It’s no secret, strong branding is one of the keys to successful marketing. In fact, 69% of marketers insist that branded content is more compelling than advertising through mail or PR.

When it comes to newer businesses, understanding your own brand will help set you apart from your more seasoned competitors. If you’re totally new to branding or you're just trying to figure out who "you" are, grab a note pad and answer these five essential questions.

1.    What’s your brand story?

From years of hard work to happy accident, every company and product gets its start somewhere. How did your brand get its start? Is there a story that’s uniquely yours? Think of ways to share your humble beginnings and make your company memorable.

2.    Describe your ideal customer?

The most important aspect of opening a business is finding and keeping leads. Taking the time to thoroughly research your target customer will help keep your brand’s aesthetic, feel, and marketing strategies aligned with the wants and needs of your audience.

Because no two customers are alike, we recommend creating personas for three different shoppers. Make detailed lists describing their: age, profession, income, hobbies, where they live, likes, dislikes, etc.

3.    What 5 words describe your brand?

In the early stages of branding, you can never make too make lists! We suggest brainstorming as many words or adjectives that you can think of that define you.

When you can’t think of any more, look over the words you came up with and whittle down your list until only the 5 most meaningful words remain.

4.    What product or services do you want to be known for?

77% of people choose a product because of its brand name. Think about that statistic the next time you reach for a Post-It or a Band-aid!

Like Nike sneakers and Tazo tea, every successful business has a well-known product. When people hear the name of your brand, what will be the first thing they think of? 

It's important to define your signature product or services... before your customer defines it for you. 

5.    What brands do your customers love? 

This can include your direct competitors or brands that are completely unrelated to you. For example, if you’re opening an organic soy candle store, you may have customers that enjoy buying products from Whole Foods, Anthropologie, Etsy, or Earth Fare.

Check out what colors, words, and imagery they use to figure out where you'll fit in with your competition. 

Do you have more branding questions that we didn’t go over? Ask us in the comments!

---

Marketing & Graphic Design in Greensboro, NC & Beyond

Gearing up for the launch of a new product or business? Don’t dive in without a little help from the creative experts. From business card design and logos, to social media marketing, Hue & Tone Creative can help you connect with your customers and creating a lasting impression.

We all want our feed to look like this!

Ever stumble across a gorgeous Instagram feed and suddenly come down with a major case of account envy? We’ve all been there.

Creating a lust-worthy Instagram account is more than just slapping on a filter and a handful of hashtags. It’s about telling a story and understanding your own unique style.

Whether you’re trying to revamp your feed for yourself or your brand, we’ll give you the scoop on how to create an account your followers will love. 

 

Choose a Theme

Found the perfect filter or editing settings? Keep your feed cohesive by using it on your other images. 

All successful Instagram accounts have something in common. They all have a look. Finding your own theme takes a lot of research and self-discovery, so don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to get your feed where you want it to be.

Start by studying your favorite Instagram accounts, creating color stories on Pinterest, or simply writing down a list of adjectives that describe your brand. Think about what emotions you want your followers to feel when they scroll through your feed and brainstorm how you can express that visually.

For instance, a feed for a yoga studio could use relaxing colors, natural light, or motivational quotes. An account for a café might use vibrant colors or flat lays of ingredients... Once you get rolling the ideas are endless!

After you’ve decided on a style, use that as a guideline for all your future posts. 

Spice it Up

Now that you’ve found your look, keep your interesting by varying what you post. No one wants to follow an account that posts virtually the same images all the time.

Get creative by telling your story in different ways:

• Piece a mosaic of individual images

• Celebrate a holiday

• Change your setting

Still need more examples of what to post? We’ve got even more ideas to help you get inspired.

Quality over Quantity

Never post a subpar picture just for the sake of likes. It’s much better to have a small number of great images than hundreds of blah ones. Always post high quality images that reflect your brand’s vibe and overall style. If it doesn’t fit your look, don’t post it.

---

Pro tip: Use a social media scheduler to help you preplan your Instagram content. We recommend giving Buffer or Hootsuite a try! 

---

Try an App

Although Instagram has a huge array of filters to choose from, don’t be afraid to venture outside of the app! There are tons of (mostly free) photo editing apps on the market with beautiful color stories and editing features.

VSCO- subtle effects and presets

1967- filters with a vintage feel

Foodie- perfect for lovers of food photography

A Color Story- lovely collection of filters and light effects

Adobe Lightroom- a high quality on the go photo editor

One last takeaway…

Creating a cohesive look takes time so don’t rush the process! Post frequently and try not to overthink it. 

---

Social Media Marketing in Greensboro, NC

Running out of ideas on what to post? Can’t seem to increase your number of followers? Take a breather and leave it to the experts. Whether you’re trying to get the word out for an event or are preparing to launch a hot new product, Hue & Tone Creative can help you ramp up likes, retweets, and mentions on all of your social channels.

Whether you’re designing a resumé for the job of your dreams, sending out invitations to a gala, or creating a sleek new business card, using the right fonts will help you grab someone's attention and accurately communicate your brand.
 

Google Fonts has 847 fonts to sort through, so we’ve rounded up some favorites for you to browse. And remember, all of these fonts are free and open source, so there’s no need to worry about potential licensing hiccups. You’re free to use the fonts for any project, whether it’s a personal blog or a commercial campaign.

Sans Serif

You can never have too many sans serif font options. These versatile fonts are great for logos, headlines, and graphics. 

Serif

Give Times New Roman a break and swap it for something more modern.

Slab Serif

Looking for a typeface that packs a punch? Try a slab serif.

 Want even more fonts? Keep the downloading going by syncing some of our favorites from Adobe Typekit.

---

Professional Creative Services in Greensboro, NC

Don’t have an eye for design? We can give your brand the creative touch it needs. From email campaigns and logos to everything else in between, Hue & Tone Creative can help your brand stand out.

Earlier this month, Twitter rolled out a new font. Unfortunately, not everyone was a fan…

Twitter’s switch from Helvetica Neue, to Segue left users complaining that the slender new font was hard to read and caused way too much eye-strain.

Like Twitter, most businesses are bound to make mistakes when it comes to using the right fonts and sizes. Instead of fumbling through and learning from trial and error, do yourself a favor by learning a few of the best font-size secrets. 

