Inexpensive marketing immediately brings social media to mind, but what other ideas are there?

I often get start-ups and small businesses asking me for help to promote their businesses on tight budgets. Here are 10 tips and ideas you mightn’t have thought of that are inexpensive or free that can help get your business out there.

1. Write a guest blog for a like-minded business or someone related to your industry. Include links back to your website or Social media site. It is a win-win for both businesses as Google favours sites with outward links in them.

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In Oct 2014 I wrote a blog about networking for business in New Plymouth. One of the groups has recently had a big change so I thought I’d revisit the topic.

The New Plymouth Business & Professional Women’s Network has relaunched as “The Network” and C7 is proud to be the design partner/sponsor.

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A common question C7 get asked is “do we design websites?”

Prior to 2013 we have, but when I took over ownership I wanted to focus on my specialty of design for print and brand identity. It is easy to become a “jack of all trades and master of none” if you try and do too much under the one roof. C7 instead chooses to partner with local website specialists for any website requirements. Depending on the nature of the project C7 can supply graphics and art direction for the web project in collaboration with the website provider.

There are many great website companies in New Plymouth but C7 recommends, and has worked with the following:

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I’ve always been interested in design. Designing is not skill I have developed, but I like the academic aspect of design and how design conveys messages to those who view it. We attach labels to design. Consciously or unconsciously the design of a product or a brand tell us a lot about it – and that is why we employ designers to articulate that message in words, colour and images.

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How to get a first meeting when you’re looking for a design job

A new year often means people are looking for new career opportunities. Either a first job after completing design studies or just a change. In the past few years I have gone from being a job hunter to having the shoe on the other foot as a potential employer. I often get sent CVs from job hunters so thought I’d offer some tips about how to increase your chances of getting that all important first meeting.

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Happy 2015 everyone!

By now many of you will be back to work or starting again on Monday. Hopefully you’ve had a week or 2 off to relax and unwind. Getting back to work can be a bit of a shock to the system though and the holidays never seem long enough! Here are some tips to ease back in and  hold on to the holiday feeling a little bit longer.

1. Plan your next holiday

It’s always nice to have something to look forward to. Even if you can’t afford that cruise through the Med, it’s free to dream!

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I often get asked about work productivity as I have a home based office so I thought I’d share some tips for the season.

At this time of year it can be hard to stay motivated and achieve good work productivity. It’s only the beginning of December and there has already been one too many Christmas party and everyone I speak to is pretty tired and ready for the holidays already. Here are a few ways I stay productive and get through the work.

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The new design for New Zealand banknotes

So everyone is talking about the new designs for the New Zealand banknotes so I thought I’d put my 2 cents in. Pictured above are 2 of Norway’s new notes which are an example of currency design done right. You can check out New Zealand’s notes here.

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Cheesy stock photography makes designers sad…

This post popped up on my Facebook feed this week. Although I’m not a parent I found it quite humourous as it poked fun at cheesy stock photography. As a designer cheesy stock photos are a pet peeve of mine, and I see them too often. I realise there isn’t always the budget to hire a professional photographer, but you can choose wisely when it comes to stock photos. Sites like iStockphoto and Dreamstime can have their place, but as an alternative why not try New Zealand site mychillybin. I don’t know about you but my friends don’t all have their teeth whitened! At least mychillybin uses New Zealand models in New Zealand locations that look far more natural.

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Fireworks, gardens, art studios and more gardens

I have been enjoying all the Taranaki events on offer this week. Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow for the public Fireworks Display on the foreshore. Check out more details on the Facebook page here. It’ll be great if this gets a lot of public support as it was largely privately funded and it would be a shame to lose it.

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Live more awesome

“Live More Awesome is a registered NZ Charity started by Jimi Hunt & Dan Drupsteen. They wanted a place to be able to inspire others to better themselves and be able to talk openly about depression and how to deal with it.” I first got interested in Live More Awesome after watching a TedXAuckland talk by Jimi Hunt on YouTube and find them extremely inspiring. You can check out their very cool and beautifully designed website here. You can certainly tell that one of the founders runs a graphic design and branding company!

Also if you’re in Auckland check out this cool event www.worldsbiggestwaterslide.com

by Karen McEldowney

Ok, I admit it…I have been taking some design inspiration from The Block NZ.

Graphic designers can get their design inspiration and creativity from all kinds of sources, not just other graphic design work. This photo is of the new David Trubridge light in our living room. Trubridge is an iconic New Zealand furniture and lighting designer davidtrubridge.com. Although this shade wasn’t on The Block, I have wanted one for a long time and the show inspired me to change my lighting. It’s like having an artwork on the ceiling now which I love! If you can get past all the repetition and the inbuilt advertising there are some cool ideas to help make a room more beautiful and stylish.

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Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park…

is under new ownership and C7 Design were pleased to help them with the design of their promotional rack cards. They are having an open day on Sunday 19th October from 10am – 2pm with a bouncy castle, giveaways and tours of the upgraded facilities. Sounds like a great family activity. Also check out their new website if you need a place for visitors to stay.

Love it or hate it, networking and building relationships is an essential part of being in business.

People often ask me about networking events in New Plymouth, so I thought I’d give a bit of a run down on the ones I go to and find valuable for C7 Design.

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