Our Say — Blog

Tortoise Or Hare

Walk into Life Certain Wealth Strategies in Denver, Colorado, and you will find a busy place that is somewhat out of sync with the current economy, especially given their business - Financial Planning and Investments. Many businesses today are struggling with an economy that is in recession. But at Life Certain Wealth Strategies things seem to be at the other end of the spectrum.

My Interview At Thumbtack

I began Impress Design after spending many years in the corporate world in sales and marketing. My last two positions were as Director of Sales and Marketing. So, I bring a very clear understanding of the value of speaking directly to the target audience in both design and copy.
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Steve Jobs

The world changes with each passing moment, sometimes for the better, too often for the worse. Recently, a leader who changed all of our lives passed away. Steve Jobs was only 56 years old, but his impact on the world was tremendous.

We all loved Steve Jobs for the incredible products Apple has given us over the years. He built the first computer that was actually fun. He made a machine our friend instead of something we had to use. For those of us i
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Big Fish Email Manifesto

Revolutionize Your Business

It’s this simple: email marketing returns nearly $40 for every dollar spent. Are you building your list and connecting with your audience?

This new eBook will change how you market to your customers with email.

Creating Erin Says Blog

Erin Says is a blog about ... life. A lot of what Erin Moroni, the author, writes about are common, everyday events (and a lot of them are just plain crazy) as she and her family make their way through life.

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."
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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
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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 re
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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.

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 kin
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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
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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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Talent!

The kid can sing. Download the video of Madison at the West Jefferson talent show. She's singing a song from Evanescence.
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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.
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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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