Tips

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I'm an official Green Business

When I was in UCSC, I received my bachelor's in Environmental Studies- a degree which was known then as the most depressing one around. I learned a lot about the theory of making change and reducing our carbon footprint. But then I got married, had a baby... and we all know how it goes from there. It takes a concerted effort to reduce, reuse and recycle and I am doing my best to incorporate these ideas into my art and design business. To lessen my impact, I recently switched over to biodegradable bags for my prints and 100% post-consumer waste backings for my greeting cards. I use reclaimed cabinet doors as canvases when possible, and do as much as I can electronically to cut down my paper waste. I am happy to announce that my efforts in my business have been recognized by Keep the Sierra Green as a Green Business Leader! I have a long way to go- there are so many ways to change. What simple things can you do to make your business green?

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Great Social Networking Newsletter

If you are confused by social networking or not sure where to start, there are numerous resources out there. One of my favorites is The Social Media Examiner. I know I have written about this blog in the past, but just wanted to get the word out because of how valuable it is. Blogger Michael Stelzner and his guest writers frequently review, rate, and explore social networks outlets breaking it down to layperson's terms. If you don't subscribe to it and are wondering where to go next with the social aspect of marketing your business, sign up to receive the Social Media Examiner's news.

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Find out your computer's and browser's info

Ever wonder what operating system you are using on your computer or which version of your browser you are running? Go to ThisMachineInfo.com to find out a basic rundown of what you are using. This helps when you are trying to communicate with a designer or for computer customer service.

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Upgrade your Internet Explorer

If you are on a PC and are still running Internet Explorer (IE) 6 or 7 for your internet browser, it's time to upgrade. You are not seeing many things correctly and no longer are web designers making sites that you can see. Additionally, it will help your overall functionality of your web surfing time too.

• If you are not sure which version you are running, go through these steps.
• To upgrade, watch this video.
• If you are having problems, call a tech person. If you are in Truckee/Lake Tahoe, call Tahoe Tech Group at 530-580-8324 and they can do it for you over the phone.

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Effective Blog Posts

Okay, so now you have a content management site and a blog. Together, you are on the road to getting your blog and/or website seen by search engines. However, to make your blogging a truly effective way for improved search engine optimization of your website, you #1), need to blog often and #2), need to create effective blog posts. Here is a great article by Michale Stelzner of Social Media Examiner of how to make your blog posts effective.

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Why consistent branding is necessary

Your brand, (i.e. logo, colors, shapes, "look and feel," and messaging), is crucial for business. Period. Your brand is how people get to know you, recognize you, and easily tell others about you. According to David Yunghans, Regional Developmenet Director from Constant Contact (an email newsletter), keeping your branding consistent is essential in your business' promotion as the brand is half of what makes the sale. His article relays the do's in why consistent branding is a valuable tool in today's marketing efforts.

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Facebook competition rules

Facebook is a great way to market your business. However, Facebook has cracked down on how people are using it to run competitions. Belly Beyond's blog has a quick run down of the do's and don'ts of running such promotions, with the main rule being: You cannot make the entry of a competition dependent on an action on Facebook. That means that Facebook Promotion rules cannot have people enter a competition by:

• becoming a 'liker' (or fan)*
• tagging themselves in a photo
• commenting on your wallpage or post
• putting a comment or @ tag in their status
• uploading a photo or video

Read more on their blog or go to "help" on Facebook.

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Sell your art through Facebook

As an artist with other jobs, it's challenging for me to keep a plentiful inventory of art prints, let alone keep that stock in numerous locations. That's when I found Fine Art America, an online retailer and printer of artist reproductions. Fine Art America has a venue for you to upload your high quality images so that art lovers can buy these as prints on rag paper, photo paper, giclee's on canvas, on greeting cards, with frames... you name it. You set it up, you do some promo, they print it, sell it, take a percentage, and give you the money. However, as good as it sounds, it takes some time to get people to find your page and make a purchase. Knowing this, Fine Art America has created a handful of ways you can promote your work. One of my favorites is their Facebook Shopping Cart. After you create an artist profile AND a Facebook account, viewers can access and buy your art reproductions all from a tab called "Shop" on your Facebook page without even leaving Facebook.

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Recap from my marketing workshop

Thank you to everyone who attended last night's marketing meeting. I was so stoked to see so many people interested in growing their business as well as loved the great feedback and comments. Some of the additional things we discussed that are not on the worksheets include: Blogs to Follow: - Sara's blog: scroll down to the right and you will find a place to enter your email address for blog updates at http://www.sarazimmerman.net/more/blog/. - Seth Godin: go to http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ and enter your email address on the left - Marketing Sherpa: go to http://www.marketingsherpa.com/index.html and a pop up will ask you for your info. Business Resources: - Sara Zimmerman Art, Illustration and Design, Graphic and Web Design that will make you stand out, 530-587-7492, sara@sarazimmerman.net - Laura Guntren, Business and Marketing Coach, 530-386-141,7 LCGuntren@hotmail.com, free 1/2 hour consultations - Small Business Administration: http://www.sba.gov/ - Small Business Development Center: closest is Roseville at www.sbdcsierra.org - Books we discussed last night. Recommended Social Networks: (Some of these have tricks to how to create and build them. If you don't know what you're doing and need help, please ask before you spend a ton of time). - Facebook and a Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com - Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/ - Twitter: http://twitter.com/ eCards to send to clients: - Send Out Cards: http://www.sendoutcards.com (you can also have your marketing materials made onto these) - Smile box: http://www.smilebox.com I know I presented a lot of stuff and it can be a bit overwhelming. However, both Laura and I are happy to help you create what you need, from a game plan that fits your time and budget to the actual materials itself. We can help you plan, set up your social networks, your email campaigns, your print/web ads, and integrate you blog and website, and the list goes on.... Additionally, I am thinking of making this a longer workshop (thank you for your feedback to recommend it) and delve deeper into the actual marketing efforts I recommended. I will keep you posted on that. In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to schedule some time, (or know someone who needs a hand), please send them my way. I am very happy to work with small business owners so I can help them move towards their dreams. And if you want to write me some other feedback or a testimonial, please feel free to do by email, through my Linked In, on my Facebook Fan Page, or on Google. A special thanks to the girls at Full Circle Movement for letting me host this workshop there and for Juju Z. Treat Company in providing some tasty, chocolate stuffed marshmallows. Stay stoked and true to your passion!

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Caring works- the new business model

I truly love Seth Godin's posts about business and marketing. He has some amazing points that all business owners can relate to in a non jargon-rich, daily blog. In his post comparing business to business marketing approaches, he discusses the old model of looking at dollar signs and profit margins versus the passion-rich model, where caring and passion make everything worthwhile. Which approach do you have? Does it help only you or does it help the greater good?