After scouring my email newsletters and RSS feeds recently for some quick and easy — and better yet, cheap — solutions to solve a recent design dilemma, I discovered a few fun sites that I want to share. For the sake of good karma, and a possible bone the next time I need one, I shall lay them before you.

Findicons.com

This site made my day. I was working on a design for a client and needed to find a more customized look for their social media icons. I would have loved to use the same clever bottle cap images shown on their website. But their developer was unavailable and I hadn’t the time to design them from scratch. In a twist of fate or luck or answered prayer I discovered findicons.com. Would you believe I found the exact icons I needed? True story.

Perks:  Over 300,000 icons on the site. Enter a search term and your off. Easily download in multiple formats.
Pains:  Mostly web-resolution icons, not always great for print. But if the finished size is small it should work.
Pocketbook:  FREE, gotta love that.

Dafont.com

I may have mentioned this site before but it bears repeating. Dafont has hundreds of decent typefaces that are free to download. You’re not going to find Adobe, Linotype and ITC living at this address. Those are type foundries. They make their living designing the highest quality fonts for a multitude of professional uses. And they’re fabulous. But, if you’re looking for some funky grunge font for a t-shirt design, or quirky dingbats for a company holiday party invite, this is a great place to start.

Perks:  Creative, wild and unusual designs live here. Sometimes you just need some inspiration. If they don’t have what you’re looking for the website syncs with myfonts.com and fonts.com to search the foundary databases.
Pains:  Scrolling through pages can get tedious, and the search function is limited.
Pocketbook:  FREE, but read the fine print as some are intended for personal use only, not commercial.

GraphicLeftovers.com

Every designer has at some point, searched for royalty free images. They used to cost hundreds of dollars and come with strict stipulations on when, where and for how long they can be used. And if the project warrants it, professional photographic stock or custom work is a great option. But most of us are digging through the coin jar when the boss asks for a nice image for the company newsletter…or make that two photos and two vector graphics that can also be used to promote the winter carnival on event posters and the Facebook page. Enter low-cost stock image sites.

I’ve long been a lover of istockphoto.com, and continue to recommend that resource. But this is my latest playground. And like a new cocktail I’m anxious to share the recipe with my friends and see what you can think.

Perks: Royalty vectors and images from hundreds of sources means a lot of variety. Like shopping in a new store, the styles are different and it’s fun to look around. The finished product is high-resolution, professional art.
Pains: It’s member based, so I’ve only been window shopping thus far. But it appears to be free membership.
Cost: Ok it’s not free, but priced in increments from $1 to $20 I think even Scrooge would call this a bargain.

I’ve been sharing my Twitter tips with small business clients because I think it’s an immensely powerful tool if used correctly. Since I believe marketing can be a D.I.Y. skill, I’m going to share some of these tips with you too.

10 Tips to Build Your Small Business Brand on Twitter

1. Logo is the Way to Go

Like all forms of marketing, social media is an opportunity for you to build your brand image. Your logo is the face of that brand. If your twitter account is representing your business, use your logo as the profile pic (aka avatar). Remember, your twitter avatar is tiny. Don’t make the mistake of choosing a detailed picture of your product, seaside location or your dog in a bowtie. Save that for a creative ad campaign where we can make out the details.

2. Consistency is Key

It’s confusing to your followers when you change your business avatar like a runway model in a fashion show. Remember your avatar appears in a constant stream of icons on your follower’s feed. It should stand out and be recognizable to them. A loyal follower may be scanning their feed to see what clever remarks or customer special you’re offering. If they’re searching in vain for the avatar you used last week you’ve just lost a point of contact, and possibly a follower.

3. Don’t Fear the Unknown

Twitter is a great place to follow and be followed by strangers. Unlike on a personal Facebook account, on Twitter anyone can follow you. That’s the nature of the medium, so go with it. When you receive a follower, follow them back if they are legit. And don’t be afraid to chat with a total stranger. They might become a huge ambassador for your brand.

4. Follow Your Yellow Brick Road

Everyone has a different approach when it comes to following on Twitter. My personal strategy is to find and follow businesses and people in four categories: my region, my interests, my customers, and my followers. Start by following other local businesses. It is a great way to connect with your community. Then search Twitter for topics of interest to you and those that affect your business. Next, look for your customers on Twitter so you can build that relationship. And finally follow back those who follow you. They are obviously interested in what you have to say, so why not reciprocate? If you discover their tweets are not what you’d hoped you can always unfollow.

