Traditional Announcements

While people are increasingly using the Internet to share the news about their babies, sending notification through the mail often feels more personal and classy. A hand-written note is always a great way to go, but if you don’t have the time, see if you can order your baby announcements with a message already printed on them. Adding your signature or a brief personal message by hand with add that intimate feel.

Send an Email

Announcing the arrival of your baby via email can be a great way to save money and help the environment. However, the downside is that emails can feel informal, impersonal and rushed. But this doesn’t rule out sending an email as a baby announcement.

Consider signing up for an email marketing account where you can choose from a variety of baby design templates for your emails that sets the tone for your announcement. Sending a professionally designed email will not only make you look hip and tech-savvy, but you will be able to customize it however you see fit. Add pictures, fun facts like the baby’s weight and length, and more. With an email marketing account, you can send out multiple emails to anyone on your contact list with updates on the latest about your baby.

Create a Baby Website

There are so many great reasons to use a website to announce your baby. You may wonder why you should go through all the effort to make a one-time announcement, but a baby website is a great way to keep friends and family in the loop.  From the first sonogram to baby’s first birthday and beyond, everyone will get to participate in the fun. Baby websites are especially useful when you have a lot of family and friends who live far away or who you don’t get to see often. By posting pictures and writing about milestones in your pregnancy and in your child’s first year, everyone can feel included in your joys. As your family grows, you may even choose to turn your baby website into a family website.

You can even link an email account to your website, allowing you to send out updates and announcements to friends and family. Direct them to your website to see new photos and read new stories.

No matter how you choose to announce your little one, remember to have fun and get creative. You’ll be sure to show your happiness and get all of friends and family excited with you.

Though party favors are traditionally candy for kids’ birthday parties, it’s not unusual to give out different types of favors for other events. You might hand out T-shirts for a family reunion, photo albums or mouse pads at a bar or bat mitzvah or hats at a graduation party. And if you can give away useful goodies instead of sugar at those events, why not give them out at a birthday party? Here’s a list of some affordable, practical and sugar-free party favors you can give out at birthdays:

T-Shirts
T-shirts make great party favors for kids of all ages. You can coordinate them with the party theme or customize with a line of text like “I was at Suzy’s 8th birthday!” T-shirts can also be given out before the end of the party. They’re especially useful if you’re going on an excursion such as to the zoo or the movies. Dressing everyone in the same T-shirt will help you keep track of them and might make some of the more nervous parents relax.

Mouse Pads
Nowadays kids are whizzes with the computer. That simple thing that took you hours to learn takes them just minutes. Like T-shirts, you can get customizable mouse pads that can be designed to suit your party theme and personalized with a message. These party favors are a fun, practical gift that kids will definitely put to use.

Notebooks
Better for a slightly older crowd, notebooks make a great party favor that can be both practical and fun. Customize the front and back covers and include a funky pen to make them original and special.

With so many options out there, you’ll be sure to find a party favor that pleases everyone. Not only will you keep the kids from rampaging on a sugar high, non-candy party favors can become a memorable keepsake for when your kids get older, and they’ll be sure to make you a favorite amongst other parents.

1. Designate Tasks

While you should be designating tasks throughout your wedding preparations, it’s especially important to do for your wedding day. Do you have someone to carry your wrap or purse while you take pictures? Who has your water bottle? Will there be someone to escort Grandma to her chair? Before the rehearsal, make a list of everything that will need to happen on your special day. At the rehearsal, ask for volunteers among the bridal party to take on different tasks.

2. Create a Schedule

You definitely want to avoid having to rush on your wedding day. You also want to make sure everyone from the best man to the flower girl is in the right place at the right time. Creating a schedule will help alleviate confusion, prepare people for their roles and help keep things running smoothly and on time throughout the day. Test out your schedule during your rehearsal to make sure there really is enough time for everything you want to cover. Make adjustments as necessary and email the most recent version to your bridal party that evening. Remember to leave a little wiggle room as incidents will inevitably come up that you didn’t anticipate.

