Studio490

Does our talk match our walk?

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:17:00 +0000

The great thing about dealing with people is that we have an opportunity to prove ourselves to them. This is one of the most powerful aspects of our business. We're consumers ourselves and have had our fair share of bad customer service. In our staff meetings we talk about creating that "Raving Fan". What would it take to make that client want to tell someone about you?

Great price?
Customer Service?
Commitment?
Professionalism?

Dare I say, all of the the above and more. Oh sure there are people out there who could sell ice to an Eskimo, but that doesn't last for long and rarely creates a repeat client. Studio490 doesn't do "One and Dones". That means, that even if a client only has a single project, our services should be of such superior quality, that when they need someone again they call us.

In light of all the so called Truth we've heard over the last several months, we felt compelled to tell you that there is a company out there that stands on it's values. That is built on it's integrity and is driven by it's Character. Studio490 is that company.

Tradeshow booth development

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:07:00 +0000

We've all been there, you spend weeks working on the design with the input from others trying to meet a deadline. You finally get all the chefs in the same kitchen and they agree. You send the final file to the printer.

Times passes....

You get your trade show graphic and it's perfect. To be sure the size is right, you set up the table top in the conference room and put up your new trade show booth in all it's glory. Someone walks in (or you invite them to see the beauty) and they say, "hey, I thought we stopped using that vendor?"

Change is the only constant and while that is good for printing companies, it's not good for those of us who want some closure. So, I've developed a process which I call "Supportive Panels". I design my trade show booth to allow me to use or not use these panels. They are usually designed on a 11 x 17 inch panel which is then printed out in color and mounted on foam core. We simply attach them to the trade show booth graphic to address specific trade show events.

When the supportive panel is not needed, it is removed and the message underneath is used. We also use these on easels to put on the table next to the main graphic.

11 x 17 work well because they are a cost friendly size. 1 panel usually cost about 14.00

Tj Todd
Studio490

Well it's about time! - Google, Yahoo spiders can now crawl through Flash sites

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 18:17:00 +0000

Adobe has announced that it is working with Google and Yahoo to finally ensure that Flash SWF files are indexable by search engines. Google has already gotten a jump start on this feature that designers have been asking for since the late 90s, too.

read more | digg story

Effiective vs. Eye Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:21:00 +0000

So here's the scenario...

You've just been to 3 new websites that look more like a video game than a website. The talking avatars and Myst like pages are still dancing in your head like Christmas morning sugar plums. You sit back in your chair and say to yourself, I need a site like that. I want something that wows someone when they visit my site. I'll get the next Webby for sure.

You contact a design studio (such as Studio490) and they rain on your parade by telling you that an all Flash site is all but invisible to Search Engines.

You may ask yourself, then why do I see so many sites with all the crazy movement, voice overs, transitions and more?

The Answer....

They usually belong to an established company which really does not need to worry about being Found. It's more about reinforcing their brand with a cool site. Here is a test, what is the name of the shoe company that has a tag line of "Just Do it"? Can you find their site without having to use Google?

When you don't have to worry about your audience discovering nike.com, you can focus on different brand angles.

I believe a combination of Flash and html is the best of both worlds. The flash sets a tone to the site, but the html provides you a platform to stay "Findable" on the search engines.

Your objective should be to educate your soon to be clients on your products/services and entertain them enough to have them remember you.

Let Studio490 take you to the next level of web development.

Tj Todd
Studio490
CEO / Creative Director

A big hat makes me a chef...right?

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:15:00 +0000

The Professional Web Designer

We're often approached by clients who have ran across someone who sold them a bill of goods and left them with a less than perfect web solution. Just as a big hat doesn't make you a chef, just because a person says they are a web designer doesn't mean they are a professional one.

What makes a professional web designer is their ability to listen to the client and suggest the right business solution. Even though that solution may not be something the "Designer" does. A true professional should tell you what you need and not just what you want to hear. Most clients don't know their meta tag from their link exchange, but it's your web designer who should.

It does Studio490 no good to design and develop a web solution that never exceeds its clients business expectations. That simply makes a unhappy customer and they don't return.

The Client

Just as it's important to hire a professional web designer, we believe it's important for the client to know what they are asking for. If they don't, then be open to feedback from that professional. Know when you're asking for a Lexus on a Yugo budget.

