I care deeply about the Creative Commons movement – this blog has been licensed for share-alike attribution since it started in 2006.
The Christchurch massacre on Friday has highlighted one of the challenges of modern media. How to stop bad stuff being shared; and the converse, how to preserve good stuff for future use.
The New Zealand ISPs are working hard to take down far right websites and the much-shared live stream video the gunman made.
Mike Dickison’s work to store images in the Creative Commons
Can you contribute?
Images are requested.
If you’re a cartoonist or a press photographer or a media outlet or just someone who has a good eye, we need your images uploaded to @WikiCommons under an open licence, ideally CC BY SA. My goal is to create a gallery that anyone can easily draw from and reuse for free. Images are important. They’ll define these attacks to people around the world, to our descendants, to the history books. Too often the only images repeated after a tragedy are ones of anger and fear and hatred. We need to make sure all the story is told.
Mike Dickison on twitter @adzebill
https://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpg00Rebecca Caroehttps://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpgRebecca Caroe2019-03-19 15:33:132019-03-19 15:37:23Christchurch and Creative Commons
A
website’s success is often dependent on its design flow, cohesiveness and
content. This is the reason as to why a lot of User Experience experts (UX) are
also adept in graphic design. One of the best ways to create a good user
experience is by having a clear grasp of design principles.
Here’s
some key website creation tips you can learn just by attending a graphic design
course.
Value The Fundamentals
The
key to developing a higher understanding of any topic is by understanding its
fundamental principles. Nowadays, creating a cool looking graphic is as easy as
tapping a couple of buttons on your smartphone. While that may sound simple,
these design tools are only part of the process. The more significant piece is
understanding what’s visually appealing and what distracts people from your
message.
Image credit: Shutterstock
Here’s
a list of basic design principles you should know about:
Color – Sticking to your favorite color may not always be the
best strategy. When appropriate colors are used on a website, it can help
dictate the mood of the audience. For instance, using a Green color correlates
to the environment and make people think about charity, while the Red color
induces a strong emotion.
Typography – This is an art form that arranges type to make it
readable. Choosing the right font will help convey your message better, it
helps show feelings even in written form. If you want to learn more about
typography, this graphic design course
by HubSpot
does the job well.
Composition – More than choosing what color and font to use, you should
also know how to compose a visually appealing graphic design. Design
composition pertains to the alignment of each element, ensuring proper contrast
levels, and grouping related elements together.
Leverage The Fold
The
term “above the fold” was initially used in graphic design and later on used on
web design as well. Above the fold pertains to the topmost area of your webpage
that users see without scrolling. There’s still a debate whether this area is
still relevant nowadays, but whatever the case is the fact remains the same —
80% of users spend their time above the fold. You need to maximize the use of
this space and hook your visitors. Here are some ways on how you can do that:
Image credit: Shutterstock
Clear and concise headline – Once a visitor opens your
website, they should be able to know what it’s all about. The proper use of
typography will help communicate your message better.
Call to action – Make sure you design a clear and visible call to action
(CTA) button. Increase your chances
of conversion by placing your CTA above the fold.
Leverage media – Use images, video, and even audios to support your
headline and improve CTA click-through rate.
The
way you design this area will contribute to how well you communicate your value
proposition to your target audience.
Create Your Own Graphics and Images
About
65% of the population are visual learners which means that a lot of people rely
on visual cues to help them understand better. When you apply this kind of
mindset into website creation, you can expect more people to find your website
worthwhile.
Take,
for example, infographics. People pay attention when you show them data and
statistics backed by research. However, not everyone can digest a 20-page
research paper. Through the use of infographics, complex information can be
communicated easier. A graphic design course can teach you how to create your
graphics, select thought-provoking images, and repurpose old content.
Put Importance On Branding
If
you’re wondering why a lot of websites spend time and money on branding, it’s
because a properly thought out brand shows a unified business. Graphic design
courses should teach you the importance of creating a brand guideline and how
to properly implement it not just on your website but in your overall business
as well. Here are some of the reason why consistent branding is essential:
Value – When website visitors see that you have an organized and
visually appealing branding they’ll have a good impression about your business.
It helps build your credibility, sets you apart from the competition and
establishes your brand value.
Recognition – When you use your branding consistently all across
platforms and not just on your website, it helps with brand awareness and
recognition. While establishing a recognizable brand takes time, strict
adherence to branding guidelines can make the hasten the process.
Perception – You can control how people perceive your business through
branding. Each time you communicate with your customers, business partners and
even investors make sure you follow your branding guidelines.
Conclusion
Take
time to increase your skills by enrolling in a graphic design course. The
lessons you learn from these courses will help you create a website that’s not
only user-friendly but also appealing. You don’t need a lot of money to learn
how to design. You just need an infinite amount of resources and the
inspiration to push you forward.
https://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpg00Sudip Mutthttps://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpgSudip Mutt2019-03-05 17:46:192019-03-05 17:46:21Key Website Creation Tips You Can Learn From A Graphic Design Course
Getting digital marketing sponsorship right is a challenge. Activations using digital channels depend on robust messaging strategies and careful persona creation. In this presentation we have a case study from Air New Zealand and Akzo Nobel Volvo Ocean Race which you can adapt to your needs.
