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Tag: small business

Canva AI Apps: Canva Bulk Create

Posted on March 11, 2024 - 9:00 am by

Our team is blown away at all the new apps that have come available in the past year on their site. Canva has unleashed the potential of artificial intelligence with content creation and it is a blast to work with! Enjoy this simple tutorial we’ve put together to show how you can increase your efficiency as a marketer and create content at a rapid pace by mass-creating bulk posts with the Canva AI Tool “Bulk Create” + ChatGPT.

Bulk Create Tutorial

1. Make your request to ChatGPT for how many posts / tips you’re needing.

I requested a list of 25 Nordic ski tips to enhance performance on the snow.

2. Ask ChatGPT to please arrange tips in a table.

Organize the table where [SAMPLE] as column 1, [SAMPLE 2] as column 2 as instructions for ChatGPT, etc. Copy and download the content as CSV or Copy/Paste it directly into Canva. (I used this query to return table for Nordic tips – Can you arrange the tips in a table where [TIP] is the tip number and first column, [Description] is the tip and second column, and [SUMMARY] is the longer description of the tip from above?)

3. Open Canva, navigate to Apps, Search “Bulk Create.”

It asks to upload a CSV or manual upload. I just copy and paste the columns I’m using right into the wizard. Scroll to bottom of table and hit OKAY. Hit Purple ‘Continue’ button on Bulk Create pane of Canva. (Bottom left screen once you’ve added your excel columns).

4. Now we are going to connect each of your columns to a different area of your Canva template/design.

The columns Canva recognized from my excel columns were “Tips” (Tip #), “Description”, and “Summary”. Now, right click on the element on your canva design you want a certain column to show up in. I wanted the tip number to be at the top – so I clicked/created the text box at the top, right click, and hit “Connect to Data”. This will show one of your recognized columns. Once you select your preferred column, it will show the textbox as a variable. Connect the other two columns to your data by right clicking on each of those text box elements.

5. Generate tips within the template.

Hit continue. You can choose which of the tips to create now from your excel or to create all pages. Once you click generate, all pages will generate in a different window. You can adjust sizing of text/other small adjustments for each before or after you generate the bulk pages.

6. You can schedule posts to connected apps

Schedule posts for FB or Instagram directly from Canva. Since we (Transcend Ideas) manages multiple client accounts we export the files either on our desktop or phone and schedule within our scheduling platform.

Bonus: An extra interesting use of Bulk Create is that can run this AI tool with multiple pages within one design file. That allows you to choose from your favorite formats. I recommend using different variations so your feed isn’t so redundant.

Bulk Create is made for everyone and any small business! Are you a fan of the new Bulk Create capability on Canva? Let us know! Contact Transcend Ideas today if you’d like to learn about Canva doing some heavy lifting for your business!

Why Your Brand Needs a ‘Brand Book’

Posted on February 20, 2024 - 9:00 am by
Transcend Ideas - Brand Book

In today’s competitive business landscape, establishing a strong and consistent brand identity is crucial for success. One effective tool that can help you achieve this is a ‘Brand Book.’ If you’re unfamiliar with this concept, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Many brands and businesses have yet to create one. However, investing time and effort into developing a Brand Book can save you valuable resources in the long run and significantly boost your organizational efficiency.

As we enter 2024, it’s the perfect time to prioritize organization and streamline your brand.

What is a Brand Book?

Brand book - photo stock

A Brand Book is a document or file that concisely captures and visually presents the key characteristics of your brand. It serves as a centralized resource containing essential elements such as logos, alternative logo versions, brand icons, fonts, color palettes, taglines, and other distinctive traits specific to your brand. These resources are valuable references when creating various materials for your business, acting as a personal recipe book for maintaining brand consistency.

Why Does Your Business Need to Define Brand Guidelines?

Brand consistency is key to building a strong and recognizable brand. A Brand Book plays a vital role in achieving this.

By having one, you can ensure that all branded materials created throughout your business’s lifespan adhere to a consistent visual and tonal identity. It also facilitates collaboration with external partners, such as graphic designers and writers, by providing them with a clear framework to work from. This not only saves time but can also reduce costs. Additionally, having all the components of your brand compiled in one place fosters a shared understanding of your brand’s essence among everyone involved.