Spend some time learning what you will need to ask for before you find someone to provide that service. Look for a professional who has references, testimonials and samples. Ask about qualifications and how they do business. A professional will be more than happy to talk about their company.

Know what's included and what is not in the scope of the project. Project Creep is very common in web development and it's best to define what the cost will cover.

A committed web professional and a educated professional client is a winning combination. You can see our references to see.

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director

Studio490

What is Graphic Design?

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:52:00 +0000

I never thought of Design as such a cryptic service until a couple of people asked me, what I did for a living. When I told them the three services I provide Graphic Design, Web Development and Marketeer. A couple of them would say, "Design? like Business Cards?" or "Design, like creative stuff?"

It was then I chose to write about some products and which areas they fall in.

First Up.... LOGO Develpment

This is one of the most overlooked things a company forgets about when it starts to build it's Brand. Brand? I know, we'll get to that later. Let's stay on point with the LOGO.

Your logo is the mark or image that everyone will associate with you and your company. The Golden Arches, the Swoosh, the Apple just to name a few are logos that company have developed to brand their company.

Most people are in such a hurry to get a brochure or a sales slick they forget that their logo needs some work. Just because you spent 2 hours in MS Word making text Dark Blue, doesn't mean you've captured the essence of your company with a mark. A logo is powerful when it conveys what your company is or what it does.

This is where Studio490 comes in play. We interview our clients to be sure they logo is doing the right thing for them. Just like a big hat doesn't make you a chef, MS Word might not make you a designer either. Let us help you establish a Logo that can communicate your company effectively.

Next up....Collaterals

The Broken Road of a Collateral

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:30:00 +0000

So you went into MS Word and did your letterhead last year.

Then you realized that your company logo should be more than just words and so you brought the topic up in a sales meeting and the guy who sells stuff on eBay was the most creative person in the group. So he whipped up a logo using paint shop pro over the weekend.

Next thing you know the logo is in your power point which was put together by your Sales Manager.

3 weeks later you are attending a conference and your secretary has been working on a brochure / calendar combo and you say, "hey, drop in our new logo and print out 100 for the show."

I paint these situations because this is just what happens everyday in business. May I suggest you print out all of those materials and lay them out on a table next to each other.

Do they look the same?

I'd bet a Venti Mocha Frap that 7 out of 10 are not. They were made be different people at different times with different reasons. Not to mention that none of these very skilled and willing people were Creative Professionals.

That disjointed look you now see all throughout your Client Facing Materials are what your clients see everyday while dealing with your company. Your brochures look different than your email blasts. Your business cards look different then your website. Your powerpoint look different than your closeout materials. When they get some project materials from a SA they look different still.

What is this saying to your client?

Is the process of your business this disconnected? Are my orders being handled properly? Am I paying to much to a company who is spending more time on my project than they should be?

This is where a Creative Professional such at Studio490 comes in and asses the single brand of the company, adjusts all materials that are not company branded and develops a process for employees to follow to avoid future disconnects.

Having a single brand applied to all client facing and internal facing materials will streamline the development process of communicating with your client. After all, you want a sales person to be selling and not trying to design your next newsletter.

Contact us today and let us exceed your expectations.

You can see some of our work at www.studio490.com and our references from clients we helped fix that broken road.

Thank you

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director
Studio490

tjtodd@studio490.com

Project Mis-Management

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:48:00 +0000

In most cases you know about the project 2 weeks or more before it's due, but what happens?........You wait.

14 days away from deadline - You think, "I have plenty of time to get this done and I have other things to do."

Big Mistake! Are you sure you are the one who will be working on it? More than likely, you won't be the only one investing your time on this project. So, take a moment to think about involving those unknowing players about this project. At the least, it will get everyone thinking about what needs to be put together for the project.

7 days away - You get your outlook reminder and snooze it until 3 days before.

3 days away - In passing you mention to your marketer or graphic designer, "We have to get together about something today." The end of the day comes and goes with nothing mentioned.

2 days away - The next morning you get a email or a page over the intercom to come to the office. You get brought in on a project that now has a 2 day time line. The kicker is, no one is ready to give you the information you need to perform your task. You spend that day chasing down people who are involved and don't know it yet. Of course they don't know anything about the project. So at the end of the day, you realize that this project is doomed from the start.

1 day away - The day before the project is due, there is a meeting of all of the players and they look at you like, "so you have everything you need?"

