Smart Business: Customizing your e-mail address

Hi friends! Welcome to my first montly post about using smart tactics in your daily business activities. I'm passionate about helping small business owners be successful small business owners. This means sharing some vital lessons and information I've learned along the way... and continue to learn each day. Here we go. :)

When customers invest in your small business, they are investing in you. How you present yourself to the world and give that "first impression" mean everything. Whether you're a photographer, an Etsy shop owner, a fashion boutique entrepreneur or other type of small business owner, you have competition out there, and your prospective clients are very savvy in selecting whom they choose to do business with. This means the important aspects of showcasing your professionalism are often in the details.

Today's smart business move: customizing your e-mail address.

Creating and using a business e-mail address based on your custom URL is one of the simplest, and often free, marketing moves you can make. "sweetlightphotography@gmail.com" says "amateur"... however, "hello@sweetlightphotography.com" says this is someone with a serious, legitimate business, who takes the time to think about how they are introducing themselves to fans, visitors and potential clientele. It has professionalism written all over it.

How do you create a custom e-mail address based on your business' URL?

There are a couple of different directions you can go. One option would be to do this through the company that hosts your website. Try searching "set up e-mail" and you'll likely find action steps and tutorials to complete this valuable task in 10 minutes or less. Another option would be to create this via Google and Gmail, as I have done for both Blink Branding + Design and my photography business, Becky Hoschek Photography + Design. I found this article helpful if you decide you'd like to go the Google direction: http://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-setup-a-professional-email-address-with-gmail-and-google-apps/

Now, if you haven't already, go get your custom e-mail address set up!

Cheers!

Becky

Creative Director

Blink Branding + Design

A spring storm + a baseball game.

April 13, 2006.

Seven years ago today, I had a date after work on a Tuesday. A baseball game. It wasn’t a first date, but still, one of the first handful. The Peoria Chiefs were playing and I remember him mentioning (in excitement) that Hall-of-Famer Fergie Jenkins would be there. (I told him I had no idea who that was. It would be my first of many such responses with regard to a) baseball, b) basketball and c) actors, and movie quotes/references.) What can I say, I’ve never been the girl to pretend I’m into something that I’m not.

He picked me up at my house on that balmy kind of spring evening. Slightly warm, slightly chilly, the smell of fresh earth in the air, with the lingering promise of a storm on the horizon. I remember looking forward to the time to just hang out and get to know him better. And I did.

A few notable memories from the night. When he ordered a beer at the concession stand, and in so doing, got out his ID, I asked if I could see his Driver’s License photo. I pretended it was to tease him about his photo. Truth is, I really wanted to see his birth date because I wasn’t sure exactly how old he was.  I remember him being very polite and a gentleman to me in ways that I never really realized I cared about, until they happened to me for the first time. Just little things… him asking if I’d like anything, could he get me anything while he was up? Even the fact that he thought to plan in advance and brought a blanket with him in case I got cold at the game. Really? No one I’d ever dated had been so… thoughtful. I remember thinking the blanket part was just so cute. I felt cared about in a new way. Taken care of. Again, something I never realized I cared so much about, until it happened.

We chatted and watched the game, his right arm draped around the back of my seat. When the storm came, we dodged it, barely, running to the car while the lightning streaked through the clouds, the sky turned purplish black, and giant, slow plops of rain started to hit the pavement. By the time we left the parking lot, his wipers couldn’t move fast enough to clear our view. We stopped at his house to pick up something, and then he asked if I’d like to drive out to where he was building his house. As we sat at the stoplight, Garth Brooks’ “And the Thunder Rolls” played while real thunder rolled outside the car windows. I remember feeling very at peace — very “at home” that night. It was a very good feeling.

He was excited about the house he was building, and I could tell he was also anxious to show it to me. I may not have known it that night, but he was showing me the home that I would move into a year-and-a-half-later when we got married. He welcomed me into his life, openly and unconditionally. If only I could have told my younger self, “Just wait. THIS is what it should feel like.” His warmth and sincerity, and interest in me as a person were all a breath of fresh air. In the weeks to come, the sparks of all I felt that night only amplified as more formal dates grew into late-night phone calls (which he always ended with telling me “Sweet Dreams”) and impromptu movie nights, dog walks and ice cream outings. It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but it was the beginning of a really good (once-in-a-lifetime) thing.

So, today, an exact seven years later, I want him to know a few things. I want to tell my husband that the ways he takes care of me — everyday, and on special occasions — mean the world to me. He is my calm before the storm. Much of my strength is rooted in him, and yet he has no idea this is my reality. I want him to know that I don’t take all of the “little things” for granted. On that night at the baseball game, I may have wondered if his thoughtful gestures were really who he is, or part of “courting” the girl. Luckily for me, they were genuinely who he is. The “baseball-date blankets” of yesterday have become today’s juice boxes when my blood sugar is low, surprise magazines from the grocery store, and complimentary turn-down service at bed time. I want him to know how when I hear him tell our daughter, “Sweet dreams”, I’m instantly taken back to those late-night chats… how when he holds a door for me, my heart swells knowing this is the guy who is helping me to raise two respectful young men. This is the man who will show my daughter never to settle, because she will know what it feels like to be cherished.