3. Eat, Drink & Be Merry (and make sure your family does, too!)

We’ve all heard the horror stories about the bride or groom’s mother or father who has to be rushed to the hospital because of dehydration just minutes before the ceremony. Don’t let that happen on your wedding day. Drinking enough water is essential, especially if your wedding is in the summer. Keep a cooler stocked with a few bottles of water for the bridal party nearby at all times. You should also make sure to have a complete breakfast even if you’ve got a bad case of stomach butterflies. Breakfast might be the only meal you have until dinner. Eating a healthy meal such as oatmeal, fruit or eggs will give you energy for the day as well as keep your head clear and your mind focused. If possible have a light snack like a protein bar or an apple in the afternoon to stay energized.

4. Take Pictures First

Maximize the amount of time you spend with guests during the reception by taking most of your photos before the ceremony. If you can’t take your photos before the ceremony, make arrangements ahead of time with your bridal party, family and friends who will be in your formal pictures. Tell people where they need to be and when to reduce confusion and the amount of time you spend looking for those people. This means you won’t have to spend your entire cocktail hour in front of the camera and will leave more time for mingling with your guests.

Your wedding day is one of the most important events of your life, so don’t let all of the details cause you anxiety. Make the most of your day, have fun and remember that the wedding isn’t about the party, the guests or the flowers – it’s about creating a special bond between you and the person you love. Use these four tips to help keep the stress at bay so that you can have a wonderful time.

Table seating cards. Planning a dinner party? Let’s face it. It can be confusing and a bit awkward for guests to figure out who is sitting where. Help avoid all that by turning a business card into a table seating card. Amp up the fun by adding a fun fact or story about your guests to each table seating card and asking everyone to guess which one is theirs. This is a great way to get the party started.

Dating cards. Looking to spice up your love life? The next time you hear “Can I have your number,” don’t fumble around in your purse or pocket looking for a pen and paper. Hand out a dating card instead. Add your name, digits, and of course, your astrological sign. If you’re feeling daring, you can even add a photo of yourself looking your best. Don’t forget to include the URL to your Facebook or MySpace page on your dating card.

Mommy cards. Are you a busy mom who is always on the go? If you’re like most moms, you are constantly arranging carpools, playdates, karate classes, sleepovers, pizza parties – the list goes on and on. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have all of your contact info at your fingertips when coordinating all of these activities with other parents? Mommy cards are like business cards for moms. Pick a fun design, add your phone number, email, emergency information, kid’s allergies and more!

Favor cards. Want to leave a lasting impression at your wedding or shower? Your favors will do just that! They’re the last thing your guests see, so you want to make them memorable. An easy way to do so is to create business cards with the same color scheme as your wedding, add a photo and a sweet message. Then, punch a hole in the top of the card, weave a beautiful ribbon through, attach it to your favor and voilá!

With business cards, the possibilities are endless. Use them for dating, networking, parenting, weddings, parties and a whole lot more. Think outside the box when it comes to your business card and you’re sure to use them time and time again!

Banners

Make your storefront stand out from the rest with banners. Perfect for grand openings, sales and special events, you can customize your banners to fit the occasion. Hanging up a banner can signal to people that something special is going on in your business. If you are hosting an event or sale, don’t forget to include important details such as the date, time and name of your event.

Window Decals

Do you have people visiting or passing by your business on a regular basis? Then a window decal is a great way to add a little more advertising power to your marketing efforts. Some of the many uses for window decals include listing your business hours, displaying a menu and promoting a sale. Window decals can also be used on car windows and offer an affordable alternative to car door magnets.

Lawn Signs

Catch the attention of passersby with lawn signs. Need some ideas on how to use them? Try putting a special offer or sale on your sign to draw in more business. If your business is located off a main road, consider putting a sign on a street corner with an arrow pointing to your store. Lawn signs are also great for anyone who wants to showcase work they’ve done on a specific property, such as landscapers, construction companies and real estate agencies.

Posters

Hang up posters that feature special offers or events on bulletin boards around town to make an impact on the local community. When designing your poster, consider making it into a calendar which you can give away as a promotional item. This will have customers and prospects thinking of you year-round.

Car Door Magnets

Looking for a quick, easy and inexpensive way to get the word out about your business? It doesn’t get simpler than advertising with car door magnets. This type of signage does double-duty. First, it allows you to brand your vehicles with your logo, company name and tagline without having to get a costly paint job. Second, by spending only a little, you can advertise to a lot of people simply by driving around town, leaving your car in the driveway, or parking in a lot.

Putting up signs to increase your business may seem too easy to be true, but with the right signage, you’ll be sure to keep new customers walking in your door.

