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Archive for the ‘Communication’ Category

“Make Do and Mend” – 8 free or almost free ways to improve your presence online

Friday, January 27th, 2012

We have been working hard on our newsletter, as we always do. And it’s ready to send! In this one the illustration was done by Tina and Amy worked on the graphics for the rest of the newsletter. Other newsletters often feature illustration work by Tamlyn – who drew our owls! Those of you who dont subscribe, you’re missing out! We almost always do special offers, games and prizes. Our latest creation involves a theme – “Make Do and Mend” which goes with the whole “January Austerity” feeling. No point in being frivolous and overly extravagent – it’s just not the done thing! So, in our newsletter we have listed “8 free or almost free ways to improve your presence online.” We do like the number 8!

We also like the number 3 – so watch out for the 3 offers within the newsletter.

Read it here and let us know in the comments below what you think!

3 book cover design options – and a vote on Facebook!

Sunday, September 4th, 2011

The Essential Marketing Habit - 3 possibilities for the book cover design

We are working on a project to design a book cover for Tamsin Fox-Davies’s new book “The Essential Marketing Habit – 3 months to put your small business promotions on autopilot”

A little bit different from how we normally different but still the same

Normally when we work with clients on designs we show then 3 different designs and then tweak them according to their feedback. We end up with a more or less final design which our clients can take back to any other decision makers in their companies and get a final design decision. Or, the client decides which design they would like within the first design presentation meeting.

With Tamsin’s book cover, we started off in a similar way. We got a comprehensive brief from Tamsin – including Tamsin’s typography preferences, the idea of the string around a happy finger, and a colour scheme which Tamsin had done by our client, colour psychologist, colour blogger and interior designer Karen Haller!.

Then with this information Amy worked on 5-6 initial ideas.  Tamsin came to our office (on a Saturday!) and sat with me and we combined elements, tried different colour combinations, moved things around and kept comparing and eliminating options until we had not one final but 3 final different ideas!

We kind of did this on purpose

And here comes the crucial difference. In the name of market research, or social media and of “walking the walk” we then posted these on Facebook and created a Facebook poll. We each asked our facebook friends and fans to VOTE for their favourite. The responses and comments  have been so helpful!

Comments on Facebook on Tamsin's book

We also each tweeted on Twitter and updated LinkedIn to ask people to vote. And we are asking again at different times to get the message to different people.

Tweet comment - Tamsin's book

And now we need your vote too!

Would you help out? Click on the link to Tamsin’s Facebook wall and vote for which of the 3 designn you like – feel free to comment on the designs in general.

Vote now for your favourite of the 3.

We hope you like our experiment and – and just want to say THANK YOU – for your time and your vote! Comments below welcome as well!

Blogging For Business – Tuesday the 29th March from 12 noon to 5pm!

Saturday, March 19th, 2011

Book now to our next Blogging Seminar, on Tuesday the 29th March from 12 noon to 5pm! (And – bonus – our seminars are CPD certified)

Let’s say you launch a new business website, it’s nicely designed and up to date, and and tells the world all about the services you offer. But after a couple of months it’s not feeling quite so up-to-date – The answer is blogging – and learning about blogging from Top Left Design!

Top Left Design branded cupcakes - Blogging for Business - amazing blogging seminar to teach you all you need to know about blogging

Show how cool you are (and how smart you are)

A good blog on your website can ensure that your website is constantly ‘current’, and lets visitors know that your company likes to keep track of what is happening in your particular niche. Not only does it broadcast your company’s motivation to keep it’s online presence in the here and now, but blogs are also a fantastic outlet for you to share relevant information to your industry, gain valuable feedback, and discuss topics that are on the forefront of your businesses interests.

Just like everything great, there are challenges that come with it

Of course, not everyone is born with the ability to write easily. Nor does everyone have the time to sit around writing – especially after a long day doing the “more important things” that your working life demands.

We want your business to succeed

And we want to help you  ”improve your presence online”. For most businesses, whether they are B2B or B2C – blogging has to be a major part of the marketing plan.

It’s been proven

Many studies have shown that blogging not only improves the impression people have about your business, but also generates a huge amount more traffic and visitors to your site. Partly because blogging allows you to add more pages easily to your website, and partly because there is much more current and interesting information on your site for people to see.

It’s almost like a spa

Many people find that, surprisingly, writing can be therapeutic – a good way to relax and unwind. What’s more, every word you write contributes to the worth and influence of your business.

We invite you to learn from us!

We would love you to visit us at Top Left Design and attend one of our London-Famous blogging seminars – the perfect tutorial and motivational boost, which will send you on the correct path, ensuring you do not waste your time by doing things ‘wrong’, and begin your blogging endeavour with only the good habits. All of our seminars are also CPD Certified!

