The choice of type is an important decision. Type conveys the flavor of your message when you are sharing your words in print, on a computer or smart device screen.

I am especially sensitive to the look and feel of type. I own more than 1000 fonts, so many that I recently had to disable many of them to avoid slowing down my computer.

My fascination with the structure and beauty of typography began over 30 years ago. You can see examples of type as a branding element when you go to the grocery store. Some of the most famous examples of typographical branding include Coca-Cola, Pepsi, CBS, Jack in the Box, Costco, Macy’s and Target. They may also use other graphic elements, yet you easily recognize their names when you see them.

Typography can be used to make your point, evoke strong feelings, act as a focal point to draw your attention to what is important. When used improperly, the choice of type cause confusion, be hard to read, or convey the opposite meaning from what is intended.

In my opinion, and one that is shared by most designers I know, one of the best books ever written about typography is a very small volume written and originally published as a handout for the graphic design special interest group of the North Coast Mac user group. I’m talking about “the non-designers design book” by Robin Williams. The companion book, “ your Mac is not a typewriter” is equally valuable and well known. They were written at the start of the desktop publishing revolution and the wisdom is just as valuable today. The principles of good design haven’t changed. They methods we use to deliver our message have changed. The principles of good design still apply.

I consider these two tiny books to be a “must read” for anyone who intends to use words in a visual format to communicate with others. You can find books through Peachpit Press (members of the North Coast Mac Users get a significant discount and can order then at a meeting — go to www.ncmug.org for details.) I first started using these books when I was a student in the graphic arts program at Santa Rosa Junior College, and again when I began teaching graphic design and communication.

I was extremely fortunate to meet and learn from Robin. We met when she was a part-time instructor at SRJC and as a frequent presenter at the NCMUG graphic arts group. Robin is a very witty and dedicated lover of typography. She went on to take her workshop handouts and transform them into these books. Since that time, she has written many more excellent books on design, also available through Peachpit. Generations of graphic artists everywhere are indebted to her for these clear, visually powerful and fun books that are good foundation for professional, digital, typesetting.

There is no excuse for poorly executed typography when we have so many powerful tools and an endless inventory of type available to us. Back in the days when type was set by hand withi lead type, writers never thought about laying out their words for print themselves. They concentrated on their stories and left the typesetting to the experts. Today most of us use a computer to compose and to prepare our written words for publication. Owning a computer does not a typographer or graphic designer make. If you intend to enhance your message and share it, educate yourself about type or collaborate with a trained, professional book designer to transform your words into beautifully set type.

Spend an afternoon becoming familiar with the content of these two books. I guarantee your investment will be rewarded. Even if you have no interest in doing it yourself, becoming an informed consumer will help you direct your book cover designer, your book interior designer and your e-book designer with the information you need to make your writing as beautiful and as memorable as your writing.

Judy Baker is Completely Creative. Trained and certified by Robert Middleton as an Action Plan Marketing Coach. She is a branding expert who helps authors, speakers and entrepreneurs and create visual and verbal brands that attract customers.

She specializes in developing brands that connect emotionally and move people to take action. An alumnus of Robert Mondavi Winery, Judy is an engaging speaker and workshop leader. A graduate of San Diego State with a B.A. in Drama and a Master in Human Resources and Organization Behavior from the University of San Francisco, she has been a student and instructor in graphic design at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Judy is the President of the Board of the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association, an organizer the Wine Country WordPress Meetup, Program Chair for f the Bay Area Consultant’s Network and a tenor with Vox Populi Sonoma, a rock choir. Her business expertise includes strategies for turning expertise into information products. She lives in Sonoma with her husband and cork-fetching cat, Simba, her spouse, Garry, and a house and office full of books. Visit her online at http://www.creative1.com

 

Video rocks – so why aren’t you using it yet?

People love to watch other people. That is why YouTube is so popular.

If you don’t nt know how to use a video camera, or edit video, or have the dollars to buy expensive software, let alone take the time to learn how to use it.

What if you could start recording videos and you didn’t have to go through all that other stuff?

qik is the answer

The video you see here was taken in less than 5 minutes using my iPad. If you have a smartphone or tablet with a video camera, you can use this app.

qik is fast, easy and free!

You can upload your video directly from your device to YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter. It is so easy.

How to Get Started with qik

1. Go to the qik website, http://qik.com/
2. Download the app and install it on your smart device
3. Write out a short outline for your video.
4. Cover your main talking points.
5. Comb your hair
6. Check the lighting
7. Go somewhere where you have good acoustics
8. Turn off any devices that could buzz or ring during your recording session
9. Put on some lip balm
10. Open the qik app
11. Record
12. Watch your video before you upload it.
13. Add a title
14. Upload to your choice or sites: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter (you can link your qik account to your accounts at any of these social media sites.)
15. You can even send a link to your video via email

That’s it. Simple, fast, and free.

What more could a marketer ask for?

 

If you want to stay well and be productive, take some tips from Deborah Myers, Health at Your Fingertips. Deborah is a healer who uses light, gentle touch, accupressure, Jin Shin Jystu and Theta healing to keep my energy in balance and in flow. Watch as she demonstrates some of the simple things you can do yourself to feel better fast.