 
1. Say it with love. It’s a special time of year, so why constrain your creativity? Add pictures to your photo holiday  or Christmas cards for true personalization. Start by choosing the right design. From here, select snapshots that show you at your winning best – a big smile is sure to capture their hearts. Once you’ve added the perfect photo, half your work is done for you. Write a special message and select fonts, colors and more. It’s your card – why not have a little fun? Recipients will be delighted with your creative flair. And remember, you can only create truly custom photo holiday cards online!

2. The perfect stocking stuffer. In lean economic times, everyone has to pinch their pennies. But how do you watch your wallet without looking like a miser? It’s easy – create personalized photo gifts for friends and family. These handy items will impress your loved ones and keep you on budget. Instead of using a standard, generic photo, select one that has special meaning for each friend or family member. Here’s a fabulous idea: add a special snapshot to a tote bag and fill it with candy, holiday knickknacks or a pen or keychain that showcases your favorite pic.

3. Your Work is Never Done. If you really want to up the holiday ante, showcase your photos in their best light. Photo flip books are fun keepsakes that can be customized to the hilt. Pick your favorite design and add captions to all your photos. But that’s not all – delight your most beloved friends and family members with a truly superior photo book. These high-quality books are available in soft and hardcover and are excellent for telling a special story or highlighting an event or occasion. Your gifts are sure to garner oohs and aahhs all around.

You’re now on your way to a joyous holiday season! With the right holiday photo card and amazing gifts, this year’s seasonal celebrations are sure to be a delight.

First of all – don’t panic! There are thousands of gift options out there that will make anyone happy. If you’re still having a mental block, here are a few things from Vistaprint that are sure to make meaningful gifts without breaking the bank.

Tote Bags
Perfect for the environmentally conscious friend, students or busy moms, tote bags can substitute for shopping bags, book bags and giant purses. They’re also great for anyone who needs to lug a lot of stuff around like beach towels or exercise clothes. Personalize a tote bag by adding a photograph, image or design. Make it extra special by including a short message such as “Happy Holidays” or a caption to your photo. If you don’t think the tote bag is enough, consider stuffing it with other items like pens, notebooks, stationery, keychains, T-shirts, candy and more.

Photo Books
Everyone loves looking at photos, so why not compile a collection of your favorite memories and incorporate them in a beautiful photo book? Lay out your photos however you’d like and add captions or funny anecdotes. You can even choose from a variety of covers including linen and leather. Photo books are sure to make meaningful and unique gifts.

Mugs
Know any coffee, tea or hot chocolate lovers? Then a mug is the right gift to give! Make your mug personal by adding a photo and caption, or choose a professional design. Add a little flair to your gift by including a bag of the recipient’s favorite hot drink. Or fill the mug with chocolates and other candy. Small gifts like these also make great presents for teachers, hair dressers and other people you interact with regularly on a professional level.

Holiday Cards
Sometimes there are just too many people on your list. Don’t feel bad. You can still show your gratitude and appreciation with a personalized holiday card. Choose from thousands of design options, add your photo and customize with your text to create a special card to spread the holiday cheer. Sending holiday cards is a great way to cut back on your spending while letting people know you care.

Turn these budget-savvy items into thoughtful presents for the people you care about. Just add a photo and some personal text and you’re done! Gifts come in all shapes, sizes and prices, but as long as you have your recipient in mind, your gift is sure to bring out a smile.

Attract More Customers with Websites

Nowadays, if you don’t have a website, you’re missing out on tons of potential customers who would love to learn more about your business – if they knew it existed. Traditional means of marketing such as postcards and signage are still important, but as more and more people turn to the Internet for their information, your business is at a huge disadvantage without a website.

Besides providing potential customers with another means of learning of your business, a website is a great way to keep current customers up-to-date about events, sales, new merchandise and more. Websites are the perfect place to display images of your work. Many websites all you to add pictures to different pages or create a photo gallery. By including the right information, you can turn your website into a powerful marketing tool.

Increase Sales with Email Marketing

Have you ever wondered how many people actually looked at the postcards you sent out during your last marketing campaign? Have you ever wanted to know how much of an impact your direct mail had on sales? Have you ever wished there were a less expensive and timelier method of communicating to customers instead of sending postcards and letters through the mail?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then email marketing is the solution for you! Email marketing allows you to send multiple emails a month to customers, informing them about your sales, events, promotions and more. Not only will you be in constant contact with customers, you’ll be able to get detailed reports on how responsive people were to your emails. This will allow you to figure out what types of emails receive the best response, allowing you to tailor your advertising efforts to your customers.

