When we had our Roundtable back in March on Content Marketing, our guest speaker, Rhonda Hurwitz, and 341’s Michele Graham debated the merits of the Dollar Shave Club YouTube ad as a successful example of content marketing. Well, only a few months later, the company has just earned honors from the Association of Independent Commercial Producers as one of the best ads of 2012. In addition, the company’s arch video introducing the razor-subscription system garnered more than 10 million views on YouTube and convinced about 200,000 people to subscribe and pay for the monthly shipments—5,000 of whom signed up the day the video went up! If you missed the Roundtable or our post on Facebook, here is your chance to see what all the commotion is about and why Rhonda and Michele think this is a content marketing hit.

Dollar Shave Club Video

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It is hard to believe that there are still risks involved with launching a business website, but today, hacking is as prevalent as ever. After helping clients design and maintain their new sites, we strongly encourage them to take the steps necessary to protect their site, and, more importantly, company’s security information that hackers would love to get their hands on. Not only does a hacker attack threaten your investment, they can delete or alter your files, add malicious content that spreads malware, and get your site blacklisted by search engines. Not good. That is why 341 now offers a maintenance program that provides support for website protection 24/7, but here are some extra tips on how you can take action by hardening your website against unauthorized intrusion:

Strengthen Your Security:

  • Replace the default “admin” username and create a very complicated password with a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Hackers usually first search a site for simple login vulnerabilities while more sophisticated “bots” crawl the Internet looking for default login data.
  • Check your file permissions to restrict access to administrators only or to limit permissions for authorized users.
  • Create a “security key.” A security key offers a greater measure of security by further encrypting website data in cookies, those temporary text files filled with login and browsing data.

Update Your Website Software:

  • Regularly update your website platform software as updates become available. WordPress, Drupal, Joomla and other common platforms periodically release security software. However, be wary of installing plugins developed by third parties. While most of the plugins available are helpful programs, hackers have created their own versions that, once installed on your website server, wreak havoc with your files. Download only accredited plugins and themes that have been scanned for malicious content.

Maintain Computer and Network Security:

  • Hackers, finding fewer opportunities to hack websites directly, have developed flank attacks by creating viruses that infect local area networks or computers. To prevent this type of attack, update your computer software regularly, install and use anti-virus and firewall software, and routinely scan your computer for malware. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or attached files in emails, as these may direct your computer to infected sites that secretly download malware.

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We’ve noticed that one of the top things on every company’s to-do list is to create a mobile site. With everyone needing information on the go, it makes sense for companies to create a site that allows visitors to quickly access a phone number, address, service list, etc. without having to search through multiple pages—but how does one create a successful, user-friendly mobile site? Following the launch of the Maritime Aquarium’s new mobile site, here are a few behind-the-scenes tips on what makes a really good mobile site:

  1. Site should be user driven – What information do regular visitors need up front? A clear, user-friendly list of options, such as Events, Contact, Buy, etc. should be the first thing they see so they can select which option they want without having to scroll around.
  2. Understand browser layouts – Each smartphone has it’s own screen dimension and resolution requirements for optimum site readability. Make sure your site is compatible with most of these standards so users can clearly see/read your site’s information.
  3. Make two mobile sites – This might seem unnecessary, but not everyone has a smartphone. To compensate for those visitors who are using older cell phones, create a basic mobile interface, which only shows core features, while the other layout will feature a rich UI (user-interface) for those with smartphones.
  4. Make it scroll vertically – When redesigning the content layout, allow info to flow downward, using blocks of information to highlight different sections.
  5. Apply good design practices – Remember, a mobile site is meant to condense the information from the regular full site, but that doesn’t mean you need to cram everything in word for word to fit a smartphone screen. Instead, pare it down to the essentials. Use simple words for links and buttons (e.g. use “Buy” not “Purchase”), implement one idea for one page, and don’t use pop-ups, mouse-over, or refresh features.

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Do you tend to have one go-to outfit that you wear almost daily? Do you lean towards all-black or muted tones for convenience? When was the last time you wore a bright dress, shirt, or tie? Style is a very personal thing, but sometimes we do not realize how our outfit choices are perceived by the people around us, and ultimately reflect who we are and how we think. That is where Scarlett De Bease, of Scarlett Image, steps in. Scarlett is a sought-after professional image consultant, wardrobe stylist, and personal stylist who is known for taking someone’s wardrobe (including some from 341!) and bringing it to a whole new level simply by adding basic pieces and accessories that match the client’s personality and lifestyle. Here, Scarlett shares her expertise on why adding color to your style is so important.

