Hosting an Outdoor Party – Tips to Consider

Posted on May 25, 2012 by PaperDirect

Summer Fruit Vinyl BannersThe time to entertain outdoors is finally here again, so let’s get that yard and pool cleaned up, the house straightened, and the creative juices flowing, so you can host the outdoor summer party of the year!

PaperDirect regularly offers birthday party tips, holiday party tips, and anniversary party tips, but today, we’re going to look at some tips for hosting and decorating an outdoor party now that warm temperatures and blue skies have arrived.

  1. Offer plenty of seating for your guests. Sometimes hosts assume that because the party is outdoors, people will not want to sit, but that’s just not true. If you don’t have enough chairs or benches, you can lay out blankets on the grass. Young children will love sprawling out on the grass, and adults will enjoy the picnic-like feel that blankets in the grass create.
  2. When it comes to food, be aware of temperature and refrigeration. To avoid food poisoning, you must make sure cold foods stay cold and if foods are set outside for guests, they only stay out as long as is safe. Summer party foods like potato salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, and the like cannot sit out in the warm temperatures for hours on end. Be sure to research each food you plan to serve if you are not sure about its BBQ Party Place Cardstemperature requirements. Another food tip is to prepare as many dishes in advanceas possible so you have less to do the actual day of the party.
  3. Be creative with decorating for your outdoor party by using fresh flowers, grass cuttings and other greenery to add a pop of color and the natural fragrance of outdoors to your shindig. Use outdoor lighting and candles for after dusk; be creative by mixing up candle shapes and sizes and spread them throughout the party area. Holiday lights make great nighttime lighting accessories. If you have a swimming pool, you can find a variety of pool lights that float.Reflection Pool Vinyl Banners
  4. Decorate the tables with seasonal table clothes, plates, cups, napkins, place cards and vinyl banners from PaperDirect. Theme parties such as “tropical” or Fourth of Julymake it easy to find matching decorations.

PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for everything you need for youroutdoor party this summer! Shop online today!

 

 

 

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Ways to Tell Your Teachers How Much They Mean To You

Posted on May 23, 2012 by PaperDirect

Appreciation Border Specialty CertificatesBeing a school teacher is one of the toughest, most admirable professions one can choose. It’s an often thankless job that requires hours and hours of work after the school day is over, evening meetings, event chaperoning, and sometimes even weekend work grading papers and preparing for the following week’s lessons.

If you are a teacher, were a teacher or know a teacher, you understand that teaching is not easy. You have lives in your hands each and every day, and everything you say and do somehow impacts the students in your classroom. If you’re not a teacher but appreciate the work they do, or if your child has told you how much a teacher has meant to them, there are many ways you can show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Let’s take a look at some teacher appreciation ideas that are thoughtful and affordable.

Feel free to come up with your own teacher appreciation ideas or use any of these. Teachers will be so thankful that their work has not gone unnoticed. Shop online at PaperDirect for teacher appreciation gifts today!

 

 

 

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Patriotic Invitations for Memorial Day

Posted on May 21, 2012 by PaperDirect

Salute Casual InvitationsWith Memorial Day quickly approaching, it’s time to break out the grill, hamburgers and hot dogs, and your most patriotic red, white and blue garb to honor those who have lost their lives in the United States Armed Forces. Memorial Day is considered the kick-off to summer and is a time for friends and family to gather, enjoy a long weekend or travel to a relaxing destination.

If you’re hosting a Memorial Day get together, you will need patriotic invitations to set the tone. PaperDirect has quite a selection of patriotic invitations from which to choose, and the great part is that with July 4th coming soon, you can stock up now and use the invitations again in July (that is, if you’re up to hosting another summer bash!). Here are just a few samples of our patriotic invitations for upcoming American holidays:Patriot Casual Invitations

 

PaperDirect is your online shopping source for party supplies including personalized napkins, place cards, banners, and table tents!

