Blogging For Effective Personal Branding

The evolution of blogging has been so dynamic since its birth in 1994. It started as an online diary, and then became how to manuals, and then a vehicle for the latest news and gossip. Now there are several types of blogs: personal blogs, political blogs, corporate blogs and more.
Blogs have changed the whole scene of marketing, creating millions of opportunities to all people, and to both small and large businesses. I personally have several blogs for many reasons–personal and business uses to name a few. Why shouldn’t we graphic designers bite a piece of that huge pie, too?

The Boons of Blogging

Why blog? The question you should ask is–why not blog? Blogging offers everyone the following advantages, plus more:

1. Establishes relationships and builds community

Blogs provide opportunities to talk to an audience, to build rapport to your clients and to share your knowledge and expertise to the same people in the industry. As a blogger myself, I have met several people in the industry including fellow graphic designers, journalists, creative hobbyists, professors, and more. I have learned many from them–like seeing graphic design in different eyes. Through blogging, you can cultivate your brand and grow as a graphic designer by learning from other fellow artists and designers. With blogging, you learn the art of networking–ultimately integral for you and your blog’s success.

2. Lower costs for marketing

Most people can start blogging for free or come at a low cost. There’s WordPress and Blogspot. It is the most cost effective way to achieve a strong and constant online presence. It’s a fast way to advertise yourself, to show your graphic design works, without the need to learn web HTML or CSS. It is an inexpensive way to get your name out on the World Wide Web.

3. Blogging as a Powerful Differentiation Tool

Blogging can help you get ahead from the pack. It’s a strong differentiation tool to set you apart from competitors. What do you have that your competitors don’t? Capitalize on your expertise, your strengths. Show them that you’re the only one who can provide them the solutions to their needs.

Blogging for Promotions and Branding

How can blogging forward your own personal or business goals? Blogging was created to sell the person, and not to sell a product, service, or ad space. You can gain a strong and steady customer base through effective blogging. You must, however, work hard to first establish the following:
1. Trust
Trust must be the very foundation for every blog. Most readers go back to seek services from designers they trust. I always treat my clients as someone I should help, not as someone I should sell to. I see myself more as a counselor to help answer the problems of my clients, rather than a businessman. In the world of blogging, a successful blogger is seen as close and trusted ‘friend’, not as a hard salesman.

2. Expertise

Establish yourself as the expert or the go-to person for a particular niche. This is easier said then done–you can’t be called an expert until you earn the name. Provide unique insight and information, and make sure the knowledge you share is not found anywhere else online.

3. Quality and Quantity in Content

Just like the previous point, provide content that is high in both quality and quantity. Some blogs are abstract, and do not offer a practical, everyday use to the readers. I try to be as generous as I can and share all that I know. In today’s world, there’s no longer such a thing as “insider’s secrets”–everything is an open book and the person who shares it first is king.

4. Consistency

Be consistent with your blogging technique. Avoid posting random blogs for the sake that they may be interesting. Maintain focus to be able to establish a relationship with your readers over time. Update at a consistent rate (once a day, once a week, etc.) so they can expect new information from you at a specified time.

5. Showing your Personal Self

Readers respond positively to bloggers who show a bit of a personal self. They feel a connection when they feel like talking to a person one on one, as if they are conversing to a real human and not just a computer. You don’t have to state your life story, but injecting a bit of humor or add a photo and short description of yourself. Personally, I try to relate the topic I am writing about to your own similar experience. It is a good way for readers to feel more comfortable with you.

Introduction to Guest Blogging

Guest blogging is a way for bloggers to connect with fellow bloggers within the blogosphere. Guest blogging offers a win-win situation for all parties: it helps build relationships, grow your audience, increase traffic to your blog, and grow and learn from fellow bloggers. This is enough reason to start guest blogging more!
There are two ways for you to guest blog. One is by guest blogging via your own blog. A guest blogger will guest post for you voluntarily or upon request. Talk to a blogger or designer that you like and ask them to guest blog for you. Another is by guest blogging to someone else’s blog. You can publish a guest post for them, and you can ask their own guest blog contribution in return.
How can guest blogging possibly promote your blog? Simply, guest blogging is the best way to introduce yourself to the world of blogging. This is helpful especially if you are a newbie at blogging. Submit guest posts to other designer’s blogs to gain steady traffic into your site. When you are visible to other people’s blogs, you are increasing your online exposure, and thus, increasing your ‘sellability’.
Blogging is easy, cost effective, and far reaching. It’s a great vehicle to share information, and to showcase your works. In today’s world, it’s impossible to succeed without help from others–and blogging is the best place in the Internet to create establish camaraderie.

