How to CREATE and CHANGE Mac OS X folder icons

Surprisingly, lots of people don’t know how to change the icons of folders and documents on a the mac os x platform.  Read below for further simple manual instructions on How To Change any of your icons including mac os x application icons.

While there are various methods of doing so, the manual is the simplest way to start instantly changing the icons of an item.  By downloading folders with the icon attatched you can use already created folder image icons or create you own (should you be blessed with the photoshop abilities and know how or simply visit Iconic).

Step 1: Create your own or go and download some icon folders!

Suggested place to download folder icons:

Iconic (Iconic is a free application that creates beautiful custom folder icons for Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard)

Icon Archive
Apple Downloads
Glance.com

Step 2: Take the folder or file that you want to change its icon, and click ‘Get Info’

Step 3: Then take the folder with the icon that you want to replace the original with, and also click ‘Get Info’ you should end up with this:

Step 4: Select the icon you want to replace the original with, it should be highlighted blue when u click on it. Copy it, and then click on the icon that will be replaced (again, it should be highlighted blue) and then, paste it. Viola, complete!

SPAM issues

Client:  I am having trouble with important emails being directed to my Junk Mail Box.

Hey ******,
The SPAM issues you are having are a result of your email SPAM filters.  All email applications have SPAM filters these days.  Unfortunately I only have a few simple suggestions that might help.

1. You should be able to change your SPAM filter settings.  SPAM filters can usually be changed to be more or less strict.  That will change how and what the SPAM filters label and don’t label as SPAM.
2. You can also simply turn the SPAM filters OFF completely
3. Lastly you can just periodically check your SPAM or JUNK MAIL BOX and mark the corresponding emails as ‘NOT JUNK’ which can help validate future emails over time.
4. Blacklists & Whitelists are also another way SPAM filter settings can help to allow or deny emails coming from a specific server or web address or email address.  Visit this site for more info. http://www.allspammedup.com/anti-spam/spam-filter-blacklists-and-whitelists/

Good online SPAM resources:

http://www.spellingcity.com/checking-for-email-in-the-spam-filter.html
http://www.allspammedup.com/anti-spam/

Hope this helps.

Thank you.
Ian Hatch
A.S. Designs & Services LLC
134 Kilauea Ave. Hilo, HI 96720
www.hilowebdesign.com
ian@hilowebdesign.com
Office.  808-990-2149

Peaceful Sky Alliance Website

We launched the new Peacful Sky Alliance website in November of 2009. In just a few short months peacefulskyalliance.org monthly visitors surpassed 3,000 with the month of March 2010 at 3,927 and April already set to break the 4,000 monthly visitor marker.

Peacful Sky Alliance is a perfect example of how a blog can bring instant and increased web traffic as well as help build a following online with relevant and regular posts and updates. Congratulation to them and their continuing online success.

Current SEO Services

Current Search Engine Optimization & Internet Marketing Services offered by AS Designs & Services LLC

Advanced SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Packages

1. Blog Website Setup & Integration – Includes Blog SEO Pack
2. Advanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) –  Setup includes Google Analytics
3. Advanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) – Monthly SEO Management
4. Newsletter & Mailinglist Setup & Design
5. Newsletter & Mailinglist Management & Sendout per issue (Monthly)
6. PPC Campaign Setup
7. PPC Campaign Management
8. Video Setup & Install (YouTube, Vimeo and others)

Individual SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Services

1. 3 Page Formal Marketing & Keyword Analysis
2. Link Building
3. Press Release
4. Article Submission/Article Writing
5. Blog Submissions/Writing
6. Directory Submission
7. Social Media Optimization

Video Production for Web

It wasn’t long ago that video was very uncommon on websites and on the internet in general.  Today, user’s computers and internet connections are video-capable unlike the technology of the recent past.  Video is fast becoming a standard for websites.  Now video can become a great addition to your online business strategies, if it is executed properly.

We are now proud to offer in house video production services for the web.

