The Marketing Bubble of Billings
Billings hovers around fifth in a lot of online conversations statewide about growth and excitement, behind Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, and Sidney (despite the truth). If you’re counting on your hands, that means Billings gets, at best, a pinky finger. That’s not much for the state’s biggest city. Ironically, other Montana townships might just be salivating at the economic opportunities Billings Read More…
Today is Veteran’s Day – 2014
Katie, one of our very best at Ultra Graphics, who I get to work with as our team’s Project Coordinator, came in more cheerful than I’d ever seen her last Tuesday, Election Day. I asked, “Why are you so happy?” Grinning from ear from ear, she retorted, “Today is the best day of the year!” Antagonistically, I asked, “What if Read More…
Six Things That Turned LinkedIn Upside Down for Me – Jon Switzer
LinkedIn is powerful. I can attribute success to creating valuable relationships on the platform. I’ve also failed to to use LinkedIn to it’s full potential and it’s impacted me. The following are six things I’ve learned over the last year on how to use LI as a vehicle to great relationships: 1. Don’t spend too much time on LinkedIn posting. Read More…
Why would you print something blurry on purpose?
Quite fitting that a magazine named “Noise & Color,” now in their third year of publication, would print what, at first glance, looks blurry. In reality, the magazine is in 3D – complete with detachable 3D shades on the inside cover. Not only is the magazine itself creative, but response from their advertisers (who had the choice to opt in for the 3D ads Read More…
Are you choosing the right Astrobright?
On your next mail project you may be considering using an Astrobright paper. It is a cost effective way to bring color to your black and white artwork. Did you know that not all Astrobright colored paper will qualify for automation prices? That is because some of the colors do not meet the required range of reflectance. We tested the Read More…
Working With Data – PHP & MySQL in Perfect Harmony
The web has confronted and demolished a vast number of important milestones in its existence, going from a completely static state to a winding labyrinth of information that changes every minute. Sites started becoming dynamic with the help of ASP.NET technology, serving up content based on data housed in a Microsoft server database. But with all inventions comes a bigger Read More…
Help, my computer is running slow and I may have viruses!
UPDATE 12-30-16 – Even years after publishing, this post is still helping a lot of people. However, since the post is so old, we think it’s important to note that some of the items below may no longer exist, no longer be applicable to mulodern computers and operating systems, or just plain not work anymore. Use at your own risk. Read More…
What do you want from this design?
1. Objectives and Goals What do you want from this design? Is it a redesign or reworking of an existing design, or is it a completely new design? Do you already have solid ideas for what you want it to look like or are your ideas more vague? Nailing down what your goals are is important to creating a design Read More…
Target audience is Job 1
It all begins with the target audience and what action or outcome we are trying to achieve. You wouldn’t dream about planning a sales call unless you knew whom you were going to meet and what you were trying to accomplish. Simple, right? So why do so many direct marketing projects start with something like: “On this project I would Read More…
Portable Document Format (PDF), the Global Standard.
PDF was developed for the exchange of final, print-ready pages. Print professionals, graphic designers, and other professionals use PDF to deliver predictable, press-ready files. We hope that our series of “File Tip Flashcards” will be helpful in preparing your files. The full set is also available here whenever you need a refresher. Please feel free to send us an email Read More…
The Process of Direct Marketing
Direct marketing is effective, because it’s grounded in tried and true principles. Sure the ways to communicate have changed significantly over the last decade, but it’s nice to rely on measured results. In fact, we think it’s helpful to budget your direct marketing dollars just like you would any other investment in your business. You wouldn’t consider buying a significant Read More…
The Golden Rule of Direct Marketing Revisited
Direct marketing is like a sales call. Three things impact a successful sales call: Is the sales person talking to the right person? Is the conversation pertinent and relevant? Does the sales person appear professional and knowledgeable? A sales person provides information and an opportunity for a service or product to a particular client. But, if the sales person is not talking Read More…
Design for the Right Price
Describing what you want your finished product to look like can be a lot harder than it sounds. Here are some tips to get the best design for your money. Whether you’re starting from scratch or you have an idea in mind, run through this list to help the designer get it right the first time. Who are you trying Read More…
Direct Marketing beats Advertising in ROI
First a little background. Advertising is used to build brand image, awareness and loyalty. Direct marketing is used to generate an immediate response or order. This is done through a strong call to action. Purchasing action is generally deferred with advertising. Direct marketing is a way of doing business. The return on investment for every $1 spent on advertising will Read More…
Digital or Offset printing– which do I pick?
This is a question we hear quite often and with the dynamics of technology, the answer has changed over the years. Variable print projects will always be printed digitally, on projects that don’t vary, here’s the thought process. With the older color copier technology, quality played a role – “Can you get by with the digital color until we can Read More…
The Sky’s the Limit
Ever get those postcards in the mail that have your name on the front not just in the mailing panel but addressing you directly? Postcards that say “Hey Dan, come into our office and get a great deal on a brand new Chevy!” Even if you’re not in the market for a new Chevy (or if you prefer Dodge) you Read More…