Resolutions for a Happy New Year

Once again it’s time to ring in the New Year! A time to rejuvenate old resolutions and create new ones. Looking back over 2008 and the resolutions I had regarding my family, I fulfilled many that I thought would get lost in the shuffle. I became more involved in building my children’s social network by participating in more playgroups, library times and having them join in activities like swim lessons! Building cognitive and learning skills by reading to them every night and keeping up with writing the ABC’s. I’ve added new things to my shopping cart to keep everyone’s taste-buds happy! And also, researched new ways to accomplish home renovations and persevere with my husband to keep the home front moving! All in All, a success.

On the business resolution list I reached for many goals and achieved a lot of them. I worked on a new line of notes, became more involved in offline festivals and circulating TheMerryBird.com name. I figured out ways to market online and off utilizing $0 money down through social networking. By sharing with others I found new printing options and designed a quality stationery product. Another resolution for business was to add a service that people could use to help facilitate their own business, logo design.

A social friend asked me what made this list of resolutions successful? How did you do it? I came up with a short but sturdy list in my mind that I believe kept me from falling off the resolution wagon.

1.) Perserverence

As with anything you do, if at first you don't succeed try, and try again! Keep going and don't give up!

2.) Consistency

Reaching for a goal takes more than a just having one. As with any goal you have to create a path to get to it and follow it along. If the path turns in the wrong direction, pick yourself up and find the right track. Being consistent on any road will bring you to where you want to go!

3.) Positive thoughts and visualization

Always think positive and visualize what you want to happen! Whether it be having your child become a reader overnight or having a great customer base for your business, positive thoughts and visualization will get you there. Be consistent with your thoughts and try this method! It really works!

Overall 2008 was a successful year. With the help of local groups and online ones like, Women Business Owners, Women in Networking and other fantastic business groups, my business revenue increased 2x since 2007 and it feels good!

Despite the outlook for the economy and spending habits of consumers, the right doors will open and hopefully there will be wind beneath TheMerryBird.com’s wings! I’m looking forward to another great business year ahead! Fly in! http://www.themerrybird.com/

Have a Happy Fulfilled New Year 2009!

-- Kristine Sheehan

The Difficult Client

With much experience and years of cultivating relationships with clients there is always one client that stands out… the one that is Difficult to work with. This person is someone that you least expect to pounce on you. This person is someone that chooses you to work with and in turn is a client that you have accepted to work for. At the onset of the job all starts off well. A deposit is received and the design process begins. You follow your design processes and begin to work closely with the client.

First a design brief is completed by the client. A design brief includes questions that will help the designer learn what the client’s business is about, what the client needs and wants. Now having a certain understanding about the person and their business you begin researching images and think about how to approach the new design. The client offers her ideas, and images that make her happy. You oblige.

Ok! Sketch, Sketch, Sketch and tumble the ideas in and out of your mind. The first design is presented to the client to give her an understanding of the direction you are headed. Immediately blood rushes to her head and you are attacked for not having the correct size, color or shape. And to top it off, she has already scrapped a copy from the Private web link you provided and brought it to an online printer for sample business card viewing. You, a mind reader should already know where this is headed.

Wow! Stand back! Be open to learn about what the client likes and dislikes about the first design being offered. It is important to listen and understand. 1.) You are the expert in this area and know she has missed the point on how the process between client and designer works. You know best. 2.) Reassure her that the image is only the starting point of where you can go. Working together will bring the end result she desires. 3.) Don't forget to have watermarks on your work!

This method fails. She resists and closes you down before you can take the next step. You now have no where to go with the client. She didn’t allow you to work out the design process and had little input before ending the relationship. This client was not only difficult, but she is not the right client for you! Don't ruin future business for one bad apple! Take the loss and move on!

Kristine Sheehan

If you remember, not too long ago I donated my design services to Front Porch Folks to help new and existing businesses create or make over thier business identity. I’m happy to announce that Front Porch Folks awarded their first grant to recipient Sherry Dawson of One Great Gift.

The Merry Bird…pen, ink and design worked closely with Sherry to create a new vision for her existing drop ship service logo. Her vision is also being expanded on by the Website design services of Firelight Web Studio’s Laura Wheeler.

First step was to create a logo for her existing online business One Great Gift. Sherry wanted to emphasize her custom hand tied bows and drop ship gift services. She wanted a logo icon that was sophisticated and appealing and not “cutesie”.

Secondly, she requested that no Typography be used in the logo design.

The parachute with package (as shown ) blends both a sophistication and “hand touched” quality. This logo will be featured on her new website and business materials.

And finally, onto the website design with FireLight Web Studio! Success to you Sherry Dawson of One Great Gift! I look forward to seeing your new website and hearing about the other great services that you have won as a Front Porch Folk grant recipient.

