Lexie Lu
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Articles by Lexie Lu
14 skills all graphic designers need to have as soon as possible
The graphic design industry shifts and evolves as new technology arrives on the scene. Over the decades, design has gone from hand drawn to computerized to artificial intelligence. Not too many years ago, designers needed to be able to code to stay relevant, but that is no longer a necessity. There are approximately 172,081 graphic designers working for businesses in an industry with about 3.6 percent annual growth. In addition, many graphic designers work as freelancers.
5 Basic Content Marketing Tricks for Startups Short On Time & Money
Competition in the startup world is high. It feels like you have to jump through hoops and set yourself on fire just to stand out in the ever-increasing pool of new businesses. And, like with anything, it seems you have to throw money at your business to get results. But as a startup, you’re on a budget. Money is tight, you have a limited number of team members, and there are only 24 hours in a day. This is why a lot of startups put content marketing on the back burner.
5 Simple Strategies You Can Use To Maximize Your Blog's ROI
Why do so many businesses invest in blogs? The answer is simple. Sales. If you consistently publish useful articles for your target audience, your blog will drive traffic to your website, and help convert that traffic into leads so can turn those leads into sales. If you’ve decided to start a business blog, here are the 5 things you need to be doing so you’re not wasting time and money.
Building Brand Awareness in 2020: The Do’s and Don’ts
Brand recognition is one of the most significant challenges facing business owners. There is a continual clamour of noise in the marketing sphere. Not only are you competing against companies similar to yours, but you’re fighting for attention. The average person spends hours each day on their cell phone, interacts on social media and sees advertisements until they begin to ignore any that comes their way. In this environment, building brand recognition can seem nearly impossible.
How to Create Graphics for Multiple Purposes
There are times when you must create a graphic that will be used in many different places and mediums. When an image is used for multiple purposes, you must consider each instance of the graphic and how it will look larger, smaller, and even on different backgrounds and devices. You also need to think about the different screen resolutions and sizes available. Smartphones are everywhere.
5 Truths Your Website Is Saying About Your B2B Business
Reaching other business owners requires the ability to put yourself in their shoes. You likely already understand some of the general pain points of running a business. After all, you are an entrepreneur. However, many business-to-business models fail with their websites. Digital has a massive influence on your target audience. Google reported that even in industries like manufacturing and pack-and-ship, 67% of purchases resulted from digital interactions with the user.
How COVID-19 Affects the Design Industry
The COVID-19 bug sweeping the world at the moment has changed life as we know it, grinding both personal lives and businesses to a halt. The design industry has been impacted just like every other sector out there. In response, President Trump announced a set of guidelines called “15 Days to Slow the Spread“. There is a PDF copy on the White House website, and mailers were sent to all American households. What followed was a bevy of states instituting their own stay-at-home guidelines.
The Most Effective Ways to Protect Your Supply Chain Business
No matter what you sell, you have a supply chain. Perhaps you are the manufacturer and must get goods to your customers. You might run the transportation company that gets products from one location to the next. Perhaps you are the retailer and rely on a supply chain to keep things moving smoothly. No matter where you are in the supply chain, you can take some steps to protect your business even during difficult times.
How Design and Tech Are Changing the Retail Industry
Recent years have been somewhat chaotic for the retail industry. Significant shifts in the supply chain and consumer preferences have forced retailers to move quickly — spurring the surprising adoption of new tech and design strategies that help companies better anticipate and respond to their customers’ needs. Consumer experience has steadily risen to become one of retailers’ top priorities. We see this shift reflected in the design techniques and technology they’re starting to use.
How User-Centered Design Will Shape Businesses in 2021
User-centered design (UCD) is all about considering the target audience’s needs through every development phase. For example, where will people use a product or service? Why? What requirements do they want to fulfill while interacting with it? Aspects of UCD also examine how company leaders can stay aware of consumer requirements while meeting their organizational goals. Here’s a look at some of the likely ways user-centered design will affect business operations in 2021.
8 Characteristics of a Strong Product Launch
What is the magic formula that makes some product launches successful from day one? Figuring out how to get the word out about your new item and in front of the right audience requires research and determination well before the day you release your latest offer. In the 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer, 81% of those surveyed said they need to trust the brand before buying anything.
The 6 Digital Marketing Channels to Prioritize in 2020
Although it’s hard to announce winners or losers during this pandemic, there are certain industries that have benefited from the changes in consumer habits. eCommerce as an industry has grown quite a lot during this time, specifically within the Food & Drinks, Health & Fitness, Home & Garden, and Beauty segments. This is the result of the accelerated digital transformation of many businesses.