Color Matters, but What Are You Doing About It?

Guest Blogger: Scarlett De Bease

Color matters, so never underestimate the importance and impact of color in your clothes, accessories and makeup. You may have a gorgeous wardrobe, but if it is mostly black, then you likely will disappear into the crowd, which really should never be your goal if you are looking for success and growth for your business and career.

In this article in Psychology Today, that I was asked to contribute to about the importance of not blending in and becoming almost invisible, you can get more advice on how to not get invisible. You should aim for being positively noticed for your talents and accomplishment, and the colors you wear affect that outcome. Also keep in mind that always wearing black may show a lack of creativity and confidence, nether of which are helpful for your self-esteem or career.

If you are applying your makeup the same way you have for years, then you are missing out using color in your makeup to improve your appearance and look current. You do not need a lot of makeup and certainly less than you wore in your 20s, but you should at the very least wear mascara and lipstick.

Use COLOR, to help you get your wardrobe and makeup working for you, and not against you:

C – Create a look that works for your own individual look and style.
O – Open up your mind to try new looks.
L Less clothes & lighter makeup.
O Organize your clothes and makeup.
R Review and remember what you own and how well it works on you.

For more tips on how to update your wardrobe and overall personal style, be sure to check out Scarlett’s website!

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Go GreenGoing “green” has been in the spotlight for quite a while, and every year there are new and more efficient ways that we can all reduce, reuse, and recycle. With Earth Day coming up on Monday, we wanted to share some ideas for how you can “green” your business:

1. Turn off equipment when it is not being used. This can reduce the energy used by 25 percent; turning off the computers at the end of the day can save an additional 50 percent.

2. Encourage communications by email, and read email messages onscreen to determine whether it is necessary to print them.

3. Reduce fax-related paper waste by using a fax-modem and a fax cover sheet only when necessary. Fax-modems allow documents to be sent directly from a computer, without requiring a printed hard copy.

4. Produce double-sided documents whenever possible.

5. Find a supply of paper with maximum available recycled content, and choose suppliers who take back packaging for reuse. (We love how Cartridge World does this for printer ink!)

6. Instigate an ongoing search for “greener” products and services in the local community. The further your supplies or service providers have to travel, the more energy will be used to get them to you.

7. Before deciding whether you need to purchase new office furniture, see if your existing office furniture can be refurbished. It is less expensive than buying new, and better for the environment.

Environmentally friendly actions do not have to be large to have an impact. Consistently reducing the amount of energy, water, and paper your business uses can make a huge difference, both to the environment and your finances. Commit to a few small, easy ways to go green and you can expect big results!

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KeyboardIn light of our last blog post about Blake Robinson’s photo session with Michele’s daughter, Nicole—which created a widespread ripple effect of other people re-posting it to their blog—we thought it only appropriate to write about the power of blogging for your business:

You hear all the time that blogging is great for business, but many companies shy away from it because of the time it requires to formulate a well-meaning blog. The reason why we strongly encourage business owners to start blogging is because it has just about as much power as social media does to attract an audience and potential clients.

Blogging tells your followers a few things about your company, like detailed information and important news. It gets them involved with you. This is an important aspect of viral marketing because, without a blog, there is no other information about the company (or the employers or owners) other than what is on the website. In order to strike the right tone with your posts, here are some things to consider when blogging:

1) Relevant Yet Fun – Blog writing does not have to be stiff writing. In fact, you should never approach blog writing that way. Have fun with it. Grammatical construction is important, but the tone can be more relaxed. In today’s business, you want to be relational with your customers.

2) Relevant Yet Credible – Establishing your credibility will take more than one blog post. The more blogging that takes place and the more you deliver, the more you will gain notoriety for your business. Also, do a bit of research on which keywords your target audience searches for so they are more likely to be directed to your blog, and website, for answers.

3) Relevant and SEO-Friendly – Blogging plays an important role because it leaves room for companies to apply SEO concepts to their blogs. The more blogs that take place, the more SEO-friendly your site becomes. A great tool is to create a blogging calendar that will keep your posts organized and on-schedule.

