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On the Web, content is king. And the fresher it is, the better the results for your business.

Fresh, original content is the key to drawing visitors and, more importantly, ensuring that they return time and again. Fresh content tells visitors that you value customer communication. Regular updates of your site’s content can also improve your search engine ranking.

How you can afford frequent updates when every website change has to go through a high-priced developer? Simple. You edit your own site. With tools from Hawkart, it is easier than ever.
Managing Your Own Web Content

Imagine the freedom and savings your business will enjoy as you make changes to your website without having to call in an expensive developer! All of our websites are delivered with built-in maintenance tools. You will be able to make changes to all site content, including uploading images.

The interface is as easy to use as your word processor. Formatting tools enable you to customize the look and make it easier for customers to find the information they are looking for.

And that information will be timely. When you edit your own site, there are no time lags. As soon as you have new information, you can post it yourself, within minutes. When that information gets dated, you can remove it or archive it, quickly and easily.
The Possibilities for Your Content Are Endless

What kind of content can you add to your site?
A news or press release page is ideal for sharing recent news about your business.
Customer testimonials give your company credibility.
Devote a page to each of your main product lines or services, and include relevant information, like instructions, suggested uses, FAQs – anything and everything a customer needs to know.
Articles about your business or subjects directly related to it are a great addition to a website. Tips and how-to articles give customers a reason to visit. If the information is really good, customers will likely pass it on, drawing even more visitors to your site.
A blog is a great way to incorporate current news that relates to your business.
Contact Jim Hawks to edit your content jim@hawkart.us

Suppose you want to announce or sell something, amuse or persuade someone, explain a complicated system or demonstrate a process. In other words, you have a message you want to communicate. How do you “send” it? You could tell people one by one or broadcast by radio or loudspeaker. That’s verbal communication. But if you use any visual medium at all-if you make a poster; type a letter; create a business logo, a magazine ad, or an album cover; even make a computer printout-you are using a form of visual communication called graphic design.

Graphic designers work with drawn, painted, photographed, or computer-generated images (pictures), but they also design the letterforms that make up various typefaces found in movie credits and TV ads; in books, magazines, and menus; and even on computer screens. Designers create, choose, and organize these elements-typography, images, and the so-called “white space” around them-to communicate a message. Graphic design is a part of your daily life. From humble things like gum wrappers to huge things like billboards to the T-shirt you’re wearing, graphic design informs, persuades, organizes, stimulates, locates, identifies, attracts attention and provides pleasure.

Graphic design is a creative process that combines art and technology to communicate ideas. The designer works with a variety of communication tools in order to convey a message from a client to a particular audience. The main tools are image and typography.

Image-based design
Designers develop images to represent the ideas their clients want to communicate. Images can be incredibly powerful and compelling tools of communication, conveying not only information but also moods and emotions. People respond to images instinctively based on their personalities, associations, and previous experience. For example, you know that a chili pepper is hot, and this knowledge in combination with the image creates a visual pun.

In the case of image-based design, the images must carry the entire message; there are few if any words to help. These images may be photographic, painted, drawn, or graphically rendered in many different ways. Image-based design is employed when the designer determines that, in a particular case, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words.

Type-based design
In some cases, designers rely on words to convey a message, but they use words differently from the ways writers do. To designers, what the words look like is as important as their meaning. The visual forms, whether typography (communication designed by means of the printed word) or handmade lettering, perform many communication functions. They can arrest your attention on a poster, identify the product name on a package or a truck, and present running text as the typography in a book does. Designers are experts at presenting information in a visual form in print or on film, packaging, or signs.

When you look at an “ordinary” printed page of running text, what is involved in designing such a seemingly simple page? Think about what you would do if you were asked to redesign the page. Would you change the typeface or type size? Would you divide the text into two narrower columns? What about the margins and the spacing between the paragraphs and lines? Would you indent the paragraphs or begin them with decorative lettering? What other kinds of treatment might you give the page number? Would you change the boldface terms, perhaps using italic or underlining? What other changes might you consider, and how would they affect the way the reader reacts to the content? Designers evaluate the message and the audience for type-based design in order to make these kinds of decisions.