5. Hashtags Help

If you’re on Twitter, you must speak in the native tongue. And that means hashtags. Whether you choose to use them or just follow them is up to you. For the true beginner, a hashtag is any phrase that is preceded with a #. The phrase must appear with no spaces and the # sign first.

Find out what hashtags your industry is using, and add them into your tweets. There are local hashtags like #TCMI for Traverse City, Michigan, industry hashtags like #Marketing and #Design, and niche groups that gather to share ideas, frustrations and links. Places like #youmightbeanautismparentif is where parents of autistic children unite. Searching through hashtags is a great way to find new followers and engage with those who share your passion.

6. No Pushing

If you’re considering using Twitter for your small business I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you already have a business Facebook page. And you may have discovered you can push your Facebook posts automatically to Twitter. That sounds like a great idea. Two birds with one stone, right? Not in my opinion.

These shortened posts, which often end in broken sentences followed by a link to Facebook are not the same as posting your content on Twitter. It’s an illusion, and your tweeps (Twitter peeps) are quick to realize you’re not really there. Would you use an automated system to call your customers with news about their account, new products or events? No, because you aren’t there to answer their questions. The same standard applies here. If you’re not really there, people will know. And more importantly they’ll turn their attention somewhere else.

So what can you do to post content to both Facebook and Twitter in an expedient way? Check-out HootSuite and TweetDeck. These are online tools (and apps) that allow you to post to multiple social media channels. Using their dashboard you can cater your messages to each platform and audience.

7. Please and Thank You

Twitter is all about recognition. People and brands love to see their @name in the Mentions column. The trick is to acknowledge, engage and thank your followers as often as possible. And your brand will grow. But don’t be disingenuous. The point is to get involved with your audience by responding to their questions, commenting on their content and thanking your followers when they have mentioned you. A great way to start this tradition is with #FollowFriday or #FF.

On Fridays you’ll notice a slew of posts that are filled with @mentions and a hashtag or two. That’s a Follow Friday post. It’s Twitter’s version of a shout-out. Some people choose to fill their post with random names from their follower list. Some repeatedly offer #FF to the same group of tweeps. I think the most successful #FF posts are when you choose one brand or person to mention and offer up a reason why someone should follow them. It’s sincere, it’s focused, and it’s helpful to those of us who don’t know them.

8. Tweet and Re-Tweet

If you made it #8 on my list you’re serious about building your small business on Twitter. So this point is critical. Tweet good content and re-tweet that of others.

Twitter is, by far, my best resource for industry related news, events and articles online. Find and follow people and brands who are sharing great content that would matter to your followers. Then re-tweet it. If you’re sharing a link that you found through someone you follow, give them the credit of a RT (re-tweet). You can do this automatically, or add your own twist on the tweet and add “via @mention” to the end. RTs will earn more followers and encourage your followers to share your content.

9. Critical Response

Many small businesses shy away from social media platforms because they fear criticism. They imagine customer complaints posted out there for everyone to read, and spread like lice in a kindergarten. But the truth is, as scary as it is, social media is the perfect place to deal with criticism head on. You might be surprised with the results.

When I first started Twitter I had just launched my new iPhone app, Traverse Traveler. I was excited to see followers in my area. Those whom I followed were beginning to find me and comment on the app. And then one day I opened my feed to find a follower complaining about why I didn’t have specific listings on the app. I feared the worst and figured they were unhappy with our product and would continue to share their unhappiness with the world through Twitter. So I put on my big girl pants, took a deep breath and responded to the tweet. I explained that the businesses in question hadn’t yet listed on the app, but I would see what I could do to get them involved. I received an immediate response thanking me for answering the question. And a few weeks later, when said businesses did list, I was able to contact that follower with the news. What appeared to be a customer unhappy with our product has become a follower who gladly promotes us to family and friends.

How you respond to criticism and complaints will speak loudly to the online community. If you ignore them, they tend to perpetuate and spread. Or you’ll confirm their fears…that you just don’t care. Responding to complaints on Twitter directly, and offering assistance shows your brand is involved. You do care. And you are willing to work with your customers.

10. Lurk, Listen and Join In

Twitter is one of those weird places where voyeurism is encouraged. It’s like one giant coffee shop where people are chatting about hundreds of topics and you can sit and listen. But the best part is, without warning or misstep you can join in. It’s encouraged in most cases. Ever wish you could be two places at once? I’ve followed the hashtag for two different conferences occurring at the same time three time-zones apart and felt like I was there. I’ve cheered on the Detroit Red Wings, commiserated with Apple fans when Steve Jobs died, and made many new friends on Twitter that I’ve yet to meet in person.

