Always something new!

Today I registered Ovation Creative as a service provider on Thumbtack.com, where you can check out all the details about our affordable website design and creative services. Thumbtack will provide Ovation Creative with new client referrals and expanded exposure in our local market, and it’s the perfect choice for your small business, too. Click here to sign up for yourself.

Reaching beyond my niche.

The last couple of months offered some interesting opportunities as I stretched beyond my usual “niche” in the wedding industry and created branding materials and websites for two exciting new clients.

First was Michael Page Associates, a new interior design firm in the Los Angeles area. Michael’s style is upscale, modern and minimalist ... and we created his logo, business cards, stationery and website to reflect this aesthetic perfectly. I’m pleased to report that he was thrilled with the results!

Postcards are next on Michael’s agenda, and I’m hoping he’ll also be receptive to the wonders of email marketing. There’s nothing as efficient, affordable or effective as Constant Contact ... and Ovation Creative can help you get started with a no-cost 60-day trial membership. You can either send me an email for more details or sign up here for free!

My next new client was Millennium Handyman. I created owner Gary Gordon’s first-ever website, a professionally-designed logo and business cards, and then helped him set up local search engine “place pages” to boost his ranking. Three days later he said his phone was ringing off the hook ... a sure sign that we did everything exactly right.

I guess I should apologize for not posting more often. It’s not my nature to procrastinate, so I’ll just chalk it up to keeping busy with a wide variety of other projects. Please don’t hesitate to send me an email or give me a call at 800-961-2387 if you ever have questions about Ovation Creative, our services or our affordable websites. I’m always here to help!

Easy transitions.

My web design clients know they can count on me, and I love how they come to me first when they’re ready for a new look or a fresh design. Last month’s makeover was a hit for Accessible Security and Protection Services in greater Atlanta. See for yourself.

Whether you’re launching your first business or looking for a makeover, Ovation Creative can develop the image you want at a price you can afford. You’ll especially love our custom-designed, user-friendly websites! Call me at 800-961-2387, send an email or complete our convenient Web Design Questionnaire to get started today.

Ovation Creative has the next big thing.

I sent out a big email campaign yesterday to introduce Ovation Creative’s involvement with QR code technology, and so far the response has been amazing. Basically, we can create a free QR code for you that directs customers to any URL you choose, and then we’ll help you get started with this exciting new marketing tool by including it on any of our affordable printed promotional materials. A QR code is a fabulous asset on business cards, postcards, flyers, mailers and brochures, and we can even create your code in a custom color to coordinate with your brand.

Take a look at a couple of business card examples below. The top card is my own; the lower card was designed for Signature Events by Shelly in Waupaca, Wisconsin.

If you’re ready to move ahead with a QR code of your own, please get in touch and I’ll be glad to help! You can complete our request form, send an email or give me a call at 800-961-2387.

Market your business with QR codes.

A Quick Response (QR) code acts like a gateway, allowing anyone with a smartphone and a simple barcode scanner app to step between the digital and physical worlds, sort of a mobile-friendly way to point potential customers to online resources. Already popular in Japan, QR codes are just beginning to make headway with consumers in the United States.

Time to update your marketing tools. The most efficient way to use QR codes for your own professional purpose is to include them on all of your printed marketing materials, including business cards, postcards, brochures, flyers and mailers. Ovation Creative can generate a free QR code for your business to direct customers to any number of possible online destinations, such as your website, your blog, or your Facebook or Twitter pages. We can even create your code in a custom color ... as long as there’s enough contrast for an accurate scan. Getting excited yet? Read on!

More exciting possibilities. If you have an Ovation Creative website — or if you’re thinking about purchasing one — we can develop a QR code that either directs visitors to your home page or (better yet) a custom “landing page” promoting all the best features of your business. A custom landing page is also the perfect spot to offer a seasonal special or discount ... one that can be updated easily throughout the year to keep your page fresh and exciting. We can also print your QR code on tee shirts, tote bags, a tabletop trade show banner, car door magnets and more.

It’s easier than you think to get started with QR codes. Check out my website, give me a call at 800-961-2387 or send an email, and I’ll be glad to provide a project quote.

Happy New Year from Ovation Creative!

Let’s get the party started with a fabulous New Year special ... free logo design (a $175 value) when you purchase a multi-page Showcase or Power Website. And you’ll also receive a CD with your new logo in essential print- and web-ready formats. Plus, if you sign your project contract by January 15 we’ll even include an order of 500 free custom-designed business cards (an additional $75 value).