It’s no wonder I welcome the sound of a thunderstorm.

I am so lucky.

Design Trend: The Straight and Arrow.

Following the Chevron era of 2012, I've been wondering what might follow. In the past month I've seen it everywhere -- not just cupid's arm. :) Yes, the arrow. You might find it with the straightest line and sharpest edge, or you may discover it in a rustic hand-drawn form. From stationery and graphic patterns to home decor, fashion and hand-crafted art, the arrow is the second major design trend I've noticed this year (second to the trend of all things GREEN). Here are some of my favorite applications of this native-inspired woodland trend:

1,000 Facebook fans = Kelly Moore Bag Giveaway!

It's been a BIG year for Blink Branding + Design, and we want to make 2013 even bigger! Help us reach 1,000 fans on Facebook and we will give one lucky winner this awesome Kelly Moore Hobo Camera bag in Walnut! (Purple lining... so awesome!) We're excited to end one fabulous year and kick-off another amazing new one, and want to share this incredible gift with one of you when we reach that magic milestone fan number! Please help us get there! We LOVE helping photographers and small businesses brand and market themselves in beautiful, smart ways that create successful, profitable businesses - and we can't wait to continue doing that in 2013! CHEERS!

MY FAVORITE THINGS GIVEAWAYS!!! Vendor Details

Hi friends!!! WOW - thank you all so much for the outpouring of support, participation and excitement through these first 9 DAYS of FAVORITE THINGS giveaways from Blink Branding + Design. We're so excited to meet new faces, brighten someone's day with an awesome new gift, and share with you photographers and creative types what Blink is all about! We have big ideas in store for Blink Branding + Design in 2013, and we're thrilled to have you along for the ride! 

Our Blink Branding + Design giveaways were carefully chosen from some of my favorite products, purchases and vendors from throughout the past year. Some have been targeted to the interests of photographers, and some have been general items that everyone might love - everything from jewelry to personalized art to handbags and more!

My intention has been to show these favorite vendors some love this holiday season, and I think we are doing JUST that! Many of you have asked for further information on how you can purchase some of these favorite things... this Vendor Giveaway List is where you can find exactly what you need to do just that. Vendors are listed by the day they were featured as a giveaway, and I will update the post as we uncover the remaining giveaways each day. 

Blink Branding + Design's 13 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS • 2012 Vendors!

DAY 1 • Our day 1 giveaway was the Family Tree necklace from StephieMc Designs! This personalized necklace, great for moms wanting a casual, yet modern piece of jewelry to wear, is one found around my neck almost every day. I LOVE it! You can find their Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephieMc

DAY 2 • As a photographer, I practice what I preach and love to go BIG with canvases of our own family inside our home! The day 2 giveaway was a gift to Chic Canvas. Find them at: www.chiccanvas.com 

DAY 3 • On day 3, we gave away another gift toward fresh + fun card templates from Hazy Skies Designs! Check out their stylish designs at http://www.hazyskiesdesigns.com

DAY 4 • Burlap Art by Elizabeth was our featured giveaway on day 4! I love the monogrammed art piece I ordered from this shop over the past summer. They have so many options whether you're looking for something for your own home, a wedding, anniversary or even housewarming gift. Note: her Etsy shop is on vacation for a bit over the holidays this year! http://www.etsy.com/shop/burlapartbyelizabeth

DAY 5 • Day 5 featured my favorite business book from the past year! WORTH EVERY PENNY by Sarah Petty and Erin Verbeck. It's a really great read no matter what type of small business you run. It's an easy read, filled with interesting, real-life examples. You can purchase this book from most booksellers! Learn more about the book and its authors at www.thejoyofmarketing.com

DAY 6 • On day 6, we gave away a subscription to CLICK - the brand new magazine for photograp(hers) created by the AWESOME team at Clickin Moms. I received my first issue this month and LOVE it. Beautiful design, great ideas and inspiring photographs. https://www.clickinmoms.com/click/

DAY 7 • Another one of our SUPER popular giveaway days: the lovely Erin Condren planner! I've gotten SO. MANY. COMPLIMENTS. on mine - the bright fun (and DURABLE) cover, the color-coordinated everything... it's so perfect for the multi-tasking girl on the go... it helps me keep track of everything between my life as a mom, wife and business owner! Order yours at www.erincondren.com 

DAY 8 • Woah! This day took us by storm with that Chevron bag EVERYONE wanted on their Christmas list! There are so many handbags, totes and other accessories offered by Mom-Made that are simply adorable. They are created for moms, by a mom - and have top-notch quality. You can shop from existing inventory or place a custom order! www.mommade.org

DAY 9 • The creator of beautiful Photoshop actions that help your images achieve an even higher level of beauty, OH SO POSH graciously offered their entire ULTIMATE COLLECTION as a giveaway to one very lucky winner! Timeless and beautiful, these actions are on an infinite number of photographers' wish lists! To see everything OSP offers, visit their Art Store: http://ohsoposhphotography.com/artstore/products/photoshop-actions/

DAY 10 • COMING UP!