Websites

Whether you’re designing an online shop, portfolio, or blog, it’s crucial that your fonts look clean, appealing, and easy to read.

For best readability, we recommend that you keep your headers and buttons between 30-32 pts and sub headers between 18-26 pts. Body text usually looks best when it’s between 12-16 pts. 

Looking to compare email marketing platforms? Here’s a rundown on a few of our favorites.

MailChimp

Email marketing isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, email is 40 times more successful at bringing in leads than Twitter or Facebook.

One of our personal email marketing tools, MailChimp, recommends that you keep your body text between 14-16 pts. 16 is best for short emails between 2-3 sentences, while 14 pts us better for more lengthy emails.

Mobile

According to MailChimp, it’s best to stick to the “one eyeball, one thumb, and arm’s length” rule when it comes to font sizes. Basically, your viewers should be able to see and scroll through the entire email with ease and clarity. 

With this guide in mind, your body fonts should be between 12-16 pts and your links, CTA, and buttons should be between 34-36 pts.

One last note…

When it comes to selecting fonts, the most important thing is to pick an easily readable font. When in doubt, go back to basics. If you stick to a plain serif or sans serif and use these size guidelines, you'll be on your way to finding the perfect typography for your next web project! 

---

Web & Blog Design in Greensboro, NC

Not seeing much traffic or engagement on your website? It’s probably time for an upgrade! From landing pages to business blogs, Hue & Tone Creative can help you create a site that matches your style and helps reel in leads. 

We have a confession to make...  We have a bit of an addiction to browsing home decor on Pinterest. But instead of adding to our already over flowing “dream home” board, this week we decided to channel our energy into some shareable content!

If you love day dreaming about how you're going to decorate your house, this little collection of "Home Sweet Home" moodboards is just for you!

Victorian

During the Victorian era, plain jane décor was a major faux pas. Burgundy, burnt orange, and teal hues create a modern spin on the classic style. 

Ranch

For this color scheme, we were inspired by golden fields of wheat and rustic simplicity.  

Colonial

Our collection wouldn’t be complete without one of the most popular American styles. Lemon zest, forest green, and robin’s egg blue add a nice contrast to a black and white canvas.

Cottage

We know it’s cheesy, but we’ve always loved Miss Honey’s teeny tiny cottage in Matilda. For this shabby chic palette, we chose muted shades reminiscent of tea roses, ivy, and aged stone.

Spanish

For this rich scheme, we combined warm hues like papaya and goldenrod with a bold hint of sapphire.

What’s the style of your dream house? Share it in the comments!

---

Creative Services & Graphic Design in Greensboro, NC

In a creative slump? Take a break and leave it to the pros! Whether you’re looking to spice up a lackluster landing page or create a lookbook for your brand, Hue & Tone can add an artistic touch to any project.

Everyone knows that hashtags and pictures go together like PB&J. But not everyone knows how to correctly utilize hashtags.  When it comes to helping people find your company and products on Instagram, hashtags can play a big role -- but only if you're using the right ones. 

Today, we're going to run through the two main types of hashtags, and then cover how to find and use them properly.

Types

Before you start collecting hashtags, it’s important to understand which ones you should be using. There are two main types to choose from: community and branded hashtags.

Community hashtags are popular on Instagram, but they don’t really have anything to do with brands. For instance, #tbt or #cat could be used by anybody, it’s not exclusive to a company. These are great for helping people discover your profile -- but you'll want to be specific and primarily use hashtags that directly relate to the mission of your brand.

Unlike community hashtags, branded hashtags are for… you guessed it, brands! Usually companies use a consistent tag featuring their name, but you could also make one for a promotion, competition, or product launch.

Branded hashtags are awesome for supporting user-generated content campaigns (UGC) because they help people connect with you and show their love for your brand. 

Where to Find Hashtags

Although it would be easy to throw on a couple of hashtags and call it a day, you really need to your homework if you want to be discovered. 

Save your hashtags tags in Google Docs or a spread sheet so that you have on hand when you need them. 

We recommend thinking like your audience. Dig around and find out which influencers and hashtags are popular with your followers. It also helps to zero in on the more specific community hashtags because they have a smaller following. For example, #artistsoninstagram has over 3 million posts, but if you narrow it down to #inkdrawing, you have about 820,000 posts to compete with. Less competition = more exposure for you.

Speaking of competition, it may also help to scope out what tags they’re using. If they’re posts are getting a crazy amount of attention, hunt around for the right hashtags to spark some likes on your own page. 

Instagram Pro tip

Keep your post clutter free by hiding your hashtags. 

1. Open Notes in your phone.

2. Type a dot and hit return (Repeat this process 5 times).

3. Add all the hashtags you want to use after the 5th dot.

4. Copy all the dots and hashtags.

5. After you post your picture in Instagram, hit the comment button and paste all your dots and hashtags.

6. When you look back at your post, all the tags should be hidden!

Need a few hashtag ideas to help you get started? Here are some popular ones for some of the top industries and the Triad:

Fitness:
#fitlife
#getoutside
#eatclean
#fitspo
#fitnessgoals 

Greensboro & the Triad:
#gso
#gbo
#sogso
#wsnc
#gatecity

 Marketing:
#digitalmarketing
#advertising
#entrepreneurship
#influencermarketing
#marketingstrategy

Restaurants:
#delicious
#locallygrown
#eatlocal
#treatyoself
#hungry

Nonprofits:
#volunteer
#change
#dogood
#socialgood
#socialimpact

---

Social Media Marketing in the Triad: Hue & Tone Creative

Does managing all your social media accounts feel like a chore? We can give you a hand! Whether you’re looking to expand your list of followers or boost your amount of likes, the digital marketing pros at Hue & Tone Creative can give your accounts the attention they need.

Think about the last time you watched something. Did you sit back on the couch and grab the remote, or did you reach for the phone in your pocket?

The days of devouring media solely on a TV screen are long gone. In fact, the total number of videos uploaded in the last 30 days dramatically surpasses the amount of content produced by major U.S. networks in the past 30 years.

With all those videos out there, how do you get eyes on your own content?

This week for Part 3 of our Great Mobile Video series, we’ll show you how to your iPhone videos to stand out on three major platforms.   

