Business – The Flocksy Blog https://flocksy.com/blog Wed, 28 Aug 2024 21:25:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://flocksy.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/cropped-cropped-FLOCKSY-LOGO-LARGE-scaled-1-e1710780076600-32x32.jpg Business – The Flocksy Blog https://flocksy.com/blog 32 32 The Collaborative Journey: Why a Healthy Customer Journey is a Team Sport https://flocksy.com/blog/2024/08/28/the-collaborative-journey-why-a-healthy-customer-journey-is-a-team-sport/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-collaborative-journey-why-a-healthy-customer-journey-is-a-team-sport Wed, 28 Aug 2024 17:13:45 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=3152

The first session of the Finch and Flocksy Webinar series, Creativity Meets eCommerce Strategy, is complete! With over 90 registrants, we had attendees from across multiple industries and more than ten countries! 

Expert panelists teamed up on August 22nd to tackle one of the most critical aspects of eCommerce growth: collaboration. Speakers like Flocksy CMO, George Ryan and Fireside Founder, Drew Himel discussed how a well-coordinated team effort can create a seamless, positive customer experience from start to finish.

“Understanding the emotional triggers at each touchpoint can significantly impact consumer behavior,” George said. “We focus on identifying these triggers and tailoring our messaging and design to connect with the customer on a deeper level, driving more meaningful engagement.”

Mike Mardis, a marketing consultant with Finch, moderated the webinar. Discussing various stops on the customer journey, he emphasized the importance of ensuring equal effort in every area. 

“Any one of these touchpoints could be the one that’s kicking people out,” Mardis said. “All of these are very important. In order to make them work, you have to get input from all over your organization.”

Scott Brandley, founder and CEO of Shopper Approved, shared his insights into crafting your company’s customer journey. He said customer retention and loyalty can be the most cost-effective steps, especially compared to acquiring new customers.

Reviews and social proof, when properly levied by businesses, can be powerful tools to inspire this loyalty. He recommended ensuring that reviews and testimonials are consistent across a business’s web presence. 

“Show your social proof on the website,” he said. “They say, ‘I saw it on their review pages, and I’m seeing it again on the website. I’m in the right place.’”

Himel said his company uses several apps to reward its loyal customers with incentives and bonuses, which leads to customers ultimately spending more money with them.

“It’s so expensive to get customers, so taking care of them is a ‘two birds, one stone’ type of thing. 

Himel recommended eCommerce businesses’ first steps should be to lay a solid foundation across all aspects of their customer journey and in all departments, including sales. The next step, he said, was to find a couple of critical areas to focus on and look for improvements in those areas. 

Sarah Fitzgerald, head of marketing at Flocksy, said customers no longer want a strictly transactional experience with brands. They prefer to know they’re spending their money with real people who care about them. 

In response, she has crafted Flocksy’s social media to feature more personalized content, including how-to videos from creatives, free resources, and best practices for Flocksy clients, from Flocksy clients. 

“We’re fostering more of a relationship among those we call our Flock,” she said. “It’s a community of creatives who want to grow together and learn from each other.” 

Key Takeaways:

  • Collaboration is Key: When marketing, sales, and customer service work together, the customer journey can be dramatically enhanced. By aligning goals and communication, teams can ensure that every touchpoint with the customer adds value.
  • Optimizing Critical Touchpoints: Identifying and smoothing out friction points in the customer journey is essential for boosting satisfaction and reducing churn. A healthy journey is proactive, addressing potential issues before they become barriers.
  • Actionable Strategies: Attendees walked away with practical tips on improving customer acquisition and retention through better teamwork. From streamlining processes to focusing on retargeting, these strategies are designed to make every step of the journey count.

Ready to turn your customer journey into a winning strategy? Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming webinars! To register for the next webinar on August 29, click here: https://flocksy.com/webinar/?blog1. 