How to Make a Brand Book

If you have a professional designer working on your logo and branding, you can request a Brand Book as part of their deliverables. However, if you haven’t done so, don’t worry. Creating your own is entirely feasible, regardless of your brand’s stage of development.

The preferred format for a Brand Book is a portfolio-style packaged PDF. The length will depend on the unique characteristics of your brand. It could be as concise as a single page or extend to dozens of pages. Consider including the following brand information:

  • Cover
  • Table of Contents (for larger organizations)
  • Brand History
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Mission
  • Values
  • Logo and its different variations (refer to this helpful resource for guidance on what to include in your logo package)
  • Icon
  • Color palette (include swatches of each brand color along with their RGB and Hex codes)
  • Typography (primary and secondary fonts, including style variations like bold and italic)
  • Photos that encapsulate your brand (could be presented in a mood board)
  • Voice (tone of voice for written deliverables concerning your brand)
  • Taglines
  • Website (including address)
  • Social media handles, platforms used, and potentially some information on your brand’s social media strategy

By investing time and effort into creating a comprehensive Brand Book, you’ll be equipping your business with a powerful tool for maintaining brand consistency and ensuring a strong and recognizable brand presence in the market.

Looking for support as you pull in items for brand identity? Reach out to our team for support today in creating a brand book!

JH Nordic Annual Event 2024 Case Study

Posted on February 12, 2024 - 6:00 am by

Transcend Ideas is proud to continue our partnership with JH Nordic. We are proud to support their mission to improve winter trails access, education, and stewardship in the Teton. The Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance Annual Free Ski, Snowshoe, and Fat Bike Day event has become a favorite tradition for families and the community to come together to celebrate winter recreation in the Tetons. We are proud to have provided the illustration and marketing for the 2024 event this year.

JH Nordic Annual Free Ski, Snowshoe, Fatbike Day at Turpin Meadow Ranch

Transcend Ideas was proud to support the goal to provide education and increase awareness and community around winter trails use in the Tetons for visitors and locals alike.

  • Our team generated an illustrated vintage-style poster reminiscent of skiing and days spent on winter trails from the past. This appeals emotionally to viewers of both the physical and digital marketing campaigns.
  • Digital graphics were created for social media as a 10 day countdown to increase excitement and engagement online. A consistent digital presence promoting attendance at the 6th Annual Free Ski, Snowshoe, and Fatbike Day supported the success of the event.

Visit the JH Nordic website to learn more about all things winter trails and grooming in the Tetons.

Learn more about how Transcend Ideas can help with strategy and marketing behind your non-profits next big community event!

Create Responsibly

Posted on January 29, 2024 - 10:30 am by

The Tetons beckon all to come. 

In this healing place, how do you #createresponsibly when promoting and generating content about the outdoor spaces we love while protecting them from overuse?

Responsible stewardship is the goal of all who live in the surrounding areas of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and sharing that deep commitment with others is an idea we want to resonate.

The top 6 tips for Creating Responsible Content from recreateresponsibly.org include:

Know before you go

Connect with land managers about permit requirements, weather, and local guidelines well in advance. Permits may be required and take time to process. Check for weather and hazards prior to arrival. Consider “under-visited” locations to limit your impact.

Plan and Prepare

The outdoors can be a high risk environment with conditions that quickly change. Consider terrain & arrange adequate transporation. Know and understand drone “no fly zones.” Try to film near your vehicle(s). Bring plenty of water and safety equipment.

Build a Safe and Inclusive Outdoors

Inspire others to see themselves in that space. Historically, access to the outdoors has been inequitable – we can change that. Consider the historic inhabitants of the land. Showcase all backgrounds and abilities, embrace different meanings of “outdoors”, celebrate the many ways people connect with nature.

Respect Others

Minimize impacts to others’ outdoor experiences. Avoid blocking trails, vistas or byways. Give space to people recreating or working. Think about how your presence impacts the space, try to blend in with the landscape if possible.

