Big Boom Design Blog

Export University 101 at AB Tech Community College Enka-Candler Campus

Boomer — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:58:01 +0000

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Enka Site, Haynes Conference Center, Room 127
1465 Sand Hill Road
Candler NC 28715

June 7, 2012 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
REGISTRATION fee is $65. Fee includes lunch, an electronic copy of ”The Basic Guide to Exporting”, and all training materials.

A one day workshop on export sales, finance, and logistics solutions. Learn how to compete globally!

In this economy you cannot leave any stone unturned. Act now to learn the export basics or brush up on key export topics.
At this event, you will:

Learn export sales techniques
Learn the basics of the Letter of Credit and other international methods of payment.
Learn about pricing strategies and how to offer financing to your foreign buyers to increase sales
Learn about the role of the freight forwarder.
Learn how export credit insurance can be used to decrease risk, reduce transaction cost and increase sales.
Hear from experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, and N.C. Department of Commerce. Learn about government services and how to use the services to increase sales.
Network and learn from members of the NC District Export Council, business executives who have extensive export experience.

Who Should Attend?

Companies that are currently exporting but need guidance to further expand overseas markets and sales.
Companies that are new to exporting and need the tools to begin and avoid costly mistakes.

How to register:

Go to: http://www.ncdec.us/export-university-june-2012.html

In this economy you cannot leave any stone unturned. Act now to learn the export basics or brush up on key export topics.
At this event, you will:

Learn export sales techniques
Learn the basics of the Letter of Credit and other international methods of payment.
Learn about pricing strategies and how to offer financing to your foreign buyers to increase sales
Learn about the role of the freight forwarder.
Learn how export credit insurance can be used to decrease risk, reduce transaction cost and increase sales.
Hear from experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, and N.C. Department of Commerce. Learn about government services and how to use the services to increase sales.
Network and learn from members of the NC District Export Council, business executives who have extensive export experience.

WordPress Site Design Ideas

Boomer — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:01:22 +0000

13floor-theme-just-another-wordpress-weblog-2011-06-27-11-10-09

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Asheville AB Tech Small Business Jump Start Day on April 26th at the Enka-Candler Campus

Boomer — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:58:23 +0000

Source Content: http://www1.abtech.edu/jump-start

This event is for vendors who have a product or service that can assist current and potential small businesses and space is limited based on the product/service being offered. Potential vendors should contact Jill Sparks at 828.398.7949 or jsparks@abtech.edu for more information.The Small Business Jump Start Day is an annual event in which current and potential business owners can learn more about the many resources available to small businesses in our community.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

FREE Event – No Registration Required

April 26, 2012, 4 – 6:30 p.m.

2nd Floor Conference Room
Haynes Center, A-B Tech Enka Site

This innovative and exciting program will allow current and potential business owners to gain valuable information such as how to:

Advertise your product/service
Obtain a business loan
Write a business plan
Identify your target customers
Get a business license
Meet legal requirements (if any)
Find a space to rent
Get advice when you need it
Do business with the city
Manage accounting and taxes
Secure appropriate insurance coverage

Circulate from table to table, pick up brochures, ask questions and spend as much time as you like. This event is free and open to the public. Please note the Small Business Center reserves the right to limit and/or decline vendors.

Generously sponsored by:

For more information, contact Jill Sparks, Executive Director, Small Business Center and Business Incubation, jsparks@abtech.edu or 828.398.7949.

Getting to know your Google Analytics

Boomer — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:00:05 +0000

Today was a very digitally productive day here at the office. I was scanning through the monthly Google Analytic reports that I send out to my clients and I realized that I still didn’t have a solid video that explains the Google Analytic reports. I’ve created numerous blog posts about this but most people tend to click on the link and then immediately get turned off by the fact that they need to read the explanations. So, I decided it was time to create a breakdown video of the typical Google Analytic Report.

Google has recently released their new and improved analytic interface which I’ll create a video on later in the month. For now, enjoy the video and happy Googling.

Make sure to open this video in full screen or else you’ll never be able to see the text on the report. Click the enlarge button in the bottom right of the player window.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Google Analytics gets a Facelift

Boomer — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:17:59 +0000

We’re excited to share that the new version of Google Analytics will soon be active on all Big Boom Design accounts. In addition to a redesigned interface that makes it even easier to explore your data, you’ll also notice some significant new features. Here are a few of our favorites.

Google Analytics Real-Time

Real-Time reporting shows you what’s happening on your site – right now! The reports are updated continuously and each pageview is reported seconds after it occurs on your site. You’ll find Real-Time reports in the ‘Home’ tab.