About Finch and Flocksy: 

Finch specializes in crafting killer marketing strategies that remove friction from the customer journey, using the right people, processes, and technology. Since 2016, Flocksy has been the most affordable unlimited marketing materials platform, helping brands create high-quality, on-brand content that captivates audiences and drives real results. Together, we empower businesses and agencies to achieve growth by blending expertise, creativity, and seamless collaboration.

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Clockify Alternatives (UPDATED 2023) https://flocksy.com/blog/2023/02/24/clockify-alternatives-updated-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clockify-alternatives-updated-2023 Fri, 24 Feb 2023 20:13:10 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=3012 Continue reading Clockify Alternatives (UPDATED 2023)]]> Time tracking is a crucial aspect of many businesses, and it’s important to find the right tool that can help you manage your time effectively. Clockify is a popular time-tracking software that provides a range of features to help you track your time and improve your productivity. However, if you’re looking for an alternative to Clockify, there are several options available. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the top 5 Clockify alternatives.

  1. Daybeam (recommended)

Daybeam is one of the simplest and easiest time-tracking systems to use. It focuses on showing you what the total cost is for tasks and makes it easy for users to track their time. Currently, they are only allowing certain people to signup, but you can join the waitlist here. Plus, it is 100% free.

  1. Harvest

Harvest is another popular time-tracking tool that offers a range of features to help you manage your time effectively. It provides time tracking, invoicing, project management, reporting, and more. Harvest also integrates with several popular project management tools such as Asana, Trello, and Jira.

  1. RescueTime

RescueTime is a time-tracking tool that helps you understand how you’re spending your time. It tracks the time you spend on various tasks and provides detailed reports to help you identify areas where you can improve your productivity. RescueTime also provides a range of features, such as blocking distracting websites and setting goals to help you manage your time effectively.

  1. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a time-tracking tool that provides a range of features to help you manage your time effectively. It offers time tracking, project management, reporting, and more. Hubstaff also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate, and it’s available for desktop, mobile, and web platforms.

  1. ClickUp

ClickUp is a project management tool that offers time tracking as one of its many features. It provides a range of features such as task management, time tracking, reporting, and more. ClickUp also has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate, and it’s available for desktop, mobile, and web platforms.

In conclusion, there are several Clockify alternatives available that offer a range of features to help you manage your time effectively. Whether you’re looking for a simple time-tracking tool or a more comprehensive project management tool, there’s an option available to suit your needs. It’s important to evaluate your requirements carefully before selecting a time-tracking tool to ensure that it meets your specific needs.

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ChatGPT & The Ethics of AI Copywriting https://flocksy.com/blog/2022/12/30/chatgpt-the-ethics-of-ai-copywriting/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chatgpt-the-ethics-of-ai-copywriting Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:31:47 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2970 Continue reading ChatGPT & The Ethics of AI Copywriting]]> With the recent news of ChatGPT and AI writing, many are wondering how ethical the practice of having a computer scour the internet and compose copy truly is. While the innovation is impressive, real issues can arise from using it or similar technology to generate content. 

So, what is ChatGPT and its GPT-3, and what does it mean for the world of copywriting and language? Is there an ethical concern about AI content? There are a lot of questions to answer, so let’s dig into this growing trend and consider why getting your copy the old-fashioned way is still likely the best way to do it.

ChatGPT & AI

Image from Forbes

ChatGPT is an OpenAI chatbot they created using the GPT-3 technology. GPT-3, or Generative Pretrained Transformer 3, is an advanced language processing AI that OpenAI created. They claim that it can produce human-like text. This ability could mean it has a variety of applications, including language translation, language modeling, and, most concerningly, generating text for websites and consumers to use however they wish. It’s one of the largest, most powerful language-processing AI models we’ve seen, with 175 billion parameters.

Its predominantly been used to create ChatGPT, the impressive chatbot. It doesn’t use pre-programmed responses but can generate them on the fly to create a more realistic conversation between the user and itself. 

You can provide GPT-3 with various worded prompts, like questions or requests for a piece of writing on a topic you choose, and it will create the results. But how does it come up with the responses?