Image and type
Designers often combine images and typography to communicate a client’s message to an audience. They explore the creative possibilities presented by words (typography) and images (photography, illustration, and fine art). It is up to the designer not only to find or create appropriate letterforms and images but also to establish the best balance between them.

Designers are the link between the client and the audience. On the one hand, a client is often too close to the message to understand various ways in which it can be presented. The audience, on the other hand, is often too broad to have any direct impact on how a communication is presented. What’s more, it is usually difficult to make the audience a part of the creative process. Unlike client and audience, graphic designers learn how to construct a message and how to present it successfully. They work with the client to understand the content and the purpose of the message. They often collaborate with market researchers and other specialists to understand the nature of the audience. Once a design concept is chosen, the designers work with illustrators and photographers as well as with typesetters and printers or other production specialists to create the final design product.

Symbols, logos and logotypes
Symbols and logos are special, highly condensed information forms or identifiers. Symbols are abstract representation of a particular idea or identity. The CBS “eye” and the active “television” are symbolic forms, which we learn to recognize as representing a particular concept or company. Logotypes are corporate identifications based on a special typographical word treatment. Some identifiers are hybrid, or combinations of symbol and logotype. In order to create these identifiers, the designer must have a clear vision of the corporation or idea to be represented and of the audience to which the message is directed.

Graphic Design: A Career Guide and Education Directory
Edited by Sharon Helmer Poggenpohl
Copyright 1993
The American Institute of Graphic Arts

Flyer printing plays a very important role when it comes to small business marketing. An effective flyer can help your business grow by informing prospective customers about your products and services, while providing them with a reason to purchase immediately.

But not all flyers are designed for success, in fact, more often than not, small business owners create flyers that can damage their credibility or perception in the eyes of customers. In other words, some small business owners waste advertising dollars on flyers that do more harm than good. Here are 5 Tips

Use Colorful Designs: Select lively colors as they generate up to 60% higher response rates than black and white ads. You might consider color to be an insignificant option (or a costly one), but in reality, advertising flyers with colorful themes perform better and cost the same as black and white flyers when printed in bulk. There have even been studies that suggest “power colors” like reds, oranges, and yellows stimulate Type A Personalities to purchase more often. Pretty cool, huh?

Choose The Right Words. Stimulating words grab the attention of readers, and generate higher response rates. Words like: FREE, Sale, Discount, Coupon, Your, Now, Save, and Fast are just a few of the words you can use to get in front of more eyeballs. If you include these words in your flyer printing, people will “detect them” and they will experience a small rush of excitement if it is for a product or service that they find compelling.

Use Powerful Images. Images of luxurious places, beautiful models, slick new products, and others that appeal to a specific demographic can have the largest impact on your response rates. Nothing sells like image. Make sure you carefully consider the photos, images, and graphics on used on your flyer printing.

Create A Sense Of Urgency. Include a sense of urgency with a limited time offer or “scarcity” approach. Urgency can really help to catch the attention of individuals and it helps close sales more quickly. For example, you can launch a new service with a “Free Trial to First 500 Customers.” Another example could be, “48 Hour Blowout Sale, Save 20% Now!”

Include Coupons. Consumers want great deals and added value. No matter what type of product or service you sell, a coupon will always increase your response rates across the board. Always include coupons that cost you the least to fulfill while maximizing the “perceived value” to the consumer.

Learn more about design, advertising, flyer printing, and effective marketing strategies online. As you learn more about marketing, your costs will decrease while your response rates will increase. Good luck to you and your small business!

Written by Jenna Scaglione on February 15, 2012 in Blogging, Copywriting, Internet Marketing,

Like many marketers, I value scientific data and the 5 step and 10 tips articles that offer valuable information. The web is an information superhighway and virtually anything you could ever want is available on the internet.

