Our Blog
We have a lot to say about marketing and design.
Our experts will keep you up to date on the latest industry news, trends, and insights as you navigate the ever-changing world of marketing and design.
We’re excited to share with you some of what we’ve learned.
Cheaper is More Expensive
Which is more cost-effective in the long run–working with a freelance graphic designer or hiring a marketing agency?
Introducing Five NEW Services
This year we’re breaking out not one, not two, but FIVE new services that we’re calling game-changers.
Why You Should Add Social SEO to Your Marketing Strategy
“Social SEO” is a relatively new buzzword in social media marketing. Simply put, social SEO is all about helping social media platforms’ search functions find your content more easily so that it can be shown to the right people.
The Marketing Funnel vs. The Consumer Decision Journey
Recognizing the inadequacy of the traditional marketing funnel to depict modern decision-making, McKinsey & Company developed the Customer Decision Journey to better describe how today’s consumers research and buy products. It’s is all about reaching consumers in the right place at the right time with the right message.
Not taking advantage of user-generated content? It might be time to rethink your marketing strategy.
Does the term user-generated content (UGC) sound familiar? Lately, it’s been a bit of a buzzword in the marketing world, and it all boils down to working smarter, not harder.
Why nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations?
We got our start working with nonprofits, and while our company has expanded to include small businesses and tech startups, purpose-driven organizations have always held a special place in our heart.
Why you need to incorporate these fun holidays into your content calendar NOW!
Hopping on trending holidays is just another way your brand can increase its reach. By using trending hashtags and keywords, the odds are ever in your favor that the all-powerful algorithm will show your post to more people.
How to Ethically Incorporate AI into Your Marketing Efforts
Everywhere you look, AI is top of mind. It’s more than a hot topic of conversation—it’s the conversation.
Do You Know About Our Website Maintenance Retainer?
You’ve got the new website, now what? If it seems like we talk a lot about how websites aren’t static and that they need constant updates, it’s because it’s true. Creating a website is just step one. Maintenance is what will keep your site up to speed and functioning properly.
The Holiday Opt-Out: Should Your Email Strategy Take Part?
The holidays are in full swing. It’s a busy time for marketers, and while it’s a joyous time for many, the holidays can also be stressful and hard for some. In recent years, a new strategy has emerged for email marketers—empathy.
Word Vomit (Or Why You Shouldn’t Edit Yourself When Writing)
If you’re a writer, or a marketer, or a blogger, or a student, or really anyone who uses words for a living, you’ve probably heard the expression “word vomit.”
What your Social Media Manager Wishes You Knew
You might not realize it, but your social media manager wears many hats every day, from photographer/videographer to strategist, graphic designer, copywriter/editor, and more. While they often make it look effortless, don’t be fooled. It takes quite a bit of effort.
Do I Need To Be on Every Social Media Platform?
It might seem like the best strategy for brand awareness is to create an account on the most popular platforms, but tackling too much too soon could backfire. That’s why we recommend starting with just one or two platforms.
Are Your Systems Up to Date? Here Are a Few Signs to Look Out For.
It can be difficult to keep up with all the changing trends and features in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. We get it.
But it’s necessary for businesses to keep things up to date for so many reasons.
The Art of Capital Campaign Design
What makes a successful capital campaign? A critical component is your marketing strategy, which needs to include powerful storytelling, clean and easy-to-navigate landing pages where donors can give, and a convincing call to action.
Comparing Four Common CRMs for Nonprofits
Thinking about making the switch to a new customer relationship management (CRM) software? Or perhaps you’re just starting out and debating which one you should choose. The truth is that there are many factors that come into play when deciding which CRM is right for your nonprofit.
Five Necessary Elements of a Modern Integrated Marketing Strategy
Modern marketing solutions that really work—what they are, how they work, and why you should consider incorporating them into your integrated marketing strategy.
Five Ways to Level Up Your Fundraising Strategy
While there are many tried and true strategies you can employ to raise funds for your organization, you may be missing out on dollars
What it Takes to Brand a Show that Doesn’t Exist Yet
The show has been selected. You’ve been given a title or theme, but nothing else is set. What do you do? You work with
How Do You Know if Your Nonprofit Website is Outdated?
Is your nonprofit website outdated? Here are six ways to tell.