In simple terms, the AI was fed text from databases across the internet, including books, articles, web texts, Wikipedia, and more. In fact, about 300 billion words were fed into the system. So, it pulls its text and responses from existing sources on the internet to produce a response. 

However, it’s not flawless. You can get incorrect information, and the bot can misunderstand what you’re asking. Additionally, if your prompt or request is very niche, or if you add too many factors, it can get overwhelmed or ignore sections of the prompt completely.

For example, if you’re requesting a tale of two people and provide their jobs, names, ages, and where they live, it can jumble up that information and randomly set each one to the two characters instead of how you prompted it.

And, of course, grammar is always a concern. While there are advanced grammar-checking programs, and the AI likely has a similar internal process, those programs don’t always get it right. You’ve likely dismissed a suggestion from a grammar checker for being a little off and maybe even completely wrong. Who’s to say what rules the AI bot uses for its grammatical structure, or if because it references the whole of the internet’s writing, it will be riddled with errors?

The Ethics of AI Writing

There are a couple of things to be wary of when considering the ethics of AI copywriting. Firstly, it pulls its data from the internet. 

As a result of this fact, it can assume some of the internet’s biases, stereotypes, and general assumptions. Off-color jokes or stereotypes about certain groups or political figures can come up based on what you ask and how.

If you wanted a comedy routine, it is very likely that you’ll get some jokes about ex-politicians or marginalized groups who are often the butt of jokes in comedy bits. That can be highly problematic. Depending on where the bot decides to pull the information from, you could potentially get downright racist information in return.

Because internet forums and articles are a huge source of data for these bots, you’ll also run the risk of getting fake news or conspiracy theories returned. The system isn’t perfect, and it may be unable to tell the difference between fact and fiction.

The second primary concern is plagiarism. 

When it comes down to it, if you use a content bot to create an article, say that you were totally responsible for it, and release it into the world. That’s plagiarism. 

And it’s not just writing where this is an issue. The arguments over AI art also make a strong case for plagiarism. In order to create that artwork, the bot pulls from existing images and piecing them together to create its results. Those artists who put their work on the internet are essentially having their work copied and pasted somewhere else by a computer.

You can’t trace someone’s drawing, color it slightly differently, add a few things, and call it your own. 

What’s more, if you’re paid to create an article and have a copy bot do it for you, that’s unethical and likely a breach of contract. You’ve been hired to do the work, and you aren’t doing it. In a similar vein, there have already been reports like this one in the New York Post about students using AI copywriting tools to do their papers. If you think it’s wrong for a student not to do the work, you shouldn’t want your professional writers to do it, either.

Flocksy’s Promise

At Flocksy, we hire real people to sit down and write your copy. You won’t find an AI bot delivering material harvested from the internet that may or may not be correct. Our skilled copywriting experts do the work, create unique content that won’t get flagged by Google, and is easy for readers to absorb and enjoy.

We won’t use AI, and we can assure you that the content you get from our writers will be much better than anything a robot would write for you.

You can see examples of our top-notch copywriting in our portfolio here.

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Bi Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 24 https://flocksy.com/blog/2022/09/13/bi-weekly-resource-round-up-vol-24/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bi-weekly-resource-round-up-vol-24 Tue, 13 Sep 2022 04:08:59 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2861 Continue reading Bi Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 24]]>

Featured Flocksy Team Member Design Of The Month:

 
Here is a custom facebook ad mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Janelle.

All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.

Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!

8 Guidelines To Follow If You Want Your Startup To Succeed

    by Flocksy writer Jules

  Around 90% of startups fail. You need more than just a great idea. In this article, you will learn 8 essential tips to guide your startup to success.   continue

Navigating The First Year Of Your Startup

by Flocksy Writer Mariah.

  It’s no secret that starting a business is intimidating. Branching out and taking a leap of faith to embark on a new journey with an unclear path isn’t for everyone.

But, if you’re reading this, then it means that you’re ready to start taking the steps to solidify your future and build your startup into a driving force of innovation and ingenuity.  continue  

10 Great Explainer Videos To Inspire You

by Flocksy Writer Eden.  