An Ecommerce Business Guide for Handling Black Friday and Cyber Monday Like a Boss
How you can optimize your website and prep with your suppliers ahead of the holiday. Black Friday and its ecommerce equivalent, Cyber Monday — sometimes abbreviated together as “BFCM” — are two of the biggest events for digital retailers of any kind. Most ecommerce businesses see a major demand spike around these holidays, and that surge in sales typically continues to grow until after the year’s holiday season wraps up.
6 Essential Branding Tips for Tech Businesses
Branding is vital for any business — especially for companies in tech. Complex technology, fast product lifecycles and major competition all mean it’s not just about what you sell — it’s also about what your customers feel when they see your business. Your brand values and what your company stands for can be just as important as the quality of your company’s offerings. These six tips are some of the most important for tech businesses wanting to build a strong brand.
How to Improve Your Business Operations in Less Than a Year
Figuring out how to make your small business thrive isn’t always easy. In the beginning, you’re struggling to find new customers and turn a profit. Later in your company’s lifespan, you may seek enough cash flow to grow. Business operations may be the last thing on your mind, but improving them can help take your brand to the next level.
Tips to Design a Simple and Effective Landing Page
When it comes to advice on landing page design, you’ll find people who suggest throwing many different elements into the mix and others who advocate for a narrow focus. If you want to increase conversions, keeping the page’s goal in mind and creating a simple but engaging design should be your top priority. Minimalism is a classical approach if you want a landing page that never goes out of style. This design requires a balance between positive and negative space.
6 Things to Consider Before Becoming a Small Business Owner
Starting a small business is one of the best ways to put your unique combination of skills and knowledge to good use. You’ll be able to work for yourself, set your own hours and decide what’s really important while you serve the needs of customers, your community or people in your industry. However, being a small business owner is a lot of work — and it takes skills that many new business owners don’t have when they’re starting out.
A Beginner's Guide to AutoCAD
Time to read 3 minutes Published 2 years ago Last updated 2 months ago AutoCAD is a software utilizing computer-aided design (CAD). The company behind the program is Autodesk. Artists can draw and edit designs on the computer faster and more efficiently than by hand, saving time and enhancing productivity. You can also collaborate with others on your team to create your finished product. According to Statista, the CAD market is worth over $5.5 billion for 3D design and $1.97 billion for 2D design.
All Websites Should Feature Videos and Here’s Why
By Lexie Lu / 22 September 2020 In Useful Once, there was a time when everyone avoided high-resolution images and videos for websites because of how they affected performance. However, modern devices have come a long way, as your average smartphone and desktop can handle an incredible amount of interactive and visual-heavy content. Queue the rise of the background video. Yes, many site designs now incorporate animated videos and content on the background of a site.
Business Write-offs You Shouldn't Forget
One of the quickest ways to cut down on business expenses is to take advantage of tax write-offs for small and medium businesses. If you know about these deductions and the nformation you need to keep track of them, you can save some serious money every year. These six types of write-offs are essential when building your records and preparing your taxes. 1.
How to Improve Your Nav Menu's Conversions in One Day
Your website’s navigational hierarchy is the first thing most visitors look at to acclimate to your site. Your nav bar should move users from Point A to Point B without a pause. If your nav menu’s conversions are lacking, it’s time to work on some improvements. The goal is to achieve high conversion rates at a low cost per acquisition. Averages vary depending on where you advertise and how well your site performs for your target audience.
How to Make Customer Health and Safety a Top Priority of Your Business Model
The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of focusing on keeping customers safe and healthy while they spend time at your business. Although it’s crucial to do those things now, keeping customer health and safety in mind is an excellent business principle at any time. Here are some effective, practical ways to do that. Many of […] The post How to Make Customer Health and Safety a Top Priority of Your Business Model appeared first on TechSpective .
7 Tips for Anticipating Customer Expectations to Earn Brand Loyalty
You probably already intuitively understand good user experience (UX) meets customer expectations. To create a stellar encounter with your audience every time, you must know who they are and what problem needs solving. In the most recent Global State of Customer Service Report, Microsoft surveyed 5,000 respondents to understand what people want from companies. When talking about brand loyalty, 90 percent of survey respondents said excellent customer service was vital.
How to Avoid a Data Breach
Almost every company that does business online holds on to a massive amount of sensitive customer information. In the event of a breach, this information can be a massive liability if it’s stolen or destroyed by hackers. The average data breach costs a business $3.62 million, according to data from IBM. To make matters worse, these attacks seem to be happening more and more often.
How to Create a Buzzworthy Virtual DNC Experience
With a $420 million expansion approved and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on the horizon, 2020 was off to a strong start for the Wisconsin Center District (WCD). Milwaukee and the WCD were poised to be featured on national and international stages—it was a big opportunity. Then COVID-19 hit and the world as we knew it changed dramatically. How could we forge ahead with a major expansion project and a huge event in the middle of a global pandemic?
Is Your Web Design Meeting Increasing Customer Expectations?