Leave No Trace

Respect the land, water, wildlife, and native and local communities. Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles. Always avoid sensitive habitats, Consider the impact of disclosing specific locations, use your art to educate; showcase responsible use.

Make it Better

Inspire others to respect, care for, and desire to nurture our outdoor spaces. Depict reasonable recreation in action – and behind the scenes. Provide characters with attributes that tie work, play, or culture to the outdoors. Create behind the scenes content to celebrate your backdrop and sustainable practices.

A Few More Tips to Create Responsibly for the Greater Yellowstone Area

“Tag Responsibly Jackson Hole” geotag

The Jackson Hole geotag, created for use on Instagram, was created to prevent overpopulation on trails. Grand Teton is stunning and a treasure. It’s important to not over share trails or wildlife locations to protect the places we all love.

Accurate information

Always be sure to research information on local hikes, water and recreation areas prior to sharing information. Well-informed visitors make better decisions than those not aware of all risks with recreating in any local or national park area.

Responsible sharing

Be sure to be aware of and not violate National Park laws. In Yellowstone, be sure not to step off or past the boardwalks or into thermal pools. In both Grand Teton and Yellowstone, be sure to not fly drones inside of park boundaries.

We’ve taken the pledge to #createresponsibly and we hope you will, too! Creating content that inspires and captures the spirit of the Tetons is important and so is protecting our wild spaces. Thank you for the work you do to respect the national park spaces we call home. Contact Transcend Ideas for help on your next creative project that takes place in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.

Non-Profit Storytelling as a Catalyst For Change

Posted on December 12, 2023 - 5:46 pm by
Transcend Ideas - Nonprofit storytelling as a catalyst for change graphic

Non-profits ignite transformation in our communities. From championing and overcoming food insecurity and poverty to resolving inequality, protecting women’s and minority rights, to creating endless innovative solutions to help curtail these and other social problems that isolate our communities and us from each other. How does storytelling play a pivotal piece in the puzzle of social issues?

Complex problems require a lot of resources and a lot of brainpower to overcome. How is it possible to create enough of a wave of excitement to generate action from viewers or your community? How do you pierce someone emotionally to the point where they feel they have to support your brand by volunteering or donating to your cause?

Storytelling. The power of the underdog and the tale-as-old-as-time triumph of the Cinderella story is what motivates viewers to send money your way. If they connect with your brand emotionally – you could have a recurring donor long-term. If you can replicate this type of reaction on a large scale, you could have the funding to make a difference with your organization.

Here are a Few Tips for Effective Storytelling with your Non-profit

Build a community

Building a community that everyone relates to requires empathy, curiosity, research, and patience. Take the time to lean into what the true goals of your nonprofit are and find a consistent way to share this message in a way that will rally others to join your cause.

Start a Conversation

Why should people be passionate about your organization? What is the problem? Can you back up your position with statistics and numbers? These are all questions you have to approach as you look at your non-profit marketing plan. Take to social media and introduce people to the social problem your non-profit is approaching and ask them their thoughts. Conversations get people curious. Starting a conversation in an interesting and creative way is a great way to get peak engagement.

Transcend Ideas - nonprofit image of food and medicine labelled boxes

Stay Curious and Strengthen Your Non-profit Messaging

Gather the Stories and Impact of Your Organization on a Blog

Gathering resources, funding, and volunteers is no small task. A great way to maintain a consistent stream of content that reaches the public and aligns with your brand values is to create blog content. Your blog can empower viewers to stand up and take action with you. How do you write in a way that moves people? Blogging is a powerful way to bring new eyes to your website and introduce your mission consistently. Google website crawlers are constantly looking over your site for new content that can be indexed. Do you have the chops to cut through with a message that resonates? 

Hit their Pain Points

Make me feel something. That’s what every internet and social media user is looking for in less than 10 seconds. How do you relate to and make someone feel involved with your mission so quickly?

Polish your Writing Tone

Find ways to use messaging in a succinct way that hits on the base instincts of self-preservation and security, creating connections, generating social change, and harnessing creativity. Utilizing these types of call-to-action messages will be most effective in getting the engagement and attention you need.

