“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.”

Thomas Henry Huxley

“Life is half spent before we know what it is.”

                                                                        George Herbert

Motivational Quote of the Day…

 

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”

Albert Einstein

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF PRINTED PAPER

Today's paper fact blog was found on and reprinted from the website of www.PrintGrowsTrees.org 

Printed paper is made from a renewable resource. Trees can be replanted in places where they were harvested and also in places where they don’t currently grow. As much as we love our electronic devices, they don’t grow on trees or anywhere else.

54.7 percent of all paper in the U.S. is currently recycled.

Printed paper can be recycled, recovered and reused. The systems that are in place for these processes are widely available and have become more efficient and sophisticated over the many years they have existed. In contrast, electronic devices are much more complex and expensive to recycle, recover and reuse due to the toxic nature of many of their components, and current systems are still in the early stages.

The average data center serving our electronic devices consumes the same amount of energy as 25,000 households.

The paper we use to print in the U.S. is made from more than 60 percent biofuels. Paper mills use what’s left over from the manufacturing process to generate bioenergy on site. This serves to:

• Divert waste from landfills
• Decrease the overall carbon footprint of paper products
• Decrease dependency on coal and other fossil fuels
• Help meet green energy goals in America

By contrast, server farms that power computers have become the fastest growing users of fossil fuel in the world, and the amount of energy they use is doubling every year.

Modern commercial printing employs more sustainable practices. From recycling to energy usage, commercial printers are making great strides in reducing their environmental footprints by implementing such practices as:

• Purchasing products, materials and services from individuals and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability
• Gaining third-party certification credentials
• Reducing the impact of chemicals by using vegetable-based inks, eco-friendly soy inks, alcohol-free chemistry and aqueous coatings
• Sequencing print jobs by ink color, saving ink changes and waste
• Using biodegradable packaging materials and waste paper instead of petroleum-based foam peanuts
• Using a higher percentage of paper grades that are recycled, post-consumer and third-party forest certified to be from responsible sources
• Reducing the impact of energy loads on the electric grid by staggering production start times and effectively avoiding operating at full load during peak run time hours
• Using alternative power, such as wind or solar, in many locations where it is available
• Educating employees on environmental information, recycling procedures and certification training
• Equipping presses with ink monitoring devices to reduce waste
• Recycling printing plates, soda cans, cell phones, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, old computer equipment, tin, glass and plastics

Find out more by visiting this fine organizations website: www.PrintGrowsTrees.org

PGAMA is the not-for-profit trade association serving the graphic communications industry in Northern Virginia, Maryland, Greater Washington, D.C. and Southern Pennsylvania. They represent the interests of over 350 member firms.

Motivational Quote of the Day…

 

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance 

and conscientious stupidity"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Want more inspiration?  Visit - http://dailyinspirational.net/

Motivational Quote of the Day…

 

“Take a deep breath, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.”

Frank Sinatra

dailyinspirational.net

How Many Trees Will You Use Today?

I spotted this blog on Finch Papers - thought it was worth sharing!  

Barb

Introducing Erin O’Neill: With this week’s post, Finch forester Erin O’Neill joins Roger Dziengeleski as a contributor to the Finch in the Forest blog. Erin joined Finch in 2000 after earning a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resource Management and Wildlife Biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

_________________________________________________________________________________

As a forester for a paper company, I’m often asked how much paper we can make from one tree.

My answer? It depends. Here’s why:

First, it’s not often that one entire tree is used for paper. Most trees are harvested for multiple products, with the highest-quality portions going into furniture and building materials that bring the highest price to the landowner. Paper is made from the lower-quality wood (“pulpwood”) that is left over.

Second, the initial step in preparing logs for pulping is to remove the bark. Depending on the type of tree, bark can account for 10-20 percent of a tree’s volume. (Paper manufacturers don’t throw the bark away; we either burn it to produce biomass energy or sell it for mulch).

Third, different types of trees provide different quantities of pulp. This varies by species (hardwood, softwood and aspen) and subspecies (for example, red pine, jack pine or white pine).

Fourth, different types of paper — tissue, book, digital — require different volumes or densities of pulp. Even within grades, there are different weights of paper, which require more or less wood fiber.

So, how can you equate paper or other forest products to raw wood? Let’s use the unit of pulpwood measurement called a “cord.” This refers to a stack of logs four feet tall, four feet deep and eight feet long, and typically weighing a total of 2.5 tons.