 

 

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How to Rebrand a Struggling Business

Posted on May 16, 2012 by PaperDirect

Pursuit Business CardsThe PaperDirect blog has included a great deal of information about what “branding” is when it comes to business, the importance of branding your business, and suggestions for branding your business successfully. If you have done your homework, have read what the experts say about branding your business and are still struggling, then maybe it’s time to considering how to rebrand your business. After all, you can’t give up. This is your livelihood. You have probably put years of blood, sweat and tears into this business. If all it takes is a little re-branding to turn things around, then isn’t it worth the effort.Money Tree Business Cards

Let’s look at some aspects of your company you need to examine as you consider how to rebrand your business. According to Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, a “giant” in worldwide advertising, “Often it’s not the brand that’s the problem, but the service, execution, product, delivery, or value.”

  • Evaluate the name of your business–Probably the most important part of your brand is the name of your company. If it’s not working, if you don’t like it, if it doesn’t really represent the product or service you provide, it’s probably time to rethink the name of your company. To say that changing the name of a company is a daunting task is the understatement of the century, but if it’s your company’s name that is keeping customers away, it’s necessary to examine the name and see what the problem is.
  • Make your image unique–Branding makes your product more visible, and if it’s unique, you will attract more customers since it will stand out from the competition.
  • Create a moving message–In addition to a strong visual appeal, a brand should have a moving message that will make your customers respond more positively and passionately to your business.
  • Compose a compelling mission statement–If you don’t already have a mission statement, you should write one soon. A compelling mission statement will differentiate you from the rest and let prospective customers know who you really are and what you stand for.
  • Identify problem areas–Once key problem areas are identified, you must decide what to do to fix those problem areas. Are you having staff issues, time management problems, lack of experience, poor location? These are all serious issues that must be addressed during the rebranding process.
  • Change/create a marketing plan–Rebranding is usually a crucial part of a business’ marketing plan. Identify your potential customers and win their confidence with a strong, effective marketing plan.
  • Check your website–Make sure your website is well-written, well-optimized and user friendly. Stay current on Google updates; if you need help with Web development, get it. Content is still king–how is your web content?

Fresh Tulips Business CardsIf you’re a business person in need of basic supplies like business cards, letterhead, envelopes and the like, PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for business supplies and advertising tools.

Read 4 Tips to Brand Your Business and Why Branding Your Business is so Important for more information about how to brand or how to rebrand, if necessary, your business.

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DIY Outdoor Marketing – Designing A Marketing Banner Yourself

Posted on May 14, 2012 by PaperDirect

Pure Light Vinyl BannersYou can custom design your own banner (with a little help from PaperDirect)! Our vinyl banners make great advertising tools for grand openings, special sales, one-day only events, and the like. PaperDirect weather-resistant vinyl banners come in three sizes, and we can print and ship them to your door in just three days! DIY marketing saves money and allows you to create the banner you want.

With spring upon us and summer right around the corner, now is a great time to utilize DIY outdoor marketing techniques, and vibrant banners are a sure-fire way to grab people’s attention! Hang the banners over the entrance to your business or place them strategically around the neighborhood. Ask sister businesses if you can hang a banner on their storefront.Spring Grass Vinyl Banners

Using Banners for DIY Outdoor Marketing at Trade Shows

Your business can’t be a success if people don’t know about, and many people won’t seek out a new business–they’ll wait until they hear about it via word of mouth, some type of advertisement online or in a newspaper or drive by and see some type of eye-catching outdoor advertisement. Of course, the more people that see your advertisement, the more prospective customers you may get. There are numerous ways to promote your business. Participating in trade shows is one effective method of promoting your business, and one where banners from PaperDirect will work as a great advertising tool. When you use banners for advertising, sometimes banner stands are necessary.

Using a banner stand is a great way to keep your banner stationary if it’s a windy day or there’s a lot of foot traffic that may cause the banner to fall. Though banner stands are traditionally seen at mobile events and trade shows, they can be used for a variety of advertising campaigns.

Liberty Bell Vinyl BannerBanner stands are easy to move from event to event and can be taken down and put up in a short period of time. Now, with such strict rules for carry-on and checked luggage at airports,  having a portable banner stand will save you money. Make sure your banners are easy to transport in case you’re on a mobile advertising campaign that requires you to travel.