Tell the Truth

Nothing makes an impact quite like a true story. Whether it be a testimonial from someone who benefitted from your organization or a harrowing story that encourages viewers to stand up and take action. Always protect the privacy of those you receive stories from and be mindful of how to use their stories to enlist help and create an impact with your non-profits.

According to Non-profit Source, non-profits that effectively use storytelling in their fundraising efforts have a donor retention rate of 45% compared to 27% for organizations that do not focus on storytelling. Storytelling fosters a stronger emotional connection with donors and encourages them to stay committed to the cause.

Effective and powerful storytelling, additionally, brings increased donor retention, higher fundraising success, greater engagement on social media, enhanced volunteer participation, improved email response rates, building trust and transparency, humanizing the organization, and more.

Non-Profit Tech for Good Resources

Non-Profit Tech for Good is one of our favorite resources for learning about the best tools for non-profits. These help make a big difference with their webinar series. These tools and organization tips allow your non-profit message to penetrate through the distracting messages of other organizations. These same organizations are vying for the time, attention, and money of other potential donors.

Non-profit messaging appeals to the compassionate nature of our communities. Taking the time to dig deep and harness the message you want to send out to the community will come back to your nonprofit in leaps and bounds. We hope we’ve shared some ideas on how you can make some small adjustments to your nonprofit to make a big impact in attracting others to your cause.

Transcend Ideas is passionate about supporting our local non-profits. Let’s get coffee and discuss how we can promote your mission in an effective and engaging way!

The Power of QR Codes in Small Business

Posted on November 7, 2023 - 2:06 pm by
Let's Get Coffee graphic with cup of coffee in QR code for Transcend Ideas

As polarizing as they were, the pandemic-era menus at restaurants deserve credit for the revival of the QR code. Before 2020, this technology was declining, but the need for contact-free options ushered in a new era of creative QR code use within marketing. As the global QR code labels market is projected to grow by an additional 5.6 percent by 2026, exceeding $1 billion, it’s clear that they’re here to stay.

Rightfully so, as it turns out QR codes are an effective marketing tool for business owners. As nearly half of the global population owns a smartphone, most of these devices now come with built-in QR code scanning capabilities, eliminating the need for external apps that used to hinder their functionality. This is a positive development for QR code implementation since they are specifically made for mobile users.

Transcend Ideas - scan QR code for menu image

Why should you use QR codes in your small business?

  1. Connecting Print and Digital Marketing: QR codes provide a seamless link between your print materials and digital content.
    • Information-Rich Design: You can pack more information into your materials without clutter, maintaining an appealing design while delivering valuable content.
    • Enhanced Design Flexibility: QR codes allow for various design options while ensuring brand consistency. Allowing you to choose custom colors, and designs, and incorporate your own logo. 
  2. Targeted Calls to Action: Drive specific customer actions and direct them to relevant web links with ease, breaking through the digital noise.
  3. Efficient Customer Navigation: QR codes facilitate streamlined processes, connecting customers to services like Wi-Fi or customer intake forms effortlessly.
  4. User-Friendly and Cost-Effective: They are easy to implement and budget-friendly, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes.
  5. Data Tracking: QR codes are a valuable tool for tracking customer behavior and collecting analytics data, providing insights for informed marketing strategies.

Did you say Data?

As it turns out, QR codes gather rather useful analytics for businesses through their data-tracking abilities. With services like Qr-code-generator.com by .bitly, you are privy to a CSV report that offers insight; into total QR scans, the geographic location of those scans, the device, and the time the scan was made. These data specs can help business owners pinpoint the effectiveness of marketing efforts.

QR Code Ideas?

One of the many benefits of using QR codes in your marketing strategy is the flexibility they provide, allowing you to customize a highly effective strategy for your business. Given the numerous possibilities, this may seem overwhelming. Here is a list to start as you look to implement QR Codes for your business:

  1. Business Card: Create a QR code that links to a digital business card. This is especially useful in networking scenarios when you don’t have a physical business card on hand.
  2. Social Media: Restaurants, for instance, can place a QR code on their menus, allowing customers to access their social media channels instantly.
  3. Feedback: Implement a QR code on your printed materials to provide clients with a direct way to share their feedback or reviews.
  4. Website: Guide clients directly to your website, where they can find a comprehensive overview of your business concept.
  5. Location: Simplify the process of locating your business by linking a QR code to Google Maps or Waze for easy directions.

