123Print's Tips for Your Small Business

11Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Small Business Spotlight – Zanda K. Gutek, Writer

Small Business Info, Small Business Spotlight

This week, 123Print is shining its Small Business Spotlight on ... Zanda K. Gutek, Writer Zanda K. Gutek is a soon-to-be published author of an inspirational, spriritual nonfiction book, a children's book that promotes kindess and an Orb photography book. Zanda loves to write inspiring, heartfelt stories as well as photograph natural settings that evoke a sense of peace, curiosity and unbridled creativity. She lives in Maine with her wonderful husband, Richard, and their two dogs, Grizzy and Sporty. (more…)

08Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier 2 Comments

Deck the Halls with Mobile Shoppers [INFOGRAPHIC]

123Print Infographics, Life Insight, Small Business Info

This holiday season, get ready for a fa-la-la-la-LOT of online sales. Did you know that in 2012, November-December online sales accounted for 30% of total online sales for web retailers? That's a lot of figgy pudding! (OK, I'm done with the holiday references.) When it comes to online shopping, more and more consumers are moving away from traditional desktops and moving toward mobile devices and tablets. Last year's Thanksgiving weekend showed a 3.6% increase year over year in tablet usage, and a 5.4% increase year over year in mobile usage. This research has also led online marketing gurus to believe that the drivers for these significant increases occur during two key times — Thanksgiving Weekend and Cyber Monday. How can you make sure your website is ready for smartphone and…

07Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Stand Out in the Marketplace

Marketing Info, Monday Marketing Minutes, Small Business, Small Business Info

When it comes to people, there are extraverts and introverts. The world needs both kinds of personalities. But when it comes to businesses, they all need to take on the traits of an extravert. They can’t be afraid to stand out. In fact, the goal of every small business (and every business, for that matter) has to be to differentiate itself from the competition, in a positive way, so customers will notice and buy your product or service. The most obvious way to do that is to provide a product or service that has never been seen or that is unique in some way. Of course, if you believe Harry S. Truman, “The only thing new in the world is the history you do not know.” So if you can’t come…

05Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier 2 Comments

Don’t Spook Your Co-Workers: Work-Appropriate Halloween Costumes

1st Saturday Style, Small Business, Small Business Info, Small Business Lounge

[caption id="attachment_5464" align="alignleft" width="225"] Image credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/thadz[/caption] Some people love Halloween, and I’m one of them! I get especially excited when Halloween falls on a workday, like this year, because then I can dress up at work! According to the National Retail Foundation (NRF), I’m not alone in my love of the spooky holiday. Based on the NRF’s Halloween Spending Survey, 43.6% of people “plan to dress up and will spend a total of $2.6 billion on traditional and awe-inspiring costumes.” The survey estimates that a total of almost 158 million consumers will actively celebrate Halloween this year. That’s down from last year’s high of 170 million people, but it’s nothing that should scare retailers. The average participant is expected to spend $75.03 on décor, costumes, candy and fun, also down…

04Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Small Business Spotlight – Discover Your Garden

Small Business Info, Small Business Spotlight

This week, 123Print is shining its Small Business Spotlight on ... Discover Your Garden! Discover Your Garden offers quality materials and craftsmanship at competitive prices with excellent service for all your landscaping needs. They also design xeriscape gardens, outdoor living spaces and patios as well as service sprinkler systems. Discover Your Garden stays true to their name — let them help you discover your garden! [caption id="attachment_5457" align="aligncenter" width="963"] © Discover Your Garden[/caption] (more…)

03Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier 1 Comment

5 Things Movers Won’t Tell You

Life Insight, Small Business Info

So you've decided it's time to move. Maybe you're headed to a new office space. Perhaps you're relocating your family because of that great new job. Well, moving is a task that usually requires professional assistance. You can save yourself from hours of back-breaking work by going with a moving company. As if the whole process isn't stressful enough, it's important to know that there are a few things your selected company won't tell you. By following this guide, you'll be able to spot the scammers from the pros, and make your move go more smoothly. (more…)

02Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier 2 Comments

6 Halloween Marketing Ideas for a Spookily Successful October

Small Business Info

Boo! Did we scare you? Hopefully neither us nor your fall marketing plan is something to get spooked out by. If your October promotional calendar is in need of a little sugar rush, consider these six successful Halloween marketing ideas! Make Halloween a month-long theme and spread it across different channels. Mixing different promotions that use all your marketing channels will give your business tons of flexibility. It will also help you to avoid overusing a single marketing tactic. For example, consider doing a month-long series of Halloween tips, tricks and ideas across both email and social. You can create videos for YouTube, run a Twitter contest where people can tweet their favorite Halloween treats using a branded hashtag and then top it off with a Halloween-themed email newsletter. (more…)

01Oct 2013 by Cindy Berrier No Comments

Get a FREE Gift with Your October Holiday Purchase from 123Print!

123Print News, All Other, Life Insight, Small Business Info

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but our new promotion is so delightful! This October, get 40% off Holiday Cards, PLUS receive a free gift with qualifying orders. What qualifies you? If your holiday card order is $50 or more, you will receive a complimentary Holiday Bistro Mug. Or, if your holiday card order reaches $100, you will receive a complimentary YouFrame® Photo-to-Canvas Triple Pack. ... A complimentary what?! Holiday Bistro Mug – Perfect for eggnog, hot chocolate or whatever seasonal beverage you like to snuggle up with! Large grip handle for comfortable use 14 oz capacity Features durable, ceramic construction Modern stylistic design High perceived value, perfect as a thank you gift Offered in blue with one available design Retail value $12.95 YouFrame® Photos-to-Canvas Triple Pack – Turn your…

30Sep 2013 by Cindy Berrier 1 Comment

How to Announce an Event, Promote a Sale or Launch a Product

Marketing Info, Monday Marketing Minutes, Small Business, Small Business Info

One of the great things about running a small business is the flexibility and agility with which you can make decisions. But that dexterity can be a double-edged sword, because it often leads to shooting from the hip as opposed to developing a predictable and repeatable set of marketing tactics. We recommend that you put together a list of tried-and-true tactics and make it your go-to list every time you need to announce an event, promote a sale or launch a product. That doesn’t mean you have to execute on everything on the list every time, but you should consider each tactic and whether or not it will be effective for each unique situation. (more…)

25Sep 2013 by Cindy Berrier 4 Comments

It’s the Most Lucrative Time of the Year

Monthly Email Marketing, Small Business Info

For many, the holidays conjure up images of snowmen and mittens, tinsel and trees, and hot cocoa by the fire. If you are an email marketer, the holidays may also conjure up visions of holiday email deployment schedules, Black Friday blowouts and Cyber Monday sales. Although ecommerce and big-box stores make up the vast majority of holiday marketing emails, small brick-and-mortar stores and other companies can still take advantage of the holiday season. To do so successfully requires advance planning and strategizing. Lucky for you, I am writing this blog article in September so you still have time to put the following five tips to use this year! (more…)