The average cord of wood could produce either:

•  1,000-2,000 pounds of paper, depending on grade

•  12 eight-seat dining room table sets

•  250 copies of the Sunday New York Times

•  4,000 half-gallon milk cartons

•  4.3 million postage stamps, or

•  7.5 million toothpicks

For additional perspective, building an 1,800-square-foot home requires the equivalent of about 20 cords of wood.

I hope you’ll agree that these statistics point out the incredible diversity of trees, the importance they hold in our society — and just how fortunate we are to have this incredible, renewable resource available to us. Americans have been utilizing vast quantities of wood for more than 200 years, and thanks to sustainable forest management, our forests remain plentiful and healthy, providing wood for forest products, habitat for wildlife, and lands for recreation, all while pulling greenhouse gases from our air. As the Society of American Foresters says, “Trees are the answer!”

Finch Paper LLCOne Glen Street
Glens Falls, NY 12801

1-800-833-9983

info@finchpaper.com

Print is Dead? Not so Fast.

Forbes.com 

Is print dead? This is a question that has been buzzing around the marketing world since the rapid surge of the Internet and social media. While many businesses have completely migrated their advertising efforts to the web because of its cost effectiveness, exposure potential and convenience, print still maintains its stance as a powerful and necessary component of an ad campaign. Let’s take a closer look at print media and some advantages it has over its digital counterparts.

Tangibility – A print piece is a physical thing. Magazines and newspapers can stay in houses or offices for months or years, while Internet ads can disappear into cyber space instantaneously.

Credibility – There is something about print that gives a sense of legitimacy. The saturation of popups and banner ads on the web can be overwhelming and the fear of spam and viruses is enough make people weary of clicking. There is no imminent danger in a print ad.

Branding – Print ads are excellent for solidifying your brand identity. Your ads should have a consistent aesthetic in terms of fonts, colors and types of images to establish brand recognition.

Target Marketing – Placing ads in publications such as specialty magazines can effectively reach niche audiences that may be more difficult to target online.

More Engaging – Consumers are more engaged when reading printed material, unlike websites, which are often skimmed in as little as a 15 second visit. A study shows that people read digital screen text 20% – 30% slower than printed paper. (Alshaali & Varshney, 2005)

Less Print Ads – With more and more businesses relying solely on the Internet for their advertising needs, the decline of print publication can actually be used as a marketing advantage. The publications are less crowded, allowing more room for your ad to shine, and possibly even cheaper prices for that ad space.

QR Codes – Placing QR codes on printed pieces is an excellent way to bridge the gap between print and web. When scanned with a smartphone, the QR code will take you to a homepage or a special offer page that lives on the web.

The best way to market your business is to utilize as many channels as possible to reach every corner of your target demographic; this should not exclude print. Although it is likely that most emphasis, in terms of advertising, will be executed online, there still exist those who revel in the glory of the printed page and it’s important to reach them. Finding the right balance between various media will ensure a steady revenue flow, an increase in sales and new customers.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/thesba/2012/06/28/print-is-dead-not-so-fast/?goback=%2Egde_162645_member_128998477

Sourced from an online discussion by Jeff Howell, Marketing Coordinator - Fargo ND Area 

Thought for today.....

He who stops being better stops being good.

Oliver Cromwell

check out more at DailyInspirational.net

Best Travel Apps: 10 Essential Downloads

Frommer's released its list of the top 10 smartphone apps for travelers -

1. TripAdvisor

One of the Web's most popular travel review websites has made its way to the iPhones and Androids. This Web-based app pairs your GPS coordinates with content from the TripAdvisor website, so you'll need a data connection to use it. You can see ratings, read reviews and book hotels directly from the app.

2. Skype

Skype transforms your WiFi connection into a virtual cellular network, enabling calls to anywhere in the world for pennies on the dollar.

3. TripIt

After creating an account on TripIt.com, simply forward your flight, hotel, or rental car confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com, and essential travel details will be stored online. Use the iPhone app to access all your trip info on the go, including flight status info. All for free. Trip details are saved on your device, so you only need a data connection to synchronize updates.

4. Yelp

With user reviews of businesses in virtually every city in the United States, Yelp has become a priceless resource for consumers.  The app also offers a Nearby mode.