Blogging can be fun and exciting, and is easily implemented into your site. Be sure to add keywords, pictures, videos, etc. A blog, especially if it is customized, can do wonders for your business.

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Nicole GrahamEarlier in March, the 341 Studios family shared a beautiful experience. Michele’s daughter, Nicole, had been undergoing months of treatment for a life-threatening disease, but she is doing very well now. She kept her spirits up the entire time, and her radiant personality (and smile!) were recently captured by Blake Robinson, of Blake Robinson Photography, to support Nicole’s “B+, Be Positive” way of life. Please click here to read Blake’s wonderful article, and see pictures from his photo session with Nicole. We are so proud of Nicole, Michele, and Blake!

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Olga Adler InteriorsSpring is the perfect time for redecorating, so 341 Studios was thrilled when design maven Olga Adler, of Olga Adler Interiors, agreed to share her expertise on how to effectively redecorate your office to reflect your company:

3 Tips To Make Your Office As Good As Your Brand

Is your office everything it could be? Does it tell your story? Does it represent you, your company, and the quality of services or products that you offer? If the answer is yes, stop reading now. If not, continue for 3 easy-to-use tips for decorating your office so it supports your brand, nurtures your team (even if your team is just you!), attracts high-quality clients, and makes your competitors envious.

1. Mix and Match?

Yes, but be careful. I’m not a fan of furniture sets in residential settings, but there is something to be said for consistency when it comes to office suites. If your office space consists of separate rooms feel free to mix styles, colors, and finishes and keep the style consistent within each room. However, if your work environment is a large open space, try to keep the furniture as unified as possible. Most business owners hope to expand their operations in the future. If you are in this group, then picking a furniture line that is well established is your best option. It will be easy to add desks, filing cabinets, and chairs if you start with a classic look.

2. Accessorize with Purpose.

Recently, I designed an office for a CPA firm. It was a great space in a class-A building; bright and airy with good furniture, but one that completely lacked any character. Mismatched artwork, no accessories, no vibe. We decided on an Asian-inspired theme and proceeded accordingly. I selected hand-painted screens, potted orchids, and accessories that symbolize wealth and abundance. Just in time for the tax season!

3. Make Your Brand Known and Seen.

Don’t forget to display your company’s name or logo where everybody can see it. Your logo can be printed on paper and framed as a poster, etched onto a glass partition, or adhered to it as a decal.

Hopefully you will take these simple, yet so effective, design tips when updating your company office or home work space!

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Woman SmartphoneNow that spring is officially here and the weather is finally getting warmer, more and more people will be heading outside for business lunches, working from the park, and walking to the office. As we know, mobile technology can change overnight, so after a long winter of staying indoors in front of the computer, we wanted to keep with the Google topic from our last Roundtable by sharing what new features in Google Apps are currently available to keep you connected to work while still enjoying the great outdoors.

  1. With Google Apps, all of your work is automatically saved in the cloud. That means you will have access to your email, calendar, documents, and sites and be able to work securely, no matter where you are in the world and what device you are on. For your business, this means every employee and everyone you work with can be productive from anywhere, using any device with an Internet connection.
  2. Google Apps helps you and your team work faster and smarter by making it easy for everyone – employees, partners, vendors, anyone – to collaborate effortlessly across teams, companies and locations. The app lets you share and edit many types of files – docs, spreadsheets, presentations and more – in real time. Forget all the time-wasting email back and forth over multiple file versions; storing docs in the cloud means everyone automatically has the latest version of any file.
  3. The app can help streamline everyday tasks like invoicing, budgeting, scheduling and more. You can create an invoice template in Google Docs, balance your budget by sharing a single spreadsheet or let Google Calendar suggest times for your team to meet. By removing these time-consuming bottlenecks, Google Apps frees you up to spend more time on the work that really matters.
  4. Features also include dozens of critical security features specifically designed to keep your data safe, secure and in your control. Your data belongs to you, and the Google Apps tools enable you to control it, including whom you share it with and how you share it.
  5. Also, moving your mobile business tasks to Google Apps helps reduce both your company’s overall expenses and its environmental impact. The app is powered by Google’s energy-efficient data centers, so it is less energy and carbon-intensive than on-premise servers.

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