More and more professionals are finding it useful to include social media profile links on their business cards. Including links to your company/personal profiles on your card not only showcases your progressive approach to doing business, but it also 

More and more professionals are finding it useful to include social media profile links on their business cards. Including links to your company/personal profiles on your card not only showcases your progressive approach to doing business, but it also gives your business contacts more choices in how they communicate with you.

A few easy tips on how to implement this:

• First of all, if there is one particular profile you would like to drive traffic to, only list that web address.

• In contrast, you can use the “the more, the merrier” approach by listing the URLs for all of your profiles – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube – so they realize how many options they have to connect with your brand.

• Print the web addresses in a contrasting color to help it stand out from the other information on the card.

• For recognizability, accompany the web address with the profile icon to draw attention to it (who doesn’t automatically know what the white ‘f’ in a blue square means?)

• Almost every company includes a link to their corporate website, but it is very helpful to also supply the address to your blog. This can often be more useful than your website because a blog has the ability to show the personalities, ideas and happenings behind an organization.

• How do you know how much personal vs. professional information to provide? A good rule of thumb is to keep it 50/50. For example, you can provide your mobile number, personal Twitter handle and LinkedIn profile while listing your company’s Facebook fan page and blog address.

OVERALL TAKE HOME: Whatever you try, make your card standout from others so you can leave a lasting impression!

(http://mashable.com/2010/07/12/social-media-business-cards/)

Courtney Carver, a photographer and cyclist, who was Dx’ed with MS in July of 2006 launched The Ride Project to support the Myelin Repair Foundation. Courtney believes in our unique research model that is solely focused 

Courtney Carver, a photographer and cyclist, who was Dx’ed with MS in July of 2006 launched The Ride Project to support the Myelin Repair Foundation. Courtney believes in our unique research model that is solely focused on finding and rapidly delivering treatments for MS patients.

On top her commitment through The Ride Project, Courtney is generously donating one of her prints (the above photograph) for an online auction for the Myelin Repair Foundation this month.

The photograph that she has chosen to donate is titled “Spin.” This image is about motion, energy and passion. “Spin” inspired The Ride Project, which combines her passion for cycling and photography and continues to motivate her to move forward with her fight for a cure for multiple sclerosis.

The winner of the auction will receive a 12X18 sized photograph of “Spin” matted, signed, numbered and framed to 18 X 24 (white mat, black frame). This is the perfect present for a loved one that bikes or loves photography.

The Auction will begin Tuesday, December 8.

The auction begins Tuesday, December 8 at 8AM Pacific Time and it will end Friday, December 11 at 5PM Pacific Time. This will allow enough time for the framed and signed print to be delivered for a Christmas or holiday gift. Courtney will be shipping the print.

The starting bid is $250 and each bid needs to be higher by a minimum of $10.

The estimated retail value of the framed print is $500. For the winning bidder, the amount paid in excess of fair market value may be deductible as a donation in support of the Myelin Foundation. There will be no additional shipping costs (courtesy of Courtney Carver.)

To bid, comment on the Myelin Repair Foundation blog post featuring the auction with your bid amount and enter in your full name and your email address where they can contact you, otherwise your bid will be void.

The Myelin Repair Foundation will periodically update the blog,  Twitter account, and Facebook Fan Page with the top bid amount. DO NOT enter your email address in the comment box.

The Salt Lake Chapter of the AIGA will take part in the 33rd annual Utah Arts Festival, the largest outdoor multi-disciplined event in Utah. Having garnered numerous awards internationally, nationally and locally, the event remains one of the premiere events 

The Salt Lake Chapter of the AIGA will take part in the 33rd annual Utah Arts Festival, the largest outdoor multi-disciplined event in Utah. Having garnered numerous awards internationally, nationally and locally, the event remains one of the premiere events that kicks off the summer in Utah each June. Featuring over 130 visual artists, 100 performing arts groups and over 18 culinary artists, the festival draws over 80,000 patrons each June

The AIGA will be holding daily workshops teaching how to give new life to local reclaimed billboard and vinyl material. You can craft a one-of-a-kind accessory by turning a once giant image into smaller works of art. Come produce or purchase pre-made handbags, wallets, totes and more. The process is easy and requires no previous experience. It’s a great opportunity to learn about design, layout and color to turn the fabric intro a piece of urban art

Register for workshops at the AIGA booth June 25-28
Classes begin at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 PM
Workshop FREE for AIGA members.
Purchase pre-made vinyl bags throughout the festival.

www.slc.aiga.org
www.uaf.org

To volunteer at the booth, contact Thayne at volunteer@slc.aiga.org. You will get a free ticket into the Arts Festival for the day of service.

Coca-Cola is launching great idea with their new environmentally friendly plastic bottle that is partly made from plants- sugar cane and molasses.  Check out the complete article:

www.greenerpackage.com

According to Toxel.com, Naoto Fukasawa created what I think to be some pretty incredible packaging for fruit juices. The packaging inspiration is the original fruit whose juice is inside the carton.