After shaking your head, you inform everyone that you do not have everything you need and that you need their help to complete the project. Everyone gets this look on their face like, oh God, what will I have to do for this?

Having been in this industry for quite some time I've seen this happen way to many times. Now that I think about it, it happens all the time. But, it happens from the top down. Those on the bottom try to build in time to do the project and those at the top seem to ignore the project until the day before it's due.

I have two words to fix this situation..... Project Manager. There only job is the coordination of projects. It's there job to plan and track projects and timelines. Big picture people should never be able to pass out a projects to anyone but other managers. Ideally, the Project Manager. Some one with a 1,000 ft view should be in charge of projects. They have a big enough picture to see what needs to be done first and what needs to be adjusted to meet the deadline.

Any time I can Project Manage my own projects, I never paint myself into a corner when it comes to delivery. So, it can be done.

The other side of this coin involves rushing a process that will ultimately represent your company to your client. So why cut the production time a short as possible? You get out what you put in. So, the next time you rush a project like this to the client and a mistake gets brought to your attention, realize you've done this to yourself.

Plus, you'll keep your staff happier if you don't dump rush projects on them constantly. Give them the time to be the talented people you've hired them to be.

If you find yourself in a position of having a Graphic Design, Web Design or Marketing project and in need of a Project Manager, feel free to call Studio490 for help.

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director
Studio490

Communication 101

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:08:00 +0000

I worked with a company some years ago and after listening to their situation, I suggested developing a Corporate Blog. After meeting with Management about the concept, I was told to shelve it until next year. I looked at him and asked him why? After pausing for about 10 seconds to choose his best excuse he said, "we need to take Baby Steps."

I said, "with all due respect, you're a technology company with a website that was developed as a student project, you have no cohesive Marketing materials in place to compensate, you don't write press releases, don't advertise.... what are you waiting for?" He simply, said "No".

I regrouped, went through my idea and pitched it along with a Marketing Plan for the upcoming year (some 2 months) later. I mentioned that I wanted to start a Corporate Blog for them and tried to educate them as to why I felt this was a great idea. Time passed and I proceeded to make plans of how I wanted to architect this new Marketing Tool.

Another project came up and and I felt this would be the ideal situation to implement the blog. I sent out emails describing how I would use the blog and why it would be such a great product for their clients. I thought I was gaining ground on this until one day one of their Directors said, "Tj, what is a blog?" I learned a valuable lesson that day about communication.

Tell them
Tell them what you told them
Tell them again

It was then I realized that they were not unwilling to commit to this idea due to a lack of potential or investment, but unwilling to commit due to a lack of understanding. It took me over 3 months of talking about the concept to get someone to say, "I really don't know what that is."

Have we really come to a place in our culture where we are afraid to ask for more information due to public image?

So, I sat down with the Director and went over what a blog was (again). During the process he asked questions about the software and then gave me buy-in. I think this was the same thing that happened when websites came around. Some were like, "oh god I don't know what that person is talking about", but I don't want to sound out of touch so I'll just say, "well, I don't know if that is the right fit for us at this moment. Let's put it on the side and consider it next quarter." Now look at how many companies have websites.

To all those out there that want to ask the question but don't want to seem less knowledgeable than someone else, ask it anyway. Learn something today to benefit yourself tomorrow.

Tj Todd
Studio490

Tip #1 - Trade Show Booth Development

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:06:00 +0000

We've all been there, you spend weeks working on the design with input from others all while trying to meet a deadline. You finally get everyone on the same page to talk about the same topic and everyone signs off on the project. You send the final file to the printer.

Times passes....

You finally get your trade show graphic and it looks perfect. To be sure the size is right, you set up the table top in the conference room and put up your new trade show booth in all it's glory. Someone walks in (or you invite them to see the beauty) and they say, "hey, I thought we stopped using that vendor?"

Change is the only constant and while that is good for printing companies, it's not good for those of who want some closure to a project. So, I've developed a product which I call "Supportive Panels". I design my trade show booth to allow me to use or not use these panels as needed. They are usually designed on a 11 x 17 inch panel which is then printed out in color and mounted on foam core. We simply attach them to the trade show booth graphic to address specific trade show events.

When the supportive panel is not needed, it is removed and the message underneath is used. We can also use these on easels to put on the table next to the main graphic.

11 x 17 work well because they are a cost friendly size. 1 panel usually cost about 20.00. For a very small amount of money you can now tailor your booth to the event your attending.