With so much content, how do you make your brand stand out? How can you offer a unique article, video or blog post when so much has already been said?

This is probably the only time you will hear me say this, but put down your mouse and take a breather. It’s easy to get caught up in the scientific, “left-brained” way of doing things. We all want the exact formulas, proven tactics, and time-tested strategies to gain more traction on the internet and grow our business.

As a left-brained thinker myself, I often spend too much time over-analyzing my content. Are my headlines correct? Did I insert my keywords? Are the paragraphs too long?

Silence your left brain, even if for just a minute…

Are all of these effective content marketing strategies needed? Absolutely! But when they overtake your brain and “squish” everything else out of it, it’s time to regroup and start again.

Turn on Your Right Brain

Your right brain is your creative side. It doesn’t analyze, but acts more from the heart. It is where you dream and hope for the future and it is synonymous with a more emotional approach to life.

It is scary to turn on your right brain. Why? Because you are more vulnerable when you put yourself out there creatively.

Creativity is opposite to logic. Do you think an artist sits down and plans every one of the thousands of brush strokes before he starts painting? He will have a general idea of the vision before he begins, but his right brain does most of the work.

If you have been marketing for a while, you are most likely aware of the tips and tricks to writing great content. And these tips should always be at the forefront of your mind.

But there is a tipping point that takes your content and makes it leadership quality.

What is that tipping point?

Over the years I discovered from observing industry leaders and influencers that along with offering valuable content, these leaders have a specific personality when they write. They instill their unique traits into every piece. They know who they are, whom they are servicing and they aren’t afraid to show it.

It takes a bit of confidence to build your content in this manner.

Here is what you need:

• See yourself as an asset people will value.
• Know your best qualities and instill them into your brand.
• Be confident in your ability to know your audience and be transparent enough to speak directly to them.

Be Yourself!

Everyone wants to fit in. This is a basic tenet of human nature. But if you create content that is “normal”, your article will never leave the Ezine archives. You must stand out with uniqueness!

And the only thing unique about your content is YOU!

We are all different, with varying personalities, talents, gifting, abilities and life stories. We all have stories to tell, from crises to triumphs and everything in between.

Now, I’m not suggesting you write an article about when your daughter was just born to your audience of SEO professionals, but I am suggesting being more transparent and letting your unique personality become more evident.

People don’t want to read another boring article; they want real substance. And real substance can only come from a real person. And you can only show readers you are a real person by showing them your real personality. Get it?

If you are having a little trouble accessing your unique traits, do this small exercise.

• Ask your friends and family to list three traits they love about you
• Pay attention to your daily routine and what you are good at or the activities in which you excel.
• Notice your attitude and personality with the people in your relationships. Are you comical? Sensitive? Tender? Edgy? Opinionated?
• What are words that describe you? Take an online personality test and discover what makes you tick.

When you complete this exercise, you will have a series of words that, in essence, describe YOU. This is an essential aspect of your brand.

When you craft content on the web, don’t leave these traits at the door because you think you won’t be accepted by your audience. Don’t make this mistake…most marketers do and they never achieve the results for which they are looking.

The next time you craft a piece of content, consider writing it as YOU and no one else. It might take some practice, but the more comfortable you are with yourself and what you offer to the world, the more comfortable your audience will be with your content and your business will grow with less effort.

Good Luck!

