Bristol Business Network Event

Still Motion Design had a Lovely Day at the Grand Hotel last week attending a seminar hosted by Phil Yarrow from PYC about the power of social media.
 

Attendance for these meetings is at an all time high and it's no surprise as all business sectors shift ever more confidently into the digital age.

Here are three great, not to mention free, sites that were flagged up at the seminar:

Topsy, If This Then That ... and... Follower Wonk

Topsy is a search engine that instantly analyses yours or your competitor’s online presence, giving you a refined and highly valuable insight into your market.

If This Then That or 'IfTTT' is a search engine that allows you to set up virtually any automated response online. The premise is you tell the site that if (this) happens then you want (that) to happen. For example if someone mentions a drop in shares in M&S on Twitter you want it to be texted to your phone, or if someone is looking for a job as a web designer in Bristol, you want their advert to be forwarded to your email account.

And my personal favorite, Follower Wonk, which can read any Twitter account and analyse their followers and or following instantly. First the site details where the following is located globally, then it tells you how influential each Twitter follower is, and then how active, all of which is presented in graphs and charts for no money whatsoever.

By keeping up to date with new resources for social media, we not only gain an advantage over our competitors, but we can also gain knowledge of them and their business', enabling us to carve our own niche alongside bigger players.

I don't want to give all their secrets away, but I will recommend attending the next PYC conference at The Grand Hotel in November.

Accommodation Unlimited

Mailer Campaign for Accommodation Unlimited
We designed classy and dynamic mailer, which really stands out. Stylish typography and an illustration montage, which conveys the 3 simple steps of renting a property. We advised AUL to go for a postcard size as we thought it would give it a more quality feel and encourage recipients to hold onto the mailer.

Copy and Tag Lines
We provided AUL with a variety of strap lines and copy to support their message that they are a trusted letting agent.

3 Peaks Challenge with Avon Business Club

Hi all, Just thought I'd let you all know I'm doing the 3 peaks challenge with Avon Business Club on the 22nd of May and yes its for Charity Mate!

The charity we have chosen is the Princess Trust. Which if you didn't know is a great charity which helps give practical and financial support to 14 to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

I know there's been a lot of charity campaigns in the news etc recently, so I really don't mind if you cant afford to sponsor me or if you can only afford a few pounds, it all helps!

To donate please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/ABCchallenge/

Abit about the 3 peaks: basically it involves me (and a few others!) climbing Ben Nevis, Scarell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours... ouch!

Last year we did the Dragon boat racing which wasn't quite as challenging but thanks again to everyone that sponsored the team, as we managed to raise over £3,000 for St Peters Hospice and we made it to the semi finals!

Thanks

Mark

Design Your Way Out the Down Turn

The UK Design Council Research Shows...

"that more than half of the UK’s businesses:

• ... are looking to design their way out of downturn
  Over half (54%) of the firms in our survey thought design would contribute to a large or great extent in helping maintain their competitive edge in the current economic climate.
• ... think design is more important now
  Similarly, 53% thought that design had become more important in helping the firm to achieve its business objectives over the last three years.
• ... think design is integral to the economic performance of the UK
  The same number agreed or strongly agreed that design is integral to the country’s future economic performance.
  

Fortunes can change for any business – large or small – sending a once successful and thriving operation into decline. Shifts in the economy, in consumer sentiment or changes in the marketplace are just a few of the factors that might leave a company in trouble and unsure how to get back on track. Even mighty corporations such as McDonald’s or entire industries like the Swiss watch industry have fallen foul of changes in the market, but both responded through an investment in design and innovation which helped to turn their fortunes around."

Still Motion Art

Still Motion Art has just sold one of Silent Hobo's latest creations... see more at www.stillmotionart.co.uk

Ecotronic Website

The Ecotronic site is live and taking orders, if you sell toys then take a look!

Lonestar Conversions

We have just launched a temporary website for www.lonestarconversions.co.uk Watch this space for the real thing in a couple of weeks...