Multi-Channel Funnels

See which channels your customers interacted with during the 30 days prior to converting or purchasing. Conversion path data includes interactions with many media channels, including clicks from paid and organic searches, affiliates, social networks, and display ads.

Video demo & Usage guide

Mobile Reporting

More and more, visitors are using mobile devices to browse the web. Mobile reports in the new version of Google Analytics help you understand how mobile visitors are interacting with your site. You can even see which mobile devices your visitors use and optimize for those devices.

Flow Visualization

Flow Visualization is a beautifully designed and highly sophisticated tool for graphically showing how visitors navigate through your site. We’ve completely re-imagined and redesigned the navigation tools available in the old version of Google Analytics.

Video demo & Usage guides for Visitor Flow, Goal Flow

Over the next few weeks as we make Google Analytics v5 the default for all users, we are simultaneously rolling out the report email scheduler and PDF export.

Need to check something in the old version of Google Analytics?

We think you’ll enjoy all the features of the new version but if you need to refer to the old version, there is a safety latch. Look in the top right corner of Google Analytics and you’ll see a link for Old Version. Switch back and forth as much as you need, but keep in mind, that the old version will only be available until early next year.

TEDx Drops in on Asheville NC

Boomer — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 08:23:47 +0000

In honor of today’s (November 13th) TEDxAsheville event I though it would be appropriate to post a recent TED talk that I found rather interesting. If you don’t know about TED or if you do know about it but aren’t planning on attending please reconsider. Tickets are in the $40 range and should be well worth it. You can purchase TEDx Tickets for the Asheville event HERE.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

What happens when Google digitizes 15 Million books – The Ngram Viewer

Boomer — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:10:08 +0000

http://ngrams.googlelabs.com

Why We Should Hire More Hackers

Boomer — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:29:27 +0000

September 2011 Newsletter

Boomer — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:51:16 +0000

Shaping Up!

Fall is almost here and things are going great at Big Boom Design. We have had some exciting developments that are making business more streamlined. This means that things are only going to get better for your business’ website. Inside this issue of our Newsletter we will discuss what’s new, including:

Our new office
New clients and some impressive new websites
Additional services that will help enhance your business
Meet Carly and Luke, our newest staff members

New Office

We have moved to a new office in the Small Business Center, a.k.a. “The Incubator,” at the Enka-Candler campus of AB Tech Community College. This exciting change has improved the functionality of our business enormously. Because of our new central location, we are streamlining our workflow in a way that makes us more accessible to clients.

We have settled in nicely here at the Incubator and look forward to all the possibilities that this new home will provide. If you need to find us, we are located at:

1465 Sandhill Road
Suites 1024 and 1026
Candler, NC 28715

New Clients and New Websites

Mark Strom is a master wood carver with over 30 years of experience. His work is a beautiful mix of architectural structure and organic beauty. He creates a variety of different wooden objects that he displays in galleries and offers on commission. We have created a site for him where people can view his spectacular work at www.stromcarver.com

Oldcastle Surfaces has been a leading name in manufacturing counter-tops for over 25 years. Their various locations throughout the southeast have a variety of the highest quality natural stone and manufactured counter-tops. We’ve created a new site for them to highlight all the different aspects of their business at www.oldcastlesurfaces.com

Lazybirds is a quartet band with roots in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. They have a classic American sound with hints of blues, jazz, country and ragtime. Doc Watson loves them and we are enjoying having them on board. Check them out at www.lazybirds.net

We’ve been working with the High County Host for a long time, but recently, we have collaborated with them to create a new group of satellite websites to help track all of the fun “Journeys” of the High Country. In addition to www.highcountryhost.com, we have created www.highcountryparkway.com and www.skithehighcounty.com, and will be creating more for them soon. The main focus of this project is to help create more downstream traffic to the businesses that help support the High Country Host.

The Hayes Center in Blowing Rock was created to promote the advancement of cultural arts in the High Country. This beautiful auditorium has been housing wonderful performances and events for years. The website (www.hayescenter.org) that we have created for them will showcase all of their current and past productions, and keep their audiences informed of the work that this great organization does.

Big Boom Design has also launched a new blog site that has been created with all of our clients in mind. As you know, our business is unique in that we want you to be completely informed in how maintain your website. Because of this, your education on WordPress or Joomla is crucial to maintaining your website. We’ve created a blog site at www.bigboomdesign.com/blog to help you keep up-to-date on your site. Here you will find helpful videos and tutorials to show you how things function within our design platforms. We hope that you will use this blog to answer questions that you may have about your site design.