YouTube

YouTube’s search engine is massive, so getting noticed in a sea of competing content boils down to the work you put into your SEO.

To help your videos pop up more often in search results, put time and effort into your metadata (title, description, tags, category, and thumbnail).

TITLE
Your title should be no more than 60 characters long, but keep in mind that mobile users will only see about 26 characters of that.  

Avoid using “clickbait” titles to draw in views. An example? “This will change your life forever!” about a video showing off a new mop. Come up with a title that’s catchy, but honest… or you risk annoying your viewers and forfeiting subscribers.

Organize your videos into playlists. It will entice viewers to watch more of your content. 

DESCRIPTION
Because only 2-3 lines of text (about 100 characters) are shown in the description of your videos during searches, put the most important info first. Mobile users won’t see your description at all, only your title.

TAGS
Spend time researching relevant tags (Google’s Keyword planner is a great tool to use). Make sure that you only use tags that have to do with your video. Irrelevant tags could cause you to land in trouble with Google.

CATEGORY
Make sure to choose the right category based on your viewers’ demographics. We recommend visiting YouTube’s Creator Academy to make sure that your selection is the right fit for your brand.

CREATE A CLEVER THUMBNAIL
An eye-catching thumbnail can help your videos stand from competing search results. Think of your thumbnail as a little snapshot of what your video is about. Stick to a simple scheme like an image from your video paired with bold title. Canva is a great tool to use if you’re not savvy with Photoshop. 

Facebook

Think YouTube is the leading video viewing platform? Well, that’s sort of true…

On average, 45% of people watch over an hour of YouTube or Facebook videos every week. Focusing on one over the other could cause you to miss out on a lot of potential leads.

While you may be tempted to simply share your YouTube link on Facebook, studies show that uploading videos directly to Facebook can increase your share rate dramatically. In fact, when compared to YouTube links, native Facebook videos perform 10x better and receive higher levels of engagement.

Sidebar: Because 85% of Facebook are viewed without sound, make sure that you have your subtitles enabled.

The uploading process it pretty similar to YouTube’s, choose a descriptive title and a compelling thumbnail to draw in views. We highly recommend spending time on your actual post. Only 400 characters of your post will share when people are scrolling through their feeds, so choose your words wisely.

Investing in a Facebook campaign is another great way to amp up your views. Check out our guide for more details. 

Instagram

Before your video debuts, drum up excitement by mixing in teasers with your normal content. 

When it comes to Instagram views, hashtags are your best friend. Using at least one hashtag will bring in 12.6% more engagement that not using any. Just try not to go overboard. The rule of thumb is to choose relevant hashtags that are consistent with your brand, and are easily discoverable by new viewers.

Advertise your video in your bio with a compressed link. You can promote the video further in your other posts by stating “link in bio” at the bottom of the captions.

If you have influencers or special guests featured in your video, make sure to tag their page and have your participants do the same for you. This makes it easier for their viewers to discover your brand. 

One final takeaway…

When you get started with video, don’t obsess over your amount of views. Results take time. Instead, focus on producing and uploading high quality videos regularly, so that you can build up a following and increase your brand awareness overtime.

---

Hue & Tone Creative: Social Media Marketing in the Triad

Looking to launch an ad campaign or ramp up your social media presence? Get started with the pros! From social media management to email campaigns, the creative thinkers at Hue & Tone Creative can help bring your brand’s story to life.

Grab a cup of coffee and get ready to edit together a viral video! 

We’re back after taking a week off from the blog!  Two weeks ago, we shared some filming basics (you can catch up on Part 1 here). Now we’re jumping into the must-know stuff about editing video.

Let’s go ahead and dive in head first! 

Edit on a computer

Although there are plenty of video editing apps to choose from, editing on a computer is the key to producing quality professional videos.

iMovie is the perfect starter program for beginners, but its features can be a little limited.  It’s a great place to start -- you can use filters, voiceovers, and a small array special effects. But you might be a little limited when it comes to visual effects, audio editing, and graphic integrations. (It’s also the only cheap/free option on this list!)

Need an app for spontaneous videos? Magisto and Adobe Premiere Clip are free and perfect for on-the-go projects:

Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the leading cross-platform video-editing programs on the market. Because it’s used by film makers, journalists, and broadcasters, Premiere Pro is perfect for high quality professional content. Virtually every type of film or file type is compatible and can be exported to any screen and format. Premiere Pro also works seamlessly with other Adobe programs like Illustrator and After Effects – great for integrating custom titles.

Final Cut Pro X is a high quality professional program from Apple. Like Premiere Pro, Final Cut specializes in advanced techniques and 4K video. And, we personally find it to be a little more beginner friendly than Adobe Premiere. You can also purchase title and animation templates directly through Apple Motion rather than editing them in separate Adobe programs.

A final tip? No matter which software you use, make sure to back up your files! Nothings worse than losing all your hard work to a corrupt file or technical hiccup. If you’re really looking to make video a big part of your marketing take the safe route and invest in a cloud plan or external hard drive. 

 

Consider the Viewer

The obvious goal of your video is to be shared. When you’re editing, focus on what you want your audience to see, think, and feel.

The best way to spark your creativity? Go watch other people’s videos and see what’s trending!

Are you trying to spark an emotional response? Sharing a clever hack? How you present your material makes a difference in how it’s received by others. Think of your video as a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and ending. If you’re viewers are confused by what they’re watching, they’ll move on to something else.

Studies show that the average viewer’s attention starts to dwindle after 8.25 seconds. To keep your viewers engaged, trying to break up talk-heavy scenes with visuals or infographics. You can also shake up static scenes by varying your camera angles. 

 

Cut out the fluff

You have a limited amount of time to hold your viewer’s attention and communicate your message. If your video if veering off-topic, cut it down. There’s no point filling your video with irrelevant content.

Make sure to scan your video for mistakes, “ums”, awkward little moments where you may have lost your train of thought (it happens to everyone). Cutting on specific words can help transition to a different topic and make the video flow evenly. 

Tailor for social

Your video’s length really depends on which platform you’re uploading to. Keep this little guideline in mind before you start filming. Save intros/outros for YouTube videos. There’s no need to use them for shorter social media videos.

