Manhasset Minuteman Press

"Design can be art. Design can be aesthetics. Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated." ( Paul Rand, graphic designer) Never does a page seem so bleak as when you experience a creative rut in design. Design ruts are the graphic artist’s equivalent of writer’s block. And everyone has been there! The world’s most imaginative people have experienced this obstacle and found a way to battle through. One benefit of getting stuck is that you’re forced to rediscover your own creativity! Need help getting started? Here are some different ways to break out of stagnation when you’re stuck on a design: 1. Think laterally Designs are ultimately problems waiting to be solved. When you are stymied by the project at hand, come at the problem from a different angle , no matter how extreme it might seem. One way to do this is to temporarily focus your thinking around individual parts of a message, like why a client might need your product or what pictures might b

Have you ever judged a book by its cover? You’re not alone! First impressions are essential to how people judge a person, a product, or a business. And when you’re going for visual impact, research suggests visitors will form an impression in as little as 50 milliseconds ! Once you’ve invested all the hard work and planning into your print marketing materials, it is important to go the extra mile on quality. Want a simple technique that beautifully enhances your impact and appeal? For a budget-friendly bonus, try adding a varnish! Know Your Options Just as varnish on a dresser or table protects the wood and gives it a nice finished look, the varnish used on printed pieces enhances their look and durability. Adding a print varnish brings a transparent coating to your printed page. Varnish can add a unique, creative element to get that five-star appearance, so make sure you choose the one that best fits with the look and tone you’re trying to communicate. Here are a few opt

Have you recently won an award, reached a milestone, or done something pretty incredible? Whether you’re launching a product or expanding to a new market, your business or organization can share the news far and wide with printed announcement cards. In a world of digital noise, the medium is just as important as the message , so why not opt for something more personal and pristine with gorgeous custom announcements? Share Something Special and Significant Announcement cards offer a wonderful way to market your events, products, achievements, or stay in touch with your clients. These stylish notes are more than just fluff; they denote something of significance that boosts your brand and business. Want to put your news at their fingertips? Here are just a few catchy headers: Launching SOON Coming to a neighborhood near you We’re Hiring The Future is HERE You asked, we answered . . . Save 20% more time with _____! We’re growing. Find us at our new location ________

Were you forced to work from home in 2020? What were your biggest challenges? Perhaps it was learning the necessary technology – or teaching it to others. Maybe it was forming a new business plan. Or perhaps you struggled to meet the workday demands while homeschooling your kids. If you weren’t stretched this year, you were probably in the minority! And as you reached the end of your abilities, you probably faced a question most people prefer to avoid: “How can I ask for help without looking weak?” Though an independent attitude is great, at some point, everyone needs to lean on others. And sometimes, a can-do spirit can push you to take on more than you can reasonably handle, leading to failure or burnout. According to a 2018 Gallup study , 23% of full-time workers reported feeling burned out at work very often or always. And one major reason for this burnout was an unmanageable workload. Examples of How to Ask for Help Do you need more help but struggle to verbalize this?

It’s a small world, after all. Though global population continues to expand, our connectivity is growing even faster. In 2019, the number of internet users worldwide stood at 4.13 billion , which means more than half of the global population is connected to the world wide web. The percentage of US adults who use social media increased from 5% in 2005 to 79% in 2019. And experts estimate most Americans are exposed to around 4,000 to 10,000 ads each day. While the internet is a lifeline, it has also exposed the misbehavior and greed of many of the pillars we count on, leading to a unique paradox: today, more people are connected and fewer are trusted. The Benefits of Trust In this vacuum of mistrust, marketers find themselves on one of three paths: 1 -- Ignored 2 -- Sneaking around 3 -- Trusted If you’re ignored, you can’t get far because you won’t earn much attention OR trust. If you’re sneaky, you may gain followers, but not for long. The third path – trust – is the