Looking for some creative DIY outdoor marketing techniques? Try vinyl banners from PaperDirect. You can design your own and PaperDirect will take care of the rest!

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Christian Wedding Invitation Wording

Posted on May 11, 2012 by PaperDirect

Supreme Black Flat InvitationsYour invitation wording is very important because it must convey the thoughts and feelings that you and your future spouse hold true. Also, the wording on your wedding invitation is something that requires thought regarding your guests because the invitation is the first impression they will have of your wedding, and many people keep the wedding invitation as a souvenir.

If you are planning a Christian wedding, you will want to include wording in your invitations that may not be found in an invitation to a less religious, less traditional wedding. If you are concerned that your guests may be put off by Biblical verses or other Christian-like additions to your wedding invitation, you must remember that this is your day–you and your spouse should have the exact type of wedding ceremony and reception that you have always dreamed about.

Cascade Specialty Folded Invitations

If Christian wedding invitation wording is something that you need help with, you have come to the right place. PaperDirect can make some suggestions based on what others Christian brides and grooms have included in their wedding invitations to help get you started.

Your wedding invitations let guests know what to expect at your wedding, including color scheme, theme and ambiance. Letting prospective guests know that religion will play a  part in your ceremony will help them decide what attire is appropriate, or they may (unfortunately) even decide to not attend your wedding due to their own religious convictions. Your Christian wedding invitation wording should reflect your personalities and your religious beliefs as a couple. One popular way to incorporate your Christianity into your wedding invitation is to include Bible verses.

Dumont Specialty Folded InvitationsHere are some suggestions for do-it-yourself (DIY) Christian wedding invitation wording:

  • Design the front of your invitation by including a meaningful Biblical verse. The Internet provides hundreds of suggestions of Biblical verses that are appropriate for the wording on the front of a Christian wedding invitation or you may have a personal favorite memorized.
  • When you write the actual wording include a reference to God such as the following: ”Mr. and Mrs. John Doe request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Susan Kay, to Thomas Michael Jones, when they ask God’s blessing on their union and His presence in their new life together as a married couple.”
  • Conclude the invitation with the specific church name, address, date and time. Close with a Bible verse, if you desire. For example, “A chord of three strands is not quickly torn apart,” Ecclesiastes 4:12 or “This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes,” Psalms 118:23.

If you are in the midst of a DIY wedding, PaperDirect can help– a one-stop online shopping source for several DIY necessities including wedding invitations, reception cards, response cards and thank you notes.

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Appreciation Quotes–Tips for Expressing Gratitude

Posted on May 9, 2012 by PaperDirect

Thanks NoteCardsIf you’re a business owner or manager, it’s important to recognize your employees for a job well done. You can show your appreciation of your staff in a number of ways that don’t cost anything at all. For instance, appreciation quotes posted on their desk or in the break area are a great inspirational, motivational tool that will let your employees know you value their work and provide incentive to keep doing a great job.

Let’s take a look at some appreciation quotes that can be used for various types of recognition. Some of these sayings can be spoken or written to your employee while others are just inspirational messages about gratitude and appreciation. Use them as you see fit in the workplace, classroom or even at home.

One way they can be used is placed on an award certificate. PaperDirect has an extensive selection of various certificates that you can order online, but we also have certificate templates that allow you to create your own. Whether you need just one certificate of appreciation or a hundred, PaperDirect has the tools you need to design and print certificates with appreciation quotes. Here are some ideas to get you started:Rockledge NoteCards

  • “The deepest principle in human nature isthe craving to be appreciated.”- William James
  • “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” - William Arthur Ward
  • “Celebrate what you want to see more of.” - Tom Peters
  • “The aim of life is appreciation; there is no sense in not appreciating things; and there is no sense in having more of them if you have less appreciation of them.” - G.K. Chesterton
  • “Appreciate everything your associates do for the business. Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise. They’re absolutely free and worth a fortune.” - Sam Walton
  • “Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.” - William Makepeace Thackeray
  • “Encouraged people achieve the best; dominated people achieve second best; neglected people achieve the least.” - Anonymous
  • “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”- Leo Buscaglia
  •  ”I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.” - Charles Schwab
  • Ascend NoteCards“In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong.” - John Ruskin
  •  ”Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” - Margaret Cousins

If you have not told someone how much you appreciate him or her, why not start today? Shop PaperDirect, your one-stop online source for all types of recognition and motivation certificates and awards, and Thank You Cards

 

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PaperDirect® & MycroBurst®: The Quintessential Design Experience

Posted on May 7, 2012 by PaperDirect

PaperDirect® is thrilled to announce a new partnership with MycroBurst®, an industry leader in logo, Web and graphic design services. MycroBurst® provides cutting edge, extremely creative design concepts that will amaze you and stun the competition!

