Cshel Chicago SEO, PR and Web Development

T-17 days from SES San Jose. Order your business cards NOW.

Posted on 31. Jul, 2008 by Carolyn Shelby.

We’re less than 3 weeks out from SES San Jose, Aug. 18-22. If you’re running low on business cards, or you need new ones printed with updated contact info/title/etc, get on that PRONTO!

I know I go through business cards like water goes through a sieve at conferences, so make sure you’re well stocked and they’re current. If you wait too long, you’ll either end up with craptastic cards that look like you had them printed at the Kwik-E-Mart, or you’ll pay out the nose for shipping. Or possibly both if you’re exceptionally unlucky.

So consider this my little PSA reminder :)

Designed it myself ;)

The reason I thought to issue the reminder is because the mailman *just* brought me a big heavy box full of print collateral! (I know… the strangest things make me happy. What can I say?)

My box of goodies contained my new Lafayette Online business cards, my new BeFoundLocal.com cards, and my new (pictured to the right) cshel cards. Oh, and a couple thousand rack cards for Lafayette Online (rack cards go in the visitor information stands at hotels, the Chamber of Commerce, restaurants by the interstate, etc.)

I was worried that the new cshel cards were going to come out a little weird because I decided to put an enormous blue seashell on the left side of the card and it literally occupies a third of the printable space. The worry, however, was for naught because the color looks great and I’m really, really pleased with the way they turned out. These definitely sparkle with me.

Also, I don’t know if you noticed, but the seashell is the exact same image I’m using as the favicon for cshel.com. Yay for consistent branding :)

Popularity: 70% [?]

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Have You Ordered Your Holiday Cards?

Posted on 09. Nov, 2007 by Carolyn Shelby.

Even if you’re not a greeting card type of person (or you usually count on your spousal unit to handle the task), mailing holiday cards to your business associates, clients, former clients, and anyone who’s business card you may have picked up at a conference or other networking event is a great way to keep your name (or business name) fresh on their minds.

Here’s Your Checklist:

1. Buy/Order/Make the cards — NOW
   Do not wait until Thanksgiving gets here and the xmas season when no-one-has-time-for-anything craziness starts. Take a few minutes to pop over to your favorite printing website, bust out the craft paper and glitter, or just add it to your list for your next Target run.

   Buy a box of cards — you choose the level of holiday specificity or lack thereof. Select something pretty neutral (unless you’re positive you won’t offend anyone with a religious card), and maybe splurge for some customization (if you’re having them printed) and some foil accents (because shiny says “I care enough to spend an extra $0.25 per card, because dammit, you’re worth it!”).

   Also, if you’re having your cards custom printed, make sure to include your website address on the card someplace. This is especially important if your website address is different from your actual business name. People may only know you by your URL if they don’t see you or do business with you very often.

2. Buy stamps.
   Do not use a mail meter or automatic postage stamping device. Automation screams lazy and impersonal.

3. Once you have your cards, pull out your client list and start addressing envelopes.
   Again, do not use a printer, do NOT do NOT do NOT do NOT use printed labels. Not only are you telling your clients they aren’t worth you hurting your wittle wrist wif all dat writing, you’re telling them they aren’t even worth you feeding envelopes into your printer. Don’t be lazy.

   If you have crappy handwriting, enlist the assistance of someone who does. Don’t know anyone with nice handwriting or printing? Try your mom, your grandma, your teenage sister/daughter, or an engineer (yeah, I said engineer). They all tend to have very nice handwriting or printing styles and can probably be talked into helping (or bribed relatively cheaply).

4. Sign your cards.
   Again, DO NOT just put them into the envelope unsigned because you have your name/company already printed on them. DO NOT feed them through a printer. DO NOT use a sticker label.

   I know your hand is still cramped from addressing the envelopes. Suck it up and just get it overwith, okay?

   Also, make everyone else in your office (assuming you have a small business) sign the cards, too. A bunch of different signatures (in different people’s handwriting) makes a big impression.

5. Mail the cards as close to Turkey Day as humanly possible.
   You want them to get where they’re going before people start leaving for holiday vacations and just generally are too busy or distracted to fully appreciate your gesture of goodwill. If you can put them in the mailbox on your way to Grandma’s house for dinner on November 22, all the better.

One last note of caution: it’s best to err on the safe side and not go with the edgy humorous holiday cards. Some people take their holidays very seriously and it would be a shame to go through all this effort and then end up alienating a client or potential business partner because you accidentally insulted their beliefs.

Popularity: 38% [?]

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SEO 101: How Offline Marketing Affects Your Online Efforts

Posted on 26. Jul, 2007 by Carolyn Shelby.

Today (Thursday, July 26th, 2007) on SEO 101, we (Dave “Neo” Brown, Brian Mark and yours truly) talked about a few different things you should be doing online to promote your online business/website and how to use offline marketing to build credibility and brand awareness.

Download the 61st episode/2nd live broadcast of SEO 101

Concepts Covered During the Show
Word of Mouth: Make sure you talk about your site to everyone and everywhere and all the time (but when it’s appropriate, of course… funerals… weddings… probably not such a great idea, but use your judgement.) Add your URL to ALL of your print collateral — business cards, brochures, tear tag flyers, mailers. Also add it to you and your stuff and wear it proudly! Make signs for your car, put stickers on your car, get your logo and URL embroidered on your laptop bag, tattoo it on your head… you get the picture) Remember to be the brand!

Networking: Join groups and organizations where people who are likely to use your site are members. Join groups and organizations where people who can influence other people who are likely to use your site are members. Offer to speak for business groups… in your town and out of town. Contact Chambers of Commerce, Women Business Owners groups, etc. Be active, helpful and be visible!

Build Relationships: Now that you’re out and about and networking, take a look at the people you’re building relationships with. I bet at one of the Chamber of Commerce meetings you met a station manager for the local radio station… see if the station needs anything and offer to trade your services/products for advertising time. Radio stations, local cable stations, etc. do that stuff all the time. See if you know anyone who has a business that would make sense to do a cross promotion with, or see if you can put a sign near the cash register in some of their stores, etc. Now that you have relationships, explore the possibilities — but make sure you’re giving and not just taking. [...]

Popularity: 28% [?]

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