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Author Archives: Heather DeVine

Non-profits: Heart-centered Marketing Message

Posted on February 27, 2023 - 6:47 pm by

Heart-centered Marketing Message

I have a soft spot for non-profit organizations. I am in a unique position, both with experience working with non-profits marketing and as an Executive Director of a human services non-profit; there is much to learn and grow from sitting from both of those different perspectives.

Non-profit organizations are asked year after year: “what’s your ‘why’ and how will you show up to impact your community?” These questions are crucial because it keeps them on track and helps avoid mission creep. “Mission creep” is often used to caution against stepping too far beyond the organization’s mission statement. When non-profits remain focused, the impact can be so significant, measurable, and sustainable.

Non-profit Organizations with Heart

When I say “heart-centered,” I mean a genuine drive to connect and serve a need in the community.

Authentic non-profits with heart-centered messaging can magnetize supporters, donors, and volunteers to back their efforts. I attend workshops regularly, so I stay energized with how to connect to the community through the non-profit sector.

As a marketer, I am always curious about how to show up better and communicate the message effectively. Without the audience’s curiosity and willingness to adopt new pathways, we will most certainly miss significant opportunities. Ask yourself, “do I have a heart-centered marketing message?” Often I hear non-profits feeling that sense of stale messaging and the same old, same old, but the best way to avoid that stagnation in my mind is to have an outsider’s perspective. 

Just ask your audience

Also, do not hesitate to ask your audience what they need or want. Not one person will be a key to your success, but the community as a whole can grant insight. Ask them, “how can we serve you better?” That simple question can allow the community to share in their mind what they need, and you can benefit from their feedback so your organization can continually serve and adapt to the identified need.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

Albert Einstein

Random Acts of Kindness Week

The heart-centered work is timely, as Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 12-18) was just a few weeks ago. I have a soft spot for kindness campaigns myself. RAOK Week reminds all of us to be kinder every day. We don’t necessarily need an annual dedicated week, day, or month to be kind to one another. This little nudging reminder is just what many of us need.

I follow closely with national projects like Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and more localized efforts like Kindness Wyoming, which prioritize kindness. This is the second year I have participated in Kindness Wyoming’s Kit, where they send you ideas on how to show compassion for others. The kits are helpful and adaptable for households, workplaces, and classrooms. Now that’s what I call: heart-centered messaging!

Some takeaways:

  • Ask yourself: “why.”
  • Ask yourself: “how.”
  • Stay curious and keep learning – attend non-profit workshops
  • Be willing to adopt new pathways
  • Ask yourself: “do I have a heart-centered marketing message.”
  • Bring an outsider in to help gain a new perspective

This heart-centered messaging can pull in the interest from the community because that feel good connection can make all the difference. These tips also pertain to for-profit businesses because a business with heart, that’s always a good thing!

Human Behavior and Emotions, Thanks Brené Brown

Posted on February 18, 2023 - 2:45 pm by

Brené Brown is a great leader of our time who so elegantly puts words to human behavior and emotions. No matter how old we get we don’t seem to master our emotions. When it comes to emotions, we prefer burying it, judging it, brooding over them, and more. We simply don’t like to sit in discomfort.

I, too, am fascinated with human behavior because it better helps understand oneself and the relationships we hold. To better understand human behavior and emotions also helps to better connect with your audience. When people buy from business, they buy from people. When we recall our own humanity in our business we honor and acknowledge the humanity of our audience. There is so much to unpack at different stages of life and so many layers and complexity when having a shared human experience. We are all clumsy beings doing this human thing together (somehow).

Brené Brown Teaches that Vulnerability Leads to Courage

I listened to the Dare to Lead podcast recently and each time I find solid takeaways that can be applied to everyday life in both personal and in business. One topic that arose was being vulnerable leads to courage. We often think business means business, polished and presentable, no wrinkles, nothing personally shared, all and only business. But when we deny our humanity, deny we have a life outside of our business, we deny our very existence and complexity of self. That approach is unrelatable and cold. More businesses are storytelling of challenges, weaknesses and humility and that’s appealing. Our openness to learn and grow is enduring and attractive to our audience. We see ourselves in the businesses we do business with. We want to learn alongside them, we may get it wrong but then when we get it right, we want to celebrate together.