Facebook: 1 minute

Twitter: 45 seconds

YouTube: 2 Minutes

Instagram: 30 seconds

 

Add Some Music

Want to use some subtle background music? Here’s a list of sites that offer music with a Creative Commons license.  Just be sure to double check the terms before you use a song. 

• Jamendo

• ccMixter

• AudioFarm

• Free Music Archive

• ASH Music

Music can add a nice touch and help set the tone of your movie, but make sure to watch the volume! Background music should enhance the scene, not overpower it.

 

Create a Silent Video

No, not a Charlie Chaplin inspired silent film (although, that may be a fun idea). We mean a soundless video.

Videos on Facebook and Instagram autoplay without the sound, so it’s important to edit with that feature in mind. No one wants a loud video to start playing when they’re standing in line at Starbucks or sneakily browsing Facebook during a boring meeting (don’t do that, BTW).

Using strong visual elements like bright colors, bold fonts, and graphics will help your audience get the gist of what your video’s about when it’s muted.

You can also add captions with iMovie, Premiere Pro, or Facebook Live. Just watch your placement and make sure to use a crisp bold font that’s easy to read at any size.

That’s it for this week’s installment! Check back next week for Part 3 of our mobile video series…we’ll be giving you a run down on how to get more views!

---

Social Media Marketing in Greensboro and Winston Salem

Struggling to get noticed on social? We can fix that! From social media management to email campaigns, Hue & Tone creative can help boost your engagement and help create a loyal following. We can also help you come up with a plan to creatively incorporate video into your daily social schedule!

It’s no secret, video marketing isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, by 2019, video will make up over 80% of online consumer traffic.

While anyone can pull out their iPhones and start filming, quality videos take effort.

Not sure where to begin? Our 6 pro tips can help you make a video worth watching.

1.    Find A Location

While spontaneous videos can work well for social, it’s better to go for a more professional approach for advertising videos and promotional content.  Find a private area where you can focus and feel comfortable. You don’t want your filming to be interrupted by noisy traffic or someone yelling on their phone.

Choose a quiet space alone without any distractions. Want to film outside? Choose your day wisely. Wind is audio’s worst enemy.

2.    Check Your Lighting

Whether you’re filming inside or outside, terrible lighting can ruin an otherwise great video.

Never film directly in front of a window! You’ll wind up looking like a creepy silhouette. 

If you’re shooting outside, indirect lighting is your friend! The best times for filming are typically in the early morning or late afternoon while the lighting is still soft.

Filming inside requires a little more setup than outdoor videos. To make up for a dim space, it’s important to add additional lighting.

You don’t need to blow your budget for great lighting. At just under 60 bucks, this lighting kit is perfect.

Filming near a well-lit window works well in a pinch. Try to avoid shooting under fluorescent lights. They’re way too harsh and super unflattering on camera. 

3. Clean Your Lens

Have you ever watched a video and gotten super distracted by a weird smudge on the screen? We have. Don’t be that person. You want your audience to focus on you, not your dirty screen.

4. Lock Your Exposure & Focus

On an iPhone, your focus and exposure adjusts automatically. While this is great for pictures, it can make a video super choppy and blurry.  

To fix this, focus your camera by tapping and holding the screen. After a few seconds, the AE/AF button will pop up.

5. Film Horizontally

Although most Snaps and Instagram Stories are shot vertically, this is a major don’t for phone videos. Shooting horizontally will ensure that you don’t have any awkward rotation problems when people are watching your video.

And, make sure not to mix vertical and horizontal shots – it’s an editing nightmare!

6. Invest in a Tripod & Mic

Even if you try to hold your phone as steady as possible, you’re still going to end up bumpy shots. We highly suggest buying a tripod. Trust us, it makes all the difference! 

Here are a few options that won’t break the bank:

• Acuvar 50" Inch Aluminum Tripod: $14

• UBeesize Portable and Adjustable Tripod: $12

• Eocean 50-Inch Tripod: $23

Along with having a smooth and steady shot, clear audio is essential. Buying a external microphone will ensure that you’re sound isn’t compromised. We personally love our Lavalier mic because it’s travel-friendly and works for phones, laptops, and tablets.

• Lavalier Lapel Microphone: $16

• Comica CVM-VS08: $59

• Rode VideoMic Me Directional Microphone: $59

For under $20 you can also by a fuzzy microphone cover to help block out wind and background noise. This 5 pack from eBoot is practically a steal.

---

We'll be taking next week off from blogging... but be sure to keep an eye out the following two Wednesday's -- we'll be posting two more installments on how to get great mobile video! You’ll be going viral in no time!

---

Hue & Tone Creative: Social Media Management in Greensboro, NC

Need second opinion on your current social strategy? Ask the experts. From compelling email campaigns to social media account management, Hue & Tone Creative is here to cover all your marketing needs.

The John Grisham can wait, it's time to start expanding your marketing knowledge...

Whether you’re laying out on the beach, traveling on a plane, or relaxing in your living room, you can never go wrong with a good book.

Because our ever-expanding book list is full of great design, marketing, and inspirational reads, we decided to share our top picks with you.

Design

1. In Progress: See Inside a Lettering Artist's Sketchbook and Process, from Pencil to Vector by Jessica Hische
   From Wes Anderson movies to book covers, award-wining designer Jessica Hische’s work can be seen just about everywhere. In this in-depth book, Hische shares her process to creating her one-of-a-kind hand-lettering.
   

2. The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
   What makes a design successful? Cognitive scientist Don Norman explains how design is more than just looking good, it’s about how the overall design affects the user.
   

3. Draplin Design Co.: Pretty Much Everything by Aaron James Draplin
   Portland-based graphic designer Aaron Draplin provides a colorful look into his unique design process. Pretty Much Everything is true to its title. It’s filled with personal stories, a collection of work, and valuable advice for new designers
   

4. Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities by David Airey
   What makes a logo iconic? Logo Design Love is a must read for designers and marketers alike. Find out what sets strong logos apart from the competition and learn how to create a design of your own.

Marketing

1. Growth Hacker Marketing: A Primer on the Future of PR, Marketing, and Advertising by Ryan Holiday
   Marketer Ryan Holiday explains how brands like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest became household names without using traditional marketing tactics. Holiday provides a guide for all marketers (no matter what budget) and shows how you can hype up your products and raise brand awareness.
   