Asuccessful project depends on how the working relationship of the workers involved are. In the process of working, collaboration is one factor that workers must have to reach their goals or be successful on the project they are working on. In this article, I will be focusing on how important collaboration is between entities.

Let us take a look on the definition of collaboration. I would like to share with you how Wikipedia defines collaboration.

A recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, (this is more than the intersection of common goals seen in co-operative ventures, but a deep, collective, determination to reach an identical objective) — for example, an intellectual endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus.

I find this definition very appropriate on how I want you to understand collaboration. As what this definition says,

Collaboration is a recursive process…

It is a process by which you need to start from one step, finish the previous step and proceed to the other and so on to reach one goal.

Difference of Communication and Collaboration

Many people find these two words similar, but I tell you they are totally different. The only similarity they have is they both involve two people connecting with each other.

Communication is when you just deliver information from one entity to another. It just transmits in a one-way direction.

While collaboration digs deeper, it delivers information and throughout the process of delivering there is sharing or changing of thoughts and information.

Why Do Designers and Developers Should Collaborate?

I created here a chart that will help you understand on how important collaboration is.

Let us stick on the chart and answer the question on why do we need to collaborate at work with each points below.

To share own ideas

The first step is sharing of own ideas. It is important when two people express what they think of something, this applies especially to developers and designers. In this way, they can say what they think about the project they are doing.

Sharing of ideas improve analytical thinking, creativity and uniqueness.

Analytical Thinking. Of course you would like your project reach success, so all the thoughts you give must be properly thought of and will be for the good of the project.

Creativity and Uniqueness. We always want a project to be one-of-a-kind and creative. When you share ideas with this kind of goal you will always think of creative and unique ideas that can be appropriate to the project you are doing.

Image by: Idea Maps

To come up with one concept

After sharing ideas, you can already come up with one concept. Not just a concept, but a clearwell-defined one. and

What could be the benefits of having a clear and well-defined concept?

• It will make your work very fast.
• It will lessen critical moments.
• It will avoid rushing onto deadlines.
• It will lessen the expenses.

To avoid miscommunication

Wikipedia defines miscommunication as:

An interaction between two parties in which information was not communicated as desired.

A miscommunication happens when an information or message from one entity is not delivered, or delivered but not the way you wanted it to be.

When I was searching for an appropriate image about miscommunication, I have found this image that is an example of miscommunication between the CEO and employees. Please take time to read and do not skip any on what it is written on the image.

Image by: sieersht

This is one good example of miscommunication. From the CEO down to the staff, the correct message was not properly conveyed.

Miscommunication should always be avoided for this can make or break the success of a goal or a project. To avoid this one, always talk to your co-worker and share what you think. Collaborate.

In the process of doing these things, a relationship is built between the designer and the developer.

How To Collaborate

1. Think of Ideas.

When we work, we should always think of ideas. Ideas are very much important to think of. For instance with designers and developers, there are times when a designer thinks of something but seems impossible for the developer to do it. Think of not only one idea, but several yet relevant ideas.

Image by: thewoodenshoes

2. Speak Up

Speak your mind. Tell what you think of your project or of one idea. Speaking improves how we think and talk to other people.

Image by: yo_steedgirl

Be friendly when you speak up. Avoid being aggressive or boastful, this can make your co-worker feel uncomfortable towards you.

3. Listen

Collaboration is a two-way transmission. There will be times when you will have to speak, and there will be times when you will need to sit down and listen to what your co-worker has to say.

When you listen, listen attentively. This will make them listen to you well like how you listened to their insights.

Image by: “Anwaar

While listening, take notes. Remember when you are still at school? When your professor talks, you take notes. This also apply at work. Notes are very useful when you want to remember something important that will bring a good effect to your work. Make sure the notes you take are the important ones.

Image by: Colin Devroe

4. Cooperate

Collaboration will not happen if there is no cooperation between two entities. Cooperate if you think you have an idea in mind that can help your project reach success.

See how the people in this image cooperate to carry those steels? That’s how you should cooperate.

Image by: 17may

5. Know your Goals and Priorities

Goals define your priorities. You should know your goals and priorities so that you will know where you can focus yourself.

6. Be Responsible

Always be responsible, do not ever waste your resources with irrelevant things on your work. Maximize your resources by being responsible so you will reach success and be acknowledged for it.

Image by: Liz Lawley

7. Do Your Best

Always do your best in everything you do, to reach S-U-C-C-E-S-S.