We hope our insights have inspired you to explore QR code marketing in your business endeavors. To begin creating your own customized QR codes, you can turn to various software providers. At Transcend Ideas, we favor Qr-code-generator.com! 😃

Does your team need help expanding the reach of your marketing campaigns and business? Let Transcend Ideas take some of the load off and help put QR codes to work for you! Schedule a time to get coffee with us at this link and let’s chat business!

Enhance Your Site Security With These Simple Steps

Posted on October 26, 2023 - 12:34 pm by
Security for your business graphic Transcend Ideas

When we think of organizations that need site security we often think of big corporations like Amazon, Target, or Netflix—websites that are visited by millions of people each day and hold important user information. However, small businesses and nonprofits need to take the right steps to help keep confidential data away from hackers.

Smaller organizations also have an obligation to keep clients’ online credit card payments, social security numbers, and other personal data safe. No one wants their personal information to fall into the wrong hands. But smaller organizations sometimes struggle to protect their site because of the complexities of site security. Although you may want to hire someone to help you if online security seems too complicated for you, we thought we’d share some simple ways you can help yourself today!

With or without extra help, a “hacker-free” website is impossible. However, you can improve your website security and follow basic guidelines to deter hacking. Take a look at our guidelines to see where you’re vulnerable and how to fix it.

Create strong passwords and update them regularly

A lot of hacking-related breaches occur because of weak passwords or passwords that are rarely updated. Use a password generator to create a stronger password that is long, uses upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. This can sometimes be a pain, but it’s worth it for the extra security!

If you choose a password instead of using a password generator, don’t pick words or numbers that are predictable like your name, phone number, address, or birthday. A hacker could do a quick background check on you and find this information within minutes.

Another pro tip when it comes to passwords? Use a different password for each platform. Your bank, QuickBooks software, Amazon account, Instagram login, and business website should use completely different passwords.

If you aren’t running a business solo, remind your employees to change their passwords every three months or sooner.

Site Security image

Keep Your Software and Plugins Up-To-Date

This is an easy fix and doesn’t require you to be a computer whiz. Updates exist to fix vulnerabilities in the software and therefore enhance security.  

When your website’s software and applications aren’t up-to-date, you leave your whole website at risk. As soon as you see a request for a software or plugin update, don’t ignore it but follow the instructions as soon as you can! Take care of it right away and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your website is more secure.

Be Cautious When Using Public Wifi

Whether you popped into a coffee shop to work remotely for a few minutes, or you’re using the public internet at an airport, use extreme caution and take preventive measures.

  •  Verify that the network you’re connecting to is the public network. Ask someone in charge or look for signs that mention wifi.
  • Don’t enter or access sensitive information. Avoid anything where you need to access bank information, use a username and password, enter a social security number, etc.
  • Never store credit card details to any account—even if it’s the convenient thing to do!

What if you really need to do work on your computer while you’re out and about? Instead of connecting to public wifi, use your hotspot.

Now You Can Take Your Site Security to Another Level

After you’ve completed those simple steps to keep your site secure, you can take it up a notch. You can either educate yourself and implement more security measures on your own, or you can work with a professional to advise you on the latest and most effective security tools.

Want to do everything on your own but don’t know where to start? Make sure you prioritize these security measures

  1. Install Security Socket Layer (SSL) certificates
  2. Back-up Your Website
  3. Use an Effective Anti-Malware Program
  4. Implement the Right Content Management System (CMS)
  5. Use Website Security Testing Tools

Don’t fall prey to hackers this year! Keep your website secure, your clients’ information confidential, and you’ll have more peace of mind while your business thrives.

If thinking about website security sends you into a panic, call Transcend Ideas today! Our team is happy to provide thorough security testing on your site and ensure that you and your customer’s information remain safe from hackers. Let’s get coffee and chat about your options!

