"The Current" - Newsletter, June 2009

Five Design Trends of 2009
Contest Winner: Geoff Andrews
Product Spotlight
Five Tips: How To Win New Business Online

Five Design Trends of 2009

Rectilinear
Last year was all about the organic designs... but this year, it's hip to be square. Designers are trending toward rectilinear stage sets in 2009. But don't confuse it with boring! Square shapes are being used in creative ways, with varying degrees of scale and placement, lending a sense of style and edginess to events.

Deco
The 1930's are back in play this year as art deco makes a return to the stage. Angular columns, keystone designs, and bold lines are finding their way into meeting designs across the country.

Horns
Speaking of angles, designers are enjoying all things pointy including horns, curls, and angular framed fabric elements. 2009 has been a rough year and visual designs have reflected the rough and tumble perspective of the season. Expect to see more designs with 'tude throughout the year.

3D Designs
3D is back, and not just in movie theatres! As plastics and fabric technology become more accessible and workable, expect to see designs go 3D to make that bold impact. 3D fabric offers unique lighting options and, as it's easy to ship, will replace hard-wall sets on the coming years.

Simplicity
The theme of the year has been "less is more." This is playing big into scenic designs as, through design or necessity, stage sets are going minimalistic. Expect to see clean lines and less clutter in the next year, even as budgets return.

Contest Winner: Geoff Andrews

We're giving away a free set to one of our clients every month. It's our way of showing loyal customers that we care and want to help keep meetings and events going strong this year.

This month's winner is Geoff Andrews from Pro Audio Visual in La Verne, CA. Congrats!

Would you like to win up to $10,000 in rentals? If you're a client, you're already entered to win. And if you're not, any order from a podium to a super-sized set will enter you to win. So what are you waiting for?

Product Spotlight

Luma Counter

This revolutionary new design is perfect for showcasing your products. Internally-lit and perfect for tight corner spaces, you can feature elements on top and brand the front for maximum versatility.

Weekly Rental Price

7-Day Rental: $800

Dimensions

42"h x 6'w x 4'd

Brushed Aluminum Pedestal

Display your products with class — using our Brushed Aluminum Pedestal. This contemporary design brightens the room with solid aluminum construction for a classic look that will turn heads.

Weekly Rental Price

7-Day Rental: $400

Dimensions

42"h x 40"w x 20"d

Five Tips: How To Win New Business Online

You have a website and you're serious about building your brand online. The web is indeed a great place to find new customers who are interested in what you have to offer. But what do you do if sales just aren't coming in like you expected? What steps can you take to win new business online? Check out these five tips on how you can get rockin' and rollin':

Be Professional

Your reputation rests on your creativity and attention to detail. So why would you ever allow an ugly, disorganized website to represent your brand? The first step to winning new clients is to go through your site as if you were a customer. Is it easy to use? Well designed? If someone saw your site for the first time, would they think you were a hugely successful firm or would they think you were a 14 year old kid making a Twighlight fansite in mom's basement? Good web design is cheap these days. Hire the right person to design and maintain your site so your first impression is a home run.

Be Concise

However many words you use in your copy, take out half. Get to the point. Clarity = clients.

Be Unique

"We provide integrated solutions for your business based on collaborative excellence and award-winning service, leading the industry in synergistic paradigm-shifting excellent excellence." Barf. Nobody cares about your boring mission statement. Could you imagine talking like that at a dinner party? Find your voice. Be unique. Tell your own story in words that everybody can understand. The more you stand out from the pack, the more your customers will get behind your mission and propel you to greatness.

Be Searchable

So you have a great website that's professional, concise, and unique. Now what? Make sure people can find you! Get higher rankings in Google and other search engines by seeing what keywords people are using to search you and including those words in your copy. Also, consider using pay-per-click services such as Google AdWords to highlight certain products or services to generate targeted sales. Finally, get the word out there. Make sure that you list your site with as many directories and forums as possible (being careful not to spam, of course) so that people can find you when they're ready to buy.

Be Active

If you truly want to be the zen master of online sales, get active online. Yes, that means you! Start a blog. Join online communities and contribute to the discussion. Offer to write guest posts and articles to related media outlets. Twitter. There's no need to be blatantly self-promotional... when you become an active member of the web community, people will come to respect you and value what you have to say. As long as your site is accessible, your new friends will soon know all about your business and how it'll be a perfect fit for their needs!