Rebecca was speaking on the topic of digital channels for sponsorship at the Conferenz Sponsorship Summit and NZ Marketing Summit joint event. Here are the slides and a video of my keynote.
Thanks to Lana Mihelcic who kindly shot the video for me. Connect with her if you want a dynamic sports event manager or have contacts in sailing and The Americas Cup.
https://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpg00Rebecca Caroehttps://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpgRebecca Caroe2018-09-19 11:43:592018-09-19 11:43:59Digital Channels for Sponsorship
Ford on Facebook with matching cover photo and profile image.
A matching Facebook cover photo and profile picture looks professional and exciting. Look at the Ford one here – see the large image becomes the background behind the smaller logo picture? Cute!
You can do so many things with it such as making your Facebook followers laugh or just to make your profile look professional. But how do you line up the two images and make it work? Read on.
How to line up Facebook cover photo with a profile picture
1. Screenshot your Facebook profile page: The first step is to take a screenshot of your profile page for size reference. Paste this screenshot into PowerPoint or a similar programme where you can CROP the screenshot. We’ll be using our client, Rowperfect, as an example:
Screenshot of the Rowperfect Facebook page
2. Crop your chosen picture into two images: now that you have your profile screenshot and have pasted it into PowerPoint you can begin cropping your desired image. Detailed instructions follow this image…follow steps 1-4 frame by frame below.
FRAME 1: mark your cover photo and your profile photo. The blue rectangle we’ve created represents the cover photo size area and the red square represents the profile picture. Remember to paste the screenshot exactly as it is and do not re-size it, even though it is larger than the PowerPoint work area.
FRAME 2: import the image you want as your combined profile picture and cover photo. Then re-size it so it is as big as the blue and red rectangle combined. Line it up as you wish.
FRAME 3: duplicate your now re-sized imported image, place it in the same location as its original and crop your imported image and its duplicate to be the size of the blue rectangle and red square respectively.
FRAME 4: now you have your two images, save the big one as COVER PHOTO and the smaller square one as PROFILE PICTURE.
3. Place them on your Facebook profile page: now you have your two images you can place the PROFILE PICTURE image on your Facebook profile picture and use the COVER PHOTO image as your Facebook profile cover. If all is done correctly your Facebook profile cover photo and profile picture will now line up together and look flash, just like the Rowperfect Facebook page!
Be creative: more interesting ideas
Here are a few ideas we found that might spark some inspiration for you… speech bubbles, a cartoon bird house, multiple images overlaid or a camera icon. Be creative.
Migrating to digital marketing from traditional marketing is a question I get asked frequently. Giving a talk to the Te Atatu Business Association, I was able to showcase both business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) examples of ways to work out these things
Where to start your digital marketing
Which marketing methods will work best for your business
What communications will work best for your clients and customers
The resources on the last slide are worthwhile saving / bookmarking. They relate to directory listings and tips for local marketing.
https://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpg00Rebecca Caroehttps://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpgRebecca Caroe2018-05-16 10:23:272018-05-16 10:23:50How to Migrate to Digital Marketing
“So little thought goes into websites” I said this afternoon, prompting my colleague, Conrado Langer to add “You just described humanity in one sentence!”
Reviewing the social sharing icons for two clients this week we had opposing experiences.
One was getting great traction – but the sharing icons overlaid the blog text when viewed on a tablet.
Our bad – we reviewed the settings and adjusted the screen size for when the layout switched to the mobile enabled format.
The other just installed a social sharing plugin without thought to their blog layout or users. It scrolls round to two rows, and includes some which are barely used including the highlighted, VK. This is a Russian site with few privacy controls and full of undesirable content. An unlikely choice for English-speaking consumers.
A poor choice of social sharing icons
Relevant social sharing icons
Do you know your audience? Do you know which social channels they use? If the answer isn’t yes you need to go do some research.
My choice of social sharing icons for a consumer business in 2018 are:- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest
And if you are chasing a youth audience – consider adding Tumblr, Instagram and Snapchat (QR Code)
My choice of social sharing icons for a B2B business in 2018 are: LinkedIn, Email, Facebook, Reddit
And if you’re a creative, film, art or music business consider Vero the newly launched service.
https://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/sharing.png2581216Rebecca Caroehttps://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpgRebecca Caroe2018-04-16 10:00:052018-04-13 16:08:45Social Sharing Icons - choose the right ones for 2018
It’s that time of the year again where we remind you about the benefits of good ol’ directories! Before the internet, we relied on finding services through the big yellow brick of a book we received each year. Thanks to the world wide web, we now find them stuffed under uneven table legs or as a booster seat. Today we find what we’re looking for with a click of a button. Does your business stand out?
In 2016, Google took away the right-hand sidebar where the paid adverts were displayed. Now the paid posts soar straight to the top, making it a tough battle for smaller companies to get noticed. Directories can be a cost-effective way to help get found via search engines. Being active on directories increases the chances of your business getting noticed.
Why updating your information is vital
It is important to keep your business updated in directories. If your business has gone through a recent change and you didn’t update your information, you could lose a lot of potential customers!