Create Your Holiday Marketing Plan

Posted on September 20, 2023 - 5:16 pm by
Holiday Marketing Plan with holiday decor

Summer’s come to an end and shorts and sandals are being replaced with jeans and boots. It may seem a little silly to already be thinking about a holiday marketing plan— didn’t summer JUST end? But believe it or not, now is the PERFECT time to get ahead when it comes to the holidays. 

Holiday season has a tendency to sneak up on you. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years seem so far in the future. Before you know it, snowflakes will be falling and the busyness of the holidays will be in full swing. Want to avoid unnecessary stress and burnout this holiday season? Check out our helpful holiday marketing tips and get ahead of the game!

Prioritize Your Holiday Marketing Plan

Brainstorm: Start as soon as you can to brainstorm a holiday marketing plan and put it into place. Holiday sales tend to bring in about 20% of annual sales across most industries. It’s the time of year where a strong marketing plan can bring your business to the top of the competition. Plus, who doesn’t want to end 2023 with a bang?

Your brainstorming session should be where you bring efficiency and creativity together. 

Ask for help: Seek out innovative yet reliable marketing plans. Your employees as well as other experts in your industry may have some insight that you didn’t realize you need. Or perhaps you’re friends with an owner of a business very different from yours. You can still bounce ideas off of each other.

Reflect on Your Past Marketing Plans

One of the first steps of an effective marketing plan is to research your own company. Sounds weird? It’s not! 

Use historical data to determine if you overspent or underspent on anything last year (we’re talking money or time).

  • Did you host an event? If so, how effective was it? 
  • Did you create a coupon? If so, how many coupons were used?
  • Did you write a blog? If so, how many people read it?
  • Did you update your website? If so, how much more traffic is it seeing?
  • Did you use social media last year? If so, have your followers increased/do they engage with your material?

Take a closer look at how you’ve been conducting your previous holidays marketing strategies and see what really worked and what could use some extra TLC.

Create a Holiday Offer

Pick a campaign theme and run with it! Each year you should reflect on what you want this holiday season and what your organization or business can provide people. Each year may be drastically different or have subtle nuances. Either way, your holiday campaign should be designed with flavor! Have fun with it. Your campaign is designed around your holiday offer.

Establish a Goal for the Holiday Season

A clear and attainable goal is one of the cornerstones of a great marketing strategy. A goal is not a hope. It’s an objective that you’ve written down and will pursue. Writing down your goal keeps you accountable to it in the future.

Your goals should be SMART – Specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. 

Collect $75,000 in donations for ____ charity by December 25, 2023.

Generate 2,000 leads who are interested in our black friday sale by November 22, 2023.

Host 250 participants at the annual _____ event on December 31st, 2023. 

You goals could focus on one or multiple categories:

  • Revenue
  • Awareness
  • Leads
  • Shares
  • Conversion

Define Your Target Audience

Who are you trying to attract and who do you already attract? Gather as much information about your target audience as possible. 

Reflect on your target audience:

  • Do they like to shop in stores or online?
  • Do they consume social media on instagram or facebook?
  • What’s their age demographic?
  • Are you catering to a high-end consumer or more of the middle class?
  • Are they locals, tourists, or a mix of both?

When you truly understand your target audience, you understand the best ways to engage them.

Leverage the Right Marketing Channels

After looking at your target audience and writing down your goals this holiday season, you need to determine which marketing channels are best for you. 

Marketing is EVERYWHERE these days. Make sure that you’re emphasizing quality over quantity. (Quantity isn’t bad, just make sure that the quality is the priority!) Ask industry experts what they use, take a short class on the latest marketing channels, and be creative.

You may want to optimize these marketing channels:

  • Website
  • Email 
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Newspaper Ads
  • Online Reviews
  • Word of mouth
  • Paid Advertising 
  • Radio
  • Chamber of Commerce listing
  • Sponsorships
  • Community calendars
  • Flyers/Posters

 Create Your Marketing Calendar

This is an exciting new step! All of your planning and preparation come together in your marketing calendar. 