Just remember one thing: You Must Be Present to Win

This is the big one. Twitter moves too quickly to watch from the sidelines. It’s not a spectator sport. If you want to build a brand on Twitter you’ve got to get in the game. You need to BE there. Following the steps above will help you establish a brand, but to build it and make it successful you have to get involved.

Do you have a small business on Twitter? Share some of your tips for Twitter success in the comments below. And by all means, follow me on Twitter at @TraverseTravelr !

He was a talisman.

What is a talisman? According to the dictionary.com app (conveniently accessed on my iPhone), a talisman can be defined as, “anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human feelings or actions.” Powerful. Remarkable. Influencial. I’d say that’s about right.

Macintosh Classic | Photo by Alexander Schaelss

I’m Mac loyal to the core. Pun intended. When I was in elementary school my aunt worked for Apple as a sales representative to the school districts. So I was lucky enough to have my very own Macintosh Classic at a pretty young age. While all the other kids were staring at black screens with a flashing green cursor I had a little gray box that could speak! I learned to type in class on a manual typewriter whose keys had to be struck with fortissimo effort. But at home I practiced in soft silence on my Mac.

When I was in high school my commercial art class taught us about composition, type and colors. But we were creating everything by hand. It was my after school meetings with a local screen-printer that I learned how to create illustrations on a Mac. Working one hour or two a week with programs like Aldus Freehand I learned to guide a mouse across a foam pad and end up with art.

In college most students had to go to the library or the computer lab for access to word processing programs. But I brought my trusty Mac to Albion College freshman year. When exams were around the corner, and final papers were due you’d think we had a revolving door installed. Everyone wanted to borrow my Mac. Another Apple fanboy souped up my loading screen with the grayscale image of two jets accompanied by music from Top Gun and the text, “when you feel the need for speed!” Wasn’t that the truth.

That Mac Classic made it through four years of college. When I was ready for something bigger, another Mac of course, we passed the Classic on to an elderly friend named Cowboy, so he could write his memoirs to share his life-story with the next generation. When he passed on, it went to my great auntie Mar with the same intent. And on, and on it went.

Do you know, that Mac never had a virus. No black-screen-of-death. I think it might have lived forever. I’m still hoping to track it down and find out.

In college I took a job for the communications department and began learning the basics of graphic design, even though all of our collateral at the time was still produced by hand with paste-up. We literally used a machine that applied wax to paper so we could paste text, photos and art to a page. This was then photographed, printed to films and offset print on huge machines. But we set our type in PageMaker on a Mac. That was the beginning of the digital age in graphic design. From there technology started to take giant leaps forward with the internet, email, zip-disks, CD-Rom, and on, and on.

I realized so much of my creative work has been influenced by the powerful inventions of Steve Jobs and his team at Apple. I learned to draw on a Mac. I began to appreciate and use typography on a Mac. Thanks to the amazing world of iProducts I listen to music, store and edit photos and movies all on a iMac. And last but not least, I have expanded my business because of a unique invention called the app made famous on perhaps Apple’s greatest invention: the iPhone.

I think it’s fair to say Steve Jobs was a talisman for the creative souls in this world. It is with parting sorrow that I thank you Steve. Thank you for your innovation, inspiration, dedication and your legacy. It extends far beyond the companies you built. “To infinity and beyond.” Peace.

Graphic designer’s know the secret to a great logo is finding the perfect font. The tricky part is there are millions of them out there. So how do you know which is right for you? Sometimes it’s easier to focus on what’s wrong. Here are 5 common font errors, and how to avoid them.