Image by: Ali Eltom

Interview

I interviewed six people who already worked with a designer or a developer. This will reflect how these professionals value collaboration on their work.

1. In the 100% of time working with a designer/developer, how much is the amount of percentage you spent talking with each other?

• 3 said 40%
• 2 said 30%
• 1 said 10%

With these answers, I can say that many still value talking and sharing ideas with co-workers which builds collaboration between entities.

2. Do you talk with your designer/developer even off at work?

Four people said they still talk with their co-worker even off at work. There are times when their topic is still about work, and oftentimes it’s about any topic.

One said she just talk to her co-workers if they are at work.

One said it depends on the personality of his co-worker. If he thinks their personalities won’t jive, then they only talk when at work.

Now, you may ask on why did I include this question. For me, talking to your co-workers and sharing your insights is one way of building a relationship with them. In this way, you can be comfortable working with them, and they can also be comfortable with you.

3. Rate from 1 to 10 (1-lowest, 10-highest) on how important collaboration is between a designer and a developer? Explain your rating.

Out of the six, three gave a rate of 10, two gave 9 and one gave a rate of 8.

Designer Jeizelle Anne said:

“The success of the project depends on how the designer and developer worked together, and when we are working collaboration is really needed.”

Developer Eric John said:

“I gave 10 for collaboration is one key to have a good output when working with others, especially between designers and developers. I find it also good to work when I see that the team or partners collaborate well together.”

Developer Rassel Jan said:

“Collaboration is really important especially when you are in those critical moments of the project. In my part as a developer, I should know on what are the weaknesses of the designer or what he likes to happen on a certain project and I can do that when there’s a collaboration between us.”

Developer Luigi said:

“No good project will be created if the two will not work and collaborate well. But there are persons that can do designing and developing at the same time, though rarely that happens.”

Developer Joren said:

“It is important that the two should come up with just one goal or expected output.”

Designer Benjamin Arthur said:

“If there is collaboration, the work will be easier for the two. Then, there will be a good output. If they came up with one concept, then all of their ideas will be focused there.”

4. Who do you think has the easiest work? Is it the designer or the developer?

Five out of the six said it depends on the forté of the person. If the person excels on designing, he will think that the work of a designer is easier than the work of a developer and vice versa. One person said that it’s the designer who has an easier task, since designing is the only work he/she does.

And I agree with the majority that it really depends on where you excel. If you think your passion is coding, then you will think a developer has the easier work and vice versa.

5. What is your best and worst experience between your designer/developer?

Jeizelle Anne said:

“The best experience I had is when they acknowledge the works I do. And the worst experience I had is we do not understand each other well due to language differences.”

Eric John said:

“The best experience I had is when the project was a success or the expected output was reached. While the worst is when we came to the point that we already fight. ”

Rassel said:

“The best experience is when my designer have done everything I explained. And the worst is when we already wasted an hour without getting over a small issue.”

Joren said:

“The worst experience I had is when we are experiencing misunderstandings, then what will happen is everything will be done repeatedly.”

Benjamin Arthur said:

“The best experience I had is when he acknowledge my works and tell my shortcomings in a nice way. While the worst is when he tell things that he himself doesn’t know how to do.”

To avoid negative situations, collaborate.

Share your Thoughts

How about you? How important is collaboration for you? You may also share to us your best and worst experiences with your co-worker. Comment now

How to Create a Perfect White Web Design? Tips and Inspiration

White is clean and elegant, these are the two things we see on White. This color has always been popular that is used in different kinds of industries. For instance in interior designing, designers prefer more White to stand out as the main color in decorating a room or a house. Take a look at this image of a room that is decorated in all White.

Image by: New Inspiration Home Design

Do you find this beautiful? I do. And the color is just simple yet it brings out the elegance and cleanliness of the room. Also with web design, White is becoming famous as the chosen dominating color for a theme of a website. Not only that it is simple, clean and elegant, it also brings a lot the creativity on designers reflecting on their works. Personally, I find it very easy to create a web design when I use White as my main color. In this article, I will be sharing to you my thoughts and ideas regarding White color in creating a web design.

What Makes White Beautiful?

Clean and Simple

I think everyone will agree with me that White symbolizes cleanliness. And that is one thing we are looking for on a website, right? We can say that a website is clean when the contents and other elements of the site look organized where they are properly placed in an appropriate position.
Greece is for Lovers, a website where you can buy several limited Greece-inspired products, is one good example of a website that value simplicity and neatness. Notice that the navigations and contents are well placed. The whole site is simple to use, therefore gives users comfort in exploring.