This calendar reminds you of holidays and important nation-wide events such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Small Business Saturday. You can even include other celebrations or noteworthy days like Native American Heritage Month, World Mental Health Day, Daylight Savings, World Coffee Day, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Winter Solstice, or a sporting event.  

Plus, this calendar reminds you to release a new promotional video, run a new ad, print and hang a community flier, or post a story on instagram.

No matter what industry you’re in, you NEED a marketing calendar to keep everything straight.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

Delegate tasks to keep everything organized and running smoothly. Most of the time, you can’t do everything—and that’s okay!

If an employee is extremely detail oriented and good with numbers—have them order merchandise or supplies.

Do you have an employee is a social butterfly? Encourage them to meet with your advertisers or plan a social event.

Is there an employee who loves to read—have them research your target audience.

Optimize the strengths of others! 

Avoid the Biggest Holiday Marketing Plan Mistakes

Now that we’ve discussed what you SHOULD do, let’s quickly go over what you SHOULDN’T. 

  1. Only focus on one marketing strategy – this will drastically limit your reach. It’s okay to have one larger marketing strategy but just make sure that it’s not your only one.
  2. Last minute planning – start early! Last minute planning will stress you out and hurt your outcomes.
  3. Not optimizing your mobile site – You need to be accessible online. Like it or not, that’s how the world runs these days. Focus on your online presence and you will reap the rewards.
  4. Ineffective customer service – Be available and fully staffed during the busy holiday season. Customer service can make or break any business. Monitor social media engagement and consider implementing a live chat feature on your website.
  5. Not staying local – One way to stand out is to have a personalized touch to your organization—don’t underestimate the power of your local audience.

The Bottom Line

Design your holiday marketing plan to boost your brand awareness and meet your goals. It’s that simple. Position your brand above others, attract new customers, and keep your loyal ones. Make it great, make it you!

Do you need holiday marketing solutions and don’t know where to start? Schedule a time to grab a coffee and learn how Transcend Ideas can help take the load off this holiday season and provide marketing solutions for your company.

Dear Canva, I LOVE you!

Posted on July 6, 2023 - 11:07 am by

A quick geek out over Canva!

This is a geek out blog post about Canva. If you haven’t guessed, I love the platform and what they provide businesses. Their platform continues to amaze me and what you can do with it. How may I count the ways.. I love you, Canva!

SVG Magic in Branding Your Business

DeLacy Tea Company – SVG rosehips

Let’s begin with SVGs, which stands for: Scalable Vector Graphics.
This handy-dandy format allows for your vector files to be colorized before your eyes. That’s right. Exactly how you can pull an element from Canva and change out a color to your liking? I recently designed something for Mariel’s DeLacy Tea Company. Delacy Tea Company wanted to utilize the rosehips element on different tea labels. Each label needing to be a different color, so making a couple of elements she can then colorize in Canva was huge! An important tip for Illustrator/vector designers: make sure the vector is completely closed so the element can be colorized effectively in Canva. For this sample of their rosehips (right), I had the lines in the leaves transparent and not white so that the rosy color or any color of their choosing can stand out on a contrasting background.

There are some smaller businesses that need to be able to “play” with their logo and with this versatility it allows for a business owner to take it upon themselves to make necessary changes on their own.

From now on, when I package my client’s graphics and hand them over, SVGs will be on that checklist of elements that are an absolute must. Exporting elements for your clients that can be the most useful allows them to move freely in their brand without constraints. All too often clients have shared stories where they are left hopeless with ownership over their own logo files, domain names, hosting for their website, access to their social media platforms, etc. All forthcoming topics I will happily share in our blog.

Some Canva templates provided for marketing campaigns:

Happy Holidays from JH Fire/EMS
People Spread Love Old Bill’s Fun Run (Insta Square)
TCWP Spray Days (Email Newsletter header)
People Spread Love Old Bill’s Fun Run (Insta Square)

Bravo goes back to Canva, an Australia-women owned business. Canva has revolutionized graphic design for so many ambitious dreamers. Now design is accessible to anyone that wants to build a business with the help of their design platform. I couldn’t be more excited to recommend them to anyone who works in design or wants to dabble in it.

Canva Custom Template Offerings