Whether you’re new to marketing or are a seasoned veteran, every marketer needs to know how to make an explainer video.

But what if you’re stuck on what to do when making your explainer video? Luckily, we’re here to help you.

This blog post will discuss 10 examples of great explainer videos and why we like them so much. continue

Brand Buckets And How To Use Them

by Flocksy Writer Rachel.
   
When you submit a project request, you’ll be prompted to fill out information about the task. Before doing this, though, you should upload files to your brand bucket.

Doing so helps ensure that the creatives have the information that they need to successfully complete your project. continue
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Bi-Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 23 https://flocksy.com/blog/2022/08/24/bi-weekly-resource-round-up-vol-23/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bi-weekly-resource-round-up-vol-23 Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:59:09 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2806 Continue reading Bi-Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 23]]>

Featured Flocksy Team Member Design Of The Month:

  Here is a custom facebook ad mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Amanda.

All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.

Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!

How To Choose the Best Typography for Your Website

      by Flocksy writer Mary Lee

  You’ve put so much work into developing the content that makes up a website, and now it’s time to put on the finishing touches.

That includes choosing the typography that represents your client, the site, the products, or the service in the best light.  continue

The Evolution and Future of Web Design

by Flocksy Writer Rachel.

  These days, the user experience is everything, and web designers are happily pushing boundaries to offer something extraordinary.

Still, classic design elements have formed the foundation of today’s digital realm.

Let’s take a walk through the evolution of web design.  continue    

Pre-built Websites: A Convenient Trend

by Flocksy Writer Alexandra.  

Web design trends come and go like everything else.

But there’s one that stands out among the pack for it’s huge impact and convenience.

That is the trend of pre-built websites.
continue

How to Leave Feedback For Your Creative

by Flocksy Writer Rachel.

Now that your creative project has been posted on Flocksy, you can sit back and await great results.

But when the team member added to your project sends over a draft or proof, you might find yourself facing a difficult question:

What do you do if you don’t like the result? continue
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12 Essential Social Media Apps To Market Your Business https://flocksy.com/blog/2022/08/24/12-essential-social-media-apps-to-market-your-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=12-essential-social-media-apps-to-market-your-business Wed, 24 Aug 2022 23:29:23 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2785

There’s no question that a social media presence is good for business. Over 80% of people in the US have at least one social media profile, and more than half of those have multiple accounts.

That means there’s a high chance of reaching customers on various social media platforms, whether through brand awareness, content marketing, or video ads. In fact, the majority of social media users also use their favorite platforms to directly purchase products.

While some of the best social media platforms to include in your marketing campaigns are household names that you may already use, there are a number of less commonly used apps with millions of daily users that can be an effective addition to your media mix.

Here are our top 12 social media apps to market and grow your business – in no particular order.

  1. Facebook

Facebook is not only the biggest social media network in the world, it also has the most developed advertising platform of all of the apps available. Because it is such an established site, the tools at your disposal are easy to use, intuitive, and make the most of your budget.

Whether you choose to list your business on Facebook, utilize ads to target users, or set up your customer service through Messenger, it’s very likely new customers will find you there.

  1. TikTok

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you’ve heard of TikTok, one of the fastest-growing social media apps of all time.

With TikTok’s reputation for attracting a younger generation and having its own set of rules and trends dictating videos including dancing and lip-syncing, some businesses shy away from the platform.

But given it’s enormous potential for advertising either as a business or through influencers, companies should take note.

  1. Instagram

Smart advertisers already know that Instagram is so much more than a place to post vacation pictures. You can easily start by setting up an Instagram business profile and posting deals, promotions, sales, and product information.

As a visual app, companies can easily post images or videos without having to write long posts. Instagram also gives its business users access to dedicated resources to assist them in growing their audience.

  1. WeChat


Looking to branch out into international markets? If you’re considering China, it’s important to note that many popular US social media apps like Facebook and Instagram aren’t available to Chinese consumers.

This makes WeChat a great option for businesses looking to enter the Chinese market. While it started as a messaging app, it has grown into a platform for online shopping, advertising, and booking.