Another example of a website that looks clean is i am Dan, a portfolio website owned by a web designer and flash developer. The contents and elements of the site are placed in a right position, the texts are readable and the navigations are user-friendly.

There are just some of the examples of website where White gives a cleanliness in the look of a website. Now, let us go to how White can offer simplicity on a web design.
In the mind of viewers, the simplicity of a website is determined when it loads faster, user-friendly, easy to navigate and responses quickly. For designers, a simple website is easy to create, edit and maintain, therefore giving less cost on employers . To fully understand this one better, I have here examples of websites that value simplicity.
Zurb is an agency of web design that has a website that is simple to use, refreshing and very direct.

Professional and Elegant

When a website looks professional is elegant, it gives an impression to users that the company or the person is professional and elegant or formal too. White is one of the colors that can give a look like this on a site.
fourthfloorinteractive is an agency that gives interactive solutions on their clients. Take a look at their website, White gives a professional and elegant look and it blended well on the other elements of the site.

The professionalism and elegance of a company or a person can be determined on the impression their websites is giving, and putting a White color on your site can hand you these things.

Creative and Attractive

Websites should be creative and also attractive. In this way, visitors will have an excitement and drive to fully explore your site. A website is creative and captivating when the viewers enjoy and is having a comfort exploring well, even if it only have less contents on the page.
The reason that I always find White as a main color on a design is because whatever you match with it, it will still look good. And that’s what is why I find White very creative and attractive. Why don’t you take a look at these sites for an evidence that White can also be creative and catchy.
Noemie Chevaux-Tavernier
Here is one example that White website can be creative. The designer used different kinds of figures and beautiful fonts to make it look creative. I think if the White was put into different color, it won’t look good as the way it is.

We Make It Live
Each elements of this website gives a creative and uniqueness on the whole design. White makes the design look fabulous, cute yet professional in look.

Benefits of Using White

It makes your contents stand out.

Imagine a plain canvass, it’s all in White right? But after you have drawn on it, the drawing stands out. And that’s how contents also stand out on a layout if you will be using White color.
Compare the two websites below:
Bootb

As soon as the page (image above) loads, the first thing you will notice is the Black. But if you will be seeing this page (image below), you will immediately notice the contents but not White. And that’s how contents stand out on a White canvas.
Log

It is easier to mix and match.

This applies to everything. When you choose a top that is in White, you may pair it with bottoms in any color. When you use White wallpaper or paint on for your wall, you can have your furniture in any color. And for web designing, when you use White you may use any colors to mix with it. You may use Black, Gray, Pink, Blue or even Orange! Try looking at the picture below.

Image by: gugy

I can say that White is a color that you can mix and match with other colors.

It looks neat.

White symbolizes neatness and cleanliness. This also implies on web design, it makes your website looks neat even you put any colors to match it.

Image by: jessamyn west

When Creating a White Web Design: Tips and Guidelines

• As much as possible, use dark colors on your texts to make them stand out from the White. Make your text readable in size.
• Make your buttons in a darker color, so that your viewers will notice them quickly. Also, design them as simple as White is to give your viewers comfort in exploring your site.
• Put your contents in an organized way to make your website look more neat. This will also make your viewers easier to read and explore.
• Be simple yet creative. You can put different kinds of figures or images to make your web design look simple yet creative. This can capture viewers’ attention.

More Examples: Websites With White Design

Look Designs

Koeln Bonn Airport

Numan Cebi

Hello Lucky

Devia

Alcian Blue

Threadless

Gustavo Urena

AQ Works

Big Youth

Itchy Pixel

Chriss Loan

Tisha Creative

Midiaweb

Christa Robillard

One Day Without Google

Anywhichway

SquareFACTOR

A Woman In The Mirror

Shop YCN Online

Are We Too Obsessed With Facebook? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Facebook profiles are like belly buttons: Everybody’s got one.
Perhaps that statement’s still a bit of an exaggeration, but by the numbers, we (that is, Internet () users around the globe) are becoming more obsessed with Facebook () by the day.
One out of every 13 Earthlings and three out of four Americans is on Facebook, and one out of 26 signs into Facebook on a daily basis.
We could rattle off stats like until the cows come home, but instead, we’d like to show you this fascinating infographic from SocialHype and OnlineSchools.org.
Here, in a visual nutshell, are some highlights about Facebook usage, 2010 trends, adoption numbers and a great deal more.
Take a good look at this information (or click here for the full-size version), and in the comments, let us know what you think about our global fascination with Facebook. Is Facebook an amazing connective medium? A plague that preys on the easily addicted? A little bit of both, or something else entirely?