We know envelopes are a vital part of your day-to-day business routines. That is why Ajalon is pleased to offer 10% off your envelope orders this winter!

Envelopes work wonders for:

• marketing goods and services
• sending out invoices
• connecting with consumers through newsletters

Offer expires March 31, 2012

Market your local business with a contest on Facebook!

Are you wondering how to attract more fans on your Facebook business page? You’ve posted quality content and implemented a Facebook ad, but it might be a contest that gets you the most “likes.”

With Valentine’s Day approaching, brainstorm ways in which you can market your goods and services to local couples (or singles). Since Ajalon is in the printing business, we might offer 25 free Valentine’s Day greeting cards with a special couple’s photo printed on them. In order to enter, they would have to first “like” our business page, and then leave a comment on our blog telling us how they met. We could choose the winner randomly, or based on the stories collected.

Our contest will bring us new “likes,” interaction, and will spread the word of our business to local customers.

There’s a lot that goes into running a contest on Facebook and you want to be sure to follow their guidelines. Here is an article by SEO expert Mari Smith explaining the fine type.

Have you ever run a contest on Facebook? How did it work out for you?

Have you set up your business’s Google+ page yet?

Woo hoo! Google+ business pages have arrived! If you are a Sonoma County local business and have not created your business page, now is the time!

Once you have set up your Google+ business page, it is important to start sharing. One of the easiest ways to get noticed is by posting photos and linking your blog posts.

Like on Facebook, you will be able to add other business pages to your circles, but not personal profiles. So if you are hoping to use Google+ to connect with your customers, urge them to add you to their circles first!

Since Google+ made business pages available on November 9, Sonoma County local business pages are popping up everyday. Both Ajalon Print, Web & Social Media and Invitations by Ajalon are now active Google+ users. Add us to your circles to keep connected!

Attract Customers All Year with 2012 Calendars

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get 12 months of marketing in one print job is by creating a company calendar. Hung on walls in plain sight for anyone to see, an eye catching calendar that promotes your small business will work wonders to attract new and returning customers.

If you are an animal shelter, clients will love to take home your calendar featuring adorable, adoptable pets! Or restaurant patrons just might have to stop by your burger joint for February’s Bacon Cheeseburger after staring at it all day at work. The options are endless.

image via MyZeroWaste

Selecting a Graphic Designer for Business Endeavors

Whether you are creating your business’ webpage or producing top-notch printed materials to market to your customers, choosing a graphic designer that works for and with you should be the first step in your endeavors.

A great graphic designer should work with you and your company to understand your needs, and create killer visuals for you to utilize within your business. We know the search can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you find the graphic designer of your dreams:

• Keep local. Search local business listings and reviews on sites like Yelp. It will be easier to determine which graphic designer will work best for you based on others’ experiences.

• Ask for referrals. Trusted friends and businesses will guide you in the right direction. If you see a piece of graphic art from another business that you are drawn to, don’t be afraid to ask who their designer is.

• Search design directories and browse designs from contests and competitions.

Your designer will help boost your brand or business by implementing your business persona within your business graphics. Awesome websites, mail pieces and more will draw your customers in and keep them coming back for more!

Is your Sonoma County small business listed on Yelp?

If your Sonoma County small business is not listed on Yelp, be sure to set an account up ASAP! It is easy, free and most of all, will guide local customers straight through the doors of your business.

Yelp is one of the most trusted review sites on the web– consumers are constantly reading and writing reviews about tons of local businesses. Who knows, you might even be ranked in the “Best of Yelp,” just like Invitations by Ajalon!

We encourage all of our customers to review us on Yelp, helping push us to the top of the Santa Rosa Local Services. Facebook is planning to trash their “Reviews” application as well, making Yelp more valuable than ever to small businesses. Are you listed?

We recently made a new Yelp page for Ajalon Print, Web and Social Media.  Review us today!

Great business logos make lasting impressions…

What’s the first thing you think of when you think about the electronic retailer Best Buy? For most, it is a giant yellow price tag that features the words “Best Buy” in bold black letters. A successful logo should represent your brand and give customers something to remember without knowing anything about your business.

Business Stationery Shows Professionalism

Do you make good and lasting impressions on your customers, even if you are only communicating on paper? Whether you are sending a quick note or mailing out an invoice, your business stationery will leave consumers remembering your name or brand.

Your business stationery begins with your business logo designed with care and precision. If you cannot meet with your clients and customers face-to-face, give them a great logo to look at in the meantime.

From there, equip yourself with business stationery that everyone will see.

Business Cards

Your business card is the most basic tool in your marketing arsenal. Utilize your awesome business logo along with contact information. Be sure to give your customers and clients extra cards so they can pass them along to friends.

Letterhead

Great letterhead works wonders to keep your name in your customers’ brains. Short notes, invoices, reminders and more should be sent with your business logo or information on the page!

Envelopes

If you are mailing marketing content to clients, be sure to utilize your logo within the return address of your envelopes.

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Ajalon is here to help you create the perfect business stationery—from logo design to letterhead printing, we want to help you spread the word about your business. Contact us for more information or place an order today.

Attracting New Customers with a Business Blog

If your small business already has a great website, it’s time to start thinking about a blog! Where websites used to be enough to keep customers coming back for information and news, blogs have quickly become the go-to for business updates and deals.

A business blog will:

• Establish you as an expert in your field.
• Serve as a means to improve search engine results.
• Develop your business’ credibility.
• Serve as a user-friendly way to add fresh and relevant content to your web site.

Blogs are a great marketing tool for your business, but be sure you have the time to keep it up.  Customers and clients are interested in what you have to say, and a barren blog is bad sign for online consumers.

Call Ajalon today to set up your new business blog!