Create Your Own Online Search Profile

Your customers are searching for you online, so help them find you. When you use the Internet to look up information, you typically find it via a search engine like Google®, Yahoo® or Microsoft Bing®. Most people click on one of the top ten results that come up when these searches are performed. If your business isn’t listed on that first page of results, it could be at a competitive disadvantage. By creating an online search profile, your information will not only be distributed to over a hundred different search sites, but you will begin to see your business’s ranking improve within 6 to 10 weeks.

Companies like Vistaprint make it possible for you create an online search profile even if you don’t have a website. As long as you have a U.S. street address and phone number, your information can be distributed to search engines. You’ll even get a page on Vistaprint’s own Business Directory, which allows people to search for your business by keyword and location.

1)  Plan ahead. Calling all procrastinators and crazy-busy people, you’re being warned: start planning and start now. Let’s be honest here, dealing with your priorities and balancing your budget can be hard. Start preparing for this busy time of year a few months before and you’ll thank yourself later. Order custom holiday cards early so you aren’t tempted to purchase cheap and uninspiring store-bought versions. This way, if you miss anyone on your list you’ll still have time to pop something in the mail.

2)  Make a list. And check it twice. Actually, make more than one list – separate them out into various categories so you understand what lies ahead. Hosting friends and family at your place? Then you’d better get ready for all the unforeseen details you may need to take care of. Get out your handy note pad and get to work!

3)  Delegate. It’s that simple. Enlist the help of a friend, the kids or your spouse to ensure everything goes your way on the special occasion. Customize and order your holiday invitations online and then leave the mailing to your wife or husband. Ensure the kids know that house cleaning duties are up to them. And then take a deep breath. When you learn to let go, you’ll learn that things will go much more smoothly.

 You’re now ready to tackle the hectic holiday bustle. Get organized early and you’ll be able to delight in all the joys of the season.

 Foster Good Will

One of the simplest ways to get people to think of you during the holidays is to send a holiday card or postcard through the mail. Add a personal touch to your holiday greeting by having employees sign the cards or by including a photograph of your staff. This will give customers the impression that your business is friendly, accessible and personable. Holiday cards do double duty by reminding customers about your business during one of the busiest shopping seasons and by generating a feeling of good will.

 Promote! Promote! Promote!

No one is going to come to your business if they don’t know about it. Attract the attention of customers with colorful signage like car door magnets, banners, lawn signs and window decals. Don’t forget to include key information like your business name, tagline, phone number and web address. If you have a website, consider purchasing an Online Search Profile that will help improve your website’s ranking on search engines such as Google® and Yahoo®. As the holiday season approaches, handing out promotional products such as keychains, pens and calendar magnets can provide a useful in-home reminder of your business and keep them thinking of you throughout the year.

 Make Them Feel Special

Sending holiday cards and using signage are subtle methods of calling attention to your business. But if you really want to get customers coming through the door, try the direct response method. For instance, offer a discount, free gift or additional service at a super-low price. You can even include a free offer in the card. Special offers can be worded in a variety of ways to make customers feel like you really care about them. Whether this discount is a gift from you to them, a token of your appreciation or an exclusive deal for VIPs, making your customers feel good about themselves is guaranteed to get them thinking about you during the holiday shopping.

 Be Rewarding

Customers love to feel like they’re appreciated. There are a number of ways you can show your appreciation and expand your business at the same time. One such method is presenting customers with a coupon that can be used at a later date on another purchase. When a customer buys something from you, whether it is a service or an item, slip a postcard with a special offer on it in their bag or hand it to them in person. If you have an online business, send a follow-up email with a link to a discount. Rewarding customers for referring their friends and family to you is also a great way to gain new clients and strengthen the bonds between you and your existing customers. Cash incentives and other rewards often bring in more money than what you end up spending.

 As you prepare your business for the holidays, keep the above marketing tactics in mind. Since every business is unique, it’s important to find out which tactics work best for you and to be creative as you promote yourself. And don’t forget, you can use these methods all year round. So get started on making your business stand out from the crowd!