New Services

Facebook Landing Pages

As new technology develops, it is our job at Big Boom Design to keep evolving our services to keep our clients’ businesses as innovative as possible. Something that is paramount these days is Social Media. As Facebook continues to become a more integral part of business, it is important to know how to adapt your website to these ever changing developments. As of March 10, we have been creating personalized, embedded websites within Facebook to help your potential clientele have better access to your business. To see one of these new embedded websites, check out the High Country Host’s Facebook page for Accommodations.

QR Code Integration

In addition, as mobile technology grows, businesses’ websites need to become more mobile-friendly. QR codes are becoming a very popular way to integrate your traditional print media marketing with your website. Attached to this email, you will find a unique QR code specific to your business and website. If you are interested in learning more about how to directly incorporate QR codes into your marketing efforts, contact Big Boom Design today.

Time Lapse Video

Another new development that we have been toying around with lately is time-lapse photography. We’ve been brainstorming all the fun ways that this can be used for our clients, and will continue to keep you informed of how to integrate this new service into your websites. To see an example of one of our most recent time- lapse videos, visit our YouTube page.

Meet Carly and Luke

As our business grows, so does the Big Boom Family. Carly Deyton is the new Director of Content and Media. She moved to Asheville from Georgia this past December to start a new chapter in her life, filled with the outdoors, running, yoga, music, photography, friends, family and her yellow lab, Cappie. She is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, and is excited to uncover all the adventure that Asheville can offer.

Luke VanHoy, who hails from Union Grove, North Carolina, is our newest Graphic Designer. He attended Mitchell Community College where he earned his degree in Fine Arts. Luke enjoys most forms of art, but especially wood working, sculpture and digital media. When he isn’t hard at work at Big Boom Design, he likes snowboarding, skateboarding, camping and hanging out with his friends.

QR Codes

Boomer — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 23:36:59 +0000

As mobile technology grows, businesses’ websites need to become more mobile-friendly. QR codes are becoming a very popular way to integrate your traditional print media marketing with your website. If you are interested in learning more about how to directly incorporate QR codes into your marketing efforts, contact Big Boom Design today.

Molly Milroy

Boomer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:56:06 +0000

Molly Milroy is an activist, photographer and world traveler. Her blog follows her adventures to Africa and elsewhere, where she has worked with the Invisible Children organization. She works with the organization to photograph renovation, inspire communication and also to work with a group called MEND. This program was created by Invisible Children and creates jobs for women of Gulu, Uganda.

Molly allows her readers to come with her as she climbs mountains and tries new foods. She tells you what kind of equipment she is using, and most importantly she shares the incredible stories of the people she has met on her journeys.

Mickey Harte

Boomer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:51:30 +0000

Internationally renowned multi-platinum artist, Mickey Harte creates an Irish Contemporary sound that has been pleasing his fans for well over 10 years. His discography is impressive, and he plays gigs to showcase his talents all over the world. His newest album will be out soon featuring his newest single “Not Wasting Another Day.”

Since he can’t always be with his fans, he blogs while he’s on the road to keep them up to date on what’s going on in his world.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare

Boomer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:45:35 +0000

ARH provides comprehensive and compassionate care for a variety of services including heart disease, cancer, childrens’ health, women’s health, rehabilitation, emergency medicine and brain injury. Not only do they treat you, they become your partner while you are staying with them.

It is their goal to prevent illness whenever possible, keep their staff completely up to date on their practice and also to educate the medical professionals of tomorrow. As a result, they create a healthier community.

Avery County Chamber

Boomer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:32:38 +0000

Avery County offers so many wonderful activities; you may never want to leave. Considered “The Balcony of the Blue Ridge,” this wonderfully scenic area of North Carolina has wonderful places to play, eat, shop, and stay. If you and your family are looking to visit, their visitors’ guide is an invaluable resource. If Avery County won’t leave your thoughts, and relocation is in your future, their website is also for you!

With so many fun activities and events, Avery County’s Chamber makes it easy for you to decide what to do!

Jefferson Landing

Boomer — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:21:04 +0000

Located between the New River and Mt. Jefferson, Jefferson Landing is the absolute ideal North Carolina golf community. Their acclaim makes their real estate a great investment, and their accommodations make it such a fun place to live. Jefferson Landing offers fabulous club memberships and opportunities; this allows for a great community experience.

Jefferson Landing has a qualified team of personnel. Check out the area information to see what this resort lifestyle can bring.