BASIC VIDEO PACKAGE:  $695
Our basic video package includes the following:

1. One hour on-site video shoot (includes consultation, setup and filming)
2. Three hours editing
3. Logo & web address placement throughout Video
4. Video Formatted for Web
5. Video uploaded and submitted to YouTube, Vimeo, Google and other relevant sites.
6. Video optimized for web and embedded in website

* It is recommended all necessary setup for video shoot be completed prior to videographers scheduled appointment
* Additional filming & editing services are subject to hourly rates

MEDIA KIT / SALES KIT GUIDELINES

Media kits or Sales kits are a good way to get free priceless exposure for your business.  Once you have the key elements to the kit you can send out with ease to all of the local and national media agencies and/or reporters.  It only takes one good source to publish an article to get huge instant results as well as permanent link building opportunities.  These guidelines are basic steps for executing a successful medit/sales kit.

Brochures and/or PPT presentation
Brochures and Microsoft PowerPoint (PPT) presentations are an important addition to a media kit.
The brochure is also unique, attractive and it sets the tone for the brand image as a modern, relevant and thriving organization/company.
It is recommended that Microsoft PowerPoint (PPT) presentation is included as a hard copy and on a CD.

Packaging
In addition to placing the news release and business card on the left side of the media kit folder, other parts of the kit should stand out. It can be a good idea to color code and layer sections by, for example, putting the news release on light blue paper and the fact sheet on pink.

Photos
Provide photos on a CD so they can be easily transferred into the agency/reporter’s story or publication. JPEG files are the most universal and can also be used on-line.

Fact sheets
Fact sheets provide basic information about the company and its programs/products/services (pricing can be included if applicable to business strategies).

List of Articles
If the company has a good track record with the media—for example, members have been interviewed by the media or the company has been featured in various news publications—other media may want to cover the company as well. Include a list of articles and the publications in which they appeared. If listing TV and radio appearances, list the program’s name, date, and any favorable quotes the interviewer might have said. If citing newspaper articles, list the name of the publication, the date it ran, and include a copy of the article.

Contact information
Include a business card so agencies/reporters can reach the contact person if they need more information. Insert it in the pre-cut business card slot of the folder, or attach it to the left pocket. Also, put contact information on every piece that goes into the media kit. Some of the contents of the kit could get separated, or maybe even thrown out.

Compact Disc
In addition to including hard copies of news releases and fact sheets, consider placing these documents on a CD.  Agencies/reporters can look over the hard copies but if they want to use text from any of them, they can take it right from the CD.

*On a side note- this can be done with basic program and design experience however, having some of these steps executed by a professional designer is highly recommended.

IS WEB MARKETING REALLY DIFFERENT? WHAT ARE SOME GUIDELINES?

Of course, every owner and manager wants their projects to soar like an eagle. And usually, we quickly set off with high hopes, key insights, and a positive attitude. Often though, a simple marketing plan addressing at least three issues might have saved considerable monies, potential failure, and probable frustration:
1) Written research on defining the target market (demographically and/or psycho-graphically). 2) Written strategy for effectively reaching, and then converting that target market. 3) Define a budget that you can afford, so that projects are completed (whether quickly or more slowly)

There are many definitions of marketing. Our favorite is "the art and science of increasing targeted sales" (or "fundraising" for nonprofits). Although it may be a very mundane definition of marketing – in our opinion marketing is no more or no less. Let’s put together a project that attempts to do this …with a time deadline, specific quantitative goals, and specific qualitative goals.

These time honored marketing principles don’t change for web and internet marketing. If you follow them, it can be a multi-year strategy for your marketing and advertising campaigns. Web-marketing is more than having the "best" website, or the glossiest brochure. While specific elements like these can have valuable import, the strategic point of marketing is that the target market must be defined, found, and sold. The product/service must then meet or exceed the vast majority of purchaser’s expectations (even Toyota has customer complaints, but they are far smaller in percentage than the industry average).

Although we concentrate on web marketing and the internet, we work with more conventional marketing as well. Jake Lagoni on our staff, has had considerable success at achieving growth with various types of marketing in the past; and we are usually optimistic that we can help an organization with significant growth (if the time and the effort is put in). However, with that being said – no one can guarantee profitable growth for a particular organization at any particular time. We will promise a focused, enthusiastic, and sophisticated effort if we work together. We continually study Marketing Theory, Search Engine Optimization, & Pay Per Click advertising in an attempt to stay up to date on general marketing theory and web marketing techniques.