— Kristine Sheehan, The Merry Bird…pen, ink and design.

Blogging

If you want your online business to succeed you need a blog. Blogging is one of the most important ways to accumulate knowledge as well as spread it around. It is useful in building online client relationships and readership. A question that you may need to answer is How do you retain readership and keep a blog moving forward?

While reading a favorite blog of mine, Just Creative, I came across an article dealing with online tactics to a better blog. I think it’s important enough to share, read and re-read. Most points are easy to achieve and are worth the time!

Here is a list of 7 things you can do to give your blog more of an edge… These are based on Just Creative, Jacob Cass’ observations and experience with blogs. Verbatim:

Format your text - This is my biggest tip. The amount of blogs that I see with huge chunks of text is amazing. People on the internet do not read paragraphs, they read in sentences. Try to keep your paragraphs down to 3-4 lines tops. Use headings, sub headings and bullet points.

Tell your reader the whole article in the first two sentences - This is another huge tip. People will decide if they want to read your article based on the opening two sentences. Ensure you make your opening paragraph a killer and of course, the headline.

Always use quality images in your posts. An image will invite people to read your article so ensure it is not a crappy one… make it relevant to the post. Try to use a consistent image style / size for your blog posts so people know what to expect. Separate long articles with images. I use the free stock sites sxc.hu and compfight for my images (ensure creative commons is on).

Put more time into your post. If you spend an hour crafting a post, why can’t you spend another 15 minutes spicing it up? Add relevant images and links throughout your post. Proof read at least 4 times.

Give back to your readers. Hold competitions and giveaways. Offer prizes and give link love. Don’t offer crappy prizes like ‘advertise on my site’ - give something of value and ensure that they want it. For example, my latest book giveaway. Look at the prizes you give away as investments, not costs.

Get onto as many blog rolls as possible - Ask blogs in your niche if you would like to do an exchange. Tell them what you have to offer and ask kindly. On that note would you like to be added to my blog roll? Use the form on that page if you would like to be considered for addition to my blog roll.

Do to others as you would like done to you - I like this tip because it is so true. Ensure you reply to every comment and email. Link to other sites and articles just as you would like done to you. This applies to all aspects of blogging and life in general.

Give more than expected - I wonder how many of you noticed that I gave you 8 tips, not 7? If you give your readers more than they expect they will always be pleased. Remember the saying “Under Promise, Over Deliver.”

Another suggestion is to check out http://www.dailyblogtips.com/ – Your blog will only improve! Thanks Jacob for your keen advice on Blogging!

Web Banner Design

Another great service offered by TheMerryBird.com has just flown in!

Web banner design.

Easy as 1,2,3 you request the size banner/s, send the name of your business along with your contact info to TheMerryBird via the order form on the Banner page: http://www.themerrybird.com/banners.html



A paypal invoice will follow to your e-box, unless of course you'd like to pay cash, by check or send a money order.



Let's work together to get your business flying all over the web! - Kristine Sheehan





info@themerrybird.com

Author Challenge and Contest

Writers, Authors, and Bards:

The Merry Bird Challenges you

Submit a Synopsis

of your Copyrighted
Fictional or Non-fictional

works to have a
Book Cover Designed

for it by The Merry Bird

Of All the works submitted by November 30th 2008
THREE
Writer synopsis' will be Chosen.
A cover will be designed for each.

When Completed in February 2009
The Three Book covers will be displayed here and on The Merry Bird Contest page
Where a Vote can be submitted

A vote from your networks and friends will determine the Winning Cover Design

The Winning Author will receive a PDFof the Winning cover design
to use to promote their Work and The Merry Bird's too!

Email contest Submissions to: info@themerrybird.com
Include: Author Name, Email Address,Synopsis of Fictional or Non-fictional work,Author Bio and copyright year of work. Don't forget to put "Book Cover Contest" in the subject line!
Good Luck!

Book Covers!

Flying back into the world of publishing and book cover design is interesting to say the least! When I first learned to design cover art 15 years ago, I layed out art work on a drawing board with a blue pencil and grid. In the early '90's Quark was the tech tool to know, and today, Indesign takes center stage.

With the recent press release of TheMerryBird's newest service, book cover design, I decided to mock up a book cover for a online, author friend, Diane Tegarden.

I thought this would be a great way to make Diane and other authors in Diane's author circle take notice of the TheMerryBird book cover design abilities. Unique in it's image, I believe the cover illustrates the sci-fi world Diane wants us to enter as we read Anti-Vigilante and The Rips In Time.

I hope Diane like's the sci-fi mock up cover TheMerryBird created for her new book:

Anti-Vigilante and The Rips In Time -

Check out her website for more details about her book: http://www.firewalkerpublications.com/

Any referrals welcome and any comments appreciated! -- Kristine