Making Your Business Look Good
on Paper, One Sheet at a Time

 

You might remember a post from fellow Out of Office blogger Adam a little while back, where he mentioned that his mom used to run a daycare center out of her home. When she wanted to bring more business in to the center, she would ramp up her marketing efforts with brochures or postcards. Like many small business owners, Adam’s mom understood the importance of having her marketing materials professionally printed so they would create a good first impression with current and prospective customers. She also knew how important it was to keep her style consistent across everything she made, building her brand with each flyer she distributed or business card she handed out. 


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Breeze of Memories

 

What is not to love about summer? It's the time when folks around here begin to emerge from hibernation. Celebrations - such as reunions, weddings, and barbecues - are in full swing. The sun is shining and spirits are high. So whether you're hosting a formal dinner party, impromptu picnic, or casual grill-out, we wanted to give you a creative idea to beat the heat!

Paddle fans are a fun and easy way to cool down any special event. My cousin used this idea to create the the programs for her wedding ceremony, and her foresight was greatly admired and appreciated on that hot June day!

There are endless ways to make these fans unique and personal. Here's a basic outline of how you can make them yourself as a fun project with the kids or for an event - plus a few photos of my own creations: ...read more

Are You a Mom On the Go?

 

As a busy working mom, I’m constantly on the go. And it feels like every time I drop my son off to a birthday party or leave him with a babysitter, I scribble down my contact information. I found that I was leaving the same information over and over again – and frankly I’m starting to get a hand cramp just thinking about it! As a result, I finally decided to make cards – social calling cards – with all the info I find myself writing out again and again for folks in my personal life.

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Spring Cleaning…at Work?

 

Guest blogger Stephanie over at Ketchum was recently telling us about how she moved to a new office space and was shocked by the amount of stuff she had accumulated in her six years in the old cubicle. Boxes and boxes of annual reports, press kits, news clippings, files from folks who had long since left the team on projects that had long since ended. In short, she was a veritable archive of PR program paraphernalia. 


 


Was all of this stuff necessary to keep? No. Did she? Yes. So why did she keep it all? In my mind, it always comes down to “what if.”  What if I need it in the future?  What if someone else (gasp, the boss!?) needs it in the future?  What if, what if, what if.  Well, she was drowning in the stuff those “what if’s” created, and I bet a lot of other office workers are too!


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Memorial Day Weekend Round-Up

 

This Memorial Day, when you’re enjoying your day off from work and perhaps grilling out or spending time with family, take a moment to remember the reason for the holiday. It’s a time to reflect on our country’s history and thank those who have served in the armed forces to protect our freedom and safety. Both of my grandfathers served in World War II (one fought in Iwo Jima and one was an airplane mechanic), so I am especially thankful on this holiday.

 

To help commemorate the occasion, consider sending a care package to a serviceman or woman serving overseas right now.  

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Keep Customers Coming Back with
Easy-to-Make Loyalty Cards

 

One of my favorite local cafés here in Dallas keeps me coming back for more with frightening regularity. It might be that the food and coffee is awesome when I’m in need of a quick pick-me-up, but I’m sure it also has something to do with the “buy five coffees, get one free” loyalty card they stamp for me every time I visit. And while there are certainly plenty of other eateries in the area I could visit, that one free meal sure is a good incentive to keep coming back to this one. And with that one simple punch card – and some great food – this café has built a seriously devoted, repeat customer.


 


So why aren’t more businesses doing it? Good question, I thought. And while I really don’t have the answer to it, I do know that these cards are just as easy to make as business cards. In fact, for most businesses I’ve seen use them, the cards double as both. 


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Got a New Address?

 

As you may remember from our wedding series, I recently got married – and for me, that meant moving too! I’ll soon be sharing some of my best tips and tricks for keeping a move (relatively…) painless, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t also share one even more important tip: you have to tell people where to find you!  

 

Once you’ve settled into the new place, send out a notice of your new address. This is incredibly helpful for family and friends alike, especially around the holidays when they are sending greeting cards. And don’t forget to make these change of address cards as fun as you are by using a photo of your new home, a moving van or a little rhyme.

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Let’s Go Fly a Kite!

 

It has been really windy here in Dallas lately-- way more than usual. One good thing about a windy day is that it makes for excellent kite-flying weather. I have found different websites with tips for making kites and came up with my own template for a small kite that is pretty easy to put together and allows you to decorate it however you want. 

 

Here are the supplies you’ll need and steps for assembly. (FYI, most of these items can be found at FedEx Office locations and some can be used free of charge in the self-service area.)

 

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The Weekly Round-Up Gets Crafty

 

 

At Out of Office, we like to think we’ve got a lot of great ideas to share with our readers. But truth be told, sometimes we can’t hold a candle to the creativity of some fellow bloggers out there in the world. So when we find those projects that make us stop and say “Why didn’t we think of that!?”, we just have to share!

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Fun with Faux Picture Frames

 

Giving a photo of your child as a gift is a great idea for friends, family, and even teachers as the school year comes to a close. However, you do run into one dilemma – how to give it to them.  You can either just give them a bare photo or put it into a picture frame that will cost at least five to ten dollars and usually lack personality. A third option is to create your own custom picture that you and your kids can decorate and make personal. Plus it's pretty easy. You can print your photos off at home or using the Sony Picture Station available at many FedEx Office centers. And while there, ask one of the FedEx Office team members for a small easel back, which will cost less than a dollar. 

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