I was gifted Brené Brown’s new book Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. This book takes a deep dive into words we use to describe the eighty-seven emotions of the human experience. The words we use to describe our own behavior has been misguided in many cases. I have just scratched the surface of this book but already captivated by how much I can learn from her lifelong research so I may be more self-awareness in my own life and use her book as a way to navigate my own human emotions.

Emotions graphic, showing icons of all different colors with silly faces of the unique emotions
Kid feelings chart

Coming up Dry with Content Writing?

Posted on January 27, 2023 - 3:27 pm by

Are you having a dry spell?

It happens. Where trying to come up with new content can take time and effort. Are you coming up dry with content writing? Here are some excellent ways to help ignite inspiration in writing content for your business:

  • Tell a story out of the personal experience
  • Refocus on your goals – ask yourself what’s important to share to stay in alignment with your messaging
  • Utilize a subject you came across in your news feed and put your unique twist on it
  • Create Google Alerts – you’ll receive an email any time that particular keyword or keyphrase comes across the headlines (blog, articles, videos)
  • Revisit old content – rinse and recycle it like it’s new again!
  • Stay inspired – read a book, have a conversation, listen to a podcast, and let it sink in and inspire you!
List for content ideas from Transcend ideas. "Coming up dry with content writing? Tell a story, refocus on your goals, put your special twist on something, Google Alerts - use keyphrases on subjects of interest, revisit old content - rinse and recycle it."

Even this blog post helped me reignite some ideas for blog posts and social media posts in 2023! Jot down your content ideas and spread them out over time. Set a goal to share content with your audience, in order to keep engagement alive. They want to hear from you and what you have to share. Here are some ways to keep your content marketing flowing smoothly:

 Formula to Follow for Content Marketing

  1. Outline the subject matter with lists; everyone loves a good digestible list!
  2. Reference videos or audio to help your reader tie it all together (short form video “reel” or TikTok to touch on your key points)
  3. Short form writing (5-7 mins read), people are busy..
  4. Supportive graphics adapted for social media with Canva
  5. Use Grammarly to proofread your writing (God knows I need it)
  6. Reinforce your images with Alternative text to ensure your content is more accessible and strong captions for your posts but not too long, keep it short and sweet with CTA to read more and sign-up
  7. A clear CTA (call-to-action) at the end of the writing with what to do with this information they just read
  8. Automate your social media posts and reference to the content
  9. Use relevant hashtags but don’t overload on them
  10. Don’t shy away from 🔥emojis, if I’m writing on my desktop I utilize emojipedia.org

Get inspired: Inspiring podcast episode from NPR Life Kit that might help ignite some curiosity in your personal branding.

We all have times when we feel we are coming up dry with content writing. Get back into creating with some curiosity, have some fun, and speak authentically.

Stay tuned for more content that may help with your messaging.

Topics we cover: Marketing | Branding | Case Studies | People

Happy Every Day!

Posted on January 5, 2023 - 6:17 pm by

It’s 2023 – better later than never!

Every time a new year begins I feel optimistic for a better year ahead. I’m so humbled by ringing in our 2nd year as a small business. Every single year there are new things to learn, boundaries to set, and new positive habit forming. Because of this positive progress, I’m looking forward to happy every day! I’ve already attended two workshops having to do with goal setting and efficiency that have really brought forward a lot of great things to the surface.

Happy Every Day! Transcend Ideas Envision board for 2023

This year I envision a year with more rest, more boundaries, more time outdoors, play more, efficient working hours, more love, more taking care of myself, date night with my husband, more travel especially in our RV, steady workflow but not necessarily more work. (Digital vision board made with Canva)

Here’s to a new year as I enjoy my 39th year on the planet, going on 40!

Great resources to use to work more efficiently and to be happy every day:

  • Tomato Timer – Pomodoro
  • Asana
  • Time blocking
  • Passion Planner – this planner I used for the first time and it’s extensive but a great way to stay on track with your passions (your work and personal goals)
  • Playlist with “Focus” music/tunes – no lyrics, instrumental helps focus the mind on the task
  • Good old fashion lists – generate your lists per week, this helps put these to-do’s out in the open

Would you add anything to our list? What tools do you use to find happy every day? Schedule a time to get coffee with us and discuss, we can’t wait to hear from you!

