AMH Creative (& it's blog) have moved!

AMH Creative has become: Lucky 19. 

We have a new website and blog so please visit us at:

http://www.lucky19branding.com

&  http://www.lucky19branding.com/branding-graphic-web-design-blog/

You can find all of the posts from this blog on the new one!  Convienient right? :D

So please make note because this blog will be going down soon.

Don't forget to friend us on facebook, twitter & the like:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/Lucky19brands
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/Lucky_19
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lucky19

Visions from the New California

There are so many talented artists in Orange County (& California), but so many are still undiscovered. These artists make our lives more beautiful and they do it for the love of their craft. But wouldn't it be great if some of them could have, I don't know, say:

• a one-month residency (at one of six AMAZING sites in California), 
• a $4000 fellowship, 
• and inclusion in a nationally distributed publication featuring the year's awardees?

Visions from the New California has, each year since 2003, done just!  In fact, they award this fellowship to   6 visual artists each year.

Here's an excerpt of their vision (from their website): "Visions from the New California celebrates, supports, and promotes the work of outstanding California visual artists from diverse communities – artists whose work may still be unfamiliar but whose compelling visions will define California in its next decades."

The GREAT news is that there are 9 days left to apply for these fellowships!  So what are you waiting for? Go apply or tell your artist friends. Like now... ;)

Here's the link:  http://www.artistcommunities.org/CAvisions/index.html

You Know the Economy is Bad When...Target Makes Up a New Holiday

Ok so I'm a little late getting this photo uploaded from my phone, but it still cracks me up.  If you're anything like me and you found yourself shopping at Target in February (ok I'm there every week) you probably noticed this gem of marketing greet you as you walked in the door.  Way to combine your marketing dollars, Target! ha ha

Andrea Recommends: Basecamp Online Project Management

One of the most essential aspects of successful design/branding projects is project management.  A few years back I discovered Basecamp, an online project management tool.  I fell in love. I searched the internet pretty extensively looking for the right tool, but most were WAY out of my budget and didn't provide everything I needed. Basecamp is great because it's simple to use and there are tiered monthly plans so you can start at a price that fits your budget and then upgrade if you want more.

After I started using Basecamp I no  longer had to track my projects through endless back and forth emails, revised versions of documents and designs and boy did that make me happy!

So in the interest of helping you out with your latest projects.  Try Basecamp!

You will love it too!  Messages, To Do Lists, Milestones, File Sharing, Revisions, etc. all in one place with all the people on your project. It will even send reminders and can track time.  Hallelujah--that's what I say. :)

Plus the company (37 signals) is secure and here to stay.  Incidentally they are a company to watch for emerging internet software technologies.

So try it out and let me know what you think (or let me know what you think anyway).  I know my clients who collaborate with me on projects really appreciate the ease-of-use and organized approach to their projects.

Your Secret Weapon: The Insider Scoop on Your Target Market

Just the other day I asked a friend, “So, who is the target market for this product?” They excitedly replied, “Everyone!”  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked that question and received that same reply. The reality is that no product is for EVERYONE (no not even toilet paper, or there wouldn’t be different brands). So let’s go deeper and find out who your target market really is (it's a lot easier than you'd think).

Branding your product or service starts and ends with your target market. Many businesses only ask “Who” their market is, but you have a secret weapon because in just a few minutes of brainstorming, you can go the extra mile and gain the advantage. You can really tap into who they are, what they want and how they want it. I encourage you to take a moment today and really think about your target market, by asking yourself these questions (best guesses are ok):

1. Who are they? Age, sex, income, marital status, political affiliation/tendency, religious or not, etc.

2. What do they do? Deciphering the types of activities (i.e. golf, church, nightlife) they like to participate in can help you get a better idea of their true mindset.

3. Where do they go? Knowing what kinds of places they frequent could help you brainstorm a unique way to reach them that your competitors haven’t thought about.

4. How do they usually come across new products or services? If you know how they find out about new things you may be able to reach them in a way you didn’t think about before.

5. What problems do they face? If you know some of the “problems” they grapple with you can be their knight-in-shining armor, offering up just the right solutions!

And, if you really want to delve into their psyche further you could even ask them to tell you how they feel through surveys or contests—but that of course would depend on whether your target market likes surveys or contests.

Good luck on figuring out your target market. After you’ve figured out some answers to these questions start brainstorming how you can use this treasure trove of information to reach your market in new, meaningful ways. If you need some help let us know.

P.S. If you get stumped when you’re answering these questions, search online. Check out informational websites in your industry and/or start typing in some key phrases about your type of product or service. The internet is a wealth of information.