Sources for Low Cost Graphics

by admin on August 22, 2008

Finding low cost graphics for blogs an websites can be easy if you have the right resources.

If you are doing things yourself:

My main source for royalty free graphics is Istockphoto.  Depending on the size of the image you are charged a certain number of credits to purchase an image.   Most small images for the web are just a dollar or two – and a large file for printing may cost you 10 to 15.  All in all – great value when you need to create an impact in your marketing material.

Another source is 123rf.com

123RF has a very large selection of free images they offer which are offered on a time-limited basis – definitely worth taking a look as the “just right” image may be right there waiting for you.

If you are looking to have someone help you with your graphic marketing materials there are a number of sources for which you can find economical help depending on what your needs are:

Try these folks:

99Designs.com

99designs connects clients needing design work such as logo designs, business cards or web sites to a thriving community of over 17,000 designers.

Elance.com

Elance is not just for graphic design – but also great to find writers here.

Guru.com – also has a very large freelancer data base


Outsourcing your design work can save you a lot of time and frustration if you are not an expert with graphic programs and up with best practices – and at the same time – it can also cost you some time and energy when working with outside suppliers.

A couple of quick tips:

Don’t just accept the 1st offer you get in response to your request – as some of the folks on these data bases – respond to everything – and sometime they don’t  read what they are responding to.  I often put a codeword in the post – and ask any reply to include the code word in the response – that way I know I am not getting just an auto-response.

So some smart best practices are often a great idea.

Things like:

  • not paying full balance until the work is completed to your satisfaction – Keep the funds in escrow ready for the work to be completed
  • not writing a positive recommendation until the work has been completed
  • find someone who you like and who is efficient – and then use them
  • be very specific about B timescales, quality required, layout etc – and renegotiate after anything changes

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A Perspective On Twitter

by admin on July 29, 2008

Any hesitancy I had about my decision to get involved with using twitter as a way to be connected to those who I serve – has all disappeared.
I watched today as twitter messages streamed in -telling of the earthquake that happened today California.  The messages came in just moments after folks were feeling their offices and homes shake.   It was amazing to me – that I was witnessing the feelings and emotions of those I am connected to.   9 or so minutes later – across one of the TV’s in our office – came the notices of the earthquake.   What was missing in the newscast was the experiential reports.   The newsy version seemed flat – whereas the content in the tweets were multi-dimensional.  They were extremely human. And I felt as one with them.
Now that I am truly converted from hesitancy to eagerness.   I will make a post of some of the tips and tools I have been related to using twitter to make connections.

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Wordpress 2dot6 Transition

by admin on July 17, 2008

WordPress a few days ago announed Wordpress 2.6 – and after watching the following video – my concerns about doing an upgrade right away – diminished.  I can already see many productivity enhancements included in this version – making it easier and easier to minimize the time I spend working on blog posts.

Quite a few enhancements are included in this update

  • Enhancements for collaboration, previous post version options, restore earlier version.
  • A press this button – to capture quotes, text, images or embed video.
  • A place to add caption for images.
  • A theme preview – so you can see how things look – before you activate a theme
  • Also an option – to store images to your own computer. (Gears)
  • Plus a whole whack of smaller enhancements – plug ins, image galleries and avatar options.

Lot’s of good stuff in this enhancement.

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Virtual Assistants 2 – Social Media

by admin on June 26, 2008

I got a great referral for a great virtual assistant for working with Web 2.0 Social Networking Applications from nancy @ Viva visability.com

www.websuccessdiva.com

Maria works with soho folks on social media success.

Here are some additional VA’s who work with Social Media Applications:

YellowHighlighterVA.com

VirtuallyYours925.com

amhbusinesssolutions.com

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Mindmapping Software for Rolodexing

by admin on June 26, 2008

Here is a colleague Sherman Hu Showing his personal mindmapping software to keep track of his life.  Sherman is using the personal brain.

Brain is excellent for doing non-treed mind maps.  Me personally, I am a daily user of MindManager – which helps me organize using a treeing format.  But for my own personal learning of complex subjects I use a non-treed mind map.

If you want to watch an excellent use of non-treed mind mapping and you have 15minutes to spare- give this video a look (its in 5 sections of about 3minutes each)- and see how you could use this kind of brain approach – is could be an excellent format for story telling.

Learn more about The Brain Mind Mapping Software – you can go to their main website at www.TheBrain.com

read more | digg story

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