When we go out to eat, most of us take menus for granted. While the purpose of a restaurant menu is to list food items and drinks, the most effective menus create an ambiance that lures the diner into a comfort zone that leads to more food sales.

In the 1800s, inns would post food items on a chalkboard, or alternatively, the proprietor would simply recite the short list of available fare. As more dishes were added, handwritten or simple printed sheets were handed out to diners, leading to the introduction of the printed menu. Though there is no definitive proof, it has been speculated that Delmonico’s in New York was the first restaurant in America to produce a regularly printed menu, in 1834.

Poster-like decorative covers in the early 20^th century heralded the beginning of the Golden Age of menu design, with elaborate gold leaf, diecuts, embossed lettering and illustrations. In the 1920s and ‘30s, poster covers were common, many created by noted artists. Patrons seeking a souvenir would routinely ask for a menu to take home. Many restaurants responded with smaller, souvenir menus or postcards with a reduced list of food items that advertised the establishment’s special dishes.

As a writer and photographer for Studio 2055, my interest in menus is threefold: I appreciate the artistic design of menus; I inherited my grandmother’s collection of Hawaiian restaurant menus; and on my own I have added more than 1300 menus from the ‘20s to the present. (My wife, Nanette, reminds me of the space they take up.) The graphics are alluring, though the prices in the “old days” make you weep for earlier times: a lobster dinner with soup, salad, appetizer, choice of drink and dessert: $2.95 (Neptune’s Table in Phoenix). Other menus from the past show shockingly similar prices. Though the cost of a full meal back then was ridiculously low compared to today, the price of collecting scarce or early menus is not. As collectibles, rare menus, including those with tropical themes, drive-ins and menus from restaurants fronted by famous celebrities can command fairly high prices, though many with fine graphic design elements can be found at reasonable cost. Ebay lists many scarce and elaborate menus for up to and beyond $100, which is about the price of a good meal for two, today.

In essence, these services (excepting, for now, Dropbox), when you agree to the terms, are given license to “…use, host, store, reproduce, modify, create derivative works, communicate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute such content.” Read more >

The Studio team hard at work!

The transition from college to a full-time job can be intimidating to say the least. One way to take the stress out of the job search is to be as prepared as possible via internships.

So why are internships so important?  Here are five solid reasons:

1)   Related Work Experience: Every full-time job has some requirement when it comes to related work experience.

2)   Company Culture Experience: Experience can’t be taught in a classroom. The only way to gain insight is in the field with a job or internship.

3)   Expands Network: Working alongside managers and professionals expands your network and can lead to recommendations from many different types of people.  A good resume contains recommendations from many sources.

4)   Test The Industry: Decide if the industry is right for you. There is no better way to see if you like a certain industry than actually working in it. It helps you discover what you like and dislike about the industry and can even lead to the discovery that you enjoy doing something else better.

5)   Class Credit: There is always the possibility of class credit. While part-time jobs can provide some extra spending money, they usually do not provide the type of work that schools require for class credit. That’s one less class worth of homework and tests you have to worry about.

Currently, I am a marketing intern at Studio 2055, a creative design group with expertise in graphic design, branding and marketing. Although I have only been working since the end of January, I have learned more than in an entire semester of class. I am enrolled in an internship class at the University of San Diego in order to receive class credit. This enables me to take one less class, giving me more time to spend at the internship.

In the next post, I will talk about what kind of attributes to look for in an internship and how to pick the best one for you.

WordPress has become a leader for content management systems (CMS) and boasts, “over 60 million people have chosen the software to power the place on the web they call ‘home’”. For non-technical individuals, we think WordPress is the best option and is free to use.

For several years now, Studio 2055 has used WordPress to manage our blog content and has built many WordPress websites for clients. As we see it, WordPress is great for two reasons:

1)     For adding a page to a company website and managing the content;

2)     For building a website with the ability to change content easily and frequently.

Recently I attended Palomar College’s Graphic Communications Internet and Multimedia Advisory Board Meeting and the hot topic industry leaders were talking about was content generation. For businesses, this is imperative for brand exposure and can be done with WordPress. The more content posted online, the higher search ranking.

When clients come to us looking for a way to easily update content on their website, we suggest they take a look at using WordPress. With the software’s user-friendly dashboard, employees can easily post, change and remove content from the company website without hiring a programmer – a big cost-savings for marketing departments and small businesses.

In a recent post on Top Ten Reviews website titled “WordPress.org,” Ryan Goodrich notes “Not only can you write and edit posts easily, you can also write, edit and easily add static pages. You can choose the design, or look and feel of your site and continue to add as many pages as needed. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to have the blog posts on the front of your WordPress website; in fact, you can set any static page as your homepage and have your blog inside the main site.”