1. Standard Fonts:
   If you’ve chosen a font that comes standard on your Word processing program it’s probably too common for most logos. Dare to step outside the box and look for something more original to represent your business. There are dozens for font websites out there with great tools for helping you choose a font that fits. I love Myfonts.com for their affordable options, vast selection and font preview which lets you type in your text and see it onscreen in any font you choose.
2. Trendy Fonts:
   Just like clothes, fonts follow the trends. That’s fine for an ad that will disappear with yesterday’s news, but not so great for a logo that will brand you for life. If you tie your business image to a font or style the gets over-used your brand will look cheap and dated in no time.
3. Delicate Fonts:
   Swirls, distressed type and even thin serifs may look great on your signage or company t-shirts, but lose quality and visibility when sized to fit your address labels. Try to take all the possible uses of your logo into consideration when selecting a font. If you’ll need embroidered logowear, a detailed delicate font will not reproduce well.
4. Font Spacing:
   Kerning, also known as the space between letters, is a tricky craft any good designer will learn to master. But everyone should beware of it’s pitfalls, If the ‘Y’ on the end of your logo appears to be hanging on for dear life, or there’s a river of white space running between your ‘W’ and ‘A’ you better tighten it up. Kerning is a good designer’s secret weapon. And a D.I.Y. nightmare. But it can be done. Here’s a handy article that shows examples of good & bad kerning. And believe me, it’s the tell-tale mark of a well-designed logo.
5. Disconnected Fonts:
   If you think of fonts as having a personality, look for ones that suit you and your business. If you’re a rock band, a bold jagged-edge grunge type would be logical. The same typeface for a retirement village might be a bit alarming to future clients. Check out these hilarious examples of font choices gone wrong.

Just remember, your company logo is a screaming billboard of who you are, and what you do. If you want it to scream, “I’m a professional, I take pride in my image and I will do the same for you,” then be sure you apply that same approach to your logo design. This is one area where seeking the advice of a professional might be a good idea. Even if it’s just for feedback, or to tweek the work you’ve done on your own. After all, you wouldn’t give yourself a facelift…would you?

10 Tips to Build a Better Brand on Facebook.

1. Tagging
In my opinion, the best feature for businesses on Facebook, hands down, is tagging. Tagging allows your brand to travel around other pages and say “hello,” “thanks for all your help,” or “congratulations, kudos to you!” When you tag a status update on your business page, with the name of another page or Facebook friend, your status appears on their page. It’s great for PR, and reaching out personally to another brand or fan. One word of advice though, be geniune. OK, that’s two words, but you know what I mean. Click here for step-by-step instructions for tagging on Facebook.

2. Use Facebook as your Page
This is a new feature for Facebook, and long awaited among small business users. If you ever wished you could navigate Facebook, making comments or posting on walls as your brand instead of yourself, now you can. You’ll notice a list of links on the right-hand side of your page with the phrase “Use Facebook as “your page name”. Click on this link and you can now interact with Facebook as your brand. And it’s easy to switch back to yourself when you’re ready. You can also make the switch under your Account settings.

3. Become an Expert
If you want fans to interact with your page, show them you’re an expert in your field. Share tips that only someone with your expertise can provide. If you’re a realtor, give suggestions for staging a house for sale. If you own an auto-body shop give maintenance tips for busy moms to keep their car on the road and out of the shop. When the time comes and your help is needed, they’ll know who to call. The ease of sharing makes social media a great place to connect with customers.

4. Maximize your Profile Pic
That tiny square profile pic that appears next to your listing is bigger than you think. Most people choose a small square image, or upload a digital photo, and crop it for their profile pic. But the space allowed for your profile is actually around 200px wide, with a height of up to 600px. So if you’ve been uploading square or horizontal images, you’re missing the boat. Here’s a link that helped me create a vertical Facebook profile for my Traverse Traveler app page.

5. Use your Personality
You’ve heard it before, just be yourself, and on social media that couldn’t be more true. Part of selling a product or business is selling the brand. And brands have personality. So be true to you. Be that guy – that snarky guy, that quote guy, that insider-info guy. Whatever shoe fits, wear it. Proudly and loudly. Unless, of course, you are that shares-personal-information-in-a-borderline-obscene-kinda-way guy. That’s a persona I’d avoid if I were you.

6. Host a Contest
One surefire way to build your brand on Facebook is to host a contest or offer giveaways. There’s just something about FREE that draws ants to the picnic. Trivia questions are popular ways to get your fans involved on a regular basis. But you have to be consistent. Host a weekly trivia question on the same day and time. It’s the predictability that will draw regular visits to your page.

7. Promote Events on Facebook
Facebook has some great features to help you promote events, so take advantage of them. To create an event for the first time, click the Edit Page button on the upper right of your page. This takes you to the administrator panel where you can choose Apps from the menu on the left. Look for events and follow the steps. Be sure to invite your friends to get the ball rolling, and encourage sharing to grow the event.

