Ask Mr. Marketing

I’d like to encourage you to be increasingly vigilant about the shysters, scam artists, and other nefarious efforts to separate you from your hard-earned money.

Leaving a conversation holding something tangible can significantly improve someone remembering you and wanting to do business with you. If you have a business card that is both branded and memorable, you’re more likely to stand out in someone’s mind when they’re relaxing, organizing or considering a purchase.

Picking up the vases two days ahead of deadline, I spotted a typo, sending us into crisis management mode. New blank vases were ordered, shipped overnight from New York, and scheduled to arrive the day of our event.

Don’t be afraid of trying new things. Sometimes, achieving success just takes a little time. Because you never know who may want to buy from you if they know how to find you.

Business plans help startups (in particular) stay focused, providing a foundation for long-term success, guiding important decisions and anticipating challenges. Here are 8 benefits every business will get from having one in place.

Many creative types sell their work for a pittance for fear of scaring off buyers. They equate someone liking their work with liking them, have difficulty determining the value of their time and don’t mind losing money.

Pretty silly, huh?

I strongly suggest leaving graphics design to the professionals so that everyone can focus on what they do best. Yet for those who still insist on doing it themselves, here are 20 design blunders that scream “Amateur!”

Do you want to design your sales materials to avoid having to pay someone else? Are you thinking you can just use Canva or another design app? Just recognize you’re spending valuable time on something you’re probably not good at.