The video is just under 11 minutes. I recorded Deborah’s presentation at a meeting of our referral group, Sonoma Success Partners.

I practice her “Daily Clean Your House Flow” energy flow each day. It is a great way to start and end the day, and if I need a boost during the day too.

For clear thinking and well being, Health at Your Fingertips is a great resource for entrepreneurs and larger businesses too. Deborah teaches workshops for individuals, health care professionals and can customize a program for your group or business.

I give HAYFT two thumbs up!

 

Do you think Prince Charming could find Cinderella if he didn’t know who he was looking for? He searched the land high and low for the woman who fit the glass slipper she had left behind. He knew only one woman was a match. Only one had a foot to fit the shoe he possessed.

When you begin the process of identifying your ideal customer, think like Prince Charming. Hopefully, more than one client is a match for your business. However, narrowing your search is a good place to start when defining your target market.

What are the exact characteristics and attributes of your ideal customers? Where would you be most likely to find them? What makes for a perfect fit with your services? Does your offer perfectly match the needs expressed by your customers? When you match up needs with what you provide, it will be like Cinderella and her perfect fit in the glass slipper.

If you remember the story, Prince Charming searched the land desperately seeking the woman whose foot was an exact match to the glass slipper. It was his only clue to her identity. He spent hours and hours, days upon days, weeks upon weeks, sifting through countless princesses, ugly stepsister’s, lots and lots of poor matches before he rediscovered his one true mate.

Fortunately for you, your marketing effort doesn’t need to be so difficult. You can start by writing down all of the attributes of your best customers or those who you want to be your best customers. You have tools at your disposal like Linkedin, business directories, networking groups, and of course, referrals from your existing customers.

Think about how persistent Prince Charming was in the pursuit of his goal. He overcame obstacles. He was tireless. He told everyone in his kingdom his plan. He used the tools he had, word-of-mouth, sending out messages of his intentions, declaring what he wanted, what he was looking for and his desired outcome. If you apply this kind of clarity of purpose to your marketing, I guarantee you will see positive results.

Prince Charming was a man with a plan. He knew who he was looking for, how to tell when he found her, and he knew who didn’t fit his plan. How many of you know your market as well as Prince Charming? Have you taken the time to profile your ideal customers? Are you persistent in casting your net in the right places at the right times?

I hope this somewhat fractured fairy tale not only makes you smile, but it makes you think and take action. Of course, having a little help from your Marketing Fairy Godmother is highly recommended.

Judy Baker, your Completely Creative Action Plan Marketing Coach and Marketing Fairy Godmother

 

I’m reading Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath.
They came up with the traits that make an idea stick.
Sticky ideas are:

S = simple
U = unexpected
C = concrete
C = credentialed
E = emotional
S = stories

Can you improve your marketing using this model?

Did you know that it usually takes 7-9 exposures to a product before a prospect becomes a client? Every year, over 30,000 new products are introduced. How can you stand out amid all this information?

A sticky message helps potential clients remember you. It gives them a clear understanding of what you do and who you do it for, as well as the outcomes they can expect when they work with you.

Real Life Test

I used the “SUCCESs“  framework as a starting point to teach a roomful of 60% consultants how to revise their audio logos.

I asked them to include:

• Who do you serve
• What challenge (or pain) do your clients/prospects face
• What solution/result do you provide

And do it all in 8 words or less

Once I laid the groundwork, they each had about a minute to come up with a new audio logo.

They got to test their message by sharing it with their table mates.

If they did it well, their audience would ask them for their business card and:

“How do you do that? “

The goal of your audio logo is to start a conversation, not to close a sale!

And when you get people to ask you questions, they are more likely to pay attention to what you say. They are invested in hearing how you can help them.

In summary:

Most people were able to pare down their essential message to 8 words or less.

Several participants thanked me for helping them see that less can be more!

What can you do?

• Focus on who you are speaking to (What’s in it for them)

• Choose your words for
  • clarity
  • simplicity
  • emotional impact

• Make it easy for your potential clients to identify themselves as someone you can help.

• • Get the attention of potential clients
  • Make them curious
  • Stimulate them to ask for more information

I reduced my audio logo to:

“I help overwhelmed entrepreneurs attract more clients.”

If you want to know how, come to my workshop on July 21st.
For details, just click this link.

 

Are you an entrepreneur who is has trouble:
__ making sense out of marketing and selling
__ identifying your ideal target market
__ creating powerful marketing materials
__ determining the best marketing strategies
__ effectively communicating your marketing message
__ marketing without feeling like a used-car salesman
__ getting beyond the fear of marketing and selling
__ creating an effective marketing plan
__ with the implementation of your plan
__ other
What you believe, you can achieve
Uncover the hidden challenges that may be sabotaging your success
Learn a proven technique to quickly turn those negative thoughts around
Leave with tools you can use in your business and in your relationships
Save the Date:
Day: Saturday Dates: May 3, 2008
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Location: details upon registration

Sign up today and Save: $15.00 At the door: $20.00
sign up online at http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/1506/

Certified Action Plan Marketing Coach Judy Baker will guide you through the steps you can take to master your negative thoughts and create an empowering marketing mindset.