Get a jump on holiday shopping

photo by monstershaq2000

We are delighted to be featured in the 2009 Indie Biz Chicks Holiday Gift Guide!

Brought to you by Indie Biz Chicks, the Guide featuring holiday tips, ideas and recipes also showcases artisan-designed gifts ranging from holiday cards and greeting cards (by yours truly) to handcrafted jewelry, totes, and kids wearables. Start your holiday shopping—all in one place.

Business gift idea: (hip) gift basket

For a modern take on the traditional holiday gift basket, head over to That’s Caring. Gone are the fruitcakes and meats, their hip gift baskets offer gourmet pastas, spa goodies and pet treats, just to name a few. Many selections are from local businesses such as one of my faves, The Enterprising Kitchen—and their baskets are packaged and shipped using environmentally friendly materials and methods. Your client or colleague will be thrilled with their gift—and you’ll have the warm fuzzy feeling that comes along with supporting local businesses and the envrionment.

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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And for more ideas read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving?

Business gift idea: designer coffee mug

Give your client or co-worker a stylish mug in their favorite (PANTONE) color. This colorful collection of 10 PANTONE-hued mugs from Uncommon Goods is available in shades that are sure to satisfy everyone on your business gift list. Pair with a bag of coffee or box of tea and you have an easy yet thoughtful holiday gift.

P.S. My favorite is 549C!

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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving? for more ideas.

Neighborhood Networking + Sip & Give

This month, Neighborhood Networking will be joining Sip & Give—a new way to network in Chicago while giving back to the community. As one of our goals is to support local businesses, this new group created by small biz PR maven, Jennifer Fortney was a perfect match for us.

Join us at Sully’s House on Tuesday, November 17th from 5:30-8 pm. Sip & Give November will benefit local organization Imerman Angels. Sully’s is located at 1501 North Dayton Street, Chicago, IL 60622.

For more info visit the Sip & Give blog. RSVP to sipandgive@hotmail.com.

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Neighborhood Networking is organized by Lidia Varesco Design and Elizabeth (Lulu) Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals.
Follow us on Twitter #NeighborhoodNetworking for the latest info!

Business gift idea: city guidebook

These city guidebooks from Chronicle Books make a great gift for out-of-town clients, as well as locals. With the Moleskine City Notebook Chicago and 52 Adventures in Chicago, your faraway clients can get to know your hometown—while local colleagues can play tourist in their own city. Several other cities are also offered in both series.

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Watch the bright spot for new business gift ideas each week! And read our Tipsheet How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving? for more ideas.

Neighborhood Networking in November

Neighborhood Networking is thrilled to be a part of the 7th Annual Networking Extravaganza, hosted by the Lincoln Park Business Development Institute.

Join us at Goose Island BrewPub on Thursday, November 12th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and network with Neighborhood Networking—as well as 10+ other local chambers and networking groups. RSVP and pay in advance here.

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Neighborhood Networking is organized by Lidia Varesco Design and Elizabeth (Lulu) Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals.
Follow us on Twitter #NeighborhoodNetworking for the latest info!

Featured Project: Chicago Theological Seminary Look Book

We worked with our new client, the Chicago Theological Seminary to update their marketing materials. The goal was to convey the energy and spirit of the Seminary— as well as to create a design that could easily be used throughout the marketing campaign.

Starting with a View Book for prospective students, we created an overall look that was bold and engaging—yet flexible enough to be used in many different print formats, such as posters, banners and special event materials.

The new CTS “look” has been very well-received both by staff, as well as current and prospective students. It has also been adapted to their recently-updated website. But we’re not done yet! Stay tuned for more samples of updated CTS marketing materials.

Shown: CTS Look Book and Groundbreaking Ceremony Program. Printer: Vision Integrated Graphics Group (Tinley Park IL).

How to design bad direct mail

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photo by Olga__[FR

As I’ve been signing up for industry events lately (as well as planning my big day), there’s a ton of direct mail coming through in my mailbox—and along with it, many examples of what NOT to do.

Here are a few examples of direct mail DON’Ts:

1. No return address: who is this coming from? Why should I open it?
2. Generic content: how does this relate to me? Why would I buy this?
3. Poor design: this seems like a no-brainer to a designer such as myself, but apparently not everyone gets it: good design sells. 
4. Cheap paper: if you’re spending the money on printing, please use a nice, heavyweight paper*—especially if your piece is targeted to graphic designers (we’re a finicky bunch!)
5. No design: I’ve received direct mail that resembles an office memo, 2 pages typed and stapled together: straight to the recycling bin!
6. Too many mailings: let’s try to save a few trees, yes? A postcard every week (or more often) is really not necessary.

*No neon shades of copy paper, please!

And now, some direct mail DOs: (i.e. pieces that make me take action)

1. Simple yet eye-catching design and layout
   
2. Well-written with content I can relate to
3. A multi-channel campaign: a postcard followed up with a corresponding e-blast
4. Unique format or size (folded, square, oversized**)
5. An offer I can relate to or take advantage of
6. A personal note or handwritten message (if you have a manageable clients, give your direct mail a personal touch)

**Make sure to check postal requirements

Don’t have an in-house team to give your direct mail the love it deserves? Work with a [insert shameless plug here] graphic designer, who can walk you through the process and help you achieve results.

Business gift idea: travel mug

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I’m thinking about all the special people in my business life—and how I can thank clients, vendors and other colleagues who make my life easier all year long. These fun, colorful travel mugs from French designers Créa Créa will make a unique business gift—and are sure to brighten up a desk or work commute. Créa Créa also has lots of other fun and funky desk accessories. (thanks to Stationery Trends magazine where I discovered their products)

Watch the bright spot or follow us on Twitter for more business gift ideas each week! And check out our Tipsheet, How do I Find Alternatives to Traditional Gift Giving? for more great ideas on finding unique business gifts.

Got holiday cards?

holiday cards by Lidia Varesco Design

Yes, it’s that time of year again… cooler temperatures… warmer sweaters… and holiday cards!

Get a jump on the busy holiday season and order your personal or business holiday cards from Lidia Varesco Design now. Visit our online shop to see new card designs, as well as old favorites, featuring botanical motifs, historical patterns and whimsical typographic designs.

And don’t forget: we can personalize any of our card designs with your personal message or business logo. Larger quantities are available too. Email us for pricing and ordering info.