2. Hug Your Haters: How to Embrace Complaints and Keep Your Customers by Jay Baer
   In an ideal world, every customer would be happy and satisfied. Unfortunately, this isn’t the reality. Find out how you can turn your complaints into an opportunity to improve your business.
   

3. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger
   Why do some products go viral while others fizzle? Jonah Berger shares how word of mouth and social influence determine what becomes popular.
   

4. Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content by Ann Handley
   Whether you’re writing a blog or captioning a picture, the words you choose are conveying a message. Find out how to hone your writing skills and create better written content.

Creativity

1. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
   Fans of Eat Pray Love can continue to find inspiration with Gilbert’s latest book. Through soul searching and exercises in mindfulness, Big Magic illustrates how to unlock your creativity and discover what drives you.
   

2. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
   Nothing is original. Instead, artists and creatives of every background need to embrace and tap into what makes them different.
   

3. The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
   Award winning choreographer Twyla Tharp shares how you can make creativity part of your daily life through a series of exercises.
   

4. Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All by Tom Kelley
   You don’t need an artistic background to think creatively. Kelley shares insight that can help creatives and non-creatives alike become innovators.

---

Hue & Tone Creative: YOUR GREENSBORO MARKETING FIRM

Don't have the time become a self-taught marketing expert? Don't worry, we already know everything we need to launch a game-changing marketing campaign for your business! From brand refreshes to event marketing, we can help you get your message across.

Creative inspiration can be found anywhere, from a scene in a movie to a trip to the museum.

This week, we cracked open our forgotten art history textbooks and found inspiration in the works of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Art Nouveau masters.

No need for an artistic background- simply peruse through our collection of mood boards to find a little inspiration of your own.

Paul Cézanne

This rich mix of cool and warm tones can add a strong pop of color to websites, resumes, or business cards.    

Claude Monet

A bold punch of crimson adds an unexpected contrast to these lily pad greens.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

For this color scheme, we channeled the fast-paced energy of Parisian dance halls filled with quirky partygoers.

Edgar Degas

We loved the soft romantic feel of Degas’ delicate scenes. Adding a mossy green helped keep this pastel palate from feeling too girly.

Gustave Klimt

For this expressive color scheme, we channeled Klimt’s mosaic-like portraits and floral landscapes.

Mary Cassatt

Although Cassatt’s Impressionistic scenes were inspired by Degas, she had a style all her own. Lively bursts of yellow and ochre standout against blue and green hues.

Who are your favorite artists? Let us know in the comments!

---

Graphic Design and Creative Marketing in Greensboro, NC & Winston-Salem

At a loss for design inspiration? Let us give you a hand! From brand boards to personal branding, Hue & Tone Creative can help add color and artistic flair to any project.

There are tons of web tools out there, but there’s one you need to be using: Google Analytics.

Google Analytics is powerhouse for data generation. It’s easy to use and can help you figure out what's hindering your site’s user experience. You can figure out where your site traffic comes from, who your users are, and what content they like best.

So, let’s talk a little more about what Google Analytics is and why you should be using it.

What it is:

Google Analytics supplies marketing teams with all the data you and your team need to make better marketing decisions.

Signing up is easy and free -- a major plus for businesses on a budget. Start by filling out some basic info about your company, industry, website, etc. Then, you or your web developer just has to paste a small snippet of JavaScript code into your pages. This custom tracking code allows Google to monitor your pages and how often your site is visited.

Give it a few days and you’ll have access to new data that gives you a better understanding of your customer experience and site performance. 

Why you need to use it:

From big businesses to small blogs, Google Analytics can help provide you with comprehensive insight on who your visitors are and how they use your site.

Google Analytics shows you where your customers are coming from and which channels they use to discover you. Are they finding you through paid ads or organic methods? Do you get more visits through mobile? Which geographic locations bring in the most views? Having access to this data can help you examine trends to get a better feel for who your customers are and how they interact with your brand.

Do you feel like you site is lacking attention? Use Google Analytics to monitor your bounce rate (the percentage of people who leave a website after a single page visit). Figure what your pages are lacking and fill the gaps with engaging content.

Google Analytics can also help you measure your traffic and analyze which blog posts or web pages are the most popular. How many people visit your site each day? Are people responding better to visual content? What writing format attracts more viewers? Google can help you break it down and act as a guide to help you build a more customer-friendly site.

In short, it’s time to get Google Analytics on your site. Get started HERE. 

---

Digital Marketing & Graphic Design in Greensboro & Winston-Salem

Feel like your website or social media pages aren’t getting enough attention? We can fix that! From custom web design to creative content ideas, Hue & Tone Creative can help you get noticed.

Getting ready to throw a party, annual conference, or charity fundraiser? It’s never too early to start creating hype for your event. 

Putting time and energy into marketing your event will help spread the word to a wider pool of potential attendees and boost ticket sales. 

Ready to get started? Watch your RSVP list grow with these 5 easy steps. 

1. Create an Event page

We suggest getting started with a Facebook event page. You can link it to your business page and invite friends from your personal page, which will help you gain reach fast!  

Here’s a few things to keep in mind to create a standout event page: 

• Use a bold graphic that draws attention and looks great when it’s resized. Facebook recommends using pictures that are 1920 X 1080 pixels in order maintain clarity. Vector illustrations, event logos, or relevant stock images are all strong options.

• Come up with a clear and compelling headline to entice people to attend.

• Link all your social channels as well as your brand’s page, website, and a link to buy tickets.

• Add as many relevant tags that you can think of to improve your SEO and help possible partygoers find your page.

If you don’t want to use Facebook, Eventbrite is a great alternative (or great to use in addition to Facebook... more on that below). You can even sell tickets through Eventbrite and link it to your Facebook event page!

2. Send Invites and Save the Dates 

Sidebar: This isn’t the first time we’ve extolled the virtues of Eventbrite! Find our breakdown of the best Eventbrite features here. 

Now that your page is published, start sending those invites! If you want to send something more personal than a Facebook invitation, we’d second our recommendation for using Eventbrite. 

Choose from numerous email templates and add custom text for a personalized touch.  Want something a little more stylish? Eventbrite’s partnership with Event Kingdom offers designer digital invitations. Another plus? Every email invitation can be integrated with MailChimp, making it easier to track things like your open and response rates. 

