Lately I’ve been listening to music of the 1920s and 1930s. There’s something special about that time period and the trials and tribulations of that generation. They were people who persevered through tough times and came out victorious.

A classic song came on which I’ve heard a million times, but believe it or not, I never actually listened to the lyrics in their entirety. The song was “We’re in the Money,” lyrics by Al Dubin, music by Harry Warren. The words struck a cord with me, and pondering the past, I realized, things will turn around.

We’re in the money, we’re in the money;
We’ve got a lot of what it takes to get along!
We’re in the money, that sky is sunny,
Old Man Depression you are through, you done us wrong.
We never see a headline about breadlines today.
And when we see the landlord we can look that guy right in the eye
We’re in the money, come on, my honey,
Let’s lend it, spend it, send it rolling along!

With all the doom and gloom in our current state of the world, this song is a nice reminder that things can change, to know that there is a brighter day ahead. With determination and positive thinking we can turn the economy around.

Consider the internet and how the world is using it. Our industry is thriving and growing despite all the foreboding news. People are socializing, networking and finding comfort in the fact that they can share their lives online. Twitter and Facebook users worldwide are growing at a phenomenal rate, relying more on the internet for information.

More eyes mean more search quarries, and if you are involved in social media and search engine marketing, your company has a tremendous opportunity. Customers are out there, all you have to do is be more visible.

MoreVisibility is currently offering a webinar series targeting social media channels and all aspects of usability, functionality, and relevancy in today’s market. For more information contact us with your inquiry.

Pass me a Kleenex.
Put it in the Fridge.
I need some Halls for my throat.
Can I have a Coke?
Twitter me.
Catch me on Facebook.

My guess is, you are able to understand exactly what each of these statements mean. They are simple phrases which pack a huge branding punch. When I just say the word “Kleenex”, an image pops into your mind of a tissue. How about Facebook? You’re probably thinking of social media. Branding is about creating a specific thought or emotion in a consumer’s mind, leaving a deep impression.

Here’s an interesting and fun way to see how effective branding can be. Below are some random words which are associated with a company, service or product. What do they make you think of?

Mustang
French Fries
Tall Mocha
Just do it
MP3
Green Giant
Windows
Walt
Apple
Super
The quicker picker upper.
Dominos
Dolphins
To infinity…

Now we come to “Google”. The word “Google” itself has become an everyday household name, synonymous with search. Instead of saying, “Can you search for something on the internet?” many people just say, “Google it!” This type of branding is every Marketer’s dream come true.

Until next time, stay true to your brand, and your brand will stay true to you.

When it comes to a solid design for your website, a grid can come in handy. Just as a house needs a sturdy foundation, a work of art or design requires the same. The website picture plane, or the monitor size and resolution, is your first consideration when building your foundation. Below are some statistics regarding user resolutions according to the W3Schools web statistics and trends from January 2009.

The average user has a resolution of 1024×768 or higher so it is a good idea to base your grid on this information. A good number to start with is 960 wide x 500 high. The reason your size should be slightly smaller than 1024×768 is that you need to take into consideration browser toolbars at the top of the page, the right scrollbar, and the horizontal fold of the page. This width will give you an even number to divide the space into columns of 12 (60px each) or 16 (40px each) with 20 pixel gutters and 10px side margins.

12 Column Grid

16 Column Grid

You can repeat a similar process horizontally if desired. You can now use this grid as a guide when placing objects and text on the page. This solid structure will help ensure a solid design.

For more information on grids visit 960 Grid System.