Add personalized postage to your marketing efforts!

Custom stamps reinforce your brand and create a perception that your company is detail-oriented. Custom designs with your logo and website will help even the most basic mailer stand out from the crowd.

What's more, we can order stamps in the amount you need. No need to fill up your envelope with a half dozen random (or ugly) stamps! If you need help figuring out your postage, we can help, too. Just ask!

As stewards of your brand, our job is to make you look good, even in the small, stamp-sized things. When we're all done, be sure to mail us a "Thank You" card!

Tags: Mail | Trina | Stamps | Postage | Custom Stamps | website | logo | Brand

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Embed Embed this video on your site

Tags: Michela | Davidson & Belluso | SEO | Branding | website | SearchStatus | Google | Social Media | youtube | videos

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Smart phones have taken us beyond just making calls.  We can get driving directions, find the nearest sushi restaurant or even get recipes for dinner on our commute home. I tell my clients to think of them as small laptops revolutionizing the way we market and reach our audience.

More and more smart phones are entering the marketplace, they are faster, smaller and more attractive than their predecessors. The growth of smart phones is about 2.5 times that of personal computers. And research shows that between 2011-2013 there will be more smart phones connected to the web than computers. Take a minute and process that statement. Now, let's assume that in the near future everyone will have a smart phone – how will people change the way they get their information?

The data shows that people with smart phones are more likely to download videos, interact with apps (including social media) and use the mobile web.  This means your existing website will need a mobile version because you can't risk not having your brand/service/product accessible to this growing market.

This creates a drastic change in the how we process data and information. The obvious problem is that mobile websites cannot deal with technology such as Flash (yet) so they have to be simpler and more condensed.  Second, and most importantly, you need to design the mobile site for someone who is "mobile". They are not sitting at a desk and don't have time to read lengthy copy. So keep the information pertinent to their needs (while on the go).

More and more smart phones are being sold each and every day and they are driving mobile web traffic and usage to record highs. Is your brand mobile ready?

Tags: mobile media | mobile website | smart phones

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Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) have been around since the mid 90s, mostly in Japan, but are now gaining popularity in the US with the advent of smart phone technology. These 2-D codes, similar to a barcode but square-shaped, contain loads of information – the kind of information that Blackberries, Iphones and Androids can decipher (with a QR Reader application) and use to direct you to a website, phone number, email or message.

QR Codes engage tech-savvy users and allow near-instant access to the data they contain. Instead of waiting ‘til you get home to look up the website featured on your product’s packaging, snap a shot with your smart phone and in seconds you’re browsing the site. Talk about reducing response time!

QR Codes are perfect for all sorts of printed collateral. Use them on your brochures, promotional items, packaging, bus shelter ads and your trade show displays. They even work when snapped from a screen so use them for movie theater advertising, too!

If you have a smart phone, download a QR Code Reader online (they are readily available for FREE) and start exploring.

Try it out! (Scan the QR Code below to be directed to our Mobile Site)

Tags: print | trade shows | Trina | Smart Phone | Mobile Site | Quick Response | QR Codes

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With all the different technology available, it can be a little challenging to decide what CMS to build your website with. So here is my quick guide to help you evaluate what system is best for you.

First - do you really need a content management system?
Unless you are planning on updating your site often, it doesn't make sense to have a CMS. A content management system will cost you more to produce and host than a regular HTML site. When you compare that cost to what an agency would charge to make updates on your behalf – the latter is usually the most cost-effective choice. You may also want to consider whether being personally in charge of your site maintenance is in fact a good thing. Many people like the idea, but soon discover that learning CMS and finding the time to make the necessary edits on a consistent basis, may not be worthwhile.

Select the system that works best for your needs
Is your website’s primary focus e-commerce, a portfolio of work or a blog? You need to define its main "job" in order to evaluate how best to accomplish it. Joomla works great for large-scale websites that require more complex functions, whereas WordPress is ideal for smaller sites that are blog-driven. If you plan on simply posting blogs and photos, then you are better off with a CMS with limited capabilities that’s easier to learn, maintain and less expensive to host.

Look at the administration interface
Can you figure out how to handle the basics with no instruction? If you can't add or edit a page, write a blog or add an image without a tutorial – find another CMS. You don't want to be "re-learning" how to implement changes every time you log in. One last note here, if it doesn't have a WYSIWYG editor for articles or posts – walk away. You don't need a system that makes more work for you.

