BlackFireStudios Blog

blackfirestudios — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:03:37 +0000

Having a good time messing around with my crazy sketches…. Been having fun choosing photo backgrounds for them….. next step will be coloring them in!

Bus Stop

blackfirestudios — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:15:19 +0000

Outing the Sketchbook

blackfirestudios — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:44:26 +0000

The Bird-Goat Trio

Ok, so this is why:

1. I’ve had a few micromanaging design clients lately, and that tends to make me feel like I have been reduced to a very nice and compliant monkey that happens to know dreamweaver.

2. I had the amazing opportunity to see the Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA recently and it reminded me that I got into graphic design to be an artist AND get paid.

3. My folks are out visiting and keep reminding me that I have years and years of insane little drawing like this saved up in sketchbooks scattered over several cities in many states.

So that is why I am outing the sketchbooks…. prepare yourselves to see more…………….

Where the “custom design” price tag comes from..

blackfirestudios — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:47:33 +0000

If you are reading this I’m sure you have worked with designers that send you an invoice like “11/16/10 Custom Ad Design, $350″ and thought- WOW I had no idea it would be that much! Don’t most designers just sit about in their pajamas watching cartoons looking for “inspiration”?! Am I being charged for that time??!!

Now, not all designers are the same. That is obvious from their work, their client relations and their company brand. If you hire “so and so” who happens to be back from college this weekend to do a business card, this probably isn’t the list of things to take into consideration when the bill comes. If you hire a reputable designer with a stable business THIS is where the price tag comes from:

Education. I personally have a BA a BS and an AA all in design and fine art. Not that I expect my clients to pay for my student loans, but that education gives you a professional design as opposed to something the administrative assistant whipped up in PowerPoint.

Experience. Designers have to have experience. The more experience the more the designer charges. Think of the difference between someone that plays golf twice a year and one that plays every weekend- who do you want on your team? Joe Blow might offer discount deals, but has Joe ever worked in a print shop and happens to know that not only will his choice of AWESOME velvet paper cost the client tons, but his dimensions are irregular creating huge amounts of waste and the post office won’t deliver the campaign anyway because of any one of the kabillion things the post office finds undeliverable. Talk about a waste of money and time, right? And you probably won’t know any of that until you get a call from the post office that you either need to send them all with extra postage or put your awesome velvet envelope in a Costco plain white envelope in order to get it delivered.

Tools. Sorry folks, but Paint doesn’t cut it. Adobe CS5 Creative Suite Design Premium full version goes for almost $2000.00. Add computer, internet, FTP sites to send large files, Pantone Color Books, font packages, cell phone minutes to discuss details, printers, scanners….

Time. Designers charge an hourly rate or by project. Now, there is a reason you aren’t doing this business card design yourself on VistaPrint. First of all, you want something original, but second – it takes TIME to sift through styles, colors, fonts, pictures… upload this- “Nah that looks lame”…. Upload that, “Ugh even worse”! Custom design is a blank canvas- there are zillions of YUCK! ideas before you hit on a great one. If your designer is good it will take them less time than someone starting out and not sure of them self. But it does take time! To date, I have never had a logo pop out finished and smiling asking “what’s next?” when I turn on the computer.

Ok, that isn’t everything, but hopefully it gives a brief overview of where that fee comes from. I recognize I did a little venting ( a lot) but I’m writing not only for client education, but also so people considering going into the field know that design prices aren’t just arbitrary numbers you fling about by whatever sounds good. Even a “service” industry from a “home office” has overhead. We just make it look easy

Juli Black
www.blackfirestudios.com

Why I prefer email over phone, a top ten list

blackfirestudios — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 01:26:00 +0000

I’ve been getting this so much lately- “Just call when you get a chance!”. Hmmm. I’ve never been one to call a buddy to catch up while I’m stuck in traffic or waiting for the dentist. I actually enjoy forced down time deeply. Take a few breaths. Maybe actually listen to the words of a song. Catch up with myself. But when it comes to phone calls and my work, I have to say that communicating through email and text are HANDS DOWN the most efficient way for me to conduct business.

10- I can save everything. I have documented entire streams of consciousness regarding what to get family for holiday gifts going back to 2006. Why is this important to my business? Each email is a receipt of terms, agreements, promises, and requests all fabulously cataloged by date and name! What better way to stay accountable than good ole’ black and white. I worry when someone won’t email me what they need.