With the oldest of Generation Z graduating and entering the workforce, it’s time to set your sights on this powerful consumer demographic. Who are these Gen Z individuals, and what is the most effective way to reach them? While many media companies have written them off as “screen addicts,” Gen Z is actually very nimble, engaged, and unique. Here are a few facts to consider: As of 2020, Gen Z makes up more than 40% of U.S. consumers. Born after 1996 , most members of this generation are not yet old enough to vote. Generation Z represents the leading edge of the country’s changing racial and ethnic makeup. 52% are non-Hispanic white, 25% are Hispanic, 14% are black, 6% are Asian. Gen Z logs on to social media for roughly two hours and 55 minutes each day. This is almost an hour longer than the average millennial. Want to engage younger prospects? Here are five tips to consider: 1. Diverse images are extremely impactful Gen Z has a natural awareness of how diversity

When you “cc” someone on an email, do you ever think about what this abbreviation actually means? In 1801, Pellegrino Turri invented carbon paper to provide ink for his mechanical typing machine, which was one of the first typewriters. Five years later, carbon paper was patented and released to the general public. Carbon paper soon became a primary method for rapidly reproducing documents or booklets, and today its legacy has remained in the header of emails. The “cc” abbreviation stands for “carbon copies,” or copies intended for recipients other than the principal addressee. Since Turri’s day, carbonless forms have largely replaced their early ancestor. Carbonless copy paper has  micro-encapsulated  dye or ink on the back side of the top sheet, and a clay coating on the front side of the bottom sheet. When pressure is applied (from writing or impact printing), the dye capsules rupture and react with the clay to form a permanent mark duplicating the markings made to the top sheet.

Can you introduce yourself or your business in a brief, compelling way? An elevator pitch does precisely that. While the origins of this term are debated, the name reflects the idea of a quick speech that could be given in the span of an elevator ride (thirty seconds to two minutes). An elevator pitch is a short description of an idea, product, or company that explains the concept in a way that any listener could understand. This engaging summary could be used to entice an investor, to explain an idea, or to sell your services. Done right, your pitch can help you land a job or connect with prospective customers. It can take time to solidify your pitch, but here are four tips that can help: 1. Build a Connection The start of a conversation is a perfect time to establish a relationship. Begin by introducing yourself and, if possible, build off a previous connection or shared experience. As you share, try to reference your credentials, training, or something that differentiate

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.” - NFL Coach Vince Lombardi   Should I give up? It’s the question that hits every aspiring leader at some point. It’s a seed of doubt rooted deep in our emotions and our identities as humans. As an entrepreneur, you will continuously face discouragement that threatens to cheat you out of hope and possibility. When you are tempted to quit on your business, what should you do? Rest is Best While there are many things you can do to combat discouragement, one of the best things is also the simplest: REST. Making decisions when you are fatigued or depressed can have long-lasting consequences. A pessimistic outlook can shape the trajectory of a decision, leading to poor outcomes down the road. And weariness has real effects: one study found that U.S. clinicians were 26% more likely to prescribe unnecessary antibiotics to patients during the fourth hour of work on a typical day. When you feel beat down or unce

“There are three responses to a piece of design – yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.” (Milton Glaser, graphic designer & co-founder of New York magazine) 2020 is a great time to hone your hobbies and sharpen your skills. What have you been learning in your quaran-TIME this year? One no-fail possibility is to brush up on your eye for design. Whether you are an amateur decorator, an urban planner, or you are planning a client presentation, small tweaks to any project can really enhance your reputation. Before you embark on your next masterpiece, consider six basic DO’s and DON’Ts of design: Fonts DO worship classic typefaces. Every designer needs an arsenal of tried-and-true typefaces that work for almost any project. Classic fonts are easy to read, balancing timeless elegance with contemporary style. Consider fonts like Garamond, Helvetica, Futura, Clarendon, Bodoni, Avenir, Orpheus, News Gothic, Canela, and Gotham, to name a few. DON’T use any more typ