ICYMI

Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance Case Study

Posted on December 29, 2022 - 2:58 am by

Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance has worked with Heather for many years. Heather has helped JH Nordic develop a strategy for the website, marketing messaging, graphic design, marketing strategy, and more. JH Nordic is a non-profit organization and a community-oriented resource designed to identify, map, describe, and share all the best trail information in the region. The amount of work is staggering that goes into preparing up-to-date trail information on the extraordinary Nordic skiing opportunities around us. JH Nordic, also, provides information on fat biking and snowshoeing in the Jackson Hole/ Teton Valley/Greater Teton region of Wyoming and Idaho.

JH Nordic hosts an Annual Community Event at Turpin Meadow Ranch. This year the event is going to be extraordinary. The event has been canceled two years in a row because of the COVID pandemic. On Sunday, January 8th, 2023 the event will be on! The event is family-friendly and brings people together who love Nordic skiing, fat biking, and snowshoeing. 

Community powered in a Shared Love

What makes JH Nordic so intriguing is the community that supports and feeds it with experience and enthusiasm! Our small town’s shared love and camaraderie of outdoor recreation is potent. It’s exciting to witness JH Nordic’s reach grow. The organization generates positivity and gratitude from every single patron affected by the organization’s service.

JH Nordic has been the go-to place to find trusted and accurate information on all things Nordic. This information includes details about grooming, daily trail reports, events, resources, featured profiles. The website includes profiles on the people that enrich the community, ask JH Nordic, and more.

Give them a follow on Instagram @jhnordic for a positive community of adventure and love for the outdoors.

Canva is a Business Lifesaver

Posted on December 2, 2022 - 5:29 pm by

If you are unfamiliar with Canva, let me help enlighten you. And if you already know about Canva, then you’ll be nodding your head in agreement with how much this platform is an ultimate business lifesaver.

I have worked on this platform for many years. I must say now I might as well be a spokeswoman for them. They have been THE tool I use for my supporting graphics for my clients and for my business and non-profit purposes. The free version I coasted on for years, and ever since I began my business, I knew I wanted to pay for Canva Pro that unlocked more features that make my creative flow that much easier.

My Top 10 Reasons you should be utilizing Canva:

  1. Branding your Canva experience – Hone your colors and fonts so you can utilize them with ease between design projects. Read this article and watch the video by Canva on brand building
  2. Draw inspiration from Canva templates – Templates are there to inspire your creation but be sure to change it enough, so it looks different from the template you began with. A regular Canva users can spot a template a mile away.
  3. Pull in Elements that would help compliment your graphic – Shapes, illustrations, photo frames, animated gifs, photo collages, etc.
  4. Keep colors consistent – Use the eyedropper; also, notice anything you uploaded in the canvas will pick up on the colors in your design; trust me a great feature you should take advantage of! Read the article and watch the video by Canva on your brand colors
  5. Share with your team – You can share your design templates with your team so they can review/modify as necessary.
  6. Animate!!!! – You can animate your whole design, change the duration of the animation, the animation effect, and you can even animate from one page to another to create a compelling story for your auidence.
  7. Alignment/centering – This might sound small, but if you don’t have your main elements centered, it can throw off the composition of the design. It takes more than dragging and clicking, it takes an eye too.
  8. Fonts! – There are so many to choose from, AND you can even upload your own fonts installed on your computer if you are still looking for a close resemblance in their font library. I will share what fonts to avoid in my opinion, so look out for that soon!
  9. Export & resize in so many different formats – pdf, jpg, png, gif, mp4, that support your use of the graphic or video. Resize your graphics for different purposes – social media, business cards, flyers, postcards/greeting cards, stickers, etc.
  10. Desktop AND App – Access to this design platform on your desktop and your app is an absolute gamechanger! This allows you to toggle between each device and post with ease.

