Email marketing words to avoid

Tired of getting caught in email Spam filters? Here are some words to avoid when composing your email subject lines:

• amazing
• cancel at any time
• check or money order
• click here
• congratulations
• dear friend
• e-mail marketing
• for only ($)
• free (including toll-free)
• great offer
• guarantee
• increase sales
• order now
• promise you
• risk free
• special promotion
• this is not spam
• to be removed
• unsubscribe
• winner

Also, in your subject line, avoid*:

• avoid excessive punctuation
• don’t use symbols (such as dollar signs or astericks)
• words with ALL CAPS
• using the recipients name in the subject line
• using Re: (unless it really is a response)
• blank subject line
• vague subjects (hey you, check this out, hi!)

*Source: Email Marketing for Dummies, John Arnold

For more information about e-newsletter dos and don’ts, attend our seminar on October 28th, from 11:15-1:30. We’ll be presenting hands-on training for setting up your database and getting started with customizing templates.

Announcing the Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame!

Mix Creative, a St. Paul, MN multi-disciplinary graphic design firm, announces the launch of the Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame web site, created to recognize Minnesota writers, past and present.

A project of the Minnesota Book Awards, coordinated by the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, Mix Creative was selected as agency of record.  The site was established to recognize writers whose work distills the essence of the state; the people, the land and the spirit of Minnesota.

Katrina Hase, Creative Director of Mix Creative, sought to convey the spirit of the state through color; “Colors of the site represent sky, water and wheat; colors represented not only by the lakes and prairies throughout the state, but also in the palette of buildings standing tall in Minneapolis and St. Paul.”

Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame Website

Mix Creative researched dozens of hall of fame sites, writers’ resources and even the nominees’ works for inspiration. The firm also designed the site’s logo, a mix of elegant san serif and serif type, punctuated with a writer’s quill.

“The site manages to capture the historical aspect while still keeping it fresh and vital,” commented Alayne Hopkins, director of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.  “We were quite pleased with the design.  Katrina brought so much to the project and brought it alive.”

Programmer Brian Sutherland provided technical expertise, creating a database-driven website supported by cascading style sheets that allows the site owners to update content themselves, with a simple form.

While the first nominees were selected by a committee and the Minnesota Book Awards, future nominees will be determined from nominations from literature lovers. Site users can register and nominate a writer using a simple online form.

The site is supported with funds from the Minnesota Historical Society’s Sesquicentennial Commission.  Visit the site at:  http://www.mnwritershalloffame.com.

Taste Section Poster Retrospective

The Star Tribune’s Taste section celebrates it’s 40th anniversary today with a look back at some of their memorable poster-like section covers. Check them out for yourself: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/taste/62583792.html

Taste's First Cover

Package design pointers

Little Alice from the comic strip Cul-de-Sac (by Richard Thompson) makes some insightful remarks on package design for children in this comic strip. Enjoy!

E-newsletter workshop and networking TOMORROW!

It’s not too late to join us for networking and a how and why guide to E-newsletter marketing. Mix Creative’s Katrina Hase will join Rebecca Metz of Modern Inconveniences for an informal, practical guide to getting started and maximizing marketing potential. Details:

Wednesday, September 23rd; 11:15 AM- 1:30PM

Using eNewsletters Effectively
Focus on what can be accomplished and what is required to implement a successful eNewsletter campaign. We will compare the eNewsletter options and services and explore best practices for database building, content, delivery and marketing integration. You will learn about tools that will help you make this process efficient and effective.

Register HERE

(re)Communicating Your Capabilities

Recently I spoke with a marketing colleague of mine who expressed frustration that a long-time client had been talking to other agencies to develop a new website and e-mail marketing. Having been their agency of record for all of their print marketing and advertising, my colleague expressed to the client his confusion.

“Oh, you can do websites?” was the client’s response.

It seems that in their business interactions, the client had come to think of my colleague as a go-to person for print and advertising. Comfortable in that role, my colleague had neglected to mention his full capabilities, of which websites and email marketing were also strengths.