Office WebCam

We have installed a new office webcam.

Check it out…

Finally on Twitter

Originally thought to be a typical internet fad. Twitter seems to be here to stay. So in order to keep up with the ever changing Internets… AS Designs has finally joined the twitter revolution. If nothing else it will be good for link building and logging more hours in front of the iMac.

Sales on the Web and Internet

Do you feel that your Internet presence is as effective as it should be?  Many people and businesses don’t.  We are offering 3 specials in this month’s newsletter to help.

Valentine’s Day Special…
These price offers are good only through Invoices dated by February 14th, then we will return to regular pricing.

A beautiful website is very worthwhile, but there is often more that can and should be done with any business’s web presence. In our mission to provide the best in Website Design, Marketing, and Development – we have 3 specials this month that we think you should seriously consider for more sales and effectiveness on the web and internet. I have recently added Jake Lagoni, an experienced online marketer, to my staff. He has decades of experience in helping increase sales, through focused marketing studies and then implementation.

1. Regular E-Newsletter sent out to your prospects/clients:
There is a reason United States firms alone spent over $5 billion on e-newsletters/email marketing alone! This is because it works, and is a proven sales method that is profitable. (Like this one!) An E-Newsletter is ten times more effective than a more common snail mail newsletter. It keeps you in contact with your customers on a regular basis … often the difference between keeping a customer. It provides a very low cost and immediate channel for offering specials … and is one of the most proven online marketing methods to increase most any business’s sales

INITIAL SETUP AND CUSTOM DESIGN (Wow your customers!): Regular Price:  $499   Special Price:  $399
MONTHLY SEND OUT: $59/issue $49/issue (Some businesses do weekly issues, but monthly is most common)
WRITING/EDITING: $95/hour (We can write the whole thing, up to 1000 words for about 3 hours billed time, or do minor editing/rewrites if needed). Jake has a Master’s degree, and has been writing and editing a long time.

2. Video on Your Website and/or You tube:
So, you’ve always wanted to be a star! Well, how about letting us put up a very nice video (but usually quite short) on your website and published on Youtube? It not only is fun, it has proven to be very helpful to getting website traffic and more phone calls. If you do the proper search engine optimization, it can be a very effective enhancer to your web presence.

UP TO A 5 MINUTE VIDEO PLACED ANYWHERE ON YOUR WEBSITE, ON YOUTUBE, AND ON VIMIO: Regular Price:  $350   Special Price:  $250
WE CAN DO THE VIDEO FOR OUR BIG ISLAND CLIENTS: Regular Price:  $425   Special Price:  $325

3. Search Engine Marketing (Search Engine Optimization and/or Pay Per Click):
This is the most proven way to sell on the web – and yes, it can mean worldwide sales for many businesses. Search engines now also allow for local and regional marketing features, so the power and variables are formidable … and the chance to substantially increase your sales or lead generation is real. Some businesses that become committed to their web efforts end up with more sales coming from their website than their original brick and mortar location. And it isn’t uncommon for an entire new business to be “web centric” and be based only on sales generated by a website.

3 PAGE FORMAL MARKETING ANALYSIS OF YOUR BIZ’s POTENTIAL ON THE INTERNET: Regular Price:  $599   Special Price:  $499
This includes the most up-to-date and viable internet options for your business to take in increasing web derived sales, and your  specific industry’s success niches on the internet.

ADVANCED SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION AND/OR PPC CAMPAIGN: Regular Price: $699/setup $399/month        Special Price:  $599/setup $299/month
This includes advanced SEO and/or PPC, depending on your product line and industry. No contract, but we are confident you will like the results and want to continue. (Actual PPC costs added). Let Ian and Jake jump start your biz’s online sales with this up to date approach to internet marketing. We think you will see that in many instances it can outshine your more traditional ad media.

* IN ADDITION, AS ALWAYS, we offer pretty much full web services, including …
State of the Art Website Design; Website Development; Website Marketing; Graphic Design