Have you thought of content that would be good for posting? A quick look at some prime topics:

• Project Milestones including Completed Projects
• News Releases and Announcements
• Employee, Project or Company Awards
• Conference or Trade Show Event Listings and Speaking Engagements
• Trade Association or Community Involvement
• Employee Personalities or Personnel Focus
• Industry or Local News Pertaining to Your Business

For assistance with getting started with WordPress or taking a look at a content management program, email us or call me at 760.729.8205.  We can share examples of ways to use WordPress as well as provide a complimentary project scope and quote for getting you started.

Working with a standard graphic design program demands efficiency. I’m sure you’re familiar with the tools in Adobe Illustrator for example, the selection, direct-selection, pen tool, etc. You’re most likely familiar with where they’re located on screen and probably familiar with their icons. If you’re still using your mouse to span from right to left on screen for a brush, pencil, or pair of scissors, you’re putting some undue mileage on your hand and your brain.

Slow Lane…Like a great craftsman, you want your tools to become an extension of yourself. Unfortunately, the mouse dampers what should be an instantaneous communication from your brain to your hand. It’s like rushing to work and intentionally taking the scenic route when the fast lane is wide open.

Fast Lane…If you you want to take the fast lane in Illustrator, hover over the tools and find a keyboard shortcut. Make those keys do double duty and soon you’ll see how much time’s wasted dragging your mouse vs. pushing a button. Don’t try to cram every keyboard shortcut into you’re brain – it’s impossible. Instead, start with the tools you use most, making that muscle memory, and then branch off.

If you’re feeling adventurous, press (command/control + option/alt + shift + K) altogether on your keyboard to access Illustrator’s Keyboard Shortcuts menu. There you’ll find every shortcut in Illustrator and have the ability to reassign each to boot.

Do you want to WOW your audience with a new Cover Photo for Facebook‘s new Timeline? With the March 31 changeover, the Studio 2055 design staff created a new graphic with a catchy tagline. We also have a number of new designs in our hip pocket to change out down the road. Here we offer some design tips you’ll find helpful for your new Cover Photo.

With the new Timeline format, Facebook allows for more of your page to have greater interest and visual appeal. Take advantage of this feature but be careful not to do “too” much. The Timeline format leaves a hefty chunk of space dedicated to a single image, leaving the page full of the rest of your content (i.e. apps, about, posts, images, links, likes, friends, etc.). So think of the new Timeline Photo image as an appetizer and the rest of your page as the main course. You want your cover image to introduce the rest of the page instead of replace it.

To stand out, consider these designer tips:

1. Stay Branded: Use your colors, fonts, images, website and marketing collateral for inspiration.
2. Image Size: Utilize the whole space. The image size is 851×315 at 72dpi.
3. Go Bold: Use a large graphic image to catch the viewer’s attention. It should stand out! Utilize the whole space. Note that the profile picture will overlay the cover image in the lower left side so you might want to either avoid putting something important in that corner or incorporate the profile picture into your cover image.
4. Limit Text: In this case, less text is more. The rest of the page contains a lot of text on a white background. Your header should not be the place for adding more text. The image should be compelling enough for the viewer to want to read more.
5. Use Color: To stand out from the white background in the rest of the page, use a color background.
6. Use a Creative Image: If your brand lends itself to using a photo or illustration, use something compelling and attention-getting. An image of your product, building or service can add appeal to your page by connecting with your viewers. By showing personality, you reveal another side of your brand. Good places to browse are stock photo sites such as Corbis or iStock Photo.

For help with creating a Facebook Cover image or for a social media consultation, contact the creative staff at Studio 2055. We offer you “seriously great design.”

At the end of 2011, ACI approached the Studio with the desire to increase search-engine optimization and generate leads nationwide. Our renewed collaboration with Randall Brant, ACI’s V.P. of Sales and Marketing, is to optimize their press release campaigns for 2012.

For the next twelve months, the Studio will distribute the company’s public relations content online using Marketwire and email marketing. With ongoing email list management, the press releases will be targeted at ACI’s national media outlets, clients and core potential clients. Utilizing online press release and email portals, Studio 2055 will be able to track results and generate leads for ACI. Providing analytics will give ACI more informed data for lead generation and closed sales.

Our strategy is to reinforce the message of ACI’s core mission–to provide “big-picture solutions for publishers and advertisers.” Since working with ACI a few years ago to revamp their website, Studio 2055′s marketing team enjoys working with Mr. Brant and his colleagues.