Contact us today to let us help you get the most of your trade show experience - 704-948-1587

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director
Studio490

www.studio490.com

Happy New Year from Studio490

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year

So now what? After the Christmas gifts have been given, exchanged for the right size or re-gifted...now what? After we've stayed up until midnight to toast the New Year and sing that song no one knows the words to.....now what?

Better Business that's what! Our team at Studio490 has spent some serious time over Starbucks coffee cups talking, planning, focusing and sipping over our goals for 2008. One phrase kept surfacing to the top of the conversation...

You can't go where you've never been, if you don't do what you've never done.

May sound like a cliché, but that's just what we plan to do. With clients ranging from Medical, Non-Profit, Heavy Equipment, Insurance, Software, Environmental and Service, we plan to move into areas that break the normal channels of our industry service.

We look forward to working with you.

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director

Studio490 Institutes Referral Program

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:25:00 +0000

For all those Raving Fans out their, we've developed something just for you. If you refer someone to Studio490 who becomes a client, you will receive FREE design work. Clients such as Enviro-Equipment Inc. and MNM Productions have already seen the benefits of this program.

Enviro-Equipment received a discount on a Press-Release development and distribution project.

MNM Productions received a free Newsletter Design and distribution.

For more information about this program, contact us at 704-948-1587 or email us at tjtodd@studio490.com

A Different Kind of Sameness

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:20:00 +0000

Studio490 has been providing Web Development since 1994 and while there are many lessons we've learned along the way. The one we're talking about today is what we call, A Different Kind of Sameness.

When we are working with a client we ask them to show us the sites they like and tell us why. It's interesting what they like and what they think they like. One of the pitfalls we try to coach our clients out of is copying another site completely. It's one thing to notice a good site architecture, good navigation or content, but it's another when the client says, "We want our site to look just like www.xyz.com."

We always ask, "Why do you want to look like someone else when as a business you spend alot of time and money trying to standout from the crowd." Copy Best Practices but leave the copying to your competition.

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director
Studio490

31 Flavors Self Promotion - Online Portfolio

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:49:00 +0000

In days gone by you would have to have your portfolio in hand when you went to an interview / client meeting. Well no longer do you have to carry your Dad's old briefcase to meetings smelling of Old Spice. The online portfolio is all the rage these days and almost a must when it comes to client interaction.

They range from a simple online pdf of your resume to full blown websites all about the person. Here is another form of online self promotion from www.slide.com. You just upload your images and drop the code into your webpage, blog or profile.

Tj Todd
Studio490
CEO / Creative Director

Studio490 - Industry Experience

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:32:00 +0000

As you can see, Studio490 has worked with a large spectrum of industries. We understand that the benefit of good business crosses all lines of industry. With this history of business experience, we are able to provide you with a effective business solution.

Banking
Clothing
Education
Employment
Financial
Gaming
Health & Fitness
Insurance
Marketing
Medical
Music
Non-Profit
Public Relations
Real Estate
Religious
Security
Software
Start-ups
Technology
Trade
Video

Dana Todd
CFO / Office Manager
Studio490

Tradeshow Booth Development

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 22:47:00 +0000

SEO is a marathon not a sprint

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:31:00 +0000

Many companies aspire to see their site listed on the first page "above the fold" on Google, Yahoo or MSN. Some of you maybe saying, so how can I get there? Well, you can but know that those companies you see there now didn't get there overnight and didn't get there cheaply.

There are 2 ways to get to the top of search engines:

Organic SEO - in which you constantly work on your site content, link exchange, keyword research, meta tags, title wording, networking, blog support (see Studio490.com), online marketing, promotions, email blasts, direct mail, web banners and more.

Pay-Per-Click - you pay to be listed above the fold when someone enters a certain keyword.

As a reference, the term "DSL" was selling for 3.05 in 2005 and is now up to 6.24. So if you were the highest bidder for "DSL"; every 100 people that clicked on your link would cost you 624.00. As you can see it wouldn't take much to blow your budget out of the water if you were going after a popular keyword. Some keywords are still very affordable.

** Quote **

Successful SEO Needs Effort, Not Quick Fixes
By: Mark Nenadic

If you want to be successful with search engine optimization, you need to commit yourself to achieving long-term results. This does take patience, but is necessary if you want to come out on top. The following tips can help bring you closer to your high ranking goal:

Tip 1: Conduct thorough research for keyword phrases " use effective keyword programs such as KeywordDiscovery or WordTracker. The paid programs of their software will help you generate the best keyword phrases for your business.