MycroBurst® has created a streamlined process that allows you to achieve the design you want more quickly and for less money than you ever thought possible. Where does PaperDirect® enter into the design process? Once MycroBurst® has perfected the design of your dreams, you will receive an Adobe (pdf) file of your project that PaperDirect® will custom print for you. Or, if you prefer, you can use your own desktop printing projects. Either way, when you work with PaperDirect® and MycroBurst®, the final product will be so impressive you’ll want this new design dream team to handle all your business and personal creative design needs.

The MycroBurst® Process

The first step is to visit the MycroBurst® “Start a Project” page to learn about the large variety of services and package deals available. Once you’ve decided what you need, watch this video that explains the process very succinctly and clearly. But here is a brief description of how it works:

  1. You name the price you are willing to pay for a design and fill out a creative brief to provide the MycroBurst® designers information describing exactly what you want in your design. The more you are able to pay, the more designs you will get from which to choose.
  2. Your design brief is posted on the MycroBurst® website and a “design contest” begins. A vast community of MycroBurst® freelance designers (30,000 or so) read your creative brief and start creating designs according to your guidelines. You provide feedback and the designers make your specified changes.
  3. Within one week, you will be given at least thirty design concepts from which to choose, and if you don’t like any of them, you are not obligated to choose one. Most of the time, you are provided more than thirty custom designs to review. The designers are actually competing for the job, so you are going to get amazingly creative work from several talented designers from all over the country.
  4. When you do find the design you love, you can send the Adobe file to PaperDirect® for printing or print it yourself.

The MycroBurst® Design Community can handle just about anything you need:

  • Logo designs
  • Business card designs
  • Brochure designs
  • Flyer designs
  • Stationery designs
  • Web designs
  • Facebook page designs
  • Display ad designs
  • T-shirt designs
  • Invitation designs
  • Greeting card designs

Imagine thousands of designers working on your design, all hoping to be the “chosen one.” Why spend thousands of dollars on fancy design companies or hire one freelance designer who may not fully grasp your concept or who may abandon the project before finishing it? MycroBurst® prides itself on providing what they call “fanatical customer support,” so you never have to worry about getting lost in the shuffle or not getting your design completed on time.

The partnership between PaperDirect® and MycroBurst® is exciting for both companies because creative collaboration is what we’re all about. By teaming up to provide you or your company the products and services you need, PaperDirect® and MycroBurst® have created the recipe for design success!

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Where Can I Have a Birthday Party?

Posted on May 4, 2012 by PaperDirect

Whimsical Cake Vinyl BannersPlanning a birthday party (especially if you’re a novice) may be a little overwhelming at first, but with suggestions from PaperDirect, planning and holding a birthday party for a loved one or friend should be a blast whether the guest of honor is a child or an adult! Birthday parties need not be stressful. By having a plan in mind, being organized, enlisting the help of friends and family members, you can host a birthday bash that will be remembered for years to come. The key to a great birthday party: Location! Location! Location!Elated Foil Specialty Flat Invitations

Birthday Party Venues for the Young and the “Not-so-young”

One of the most important aspects of hosting a birthday party  is choosing the perfect venue. A number of factors must be taken into consideration when you plan the location of the birthday party. Will it be large enough? Will it be too large? If it’s outdoors, does it have covering in case it rains? Is there ample parking? Is it a convenient location for most of your guests? Is it too formal? Is it too casual? Does it have staff to assist you? Tables and chairs? Food? Drinks? There are many things to consider when choosing your birthday party location.