Pick standard platform
I run across people who build their sites with unknown, unsupported or even proprietary systems. This can become very expensive down the road. All too often, the original developer goes missing and you're stuck trying to find someone to take over a site that doesn’t follow common protocols. A standard, common platform will save you thousands of dollars in development costs if something goes wrong. Choose a supported CMS like WordPress or Joomla and stick with it!

It should offer some creative flexibility
Some content management systems don't allow a lot of customization in the layout and look of the site. You will want to update your site appearance every couple of years and you don't want to create a whole new site just to change some basic cosmetic features.

Support and documentation
Sooner or later, technical issues will likely arise, regardless of which CMS you choose. It’s invaluable to have someone readily available who can fix the problem or offer you professional advice. If you have an agency, they will handle the issue for you and spare you a lot of frustration, but if you're on your own, make sure the CMS you choose offers an active support and reference community online you can contact for help.

Tags: website | joomla | cms | content management system | WordPress

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When talking to business owners hesitant to implement social media in their marketing plan, I often get “fear” as their main reason. It’s not the fear of learning how it works or the effort required to maintain it (that’s what we’re here for) but it’s the fear of exposure.

The fear of exposure that comes from the realization that a social media message becomes available to the competition. Once we establish that trade secrets are not appropriate topics to divulge on social media sites, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Your competitors are on social media sites and so should you.

No successful company has ever held back placing an outdoor ad on a busy street, fearing that it could be seen by their most fierce competitor. Even the most targeted traditional media can still fall in the “wrong hands.”

Another common fear is that social media does not offer a targeted approach. The misconception is that the message might as well be thrown at the wind and there is no way to know who gets a hold of it.

Social media can actually be a very targeted and controlled marketing tool. There are ways to reach out to very specific audiences and limit exposure to non-relevant ones. The truth is that the benefits of implementing social media far out weights the risks. So it’s time to overcome that fear or you may as well be afraid of change – and that has never been good for business.

Tags: marketing | Social Media | Facebook | Fan Pages | Michela | Linkedin

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Although not an exact science, colors can certainly influence consumers' perceptions, mood and purchasing decisions.

Blue-based Reds are associated with more expensive products, whereas Yellow-based Reds help downplay a high price.

Orange plays up friendliness and affordability.

Yellow is the first color the eye sees, especially when used in conjunction with dark colors for high contrast.

Green conveys possibility and hope while Blue communicates confidence and safety which makes it a great color choice for financial and medical institutions.

Purple is the hot color of the moment, although is best used for high fashion, sports teams and sweet treats.

Black conveys a strong sense of power and promise, commanding even more attention when a sheen or matte finish is used.

White implies sophistication and formality, as well as a high-end price point.

Source: Color Communications, Inc.

Tags: design | Branding | Michela

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USB inserts are completely customizable for integration in your print marketing campaigns. Add a detachable USB insert to your ad inserts, mailers, brochures and trade show hand-outs and drive readers to your website and online promotions where they can continue to learn, experience and buy. Explore different shapes and graphics that reflect your brand, new product launch or message for your very own print to web marketing tool. Read more.

Tags: Promotional Items | print | trade shows | Michela | New Technology | Branding | marketing | website

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Do you want to bring your logo to life? Or have your product walk around and greet your customers? Give your brand and brand values a real-life character with high visibility and instant recognition. Mascots are a great way to make a lasting impression and increase sales at trade shows, special events and corporate parties. Consider your audience and product values and the impact of a standard, inflatable or animatronics talking mascots as part of your marketing strategy. Check out these great mascot examples, from concept to creation.

Tags: Michela | trade shows | Branding | marketing | logo

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1. Today Facebook counts 400 million global users, with 100 million American members

2. The average user spends 55 minutes on Facebook every day and has 130 friends to share news and content with

3. The average user becomes a fan of only 4 Facebook Pages a month, which gives you the opportunity to make a real impact on your fan base once you capture their attention

4. Only 4% of Pages have 10,000 or more fans creating an opportunity to focus on your Facebook strategy to engage and grow your fan base

5. Nearly 80,000 companies use Facebook Connect to integrate social networking within their sites and potentially reach more than 60 million people who engage with Facebook Connect every month

6. Facebook Fan Box allows your website visitors or email newsletter recipients to become fans of your Facebook page without even going to Facebook

Tags: Fan Pages | Facebook | Social Media | Michela

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An exciting new technology is now available for promotional apparel like t-shirts, hats, bags and anything else made out of fabric. It's called ThreadLites™ and it's based on the Electroluminescence technology (EL), a safe light source of phosphor material that glows when sandwiched between low voltage electrodes.