When you use video on your website, you have a powerful tool that can increase the popularity of your web pages. Whether you want to earn money, share your knowledge or increase page views, you can use video to create a dynamic web site the attracts and keeps visitors.
1. Use Video to Enhance Your Website
Use video to turn a static website into a dynamic, interactive destination. There are many types of videos you can use to enhance your website, including:
A promotional video that explains who you are and what you do
A website tour that tells visitors what they cdan find on the website, and where it is
A virtual tour that lets web visitors see what your physical location is like
2. Use Video to Demonstrate a Product or Activity
How-to videos are some of the most popular videos on the web, and businesses can use them to educate customers. There are many ways to use video to educate customers on how to use your product, and also save time and money on customer service.
Use video to demonstrate how to install or set up your product
Use video to show your product in action
Use video to train clients and staff remotely
3. Use Video to Share Your Expertise
Many businesses have created a marketing niche for themselves by using video to establish their expertise on a particular topic.
Create educational videos that provide visitors with in-depth information related to your industry
Produce a video newscast updating viewers on the latest headlines in your field of work
Aggregate and publish other expert videos related to your topic
4. Use Video to Drive Traffic to Your Website
Search engines love video, and with proper video SEO, you can use video to drive lots of traffic to your website.

What is business branding? How do you develop a business brand? Your brand is your business identity.

For instance, when you think Microsoft, you probably think Windows in the same instant. When you think Intel, you think computer processors. What do your customers think when they hear your business’ name?

Branding your business is essential, but it can also be very confusing, particularly in the case of a small business. Small business branding needs can be more difficult than larger companies, simply due to the scale of the companies involved.

Chances are that a large company is well known for a range of products or services, or they sell something that everyone needs (such as the case with Microsoft, mentioned previously).

To help you with issues concerning branding your business, you will find several business branding tips below:

Business Branding

Your Logo

While you might think that your logo is simply an obligatory thing, you need to ensure that it is on all of your communications, on your website, on your company’s sign if you have one and more.

While having a professional logo is a nice thing, it’s far more important that your customers equate the logo you do have with your company.
Connect with Your Customers

Another essential ingredient of business branding is to connect with your customers. In the past, this was rather difficult to do, but you have numerous advantages in the modern world.

In addition, if you own a small business, you have advantages here, as well. For instance, blogging is a great way to connect with your customers.

Why bother with a blog? Creating a blog for your company helps give it a public “face”. When your customers read your blog, they feel that they are making a personal connection with your company.
Choose a Niche

Your niche is essential. If you are trying to be everything to everyone, your company will fail, and not just in its branding, either.

However, if you choose a niche and stand firm, you will begin to develop better branding. Strive to be the best possible at that one thing, or two things that your company does. Do not overextend yourself.

Build your reputation on excellence, innovation and quality, within your chosen niche.

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Use Modern Technology

As with blogging, the Internet holds many opportunities for business branding strategies. For instance, you can make use of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to promote your company and generate better rapport with your customers.

You can host webinars, create podcasts or offer a newsletter through your website. Each of these can be tremendous tools in your quest for better business branding and more success.
Have a Website

While it was once acceptable for companies not to have a website, that is no longer the case. Having a website is one of the best ways to establish your business identity and create the right feel for your company.

Without a website, your company is lacking a powerful tool that can be used in myriad different ways to help with business branding and securing success in your chosen niche.

Despite the tendency of many social media visitors to quickly exit your site and move on to the next one, there are still some very convincing reasons why you should care about social media and why it is worth your time.
1. It’s Free

Unless you’re paying for a consultant or a link bait specialist (both can be good options), marketing your website with social media is free. It will cost you some time, but that pales in comparison to the value of the traffic that you can get in return. There are countless ways to market a website or blog. Just about all of them involve spending money (which isn’t a bad thing), and of the ones that don’t involve money, the vast majority of them are a complete waste of time. I’ve never tried any other type of free marketing that brought even 1% of the results I’ve gotten with social media at my primary blog. Most bloggers are on a tight, or non-existent, budget when it comes to marketing. If this is the case, social media is for you.
2. Quick Results

Building a successful website takes a considerable amount of time and effort. Search engine rankings, for instance, can take years to build in a competitive niche. On the other hand, with social media you can develop content and be seen by thousands of visitors within the same day. For this reason, social media is a great option for getting a new website or blog noticed right away .
3. It’s Flexible

There are so many different social media websites that just about every imaginable niche is covered in one way or another. There are social news sites, bookmarking sites, and general networking sites. Whatever your needs and your audience, there should be an option to use social media for your benefit.