9- No phone tag or office hours. I can send what I am thinking NOW and don’t have to remember it tomorrow between 8 and 5, sit on hold or leave a voice mail about something you’ll just call/email me back to explain anyway.

8- Copy / Paste / Forward. Ever feel like a parrot repeating yourself all day long? Copy /Paste / Forward, baby.

7- Links! This is what I am talking about… and here is a picture! Client communications around the world simplified in seconds into a few red circles and sketched arrows.

6- No time for off-topic diversions. I’m working here! Silly kitten forwards in emails are much faster to delete than getting someone off the phone who has to tell you about the funniest thing that just happened….

5- Can you hear me now? Enough said.

4- It follows me everywhere. I have my documentation of email conversations on my phone, computer, iPad and iPod. I know what we just talked about from anywhere I happen to be.

3- Virtual “Inbox”. Emails that come in are tended to first come first serve so I don’t miss anything or anyone. Anything not done sits in my inbox until it is dealt with. Anything dealt with goes into a client folder so I can review it anytime.

2- Email signatures are windows into the soul- I get a glimpse of what business you represent, where it is located, what your logo looks like, if you took the time to change the font or colors, and if you have a favorite quote

1- Concentration. Even people who have a job based on the phone lose track of what they were last doing when it rang. For me design work is kind of like being asleep- I’m in a deep trance.. pushing pixels around… editing code…thinking up clever text……RRIINNGG…..”oh, yeah I’ll have 6,000 ordered today, sure. No problem at all, have a good day”……trance resumes…. 3 hours later I remember that someone may have called while I was deep in R.E.M design. That, the dog buried my shoes and I don’t think I have eaten today.

The point is, it seems as though people like to draw a line between our “real” lives and our “virtual” lives. They say things like “texting is so impersonal“, or “why can’t people just call us to place an order?”. For me, the exact opposite is true. I can connect asap when I am thinking of something or someone. I actually connect MORE with people because I am not worried about interrupting them at work or at home with their families.

Tracing back this year, I have texted back and forth with my brother in Tampa over 400 times. We have talked on the phone maybe 5 times this year total (Holidays aren’t here yet, that will account for another two calls probably). Would I call more if I couldn’t text him? No! I love my brother but we are both crazy busy people. I’m thankful we have the ability to “chat” via texting and email and I have to say that connecting more often is far more personal than using the phone every few months ever would have been.

Maybe it is just my generation. Maybe it is because I am a geek. Could possibly be because I have hermit tendencies. What ever the reason is, my phone is still on silent and my email alert dings reallllly loud.

Adding Custom Tabs To Your Facebook Fan Page

blackfirestudios — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:41:04 +0000

The easy-peasey no brainer way to add a custom tab and basic image or file to your Facebook Fan Page!

To begin- you will need:

To be an admin on the page

To know what to call the new tab and where in the tab order you will want it to appear

To have the URL of the image or file once it is loaded online somewhere. This means the item you are placing or referencing on your new tab will have to be online somewhere already- your own web hosting, an online photo account…etc

Here we go!

First be a fan page admin

Then search for the FBML Static application on Facebook

Click on the “add to my page” button once you find the app

It will ask you what page you want to add it to

Select your fan page (you are done in the app at this point)

Then go to the fan page

Click on “edit page” under the profile image

Scroll down until you see the FBML app listed

Click “edit”

Name the page and add your code (example below) to link to the image/file

Then view the fan page

Drag the new created tab to the order in the tab list you want it to appear. Mostlikely it will be hiding under the “>>” looking tab

Here is the basic HTML you will need to put in the FBML box ( be sure to change the URL to the specifics of your own situation):

Which will look like this:

This code is so so so so so so so so basic- it only includes:

placement on the page (center)

the link you want someone to go to if they click on the image (the “a href”)

where the image is located on the clients server, also called source- (full address- needs http:…”)

dimensions of image

what you want to appear as the name of the image if it loads slowly or doesn’t show in someone’s browser ( also called the “alt tag”)

Obviously, if you are familiar with HTML you can see the potential right from the beginning- rollovers, hotspots, animations, links to here, there and everywhere… Fun Stuff!!!

If you are not familiar with HTML, the above code is just basic enough to get you started and add some unique content to set your Fan page on FIRE! Enjoy!

The Business Mantra

blackfirestudios — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:14:51 +0000

This was an exercise we played with at last month’s 2•2•2 Class, but it really applies to everyone in any networking setting. The idea is to blend a powerful personal/ business affirmation with your “elevator” speech. You only have a few seconds to make your impression- make it count for you as well!