In every industry, customers have expectations for the quality of service, the types of products you should deliver and even how you engage them with your brand. Meeting those high standards isn’t always easy, but doing so creates customer loyalty and helps you retain the clients you already have. The State of the Connected Customer Report surveyed 6,700 consumers and business buyers to find out what their expectations were for brands.
10 Tips to Bring in Dine-in Customers Post-Pandemic
As worries about the COVID-19 pandemic ease a bit and states reopen, you might wonder how you’ll draw customers back in for dining. Most establishments adjusted quickly to statewide shutdowns, offering delivery and carryout options. However, opening your restaurant back up is a different challenge. You have to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and make your patrons feel safe. The U.S. Commerce Department reported a rise in spending across every category in May.
Call-to-Action Buttons: The 8 Golden Rules of CTAs
By Lexie Lu The call-to-action buttons (CTAs) on your website drive users toward the objective of the page. There are tons of competing suggestions for how to create a CTA with high conversions. Some experts advise using the color red for your call-to-action button, and others say the color doesn’t matter. Should you use first-person or second-person wording? Where should you place your call?
7 Ways to Build Superb Brand Recognition and Drive Sales
Having a business people recognize keeps you a step ahead of your competition. But how do you develop brand recognition in the first place? There are many elements involved in becoming a trusted and recognized company in consumers’ eyes. In their 2020 B2B Content Marketing Report, the Content Marketing Institute surveyed North American content marketers. About 84 percent of the most successful marketing campaigns built loyalty with customers.
Five Long-Term Investments That Will Save Your Business in the Future
Lexie Lu July 15, 2020 Uncategorized 9 Views For tech businesses, the right investment can be a great way to cut costs and save time. You only have so much cash on hand to spend, however, and it can be hard to know which investment will benefit your company the most. We’re often encouraged to think in the short-term and choose products or […] The post Five Long-Term Investments That Will Save Your Business in the Future appeared first on TechSpective .
6 Crucial Things to Consider While Designing a Business Logo
Your business logo is the one thing you use in nearly any type of interaction with customers. It signals to the world who you are and what you do and highlights your company’s attitude. Think about the many different locations your brand image appears, such as your website header, emails, packaging, and store sign. At least eight unique types of logo designs exist.
Benefits of Human-Centered Design for Business Success
Summarize this post with: Human-centered design is a creative approach to problem-solving that puts customers front and center. It makes them the key component of your company’s methodology and real stakeholders in the process. This is in contrast to keeping things in-house or guided by designers, rather than with users. The result of human-centered design is products built with customer needs in mind. These products often really resonate with the people that use them.
How to Analyze Your Business's Top Competitors and Outsmart Them
The business world is highly competitive. You must outshine your direct competition, but you also have to wow customers and draw their attention from the thousands of other distractions they face each day. There are around 30.7 million small businesses in America alone. Companies with under 100 employees make up the most significant part of small businesses. Your small business may compete with other small businesses.
How to Analyze Your Business's Top Competitors and Outsmart Them
The business world is highly competitive. You must outshine your direct competition, but you also have to wow customers and draw their attention from the thousands of other distractions they face each day. There are around 30.7 million small businesses in America alone. Companies with under 100 employees make up the most significant part of small businesses. Your small business may compete with other small businesses.
6 Easy Tips for Redesigning Your B2C Website to Drive Conversions
Why is redesigning your website so important? Trends change frequently. If you aren’t updating your business to consumer (B2C) website at least a couple times a year, its aesthetics and features quickly become outdated. Redesigning doesn’t always mean you have to give the entire site an overhaul. Sometimes you only need to revamp an element or two. Adobe surveyed 12,000 consumers worldwide to find out what kind of digital content works.
How Your Business Can Find Content for Social Media for Free
Reading Time: 5 minutes Lexie Lu explores ‘How Your Business Can Find Content for Social Media for Free’ – Fill your social media calendar with these tips, tools, ideas and more. Regularly sharing content on social media keeps your brand name at the forefront of peoples’ minds. They’ll look to you for valuable advice, entertainment and regular input. Therefore, you should set up a social media calendar, so what you post is always fresh and interesting.
How to Create a COVID-era Event Marketing Plan
As event professionals know, even the best-planned gathering can fall flat without the right marketing. To maximize the impact of and business results from your online or real-world event at a time when some people might be hesitant to travel, it’s vital to start with a comprehensive event marketing plan.
10 Ways to Create a Sustainable Business Model Your Customers Will Want to Support
Written by: Lexie Lu More than 90% of sustainably marketed products have outpaced sales growth in their respective categories between 2013 and 2018. On average, these products grow 5.6 times faster than conventionally marketed goods. Consumers want to support companies that show social and environmental responsibility — and they’re voting with their dollars. By building sustainability into the heart of your business, you can deliver on this demand. Here’s how you can achieve it: 1.