Tip 2: Valuable web content " Dont create a website that is overrun by graphics. SEO spiders will crawl right over these graphics and pass you by. Your website needs a reasonable amount of web content that is pumped full of valuable information. It needs to be clear and concise, and should also convey your website message which needs to include the keywords youve selected to rank high for.

Tip 3: Relevancy " Ensure that all your link anchor text and title tags are relevant to one another, as well as to the web content that is presented on your site.

Tip 4: Patience is a virtue " It will take almost a year, or even longer, before you begin to see any traffic from the natural results of search engines. Try not to let this get you down. Take this time to continue to improve your site and give the competition a run for their money. Eventually, your persistence, patience and positive thinking will pay off.

** End Quote **

While not having a website at all is still worse than not doing any SEO (search engine optimization), it's not by much. If you plan on not doing any SEO to your site after launch or in production, keep your site lean with good content until you can afford to do some.

Studio490 can help you with your SEO development. We want to be there for you as you grow your online presence and take your company to the next level of business.

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director
Studio490

So now you have a Website...now what?

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:30:00 +0000

Congratulations!

Welcome to the World Wide Web.

Now we can get down to business. I said, "Now we can get down to business". I mean, getting your website launched in the first step to the many steps it's going to take to have an effective online presence.

Launching your website could have been a very long and expensive process for you, but know one thing, you are not done. Have you planned on Tracking your site? Promotion it? Search Engine Optimization? Developing a Blog component? Updates?

As you can see, while you may have taken the most important step in the process, it is but the first one. As the old question goes, How do you eat an Elephant? The answer, one bite at a time.

Studio490 can help you with the entire web development process. From Website design and deployment to web marketing, SEO and Blog Development.

Contact us today to find out what steps you need to take to make your website become the online tool it was meant to be.

Tj Todd
CEO / Creative Director
Studio490
704-948-1587

Studio490 delivers website package and more to client

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 12:27:00 +0000

In 2006 we met with a client to discuss a web development project that would lead to a much bigger solution. Seems their website had been up for a while and they wanted to update its look and functionality. No problem we said, with visions of graphics and content dancing in our eyes. But web development these days is hardly about the flash, the spinning logos or the online bling. It's about fresh content development that is delivered to the client in a clear and concise manner.

In the 90's, it was enough to have a website or a "vanity site" as they call them. It was like your business card or yellow pages ad. It was you on a virtual street corner telling the world that you know enough to be online. But somewhere during the late 90's and early 00's, it wasn't enough anymore. Seems users wanted more from their online experience and so the social network, forums and blog nation begin to grow.

Presently, when a client comes to us to design or redesign their website, we don't let them off the hook with a simple, "ok". We ask, "ok, what what is going to bring the user back?" What will you provide to your potential client that your competition isn't. Trust me, your competition is sitting in a room right now thinking of ways to leave you in the dust.

Websites have always been a brochureware technology that has it's place online, but needs something to support it. In comes the website of the new millennium - The Blog. With it's ability to search, self archive and provide fresh content on a virtual silver platter, it's all that and bag of chips. By keeping your website as a static brochure to your company's products and services, you can then use that blog to educate your client base on the many areas, topics, services and situations that makes your company the leader in it's industry.

The possibilities for the Blog component and it's benefits for your site are endless and if we've piqued your curiosity, then contact us today and experience customer service like it was always meant to be.

Tj Todd
CEO & Creative Director
Studio490
tjtodd@studio490.com

Studio490 gets LinkedIn

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:17:00 +0000

Are you tired of the MySpace confusion? Finally, there is a network for the professionals of the world.

www.linkedin.com

Now you can create your own network of friends, familes and professionals. Feel free to visit and take a look around. If you want to add Studio490 to your network, send us a invite to tjtodd@studio490.com

Enjoy!

Tj & Dana Todd
Studio490

Consulation services available for using your computer.

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:07:00 +0000

Operating a computer may seem second nature to some and completely foreign to others. Studio490 not only wants to serve your needs in the Design / Marketing / Blog Development area of business, but we want to help you become comfortable with using your computer. Since many of our services happen online, we want to offer a consulting service for those looking to get a better handle on how to use there computer to the fullest.