It’s human nature to categorize the things around us. Gestalt psychologists demonstrated this phenomenon well through visual tests that show how we perceptually organize the world around us. Their results described an overarching principle of pragnänz, which is that the simplest and most stable interpretations of the world around us are favored. Neuroscientists have documented these brain short-cuts even at the cellular level, showing that the branches on brain cells are trimmed away over time to strengthen some brain pathways over others.

The lesson here? If you want your clients to change their perception of your company’s capabilities, you’re going to have to retrain their brains. Here are three simple strategies:

1. Talk to your client about your capabilities. Ok, this one seems like a no-brainer. But think about it, when is the last time you integrated a little advertisement for your other services into a conversation with your client? One strategy: use an example of how you created a solution in similar situation with another client. Expand on the different services you provided.
2. Try an email footer. Communications guru Colleen Wainwright suggested changing up your email footer frequently as a tool for self promotion. Try something like: “Did you know we can create _______ for you? Call us for more information.”
3. Share examples. Shapco Printing in Minneapolis does a great job of communicating their capabilities by sending examples every few months or so of a piece that was printed using their equipment, accompanied by a letter highlighting their capabilities. You can try this too, by sending examples of your work—printed or electronically—to your clients, with a personal note that includes a detail about the project.

Since we’re working against brain chemistry here, it’s a good idea to make communication about your capabilities an ongoing activity. Just think: someday there may be a brain pathway out there dedicated to your business!

Mix Creative to present in workshop series: Using eNewsletters Effectively

Katrina Hase of Mix Creative will be a guest speaker in the upcoming two-part workshop series, titled Using eNewsletters Effectively!

The workshop, part of an ongoing Tech Networking series from Modern Inconveniences, will focus on the why and the how of e-newsletters. Specific information about the workshop follows:

Using eNewsletters Effectively

• Date: Wednesday, September 23rd
• Time: 11:15-1:30PM

Are you planning to implement an Email Newsletter campaign to promote your business? Have you already started but not sure if you are using this marketing tool effectively? This class focuses on what can be accomplished and what is required to implement a successful eNewsletter campaign. We will be comparing the eNewsletter options and services, and exploring best practices for database building, content, delivery and marketing integration.  You will learn about tools that will help you make this process efficient and effective. This class will focus on the theory where our next installment of this series, Enewsletters: Design & Database Tips, will be a hands on approach to using eNewsletter Tools.

Click Here to register  http://mienewsletter1.eventbrite.com/

eNewsletters: Design & Database Tips

• Date: Wednesday, October 26th
• Time: 11:15-1:30PM

Do you need help getting started with your eNewsletter Design? Do you need help with building and compiling your eNewsletter Database? Join us at the second half of our next installment of TechNetworking topic, Creating Effective eNewsletters!  This hands on class will focus on design best practices and best practices on compiling and building your database.  In this class you will learn the following:

• Maintaining brand consistency across your eNewsletter and website
• Incorporating your brand into the clickable links, colors, fonts and design elements
• Designing your eNewsletter optimally for text-only readers, mobiles, and full display
• Tips & tricks to using a template
• Compiling and building your database

In addition this class will look at the different types of templates and the pros and cons of using them and take a look at some examples of design dos & don’ts.

Click here to register http://datadesigntips.eventbrite.com/

TECH NETWORKING is an ongoing program that offers participants useful skills and informal networking over a light lunch setting. To receive notices about upcoming events, register for the Tech Notes e-blast, or visit the Modern Inconveniences website.

Please feel free to contact Katrina of Mix Creative or Rebecca Metz of Modern Inconveniences (952.831.0508) with any questions about the workshops. We hope to see you there!

In Praise of Print

INVEST IN PRINTING AND PAPERS TO MAKE THE RIGHT IMPRESSION

In the past five years, social media combined with online and digital printing have leveled the playing field for businesses, allowing small businesses unprecedented access to tools once reserved for large corporations.