Here’s the deal, I’ll explain it in pieces and then put it together at the end in an example.

First you need your affirmation or mantra. It should incorporate some positive beliefs (both current and future) about your business, some feel-good adjectives that really inspire you when you say them out loud, and they need to be all stated in the present tense.

The second part is the “elevator speech”. Anyone that has been in a networking group knows all about the 20 to 30 second spot you get to tell the group about what you do and how to contact you. Some of us always have something to say. Some of us don’t. Then there is the all too crummy category of those of us who think about what we forgot to say and bludgeon ourselves with it throughout the drive home. So much fun. Not.

Really the “elevator speech” goes much farther than networking groups, small talk in any situation usually elicits the “what do you do for a living?” bomb. Using a Business Mantra we can come up with a great answer that not only satisfies the required response, but actually inspires and nourishes us at the same time.

So here we go…..

This would be my mantra concepts:

Creative, inspired, exciting, energizing, forward thinking, loving, helping, fun, original, adaptive, organized, professional, and intelligent.

And this is an example of my typical Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast 20 second spot:

Hi, I’m Julianne Black with BlackFire Studios! I am an independent designer focusing on creative marketing for small to medium sized businesses. I do print, web and social media design from logo to social media campaigns and specialize in creating immediate, short and long-term plans to get any business up and running with their best foot forward. Please call or email me for details, I can provide graphic solutions for all industries and all budgets. www.BlackFireStudios.com

So here we go blending them together. It is best to start with a short one-sentence mantra. Not only is it easy to remember, but it provides a base for any other points you want to add without being overwhelming.

Here is a good formula to follow if you are already sweating and drawing a complete blank:

I am a _______ who is a professional ________ that works to ___________.

So there is your template, get as fancy or basic as you want with it and feel free to mess about with the template if it suits your sentence.

Here are some things I can do, blending my mantra affirmation words with my business speech…..

I am a creative problem solving artist who is a professional graphic designer that works to promote business marketing that companies can be proud of.

I am a unique and inspired design visionary who is a professional graphics and web designer that works to beautify and simplify small to medium sized business marketing materials.

I am a forward thinking designer who is a professional problem solver that works to assist business owners with their graphic and marketing development.

I am an organized and accomplished designer who is a professional visual problem solver that works to explore and define marketing concepts custom to any company’s needs and budgets.

Just putting these together makes me feel confident, proud of myself and explains (in a very small nutshell) my business.

The little three blank format is a great way to get comfortable with the process, but don’t stop there. Your final statement should not only say what you do but who you are! If you have to answer the question, give yourself the positive emotional jolt that comes with combining an affirmation with a commercial spot! Your enthusiasm and pride will radiate and it will be hard for people not to notice your passion and dedication to your business and that you are doing what you truly love.

Feel free to forward this on, or add a comment with your own suggestions and findings!

Social Media News-”11 tips for quality connecting” from Elymedia

blackfirestudios — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 16:12:22 +0000

Note 7/13/10
Lovely comment from Elymedia reminding me that despite the repeated kudos and appreciation for the content in her newsletter, i forgot to add the link. Please see her web site at www.elymedia.com

Saw this on: elymedia’s newsletter and wanted to share- Added some notes below

“Make Friends that count – 11 tips for quality connecting”

Social Media is about 3 things – connecting, creating, and engaging. Sounds easy enough, but the value of everything you do using Social Media will all go back to who you are engaging with. This is a real case of “garbage in, garbage out.” If you “friend,” or connect with anyone and everyone, without any concern about who or why, you won’t get much out of all the time you may invest in your Social Media strategy. To make your Social Media strategy productive, efficient and successful, here are tips on creating a strong network. In addition to this- don’t feel like you have to accept offers from people you haven’t heard of- at least not in the beginning. It was common practice (etiquette) in the begin to friend anyone that asked you to be a friend. Not so much anymore- be selective in the beginning for a better quality of interactions.

There are two preliminary steps that are critical: First have your target audience in mind.

Your services/offer/store/business won’t appeal to the entire world. Are you focusing on small business, a particular industry, a certain demographic, or a geographic region? Keep this on top of your mind whenever you decide to seek out or accept connections.

Second, have your objectives in mind. Are you creating visibility for your brand, driving traffic to your website, selling product?