Studio 2055 has been a Carlsbad company for more than 20 years providing clients with creative design and marketing services to a host of regional, national and international companies. We are proud to be associated with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the second-largest business chamber in San Diego County, and 10^th largest in California.

We’re a focused group of designers who are flexible and responsive to meet the unique needs of every client. Therefore, we pledge to work diligently to keep Carlsbad’s vital business community thriving. There is no better place to work and live than Carlsbad.

Jeff from USD with Jake and Trevin from High Tech High North County

Recently, Studio 2055 opened the doors to two rather young aspiring marketers who arrived with eyes and ears wide open. The two freshmen, Jake and Trevin, were assigned by their school, High Tech High North County, to find a professional to “shadow” for the day in a field that was of interest to them. When the young students asked if they could come to the Studio, we were happy to say yes. We’ve hosted students from HTH in the past and support the school’s mission to develop students not only in academics but also in the workplace.

While Jake and Trevin were here, they shadowed our marketing intern, Jeff Fox, who’s graduating from the University of San Diego in the spring. They talked about search engine marketing, explored the new Facebook Timeline and did some research on design ideas for the studio’s new graphic headline. Jeff also shared some insight into applying to colleges and about the business school at USD.

The studio gets a burst of energy with student visits and enjoys the fresh take interns bring to the office. For over 15 years, Studio 2055 has offered an internship program for aspiring designers and marketers. The program is available to students and recent grads interested in gaining a hands-on experience with a creative firm. An interview is conducted to initiate the process and upon acceptance, an offer is extended to partake in the three-month program. Over the years, we’ve had students and graduates from UCSD, USD, SDSU, Cal State San Marcos and the Art Institute of California, San Diego. They learn from us yet we learn from them as well.

The winner is…  Chipper Hatter, Photographer at www.chipperhatter.com

In light of the conference, we share the desire to improve strategic plans, realign expectations and use creativity to boost business.  In between sessions, we heard from many of you about marketing concerns.  We invite you to tap into Studio 2055’s 27 years of marketing experience and translate concerns into solutions. We would be pleased to consult with you on your agenda and assist you in:

• Addressing your brand position
• Defining your point of difference
• Writing persuasive content for proposals and marketing collateral
• Generating web content for search-engine optimization
• Utilizing direct marketing via email and print

We’d love to get out of the office again; let’s meet over your new ideas!

Planning for the website began years prior to FDA approval when Newbry guided Excellagen through concept development. The goal was to create an online platform to support the company’s collagen-based gel. The product is a topical dressing for foot lesions commonly found on diabetes patients.

The website design process for Excellagen required an experienced team of marketers, designers and programmers who understood the complex facets of branding and web development for the biopharmaceutical sector. Newbry’s thirty years of working in biotech with IVAC (Cardinal Health), Cardium and Eli Lilly provided expert corporate identity and brand positioning knowledge for this new product.

Working from a single logo design, the website framework, design and user-interface was positioned to inform potential investors, enhance public relations and provide product background and patient/doctor information.

The website’s intent was for individuals researching the product to see results from using Excellagen. Photos were centered on the positive outcomes of Excellagen’s wound care. Product illustrations and photo examples were used to accentuate the benefits of the product.

“The Excellagen website project was thoughtful and precise in nature due to the preliminary steps towards FDA clearance,” said Newbry. “Chris and his team were invaluable as we researched complicated material to reveal an intuitive user interface and approachable, intelligent design. The final website successfully exemplifies Excellagen’s position as a leader in wound care.”

LuminOre CopperTouch has acquired a patented cold-metal atomization copper process from LuminOre Inc., the international fabrication and composite manufacturing company. CEO Tom Valente and Executive Vice President Pauline Getz feel the new company will play a significant role in educating hospitals and consumers about the benefits of antimicrobial properties of copper. The pair is relying on the Studio for LuminOre CopperTouch’s corporate branding initiatives and marketing campaign. Once official registration from the EPA is received, production is scheduled to begin in shortly afterward in the company’s new 60,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility.

Nanette Newbry, Principal and Creative Director of Studio 2055, was seen as a perfect fit for this project by virtue of her considerable medical and biotech experience with clients such as Excellagen of San Diego, Cardium Therapeutics and Eli Lilly. To help advance LuminOre CopperTouch, Newbry’s first initiatives were to create the company’s logo, corporate collateral, investor relations material, press releases and temporary website.