  1. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is popularized for being the go-to social platform for building a professional network, as well as finding a new job or recruiting employees.

It’s also a great tool for marketing, particularly for B2B commerce: did you know 80 percent of B2B social media marketing leads come from LinkedIn?

  1. Pinterest

Pinterest is a social media site for curating a digital pinboard of your ideal aesthetic – whether that’s through interior design, fashion, beauty products, or even food.

While the company does provide Pinterest Ads to businesses looking to promote their services, simply setting up a free Pinterest profile for your business to tell visual stories about your products or services can drive serious traffic to your company.

  1. QQ

Similar to WeChat, QQ is an instant messaging app. Based in China, the platform has grown its reach into more than 80 countries with a whopping 807 million users.

That’s twice the number of Twitter users around the world, making QQ the biggest social media app you’ve never heard of.

  1. Reddit

While Reddit began as a more obscure destination for internet users with specialized interest, it has quickly grown into a reputable platform for crowdsourced information.

While finding your niche on a subreddit is relatively easy, a self-promotion ban is heavily enforced on the site.

This means businesses need to get creative with what they share. With 430 million users, however, the payoff is well worth it.

  1. Twitter

One of the oldest and most established social media sites, Twitter allows you to share videos, pictures, and short posts in real time.

Many companies have found success with live-tweeting and using hashtags for promotions, as well as using the opportunity to easily interact with users.

The platform also boasts business-friendly tools such as Twitter Analytics to track the success of your campaigns.

  1. YouTube

Users watch over 1 billion hours of video on Youtube every day. That’s good news and bad news for companies looking to expand their video marketing: there’s a lot of users to watch your content, but there’s already quite a bit of great content out there!

Decide ahead of time how you’re going to make the best use of your YouTube marketing strategy by asking yourself beforehand if you want to grow your audience through search optimization, promote products through direct ads, or increase brand awareness through content marketing.

  1. Google Business Profile

Formerly known as “Google My Business,” your Google Business Profile is a listing for your company that users find when searching on Google.

While it’s more of a straightforward listing service, you can use the social media aspects, such as reviews and localized posting, to your marketing advantage.

Data shows that keeping your Google Business Profile verified and up to date significantly increases your click through rate and any potential purchases.

  1. Snapchat

Companies may shy away from Snapchat because the main draw of the app is that content disappears after 24 hours.

But many intrepid brands have found ways to use that to their benefit when marketing, by promoting sales and other news with more urgency to their users.

Snapchat allows you to directly tap into a younger audience with a basic free profile, or choose to pay to advertise your posts on their discovery page.

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Bi-Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 22 https://flocksy.com/blog/2022/08/02/bi-weekly-resource-roundup-vol-22/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bi-weekly-resource-roundup-vol-22 Tue, 02 Aug 2022 23:12:45 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2738 Continue reading Bi-Weekly Resource Round Up Vol 22]]>

Featured Flocksy Team Member Design Of The Month:

Here is a custom flyer mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Janelle.

All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.

Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!

10 Tips For Making Great Explainer Videos

    by Flocksy writer Eden

Need a hand making an explainer video for your business? You’ve come to the right place. An explainer video can assist with business, advertising, and marketing in several ways.

What is an explainer video, you might ask? Well, an explainer video is a short film explaining your product to the consumer and why they should buy it.

In this guide, I’ll give you ten tips on how you can make an awesome explainer video for your business in order to drive up sales and show others how you stand out uniquely from the rest of the crowd. continue

My Honest Review of Thonest (Updated 2022)

by Flocksy Staff Writer.

Thonest is a decentralized sales and feedback tool that allows you to let your existing
customers answer questions from potential customers.

Using a mix of AI and software, potential customers can ask
questions and existing customers can respond.

Questions are available for everyone to view,
making your company more honest and open, building trust with new users.  continue    

12 Types Of Business Posters To Inspire You

by Flocksy Staff Writer.

The internet is filled with tiny ads no bigger than a stick of gum to elaborate and often irritating pop-ups.