These questions may be harder to fold into your decision-making process, but keep them in mind as you proceed. Remember- where this translates in Facebook is on your Business Fan Page. Your regular account (personal profile) should not be focused and driven.

Start out with a group of people/clients/prospects that you KNOW are the right audience for you. – connect with these folks first. Upload from your Outlook, ACT, GMail, AOL databases and invite all that make sense.

Search your connections’ connections. Who are they connected to? If it’s a good business contact, chances are their connections/friends will work for you as well.

Are there industry thought leaders that talk about your topic? Connect with them. Who are THEY connected to? This is an awesome suggestion- who are your favorite speakers? Authors? Teachers? Look them up! Most will have at least a web site, Facebook Fan site and Twitter account.

LinkedIn and Facebook make suggestions – examine these daily for more possible additions.
Search for your old contacts, schoolmates, workmates, soccer-team buddies, church friends. These may be great direct sources for business, or they may be great for referrals. This is what I refer to as the “how could you not know that?!” group. People you see everyday that don’t have any idea what you do for work, or need to be casually reminded. How many times have you run into someone raving about using your competitor and then saying ” you do that? I never knew you did that too! darn, I would have called you!” We take for granted the details because we think we know them… doesn’t hurt to drop some reminders
Explore members of relevant groups – connect with members.

If you have been ReTweeted on Twitter, connect with that person. Sometimes this is a ploy for more people to add them in and are generated by those companies that promise big fan followings. It goes back to relying on the early etiquette that everyone “follows” those who “follow” them. I’ve seen more and more of this- kind of shady unless you know the person or at least know that they are in a relevant industry!

Ask a carefully and strategically chosen question on LinkedIn. Connect with the responders. This is applicable on all social media sites.

Has anyone commented on your status post in Facebook or LinkedIn? Would they be a good connection?

Use strategic hashtags in your Tweets to have people interested in your topic find and connect with you, then connect back.

Use the search function for Twitter http://www.search.twitter.com in advanced mode. Target well and you will find many great potential connections. Save the search as a feed and you can revisit daily to find more good connections.

My own Point Of View – beware of the applications that promise to connect you to hundreds and thousands of people. They will. But so what? Quality and relevance trumps quantity.

It’s important to keep expanding your connections in Social Media. But always be sure there is a well-thought-out strategy every time you go through the exercise. The quality of your network and the payback it will give you will be worth the extra time.
Loved his article and hope you got something out of it as well! Please contact me for upcoming Facebook and Marketing classes through www.BlackFireStudios.com and find me on Facebook!

Bottom Line Bottom Dwellers

blackfirestudios — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 01:07:11 +0000

If you are one of the lucky few, you are working in a field you like, maybe even love. Most people jump into business for exactly that- the freedom to do what you love and to let your passion fuel the forward momentum it takes to start a business. The reality is, unfortunately, that it takes money as well. Someone has to pay for that cup of coffee to get you started at 5 am and keep you working until midnight. However, dwelling on that income is not the best way to get off the ground.

I’m reminded of this by my own struggles in small business. How can I possibly be this busy and make this little? It is an equation I constantly strive to balance and my business matures because of it. Recently I was hit with this dilemma from a consumer’s perspective and it came to light how damaging “bottom line dwelling” can be to your customer base.

I was one of the first folks out there to buy Bento as an organization system for my mac. Big fan of the program as a whole and was really looking forward to the Bento 2 upgrade. When Bento 2 was released, they did not offer an upgrade package, just the full new version for $49. Hmm. That just doesn’t sit right with me. The point of the upgrade discount is to reward those folks that have supported your company. You are still making money on the upgrade, but you are building a loyal customer base doing it. Not quite Kosher charging everyone full price.

Then I heard about the Bento app for iPhone. I love my iPhone. I love my Bento. Maybe these two should meet and make lots of fat and happy productive little children. Cruising over to the iTunes store, I was kind of annoyed that the app was $4.99 AND only works with Bento 2. Note to Bento: if you release a hot new iphone app that only works with your new software version, give it away as an ad. People will buy or upgrade to get that app. Now if you charge for the app and you charge full price for the Bento 2, where does that leave us Bento followers? This is especially true when iTunes consumers are giving it mixed reviews.

So I have yet to buy the new version or the app and I am not sure if my hesitation is the price or the slap in the face for being a follower. I’ve been waiting on that promo email that gives me a fat discount for buying Bento 2 after already owning the first version… anybody listening?