Have you thought about your website lately? Well, you should. Don’t lose potential customers because of a poorly designed or outdated website. Take a look at the following list to see if you can relate. If so, give Blue Wave Design a call so we can discuss your changing advertising needs.

Sandra O’Brien, PMP

www.bluewavedesign.com

Blue Wave Design is a full service graphic design firm providing creative solutions that integrate marketing strategy, communication and graphic design. Our goal: Giving our clients the competitive edge in order to grow their business.

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ABOUT STORE SELF STORAGE AND WINE STORAGE:
As a Cat. 4 hurricane rated and a 5-story self storage and wine storage building located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, STORE offers unparalleled amenities with great customer service. STORE can accommodate files and excess inventory to fit their commercial client’s needs. Residential customers love the variety of sizes and amenities offered for the whole house of furniture or just a few prized possessions.

SITUATION:
STORE Self Storage and Wine Storage came to Blue Wave Design last Fall in need of a fresh website design. They felt their website design was not user friendly (color/navigation) and that there were many redundancies in the current layout and copy. They also required a seamless transition to their online wine storage management and payment/reservation partner. Since they would be updating the website themselves on a regular basis, we would need to design the site using a Content Management System.

SOLUTION:
By identifying Store’s critical needs (CMS, better user experience) we selected a CMS software that enabled us to create a completely customizable website design with unlimited design capabilities. Content is no longer redundant and website colors are now light and bright, helping their two basic customers, self storage and wine storage, navigate easier through the site when searching for size and price information.

DREARY WEBSITE? We have space in our schedule next week for two companies or individuals who want to make their website more exciting, engaging and effective. If interested, send us a message and explain your situation, goals & approximate budget.

Sandi O’Brien
Internet Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
Crystal Tree Centre
1201 US Highway One
Suite 230
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633

TO ALL OF OUR OUTSTANDING CLIENTS AND FRIENDS

With the New Year approaching, it is time to express our gratitude to loyal customers such as yourself for your continuing support. In these times of increased competition, where people are constantly changing loyalties, it is a pleasure to be able to serve such a faithful customer like you.

In an effort to better serve you, Blue Wave Design has moved to a new location. Our new address is:

Crystal Tree Centre
1201 U.S. Hwy. One
Suite 230
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Phone: 561-775-9607
Fax : 561-775-1633

Website: www.bluewavedesign.com

Please forward all correspondence to this new address, as it will be a pleasure to serve you from our new premises in the upcoming year.

On Thursday, December 23, 2010. Our company will be suspending business hours in celebration of the Christmas and New Year Holidays. We will resume regular business hours the following week on Monday, January 3, 2011. Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email or call prior to the holidays for customer assistance. Should an emergency arise please call Eileen at 561-722-9205.

Finally, during this holiday season, the entire team here at Blue Wave Design would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family the very best in life in the upcoming year. We look forward to your continued patronage and working with you to help make 2011 the most successful year yet.

Happy Holidays!

Shane O’Brien, Eileen Wilkins & The Team at Blue Wave Design

That being said, think about the one thing that makes a first impression on your company. You got it, it’s your logo. There’s nothing else quite like it. It actually creates an emotional response to your potential clients and will guide them into either trusting you, or your competitor.

Let’s say you have a dated logo but your website is simple, clean and modern. To your potential clients, something will look… off. A little out-of-place. All this, because of a first impression. And just think, you never even had the chance to meet them.

Looking forward into 2011, think about how you want potential clients to view your company. How do they view it now? Conservative? Cutting-Edge?

It all starts with your logo. And we can help you with that.

Eileen Wilkins
President- Business Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
Crystal Tree Centre
1201 US Highway One
Suite 230
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633

Since we are still in the Great Recession, businesses need to work smarter, not necessarily harder, to create and retain new clients. The effectiveness of their marketing campaigns will depend on how successfully businesses implement the following strategies, even on a reduced budget (not that we would recommend that!).

Excellent Client Care
Without loyal customers, businesses in this day and age would be in a world of hurt- and this pertains to both B2C and B2B companies.  Now more than ever businesses must provide excellent customer service, and by doing so will set your business apart from the rest.  The first impression you make on your client will determine your success throughout the process, and puts you in a better position to receive referrals in return. What used to be the norm: limited availability, long wait times, difficulty contacting customer service- is now gone. Customers are smarter and more savvy than ever.