“The assets Studio 2055 brings to the table have proven invaluable. Nanette’s strict adherence to our marketing timeline has allowed us to focus on business development,” said Valente. “The burdens of managing the various aspects of our agenda are lightened by her devotion to the details outlined in our plans. The Studio’s history of working with outstanding clients brings valuable knowledge to our meetings and creates opportunities for LuminOre CopperTouch to explore.”

Upon recent completion of the company’s branding and collateral projects, Studio 2055 launched a public relations campaign to address LuminOre CopperTouch’s response to the ongoing healthcare crisis, through education about the antimicrobial properties of copper. Studio 2055 will continue to work alongside Valente and Getz as LuminOre CopperTouch’s exclusive marketing partner.

Studio 2055 is excited to be a sponsor and exhibitor at the third annual SMPS Pacific Regional Conference. The WAVE: Turning the Tide will hit downtown San Diego, February 16-17, 2012 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. The conference is expected to draw over 300 attendees, including A/E/C marketing professionals from Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Arizona.

Studio 2055 boasts a long-standing and productive working relationship with the A/E/C industry. The studio offers unique expertise to discerning architects, engineers and contractors who are committed to retaining their clients and capturing new business by elevating and differentiating their companies from the competition. As an active member of SMPS San Diego, the studio stays current with building industry trends and continually sharpens their skills to support the unique marketing demands of the building industry. As the studio tells their clients, “You build great places, we build great brands.”

If you will be attending the conference, be sure to visit our shared booth with Emagine Digital in the lobby and enter to win a $50 Apple gift card. We look forward to seeing you there!

Free PR Distribution

The main benefit of using a free PR service is the cost; it’s free! Companies use a free PR service for press releases regarding new hires, winning contracts or new service offerings. Releases are posted to news sites, search engines, RSS feeds and the sites’ own news wire. The disadvantage is limited visibility and exposure. The release is not targeted to specific audiences, regions or trade media such as industry publications. Some distribution services offer analytics. Examples include:

• PRLog
• PR.com
• I-Newswire

Paid PR Distribution

Paid PR services offer a wide range of services and customer support. They specialize in emailing to hundreds of reporters that include algorithms that place releases on sites such as Yahoo Finance, Wall Street Journal, targeted trade publications and other print and online sites. These sites are expert in coding your releases so they will have priority in search engine results. Getting PR coverage for prestigious completed projects or expanding into a new geographic area are newsworthy topics that would benefit a company’s PR exposure and brand building.

PRWeb boasts that your information has the potential to reach more than 250,000 of their subscribers, 30,000 websites and 30,000 bloggers and journalists. With this network, they claim your site has a better chance of being picked up by a reporter or editor interested in re-posting or using the content in their own release.

The benefits of paying for distribution are the services. MarketWire offers a small-business package, provides editorial help, fact-checks and offers consulting with online search optimization (keywords, photos, videos and links).

The cost of the release is dependent on various attributes such as location for distribution (regional, national, international) and the number of words, pictures or videos used. The price can range from $25 for a basic post to $5,000 for a targeted, international, SEO-rich release.  Examples of paid services include:

• MarketWire
• PR Web
• Business Wire
• PR Newswire
• Wired PR News

We welcome the opportunity to learn more about your company and its public relations efforts. Send us an email – we’d be happy to help!

Annual report season is in full swing for the Studio starting with Job Options. This year’s annual report will feature Michael Williams, a notable Job Options employee who works at the Naval Hospital Balboa. Creative Director Nanette Newbry, snapped this photo of Richard Dowdy, Studio 2055’s in-house photographer. Richard has been documenting Job Options’ award-winning employees for the last four years for their annual reports. The company services Balboa Hospital, the largest military hospital in the country, with environmental cleaning services throughout the facility. Pictured above are Mario Flippin (center) and Dino Tanner (right) who work in the medical facility’s discharge room.

Job Options, a San Diego-based not-for-profit company that provides professional service personnel primarily for agencies within the federal government.

Studio 2055 has been Job Options corporate marketing and creative services company for five years and is currently working on their 2011 annual report, due out in February. Pictures for the report were taken at the hospital in the Environmental Services division to reflect the employment opportunities given to individuals with disabilities. The center’s impressive, extensive facility is maintained by the systematic program in place to clean the rooms – work the employees perform exceptionally. This level of service along with the pride employees have for their jobs will be illustrated through photos in the new 2011 annual report.

Studio 2055′s Original Flip-Flop™ Desktop Calendars Have Arrived for 2012!

For the past ten years, we have printed themed calendars with photos from in-house professional photographer Richard Dowdy.

