One of the best ways to influence consumer behavior is to give buyers an acceptable motive. If marketers can convince consumers that they need a product or service for some “legitimate” reason, consumers will be more likely to make a purchase.

I look forward to seeing each of you at future DIGs.
Tim

I guess I would peg my style within any creative project as “strategic/organic” which mainly just means that I always have clear goals in mind and do tons of research but arrive at my solutions in a very organic way. Creating a spark, layering ideas and collaboration are the key. Below are a few of my tips to help you have a productive brainstorming effort:

1. Know your goal. What problem are you trying to solve?
2. Use a group. Keep your group lean and mean and get the right variety. Maybe invite the accountant or someone who comes from a different head space.
3. Write down everything and encourage others to do the same.
4. Make sure there is a moderator who can guide the group (politics and all) through an effective session.
5. Give all participants equal time to share. A good moderator will encourage this to happen.
6. Embrace the ridiculous- even those ideas could lead to an effective solution.

Keep those creative juices flowing.

We discussed Photoshop best practices and covered some basic to-dos and even answered some more advanced Photoshop questions posed by our sharp DIG students. (What the heck are layers??!!) A lot of folks came to learn how to better communicate with their designers or clients- so important to a happy “graphic” relationship! We covered a lot but hopefully it will all marinate and become a part of everyone’s personal best practices. I just want to leave each of you with my list of Photoshop tips & no-nos that will make you a better Photoshop user.

JENN’S PHOTOSHOP TIPS & NO-NOs:

1. Photoshop is intended to be used to manipulate photos- not to design page layouts with large bodies of copy.
2. Followup to #1: if you are working on a brochure, newsletter, magazine layout, or other layout with bodies of copy use Photoshop in conjunction with your favorite layout program or Office document program (InDesign, Quark, Pagemaker, Word, Powerpoint, etc.).
3. If your designer is asking you for an eps file they are most likely asking for an Adobe Illustrator eps NOT a Photoshop eps. Very different- be sure to specify.
4. Respect your files. Do not save a jpeg more than once. When in doubt revert to the original file.
5. Most of the time Web/Screen graphics=72dpi, RGB, jpeg/gif/png Print graphics=300dpi, CMYK, tiff. Consult your friendly printer to confirm their preferred specs.
6. Stop! Don’t use Photoshop filters just because you can. We’re not impressed.
7. Last but not least, learning how to use the tool is just the beginning. A professional looking end product takes knowledge, skill, some practice and sometimes some major artistic prowess.

Keep learning your tools and use them WISELY.

Jenn

P.S. If you missed this session we’ll be repeating it in Bowling Green on Thursday July 29th. http://bgjulydig.eventbrite.com/.

(We’ve also had requests from some folks to do some one-on-one training with their staff. We would be happy to accommodate- please contact me for details. jenn@werkshopmarketing.com)

Rob spent the time he had this morning educating us to this basic outline of thought — that Design + Content + Promotion = a really good Website. It doesn’t seem like rocket science, but unfortunately, not many are doing it the right way. To bad for them. If you’ve made a commitment to do it right, then do it. If we can be of help, call us.

-Tim

If you have a hunch that PR should be a part of your daily marketing efforts, you’ve probably got a good hunch. Build a solid plan and make it happen.

For a more in depth look at PR101, see David’s presentation below.

This group of trend setters has served as the engine behind the ever evolving discipline of social marketing. They have survived a million Google BETA tests and continue to be vocal when FaceBook screws up again. To them, I say, “Adopt on, my friends.” I’ll be watching, learning and once you have it all figure out, I’ll download the app.

For a more cerebral version of my “Ode to Social Marketing and the Early Adopters who we have to give thanks,” see the presentation below.

For the most up-to-date presentation and white paper on the Social Marketing Puzzle, see below.

April 23, 2010
Carroll Knicely Conference Center
2355 Nashville Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101

Networking @ 11:00am
Presentation @ 12:30pm