3. Incentivize ticket sales

There’s no point in organizing an event with no guests. Get the ball rolling and start driving ticket sales as soon as possible. Offering special early bird, military, and group promotions can help you build buzz and sell out fast. Friend referral codes are another fantastic way to expand your guest list and spread the news to wider circles. 

Sidebar: Keep an eye on your metrics so that you can see which channels are thriving and which ones aren’t showing a strong return on investment. 

 

4. Drive excitement on social

FOMO is real. No one wants to feel left out. Use this to your advantage with creative posts on all your social channels.

• Use a clever and consistent hashtag on every post or tweet. Be sure to keep it short and make sure no one else is already using it.

• Start a giveaway or contest for a chance to win VIP tickets, gift cards, or event swag.

• Post behind the scenes videos or Boomerangs.

• Hosting a DIY event? Create a mini poll and invite followers to vote on an activity.

• Countdown the event on Twitter as it gets closer.
  

5. Keep Sharing at the Event

Pro tip: Be sure to screenshot and collect images from people – you can use these to help promote your event next year! 

Even when the event begins, the sharing shouldn’t stop. Sharing behind the scenes live videos and sneak peeks can help drum up last minute attendees. Don’t forget to send out another wave of reminder emails for tickets. 

When the party starts, keep the excitement going by encouraging your guests to share pictures on social paired with your event hashtag. Another fun touch is creating your own custom Geo filter for Snapchat. 

Now that you have some new tools and tips at your disposal, start promoting!

---

Event Marketing & Graphic Design in Greensboro, NC and Winston Salem

Organizing an event? We’ve got you covered. From event graphics to email campaigns, Hue & Tone can help add style to the tiniest details. Give us a call today to find out more about our creative services.

Summertime is just around the corner and we’ve been bitten by the travel bug.

To quench our recent wanderlust, we used some creative energy to build a few mood boards inspired by beautiful destinations around the world.

Ready? Let’s go!

Greece

Craving a trip to the sea? Relax on the warm shores of Mykonos and explore the winding cliffside villages of Santorini.

Italy

From famous works of art to incredible food, Italy never fails to impress. We channeled the country’s rich culture and ancient landmarks for this warm and earthy mood board.

Iceland

Even though the Northern Lights are most visible in the wintertime, summertime in Iceland is full of natural beauty.

The South of France

Fragrant lavender, picturesque beaches, and charming hillside villages helped inspire this airy color scheme.

England

Whether you’re wandering the busy city of London, or enjoying the simplicity of the countryside, England is full of things to do and places to visit.

Spain

Spain is the perfect destination for creative spirits and nomads alike. The vibrant streets and whimsical architecture sparked this bold and quirky palate.

Want even more inspiration? Revisit our past mood boards here.  

---

Creative Services & Graphic Design in Greensboro, NC

In need of a creative refresh? We’ve got you covered. From look books to blog design and everything in between, Hue & Tone can help bring your vision to life.

Live video is quickly becoming one of the top ways to watch, share, and interact with brands. When surveyed, 80% of people said they would rather watch a live video than read a blog... in fact, we should probably be broadcasting this content to you right now...

Before you hit "record" on your smart phone, let’s check in about the state of live video on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Facebook Live

With an audience of over 78 million, Facebook Live is one of the best platforms to use if you want to connect and engage with your followers in real time. The interface is intuitive and easy to use and as soon as you go live Facebook notifies your followers. 

A few of our favorite features:

• When streaming is complete, anyone who missed your video can watch the complete video on your business page.

• Your followers can easily express how much they like (or love) what you're doing with the emoji reaction buttons during streaming.

• If you're looking to connect with your followers on a more personal level, you can also engage with your viewers by responding to their comments/questions live. It’s a great way to connect with your followers on a more personal level!

Our only warning about Facebook Live? It's prone to lagging, so we recommend streaming only when you have a 4G signal or WIFI connection.

 

Twitter

Twitter makes live video streaming simple with help from Periscope -- and videos are 6 times more likely to be retweeted than images. 

Periscope viewers watch over 110 years of live content daily!

Periscope is a live video app that lets mobile users stream anytime, anywhere. Twitter purchased the app in 2015, so every video you create on Twitter also gets posted to Periscope. This is a great way to expand your reach and expose your brand to audiences around the world. 

A few of our favorite features:

• Twitter’s streaming process is user friendly and full of engaging features. Viewers can “heart” your videos, comment, and ask questions while the video is live.

• You can use the Periscope Global Map to broadcast your stream to an international audience.

• 360 Video. Similar to Facebook, the videos are marked with a 360 badge and viewers can easily move the perspective around with their fingertips. While 360s are currently only available for select businesses, Twitter plans to roll out 360 to all users soon -- and you will need a specific camera to film.

 

Instagram

Need more details and ideas on what to post to Instagram? Check out this guide we put together for some inspiration!

Unlike Facebook, Instagram Stories are temporary (they last 24 hours). And, live videos on Instagram disappear as soon as you’re done filming, so this platform is best for people who only want to share videos with their followers. The videos aren’t stored anywhere, so there’s no way to rewatch it.  

While you’re filming live you can check the number of viewers that have tuned into your broadcast and you can start a Q & A session in the comments. Keeping an eye on the number of videos can help gauge how interested viewers are in the video.

That's the update! What other live video updates are you most excited about? 

---

Hue & Tone Creative: Social Media Management in the Triad

In a social media rut? It’s time to make a change! From social media strategy to a fully customized management plan, we can help your brand break through the clutter.

Networking or job hunting on LinkedIn? You only get one chance to make a positive first impression. Don’t let a lackluster profile picture prevent you from making the right connections.

Get noticed for the right reasons -- give your profile picture a refresh with these 5 simple tips!

Dress to Impress

Pictures of you in shorts and a t-shirt at your friend’s barbeque don’t belong on your profile.

The rule of thumb? Dress for the position you want. Blazers, dress shirts, and blouses are always strong options. Feel free to show off your personality with understated pops of color (think chunky jewelry or a fun tie).

Choose a Simple Background

According to LinkedIn, your face should take up 60% of the frame.

Don’t overcomplicate your picture with a distracting background. The focus should be on you, not what you’re standing in front of. Choose a simple background like a plain wall, bricks, or an outdoor setting. If you’re in a pinch, you can make a DIY backdrop with fabric or poster board. 