Check out the entire article at:

toxel.com

According to Toxel.com, Naoto Fukasawa created what I think to be some pretty incredible packaging for fruit juices. The packaging inspiration is the original fruit whose juice is inside the carton.

Check out the entire article at:

toxel.com

In this down economy, many enterprises are looking for the “silver bullet” to help them with the marketing/advertising quandary they find themselves in—”how can we get noticed and stay front of mind but reduce/eliminate our current promotional budget?”

The 

In this down economy, many enterprises are looking for the “silver bullet” to help them with the marketing/advertising quandary they find themselves in—”how can we get noticed and stay front of mind but reduce/eliminate our current promotional budget?”

The short answer? There is no silver bullet.

The bit longer answer? Things can be done, using social media, to help broadcast your message, but it complements (doesn’t replace) traditional marketing and advertising objectives. Social media is just one tool in the marketing/advertising toolbox, and when strategically used, can be very effective in gaining awareness and marketshare.

I recently read a great article on SOCIAL MEDIA HEADHUNTER that seems to agree with my assessment—you can read it HERE. Let me know your thoughts and comments—drop me a comment.

How familiar are you with social media?

Have you ever felt left out of a conversation or didn’t even know about the conversation because you haven’t been able to wrap your brain around where to start with social media? 

How familiar are you with social media?

Have you ever felt left out of a conversation or didn’t even know about the conversation because you haven’t been able to wrap your brain around where to start with social media?

Does hearing about Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, MySpace, Digg, blogs, and other social networking sites make you want to crawl into a hole because you don’t know what’s going on?

If so, this seminar is for you!

Fluid Studio is excited to offer a Social Media Educational Series for Utah and help you become orientated in the ever-changing and exciting world of social media!

The first 90-minute class in the series will be on Thursday, March 26th at 6:30 pm in the Salt Lake City Library (210 E. 400 S.).

Businesses or groups that wish to maximizes their marketing dollars and not get left behind in social media, Fluid is only charging a nominal fee of $29/person for the education series. If you sign up now, we are offering a discounted rate of $19! Click HERE to register.

Why are we doing this?

Because we believe social media is such an effective marketing tool for you and your business with its cost, reach, and return on investment (ROI):

• Cost—compared to traditional marketing, social media is relatively inexpensive and can be created and deployed quickly and efficiently.

• Reach—social media has the ability to directly reach target audiences and demographics down to their specific current interests and past experience.

• Analytics and Return on Investment (ROI)—Using social media tools, you can create, distribute, and track web, video, e-mail, and other social media marketing tools immediately.

About the Presenter:

John Dye, President of Fluid Studio, has been a longtime participant in social media realms and has helped numerous companies effectively incorporate social media into their overall marketing strategy. John will help businesses first understand the basics of social media before moving on to some of the more advanced features of social networking.

In this article, appearing in USA TODAY, we learn how “hotels, airlines, airports and other travel companies are joining the Twitter community” to pitch services, update travel conditions, and respond directly to the individual needs of 

In this article, appearing in USA TODAY, we learn how “hotels, airlines, airports and other travel companies are joining the Twitter community” to pitch services, update travel conditions, and respond directly to the individual needs of customers.

In essence, they’re “finding the mobile nature of Twitter technology is ideal for talking to travelers.”

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA?
Social media marketing is the process of promoting a site, business, or brand through social media channels by engaging and interacting  How to use sites like MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr to grow your business

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA?
Social media marketing is the process of promoting a site, business, or brand through social media channels by engaging and interacting with existing and potential consumers.

WHY USE SOCIAL MEDIA?
Cost
Compared to traditional marketing and media alternatives (e.g., television and radio, direct mail, outdoor billboards, etc.), social media is relatively inexpensive.
Reach
Social media has the ability to directly reach target audiences and demographics, drilling down to their specific current interests and past experience. Utilizing information willingly given by people on their personal profiles, you can “drill down” to the make sure your message is seen by the people you want to notice you!
Analytics and Return on Investment (ROI)
Marketing through more traditional media channels can take weeks and months to compile results. Using social media tools, you can create, distribute and track web, video, e-mail, and other viral media marketing tools immediately and show ROI so you can utilize your marketing dollars in the best ways possible!

I have recently found a new love for vinyl records. I painted my apartment last week with a color I matched off of an album cover. The lady at Lowes was shocked and said, “I can’t believe 

I have recently found a new love for vinyl records. I painted my apartment last week with a color I matched off of an album cover. The lady at Lowes was shocked and said, “I can’t believe they still make those!” Well lady, they do. I don’t think they ever really stopped. Well to make a long story short, since then I have been searching for some new vinyl to add to my collection and I definitely found some good covers at hort.org.uk, check ‘em out.