Ovation Creative’s affordable, user-friendly websites are an amazing value and provide everything you need to establish and grow your business, with a one-of-a-kind designs, effortless navigation and complimentary copywriting assistance. There’s never been a better time to get started.

Learn more now about our website options and our New Year special, then send me an email or call 800-961-2387.

It's been a busy month for logo design.

For me, projects tend to show up in spurts. All of a sudden I’ll get four clients in a row who ask for postcards. Or brochures. Or blog customization. This month Ovation Creative’s hot project has been logo design. One client was Victoria Wagner of A Splash of Elegance, who wanted to brand a special wedding promotion that begins in January. Here are the three designs I sent her. (She chose the first one.)

I’m also working on logo designs for a new client who’s just beginning to launch her business as a wedding coordinator. I sent her the following set of designs two days ago. I can’t tell you which one Caitlin likes best — or which color theme she prefers — because she hasn’t made her choices yet. Do YOU have a favorite?

I have one final thought to add that’s unrelated to logo design. I want to talk about why a website is such an essential investment ... particularly for a brand new business. If you don’t have a website — even a one-pager like Ovation Creative’s $295 Start-Up Website — your business is invisible to potential clients and lacks credibility. Simply put, a website is a thoroughly essential investment, and our affordable websites offer everything you need to launch and grow your business in style.

Read my article Why You Need A Website for more information, then check out all of Ovation Creative’s low-cost website options. If you have questions, send me an email or call 800-961-2387.

And before I forget ... happy holidays!

An unforgettable makeover.

I need to post more often. Posting is an easy and effective way to increase traffic to my blog and my website, so I don’t understand why I tend to procrastinate about this. Better late than never, though!

A couple of weeks ago I finished a major makeover for An Unforgettable Moment. Projects included logo modification, a completely revamped website, business cards, postcards and brochure-sized flyers. Take a look below.

Owner Retha Ballestracci commented that I made the makeover experience an effortless one for her, and if she’d known years ago how easy it would be she wouldn’t have waited so long! I mention this because a makeover is probably the smartest business decision you’ll ever make and a cost-effective way to spend your marketing dollars. Get in touch and ask us for a quote! Ovation Creative specializes in affordable websites, low-cost graphic design services and printed marketing materials, blog customization and email marketing solutions. You can reach me by email or by phone toll-free at 800-961-2387.

A luxurious new look for McCants Originale.

I’ve had a fabulous month of makeovers! Taking center stage this time was client Michael McCants, owner of McCants Originale, a custom milliner in New Jersey who just showcased at New York Fashion Week. Michael was ready to update his brand with a new website image, new business cards and new postcards. Take a look at what we accomplished in less than a week! All pieces are designed in charcoal gray with gleaming gold metallic accents. The finished products are all jaw-droppers, even if I say so myself.

I’m currently working on a website redesign project with coordinating branding materials for Retha Ballestracci of An Unforgettable Moment. As soon as we publish her new site I’ll post images of the work we’ve done for her.

Feeling motivated? Give me a call at 800-961-2387 or send an email if you’re interested in an affordable website (priced from $295), logo design or printed marketing materials. And check out our exciting ImageMaker Packages with combinations of our most popular products at terrific savings. Let’s create something beautiful together!

How to look like a million in one easy lesson.

Lots of you already know this; everybody else, please take notes. If you want to give your business a million-dollar look without breaking the bank, call Ovation Creative. Every day of year I’m honored to help establish small businesses like yours (and mine) with exciting logo designs, affordable branding options, low-cost websites and so much more. Here are a couple of recent projects.

First, I created a colorful 8½" x 11" holiday flyer for Tailored Events to help promote an upcoming shop-till-you-drop event.

I’ve also been hard at work on a logo design for Independent Appraisals, a business venture in southern California. (I can’t tell you which logo they plan to use because they’re still deciding, but my personal favorites are the top two.)

Other client projects currently underway here include new marketing materials for A Splash of Elegance and a complete makeover for McCants Originale, a custom millinery company on the east coast. Owner Michael McCants is currently showing his work on the runways at New York Fashion Week, so we’re busy redesigning his business cards, postcards and website.

If you’re ready for a makeover, need a website or just want a quick quote for a simple project or two, please give me a call at 800-961-2387 or send an email. Let’s create something beautiful together!