5. AroundMe

This Google ad-supported app utilizes your iPhone's GPS to find your current location, then provides categorized lists of nearby shops, restaurants, and even hospitals. The app doesn't offer any reviews, but plots business locations on a map, which can be saved as a contact with just one click. (Requires a data connection).

6. OffMaps

This app allows you to download maps to your iPhone for offline use, so you can find your way around without racking up international data usage charges. The app costs $1.99, but includes two Guide credits, for downloading city-specific travel listings and maps. International listings are somewhat limited at this time, but the app can still pay for itself in a day, considering how much you'll save on data usage.

7. Urbanspoon

This is a slot machine-style restaurant selector. Restaurants are categorized by neighborhood, cuisine, and price. Narrow down and lock in the restaurant and shake your iPhone. The app will randomly select a cuisine and price range. Or give up all control and leave all three categories blank, letting the app lead you on a culinary journey across town.

8. OpenTable

Need to reserve a table on the go?  OpenTable's  app provides real-time inventory of table availability for major cities around the world.

9. iTrans

A transit app for for cities around the world, providing  transit info even when you don't have a connection to the Web. You can find a new route without heading above ground for a signal, calculate trip distance, and even see when the next train will arrive.

10. SeatGuru

SeatGuru.com is a website that features aircraft seat maps, seat reviews, and a color-coded system to identify superior and substandard airline seats. It also features information about in-flight amenities and airline specific information regarding Check-in, Baggage, Unaccompanied Minors and Traveling with Infants and Pets.

http://www.frommers.com

Does Your Business Card Pass the Trash Test?

Your business card is often the first impression a potential client has with your company. The business card design and message will ultimately determine whether it gets thrown in the trash or filed for contact later.

Reach in your wallet and pull out your business card. Your Small Business Information guide has put together the business card test. Learn if your business card will pass or be trashed.

Size: Does your business card conform to the traditional size of 3.5" by 2"? Anything greater will not fit in wallets or most business card holders. End result trash.

Paper Quality: Is your business card design of professional quality or is it flimsy with perforated edges? Cheap cards are trashed.

Ink: Drop some liquid on your business card. If the ink runs, it's in the trash.

Color Test: Colorful cards can add to your professional image. Too much color can be detracting. Trash your card if it is black and white or has more than 3 colors unless it's a photograph.

Message Design: Your business card should clearly tell people what you do and offer a meaningful benefit. No message adds confusion so your card ends up in the trash.

Image Match: Your business card design should match your business image. If you're a designer, then the card should be creative. If your card is out of synch with your image, time to toss it.

Font Size: Is your card crammed with information? White space on the card will make it easier to absorb your message. If you have a lot to say, add it to the back of the business card. Is the print so tiny you have too squint to see it? This one is heading for the trash.

Contact Information: Your clients or potential clients should have as many means as possible to contact you based on their preference. Your business card design should include: voicemail, phone, fax, email, and website. Lack of contact information puts your card in the trash.

You only have one chance to make a great first impression. Make sure you invest in the best business card design you can afford. The business card is your introduction to a client, for the low cost per card that is money well spent.

Darrell Zahorsky, former About.com Guide

8 Reasons Not To Ignore Your Print Marketing

8 Reasons Not To Ignore Your Print Marketing

Text message marketing is so cheap, widespread and effective that it's tempting to abandon print marketing altogether. This is a good move sometimes -- think about the last time you thumbed through the yellow pages -- but other print marketing still has some life in it. Consider these factors before jettisoning every piece of "dead tree" marketing in your campaign.

1. Print Shows Up Where It's Least Expected

Digital pop-up ads aren't asked for, but most people expect them when they appear. SMS broadcasts and similar messages are typically opted into, which makes them even more expected. Expected is appreciated, but can often mean ignored. You can place print ads to catch people by surprise and snare new customers.

2. Print Is Flexible

Mobile messaging shows up on a cell phone, on a small screen, often with limits to the character count and file size. Print ads can strut your stuff in detail, with high-resolution photos and plenty of room for a testimonial or three. This is also true of your website, but your website can't go outside.

3. Print Carries Authority

For some reason, people trust things they see in print. They trust a book by an amateur more than a speech by a professional, and a newspaper more than a website. This perception might change over the next decade, but for now it's a marketing fact.