When directly integrated into a garment, it allows brightly colored, illuminated custom designs to flash on the outer area in a pre-determined pattern. Check out their website to see how your logos and brand can come to life through illumination and watch the video to see people's reactions!

Tags: Michela | Promotional Items | logo | Branding | New Technology

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Many small business owners cite a lack of budget to justify their hesitance to have their logo or sales materials professionally designed. Unfortunately, opting to save in this area often means losing out on potential sales due to unprofessional-looking (or plain ugly) design. If you're a small business owner, consider this:

Your clients are humans. Humans are attracted to attractive things. Clipart is not attractive. Any questions?

If you want to attract clients, if you want your company to look legitimate and profitable and trustworthy, you need professionally designed branding (that's your logo, tagline, stationery, etc.) and well-planned marketing materials (that's your website, brochures, flyers, eblasts and ads). Without them, you risk saving the initial investment, only to lose the business.

Of course, good design and effective marketing doesn't come free, and often not cheap. But when compared to the cost of losing sales to the competition who has a better logo and stiffer business cards, the idea of "cost" needs to be re-evaluated.

Some considerations:

• An amateurish logo and wimpy business cards can make your business look unprofessional or unsuccessful. It may not be true, but that's the perception, and it's perception that wins over truth.
• This unprofessional perception spawns even uglier perceptions among potential clients, namely that you don't care about the way your business presents itself and therefore you might not care about the quality of your work. Again, not true, but perceptions matter.
• If your materials don't look cohesive, like they are part of a thought-out plan to represent your company from all angles, it creates confusion for the end user who can't reconcile disparate logos, layouts or campaigns.

So, while ignoring your marketing materials to save cash may seem like a good idea, it could result in your business never getting off the ground. In fact, about 50% of all businesses fail within their first few years and one of the most commonly cited reasons for failure is sloppy or ineffective marketing.

If we still haven't convinced you to consider having your logo and materials professionally designed, can we at least convince you to stop it with the Clipart already?

Tags: Trina | design | marketing | logo | small business

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If you are serious about doing Search Engine Optimization (SEO), one of the things you need to improve is your Alexa ranking. Here are some simple tips to help raise that ranking and get more visitors to your site!

1. If you're using Firefox as your browser, add Alexa SearchStatus - it will track hits. Here is the link: http://www.quirk.biz/searchstatus/
   
2. Once you have SearchStatus installed, set your index or blog as your default homepage. Note: if you work in an office - set all the computers up with Firefox and use SearchStatus. Encourage your friends or readers of your blog to do the same. If you are in Europe, make friends with an owner of a cybercafe and have them do this simple step. It's all about getting traffic that is recordable.
   
3. Sign up at Alexa and put a widget on your website. Rate your site and have friends and co-workers do the same. 
4. Pay-per-click ads will bring in more traffic and help increase your Alexa rank, but this will require good content and good ads. I'd only suggest this for sites that are established and are looking to move to the next step.
   
5. Try putting material up on Digg.com or Stumbledupdon.com.
   
6. There are some other ways to artificially increase your rank, but getting it the old fashioned way is better. Alexa may adjust for drastic increases. Be wary of anyone promising you dramatic results quickly.

With these ideas, and probably some others you find around the web, you should be improving your Alexa ranking every quarter!

Tags: Firefox | SearchStatus | Tips | SEO | Alexa | Rob

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It's finally here and I'd like to thank the whole team and our patient developers for all their hard work and effort.

We switched from standard HTML to a content management site that allows us to make updates with much more frequency. In choosing a content management system (CMS), we wanted to make sure it was scaleable, customizable, under active development and had an active community. We ultimately chose Joomla as our content management system and even uploaded it to a faster server so everyone can enjoy it.

The new site offers our clients access to more resources and up-to-date information. We added a blog, case studies and social media links to Facebook and LinkedIn (see the Stay In Touch section). Further, we've made it easier to access past newsletters for reference, browse our portfolio, find our services, get the latest news about the team, read team bios and even transfer and store files.

There still some features under development and we'll keep you informed of those updates here in the blog.

We hope you enjoy the new website and feel free to share your comments at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tags: Rob | Davidson & Belluso | content management system | cms | joomla | website

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Everyone did a great job with the costumes today. See the facebook page for photos! 

http://www.facebook.com/davidsonbelluso

Tags: Michela | Davidson & Belluso | Costumes | Haloween | Facebook

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