Take for example the business card. In the past, large companies had blank business card shells printed on specialized paper with one or two Pantone inks that they printed periodically with deserving employees’ names. Today, with printing prices and required quantities much lower than the past, new cards can be printed in full color for  just about anyone or any thing, from calling cards to angel cards, or even multiple cards for different parts of a business.

So what’s the harm in that?

Well, to use the sports analogy from earlier: with a more level playing field comes… more players. And with more players comes more competition.

“But I’ve hired an ace design firm! Isn’t that good enough?” you may ask.

Of course, good design goes a long way toward defining your company and standing out in a crowded marketplace. But if you want to go all the way, you’ll want to spend some money on how your brand is presented in print. Here are some suggestions:

1. Consider the paper it’s printed on. Think about it. When you hand a card to someone, wouldn’t you like them to notice the quality of paper right away? Consider printing on FSC-certified papers. Far from the dull, grainy papers of the past, these green “goddesses” now offer bright whites, textures, weights, sheens, and colors that fit your business. Ask your designer to see paper swatch books for your next project—you’re likely to be surprised by how paper selection can take your design to the next level.
2. Create a piece to “die” for. Created on the press using a metal plate with sharp edges called a “die”, unique shapes and cut-outs enhance your brand message while creating interest. Consider a postcard cut in the shape of your product or logo. Or a pocket folder with pockets that mimic the curve of your logo. Or maybe a cut-out shape that has a playful presence on either side of a business card. Often rejected for their additional cost, die cuts may well be worth the expense.
3. Make key images shine. Recently I received a direct mail piece from a major retailer that caught my eye. Printed on  matte, white paper, the models (and product) practically bounced off the page with a glossy varnish. Called a “spot varnish,” the technique packed a visual punch that kept me interested.

These tips may seem ill-timed in a scaled-back economy, where saving money is on everyone’s mind. But consider the benefit: quality papers, inks, cuts, and varnishes send the message that your business is as strong as ever, inspiring confidence in your company and signaling to clients that they are worth the expense.

For more ideas about how special printing techniques and papers can enhance your brand image, contact Mix Creative.

Business card sizes around the world

Who knew? Business card dimensions vary around the world. Designing for a foreign land? Here’s a quick guide, thanks to Nigel French, via the InDesign Magazine Tip of the Week newsletter:

TIP: Sizing Up Business Cards Around the World
Are you creating business cards for other regions of the world but don’t know the standard card sizes for those regions? Well, now you do!

Australia, New Zealand (1.636 aspect ratio): 90mm x 55mm / 3.54 inches x 2.165 inches
China (1.667 aspect ratio): 90mm x 54mm / 3.543 inches x 2.125 inches
Czech Republic, Hungary (1.8 aspect ratio): 90mm x 50mm / 3.543 inches x 1.968 inches
Europe (1.545 aspect ratio): 85mm x 55mm / 3.346 inches x 2.165 inches
Japan (1.655 aspect ratio): 91mm x 55mm / 3.582 inches x 2.165 inches
US, Canada, Netherlands (1.75 aspect ratio): 89mm x 51mm / 3.5 inches x 2 inches

- Nigel French

Remember to keep in mind that these are trim sizes—make sure to add a bleed! Check with your printer for specifications.

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Submit a question for designer Q & A

Calling all business owners, marketing professionals, graphic designers, web programmers, design students, and more!

Speak up about what confuses you about graphic design. Maybe it’s trying to understand what you’re designer is talking about (What the heck is PMS, and why does my designer keep asking me for mine?), submitting files to a printer (why did my margins get cut off??), updating your website (Why can’t I use my own fonts? or What’s CMS?), or even just trying to decide where to spend your marketing budget (Does anyone even print stationery any more?).

Here’s my invitation: ask us your burning questions about graphic design, and we’ll publish the question with an answer right here in this blog! Please keep the questions clean and graphic design/marketing related. And while questions are always appreciated, please submit questions for this column by April 28, 2009.

Thanks!