4. Print Is Starving

Companies that used to make huge profits with print advertising are feeling the pinch from mobile modes. This means you can afford some truly impressive print campaigns -- options that simply weren't available in a small business budget even five years ago.

5. Synergy Is King

A powerful mobile and Internet campaign can get customer attention, but not as much as mobile combined with something else. People retain information best when they receive it from different modes of communication. Print is the least expensive of the other main options, coming in substantially cheaper than radio and television.

6. You Can Read Print While Driving

Thirty-five states say it's illegal to read texts while driving a car -- and for good reason. No state says it's illegal to read a billboard, roadside sign, vehicle wrap or bumper sticker...or even that magazine ad on the passenger seat.

7. Print Is Immersive

Studies show that people skim digital content, but they sit down and read print. Use your mobile campaign to foster interest in your company, but print to give them the details of why you're a great value.

8. Print Sticks Around

Look at that one corner of your desk, that one drawer in your kitchen and probably the magnet-covered part of your fridge. If you're like most people, they're filled with advertisements, coupons and flyers from businesses. Many of them are months, even years, old. Those print ads can generate customers long after a mobile message would have been deleted.

Reprinted from SMS Marketing Specialists - 800.753.5732  - EzTexting (Jason Brick Entry)

4 Reasons to Use Customer Communications

4 Reasons to Use Customer Communications

The following was excerpted from an article by Customer Communications Group.

Why use customer communications? 
Customer communications CAN impact your bottom line. The case to use customer communications mirrors in many ways the case to invest in relationship marketing. A customer communications strategy may be for you if your objectives are to:

·      Enhance your relationships with your customers

·      Upsell and cross-sell products and services

·      Retain customers (especially the best customers)

·      Build loyalty and advocacy among customers

Build Credibility
Newsletters allow you to build your company's credibility as an expert by providing customers with educative information. 



Convey Information 
Got a lot to say? Have plenty of information to share? Customer communications work well if you need to convey complex information about your products or services on an ongoing basis. 



Break Through the Clutter 
Customer communications can be an excellent tool to break through junk-mail clutter. If it offers valuable information to the customer, rather than just trying to sell products, a newsletter can become something that the customer anticipates, especially when sent frequently and regularly. 



Deciding Whether to Seek Help or Go Out of House. 
Don't have the resources in-house? Consider taking your project to an agency. Being consistent if the key.



Published by Customer Communications Group, Inc., a full-service agency specializing in relationship marketing and customer communications. Copyright 2012 Customer Communications Group, Inc.

Read what our customers are saying about us!

‎"I have used Expressions Printing on a few business jobs from punch cards to menus and each time the customer service was friendly, the job was done right the first time, and in a timely manner. I would definitely use their services again."

-Natasha S.
Portland, OR

Need to improve your Google ranking?

Social Media Examiner has a great article on improving just that!

The basics of business cards

Click here to see the ins and outs of business cards

Just when you thought there were no other ways to fold...

Tired of the same old fold? Channel foldfactory on You Tube has plenty great ideas! Seriously, there are loads of 'em.

Customer Loyalty: Attitude or a Behavior?

The concept of customer loyalty can be approached from one of two different directions: attitudinal or behavioral. “Although each of these directions is valid,” says Don Peppers of the management consultant firm Peppers & Rogers Group, “they have different implications and lead to very different strategies for businesses.”

Defining loyalty as “attitudinal” implies that loyalty is a state of mind. In other words, customers are “loyal” to a brand or company if they have a positive, preferential attitude toward it. In terms of economics, this would mean that someone is willing to pay a premium for Brand A over Brand B, even when the products they represent are virtually equivalent.

The behavioral definition of loyalty, on the other hand, relies on a customer’s actual conduct, regardless of his or her attitudes or preferences. By this definition, a customer is “loyal” if he or she buys from a company and continues to buy from it. In this sense, loyalty revolves around re-purchase activity. In the behavioral definition, loyalty is not the cause, but the result of brand preference.

According to Peppers, the behavioral definition of customer loyalty is more useful and practical because behaviors can be observed, while attitudes can only be measured by using polls and surveys. But this doesn’t mean attitudinal loyalty is unimportant. After all, positive attitudes do tend to drive positive behaviors.

A Practical Way to Make Invisibility Cloaks

It's the stuff of science fiction but engineers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, have developed a new printing method to begin fabricating invisibility cloaks and superlenses.