Take a Second Look at Your Product Prices or Services
The internet makes it very easy to research services, goods, your company and your competitors.  Armed with this knowledge, customers negotiate harder at the point of sale. Because of the recession, most people are willing to wait for a great deal. Consider reducing your profit margins in order to increase your bottom line. Make it clear to customers why your company will be the best solution for them, and clearly state examples showing this.

Quality Wins (well, most of the time!)
It’s important to focus on your items or services that would be considered basic needs for your customers. Whether you cater to consumers or businesses, most are ‘trimming the fat’ off their budgets and sacrificing luxury for a good quality item or service, and demanding (also possibly attempting to haggle) a fair price. By researching your competition, you may find similar items or services at a lower price- but see this as an opportunity to showcase the quality of your service or item. Make your client see that your product or service will give them more value for their dollar.

Don’t Decrease Your Advertising
Brands that increase advertising during a recession can improve market share and return on investment at a lower cost than during thriving economic times, as previous research has shown. Although it may be hard, try not to decrease your focus on advertising during this crucial time as it may have a broader impact on your sales than you think. When the economy is on the upswing, consumers will remember your advertising during this rough time and turn to you for help.

Eileen Wilkins
President- Business Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
824 US Hwy One
Ste. 345
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633

Most businesses today have a website. Whether they maintain it, update it, massage it- is anyone’s guess.

Your website is a living thing that should be nurtured with Search Engine Optimization (so search engines can FIND your new or existing site), keyword-filled copy, new images and videos on a regular basis. Keep it fresh- keep it interesting!  Keep the site vital. Did you know that search engines give   preference to regularly updated sites?

To make this happen you employ a web developer or an agency to do it right. That’s what you should do-you’re not a mechanic so don’t rebuild your own carburetor. But there is one thing you should do yourself- you should control your domain names and your email addresses.  Control them in the same fashion as you would the other aspects of your company-  hiring, taxes and payroll. Why? Well, do you know when your domain name expires? Let’s imagine that you weren’t in control of this information and your previous agency/developer let it lapse. You now risk losing your domain name (forever!) to someone else, and your web presence that you worked tirelessly to build.  This really happens!

Risky Business
And perhaps most importantly, not being in control of your sensitive information puts your company at risk- anywhere from email ghosting to unauthorized spyware added to your backend code. It puts your company and your clients/ future client’s information at risk and possibly a lawsuit in the future.

To not be in control of your domain name and emails leaves your site in the hands of others. When the time comes to upgrade the site or to switch to another agency/developer you now have to request to have your domain and emails changed to be under your administration and ownership (and you really owned them in the first place).

It is a pain, it takes time (your time) and you start to wonder if this company really did you any favors. You should also question who your agency has chosen to host your site as well.

No one cares about you, your company and your image more than you do- don’t leave it in the hands of others.

Eileen Wilkins
President- Business Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
824 US Hwy One
Ste. 345
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633

This has nothing to do with my business. This is about Casey Bicknell, who needs all of the help he can get to recover from a devastating accident which occurred in January of this year at Palm Beach International Raceway (formerly Moroso Speedway) in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Many people complain about being “insurance poor”- I do. Between Homeowners, Wind Damage, Life, Health, Dental, and Car insurance premiums- a lot of money flies out the window every month. The reason we do this? It’s for protection in the event of an accident.

Well, that’s what happened to Casey Bicknell, a Martin County High School Senior. He was in an accident; he suffered a traumatic brain injury; his parents have “good” insurance. But somehow, after receiving years of premium payments from the Bicknell’s, the insurance company has determined that Casey has recovered as much as he is ever going to and is refusing to pay for additional rehabilitation treatment.

This is in no way the only incident of this nature. When you hear of families going bankrupt over paying for extended illnesses- such as cancer – or a young man with a traumatic brain injury like Casey it’s true. We go along in life paying our insurance thinking we are protected, our families are protected. But are we?

BENEFIT
Please consider attending a benefit for Casey, to help pay medical bills, so he has a chance to regain the life he had, the life that is inside- but needs help getting out.

June 27, 2010   4-8 pm
Indian Riverside Park
1707 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach
$20 adults – $10 students

Enjoy:
Music- Led Heads ( Led Zeppelin Tribute Band and introducing Jaded)
Exotic Car show
GREAT FOOD- FABULOUS SILENT AUCTION

Purchase tickets online: www.caseybicknell.com or pay at the event.

Please help support Casey.  My sincere thanks.

Eileen Wilkins
President- Business Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
824 US Hwy One
Ste. 345
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633

Oh, Summer is here! Kids will be out of school soon, vacation plans are underway. Finally!

