February 22, 2011

Book Review: 365 Thank Yous

Filed under: Book review,communications — Tags: , , — lidia @ 9:32 am

After hearing it mentioned in a segment on the CBS Evening News about writing thank you cards, I was compelled to pick up a copy of the memoir, 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life by John Kralik.

After reaching a low point in his life, the author decides to focus on the positive: writing a thank you note every day for a year.

Written as a series of anecdotes followed by corresponding thank you notes, the book is a quick, uplifting read. As you follow the changes that occur in the author’s life, you observe the power of gratitude in a way that is both remarkable and inspiring.

Being a longtime fan of thank you notes, I can relate to the author’s experience with how expressing gratitude changes your mood. How can you be angry when you’re feeling grateful?

I think this is a must-read for everyone. Imagine how much happier we would be if we took time to express our gratitude to everyone who touched our lives? And not just business associates, but old friends, doctors, store owners, even your favorite barista. Perhaps not all of us can achieve the author’s lofty goal of one thank you note a day—but how about one a week, one a month?

Give it a try and see what happens.

Share your own comments about how writing thank you notes has changed your life.

February 21, 2011

Are you using O2O marketing for your small business?

Filed under: Marketing & Promotion,Social Media — Tags: , , , , — lidia @ 10:00 am

photo on flickr by zoovroo

I recently read Duct Tape founder John Jantsch‘s article on 5 Trends that Will Shape Small Business in 2011. One trend that resonated with me was: O2O (online 2 offline) marketing.

What is O2O marketing?

John refers to it as “the logical integration of instant media with traditional media, social networks with chamber mixers.” He adds, “Online and offline, traditional media and new media, will stop competing and start working together.”

Admittedly, I’m an avid user of social media, however I also have a personal campaign to encourage people to send handwritten communications (read my articles here). Needless to say, I’m very fond of—and familiar with—the concept of online to offline marketing. And after being bombarded with social media opportunities, going offline for awhile is a nice change of pace.

How can O2O marketing be effective?

In my articles, I talk about about my own business relationships that were initiated online (i.e. twitter, blogs) but became established offline (i.e. handwritten note, in-person meeting). Without the offline communications, I wouldn’t have been able to to get to know the person and learn about their business. In each of these situations, I made not only a valuable business connection, but a new friend. And in small business, it’s all about creating personal relationships, discovering how we can work together or help each other.

How do you use online 2 offline marketing techniques in your own small business?

February 18, 2011

From our greeting card shop: Year of Greetings set

Filed under: Featured Projects — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 10:00 am

Year of Greetings card set from Lidia Varesco Design

Why don’t more people send handwritten cards? Because they don’t have one handy. Being a small business owner, I know it’s hard to find time in your busy day to go out and buy a card. For that reason, I created this special greeting card set.

With the Year of Greetings personalized card set, you’re prepared for any office or business occasion throughout the year. Includes our exclusive designs for special occasions such as a birthday or anniversary—as well as cards to thoughtfully express gratitude and sympathy.

Keep it on your desk along with stamps, and you’ll be prepared for any card-writing opportunity!

Buy the Year of Greetings card set.

Visit our online greeting card shop.

February 17, 2011

Featured Project: Exhibit Invitation & Gallery Panels

Filed under: Featured Projects — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 10:00 am

left to right: gallery panel and exhibit invitation

We recently worked with the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood to create an exhibit invitation and gallery panels for the exhibition, La Nación Huichol: From the Sea to the Desert.

The goal was to create a visual identity that reflected—and respected—the rich history of Huichol art and culture. The opening reception for the exhibit was very well-attended—despite the sub-zero Chicago temperatures!

A special note: after the exhibit closes, the exhibit panels we designed will be donated to the Huichol in Mexico. It’s an honor to know that my designs will be appreciated for years to come.

See more examples of my Event Collateral design work.

February 16, 2011

Bright spot: wisdom on a bar of soap

Filed under: Creativity — lidia @ 11:59 am

Recently, Ivory Soap started adding quotes to their soap wrappers. If you saw my blog post on “more kindness in business,” you know that I love products with affirmations on them. There’s just something nice about being surprised with an uplifting message on an object as mundane as a bar of soap.

And if you can’t read the pictured label, it says: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ‘Nuff said.

February 4, 2011

Staying healthy at your desk

Filed under: Small Business,Workspace — Tags: , , — lidia @ 10:30 am

photo on flickr by Alsterstar

As small business owners, most of us spend hours at our desk without even realizing it. Dedicating long hours to your business can be a necessity—but it can also take a toll on your body

Read my latest post on the Creative Freelancer Blog for tips for staying healthy at your desk.

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See all of my small business posts on the Creative Freelancer Blog here.

February 3, 2011

Snowed in: scenes from the Chicago blizzard

Filed under: Local (Chicago) — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 1:44 pm

The lengths we go to for our morning coffee: snowy scenes from Chicago's West Loop. Click for more pics.

Yesterday was quite a day for many Chicagoans.

Between Tuesday and Wednesday we experienced one of the largest snowfalls in history, with totals creeping over 20 inches.

Snow was flying sideways at high speed. Thunder and lightning lit up the night sky. Chicago Public Schools were closed for the first time in over 10 years. Retail stores and banks were closed. Drivers were stuck in cars and buses for multiple hours on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive. Homes lost power for 12 hours or more. Quite a day, indeed.

We were one of the buildings in Chicago that lost electricity for many hours. Not having heat, coffeemaker or internet connection, we trudged through the snow to our local Starbucks (one of the few places open!) for a warm breakfast. Along the way, we saw Chicago cab drivers and buses determinedly making their way through the snowy streets. While dogs (including our Essie) and children seemed to make the very best of the huge snowdrifts that accumulated in the streets.

The calm after the store—not to mention the massive clean-up—starts today. With cars still buried in side streets and temperatures dropping to frigid lows, many of my clients (and myself) are happy to be working from home again today. And schoolkids are once again enjoying a snow day.

See neighborhood photos of the Chicago blizzard posted by local public radio radio station WBEZ.

Share your links to blizzard photos in the comments!