Cracking the QRCode…?

I’ve been getting through a lot of business cards over the last few months from the increase in my networking and marketing activities. So much to that it’s soon going to be time to order the next batch. This time I wanted to do something a little different. I’m happy with the card design per se but wanted to do something a little different with the QRCode. Nothing wrong with the code as it stands. It’s reasonable compact and scans well on the original design but I’m not sure that the vCard is really the right payload.

For the next generation I wanted something a little more useful. Something that the end user would value. Hopefully something that the end user would value enough to keep or even pass to someone who might need the services of a photographer. This time I wanted to include an offer. But not just an offer code that would expire in time. I needed an offer that I could change without having to modify the card. Cue the website. Continue reading Cracking the QRCode…? »

Get your head fixed – first step to Personal Branding for Social Media

Social Media Head-shot Photography

The Social Media Head-shot…

It’s your profile picture.
It’s that little square of pixels you add to your profile

But what is it?
It’s your avatar
It’s your ambassador
It is your representative

In the world of social media your profile picture is you.
It travels around the web accompanying your comments and thoughts
It’s what other people interact with
It’s what other people see of you

Consider this…
…are you really a logo?
…are you really a camera-phone picture?
…are you really a person in front of their hedge? Continue reading Get your head fixed – first step to Personal Branding for Social Media »

UPDATED – Branding and Cards

New business card - front - DRAFT
New business card - front - DRAFT (images will differ in final)

Firstly a huge thanks to everyone for all the great feedback I received via Twitter on the design of my new business cards. As you can see, I’ve made a few changes here and there. It’s only very subtle but that’s often the way with graphic design. I’ve also managed to meet all my design requirements too, namely: Continue reading UPDATED – Branding and Cards »

On The Up – Website Traffic Hits 1000 Visitors a Month

Analytics screenshot - gavinthorn.com
Analytics screenshot of http://gavinthorn.com

This week saw another landmark milestone for my main photography website, http://gavinthorn.com, that of achieving over 1,000 visitors to the site in a rolling one month window, as measured by Google Analytics. That’s absolutely staggering for a small site, designed and built by me with my QTSoftware hat on, that only went live on January 2nd 2011.

Over a thousand visitors! I still cannot believe it.

Furthermore, the traffic is still increasing and long may it continue to do so.

So, where is it all coming from? Continue reading On The Up – Website Traffic Hits 1000 Visitors a Month »

Stepping up a gear…

Front
Back

With my recent decision to start building the business side of the business I’m going to be attending a big networking event on Friday next week. That needs cards and this isn’t really the audience for my portrait or wedding cards. So, I need some new ones.

Designed these (see images above) over the last couple of days and after a lot of playing around with text and graphics, finally settled on somehing I like. It isn’t perfect but at least I’m happy with the layout.

Just placed the order and hopefully they should arrive in time for Friday’s event.