But their size is a deficit. Business posters, on the other hand, reign supreme because they can be many sizes, often larger than 3 feet by 5 feet, and can incorporate visual attractions more than many other options, including internet marketing ideas.

The resolution, the colors, the style, and even the shape, all draw the eye, and with the right focus points, can even improve your exposure to a large audience. continue

Building Your Brand with a Personal Website

by Flocksy Writer Amy.

Building your personal brand can be just as important as building a company brand.

No matter what your business or career industry is, by building your personal brand, you develop an audience and are able to further your creative and business endeavors.   continue

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15 Creative And Unique Business Card Designs To Inspire You https://flocksy.com/blog/2022/07/26/15-creative-and-unique-business-card-designs-to-inspire-you/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=15-creative-and-unique-business-card-designs-to-inspire-you Tue, 26 Jul 2022 21:07:35 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2714

Business cards are one of the most effective means of marketing, especially when you’re just starting out in the business world.

A cute, stylish card that you can easily pass around containing your company’s list of services is the perfect way to garner customer attraction and spread the word about the good or service you provide more effectively.

But sometimes it can be daunting to know where to start or what design will be most beneficial for what you’re trying to accomplish.

If you feel this way, you’re not alone, and we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll share with you fifteen business card designs that are sure to provide you with inspiration for making your own.

15 Of Our Favorite Unique Business Card Designs

  1. Cheese Grater Card

From JWT Advertising, this unique card is sure to get people to come back for more. Sometimes having a theme to your business card centered around who you are and what you do is the best way to paint a memorable picture in the mind of your customers.

Having a business card in a creative shape, such as a spray bottle for a cleaning company or a cake for a bakery, will remind potential customers of what you do whenever they see the card, even if they don’t have time to glance at the contact information.

  1. Mini Portfolio

This adorable mini-portfolio envelope by illustrator Iris Compiet doubles as both a business card and an example of what she can do.

If you’re into the arts, this design is for you – it perfectly encapsulates the creativity of the artist in both what she does and how she presents herself.

Using this design is sure to show people your skills at photography, graphic design, art, or even writing!

  1. Interior Designer Card

Interior design is a job where it’s super important that you stand out from the crowd – after all, that’s what you’ll help your customers do with their homes!

This ornate business card by Smriti Kariwal illustrates the beauty of patterns in home design array, displaying a preview of the business owner’s talent for potential buyers.

  1. Illusion Card

Remember those visually-stimulating cards you got at parties or after a trip to the doctor’s office?

The ones with a shifting image, almost like a mirage? Well, turns out these ones are great for business too! Evengy Katz’s design for a barber shop card can be used for all sorts of jobs for a versatile, eye-catching design.

Because it doubles as both a fidget toy and a business card, it’s sure to keep customers’ eyes on your business; literally, in this case!

  1. Lush Seed Packet

Because gardening and lawn care companies are a dime a dozen, you have to make absolutely sure that yours pops out the most among your customers’ choices.

Luckily, this card designed by Struck Creative is here to do the trick. This business card doubles as contact information for your company, as well as being a seed pouch.

This makes it perfect for remembering who you are as well as for practical use in the gardening adventures of your potential customers!

  1. Tearable and Shareable

Divorce is never fun to deal with, but this card by James A.W. Mahon can at least help people know their options better.

Even better, this card can be used for a variety of businesses as a way to share the information with others!

If you run a painting class, a party place, or even a bakery, you can make sure that your business card is the gift that keeps on giving with this design.

  1. Filmmaker Ticket Cards

If you’re a filmmaker, you’ve probably wondered how on earth you could possibly compete with enormous studios. Not to worry, though; Alice Cho has you covered with this callback to classic cinema.

With this business card being shaped like the movie tickets of old, it generates both nostalgia and interest in your next big production.

  1. LEGO Business Card

Toys are a timeless mode of diversion for children and adults alike, and LEGO may have the most interesting design for their business card yet.

These cards match each employee’s features quite well, and the contact information is printed on the back.