Never forget to NAP, this means not sleeping on the details. Make sure your Name, Address and Phone data is accurate and up to date. Location and accessibility are two of the most important factors when it comes to customers. If your telephone number is an old one and a customer can’t get through to you, they’re unlikely to try again. Likewise, if you were to put your address as a small town in South America, a New Zealand customer wouldn’t follow up with your business!
Pro tip: Check the directories your company is listed in and confirm your details are correct. Some websites take their information from others; resulting in a cycle of incorrect information.
Updated List of Directories*
This year, we bring you an even bigger list of potential directories your business may be found in. Take a look to see where your business is listed and where it isn’t.
It’s the only thing standing in between you and your next big client.
NB: Not all directories will apply to every type of business, some are more specific to particular fields. (eg. Tripadvisor will benefit restaurants and hotels over a telecommunications company.)
*The directories list has been ranked by domain authority, with the highest ranking at the top (accurate as of July 2018).
New Zealand Directories
RateBeer – Directory of beers, breweries, bars and stores.
Top Design Firms – Reviews and rankings of top web design firms, ecommerce development, graphic designers and design agencies around the world.
CompanyFM – Create a page to promote your company and brand, showcase your product or service, expose your content, build customer loyalty, or just be found.
Nettica – Online directory of products and services worldwide.
College Zoom – College directory with reviews and achievements.
https://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/map-local-directories.jpg8531280Creative Agency Secrets Teamhttps://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpgCreative Agency Secrets Team2018-03-29 12:48:422018-09-06 12:23:09Boost Your Business with Local Directories
With many services out there for marketers, producing content and getting it to your audience has never been easier. However, not all services are trustworthy. We recently came to learn about TopBuzz, a platform that has divided opinions.
All started with an email…
A couple of weeks ago, we received an email out of the blue from TopBuzz, a content distribution platform, claiming to be ‘impressed’ by a video we did for a client. The email content was quite generic and seemed to be automated. TopBuzz said they were able to enlarge our video audience via their platform and we would be compensated for all the views we got.
A couple days ago, we received another email. This time, it was from a person claiming to be from this company, boasting about the number of active users and the number of views that all the videos get that are shared on their platform. She was very forward in her approach and encouraged us to become a ‘premium creator’.
Now, we did a little bit of research on these guys and it was scary to see what would have happened if we signed up with them.
TopBuzz key things we discovered:
According to past users of the platform, the communication from TopBuzz is poor and scarce if you ever try and contact them. If you have a problem with something, TopBuzz are unlikely to help and at best, you might receive template emails that are likely to be irrelevant.
This brings up the next problem. If you are unhappy with the platform…too bad. You can’t delete your account and your content will stay on TopBuzz’s platform forever.
However, it gets worse! TopBuzz can use any videos uploaded to their platform in whatever way they want. Say you work hard and make a viral video. If that video is on their platform, they can publish it as their own and you would get no credit. Unfortunately, most users only realised that this was their fate only after signing the contract without reading the small print in their T&Cs.
We were never interested in using this platform in the first place as the video we created for our client was content produced for a niche segment, it was an hour long and was a face to face interview. Targeting a mass audience and making revenue off views was not on the agenda, therefore, using this platform would have been unnecessary.
If you are producing viral videos, pursuing avenues through social media seems to be a safer option. For example, with Facebook, there are various pages that are dedicated to redistributing content according to different tastes.
Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of dodgy services like this so be sure to do your research before jumping in!
It’s the end of the year and time for reflection. And for once, I’d like to talk about how Creative Agency Secrets works alongside other agencies to deliver high quality marketing services to our clients.
Specialist agencies serve clients well
Few firms can now offer a ‘full service’ to clients. Creative Agency Secrets are specialists in B2B marketing but we only offer part of the suite of services which clients need.
As a result, we collaborate with other agencies. These may already be in a business relationship with our client or we may recruit them via our Sub-Contracted Services practice.
We believe that this serves our clients well. By finding agencies who have specialist skills the clients can get access to experts for their full marketing needs.
Case Study of positive creative agency collaboration
AdWords – Search Engine Advertising we discussed how to optimise the client’s advertising account and were able to cross-match the search queries out of AdWords and from Analytics which enabled us to discover several search phrases which were only on one platform and could be profitably used to drive results in the other.
Graphic Design Services – a range of collateral was specified by Creative Agency Secrets and the design agency responded to the brief with the client. As a result of discussions, the client ended up finding a better solution to their business cards and brochure and together we created a much better design outcome.
This form of collaboration is only good for the client. It allows us to stand head and shoulders above our competitors and demonstrate strong value and high quality advice to our clients.
Image credit: Learn Russian Step by Step
And so thank you to our clients for trusting Creative Agency Secrets and to our collaboration agencies who choose to work with us in this way.
We appreciate you both.
https://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Thank-you.png622806Rebecca Caroehttps://creativeagencysecrets.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/CAS_Logo_1line_RGB.jpgRebecca Caroe2017-12-14 08:15:302017-12-14 08:15:30How leading creative agencies collaborate