For 2012, the calendar is simply titled “Outside” and features amazing works of photography from trips around the globe. The common thread throughout this year’s calendar is color - generated by nature’s light. “Our hope is that the photos inspire others to take some time to get outside and appreciate the simple beauties of nature,” says Nanette Newbry, Creative Director and Principal of Studio 2055.

In past years, other titles have been “Quote-o-Graphs,” “Sign Language,” “Off the Beaten Path,” “Sunshine and Dreams – California’s Promise,” “The Nature of Design” and “Noah’s Art.”

The calendars are shared with the Studio’s clients as a gift of appreciation. Happy Holidays!

Studio 2055 and Debra Simpson Join Forces to Advance Internet Marketing Services

Carlsbad, CA—December 2011— Nanette Newbry, Principal and Creative Director for Studio 2055, has announced a new partnership with Carlsbad-based Internet publishing consultant, Debra Simpson of debrasimpson.com. Their joint venture broadens the Studio’s services for companies needing experts to formulate their social media strategy, provide implementation and creation of content for online media including video, webinars and blogs.

“Debra is an expert in online publishing. Her background in traditional publishing blended with her technological experience gives our clients the necessary tools for the digital media discipline,” Newbry said. “We are taking full advantage of Debra’s comprehensive knowledge of blogging, podcasting, search engine optimization and social media platforms. We’re reaching our objective for further growth evidenced by retaining new clients that want web development along with social media planning.

Studio 2055 knows the importance of generating the right kind of online content for effective search engine exposure. Companies are demanding better analytics and improved positioning via Google, the leading search engine. Coupled with the online publishing expertise of Simpson, Studio 2055 is positioned to offer total brand development through the implementation of creative design, search engine optimization (SEO) and effective Internet marketing.

Studio 2055’s designers and Internet programmers have been working with their clients in non-traditional ways, designing and programming content-generating sites such as WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. WordPress-powered sites are rising in popularity for managing online content that can be seamlessly integrated with existing websites.

“Working with Studio 2055 has been a tremendous opportunity and asset. In building media and social sites, we pull together both our technical and creative strengths,” said Simpson.  “Companies want to increase their web presence, but are unsure how to accomplish it.  Our combined goal is to build awareness, position the company as experts in their field and generate leads.”

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About Studio 2055
Located in Carlsbad, CA, Studio 2055 is a creative design group who are experts in marketing, graphic design and branding. Studio 2055 boasts a portfolio of work with leading local companies including TaylorMade, 20th Century Fox’s X-Files, Four Seasons, Gemology Institute of America, Reebok, Reno Contracting, Stolichnaya Gold Vodka, Job Options, Inc. and the USGBC San Diego.  Studio 2055’s goal is to provide high-quality design and marketing solutions while building respectful relationships with clients.  The Studio is sensitive to environmental concerns and proactive in maintaining sustainable business practices. For more than twenty-five years, Studio 2055 has rewarded clients with increased growth by helping them connect with their customers.

About DebraSimpson.com
Debra Simpson provides solutions to those who are looking to post content on the Internet. Her primary clients are authors, speakers and small business owners seeking consultation services for websites and social media. With over 25 years of publishing experience, she offers expert advice in the areas of blogging, podcasting, search engine optimization and social media platforms.

Despite the daunting terms, email campaigns are a popular contender for Internet marketing for four reasons: email marketing is a sustainable practice, low in cost, quick to distribute and simple to measure.

Email campaigns have gained a winning reputation for these attributes. Sustainable in nature, they maximize resources with no waste and little cost. They have the potential to go “viral,” spreading through your contacts’ networks and generate rapid customer feedback fueling communication for potential opportunities. To top it off, deliverability, bounces and click-through rates can determine what worked and what didn’t – a valuable tool for future campaigns.

Maximize Performance

In today’s competitive environment, staying current with your customers is absolutely critical to your success. In a tight economy, staying on budget is mandatory. With a thoughtful campaign, both of these goals can be achieved. Here’s a quick rundown of some best exercises for maximizing an email’s performance.

• Narrow down the subject line and frontload with key words to increase open rates.
• Make the banner actionable by keeping it concise with call-to-action links.
• Give the photos and images alt-text tags to motivate readers to download the images.
• Create a catchy intro paragraph to rope readers in from the first sentence.
• Break up messages with enticing graphics and impressive photographs to keep readers engaged.
• Design should be an extension of the brand so include the logo, typeface, colors and style consistent with other marketing touch points.
• Readers tend to click action links at the bottom of an email so finish strong!