If you’re selling to customers who love toys, the best way to remind them of who you are and what you do might be to become a part of their daily play with this creative and unique informative toy.

  1. Rollable Yoga Mat Card

Yoga is a timeless way to relax and exercise, and there’s no better way to accomplish this than by giving your potential clients a reminder of what you do.

The relaxing blue encapsulates the quiet peace of Vancouver Yoga Center’s wonderful atmosphere, and rolls up just like the mats they use to help their fitness members find more balance in their lives.

The language of color is especially powerful, and one of the most effective tools you have at your disposal in whatever business endeavor you have planned.

  1. Coaster Card

If you’re a communications expert, chances are you’ve been a few places in your life.

This coaster card by Jukebox Prints is both cute and informative, letting your customers know what it is that you do and what your experience level is while also being chic, classy, and generally wonderful for get-togethers!

Place it on the table and watch people go nuts for it; it’s sure to get people to ask more questions and request your business for their needs.

  1. Cotton Business Cards

These cards from MOO may not look especially unique, but if you take a closer look, you’ll find that they’re a lot cleverer than they seem at first glance.

These are actually repurposed T-shirt scraps, pressed into paper using one of the most ancient methods of papermaking.

This method creates a premium business card with an interesting story behind it, making it a great choice if you’re wanting to get a chance to explain your business to others.

  1. Event Photographer’s Film Card

Photographers have tight competition in the market, so it’s super crucial to have a card that looks unique and classy, and captures what they do at a glance.

Norris Mantooth’s card, translucent and appearing to be a camera lens, helps accomplish this wonderfully.

Plus, it’s pretty fun to look at, meaning customers will be drawn to it even more and share it with everyone around them as a result.

  1. Flower Bouquet Cards

The importance of the right bouquet (and the right marketing scheme for your company!) cannot be overstated.

Latona Marketing made this perfect business card for what they do, all boiled down into a simple shape resembling a flower bouquet.

Posturing your business card around the main idea of what you do is a must, and there’s no better example of that than right here!

  1. MODHair Card

This business card by Fabio Milito for MODHair, a rock-n-roll salon in Rome, has multiple uses.

Not only does it plainly advertise the services offered, it’s also a usable comb!

To top it all off, this business card plays a classic rock tune, meaning you’ll never forget which hair salon it’s talking about.

With an almost magnetic pull, this card appeals to a wide range of people while also functioning as a preview for the service provided.

  1. Personal Trainer Card

Our brains are constantly linking stimuli to information; that’s why it’s so easy to study when listening to music or chewing gum.

This business card makes use of the fact that you have to pull it to see the personal trainer contact information, making it a great choice for potential clients looking to improve their overall fitness.

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10 Tips For Creating Professional Voice Overs https://flocksy.com/blog/2022/04/11/10-tips-for-creating-professional-voice-overs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10-tips-for-creating-professional-voice-overs Mon, 11 Apr 2022 23:26:53 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2423

Professional voiceover work may be a dream for those who want to pursue a career in voice acting, or for entrepreneurs who want engaging narration to go alongside their creative ventures.

Whether you’re doing voiceovers for a client or yourself, professional voice overs are supposed to tell a story effectively and bring the listeners in.

Read on below to see our 10 tips for creating professional voiceovers, all of which can be done from the comfort of your home.

First And Foremost, You’ll Need The Proper Gear And Equipment

Although the specific makes and models will depend on your own taste, here are a few general products that should be on your list when creating professional voiceovers.


1. The Microphone

Besides you, the biggest star of your voiceover recordings is your microphone. You’ll need to shop around for the right microphone that will elevate your story telling.

Contrary to widespread belief, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find microphones rated 4 stars and higher on Amazon for under $100.

A microphone stand is also a must have. It’s great in assisting you with remembering to not sit too close to the microphone and it will help to reduce the sound of rustling papers as you look through notes. 

2. Use A Pop Filter

When a microphone picks up air impact as a result of plosive sounds, it doesn’t sound pleasing to the ear for your listeners.