But what happens to your business during the Summer? For some, the Summer is a slower time of year: no conventions to attend, it’s harder to get in front of clients, let alone new prospects because of vacation schedules. So, it makes Summer the perfect time to review, revise and renew your marketing materials.

You have more time to focus, to reread copy, to make those features and benefits snap, crackle and pop. You are probably aware of any new products coming down the pipeline for a Fall/Winter introduction. So instead of waiting 2 weeks before the convention or waiting until your clients are back on track and ready to hear from you in September- get ready now.

You’ll also find that your agency has some extra time too. Not so many last minute requests coming in jamming up the designers. They’ll be able to give your project more energy whether it’s your collateral or internet presence. Printers also have the extra time to review specialty papers and print processes with you which will help your materials stand out and shine.

It’s nice to take a breather, but your time is valuable – and so are your marketing tools. Now is the perfect time to take your time and review, revise and renew!

Happy Summer!

Eileen Wilkins
President- Business Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
824 US Hwy One
Ste. 345
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633

www.bluewavedesign.com


Blue Wave Design is a full service graphic design firm providing creative solutions that integrate marketing strategy, communication and graphic design. Our goal: Giving our clients the competitive edge in order to grow their business.


become a fan of Blue Wave Design
follow us on Twitter

You have read in the past about my passion for networking- not that I am a pro- I am still working on that. But, I have to tell you that recently I went to the Palm Beach County/Treasure Coast BNI Leadership Conference. To remind you: BNI stands for Business Networking International, the largest networking concern in the WORLD. Yes. I have had a great experience with my group: City Business- BNI (see www.bnicitybusiness.com), and willfully took on the position of VP in our group. That’s not the point though!

The presentation by Bob Burg- author, motivational speaker and business makeover artist, at the beginning of the conference was great. Motivational. Eye opening. Not that he said anything I didn’t KNOW- but  he certainly touched on points I was in need of remembering. Here are just three tenets covered, for more on Bob go to: www.burg.com

CLIENTS FIRST
It’s all about the client. No matter what. Whatever type of business you have you are fulfilling a need of your client. And now, with competition at precarious heights and budget slashing at the same level- it’s tougher than ever to keep existing clients let alone find new ones! It sounds simple, yet sometimes people can get in their own way. You must develop and maintain an environment with your client wherein they honestly feel your product/service is the very best choice. You must develop a trusting relationship built upon your product/service knowledge and the fact that you are there to give
them TRUE VALUE.

TRUE VALUE
True value comes from your heart. It’s much easier to do business when you love what you do. Not all of us have that impetus. To successfully provide a service or product in an ongoing fashion you have to truly believe in what you are selling. And you have to honestly provide VALUE that your client needs. Better yet, when you offer more… more knowledge, more
cost-saving avenues (for example), you are now giving extra value from your HEART and further developing the “expert” alliance you want with your client.

COMPENSATION
We all work very hard- the result of our hard work should be fair compensation-right? Yes, it happens but we can make it happen even more. If you concentrate on giving EXCEPTIONAL VALUE to your clients and acquaintances, and, you pair with that an EXCEPTIONAL REACH by smart networking, the theory is you will receive EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH/INCOME.

It sounds so easy…but keeping up a fool proof networking schedule and system is hard. At least for me. It takes time and persistence and time and persistence over and over again. I’m still working at it and you should be too.




Eileen Wilkins
President- Business Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
824 US Hwy One
Ste. 345
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633

www.bluewavedesign.com


Blue Wave Design is a full service graphic design firm providing creative solutions that integrate marketing strategy, communication and graphic design. Our goal: Giving our clients the competitive edge in order to grow their business.


become a fan of Blue Wave Design
follow us on Twitter

NEW YORK, NY, March 15, 2010 — For the second consecutive year, Blue Wave Design has been selected for the 2010 Best of West Palm Beach Award in the Advertising Agencies category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2009 Award recipients qualified as two-time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

Sandi O’Brien
Internet Development
Blue Wave Design, Inc.
824 US Hwy One
Ste. 345
North Palm Beach, FL 33408
V: 561-775-9607
F: 561-775-1633
www.bluewavedesign.com

Blue Wave Design is a full service graphic design firm providing creative solutions that integrate marketing strategy, communication and graphic design. Our goal: Giving our clients the competitive edge in order to grow their business.

become a fan of Blue Wave Design

follow us on Twitter