Samples Designed by Transcend Ideas

People Spread Love Old Bill’s Fun Run (Insta Square)
GAP! Challenges Girls are Facing (Insta Square)
pARTners Old Bills Fun Run (Insta square)
Womxn Life Freedom (Insta Square)

Client graphics in use: Jackson Hole Fire and EMS, GAP!, pARTners, People Spread Love, Jackson Hole Nordic & Womxn Life Freedom.

Canva Custom Templates and Links to Purchase

I am excited to offer this new supporting graphics bundle to clients. Canva is a powerful tool that I use almost (not entirely) exclusively. To set yourself up for success for your business or non-profit, having custom-made templates ready to go is so crucial. You will have full access to these designs so you can “plug and play.” You will also obtain a training session with me. Links to this content can be purchased below.

If you need some convincing, let’s get some coffee to talk it out.
I’d be happy to send you an affiliated link to Canva so you too can be a part a solution that can generate connection through visuals for your small business or non-profit organization.

Did you know that non-profits Canva plans are FREE when registered? Apply now.

Interested in other platforms I love?
  • Adobe Creative Suite (I use this suite for larger design projects)
  • Google Workspace (Email, Sheets, Docs, Slides, Google Drive)
  • Grammarly (great grammar tool that can catch errors in your writing)
  • Asana (task manager)
  • Unsplash, Adobe Stock (stock photos)
  • WordPress (website build & management)
  • Jotform (3rd party form management)
  • Stripe (credit card processor)
  • GetEmoji.com (grab an emoji quickly and paste it into your content)
  • Wave Apps (bookkeeping application)

When You Shop Small You Support People

Posted on November 25, 2022 - 4:30 am by
Transcend Ideas Giveaway, Shop Small Support People

Let’s Celebrate Small Business Saturday

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 26th, and you’re encouraged to support the small businesses you know and admire. It could be your favorite Thai place, a gift shop, a magical massage therapist, a web designer, a dog groomer, a hairstylist, a favorite sandwich shop, or a coffeehouse. Wherever and whatever they sell or offer, they can not stand without your support. Shop small, support people.

The global pandemic was an indicator of how important the support of all of us has on the small business model, especially those that thrive as a brick-and-mortar establishments. So many small businesses had to pivot into a different model to survive the moment and the circumstance at our feet. Find more information about Small Business Saturday at the Small Business Administration site here.

Transcend Ideas small business starter pack
Transcend Ideas giveaway: post-it notes, sticker, business card & a special thank you from me!

Shop small business giveaway

Transcend Ideas is proud to offer a “Shop Small Business Giveaway” this Saturday.

Enter the giveaway by using Instagram or Facebook:

  • Take a photo/video of the item/service you purchased
  • Tag @transcendideas and the business you are supporting
  • Like our social media post and give @transcendideas a follow too

I will mail you stickers, post-it notes as a thank you by snail mail. You will be contacted by DM notifying you that you won.

When you do business with small businesses and shop small and support people.

Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?

Posted on November 8, 2022 - 11:12 pm by

I love this question because every business you see has a purpose that drives it forward. If that “WHY” isn’t asked regularly, the why may get lost in the hustle. Ask yourself:

“Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?”

If the answer doesn’t come right away, that’s okay. But keep in mind that when you can answer it immediately, you have a direct purpose in how you show up for your community. If you can’t answer that fundamental question, it may be best to take a beat and dig deeper.

You ought to audit your own business, so you don’t mission creep or grind without that purposeful “why” at the core of your offering. When we begin taking on aspects of our business that don’t align with our purpose we lose sight of that “why.” Maybe your why will shift and mature, and that’s also okay.

Here are some branching off purpose-driven questions to consider thinking about:

  • Who do you serve?
  • Why do you serve them?
  • What drives you to serve them?
  • What motivates you to continue serving them and others like them?
  • Are you asking your audience what they want and need so you can improve your work?
  • Do you feel fulfilled in helping your audience achieve in their business?
  • If not, why? And how can you shift that attitude?
  • Are you excited about the work you do and the serve you provide others?
  • Are you continually learning about your industry? Are you keeping that door open? Or have you closed that door to continual personal/professional growth?