8. Get a unique Facebook URL
When you create a new page for a business you will need 25 fans in order to get a unique Facebook URL. So beg, plead, and cajole to meet that quarter benchmark. Because when you do, a simplified link is in your future. What’s the big deal? Well, which would you rather have on your email footer:

Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MealticketsTC
or
Find us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/UnbelieveablyLongAddressAdinfanitumBlahBlahBlah911

9. Facebook Polls
One of my favorite new features for pages is Facebook polls. If you want to see your Facebook insights rise create a poll on your page and send invitations to your friends. The best polls are quick and easy to answer. It’s not a math test, so don’t make anyone think too hard. Polls are also great for R&D. If you have an ice cream store, use a poll to let fans decide you next new flavor. It gives you insight into their favorites, and let’s your fans feel involved in the success of your brand.

10. Be Colorful, Creative and Complete
The three C’s. Colorful: update your photos with nice images to showcase your products, people and location. We’re drawn to imagery so make it interesting. Creative: this is your space, not to be confused with MySpace, so let your page reflect who you are. Complete: So many people get started on social media but lose the desire or get too busy to finish the page. Make sure your information is complete and that you’re using all the tools Facebook provides. And if you need some help, ask. There are lots of social media experts out there. If all else fails, ask your kids.

If I could only teach small businesses one trick on Facebook, this would be it. The trick to tagging your status updates. So I’ll begin my series of posts with this technique.

Tag, Your It

Facebook has some great features for brand building, but this ranks as one of the most useful. With every status update you have an opportunity to connect with a friend or another brand’s page. It’s called tagging or an @ Mention. And it’s a great way to cross-promote your brand with another.

Here’s how:

To tag a person or page simply type the @ symbol and then begin typing their name. You’ll notice a drop-down menu appear. Choose the person/page you want to tag. Their name will be highlighted in the status so you know they’ve been tagged. Finish your update and post.

When the post appears on your page you’ll notice the names you tagged are highlighted in blue. They are now hyperlinks to those pages. But the marketing benefit to this lies in the fact that your post will also appear on the wall of everyone you tagged. And it will appear with your business profile image next to it, because it came from your page.

Why tag:

To connect your brand, with friends who support it and businesses you support. Facebook is all about building a network of relationships — getting connected. And by tagging you have just created a direct connection.

Who can you tag?

You can tag your Facebook friends, or another brand page that you “like” on Facebook. You can also tag Facebook groups and events you’re attending. The same is true for your personal profile page. However, you’ll notice as the administrator of a page you cannot tag your fans unless they are also your “friends,” which is unfortunate.

Tagging Do’s and Don’ts

Do: Tag friends, employees and fans to give credit and recognition. Everyone loves to get a pat on the back for a job well done, or a public thank you of appreciation.
Don’t: Tag images that are unprofessional or unflattering. As a business, that’s not something you’d be posting on your brand page anyway, right?

Do: Tag clients and businesses you want to recommend to others. This type of marketing is exactly what Facebook for Business is all about.
Don’t: Tag a brand just to get your name on their page. If you don’t have something genuine to contribute, that’s the equivalent of spam, and it’s not appreciated.

New @Mentions in Comments

As of this month Facebook recently extended the tagging capabilities to the comments section. So you can now tag someone as part of a conversation, and they will be notified of the mention. That’s what social media is all about: encouraging dialogue and interaction.

So the next time you’re filling in that status box consider it an opportunity to connect with another business or one of your fans. Include them in your status and see what kind of response you get. Then let me know.

What is a QR code?

QR stands for Quick Response. A QR code is basically a modern bar code system. The codes contain a link to information, generally stored on the web, which can be accessed by a QR scanning device. In fact, you probably have a QR scanning device in your pocket right now. What?

Smart phones can be used to scan QR codes. There’s an app for everything these days – including QR readers.

A QR code contains data your customers are in interested in. And that data can be accessed by anyone with a smart phone. Interested?

What’s the purpose of QR codes?

It’s simple really. QR codes are designed to connect the visual world to the digital world.  The most common QR codes contain links to web urls. These can be public links, or private pages that aren’t published on the web. You can link to:

• Website pages
• Facebook page
• YouTube video
• FTP site
• On-line newsletter
• Coupons
• Product information
• Event schedule
• Contact info
• Contests & promotions

Who uses QR codes?