Marketing Acronyms 101
Marketers use a LOT of acronyms, so we created this cheat sheet to help non-marketers translate our jargon. While the lingo may seem intimidating at first, understanding the basic terminology will enable you to speak the same language as your marketing team, no matter whether they’re in house or at an agency.
The Marketing Mix: A.K.A. the Four Ps of Marketing
When you’re creating a marketing campaign, there’s a lot to consider, especially if you’ve never developed one before. So, let us guide you through the basics.
What Do I Need to Know About Branding a New Nonprofit?
Learn essential insights and expert tips for building a compelling brand identity. Building your brand can take time, but if you do it right, you’ll be doing your new nonprofit a favor.
Building an In-house Marketing Team? Here are Our Top Five Traits to Look for When Assembling.
Building an in-house marketing team? Here are our top five traits to look for when assembling.
Are Promo Items Worth It? Totally. Here Are Our Top 3 Reasons Why.
When you’re on a tight budget, it might seem like spending a little extra on promo items isn’t a good idea. But their potential ROI might be more than enough to sway you to consider this tried-and-true marketing strategy.
Let’s Talk Threads. Should Your Organization Join?
If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering whether it makes sense for your business to join Threads. Here’s a “Threads Primer,” along with some pros and cons to consider for those who have yet to take the plunge.
Behind the Scenes of Our LUMINARE Short-Form Animation
When one of our clients needed a specialized, short-form animation, we knew it was a job for our super talented, in-house graphic designers. We designed a custom animated video that provided an illustrated overview of how our client works.
Why You Should Seek Out Internships
For the first time in my life, the things I’ve learned in school are being applied in real life.
Tips for a Successful Rebrand
You may have noticed we recently rebranded—new logo, new website, new name. If you’ve ever gone through this process, then you know it is a
What to Look for in a Marketing Agency
Whether you’re running a small or large business, for-profit or nonprofit, chances are you will need to hire a marketing agency at some point in
The Benefits of Blogging: Why You Should Start a Brand Blog
If you’ve ever spent any time researching and writing blogs—or hired someone to do it for you—you know blogging can take a lot of time
Logo Design Tips
You’ve heard about the “Great Resignation,” people reevaluating their lives during the pandemic and quitting their dead-end jobs in droves. As a result of this
What NOT to Look for in a Marketing Agency
If you’ve ever shopped around for a marketing agency, you know there are many factors to consider. Whether you’re looking for a short-term, project-based relationship
Grow Your Business with Email Drip Campaigns
If you’re not familiar with marketing automation, you may find the concept intimidating. But the reality isn’t scary at all. It’s relatively easy to set
How to Build Social Media Engagement
Marketing people always joke that social media platforms change their algorithms so frequently that no one, not even the people who do this for a
Benefits of Hiring a Small Marketing Agency
Finding just the right marketing agency can be tricky. You want the perfect match for your organization—an agency that does amazing work, complements your in-house
Beyond Functional: Signs that Showcase Your Brand
When you enter a building, you rely on signs to direct you to your location. Signs serve many important functions including wayfinding, a system for
Benevolence Increases Social Media Engagement
In May 2021, Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) launched its #BeBenevolent campaign. The purpose of the campaign was two-fold: 1) encourage constituents to engage in daily
Goodbye & Good Riddance, 2020. Let’s catch up, y’all!
No doubt 2020 has been quite a year. Despite the pandemic and all the social, political and economic unrest, we’ve had quite a successful year! We started off
Is Your Company Emotionally Ready for a Rebrand?
Much like the makeovers we see in romantic comedies, everything happens against the protagonist’s will and often leads them to realize they loved who they
Five Authentic Ways to Start Your Dream Side Hustle Right Now
Living in the midst of a pandemic has affected our physical & mental health, jobs, stability, and way of life. We’re encountering newfound boredom, social
Outsourcing Digital Marketing During a Pandemic
Our entire world is changing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Retail stores, restaurants, stadiums, and movie theaters are nearly empty while people stay
The Perils of Building a Visual Identity on Canva
It’s becoming more and more common for entrepreneurs to create their own logos on Canva, a platform that makes it easier for non-designers to create
#AskGracie – Social Media in Business Segment
Let’s go over a series of questions covering the importance and relevance of social media in business. Is social media a necessary element all companies
WordPress VS. SquareSpace or Wix. What’s the difference and when to use each one?
Building a website for your company is a critical step in increasing brand awareness. Since it’s common for consumers to search your brand online, it’s