 

Lighting

Great lighting is the key to a killer picture! Always take your pictures during the day so that you can take advantage of natural light. Shooting near a window or doorway with an indirect light source can help create beautiful soft images.

If you’re shooting outside, avoid direct sunlight. It’s way too harsh and you’ll end up squinting in every frame. Find an area with open shade (next to trees or a building) for the perfectly balanced lighting. 

 

Avoid Crazy Filters

Save Nashville and Toaster for Instagram. When it comes to profile pictures, clarity is what counts. Feel free to adjust the brightness and saturation to help punch up the color... just don’t go overboard!

Smile

It may seem silly, but smiling always makes a difference in pictures. Look directly into the camera and smile warmly and genuinely. Your potential connections will get the sense that you’re friendly and approachable!

One last note…

Your picture is all about you! Don’t be too serious. Have fun and show off your personality… just do it in a professional way!

---

Professional Creative Services in Greensboro and Winston Salem

Whether you’re a recent grad or a seasoned professional, Hue & Tone Creative can help you stand out from the competition. From personal branding to business and resume design, Hue & Tone Creative is here to create a custom look for YOU.

Social advertising is a powerful component of online advertising. More specifically, Facebook has a user base of 1.94 billion active monthly users worldwide, and with consumers spending over 50% of their digital time on mobile devices, it pays to advertise on a site that dominates mobile. Facebook also allows you to target your ads, learn more about your users, and has flexible pricing options... need we say more about why this is a good idea? 

DO use compelling imagery: When paired with a relevant image, people are 65% more likely to remember information. You’ll grab your viewer’s attention and help them remember your product… even after they’ve scrolled away from your ad!

Not sure what kind of image to use? Stock photos are a great option if you don’t have any original pictures on hand.

DON’T blow your budget: Low costs are one of the great things about advertising on social. Facebook allows you to spend as little as $5 a day, which means even small and new businesses can buy advertising without blowing their budget. We suggest starting off small – especially if you’ve never run a Facebook ad before. Spend a little and find out what works before you increase your daily budget.  

DO some testing: A/B testing (also called split testing) allows you to test the success of different versions of your ad. You play around with the headlines, graphics, and CTA’s to find out what will get the most clicks, likes, and highest ROI.

Tip: When A/B testing, be sure to only tweak one element of your ad at a time. If you create a completely different ad you won’t be able to pinpoint which ad element is having an impact on your ad performance.

DON’T forget about mobile viewers: Over 1 billion people visit Facebook via phones and mobile devices daily. Don’t ignore a huge segment of people by sticking solely to desktop designs. 

DO create a CTA: Develop a call-to-action that illustrates the purpose of your ad. What benefit does your product/service provide to your audience? Why do they need this? What is the value?

DON’T make it too text heavy: Too much text will make your ad look cluttered and confusing. If you’re using a graphic, keep the 20% rule in mind: 80% of the ad should be imagery and the remaining 20% should be your text. 

DO learn about your audience: Facebook allows you to narrow down and target specific audiences through: location, interests, behavior, demographics, and connections. Do some research on who visits your page and is interested in your product before you tailor your ads. 

DON’T confuse your audience: You only have a few seconds to capture your viewer’s attention. Make sure that your purpose, product, and information is clear and easy to find. One ad = one objective.

DO try a video: 43% of consumers would like to see more video ads from marketers in the future. Get ahead of the trend and promote a how-to, customer testimonial, or behind-the-scenes video.

DON’T forget to keep track: It’s crucial to track how your ads are performing. If you don’t measure the success of your ads, you won’t be able to tailor future ads, and you’re sure to waste money on viewers who don’t have any interest in your product or services. After you’ve tested out a few promotions, set detailed goals for each campaign (ex. reach, likes, conversion, shares, etc.) and monitor your results frequently.

Ready to create your ad, but not sure where to start? Read up on our 5 easy tips.

---

Social Media Marketing in Greensboro, NC

Looking to launch a new campaign? Get the most out of your investment by working with creative professionals. From email newsletters to Facebook and Instagram ads, Hue & Tone Creative is here to help your business stand out from the competition.

A compelling image can capture attention, tell a story, and help you connect with your viewer.  But inexpensive, non-cheesy stock photos can sometimes be hard to come by. 

To save you the hassle of hunting for decent photos, we’ve narrowed our top 9 (mostly free) stock photo sites. If you're looking for even more photos, a few of these sites offer a reasonably priced upgrade option that will give you access to even more photos. 

Browse through this list and start bookmarking some new favorites! 

Life of Pix

Life of Pix pulls their content from a community of photographers who upload free, high quality images and video. This site is especially great for gorgeous pictures of nature and travel!

---

Unsplash

Unsplash is the perfect photo source for lifestyle pictures, food, and culture shots. All the pictures on Unsplash are hosted under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license, so you can feel free to alter, copy, or use them commercially.

---

Pexels

Pexels has a huge collection of high resolution pictures of people, animals, landscapes, and abstract subjects. You can choose to view the most popular images or search for specific topics. 

---

Fancy Crave

Want to tell a story? Fancy Crave offers a collection of “emotionally driven” images that are licensed under CC0. 

---

Death to Stock

This is site should be your go to resource for artsy photos and videos with a minimalistic aesthetic. For $15 a month (or $145 annually), premium members have access to unlimited downloads and over 20 new photos a month.  

---

Pic Jumbo

Pic Jumbo has an extensive collection of pictures for business, restaurants, technology, nature, people...and pretty much anything you can think of. For $10 a month, you can upgrade to a premium membership of over 3,000 stock photos and unlimited downloads. 

---

Travel Coffee Book

Travel Coffee Book is the go to destination for gorgeous travel photography. You may even be inspired to grab your passport after browsing their giant collection!

---

Jay Mantri

Jay Mantri posts a variety of free images under the CC0 license. All of the pictures have a soft aesthetic and range from hazy forest landscapes to abstract cityscapes.  

---

Kaboom Pics

Kaboom Pics has a huge collection of over 4,000 royalty images. This site is a popular source for lifestyle and interior design pictures. We especially love that each image features a complementary color palette!