Fortune 500 companies, and mom & pop stores on suburban main streets, that’s who. The Japanese have been using QR codes since 1994 when they were created by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. A few years ago you probably noticed similar data matrix codes printed on UPS labels to track their shipments. But you probably paid no attention. It’s only recently that the codes have been recognized as a marketing tool. Now you might see them on a billboard in Times Square, or in the window of your local organic market.

Here are a few practical examples of QR codes in action.

• A winery uses QR codes on their wine bottles. When scanned they provide tasting tips and winemaker’s notes about that specific vintage.
• A musician creates a QR code for each track on his CD, then prints them on the inside cover. Links take the listener to YouTube where they can watch the video.
• House hunters pull up to a hot property and discover the Realtor has placed a QR code on the For Sale sign. After a quick scan the buyers have an overview of square footage, bedroom to bathroom ratio, even the school district.
• A restaurant adds a code to their print advertising, directing readers to an online version of their menu. While their menu changes daily, the code still works because the URL is the same.
• The storefront windows for a downtown business showcase QR codes for every item in the window. Links take you to their online store where browsers can purchase anytime. Gives new meaning to the term “window shopping.”
• An app developer includes a QR code on print ads promoting the app. A direct link to iTunes means readers can download the app without searching for it. Want to give it a try? Scan the code at the top of the article and see for yourself.

So now you know a little about what QR codes do, and how they can be put to use in a variety of industries. But where do you get them?

This is the best news of all. You can make a QR code online, from several websites, for FREE. Just search ‘free QR code generator’ and thousands of websites are at your disposal. Or scroll down to the end of the article for some resources I found.

There’s one big question we’ve yet to answer. Why should you incorporate QR codes into your marketing strategy? Ask yourself the following two questions.

1. Do you want an easy way to connect customers with your products or services?

2. Would you like to track your print marketing to know what works?

As you may have guessed, a Yes answer to any of the above is what I’m going for here. QR codes provide a unique opportunity to connect print media to the digital world. Sure you can list your website on your brochure, but you probably don’t have room to list your entire product line. While the code does take up some room on your advertising, it may be well worth the space. Especially if you sign up for a website that tracks the codes.

Yes, there are companies that offer code generation, database management and tracking services for a fee. Depending on how you intend to use them, this could be a very valuable service. Using an online dashboard you can create, manage and track all your codes for a monthly service fee. For example, if you created an ad campaign, and used a different code for each ad, in every publication, that could mean dozens of codes that can be tracked to determine when your customers scanned the code, from which publication, what model phone they were using, and more.

A few tips to get started

So, you’re ready to give this QR thing a try? It’s pretty simple. But you know I love tips, so here are a few I uncovered during my research.

• Use a URL shortener to simplify the code. A long URL creates more detail, which makes the code harder to scan.
• If possible, send people to a mobile landing page. If what you’re linking to isn’t user friendly you’ve missed an opportunity to connect.
• Give them something valuable. You’re asking readers to take that extra step, pick up their phone and scan the code. Make it worthwhile. Coupons, contests, promotional offers are a nice reward for following the white rabbit through the tiny door.
• Size matters. Here’s why:
  The size of the code depends on the quality of the camera and its proximity to the code. If you’re posting a code on a billboard or the side of a building, it’s going to have to be pretty large since the scanner isn’t very close to the subject. On the flipside, don’t make it too small or the scanners might not work. To be safe, no smaller than 2.5 cm or 1 inch is universally recommended.

Resources

Free QR code generator: I’ve used QR Stuff, and found it easy to design, preview and create my code.

Code readers: AT&T app Code Reader, QR Reader for iPhone, Beetagg

Code tracking & management: Some of the marketing suggestions I listed are real examples of the work Hootster is doing for their clients. Their online management systems make it easy and affordable to develop a marketing plan using QR codes.

If you can talk the talk, perhaps you’re ready to walk the walk. And in case your not quite up to speed, I’ve included a translation right below.

Consider this:

You Might Need the Help of a Professional Designer If…

1. You think RGB is a musical style
Musicians dabble in R&B, Designers prefer RGB. RGB actually stands for Red Green Blue, and is the standard color profile of all web images.

2. You ever typeset body copy in Papyrus
3. You think Papyrus is an ancient kind of paper
Papyrus is a decorative typeface which became extremely popular in the 1990s. While beautiful in large sizes it is too detailed to be used as body copy. Its misuse and over-exposure has created Papyrus burnout among designers.

4. 12 on 14 sounds like an unfair fight
12 on 14, often appearing as 12/14, refers to the point size and leading of text. 12 point text, with 14 point leading is very common for body copy.