9 Simple Steps to Generate Repeat Customers and Drive Growth
For your business to grow, you have to keep the customers you have while attracting new ones. A current client is worth more than a new one. Not only have you already spent funds to draw the person to your company, but they are also more likely to buy more than new customers. If you focus more on one area than the other, err on the side of retaining current clients. Zendesk’s Customer Experience Trends Report 2020 looked at 45,000 companies across 140 countries.
8 Ways to Determine if Your Small Business Is Prepared for Q3
The third quarter of the year is known to be a difficult one for most businesses. The excitement of summer is past, and people aren’t quite ready to start holiday shopping. Making sure you bring in money and save funds in Q3 may mean the difference between success and failure for some companies. Increasing sales between July and September requires creativity and determination. Goldman Sachs predicts a 6.2% decline in GDP for 2020, making the entire next year difficult for business owners.
10 Energy Efficient Changes Your Tech Business Needs to Invest In
Sustainability has become one of the biggest national conversations. Consumers are continually looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Many are willing to pay more to buy from companies who demonstrate a commitment to sustainable and environmental friendliness. As businesses around the country experience disruptions in their typical cash flow, many are looking for ways to cut costs.
9 Myths About Advertising in 2020
Time to read 4 minutes Published 3 years ago Last updated 1 year ago Advertising has been around since the first business owner wanted to get the word out about their product. While some basic concepts are age-old, others change as technology and personal preferences shift. It's easy to get distracted with advertising myths that simply don't stand up to scrutiny. Spending on digital advertising alone is a $108.6 billion industry in the United States.
Four Essential Changes Your Tech Business Should Make Amidst COVID-19
The world currently faces a health challenge, unlike any living generations have seen. It’s impossible to compare the situation to world wars or other moments in the last 80 years or so because we’re fighting an unseen enemy. Tech businesses face some unique trials in these times, including their parts and products made in China and the implications of items imported from there as well as disruptions in supply chain management.
9 of the Best UX Design Principles You Need to Adopt Now
At the heart of user experience (UX) design is what speaks to your target audience. There are millions of websites vying for the attention of the public. If you want to grab your site visitors and keep them engaged, you need to pay attention to the user-friendliness of your site. Statista took an in-depth look at websites with UX functions and found that about 60.3 percent utilized cross-sells, 51.3 percent used newsletter sign-ups, and 30.8 percent incorporated quick-order options.
10 Offline Marketing Strategies You Shouldn't Overlook
We live in a digital age where it seems every marketing department focuses on social media promotion and online strategies. However, there is still a place for offline efforts. While a television commercial might be out of your budget right now, many other marketing tactics work wonders for building your brand name. In a study of 2,895 marketing professionals, experts discovered there was a slight uptick in spending on traditional marketing methods.
6 Ways Machine Learning Saves Your Business Money
Time to read 3 minutes Machine learning (ML) allows computers to turn hard data into applications that enhance productivity and efficiency. As computers have gotten smarter, they've begun to think more logically and in ways similar to the human brain. Programmers now teach machines to rationalize and come up with solutions to complex problems — tasks that only the human brain could accomplish before now.
6 Tips You Need to Adopt to Protect Your Tech Business
Your tech business may be at risk from hackers, lost data, or real-life natural disasters. Protecting your hard work and financial investment requires vigilance. On top of the external threats, you’ll also contend with internal menaces and competition from other businesses. The global IT market is worth about $5 trillion, and 40 percent of that is in North America. Because it’s a massive sector, tech businesses are big targets for hackers and thieves.
20 Tips for Boosting Brand Awareness in 2020
There is a clamor of noise everywhere today’s consumer turns. People wake up to pings from companies wanting them to shop in their stores or get 15 percent off for ordering today. The drive to work is filled with billboard advertisements and radio spots touting the latest or best whatever. The average person sees thousands of ad impressions. It’s hard to boost your brand awareness amid all the noise. Statista reports global advertising spending at $560 billion in 2019, and the number grows each year.
9 Tips for Advertising Your Business to Hit Your 2020 Goals
Figuring out where you should spend your advertising dollars is never an easy task. There are times when you seem to throw money at marketing, and nothing sticks. While online advertising and tracking make seeing return on investment (ROI) a bit easier than in years past, it’s still difficult to know for sure how loyal any new customers are. This year, global ad spending will hit over $605 billion, an increase of 4.3 percent over 2019.
How to Host a Successful Tech Conference
Hosting a tech conference is an exciting but nerve-wracking time. The size of your event will determine how much time you need to get everything in place. Many moving parts must all come together in a perfect dance of elements at just the right time. There is no reason for you to compete with giants such as Google or IBM to gain attendees, however. A small conference with a niche focus will attract just the people you want. Event planning is a big business.
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