Elan Marketing Communications is an Austin, Texas graphic design agency specilizing in a unique, 4-Phase Process: research, media and web strategy, creative, and advertising maintenance. http://elanaustin.com Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:12:00 +0000 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:12:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com Megan Megan high-res vector set of awareness ribbons perfect for your cause or promotion. I drew these using simple (no mesh) gradients that can be edited easily in Illustrator to match your cause's color scheme. Enjoy! [...]]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2012/02/06/blue-ribbon-monday Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:12:00 +0000 http://elanaustin.com/blog/2012/02/06/blue-ribbon-monday high-res vector set of awareness ribbons perfect for your cause or promotion. I drew these using simple (no mesh) gradients that can be edited easily in Illustrator to match your cause's color scheme. Enjoy!

]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2012/02/06/blue-ribbon-monday#comments 0 Megan Megan http://elanaustin.com/blog/2012/01/29/logo-design-inspiration Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:15:30 +0000 http://elanaustin.com/blog/2012/01/29/logo-design-inspiration
Here's the result



]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2012/01/29/logo-design-inspiration#comments 0 Megan Megan
A 300 dpi photo, for example, can be proportionally enlarged for lower resolution output; however, a low resolution photo can't be enlarged without obvious [...]]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/03/05/resolution-demystified Sat, 05 Mar 2011 15:38:00 +0000 http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/03/05/resolution-demystified
A 300 dpi photo, for example, can be proportionally enlarged for lower resolution output; however, a low resolution photo can't be enlarged without obvious reductions in image quality. Below are some common resolution standards.

"Low Res"

• 72 dpi: Screens and Monitors
• 96-120 dpi: Flat Panel Monitors
• 150 dpi: PowerPoint Slides, Mobile Phone Graphics, Trade Show Graphics, Billboards

"High-Res"

• 300 dpi: Digital and Offset Press

]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/03/05/resolution-demystified#comments 0 Megan Megan http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/02/27/color-inspiration Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:29:00 +0000 http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/02/27/color-inspiration
]]> Megan Megan http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/02/27/logos-and-file-formats Sun, 27 Feb 2011 09:25:00 +0000 http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/02/27/logos-and-file-formats
EPS: This is the original "native file" in vector format. It can be scaled infinitely so that it will appear goreous in any application. From business cards to trade show displays to billboards, your logo can be scaled without losing resolution and looking "fuzzy". Unless you have Illustrator or Photoshop on your system, you won't be able to open this file, but it's important to keep on hand in the event you'd like to use it for anything larger than a business card.

Illustrator PDF: Created from the EPS, this file format is viewable in Acrobat Reader and also a good option to send to a printer, sign maker, vehicle wrap vendor, etc.

TIFF: This is a 300 dpi, CMYK-formatted version of the logo that is kept on hand for projects that will be printed on a traditional press with plates and some digital presses.

JPG: An RGB version best suited for monitor viewing. Clients usually use this for Office documents.

PNG: Preferred file format for Office, especially PowerPoint. Unlike a JPG, PNGs have optional transparent backgrounds.

Web-Res JPG, PNG and GIF: 72-dpi formats used on websites and enewsletters.

]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2011/02/27/logos-and-file-formats#comments 0 megan@elanaustin.com megan@elanaustin.com I was thrilled today to learn that Élan Marketing Communications was recognized as a Vertical Response Top 500 Company for email marketing results for Q1!

Our stats:
• Rank: 405
• Average Open [...]]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2010/05/23/vertical-response-award Sun, 23 May 2010 09:03:00 +0000 http://elanaustin.com/blog/2010/05/23/vertical-response-award I was thrilled today to learn that Élan Marketing Communications was recognized as a Vertical Response Top 500 Company for email marketing results for Q1!

Our stats:
• Rank: 405
• Average Open Rate: 29.52%
• Average Click Rate: 21.29%

I did some research into all the Q1 enewsletter projects created and managed on behalf of clients and quickly discovered that half of all the emails highlighted some type of event (reception, sale, online contest, special promotion) within the content. These emails had significantly higher response rates than the usual monthly news-update email. When the event name was part of the email subject line, the response rate was even higher.

Enewsletters can be effective, affordable ways to communicate meaningful information to customers and prospects. However, if you begin to notice that your click-through rates are stale, consider refreshing your marketing plan with an event. It doesn't have to be fancy, expensive, or even in person - just something your customers and prospects will appreciate.

Send at least 3 event emails to your list: a "save the date" themed email, an email announcing the beginning of the event, and a reminder 48-72 hours before the event. If you're having a contest or drawing, make sure to send a fourth email thanking participants and congratulating the winner.

Finally, spiff up your presentation with professional design if it looks dated. Most of the big email companies include templates that can be customized without having any html or coding skills.

With some creative thought and a little planning and effort, you can take your email marketing to the next level. I'll be working on that, too, as this award has inspired me to set a goal - break the Vertical Response top 100 on the way to #1! With my refreshed insight, I think I've got a shot at it....

]]> http://elanaustin.com/blog/2010/05/23/vertical-response-award#comments 0 Megan Megan http://elanaustin.com/blog/2010/05/21/website-v3-0 Fri, 21 May 2010 10:45:00 +0000 http://elanaustin.com/blog/2010/05/21/website-v3-0
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