5. When asked to “review a proof,” you examined a shot of vodka
A proof is a sample of the work-in-progress. It is submitted to a client for approval or revisions. F.Y.I. 80 proofs would not be an acceptable expectation in the review process.

6. The bible has fewer words than your last ad campaign
Keep It Simple, Stupid. Too much copy is overwhelming. Get to the point and make it memorable.

7. You think PMS is something your wife gets once a month
In the design realm PMS is a reference to the Pantone Matching System, a standardized color profile system used throughout the design industry. If you’re experiences violent mood swings and cramps no amount of color therapy is going to help that.

8. You ever bordered an ad with scissors and a dotted line
Sorry folks, I don’t care if your ad is one giant coupon. Don’t ever use the scissors dingbat and a dotted line again. It’s design suicide. And it’s just plain ugly.

9. The copy shop squeezed and stretched your logo to fit…and you’re fine with that
Never let ‘em see you sweat…oops, I mean never let them stretch to fit. Your logo is your identity, protect it.

10. You think a JPEG should fit in a round hole
JPEG is one of the most common file formats, especially among digital photos. If you’d like more info on the difference between file formats click here.

11. You go to the dry cleaners for a “press check”
I come from the world of print, where stopping by the printer to check out a job on the press is called a press check. With digital printing this is much less common. That and the fact that your printer might be in another state.

12. Your letter-spacing has more gaps than David Letterman’s teeth
Adjusting letter spacing, also called kerning, is the sign of an experienced designer. I should know, as in my neophyte days I was harassed by a boss we called the kerning nazi, until I learned to do it right.

13. You think “leading” is what happens when your kid draws on his arm with a pencil
Leading is the space between lines of text. The best thing you can do for your line spacing is learn to control it. Turn off the auto-pilot and start adjusting the leading manually.

14. Your font selection is limited to the ones that came with the computer
Fonts add flavor to your designs. You wouldn’t cook every meal with the same six spices if there were thousands of unique flavors to choose from, would you? Need some inspiration check out myfonts.com.

15. You believe writing paragraphs of text in ALL CAPS is a good idea
You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating. STOP SCREAMING…I mean, stop screaming at your readers with the excessive use of uppercase letters. Don’t worry. We can hear you now.

16. When asked for “high resolution” you vow to say no to drugs
Resolution is a reference to the level of detail and clarity saved in your image file. A high resolution image has more pixels, and thus more detail, saved in the file. 300DPI is considered high, while 72DPI is typically low.

17. You use quote marks and inch marks interchangably
There is a difference between proper quotation marks, also called smart quotes and the marks produced by a computer keyboard. If the marks are vertical and straight, they are inch marks, not quotation marks. Watch the apostrophes too. Don’t be a dummy. Use smart quotes.

18. You use so many fonts in one ad it resembles a plate at an all-you-can-eat buffet
The golden rule on font usage is no more than three. One for the headline, one for body copy and one for highlights. Sometimes rules are meant to be broken. But in this case, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

19. You think 300 DPI indicates a really bad drunk driving record
DPI stands for dots per inch and refers to the resolution of an image. The higher the DPI, the more pixels (or dots) in the image.

20. You think “spot color” is some sort of iSpy game
There are two types of color printing: spot color and process color. Spot colors are opaque inks, like PMS colors, and process colors are transparent inks over-laid to create the whole spectrum, as in CMYK inks.

21. You’ve ever said, “Let’s use Comic Sans”
Like Papyrus, using the typeface Comic Sans in your designs is the equivalent of wearing a clown nose to work. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but not everyone can pull it off. Sadly, you’d think we live in giant circus for all the clown noses I see out there.

22. You think “copyrights” means you have the right to copy anything you see
Copyrights are a serious issue, making the news lately especially with regards to what can be found on-line. Just keep in mind, if someone else designed it, photographed it or wrote it, don’t use it without permission.

23. You believe anything can be fixed with Photoshop
I love Photoshop as much as the next gal, but I’m sorry to report it is not a miracle cure for bad photography. Sure I can change your eye color, remove that boring background and put you on a beach. But I can’t make you look 20 years younger. Sorry grandma, it’s just not that simple.

So if you think John Deere Green, Ford Blue and Primer Gray are the three primary colors…You might be a Redneck. And if that’s the case, you definitely need the help of a Professional Designer. So give me a call.

For more insights into the terminology of graphic design, and the meaning behind the words, check out some of these links.

