to brave the world and run with the big dogs.  It is meant to be a symbol o...

Judging by Marley's face, her answer to the question above would be a solid no. If you read my last blog post, you should now understand the importance of having a well-thought brand.  If you haven't, then back that thang up to my last post .  I went over the fact that people make decisions based on their emotions about a company or brand, and it is important that you are sending out "good vibes" so you do not get overlooked.  There are a few things you should analyze before you begin branding your company: Who are my competitors? How am I different from my competitors? Who are my customers? Who am I? How do I want to make my customers feel and think about my brand? Branding Case Study: Little Dog Marketing I'll go ahead and put myself out there, which is scary, but I've done far crazier things (like quit my job to chase a dream).  Here are my thoughts behind my own brand and how I want to be perceived.  Competitors:   Gosh, I'm u...

Importance of Your Brand Entrepreneurs are popping up everywhere.  It is a fact that the millennial generation is creating nearly twice as many new businesses as baby boomers, and it seems that working for yourself is becoming the dream.  I know it was for me!  In recognizing this trend, I then started noticing the lack of guidance in branding or lack of branding all together.  Next time you are making a purchase decision, take a step back and analyze your process.  What is making you disregard one option over another?  Did you know that people make purchase decisions from the limbic center of the brain?  (Meghan, you nerd... what in the  ham sandwich is the limbic center of the brain?!?!)  The limbic center of the brain has no capacity for details, facts, or statistics.  This part of the brain manages your feelings and emotions.  So despite how much great information you may offer about your proces...

So why am I doing this now?  Because no one wanted me... Well, not exactly.  I had a good job and got paid well, and I obviously left to explore other passions and learn new skills.  However I admit it, I have had LinkedIn and Indeed sending me daily emails about available marketing positions for years.  I'll call it research, because it helped me to develop my theory on where the marketing field is going within small to mid-sized companies.  Fewer and fewer options were available for management and director-level positions, yet I saw several hundreds of opportunities for entry-level or those with about 3-5 years of experience.  I have even seen part-time positions become a trend.  My interpretation is a tightening of the purse strings.  Companies, especially small businesses, cannot afford to hire someone full-time with my level of experience (10 years if you are wondering). O uch!! Does no one but my mom think I'm worth it?!?!...

I did it.  I quit.  I put in my notice at work to go chase a dream of helping people with my skills and passions for small business marketing.  I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and this is the day and age for it.  It seems like every time you turn around you hear of someone starting their own business.  In my previous position I was occasionally called upon to help disadvantaged businesses develop a brand and put some steps in place to maintaining that brand.  Something that was so easy and fun for me to be a part of made such an enormous impact for these clients.  I would run into them proudly handing out their brochures and business cards to potential clients.  The brand that I helped develop gave them confidence.  They didn't have to look like a mom and pop shop just because they were; they looked legitimate, professional, and trustworthy.  My ability to make a further impact with these clients was ...