If you’re like many people, you’ve probably been more conservative in your spending lately. Recent research shows that, during the pandemic , many people were rationing food to save on expenses and grocery runs, and 23% of people were eating more plant-based meals. Discretionary spending has decreased, and consumers are shifting to digital solutions and reduced-contact channels to receive services. On a larger scale, consumers worldwide say they expect the pandemic to affect their routines or spending for at least two to four months. A Shift in Content and Scope In recent months, many companies have shifted the scope and content of their marketing efforts as well. Instead of pushing products and promotions, proactive businesses have focused on building relationships and adding humanness to their brand, including inspirational direct mail newsletters, heartfelt emails, and down-to-earth videos. In one example, eBay championed small businesses that power the nation with its “

What turns you away from a website, advertisement, or a company? Perhaps it’s the message itself or the way a brand is presented. Sometimes the information is just too scattered, time-consuming, or confusing! Today’s consumers face a barrage of competing messages, so each intersection between a customer and your business is critical. These points of contact, or touchpoints, represent points of interaction with a customer or a prospect at any stage of their customer journey. Touchpoints provide you critical opportunities to engage leads, build brand awareness, address concerns, market products or services, or to tell your story. Building an End-to-End Customer Experience Grouping touchpoints chronologically can be helpful as it allows you to see things from an outside perspective. Here are just a handful of touchpoints: Social Media Campaigns Print Advertisements Company Events Product Catalogs Conversations with Company Representatives Landing Pages Professiona

Generation Z is the demographic cohort born between the mid-to-late 1990s and around 2010. Affectionately known as “Zoomers,” Gen Z individuals are technologically advanced (having never seen a world without internet), perceive information best through visuals, and absorb tons of new information daily. Zoomers are quick to learn and adept with technology, which is something we’re all being challenged to do in this pandemic season! Best Practices for Managing Meetings Remotely Perhaps you’ve recently become a “Zoomer” yourself: video-conferencing for the first time or managing the majority of your business remotely. Whether you’re a tech pro or you are brand new to online meetings, everyone faces video-based communication challenges. Here are a few tips to make your online meetings a bit better: 1. Put Your Best Foot Forward Often when we’re at home, we get a bit slumpy with our hygiene. Before your meeting, take a minute to freshen up and to inspect your viewing area. Mak

In September of 2019, Apple unveiled the iPhone 11, featuring a dual-lens rear camera, automated night mode, and built-in support for vision, hearing, and mobility. One of the biggest surprises of the iPhone 11 was not its technical features, but its price. The iPhone 11 started at $699, down from the iPhone XR’s previous price of $749, and signaling one of the biggest year-on-year reductions in iPhone history. Apple also implemented $150 cuts on products like the iPhone 8 and the Apple Watch. Tech specialists were quick to comment : “The biggest news from the Apple launch was the price cut for iPhone 11,” Chris Caso, an analyst at Raymond James and Associates, wrote in a note to investors. “We view this as an admission that Apple stretched too far with the price points at last year’s launch.” Apple executives were not afraid to adjust pricing to current customers, especially knowing it may encourage upgrades or woo digital streaming subscribers. Lowering prices also increased th

Mike Turner founded the Front Street Brokers real estate firm in 2005, with a desire to offer distinctive client experiences, to equip agents for the maximum efficiency and profitability, and to devote significant firm resources to a local, philanthropic focus. After three years, Turner’s firm experienced a significant slowdown during the 2008 financial crisis. This was a time of immense strain , especially when scheduled closings dried up before his eyes: “In that time period, we had 10 real estate transactions scheduled to close, and nine of them fell through for unforeseeable reasons,” Turner said. “All of a sudden, $100,000 worth of business income that we were dependent upon [was] gone.”  Turner faced difficult choices in this season, and many of us are facing similar decisions in today’s COVID-19 crisis. Today, Turner says that while change is inevitable, he knows we still have a choice. Will we allow unforeseen challenges to drag us downstream, or will we improvise to find

Fear. Stress. Helplessness. Whether you’re caring for elderly parents or homeschooling your kids, people across the globe are struggling with big emotions during the COVID-19 situation. How do you lead well in times like these? While daily leadership is essential for your business, crisis moments reveal the quality of your vision like nothing else. And while you may be exhausted or overwhelmed, now is not the time to push pause on your leadership. What are the “next best steps” you can take in this hour of uncertainty? 1. Increase the Frequency of Communication During hard times, the frequency of communication should go through the roof . Even if you have bad news, it’s important to acknowledge this ASAP. While you may not have all the details, a prompt announcement can minimize speculation, reassure panicked contacts, and let people know that you are proactively addressing each challenge. 2. Be Authentic Now, more than ever, people are craving connection. Since many of

