biznik

biznik article of the week

| heather parlato

Identity Crisis by Erica Hesley

here’s a unique perspective: approaching an identity makeover from a client’s perspective! normally i read a lot of brand & identity experts talking about it from our side of the fence, but i think hesley’s article about her own experience of realizing her business was in need of an identity refresh sheds some good insight on how you can analyze where you’re at with your business growth vs your company identity. she even did her own needs audit, which is something any experienced identity designer would talk about with a client looking to update their identity, but knowing the answers to these questions going in makes it that much easier, putting you in the “dream client” category with the designer you choose to help you refresh your identity.

event calendar: march 22-28, 2010

| heather parlato

i’ve just got 2 events on tuesday this week, but they’re with 2 of my favorite networking groups!

here’s what i’ll be doing

tuesday, march 23, 7:30-9am the LA area chamber of commerce referral breakfast with guest speaker barbara rocha. free to all LA area chamber members.

tuesday, march 23, 5:30-7:30pm the san fernando valley networking mixer hosted by lelah baker-rabe through biznik.com. FREE! lelah is an excellent host and bokado has a delicious tapas and wine list. rsvp and meet up with us!

event calendar: march 15-21, 2010

| heather parlato

keeping things moving this week with more networking and a design lecture between all the deadlines. also, i just found a great place for my april eastside mixer, rsvp and join us!

here’s what i’ll be doing

tuesday, march 16, 7:30pm “dirt the movie” screening at the pacific design center. FREE with rsvp. they’ll be showing the documentary and having a panel discussion.

wednesday, march 17, 7:15-9am the LA area chamber small business roundtable breakfast. meet colleagues while we focus on different topics for small business owners in an educational breakfast setting. free to members of the LA area chamber of commerce.

thursday, march 18, 7-9pm stefan bucher will discuss how he built his own practice while juggling multiple creative pursuits at the art center hillside campus. FREE!

other events for this week

tuesday, march 16, 6-9pm print’s new role in integrated marketing from aigalosangeles.org. Who says print is dead? Learn how interactive media and print are coming together to create new, cutting-edge integrated marketing campaigns. $35 at the luxe hotel on sunset.

saturday, march 20, 10am-2pm silkscreen workshop at self-help graphics from aigalosangeles.org. $20 per person & rsvp required.

event calendar: march 8-14, 2010

| heather parlato

this week has a nice spread of networking, design & business education, and ends with daylight saving’s time, so exciting!

here’s what i’ll be doing

tuesday, march 9, 7:30-9am it’s tipping the scale tuesday at the LA area chamber referral network breakfast. i’m looking forward to connecting with my LA area chamber friends.

wednesday, march 10, 5:30-8pm i’m hosting the march LA biznik happy hour at jerry’s in the marina. this event fills to capacity every month, but there are a few last minute schedule shuffles, so if you’re a biznik member and you see an open spot, please join us. if you’re not a biznik member, joining is FREE and great promotion for your business.

other events for this week

wednesday, march 10, 7:30-9pm check out 3×3: starting and running a graphic design business from aigalosangeles.org. Each term Art Center’s graphic design department brings together three LA-based design professionals to discuss a particular topic. These presenters run design studios that are from 2-5 years old. They represent motion design, packaging, branding and interactive work. ALL of them are Art Center grads. i am so sorry to miss this, because i love hearing from other designers on running their businesses, but if you’re free and near pasadena, head up to art center!

thursday, march 11, 6:30pm mujer, art=genesis+power opening reception, FREE at the latino museum from aigalosangeles.org. The Latino Museum of History, Art & Culture cordially invites you to celebrate Women’s History Month with Mujer, art=genesis+power. Come and enjoy highlights from The Latino Museum’s permanent collection.

biznik article of the week

| heather parlato

Does SEO Affect your Social networking? by Gabriella Sannino

there are still lots of questions circulating around seo, how it works and its effectiveness. sannino breaks down where social media sites can help and where they don’t, and how you don’t have to sweat the details, because they are really just part of a bigger mechanism of getting people involved with your business. a very clear explanation for those looking to make sense of seo from a non-technical standpoint.

biznik article of the week

| heather parlato

Ten Reasons to be Working for Good by Jeff Klein

working for good means aligning yourself with your values, and finding work in the areas that matter to you personally so your connection to your daily work deepens and feels more rewarding. klein outlines how going through this process leads to happier people feeling more connected to doing things they believe in, creating better companies and inspiring others. i couldn’t agree more, which is why i help clients connect with the passions and motivations that led them to their businesses in the first place, for what i believe are more personally communicative marketing pieces.

biznik article of the week

| heather parlato

Why Does “Marketing” Always Mean “New Customers?” by Stuart Silverstein

my colleague & fellow designer, stuart silverstein, has written a great article on biznik.com about the value of marketing to your current client base in addition to sourcing new clients. these people are already converted and may need more from you, but just need that extra reminder that you still provide services they can use. great article, stuart!

biznik article of the week

| heather parlato

40 rules To Live By For Business Success by Scott Scholz

need some new year’s resolutions for your business in the new year? i think scholz nails it when he disclaims that these are all common sense but not always common practice. use it like a quiz, pat yourself on the back for the things you ace, and choose those you don’t as areas for improvement in the new year.

biznik article of the week

| heather parlato

How To Create Relevant SEO Content by Alexander Valencia

since more and more of my clients are adding wordpress web sites to their identity packages and writing a lot of their own content, here’s another great article on how to make sure everything you post is SEO-effective. you already have a highly search-friendly site with wordpress, so keep these things in mind when uploading new copy: provide well written, engaging and relevant information about your business, and use industry-specific keywords that anyone searching for someone like you might put into their search engines. valencia outlines the basics on how to collect clues from your target audience and how to best write to their specific interests & needs.