---

Creative Marketing in Greensboro, NC and beyond

Hue & Tone is here to help you achieve your goals. From logo design to custom social media content, Hue & Tone can help you get noticed and make a lasting impression. Contact us today to learn more about our design and marketing services.

With over 75 billion ideas to choose from, Pinterest is one of the best resources for creative inspiration.

While we all have fun pinning ideas for DIY terrariums or artisan cocktails, we also know it can be a great place to promote your business. Today, we're honing in on how to use Pinterest if you're an interior designer.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just need a little fresh marketing inspiration, we hope you can find some new ideas in this collection. 

---

Let's get started with a few must create boards...

Whether you create your own custom content, stick to repining, or bring in content from your website, these boards are the perfect way to display your creative expertise for your clients.

Prints & Patterns
From florals to stripes, prints help add character to any room.

 Home Décor
Pinterest is a haven for home design! We especially love how you can search for just about any style or room you can imagine.

Color Play
Pinterest is full of great color scheme ideas for any aesthetic.

Lighting
A collection of Edison lamps, decorative sconces, and chandeliers offer an upgrade to the basic table lamp.

Textiles
What better way to add a touch of color and texture than a rug, tapestry, or dramatic pair of drapes?

Storage
Pin a collection of creative storage solutions to keep clutter at bay.

Travel
From Grecian sea sides to Italian landscapes, design inspiration can be found worldwide.

Furniture
No room would be complete without the perfect furniture. Pin great finds from online stores or innovative ways to arrange each piece.

Hotels & Hospitality
Whether you’re creating a relaxing escape for visitors or streamlined designs to appeal to a wide audience, Pinterest is full of ideas.

Tablescapes
Create a beautiful scene for photoshoots, gatherings, and events.

---

Need some new sources to pin from? These accounts are full of creative ideas and gorgeous images:
 

My Design Agenda
A great source for international design, installations, home décor.
 

Apartment Therapy
This well-known name has a loyal following of over 877,000 pinners. This account is full of shopping guides and design inspiration for every room.
 

Old Brand New 
Old-Brand New is curated by a LA-based blogger, Dabito. This diverse account is filled with art, style, and playful color combinations.
 

Design Milk
Interested in modern, minimalistic aesthetic? Design Milk is a stylish resource for clean design.
 

Remodelista
This account is perfect for designers that are drawn to cozy interiors and soft color palates.

Have a favorite account that we left out? Let us know in the comments!

---

Design & Marketing in Greensboro, NC

Ready to start seeing results? From design to delivery, Hue & Tone can help you create a truly unique social campaign. If you’re ready to start seeing a return on your social media dollars then it’s time to invest in a creative agency that can give you more. If you’re interested in social media management, a new campaign, or another creative service, give us a call today so we can set up a social media audit.

With the evolution of iPhone photography, just about anyone can make a shot look artistic. But artistic isn't the same as high quality. While we can appreciate a nice shot on our Insta feed, there’s still a big lane for professional photography in advertising and marketing.

If just bought your first DSLR, or if you're looking to learn to go from a  beginner to a professional, there’s a few terms you should know. 

Aperture

Aperture is the adjustable opening in the lens where light travels. This is one of the three elements that creates exposure. When it comes to shutter speed, fast speeds need large apertures for more light. Slow shutter speeds require smaller apertures with less light passing through.

Aperture sizes are marked by f-stop numbers:

f/1.4 (largest)

f/2

f/2.8

f/4

f/5.6

f/8 (smallest)

Autofocus

This allows your camera to focus on the subject automatically. There are two types of autofocus: single or continuous. Continuous focus is best for moving subjects, and single focus works best stationary subjects.  

 

An example of bokeh

Bokeh

Have you ever noticed the tiny balls of light in filtered pictures? When lights are out of focus and the picture is taken with a wide exposure, it creates an effect called “bokeh.”

 

Color Depth

Basically, color depth is the amount of color that can be captured by a camera. Color depth is measured in bits, and varies from camera to camera. Higher bits allow for higher quality images with more variations of color. Most DSLR cameras have a color depth of 24 bits of color variation (about 16.7 million colors). 

 

Exposure

Exposure is the lightness or darkness of a photo.  Three factors determine the outcome of exposure: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. If you’ve heard that an image is “overexposed”, it means that it is too washed out or too light. “Underexposed” means that it’s too dark.

 

Flash

Most people probably equate flash with blinding bursts of light and embarrassing school pictures. Flash is usually used to help add light to dark scenery, but it can also be used to create artistic effects.

 

Focus

Focus involves the clarity of a picture. Typically the main subject in a picture is sharp, and the background behind them is blurred.  It’s all dependent on angles and perspective, but the important thing is keeping the subject of your photo in focus. 

 

White Balance

Learn more about each white balance setting on Nikon’s site. 

You think you can determine if an object is white by looking at it, but sometimes cameras have difficulty. Color can change because of different lighting conditions: too much sun, a cloudy day, or a dim room.

There’s a white balance setting on cameras that usually solves this problem, but sometimes it’s better to adjust it manually. To do this, you just choose the appropriate setting: PRE, Kelvin color temperature, flash, incandescent, fluorescent, sunny, open shade, or cloudy. 

 

ISO

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. ISO measures how sensitive your camera is to light. The measurements range from 200 to 1600. Typically, lower numbers require more light for a good exposure. 

 

RAW

RAW is essential to digital photography. This file format records every bit of image data without processing it. RAW files are the key to creating high quality images, because they can capture more information, levels of brightness, and detail than JPEGs.

 

An example of the rule of thirds.

Rule of Thirds

This is a basic rule of thumb for strong compositions. Basically, you want to imagine a three-part grid across your image to create a sense of balance.    

 

Shutter Speed

Every time you take a picture; the shutter of your camera opens and closes. Shutter speed measures how long the camera sensor is exposed to light in seconds or fractions of a second. Higher shutter speeds simply mean that the sensor was exposed for a shorter time.

Shutter speed is important to different areas of photography. For instance, if you’re tyrying to capture an action shot at a football game, a lower shutter speed will make your pictures come out blurry. Low shutter speeds work better for subjects with less movement, because you usually need use a tripod.

---

Creative Services in Greensboro & Winston-Salem

Don't exactly have an artistic eye? Or, maybe you just need a second set of eyes? Hue & Tone can help you with all your photography, graphic design, and web needs.