Case Studies

For several San Diego A/E/C companies, email campaigns increase awareness and connections throughout the marketplace. Projects and profiles are featured to elevate exposure and position companies as experts in their field. In a recent survey from Studio 2055’s clients, 100% saw an increase 1) in website visits and 2) emails from existing and potential clients due to their latest email campaign. Also, 100% received requests for more information and project/product proposals/quotes. All client emails are sent via an automation program and tracked to review performance. Take a look at some of our recent case studies…

Hope Engineering – A Leading San Diego Structural Engineering Company

Campaign Type: Project Update
Message: To maintain awareness of company activities in the marketplace and promote the distinctive personalities of the company principals.
Branding: Campaign included a variety of thematic designs branded to the project type that focused on healthcare, higher education and parking structures.
Distribution: Current and prospective clients, industry colleagues

LuminOre, Inc. – A Worldwide Fabrication and Design Company Specializing in a Cold-Atomization Metal Process

Campaign Type: Project Completion Announcement
Message: To increase awareness for prestigious completed projects, the scope of projects, global site locations and give potential clients the ability to order a product sample kit.
Branding: Campaign was designed to enhance the high-end nature of products through rich graphics and color schemes. Emails were branded and consistent with the look and feel of the company’s website and evoked the architectural nature of the product application. Campaign coincided with a Project Profile data sheet, saved as a PDF and hosted on the company website.
Distribution: International and domestic clients, prospective clients, industry colleagues

Reno Contracting – Southern California’s Premier General Contractor

Campaign Type: Newsletter and Microsite
Message Delivery: To build search engine optimization (SEO) and position the company as experts in their field.
Brand Development: Campaign took the form of individual, single-page, html-programmed microsites titled “Breaking Ground.” Multiple embedded links led viewers to featured photos and lead stories. Design reflected the company’s website and the approachable nature of the Reno team. Reno’s homepage hosts the current edition of “Breaking Ground” – easily accessible for viewers and helps increase search engine optimization.
Distribution: Current and prospective clients, industry colleagues

The next newsletter will feature part two of Leading Trends In Internet Marketing. The topic will be on WordPress-powered news blogs – a great way to stay current with your customer base while increasing search engine optimization for your website.

For more information on using email marketing, contact Nanette Newbry at Studio 2055.

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Nanette Newbry, Principal and Creative Director, Studio 2055
Member of SMPS, USGBC, AIGA, AMA

About Studio 2055
Located in Carlsbad, CA, Studio 2055 is a creative design group who are experts in marketing, graphic design and branding. As principal and art director, Nanette Newbry’s goal is to provide high quality design and marketing solutions while building respectful relationships with clients. She is sensitive to environmental concerns and proactive in maintaining sustainable business practices. Newbry and the Studio extend efficient, effective and environment friendly options to meet the trends in businesses today. For additional case studies and information on the Studio’s services, visit www.studio2055.com.

Nanette Newbry, Principal of Studio 2055 in Carlsbad, was recently the guest of North San Diego Business’ weekly radio show, led by radio host and social media expert, Debra Simpson. Listen to the show syndicated through Blog Talk Radio.

5 Steps to E-mail Marketing Success:

1. Decide on up to three topics.
2. Develop a branded look by using enticing photos, balanced graphic design and social media icons.
3. Grow and target your e-mail list.
4. Take all of the above and send to interested subscribers.
5. Savor well-informed customers and potential new business.

To get started on your e-mails, call us for our $500 E-mail Marketing Package and e-mail campaign examples.
Studio 2055: 760.729.8205

Tune in for a radio show featuring Nanette Newbry of Studio 2055!

On Friday, October 28th, Nanette Newbry, Principal of Studio 2055 in Carlsbad will be the guest of North San Diego Business‘ weekly radio show.  Led by radio host and social media expert, Debra Simpson, the program will cover topics related to creativity and branding.

Listen live at 3pm PT by visiting the radio show program.

The radio show, syndicated through Blog Talk Radio, is one-hour long and will be available for download on the North San Diego Business website.

A follow-up post will also be published after the radio show.

Studio 2055 will create a graphically designed header, reflective of your brand, that will be included in up to three e-mails sent to your customers.

With a phone call and brief meeting to exchange ideas and samples, the Studio will create an e-mail template that you can use immediately.

Don’t waste any time connecting with your customers. Let’s get started! 760.729.8205

If your sales material has been the home of cobwebs for past months, it’s time to clean up. Take a look to see if your brochures, case studies, portfolios, proposals, product sheets, catalogs and stationery are all up-to-date and fully stocked.

This time of year, Studio 2055 offers professional cobweb cleaning services by conducting “Collateral Audits.” Although this process can be scary, we proceed by determining what marketing material is needed and necessary to give your company its competitive edge for today’s market.  To initiate the audit, we’ll take a look at your current inventory and ask the four “R” questions: does it need to be Reprinted, Revamped, Reinvented or Recycled?