Fast Answers to Font Questions

Graphic Design Dictionary

Five Common Typographic Blind Spots

Kerning in Action

Allow me to explain.

My husband suffers from an acute condition I like to call excessive R.O.I.: Random Observational Interruptions. In the midst of conversation, be it lighthearted or serious, he notices something in his peripheral vision which causes a lapse in his ability to listen and an impulse to blurt out a complete non-sequiter based on his observations. It’s particularly noticable when driving.

Yesterday, for instance, while discussing how smart phones and social media are changing the way companies approach their marketing strategies, he suddenly motions to the right and announces, “Good News is down that street.”

Huh?

The conversation came to an abrupt halt as I struggled to figure out what earth shattering news he must be about to reveal, only to discover he was thinking of taking our new truck in to Good News Auto for a once-over.

Needless to say, in 5 seconds I’d completely lost my train of thought.

It’s moments like those, which inspired me to come up with a list of techniques that help keep my ideas on track.

5 Techniques to Keep Your Train of Thought on Track

1. Visual Reminders: I admit it. My name is Brandy and I’m a list-a-holic. I would join a 12-step program just so I had 12 steps to complete. But there is method to my madness. Lists make us accountable. I love to make little empty check boxes next to each item so that when I complete it I get the reward of checking it off the list.

To-do lists are great visual reminders. But so are piles. An In box/Out box system works too. The trick is to create a visual manifestation of what you need to complete so you have your goals in front of you. With this type of accountability it’s easier to stay focused on the tasks at hand and not allow your mind to wander.

2. Remove Distractions: Ahhh, distractions. Damn their clever disguises. I believe they are the number one cause of thought train derailments. But there are some simple defensive measures we can take to protect ourselves.

• Clear the clutter. A disorganized desk can be distracting as it often reminds us of other projects. Clean-up and you’ll find your focus.
• Sound off. Email notifications, a ringing phone, talk radio; all these can be toxic noise pollution when you’re trying to concentrate.
• Curb hunger. Keep a couple snacks nearby, healthy munchies, and a bottle of water. A grumbling tummy is a sure fire way to send your mind out to lunch.

3. Track Your Time. As a freelance designer I keep a time sheet for each project. Since I often charge by the hour it’s a necessity. But it’s also a great way to schedule my time. When I have the visual reminder of the tasks that need completion, and the log of how much time I’ve spent so far, it’s a powerful incentive to stay focused and move forward with every passing minute.

I should mention what a healthy motivator guilt can be. If you’re being honest about time tracking and suddenly you see significant blocks of time allocated to “internet research” or “social media” a little voice called Accountability starts whispering in your ear and suddenly Focus walks back in the room and takes a seat behind the desk.

4. Avoid Task-Hopping. For many of us multi-tasking isn’t a habit it’s a way of life. We’re checking email, while talking on the phone and listening to voicemails in the background. By definition, multi-tasking divides our focus. So avoiding it would be best. Yeah right.

Here’s a more realistic suggestion. Focus on one project at a time. Even if you start with invoicing then stop to write an email, followed by a phone call to a supplier, you’ll still be following one train of thought if you stick to one project. While these tasks all require different actions they are still related, and therefore help keep you focused and on track. If suddenly you’re called into a meeting to discuss a new client you’ll notice a sudden downshift in momentum. That’s the thought train slowing down. Watch out.

5. Time-boxing. This is a new technique for me, but I like it. Time boxing is a method for scheduling the amount of time you work on a project. Instead of sitting down to an open ended deadline, or working until the project is “done,” you set a time limit for each work period, and focus all your efforts on a short period of time. If the project isn’t finished when the time is up you allocate another time to work on it, and move on.

How does this strategy help maintain focus? By setting tight constraints on your time, say a 30-minute block to write a blog post, you make a commitment to yourself. It’s that accountability that prevents procrastination and task-hopping.

I’ve only scratched the surface on the methodology behind time-boxing. But it’s worth further exploration. Check out this link for more details.

So the next time your thought train is headed off a cliff, try one of these techniques to get back on track. And remember watch out for R.O.I.; also known in my house as “Deer!”

Authors note: When you live in northern Michigan, and spend hours driving along wooded back roads, it’s not that random to hear exclamations identifying wildlife that may be considering a leap in front of your vehicle. It is, however, distracting and therefore a perfect example of R.O.I. Especially when said “deer” is 300 yards away.