Here are some of the things you will learn and experience in the seminar:

  • Why blogging would be good for your business
  • Blogging do’s and don’ts
  • How often should I blog?
  • Different types of blog post
  • Using WordPress and other blogging platforms
  • Avoid the pitfalls of blogging
  • The best free blogging tools
  • How to fit blogging into your busy working life
  • How to make sure your blog increases leads to your business
  • How and where to find images for your blog
  • Resizing images
  • How blogs can integrate with other social media
  • Q+A session
  • Takeaway notes
  • Sandwiches, Tea and Cake
  • Maltesers
  • Prize draw to win a free Twitter strategy training session, including Twitter background design
  • Other things we will think about before then – we are ideas people!

There are some rules

It’s one thing to write a blog post, but without practising a few simple rules, it could all be for nothing. In our seminars, I lay down the golden rules of blogging, and give precise tips on how to effectively write Google-friendly posts, to generate inbound traffic to your site, along with invaluable instructions to cross-promote your blog (and website) using various free social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. Tina will even be doing a guest slot – on her birthday, no less!

And a free lunch!

Of course you won’t only be learning, there will also be a fully catered (healthy) lunch! Which should ease away some of the guilt incurred by your current lack of blogging, and also our famous Top Left Design cupcakes (homebaked and branded by our very own Tamlyn!), which you be challenged to resist!

If this little post inspired, motivated or even guilted you into getting your blog off the ground, be sure to book in at our next blogging seminar

Keren Speaks – this Wednesday at The Oyster Club

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

Keren will be speaking about “9 ways to improve your presence online” this week at The Oyster Club Seed Pearl Breakfast. If you thought there were only 5, 6, 7, or 8 ways, then you really need to come along. It will be at 9am on Wednesday the 9th of March. To book you just need to visit this link

The Oyster Club - Seed Pearl Breakfast - Keren Speaks - 9th March 2011

I just emailed to say I love you – Our February newsletter

Monday, February 14th, 2011

With February being the month of love we decided what better way to spread a little love amongst those nearest and dearest to us than through one of our special TLD newsletters! A lot of love and effort always goes into them and this one is no different.

Top Left Design - I just emailed to say I love you

From stories about French boys, Make My Lunch and special branded cupcakes…

Make My Lunch

…to TLD Social Media seminars and giant urns (not in that particular combination or order!) we promise you won’t be disappointed!

Introducing Urn-ie!

Go on, have a read! You know you want to to! And if you’re up for a bit of a challenge, read to the bottom of the newsletter and do as it says.. you might be in for a pleasant surprise! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Some feedback from our recent seminars

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Blogging and Social Media Seminar Feedback for Top Left Design

Read on to find out how people felt about our last 2 seminar held on the 20th and 26th of January – all about Blogging, Twitter and LinkedIn for business. You will feel like you were there!

And our next seminar, in case you are interested, is on Social Media for Business – on February 17th

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And in case you didn’t know already – we are doing 2 seminars in January!

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Of course, I cant resist mentioning this on our blog. We have talked about these 2 seminars already on Twitter, on our last newsletter e-bulletin, on my Linkedin profile – and now – I have to also blog about it!

So, here goes – ahem – Just in case you didn’t hear – we are running two seminars this month. At the time of writing this blog – we have only 2 spots left on the blogging seminar and 6 spots left on the social media seminar.

Let’s see how the next few days transpire! Very exciting!

Blogging for business - Thursday 20th January 2011

Social Media for business - Thursday 20th January 2011

Linkedin member offer – only 4 available

Friday, January 7th, 2011

One hour consultancy offer for 4 people only – from Linkedin

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Our latest newsletter – Season’s Greetings

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

We always work really hard on our newsletter and we want to show as many people as possible. So what better way than to blog about it!

Top Left Design Season's Greetings for 2010

 

That’s why I do BNI – 11 things people will get out of BNI membership

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

That's why I do BNI

I have been a member of BNI since the summer of 2002 and I am now at BNI Mayfair. During that time I have learned many skills, and I think it would be useful for anyone running their own business. BNI doesnt suit every one, as there are several rules to follow, it’s a big commitment, and the meetings occur very early in the morning. But a recent thread on Twitter inspired me to write this post.

For those who don’t know, BNI is a professional networking organisations where members meet weekly for breakfast and help each other by finding new business for each other and making referrals. These are tracked and statistics are carefully kept for attendance, participation and the amount of business passed.

I posted a Tweet with the hashtag (which is a clickable topic on Twitter) #ThatsWhyIDoBNI after doing some quick calculations.

But it’s important to note the other benefits of BNI so I have written a list of 11 things people will get out of membership. (more…)