For a Collateral Audit, contact Studio 2055 (760.729.8205).  We’ll help you get started on cleaning the cobwebs out of your supply closet.

QR Codes don’t just link people to a website, they help substantiate a robust marketing communications plan.

Applications
QR codes are about sharing information in a convenient way. They capture people’s attention on business cards, brochures, magazines, t-shirts and post cards and other larger scale items such as buildings, billboards, large-screen televisions, cars and buses.

Increase Your Subscribers!
With QR codes, the user is linked to your website.  At this point, they can be strategically directed to a “call-to-action” feature on your website.  For instance, a “Sign up!” button can be used for an e-newsletter, webinar, product sample, video, or a free quote.

When users click the “Sign up” button, you collect e-mail addresses and phone numbers! With the new contact information, you can send e-mails or text messages as part of your marketing communications campaign.

What’s Next
QR codes are becoming more and more popular due to the different usages and ease in which consumers can interact with the code. All they need is a camera phone and a free, downloadable app that can read the code. Are you ready to use a QR code?

Studio 2055 is interested in using this marketing innovation for our customers on brochures, postcards and advertising pieces.  Let us know if we can work on your project using this new technology.

What is the +1 button? According to Google, “+1” gets conversations going. By clicking the +1 button (at the top of this blog post for instance), you give something your public stamp of approval.

The +1 button can be added to websites and blog posts. When someone clicks on the button, they share the link and description on their Google+ profile, allowing it to be voted by their contacts again and possibly go viral through consequent votes.

“The next time your contacts search on Google, they could see your +1 (in their search results) along with your profile image. You’ll help them find the best stuff on the web,” posted Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Google. Google+ is focused on creating better ways for people to link, recommend and share online and on their mobile devices. Each time you click +1, you’re adding to the batch of interesting things you’ve found across the web.

Places where you’ll find the “+1″  button are Google search results and blog posts.  For example:
1. “+1″ share button on Studio blog post:

2. “+1″ button displayed on right side of a Google search result and Nanette Newbry’s profile image shown at bottom, “You +1′d this.”:

To read the previous post, click What is Google+? For assistance on using Google+, contact us.

Search Results Lost to “Roving” Businesses – Google’s Lead Generation Problem

With recent focus on search engine marketing and our post on SEO (search engine optimization), Studio 2055 found this latest challenge to Google interesting.

According to a recent New York Times article by David Segal, finding a locksmith in your town can lead you not to a local locksmith, but straight to trouble. As an example, Mr. Segal chose Seattle Washington to test the lead generation companies’ hold on the top spots in Google’s search engines. Typing in locksmith resulted in nearly 3,000 listings—while one local locksmith with a “real” business location, was lost in the shuffle. The others are not even located in the Seattle area; they are often faraway places—even overseas, using operators to field calls who in turn contact “roving” locksmiths with no real home base or “brick and mortar” business location.

Many of these lead generation companies have been sued by state attorneys general and several have shown up on TV sting operations (search You Tube for “locksmith scam” to see some examples). Is the local locksmith competition for these out-of-town locksmiths? You would think he would have a built-in local clientele. The truth is, if you type in “emergency locksmith Seattle” you will find as many as seven of them in the highly coveted Google Places spots, the ones which are accompanied with a Google map showing their location. The catch is, these companies use existing addresses, such as 24 Hour Speedy Emergency Service, a company that has an address that is the same as the King County Administration Building. Others, Mr. Segal discovered, are very vague or downright misleading if you call their 800 number and inquire as to their location: “We’re renovating” said a rep at Emergency On Guard Key Service.” “We’re a mobile service,” said a rep at 24/7 Emergency Locksmith. When Segal asked for more information, the operator hung up on him.

As a test, we typed in “Emergency Locksmith San Diego” and the initial result was a location downtown on Fifth Avenue in a restaurant. Type in “Encinitas Locksmith” and you get a similar result—about 30 locksmith companies that say they can dispatch a locksmith to your location—and list cities in Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

When reporter David Segal contacted Google, a spokesman told him that the company was aware of the gaming practices and claimed that Google had implemented several measures to combat the issue, including improving their spam-detection algorithms and working with the locksmith industry “to try to find solutions.”

It appears that locksmiths, as well as other service companies (roofing, carpeting and similar entities) have also discovered the value of lead generation sites on Google, crushing local businesses in the search results.