Carnival Casual InvitationsLet’s first start by listing some great birthday party locations for adults:

  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Bars/lounges
  • Nightclubs
  • Community Halls
  • Church Meeting Halls
  • Home of friends or family
  • Bowling Alley
  • Beach Club House
  • Ice skating/roller rinks
  • Museums
  • Art Galleries
  • Amusement Parks
  • Water Parks
  • Outdoor Parks
  • Golf Courses
  • Tennis Clubs
  • Country Clubs
  • Chartered boat
  • Casino
  • Professional Sports Event (tailgate party)
  • Spa Party

Where can you have a child’s birthday party? Let’s take a look at some suggested locations:

  • Family Entertainment Center
  • Bowling Alley
  • Chuck E. Cheeses
  • Bouncy Play House Center
  • Zoo
  • Outdoor Park
  • Roller or ice skating rink
  • Circus
  • Laser Tag Fun House
  • Amusement Park
  • Playground
  • Daycare Center (that your child knows)
  • Home of friend or family member
  • Your home
  • Aquarium
  • Water Park
  • Miniature Golf Course
  • Go-Kart Track

If you have suggestions that didn’t make our list, please feel free to leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from our readers about great birthday party locations!

Read more birthday party tips from previous PaperDirect blog posts.

If you’re thinking about where to gave your birthday party, hopefully, these suggestions from PaperDirect will help. Remember, also, that PaperDirect is your one-stop online shopping source for party necessities like invitations, banners, thank you notes, and even save-the-date magnets!

 

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Direct Mail Ideas That Work

Posted on May 2, 2012 by PaperDirect

Aqua Splash PostCardsEven in an age where virtually every type of communication is done electronically, there are still direct mail ideas that work to promote your business and get customers to your door or your website. Postcards are an inexpensive, highly effective direct mail idea that has been used for decades. When designed and utilized properly, direct mail postcards can generate quite a bit of business for your company, large or small.

The key to direct mail postcards is to target the right audience–the demographic that you think needs your product or service. If you are new to postcard design and printing, these suggestions can help you make wise choices from the very start, and for you veteran postcard users, consider these tips to enhance your already-successful direct Best Ball Postcardsmail postcard marketing campaign.

  1. Use vibrant, eye-catching colors on your postcards. Dull, lifeless postcards will likely end up in the trash. If you don’t get the recipient’s attention right away, you’ve probably missed your chance at getting a new customer or client. Many advertising experts emphasize the importance of using glossy postcard paper as a matte finish does not allow the graphics to jump off the postcard and catch the viewer’s attention.
  2. Use a company that will not only design your postcard but will also print it. Why make extra work for yourself by having to deal with two firms? Find one that can do it all if you are not able to do it yourself.
  3. Use images on your direct mail postcards. People like to see the product you’re selling, and a postcard with text only is not going to get the attention that images would. Incorporate a reasonable number of images. As with any suggestions, don’t over do it. More is not always better; make sure the images are relevant and applicable to the text that accompanies the graphics.
  4. Include a coupon on the postcard. There is no greater incentive for a prospective customer to do business with you than a discounted price or a buy one get one free offer. The money you may lose in the beginning will pay off in dividends if those customers become regulars. The same philosophy is true with customer loyalty cards. For every ten purchases, offer an eleventh item of equal value free. So you know that it was the postcard that brought the customer in, be sure to indicate on the card that the customer must present the postcard at the time of purchase. Also, if a postcard recipient refers a new customer, reward the postcard holder with a discount, coupon or freebie.
  5. Include a limited-time-offer call to action on the postcard. This will get customers to your door or website quickly because who wants to miss out on a limited time discount of some sort? Be clear about what the offer is and when it ends.
  6. Include a couple of testimonials from actual customers on your direct mailings. Consumers can spot a fake testimonial, so be sure your testimonials are sincere and real.
  7. Offer a money back guarantee if the customer is not satisfied with the product or service you have provided. Trust between consumer and business owner is imperative to success.

Hot Dog PostcardsPaperDirect has postcards in many sizes and styles including over sized postcards and photo postcards. Read these PaperDirect blogs for more great direct mail ideas that work:

 

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