Take Your Place - Google Places for Business

Free exposure for your business on the biggest search engines is an absolute must for any company wanting to become the Big Fish in their local or niche market. Google PLaces is quickly becoming online what the Yellow Pages were in the 1970s, especially with its presence on mobile devices.

Google Places is based upon location. Twenty percent of all searches involve a location. It makes sense when you think about it. We don't search for "automotive repair." We search for "aut
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Death To Stock Photography Business Teams

One of the worst online practices is the use of stock photography for sales or marketing teams and organizations. You know what I mean. We've all seen them. The photo of a business team on a tech company's website, their formulaic poses, hip looks and perfect teeth.

Consider these images, available at any stock image service: 1) the way-too-integrated business team, 2) the orgasmic computer screen, and 3) the high-five-we-just-saved-the-world team shot. Most likely y
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How Sociable Are You?

Over night, it seems, we have been swept up into the world of social media, from microblogging (Twitter) to video blogging (YouTube). It can be daunting to consider all of the possibilities and opportunities to promote your brand. Time is of the essence for anyone looking to become the Big Fish in their local or niche market. Your efforts need to be focused and fine-tuned to achieve your ultimate goals. So how do you determine what social marketing is relevant to your business? More im
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Over the Rainbow: Email List Gold

The single most effective form of direct marketing is through Email. Eh? Don't doubt it. There are plenty of stats that back up this statement. Spam mail may have tarnished the perception of email marketing but there is no doubt about the effectiveness of marketing to a list of people who have asked for your updates.

Consider these statistics (courtesy of Direct Magazine):

Be The Expert

Establishing yourself as an expert is important on several levels. First, it gives people a reason to visit your site on a regular basis. Second, you give them a reason to advertise your business. If people like the information your are giving them they will share it - and the source, you. Referrals, as we all know, are like gold to any business, better than any advertising response.

So, how do you establish yourself as an expert? Remember this: Content IS king. You have to c
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Dominate Your Local or Niche Market

"How do I get more exposure?"

It's a question clients often ask. Given the current economic situation they also want to know how they can do it on a budget. This five-part series will show you how to achieve your goals over the next several weeks.

First, however, we have to lay down some parameters. While these ideas and techniques will work for any company, large or small, they are tailored and focused on the smal
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Creux Salon Brochure

Some projects are just more fun than others. Sometimes you get to exercize all of your creative powers and in the end the product speaks perfectly to the target audience while also being loads of fun to create. Creux Salon and Spa needed a brochure that listed its prices but one that did it in a manner that was consistent with the shop's image.
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Performance That Pays

Ask any business owner: Do you want a web site that shows up on the first two pages of a Google search or on page 11? The answer is "of course, page 1." But, even though the costs are relatively small to put themselves in a position to do this, most will balk at added fees to get there.
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Listed On CSS Orgy

Impress Design has been listed in another online design gallery - CSS Orgy. This is the seventh design gallery in the last six months to list my site.

Listed On Most Inspired

I just learned that my site has been listed in another CSS Gallery. This time it is Most Inspired. Thanks to everyone over there. You can visit the site here - Most Inspired
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Profile on Moleskinerie

Moleskinerie is one of the most popular sites online about the venerable notebook. My article about My Web Design Process has been profiled on the site.
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Learning From Charlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web is a classic tale of friendship, trust and loyalty. Charlotte spins words into her web in an attempt to convince the farmer that Wilbur, the pig, is worth saving. Your website should take a lot of cues from Charlotte. In particular, it needs to build trust and friendship with those who visit and use it.
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Web Design Process - What I Do

I am often asked by clients what goes into designing a website so I thought I'd take some time and explain it now. All sites are unique. Some are very complex while others are basic. My average client is usually in need of a Content Management System. Some need to combine this with an eCommerce solution, but for this article I'll limit the info to the typical situation.
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Two New Sketches

Two new sketches from my notebook, both done in pen in my moleskine. My daughter says the girl is Rihanna.
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It's Cheap, Easy & And You Da Man!

In tough economic times we are told to concentrate first on our existing customers. Retaining them can insure that your business continues and survives. All business, it has been said, comes down to relationships. The question is, in these tough times, how do you reach out to customers without spending a lot of money?
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Back-up Blues

A friend of mine called in a panic recently. Her computer crashed and she hadn't backed up any of her data. "My whole business is on there. I don't know what I'll do if it's all lost," she said.
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Impress Design On CSS Envy

Impress Design has been listed in another Gallery highlighting outstanding work by designers. CSS Envy has listed us. You can view the site here: CSS Envy
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The Golden Ratio and Design

I admit, without reservation, that I often lapse and travel to 'Geekdom'. At least a couple of times a year I find myself escaping into the uncouth world of numbers - real and imagined. Peruse the books stacked around my place and, amongst the volumes of fiction, collected essays, and design related works, there is a significant collection of science and math books.
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Saturday Night Sketch

So, what do you do on a Saturday night when you've banged your knee up badly playing a game of soccer? (It's swollen and ugly looking.) I was surfing around online looking for something to grab my attention. I came across a photo and there was something about the guy in it - his eyes, rugged face? - that made want to do a quick sketch in my notebook. Pen and ink. Enjoy!
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Impress Design On Folio Stars

Impress design has been listed on the site Foliostars.net. The site touts itself as a "Showcase of Exquisite Portfolios." Needless to say, I'm honored to be listed.
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