In one example, a “real” locksmith in Seattle noted that he went to a job where a woman told him “A young man came yesterday, quoted $49 to open my door, then drilled the lock, charged me $400 and left—and now I need a new lock.” The locksmith commiserated, saying, “I hear something like that almost every week.”

Google says it continues to fight back against such SEO tactics. David Segal searched for emergency locksmith Seattle the other day and only one Google Place result came up—instead of the previous seven prior to writing the article. The one that did pop up was a lead gen operation—24/7 Emergency Locksmith, which lists its address at a UPS Store. The woman who answered the phone, Segal reports, would say nothing about the company, or even where she was located.

It’s clear that this is an uphill battle for Google, but certainly more needs to be done to protect customers from these bogus and elusive lead gen companies.

At Studio 2055, clients are asking, “What’s Google+?” The new Google+ is a social web network built atop their empire of search engine technology, web tools and Android mobile phones.

Main competitor, Facebook, has approached it the other way – develop a social network and then build search technology. “As far as I see it, Google has a big lead in the technology” says Chris Berarducci, Senior Staff Engineer at Qualcomm.

What is Google+? Google+ is a public profile that is easy to create with a Google account. You can:

Example of Nanette Newbry's "Google+ Profile"

“We’d like to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to software,” posted Vic Gundotra, Senior Vice President, Engineering at Google.

While the technology is being introduced, we encourage you to get on board.

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Following this post will be What is the Google +1 button? and how to get the code for your website and blog posts.

Continued from “Getting Your Priorities Straight With E-mail Marketing”

E-mail marketing campaigns are maximized when paired with a robust e-mail list. One can send a great message but unless it is sent to people who are interested, it makes little difference. To build your e-mail list, use social media.

Target Your List
To build your e-mail list, take a look at the points online in which customers see your brand. Are they given “opt-in” opportunities to receive your newsletters, announcements, samples, trade show schedule or speaking events? These opt-in “call-to-action” opportunities can be links or buttons on website home pages, e-newsletters, blogs and inquiry response e-mails. They can also be on a company’s Facebook “Welcome” page or LinkedIn “Services” page.

Grow Your List
Don’t forget that once your e-mail marketing piece is sent, it can be “shared” by your readers – creating more readership and more opportunities for new subscribers. For this to happen, include social media icons in your e-mail and e-marketing correspondence. Below are “Share This” buttons at the top of LuminOre Inc.’s e-mail header.  The reader can instantly share the information with their contacts by simply clicking the social icons.

"Share This" buttons are included at top of e-mail header for LuminOre correspondence.

A continuation of this post will be titled, “5 Steps to E-mail Marketing Success.” For the previous article, visit “Getting Your Priorities Straight With E-mail Marketing.”

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More on the topic:
How Social Media Will Benefit Your Business

Don’t let this slip the marketing agenda – update your project profiles on your website!

For the most part, websites can be left to exist online without much attention, with the exception of updating new projects to your “Project Profiles” section. Updating this section is imperative to staying current in the eyes of your clients. A recent survey by Studio 2055 showed that the majority of click-throughs to client sites went to “current projects.” Website visitors are interested in your activity and the results.

Studio 2055 updated the “Project Profiles” section on Hope Engineering‘s website, resulting in up-to-date information for current and potential customers. The projects are categorically organized resulting in an intuitive navigation interface. Impressive professional photos illustrate the final projects.

What makes a great Project Profile page?

• Professional photographs of the completed project
• Clean design and intuitive user interface
• Categorically organized
• Project title, location and brief description including specs, materials and resources
• Include call-to-action button to “Contact us,” ”Get quote,” “Request proposal,” etc.

Example of Hope Engineering's "Project Profile" page.

Follow up:
Be prepared to follow-up with requests for more information from interested viewers. An automated e-mail response letter should be sent to anyone who wants more information.

Automated E-mail Response:
This e-mail response letter is an important sales tool and can be customized to support your sales team. For an example of a branded, sample e-mail response letter with links to custom data sheets that you can implement for your website inquiries, contact Studio 2055

For professional photography, contact Richard Dowdy via e-mail or 760.729.8205.

ArtSplash is an annual two-day, nonprofit, family event that promotes and benefits arts within the community. This year it was held September 24 & 25th in Carlsbad on Armada Drive, above the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

On Saturday, we saw some artists creating chalk art on the street while others made sand sculptures. Vendor booths offered food and artwork, and musicians played throughout the day. The proceeds from ArtSplash are distributed to supporting music and arts programs in Carlsbad’s schools.

We were captivated by the yo yo show by General-Yo’s team of professionals. Who knew? Studio 2055recommends going next year to support the arts in Carlsbad.