15Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier 2 Comments

The Hidden Power of Logos [Infographic]

Design, Marketing, Public Relations, Small Business Info
Logos are not just random doodles splashed with the designer’s (or company owner’s) favorite color. They are well studied and follow a set of time-tested design and psychological principles to toy with our subconscious. At least as far as iconic logos go. Take color meanings, for instance. Ever wonder why McDonald’s is yellow and Red Bull is red? Yellow means happiness, while red evokes intensity. Both colors fit the brands to a tee. (more…)
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14Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Ideas for National Small Business Week, May 12-16

Small Business
National Small Business Week is a recognition of the “critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners” by the President of the United States. Each year since 1963, the Prez has issued a proclamation acknowledging you for all your hard work. And you 100-percent deserve it! DID YOU KNOW? America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners and their employees make up more than half of the American workforce. Also, small businesses create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. “Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive…
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12Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

(Google) Court is now in Order

Marketing, Online Marketing, Search Marketing, Small Business Info
Ever since Google penalized the guest blog network MyBlogGuest.com last month for unnatural links, there has been plenty of buzz surrounding the topic of guest blogging. Not surprisingly, questions such as "was the penalty justified?", "should publishers working with the site also have been punished?" and "does guest blogging still hold value?" have rapidly followed. But while these and many related topics are important, I continue to find myself wondering about the due process of law before and after the Google gavel falls. First let me explain what I mean when I refer to violations in this post.  I am referring to those spam related ‘crimes’ that are of the highest sort. I mean those violations that we in the real world would call felonies. In Google’s world these would…
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11Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier 1 Comment

Small Business Spotlight – Rys Art Design

Small Business Info, Small Business Spotlight
This week, 123Print is shining its Small Business Spotlight on ... Rys Art Design Rys Art Design (RAD) does it all — whether it be designing, painting, illustrating or social media marketing, RAD can be your head executive for making things beautifully functional. Each RAD project is provided with creative direction and management from start to finish. The owner of RAD combines their experience with print and art direction with web design in order to give your business a full package deal. No matter the project, Rys Art Design makes it work — beautifully! [caption id="attachment_7122" align="aligncenter" width="750"] © Rys Art Design[/caption] (more…)
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10Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Casual Wedding Invitations for the Low-key Bride and Groom

Wedding Inspiration
Casual weddings are becoming more and more popular as couples choose a low-key, relaxed vibe over the more traditional pomp and circumstance. Casual weddings — whether barefoot on the beach in Mexico, in a garden setting in your hometown, at a music venue in New Orleans or in the Colorado mountains — can be a real fun time for guests who feel like they can let loose just a tad more because of the setting and theme. The following are five casual wedding invitations we love that each go with a different casual wedding theme. 1. Country strong. Perfect for casual weddings in a countryside or mountain setting, this Boot Scootin’ Hoedown is a precursor to the fun and sets the tone for the whole affair. This flat card features…
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09Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Enter to Win Our Poems for Prizes Facebook Contest!

Everything Else
Calling all of our small business peeps! Listen up, 'cause we want to share some important deets: National Poetry Month is April, And we've created a fun lil contest for you to win all of your business staples. Get 50, 100, 200 dollars and more, Towards 123Print stuff for your brand or store! Entering our Poems for Prizes Facebook contest isn't hard; it's easy as pie... Go on now, give it a try. 1. Between now and April 16, craft an original four-line, single-stanza poem inspired by small business success, challenges or inspirations. Feel that creativity flow! 2. Share it with everyone you know to get as many votes as possible. (Hey, if Robert Frost had Facebook, he would have done it, too.) 3. Win, no matter what! Just your…
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08Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier 2 Comments

Graduation Announcements, Invitations and Ideas for Your Special Graduate

2nd Tuesday Tune-Up Your Life, Life Insight
It’s such a momentous occasion — your little girl or boy is all grown up and graduating! Nice job, mom and dad. Now it’s time to celebrate all of his or her (and your) hard work at school, whether he or she is earning a diploma or degree. Make your child (don’t worry, you can still call them that) feel special by doing it up with all the bells and whistles that come with graduation announcements and invitations. The following are five great graduation-themed print items to do just that. School’s out for … ever! Invite his or her friends, family and neighbors to your home for a pool party or another theme to cheers the new grad. Choose a flat graduation invitation, like this simple Promising Pointers Note Card Invitation,…
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07Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

3 Great Ideas for Your Cinco de Mayo Promotion

Customer Retention, Marketing, Monday Marketing Minutes, Small Business Info
Cinco de Mayo is a hot (must be all the chili peppers) holiday in the U.S. (Though, fun fact, it is actually a rather minor holiday in Mexico!) Who doesn't love some bueno Mexican food and margaritas? Ole! You can piggyback off of the festive day that celebrates Mexican culture and heritage — that is, the fifth of May — by creating a Cinco de Mayo promotion that your customers will love. Picture colorful signage — reds, greens, and yellow — and incorporate iconic symbols, like a sombrero and hot chili peppers. It’s only one month away, so it’s probably a smart idea to start planning for your Cinco de Mayo promotion now. We have a few great ideas for you below to get your wheels turning. (more…)
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05Apr 2014 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Spring Clothes to Wear to the Office

1st Saturday Style, Small Business Info, Workplace
It’s tough to know which spring clothes to wear to the office. Spring is always a tricky season as far as dressing for the workplace goes. This in-between period isn’t quite warm enough to don your summer wardrobe, but it’s also around the time you can’t stand the look of your winter clothes anymore. One day it’s raining cats and dogs, and you have to bundle up; the next day it’s all sunshine, and you wish you hadn’t worn your too-warm sweater to the office. Plus, it might start out as a frigid morning and then end up toasty. Ah, decisions, decisions. It’s too early in the morning to think this much! To help you make the right spring wardrobe choices in the a.m., the following are spring clothes to…
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