Sunday, November 29, 2015

HOLIDAY FREEBIE: Letter to Santa Letterhead


Every child is excited to write their very own letter to Santa! Simply print our Letter to Santa Letterhead and have your child begin writing their letter!  It’s perfect for adding to those milk and cookies for Santa!  Then, keep the letter as a special keepsake!

NOTE: Preview image will appear in low resolution, but will print in high resolution. 

www.daviesdesigns.net

Sunday, November 22, 2015

3 Simple Mistakes Every Startup Should Avoid Early On


3 Simple Mistakes Every Startup Should Avoid Early On

Crystal Davies l November 22, 2015 

 

With competition becoming fiercer than ever, launching a successful startup is getting trickier. Competition is part of the reason that 90% of startups fail. Despite this bleak statistic, there are still simple ways to get ahead of the competition; but it means taking advantage of EVERY opportunity early on as they are the most crucial.

 

Three simple mistakes to avoid:

 

1.    Ignoring your weaknesses

You know you have an awesome service to sell – you’re an expert at it. People have told you and maybe they’ve even suggested that you start your own business. So here you are - you’ve decided you’re going to do it - you’re going to start your own business…now what? If you don’t have a clue where to start, don’t pretend you do. Get help, do your research, and invest, to get the plan you need to succeed. If you’re not confident with your business model or business processes, your potential new customers will sense it. Why should they have confidence in your services if your business model is shaky? The hard truth is, they won’t and they’ll go elsewhere. Making sure you have a sound business model puts you ahead of other startups offering the same services because you communicate your company message with confidence.

 

2.    Buying cheap business cards

There, I said it. It’s often the elephant in the room when it comes to making a first impression. You talked a great game and now it’s time to hand over that tiny piece of marketing collateral that makes a bigger impression than most people realize. You had that potential client sold until they saw your business card. Its cheap paper from one of those “we print a billion cards a day for next to nothing” vendors and the client knows it. Don’t get me wrong, those cards have a time and a place, but when your business depends on every impression, this is one you definitely need to make the most of.

 

3.    Being cheap when setting up essential contact information

This goes hand-in-hand with point number two. Maybe your business card is of decent stock, but the details (or lack of details) have your prospects cringing. Again, you had them sold on your services, but then they saw the @xmail freebie email address. So they look for your website and maybe they see the same thing or maybe it’s not there at all. This is an opportunity lost because there’s another business right around the corner, just like yours that has a professional business email, professional business website, and awesome services just like yours.

 

Launching a startup is difficult. It requires time, energy, motivation, investment, and juggling many hats to be successful. Ensuring you have a sound business model and accompanying marketing plan early on, and before promoting your business, will save you the added effort of having to reach twice as many people to make up for shaky first impressions.

 



We want to hear from you…

 

Are you launching a startup? If you are, congratulations! This is an exciting time!  Have you run into any issues or do you have any questions? Share your thoughts and recommendations; we want to hear from you!




Connect with us…



Facebook


LinkedIn


Pinterest

 


Crystal Davies is a strategic marketing consultant specializing in branding, marketing, strategy, and business solutions. Her passion is seeing how pieces of the marketing strategy puzzle come together to turn her clients dreams of business success into reality. Contact Crystal at crystal@daviesdesigns.net or visit her company website at www.daviesdesigns.net.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

HOLIDAY FREEBIE: Thanksgiving Handprint Kids Craft

Capture your child's handprint this Thanksgiving with our FREE Thanksgiving Kids Craft printable. NOTE: Preview image will appear in low resolution, but will print in high resolution. www.daviesdesigns.net

HOLIDAY FREEBIE: Thanksgiving Place Setting Cards


Get ready for guests this Thanksgiving with our FREE Thanksgiving Place Setting Cards! Just download, fill in the form fields with name of your guests, print, and fold!

www.daviesdesigns.net

Monday, November 16, 2015

HOLIDAY FREEBIE: Official North Pole Letterhead - Letter from Santa


What child wouldn’t be excited to receive their very own letter from Santa! Use this letterhead FREEBIE to add that extra magical touch on Christmas morning. Simply print, write, and add to your child's stocking! Just click the file "Official North Pole Letterhead - Letter From Santa.pdf" and then the 'download' button! AND, in case you missed it, we have matching Christmas Gift Tags available in the same location!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

HOLIDAY FREEBIE: Snowman Printable


It's getting cold outside! Stay warm indoors and create a lasting memory the kids will love with our FREEBIE Snowman PrintableJust click the file "Holiday Kids Crafts - Snowman Printable.pdf" and then the 'download' button!

Join our mailing list for our newsletter and more holiday freebies!

HOLIDAY FREEBIE: Kids Craft Santa Ornament


Our Kids Craft Santa Ornament FREEBIE is sure to be a hit with the kids! Get them excited about Santa and break out the glitter, glue, crayons, and cotton balls and create a special memory to hang on the tree! Click here to download our Santa Ornament FREEBIE! Just click the file "Christmas Kids Crafts - Santa Ornament.pdf" and then the 'download' button! Enjoy!!

Join our mailing list for our newsletter and more holiday freebies!

Saturday, November 14, 2015

HOLIDAY FREEBIE: Printable Gift Tags from Santa


With less than 6 weeks before Christmas, we wanted to share an extra special freebie for your holiday gifts! Click here to download our magical gift tags from Santa! Your family is sure to love them!!

Have you visited our new site? If not, join our mailing list to sign up for our newsletter and more holiday freebies!