Some questions that never seem to get answered.
1 - How do I check my email when I'm not at home?
2 - How do I save my user name and password so I can log back in?
3 - Do I have to shut my computer down when I stop using it?
4 - What browser should I use?
5 - Do I need to run system updates?
6 - What is a Blog?
7 - What is a MySpace?
8 - How do I find pictures online?
9 - When I save a file on my computer, where does it go?
10 - How can I stop the pop up windows?

Contact us for scheduling a visit, chat (IM) or phone call today.

tjtodd@studio490.com

Tj & Dana Todd
Studio490

Business Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 21:41:00 +0000

When we were approached by one of our clients about Blog Development we were naturally excited about the project. While talking over dinner about the benefits of Business Blogs our client began to get excited about the possibilities as well. The more we provide these type of services to our clients, but more reasons we find for the development of them.

We don't name names at Studio490 but we will say that this client is a Fortune 500 company and we simply assumed they already had a business blog. They didn't.....now they will.

If you don't know what the benefits a blog would be for your company, please visit www.studio490.com or call us at 504-220-3721 for a free consultation.

Tj & Dana Todd
Studio490
Design / Marketing / Blog Development

Studio490 jumps into Blog Development

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:22:00 +0000

IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE
February 20, 2007

Contact: Tj Todd, Principle Owner
Phone: (504) 220-3721
Email: tj@studio490.com

Studio490 expands service line to include Blog Development

Studio490 now offers Design / Marketing and Blog development services to it clients.

In 1995 Studio490 was established and they set up shop in their hometown of New Orleans, La. In '95 they provided print & web design services to their clients, today their services have been reorganized into 3 areas. Studio490 now provides Design / Marketing / Blog Development services that can take a project from start to finish and track the metrics when they get you there.

By expanding their service line to include the website of the 21st century (the blog), they are very excited by their clients return on investment. When asked how they would describe themselves as a company, Dana Todd, CFO of Studio490 said, "when we step back and look at the services we provide, we describe ourselves with two words; Creatively Strategic."

Studio490
Established in 1995, this husband and wife dynamic duo prides themselves on quality of service at an affordable investment. With a combined experience of over 40 years in design & marketing, the couple is often heard muttering, "we don't feel that old."

###

BlogDeveloper.org - A Division of Studio490

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:52:00 +0000

www.blogdeveloper.org

In 2005 we caught the blog bug and haven't stop blogging since. We've always felt that the web was about more than dancing logos and flash intros. With blogs growing at 70,000 new blogs each day, we wanted to provide a service to the practical users out there. While we love talking about all the things that we are passionate about on our personal blogs, we are also very passionate about developing Corporate blogs.

While working with a high tech company I approached management about developing a blog for their company. Just like any manager worth his salt, he pushed it off until he could figure out what a blog was. After several meetings we were allowed to follow this new endeavor. After chairing a committee to develop online content, we launched their blog 2 months later. Now they have a process in place to generate ideas, content and posting. Not only do they have quality control measures in place, they can track their blog with real time stats which can be connected to a firm ROI result.

We take companies from "what's a blog" to "of coarse we have a blog" within 2 months. That includes developing a content vehicle, publishing process and tracking tools. The blogs or tomorrow will do what we always wanted our web sites to do.

Our Services:
- Planning and architecture your blog for your audience
- Developing a content generating vehicle
- Developing a blog policy and disclaimer
- Implementing a quality control process
- Installing tracking for ROI metrics
- Blog research
- Blog Campaign Design & Management
- Blog promotions

You can contact us at tj@studio490.com

Studio490 - Ranked top 15 Graphic Design Companies In Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Tj Todd) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:59:00 +0000

Studio490 took part in a ranking campaign hosted by the state of Arizona earlier this year. Since our "Flight of Katrina" back in 05, we were still new to the area and now competing with large established design firms. Over 90 of them to be exact. But, in our quite effective manner, we threw out hat into the ring just to see how we were fair.

A representative from Ranking Arizona called us last week and informed us that we had made the top 15 Design / Marketing companies in Arizona. Little ol us? Yep!

They haven't told us at what position we are in yet, but to make it into the top 13% of the states Design / Marketing firms is a honor into itself.

May we say thank you to all who voted for us and we promise to not let this go to our heads.

*phone call conversation* NO! We said we only eat green M&Ms!

;)