A pop filter, or pop shield, is used when tracking voices and it helps prevent the ‘popping’ sounds from getting into the recording.

Pop filters are positioned 4-6 inches in front of the microphone. They are helpful with making sure that the voice-over artist is the correct distance from the microphone, which is about 8-12 inches from the mic.

3. Voice Recording Software

Using a reliable voice recording software is necessary if you want to consistently have high-quality, professional recordings.

If you’re looking to save money, Audacity is a popular free voice recording software that is beginner friendly and geared toward podcasting and voice recordings.

If you want an interface that is more multi-faceted and allows you to do more mixes, Wavepad is another popular choice for creatives with monthly and yearly subscription fees.

Once The Technical Aspect Of Creating Voiceovers has Been Figured Out, Now The Focus Should Be On You (The Voice Actor) And Your Environment.

4. Record In A Quiet Place

In order to reduce background noise, think about recording in an environment that’s as silent as possible.

This can be in an area of the house that’s the quietest, such as a basement, bedroom or even a closet!

If you live within a household where it’s difficult to be rid of noise, try your local library. Libraries often have private conference room that you can rent by the hour. 

 5. Keep The Script Close To You

Familiarize yourself with what you are about to record from the very beginning.

Don’t be afraid to mark up the script with ques on when to breathe, when to pause, or when to pitch your voice up or down when necessary.

Once you’re ready to record, use the familiarized script as a guide.

6. Pre-Read The Script Before Recording

Before you start recording, read the script aloud. This lets you find the right combination of volume, projection, and pacing for the voice-over.

If there are any difficult sections that you’re having trouble with, reading out loud will show you where you need to rearrange a sentence to resolve the issue.

The goal is to make your voice-over sound natural, at-ease, and appropriate for the task.

7. Record As If You’re having A Conversation

As stated earlier, yes, it is important to pre-read the script but just as much, remember to not sound like a robot once you press record. 

For example, when you’re talking to another person, you’re not only using your voice, but also facial expressions, body movements and gestures.

Although listeners won’t be able to physically see you, make sure that each word is still understandable through the microphone by speaking clearly and naturally. 

If you are the client who provided the script to the voiceover actor, be sure that the script is easy for the actor to follow and that the script is relaying a message that your targeted audience will be able to understand.

8. Record Standing Up

Make it a habit to stand while you’re recording your voiceovers. If you can’t stand, sit up straight in your chair.

Good posture will help to maintain good breath support, which makes it easier to project your voice in a strong, clear tone.

9. Have A Video With The Voiceover

If you are a client who’s trying to market your business, it’s good practice to hire voiceover actors to narrate advertisements, films or shows (depending on your genre).

A good narrator alongside an engagement video can drive sales or clicks to your website.

When hiring a voice actor, remember to send them your video so that they can get familiar with your brand and the overall tone that they should use for the video.

As a voice actor, if available, request to see the video before you record. The video, along with the script, will provide proper guidance with cadence and energy.

10.Be Confident 

Always speak with conviction and confidence when you’re recording. Clients are more likely to hire voiceover actors that don’t sound timid or unsure of themselves.

An upbeat, confident tone is contagious, and your listeners will be able to feel it. If you don’t feel confident, fake it! Listening to an engaging, confident narrator elevates the listening experience. 

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Bi Weekly Resource Roundup Vol 12 https://flocksy.com/blog/2021/11/29/bi-weekly-resource-roundup-vol-12/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bi-weekly-resource-roundup-vol-12 Tue, 30 Nov 2021 01:12:16 +0000 https://flocksy.com/blog/?p=2037 Continue reading Bi Weekly Resource Roundup Vol 12]]>

Great Articles and Designs to Inspire You!

Featured Team Member Design Of The Month:


Here is a custom character design mockup created for a client by Flocksy team member Alberto.

All custom illustrations/brand designs/marketing materials on Flocksy are created completely from scratch by one of our extremely talented graphic design creatives.

Start a graphic design project today and see results in just hours!
 

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