Lutheran Home Care & Hospice

Lutheran Home Care & Hospice came to us with a mission: create effective outdoor advertising that carried a personal message. Thus, the (I HAVE) campaign was born.

Learn more about this project and how we've concurred the mission by watching our video above!

Food Safety Training Solutions

FSTS is about offering savvy training in a comfortable and educational atmosphere. The owner, Francine Gibson, came to us to create a brand that would turn heads from coast to coast. There are so many elements that tie into the industry - the measuring spoons to represent measuring success, the plus sign is an international icon for safety, the business and note cards are round, just like your plate...

To learn more about this project, check out the behind the scenes action!

Wrapt by Worx

One day I was sitting in a parking lot waiting to go into an appointment when an idea hit me. I've always wanted to do something for children - kids that have struggling homes or are in need. Why not create scarves for them? That was the day that our "give back" project, Wrapt by Worx, was created.

What's the idea behind all this? We want to "wrap" kids with love, hope and accomplishment. Let them know that no matter what is happening in life, there is always someone out there that cares for them.

We shared our idea with the Greencastle Exchange club and they were more than appreciative and accepting to our idea. So, with scissors in hand, we cut 60 lime green scarves, wrapped them in brown paper and sealed them with love. My son, Kandon, was a wonderful model and tester :)

I feel overwhelmed with joy knowing that this Saturday, 60 kids will open a gift that will keep them warm all winter.

Common Myth: I need to advertise in EVERYTHING!!

False. Your budget is important, after all, that's why we set them. Many small business owners feel they need to put a little bit of money into a lot of different advertising vehicles, such as newspaper, magazine, radio and/or television. By doing this, you're not getting the maximum exposure or benefit from each of these mediums. Chances are you're choosing the smallest ad for the least amount of time.

So how do you get more for your money? Find which vehicle gets the most ROI (Return on Investment) and run with it. Lets say you tried newspaper and magazine - the newspaper got a call or two and the magazine ad sent more traffic to your website, resulting in more sales. There is buzz about your magazine ad campaign, and you're establishing a brand. You may want to move your dollars to the magazine.

Now, imagine if you put your advertising dollars into a method that is already working. Maybe it's running your ad more often, or going to a larger size, investing in special issues or doing a profile spotlight. Once you've got your viewers and the return is coming in, you have successfully advertised.

The most important thing to remember is, it doesn't work over night. Many small business owners run 2-3 ads and think they are not working because the doors aren't being run down. Advertising is like fine wine, it gets better with age. It takes time to reach your viewer and establish a brand. This is why staying consistent is so important and why stopping your advertising can hurt, not help, your business.

Business Showcase - Anderson Photographs

Over the last year, I've been really fortunate to work side by side with a very talented artist, Melanie Anderson, owner of Anderson Photographs. We are both located in the Arts and Entertainment District in Hagerstown, MD.

Our most recent project together was for a promotional product called, "The Dawg Days of Summer," calendar. Over the summer, Melanie and her staff photographed dozens of local dogs and brought in a judging team to vote on categories such as Best Smile, Cutest Couple, Cutest and Most Unique. The grand prize winner was named the Pupperfold, and received a 2 page spread.

The best part about this calendar? $5.00 from every purchase will go to the Humane Society of Washington County.

Copies are available today, for just $20 - but they are limited! Help support our local animals!

You can view more of Melanie's work at www.andersonphotographs.com

Holiday Card Etiquette

The 8 Rules of Business Greeting Card Etiquette

1. Buy Quality Cards:

Show that you value your clients and colleagues. Your recipients might take it as a sign that business has not been good or that they aren’t worth a little investment.

2. Update Your List: Make sure your list is up-to-date with correct names and addresses.

3. Sign Cards Personally: Even if you have preprinted information on the business greeting card such as your name, you need to add your handwritten signature. The most elegant business greeting cards should have your personal signature and a short handwritten message.

4. Handwrite the Address: Don’t use computer-generated labels. They are impersonal and make your holiday wishes look like a mass mailing.

5. Mail to Home Address: Mail your business greeting card to the home if you know the small business owner. Be sure to include the spouse’s name.

The card is not sent to both husband and wife at the business address unless they both work there.

6. Use Titles: Whether you are addressing the envelope to an individual or a couple, titles should always be used. It’s “Mr. John Doe,” not “John Doe,” or “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe, rather that “John and Mary Doe.”

7. Be Sensitive to Traditions: Find out whether your business greeting card recipients observe Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa. Make sure your message is appropriate for each individual. If you decide to go with one card, choose a generic one that will not offend. “Season’s Greetings” and “Happy Holidays” are safe bets.

8. Avoid the Mail Rush: Mail your business greeting cards in time to arrive for the designated holiday. If you find yourself addressing the envelopes on Super Bowl Sunday, keep the cards until next year and send out a high-quality note thanking people for their business during the previous year instead.

Business Showcase - DeVerre Elements

The DeVerre collection of innovative products features recycled glass coverings in the form of traditional materials such as stone, brick and wood. They've transformed kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces and commercial sites from traditional to inspirational, all with the touch of glass.

We're proud to be part of their branding strategy!

Visit them online at www.DeVerre-Elements.com