Transcend Ideas – People Centered

Our brand, Transcend Ideas, in my mind, is purpose-driven because we serve small businesses and non-profits to amplify their meaningful message through branding and marketing strategy. What amplifying means to me is to tell their story. People’s stories are interesting. I began this company because I care about people and the communities they serve. I will continue to ask myself that significant “WHY” so I don’t lose sight as we learn and grow as a company.

The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.

Albert Schweitzer

Patagonia – Planet Earth Centered

Patagonia is a company that I had respected for a long time, even before their CEO, Yvon Chouinard recently announced a shift with Patagonia and their efforts to combat the climate crisis in a huge way. More explanation here. Patagonia has stood for sustainability since the company’s inception 50 years ago. They hooked me in when I realized they’d repair your gear if you mail them in, and if they can’t improve them, they will replace it with brand-new Patagonia gear all together.

Earth is now our only shareholder.

If we have any hope of a thriving planet—much less a business—it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is what we can do.

-Yvon Chouinard

Clubhouse Conversation:

Come join the conversation on Clubhouse, if you don’t have the App downloaded you can still listen to the conversation in your browser. You can listen back to this conversation if you missed it all together. I love to engage in conversation with people all over the country and the world as that’s when the richest conversations happen.

“Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?”

Monday, November 14th

at 11 am MST / 9 am EST

Listen to the Conversation

Traditional Marketing Ideas (Clubhouse/Spaces)

Posted on October 3, 2022 - 9:45 am by

I was in a Clubhouse room called: “Old School Marketing” and it blew me away how important going back to basics in your marketing truly is. Check out the next set of audio rooms I will be hosting on this very topic in the coming weeks. In the meantime here are some ideas to stew on..

Traditional Marketing Ideas:

In no particular order of course, but consider these ideas to implement:

  • Word-of-mouth
  • Schedule a cup of coffee or lunch with a work colleague, even your competition to discuss business
  • Mailers
  • Handouts (flyers, rack cards, business cards)
    • Pin up in bulletin boards! – Make a list of these locales that accept those physical marketing tools
  • Stickers (clever approach – catchphrase, coolness)
  • Showing support for a charity/nonprofit organization
    • A certain % of sales goes to charity in a certain time frame
    • Sponsor an event or a sport in your town/city
  • Join the Chamber of Commerce – make connections, take advantage of ALL they offer you!
  • Contests for all ages (art, name mascot, etc.)
  • Handwritten thank you notes
  • Thank you gifts for your bigger clients
  • Exclusive sales to your most loyal customers
  • Holiday cards
  • Networking
  • In-person events – Hold in-person workshops (educate, inform, engage – build trust)
  • Community calendars for events you are hosting
  • Print ads in local newspapers
  • In-store signs (sandwich boards)
  • Takeaways: Bumper stickers, stickers, branded water bottles
  • Name tags – custom name tags, wear your logo and name (perhaps pronouns too) to remind people what you are about!
  • Movie theatre ads – Slides or videos of local businesses
  • Post-it notes – custom couple with your business card (good leave behinds)
traditional marketing ideas

Photo by Marissa Grootes on Unsplash

“Create social proof through that localize medium!”

Heather Cox
traditional marketing ideas

“Tried and True” Marketing Ideas

Going back to the “tried and true” methods of marketing can be just what you needed to revitalize your connection with your audience. I am all for digital marketing, it’s predominately what I do but there is something to be said for that personal touch to make a connection. When we build relationships we are developing trust and communicating and we can’t always lean into digital technology to do that.

These marketing ideas are meant to be approached “in tandem” with digital marketing! Don’t discount the basics and ask yourself what you can you use in Q4 and what could you utilize in your marketing strategy for 2023.

Join the Traditional Marketing Ideas Conversation

Join Heather for a Clubhouse Room AND Twitter Spaces on “Old School Marketing Ideas.” All conversations will be recorded so you can listen in at a later time to learn a bit here and there. We will not be focusing on digitally marketing.

Clubhouse
“Old Skool Marketing for Biz and Nonprofits”
Wed, Oct 19th at 11:15 am MDT

Listen to the Replay

Twitter Spaces
“Old Skool Marketing”
Wed, Nov 2 at 11:30 am MDT

Join Twitter Spaces