COVID-19 is officially a pandemic, and millions of Americans are working at home. Even if you aren’t sick, you feel the impact of this pandemic. As the coronavirus has spread across the globe, the CDC has made drastic recommendations on social distancing, self-quarantines, and statewide “stay at home” mandates. Through this unprecedented season, what are some of the best ways to navigate your professional challenges? “I Feel Your Pain” Empathy is one of the best starting points. Defined as “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another,” empathy allows you to comprehend what another person is experiencing or to put yourself in their position. Empathy is the ability to perceive a situation from another person’s frame of reference, and possibly to experience the emotions that go with that. Empathy is different from just “being kind” because empathy is a powerful tool that allows you to truly understand points of view that are vastly different than yours. A perso

Have you ever struggled to take a classy (yet natural) family picture? Or photographed an incredible wilderness scene, only to be sorely disappointed by flat results? If the world has so much wonder, why is capturing that majesty so tricky? Many photos are simply too dark or too light, with awkward shadows, blinding background rays, or glaring reflections (think Grandma’s glasses!). The color can seem artificial or just washed out. But photos with proper lighting come alive, creating a drama and depth that resonates with viewers on a heart-stirring level. Whether you adjust your camera on the front end or edit the photo later, here are some tricks to getting the photo balance just right! Adjusting Your Digital Camera Settings Different sources of light have varying color hues, so a picture taken with a normal white balance under artificial lighting conditions transmits low heat to the camera’s sensor, resulting in dull yellow or orange shades in the photo. Though human eyes

The coronavirus has rattled the world, and while the health consequences are dire, the economic fallout could be worse. In just one week, from March 7 to March 14, initial unemployment claims jumped by a third , rising from 211,000 to 281,000. And while we don’t know whether workers have been laid off or furloughed, we do know that lost jobs are bad for families, employers, and the nation. Job losses translate into increased federal spending and a slower response to unemployment claims, and those businesses that have to hire or train new employees down the road will undoubtedly take a financial hit later. Even if it’s difficult, your business can benefit by keeping employees on payroll and by modifying your business plan. What might this look like? Here are some options to consider: Lower Overhead Expenses The most effective response to financial pain is to freeze spending wherever possible. This may mean holding off on new investments, eliminating projects where costs exce

They say that the only sure thing about communication is that we tend to get it wrong. If communication between two family members is a challenge, how much harder is communication at work? Have you ever experienced a team “fail” like this? After meetings, people don’t seem to know what was said or what’s coming next. It’s like the meeting never occurred. After training on a new procedure, only one person recalls the protocol. Following a brainstorming session, everyone assumes someone else is covering the “next step.” The ball is dropped, resulting in blame, disillusionment, and embarrassment. Make Your Messages Stick Everyone knows communication is critical to success. To run a thriving business, employees, managers, and CEOs need to communicate clearly and effectively. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of short circuits in this process, which can result in angry employees, difficult HR situations, and lost profit. What can you do to improve team communication? Here

How will the economy affect your business this year? Economic conditions impact all businesses, but small businesses often feel the effect of changes sooner. Upswings in the economy mean more disposable income, which can provide a rush of new or expanded business opportunities for your firm. But dips in the economy may make it harder for you to break even, to cover payroll, or to qualify for loans that will increase your growth opportunities. While you can’t control the economy, you can take steps to ready your small business for unexpected changes. One simple tool to consider is a stress test. Ways to Stress Test Your Business A stress test is a simulation to gauge your financial risk under different economic scenarios. The results can aid your financial planning and let you know where your business is at the greatest risk in the event of economic hard times. Here are three ways to stress-test your business to stabilize it during unwanted slowdowns. 1. Solicit advice from