And the summer makeovers continue ...

I just finished a website makeover for my client Theresa Collier of Trinity Weddings ... it’s a whole new look with a brighter color palette, new graphics and even business cards to match. Next I’ll redesign her trifold brochures. Theresa definitely loves her new look.

If you’re interested in a business makeover, please get in touch and we’ll discuss all the exciting options Ovation Creative can offer you ... including low-cost websites and branding services, affordable ImageMaker packages, blog design and customization, email marketing solutions and a  terrific variety of low-minimum logo products for incentives, door prizes and giveaways. Just send an email or give me a call at 800-961-2387.

Sometimes a little sparkle is all you need.

It’s been a busy month around here with blog and website makeovers. First, I expanded Tailored Events’ website from one to six pages. The new look is fresh and exciting and presents a strong image for owner Karen Moore’s growing business.

Then I moved on to projects for Linda Smith Weddings and Creative Events by Design ... both involving elegant new background patterns on their websites and comprehensive blog makeovers.

I’m always amazed how a small change — like a new background pattern — can make such a big difference! If your website, blog or marketing materials are ready for a bold new look or just a mini-makeover, please get in touch with me for a quote. We offer fabulously affordable prices, lots of creative options and no-interest payment plans for blog and website projects. Just send an email or give me a call at 800-961-2387.

It's never too early for Christmas.

Here’s another low-cost way to build your brand! I’m excited to introduce Ovation Creative’s exclusive line of affordable holiday cards in five beautiful designs … perfect for your business or family! Each design can be customized on the front with one of four holiday greetings and on the back with your choice of verse, two lines of personalization and an optional logo. Matching full-color return address labels are available, too.

Cards are sold in multiples of 50 with white envelopes, measure 8½" x 5½" and are printed double-sided (like postcards) on heavyweight stock with a gloss finish on the front. Our matching return address labels are generously-sized at 2¾" x ¾" and can include up to four lines of type.

Download our PDF catalog for additional images, customization options, prices and how to order.

Incidentally, I’d really love some early feedback on this new product line, so I hope you’ll take a few minutes to post a comment, send me an email or call 800-961-2387.

A makeover is better than moving your sofa.

Every couple of years, whether I really need to or not, I give Ovation Creative a complete head-to-toe makeover. The reason is a simple one: I’ve always loved change. In decades past it would involve rearranging some furniture or a different hair color. Today, though, I get my “fix” with a new logo, new signature colors and a redesigned website!

Remodeling OvationCreative.com involved five days of intense labor. Nearly every aspect of the website changed, including: the width of the site overall; the background pattern; Ovation Creative’s logo and banner; the navigation bar links; the page title graphics, page images and dividers; the text color; the page layouts; the content. Keep in mind, my website is larger than most ... about 52 pages altogether, most of them accessible only by clicking links on the 16 primary pages you’ll find in the navigation bar. And when I was done I also created new business cards, new invoice forms and redesigned my blog. (Whew.)

Bottom line ... I’m crazy about Ovation Creative’s new look, even if I say so myself. This is way better than highlighting my hair or moving the sofa, because the entire world is looking at my business image today in a completely different light! The scope of that statement is staggering, isn’t it?

Get in touch if your business is ready for a makeover. Ovation Creative offers lots of affordable options to help redo your website or update your marketing essentials. Just give me a call at 800-961-2387, send an email or visit us online.

A sharp logo is key to creating your brand.

And it’s also my favorite part of the design process, because it sets the tone for everything else we do. Whether you’re launching a new business or hiring us to help with a makeover, the logo comes first before any other project. And a few days ago a new client was referred to me by Letishia Jones of Milestone Event Design — a husband and wife team of wedding photographers in search of the right look for their new business. After they explained their aesthetic and audience, I sent the following logo designs for their review:

They chose the third logo ... the one with “Ana Rita” in black script and the lipstick pink butterfly ornament. It was a great choice, even though I think any of these designs would have worked beautifully for their business! Other upcoming projects for Ana Rita Photography include letterhead design, business cards, postcards, an electronic PDF brochure and custom HTML emails through Constant Contact.

I invite you to check out Ovation Creative’s website and explore all the different ways we can enhance your brand and help you grow your business ... even on the tightest budget! Feel free to send an email or give me call at 800-961-2387 if you’d like to brainstorm or just need answers to a few questions. I’m always here to help.