The Imagination Shop, Inc.
407.947.4171
Exciting Week
This week marked the launch of our latest website creation. Our client The Legacy Restaurant at the Nancy Lopez Country Club in The Villages, Fl wanted a brand new site that focused on the food. The idea was to create beautiful images, a video that would make your mouth water and information that their clients need.
This image represents a sample of their site.
The simplicity of the site was designed to bring your eye to what matters, the delicious food. The challenge is always to do this in a way that allows for both quick and easy navigation as well as to showcase the high quality product.
We encourage you to spend some time browsing their site and especially to pay them a visit. Their attention to detail is quite amazing, they care about their product and their clients, and they value the importance of using the best vendors, the ones with those same values.
It has been an absolute pleasure working with them on this venture and we look forward to the many more projects on the way.
Google+ the fastest growing social network?
We’ve been very busy in the past week trying to keep up with all of the latest on Google+ and YouTube’s Cosmic Panda. So far we are very excited. If you haven’t had a chance to check out Cosmic Panda yet then I suggest taking a peek at our page for a good idea. The simplistic look that YouTube has finally adopted has made designers all over the planet giddy.
But, the coolest thing is that Jenna Billota, YouTube, is hosting a Google+ hangout today to get some feedback from users. That’s right, one of the designers is actually going to be “sharing” with users in a “social” environment. This is exactly what makes Google+ the “wave” (pun intended) of the future.
And I’m not the only one that thinks that.
Bill announced today that he predicts “that Google+ will go from 0 to 100,000,000 users faster than any other service in history.”
I think he might be right about that one. But, only time will tell. So, if you want to see what all the fuss is about, and get involved with the conversation then, well, what are you waiting for? Head on over and check it out. You can visit Bill’s profile here. Or you can check out my ramblings here and be sure to let me know how you found me. After all, it is a sharing environment.
I can’t wait to see where we go with video sharing!
Google Plus First Look
So, it’s only been one day, well 12 hours, since I have setup my Google Plus account and so far, WOW. This really has the potential to be a game changer. I literally spent the first 4 hours “connecting” and “communicating” with people. And I mean actual conversations. It wasn’t a post in the abyss wondering if anyone ever saw it. It was “talk” and it was pretty easy to do.
I think the strength lies in the UI (user interface) and the underlying code that holds it all together. It appears “simple” at first glance but I think it is anything but and could lead to some pretty inventive communication solutions. 10 person integrated video chat, ya nice. We had a nice “chat” with each other and shared some Youtube videos. It was very easy to see how this will assist us a great deal with clients.
Say we just put together a marketing demo and the client can’t make it into the edit suite. Well then let’s hop on, watch the video together, yes I can pause and play and it will do the same for the other users. Very nice.
The huddle feature is essentially group chat and works fantastic on their mobile app. And speaking of app, they update that quite often, which means that they are constantly learning and more importantly, responding.
But, the real beauty of this entire system are the “circles”. Think facebook friends without the “wait and see if they accept me”. Instead you can pretty much “follow” who ever you want by adding them to a circle. Sure you can block people but if I didn’t know anybody I’d say that Google is very much trying to offer a more transparent and friendly system of connecting and sharing. It’s actually much more like Twitter in this regard. It seems at first to be about actual sharing of useful information. Not what is on your virtual farm. I can see this being a great place for designers, and creatives. If you’ve ever done a group tweet then you can already see exactly how useful this program can be. I mean where else can you read a post from one of the platform designers, written by himself, and not in a “company package”…
It really does seem to be on it’s way as a place to connect, truly connect, but then again maybe that is because for the most part it is filled right now with business professionals and not kids and virtual farmers.
As for the privacy issue, I guess I find myself not concerned so much with “privacy” but more just “transparency”. I think that is what I love about twitter so much, it’s just people sharing in a mostly positive manner. I mean basically if it’s on the web it’s out there anyway. Sure you can keep things private but I’ll go back to what my Mom always told me “if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all”. I’m going to call this g+ a place of openness and love because so far, that is just what I’ve been getting out of it.
Happy Sharing,
Shannon
Should I use email marketing?
I would argue that it may be the single most important “social” marketing that you can do with your customers. If it’s done well. Email is personal, so it’s best to do it only if they “ask”. Which means if they didn’t provide you with an email then they may not like getting one.
It’s also a great way to quickly tell them ( or show them ) something that you have to offer. Big letters that get the point across “this is what we can do for you and this is how much we appreciate it” go a long way to customer connection.
Here’s a good example of one we received the other day from Plaxo:
It’s short, to the point and includes images.
So how do you get started with an email campaign? Well we would love to help you with that but if you prefer to use a template then here’s a great article to get you started.
Good Times, Great Client
We walked into the office today to find this on facebook:
Hey Everybody… The Imagination Shop inc. is the best company out there for website design and video and media production. Thanks Shannon and Dan for the great new look and video production! Your the best!!!!! and I look forward to a long and lasting relationship. Rocky.
We can’t thank Rocky and the Rollers enough for a great year of music, fun and most importantly for a business, work. We look forward to many more years of providing you with a custom solution for all of your media needs.
The Promo DVD
The DVD design
The facebook Welcome Page
Rocky and the Rollers Oldies Cruise was, well ROCKIN!
0We had an absolute blast on board the Oasis of the Seas for the Rocky and the Rollers Oldies Cruise this past week. The music was incredible, the ship was beautiful and the dancing was crazy good! It was a pleasure meeting so many wonderful people and listening to some of the greatest voices of the 50s and 60s.
We couldn’t help but snap a few pics with our phones in between shooting and of course we’re glad to share.
Private Concerts with Joey Dee, The Legends of Doo Wop and Dave Somerville
Al Morse starts off the Stroll
Tommy Mara sits in on drums
Bruce Wallace and Jimmy Miller on opening night
Bowzer meets with fans during the autograph session
Rocky and the Rollers on Prom Night
Getting ready to Rock the High Seas
0In just a few days we’ll be heading out on the Oasis of the Seas with Rocky and the Rollers for some fun in the sun and a whole lot of Rock and Roll. A great band filled with a great group of guys will be hosting a 7 day party with original performers from the 50′s and the 60′s and we can’t wait.
A few weeks ago we caught up with them after rehearsing for a performance with The Crystals.
This is what Dee Dee Kenniebrew had to say about Gerry ” Rocky” Seader and Rocky and the Rollers.
Tis the Season
And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two!
We wish you love, laughter and joy this holiday season and all the year through. May you be blessed with a full heart and a happy home.
Ending the Year with a New Beginning
0We are so excited to be starting the next year working with two new clients. Mary Jo Vitale and Nancy Lopez Legacy Restaurant will be rolling out brand new websites for the new year and we can’t wait to get to started. Be sure to visit them on facebook.
And January marks our voyage with Rocky and the Rollers on the official Oldies Cruise. We are honored to be their media company and can’t wait to capture all that rockin and rolling on the high seas! Check them out online.
And speaking of Rocky and the Rollers, we are now off to Bowzer’s Rock and Roll Holiday Show. Let the good times begin.
Rockheads & Rollers
0Rocky and the Rollers took the stage at Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages for the 2010 RockHeads Party and asked us to capture the moment for them. The place was packed with happy, dancing people having a rocking good time! Be sure to check out their website for more information on where you can catch them in action.