April 26, 2010

Crafting a first-class website

Filed under: Marketing & Promotion,Small Business — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 8:00 am

Having spent many months and countless hours working on my website redesign (launched last week), last month’s DesignCast titled “Marketing Smart Websites” couldn’t have come at a better time. The first in the Creative Freelancer Marketing Bootcamp Series, this webinar led by Ilise Benun of Marketing Mentor was chock-full of practical advice for creating a marketing-driven website.

Some tidbits from the webinar that were useful for me:

  • Show your website to clients/prospects and ask for feedback: see what is important to them – I shared my new site with several clients and friends and found their feedback very useful
  • Write content that is focused and brief, highlighting your experience and expertise
  • Show samples of the type of projects that you want more of
  • Make sure the site reflects your overall position and strengths
  • Share client testimonials
  • Show a human side: videos, links to social media

Between the knowledge shared in the webinar and my own experiences, I had several ‘aha moments’ that allowed me to work more efficiently on my website redesign. I realized that a great website is well-thought out and planned—not to mention a constant work-in-progress: content must be assessed and updated regularly, design samples updated, new links and resources added. I feel better equipped now to move forward with my new website!

April 21, 2010

Our (insightful) chat with The Paper Mill Store

Filed under: Small Business — Tags: , — lidia @ 7:54 am

click to view newsletter

The Paper Mill Store wrote a nice profile about us and our business for their latest newsletter. Being a big fan of their store (or should I say, paper junkie),  I was flattered and delighted to be featured on their site—but preparing for the interview was also a great opportunity to reflect on my business.

As this year marks my 10th year in business, a little reflection was a good thing. After my interview, I was surprised to feel a sense of clarity about my business: feeling an affirmation for what I am passionate about, or a new awareness of what stands out.

It’s easy to move along day-to-day in your business life, but do you ever stop and think: how did I get here? And more importantly: where am I going? Preparing for my Paper Mill Store interview got me thinking:

  • What am I passionate about in my business?
  • What is important to me in my work?
  • Who helps/has helped me along the way?
  • What inspires me?
  • What aspirations do I have for my business?

Even if you’re not being interviewed, I’ve realized it’s a good idea to sit down from time-to-time and answer these (or similar) questions about your own business. The insights you receive will be priceless.

Read our chat with The Paper Mill Store here.

April 19, 2010

Lidia Varesco Design has a new website!

Filed under: Featured Projects — Tags: , , — lidia @ 6:38 pm

our new and improved website

After many months of sketching, designing and planning, we are delighted to announce the launch of the new-and-improved Lidia Varesco Design website!

We worked closely with Chicago-based Tasty CMS, who took our design and creative vision and translated it into an updated, user-friendly format.

Now you can view our design portfolio, read our latest blog post and small business tipsheet, or see what we’re up to in the design studio—all in one place.

We invite you to return to our website often to see featured design projects, case studies (coming soon!), and new goodies in our greeting card & stationery shop.

Once again, a big shoutout to Tasty CMS for their hard work, useful input and creative collaboration!

April 16, 2010

Stop and breathe…

Filed under: Health & Wellness — Tags: — lidia @ 11:17 am

Japanese Garden, Chicago Botanic Garden

My friend Amy and I were just talking about how great we feel after yoga class—mainly due to the fact that we’re able to stop and breathe during our busy day.

Often we get so wrapped up in our work that we find ourselves literally holding our breath. As anyone who’s taken a yoga or meditation class can attest, breathing works wonders. This article from Yoga Journal called “Meditation 101″ details 10-minute mini-meditations and breathing exercises that can be done in your office, car or on your commute (just don’t close your eyes while driving!)

And next time you find workday stress creeping up, just stop and breathe…

April 13, 2010

Featured Project: Benefit Invitation

Filed under: Featured Projects — lidia @ 3:51 pm

We worked with the Early Childhood and Family Support Organization Family Focus to create an invitation package for their annual spring benefit.

This year’s theme was “roots & wings” so the butterfly naturally became a design element used throughout the piece. Designed in 3 colors and utilizing a unique diecut, we created an illustration and design that would express the bold, energetic nature of the artwork being showcased at the event. Our client received many positive comments from the organization’s donors and supporters.

Printer: Blooming Color, Lombard IL

See samples of this year’s and past Family Focus invitations we have designed.

April 12, 2010

Lidia Varesco Design featured in HOW Magazine!

Filed under: Featured Projects — Tags: , , , , , , — lidia @ 2:45 pm

click to view article

I am thrilled to announce that Lidia Varesco Design was featured in the March/April 2010 issue of HOW Magazine!

Our line of greeting cards & stationery is featured in a new column called Sidelines, which highlights creatives who started a side business selling products.

The inaugural column, written by HOW editor Bryn Mooth, discusses how I got started designing greeting cards and stationery and how my side business helps fuel creativity for my graphic design business and vice versa. View the article.

As a long-time reader of HOW, I’m truly honored to be included among the countless talented designers who have graced the pages of HOW Magazine over the years. A giant thank you to HOW for including me among that list!

April 2, 2010

It’s not easy being green… wait, maybe it is?

Filed under: Design & Art,Green,Marketing & Promotion — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 6:59 pm

For some reason, the topic of sustainable graphic design keeps coming up lately in my reading (I think I read too much). We’ve been implementing green practices in our design studio for awhile now. Thanks to these green resources for designers and marketers, I have lots of new ideas…

Do you know of other green resources especially for design and marketing folks? Share them here!

April 1, 2010

Marketing secrets from The Dead

Filed under: Marketing & Promotion,Small Business — Tags: , — lidia @ 8:16 pm

After listening in on a HubSpot webinar called Marketing Lessons From The Grateful Dead, I realized The Dead were way ahead of their (marketing) time.

Brian Halligan and David Meerman Scott gave a spirited webinar inspired by the marketing tactics of The Grateful Dead. Having attended a Dead show or two in my day, I found it to be a unique and entertaining take on marketing for small businesses.

Here are a few of my favorite marketing tidbits:

  • Be remarkable—make your content interesting/valuable enough that people will want to share it
  • Watch your competition, but don’t follow them
  • Free content attracts customers—win through familiarity
  • Make it easy for people to share your content—create a community of sharing
  • Experiment, improvise, take a chance
  • Put your loyal customers in the front row—give them perks, first dibs on products or news
  • Stay on top of technology in your industry

Next up, PR tips from The Rolling Stones… April Fool’s!