Also, you’re not stuck to using the same social media sites over and over. If you’re not getting results in one place there’s usually other options that you can try out.
4. It Gets Easier with Time

If you’re new to blogging and social media and you feel like everyone else is getting traffic but you, understand that it takes some time and effort, but it will get easier. Once you have established a bit of a reader base and you’ve hopefully attracted some social media users to your blog, it will be much easier for you to get votes and ultimately get more exposure. The more you use social media the more you will understand about how it works and how users will respond.
5. It Will Lead to Other Valuable Sources of Traffic

Although visitors from social media sites may be less responsive than other types of visitors, success with social media will likely increase the number of inbound links you receive. Links will boost your search engine rankings and they’ll also drive click-through traffic your way. Both are generally high quality traffic sources.
6. Building Links with Social Media is Safer than Buying Links

If you plan to cut out the need for social media by purchasing links from other sites, you’re running the risk of being penalized or banned by Google. For some, this is a risk worth taking, but in most cases I would strongly discourage taking this chance. Personally, I focus on building links for my primary blog through the combination of content and social media.
7. Social Media Users are Predictable

The whole concept or link bait or Digg bait wouldn’t even be possible if social media users were unpredictable. But the truth is you can usually have a good idea of what is likely to draw a response and what is not. This will come with time, and of course there is no 100% guarantee. However, once you know a social media audience pretty well, you can cater content to their preferences with a pretty high success rate. What you learn about social media can easily be duplicated to your other blogs or to serving clients.
8. It Doesn’t Require as Much Time as You Might Think

Personally, I use social media every day, but on a very limited basis. If you think that you have to spend all day on Digg or Stumbling pages to get some results of your own, you may be surprised. With the right approach you can get fantastic results with just a few hours per week on social media sites. To be a top Digg user you’ll need more time than that, but being a top Digg user isn’t necessary to draw social media traffic.
9. Branding Through Social Media is Possible

One of the great benefits to the exposure that you can get through social media is the result it has on the branding of your blog. Branding is key to building a success blog in the long-term, and social media is an excellent, free option for helping visitors to see your blog in a particular light. (For more, see my post at ProBlogger A Blogger’s Guide to Branding with Social Media.)
10. Links Can Help Your Search Engine Rankings Rise Quickly

Earlier I mentioned to social media can provide instant results. Well, in addition to sending loads of traffic directly, the links that result from social media success can get your new posts ranking very well with search engines almost immediately. It’s not uncommon for me to see a very respectable number of visitors from Google searches to a brand new post that just drew a lot of links through social media. While it will take a while to build search engine rankings as a whole, it is possible to create specific posts to rank well right away.
11. It Allows You to Leverage Your Existing Traffic

Do you already have a solid blog with a steady flow of traffic? If so, chances are you could leverage that traffic to draw even more visitors with social media. You may want to use voting buttons on your posts or ask some of your readers and friends to give you a vote occasionally.
12. Some Visitors Will Be Targeted

The biggest knock on social media traffic is that it’s not targeted, and that is typically true. However, visitors from niche social media sites can be very highly targeted, and on top of that, a portion of visitors from general news sites will be targeted as well. For example, if you get 25,000 visitors from a post on the Digg front page, maybe only 5,000 of them will have much of an interest in your site. Still, that’s a quick 5,000 visitors that you wouldn’t have had without social media. Just because a smaller percentage of the visitors will stick doesn’t mean that they are irrelevant.
13. The Future of the Internet is Social

Social media and social networking aren’t going away any time soon. The major players and the types of social sites may change of the course of time, but this is a trend that online marketers need to adjust to. Without finding ways to build a website or blog through social media you could be left behind by your competitors.