Messaging, Graphics & Content
Annual Report Production: Under my direction at Stearns Bank, our creative team won 1st place for Annual Report Production. My role was written content, theme and creative direction. I communicated with department heads and took photos of customers on site. I took pride in telling their story both graphically and with the written word. While at Stearns Bank, I won awards consistently for written communications for various annual reports.
Use of Photographs: Mailing or Insert on glossy card stock
In our electronic, anonymous world, it's essential to use every means possible to build trust immediately with potential clients. Your photo helps introduce you and your company. I've heard it said often that people buy from who they like. I agree with this and from the outset, a smiling face encourages people to like you. This is especially true for the sole proprietor or new business. You are your business, so essentially people buy from you because they like you and trust you. The use of personal photogrphas instead of stock photos builds trust at first glance. Not everyone is comfortable with their image on their materials, so I work to make it as sublte as possible. As a professional photographer, I've taken many of the project photos and individuals I've used in the past.
Logo/Slogan Creation
Part of creating high impact logos is appropriate use of color, font andshapes. 
Many considerations go into these choices, including cost of reproduction, product and your unique selling point. Often times a few simple tweaks is all that is needed along with an slogan add-on.
Print Marketing Collateral
Business cards, brochures and folders
Traditional marketing collateral is still needed for many businesses. While completely updating and rebranding BDFC's image, I developed their logo, color scheme, graphics and slogan and implemented all elements into their web site. The elements are now used in-house by their staff for social networking, even twitter. www.bdfc.com
Direct Mail/Handouts
I design and print inhouse postcards and handouts for 200 Orphanages Worldwide fund raising events. Use of the image and logo is consistent in most of the marketing creating a strong and recognizable brand.
Portable Graphics and Images
Creating efficiencies is important in today's business climate. Your ads, flyers can all be interchanged with portable graphics and images.
Creating a consistent brand can be done easily and economically. I like to provide portable images and graphics with space for custom copy for trade shows, conferences, flyers and other ongoing marketing needs.
Web Redesign/Landing Pages
Let's face it. The web is where it's at. Creating a strong web presence is critical. Your web page is your store front and it should be welcoming, easy to navigate and lead people instinctively where they want to go.
I recommend leading with the web in all you do. Always direct people to your website and provide a way for them to contact you.
I work with a businesses existing web provider or software and often make the best of whats already in place. There's often no need to reinvent the wheel. I work well with onsite or offsite technicians and IT staff to implement creative and practical solutions.
Event Marketing/PR
When promoting events, use of all available media is encouraged if at all possible. Creative layout, fonts, colors and paper stock compliment a colorful logo or theme. The idea is to attract as much attention to your materials as your budget allows, and then direct them to the website.
When promoting events, I've used newspaper ads, press releases, community and web based calendar event submissions, direct mail, radio, cable TV, flyers, handouts, web site event pages, registration pages...social networking and the list goes on. Most budgets don't allow for this kind of saturation, but knowing who your audience is and who you want to draw often determines the venue.
