Denise R. Greer—Versatile Communications Professional

Is 2011 the year of the QR CODE?

Denise R. Greer — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:56:03 +0000

Tech blogs across the Internet have predicted that 2011 is the year of the QR CODE. Are they correct? QR CODES are a dynamic added feature for print magazines to enrich the readers’ experience with links to video, audio, and other Web element with one click of a smart phone camera.

We have broken new ground to be one of the first alumni magazines in the country to include QR CODES in our publication. I used a simple quarter-page teaser in the January 2011 Ball State Alumnus (print edition) to introduce QR CODES to our readers and invited them to download a code reader for their smart phones (http://analytics.percentmobile.com/device_qr_code_readers/). One month after our publication date, we have received positive feedback for our use of QR CODES.

Magazines are not the only medium to benefit from this marketing tool that has swept across Europe and Japan. Codes are popping up on event and outdoor signage, product displays, and even restroom advertising. But because it’s trendy doesn’t mean it’s the right tool for every audience. Alumnus readers are an affluent audience with a high percentage of smart phone users, making QR CODES effective communications features for our readers.

Art Photography Series—Little Black Dress—Expands Repertoire

Denise R. Greer — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:02:48 +0000

Last week, I took a leap with my photography and virtually launched my first art photography series: Little Black Dress. The Little Black Dress series speaks to the universal appeal of a staple in female society and style. Each image in the series reflects the commonplace of a garment that was made popular in American by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s photos of sleek black dresses in Vogue magazine in 1926. Audrey Hepburn donned, perhaps, the most famous little black dress as Holly Golightly in the 1960s classic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. While Hepburn’s dress epitomized style, sophistication and elegance, the little black dress has evolved into the iconic attire for women in every occasion. Explore the little black dress as you have never seen it before.

In addition to the satisfaction I feel with the series, I also grew professionally in so many ways, especially with e-commerce, Web marketing and social media. As I planned for this launch, my strategy was to include a website gallery, shop, blog, social media presence and an extensive word-of-mouth campaign. I established my website, finding a creative web designer who also assisted me with SEO (search engine optimization). I researched and found companies online where I could set up a shop, without dealing with production, inventory, ordering, or shipping. I used Cafepress for merchandise, such as t-shirts, clocks, coasters, journals, posters, etc. For prints and framed art, I used Imagekind. Both sites made it easy for me to set up my shops, organize my items and sell at a rate I set. Using both services also allowed me to appear higher in Google searches.

For my virtual launch, I selected a specific day, October 12, a Tuesday. The day was strategic as mid-week provides a better opportunity to see that everyone checks their e-mails, and views their Facebook and Twitter accounts. The launch consisted of an e-mail to friends and family with specific instructions of how they can spread the word about Little Black Dress. Another e-mail was sent to business colleagues and acquaintances to announce my venture. A Twitter and Facebook page went live the same day, inviting everyone I knew to join. Using Wishpot, Facebook and Twitter users can shop for LBD prints on the respective sites without leaving their accounts.

This has been a whirlwind week. I am happy with the revenue Little Black Dress is beginning to generate and with the overwhelming interest I have received for the series. The next step will be to coordinate a gallery show and opening for Little Black Dress.

Visit the Little Black Dress collection @ remnantstill.com/littleblackdress

Shop for Little Black Dress prints & framed art @ remnantstill.imagekind.com

Shop for Little Black Dress merchandise @ cafepress.com/remnantstill

Read the Little Black Dress Blog. | Connect on Facebook | Follow on Twitter

Best results require patience

Denise R. Greer — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:45:29 +0000

Preparing for the fall semester on a college campus is one of the busiest times for faculty and staff, as well as construction crews who are putting finishing touches on new projects and renovations. Featuring three new buildings provided opportunities and challenges. As the buildings were quickly progressing, our print deadline approached. Such significant improvements on campus warranted main feature and cover placement. As editor of the Alumnus magazine, I made the decision to wait as long as possible to photograph a new recreation and wellness center, residence hall, and glass center. Having the buildings photographed the week of our magazine press deadline paid off, as we showcase the buildings as they were meant to be seen in their most finished state. As a versatile professional who not only edits, but also writes, designs and retouches photos, I carefully edited each building photo to be sure I took away any emphasis of distracting construction elements in the background. The results were an interesting cover that was unique from other magazine covers and a main feature spread that was engaging. The entire magazine team pulled together to create a great issue. Click the image to read the Ball State Alumnus September 2010 issue.

Fitting a lifetime of achievement into a 650-word article

Denise R. Greer — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:22:55 +0000

When approaching a personality profile, it is important to find a direction and stay focused, being sure to stay consistent with the publication’s style. The intent of the article below was to highlight the career of one of our Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. A thorough interviewer, I gained a real sense of my profile’s career and the unique aspect that would pull our readers in. Read the following profile:

Profile Feature—Ball State Alumnus, Sept. 2010

Keeping events fresh in constituents’ minds

Denise R. Greer — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:46:11 +0000

Double, even triple communications tactics keeps an event fresh in the minds of the audience an organization is trying to reach. For a new golf outing, I created a mail brochure as tactic #1 for alumni who are interested in golf outings. It is a simple, inexpensive, two-color, tri-fold brochure with a registration form. Then a week later, an e-mail alert targets the same group, allowing them the availability to fill out an active PDF form. After that, a Facebook message with a link to the event web page will give people a final opportunity to sign up for the event before the registration deadline.

Farmers Market Photo Wins Minnetrista Photo Contest

Denise R. Greer — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:57:51 +0000

This photo of the farmers market at Minnetrista, a museum and cultural center in Muncie, Ind., won a June photo contest at the center. The photo is featured on Minnetrista’s blog and Facebook.

Online magazine progresses with its second issue

Denise R. Greer — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:08:36 +0000

As the Ball State Alumnus magazine has evolved and an online magazine has been added, it is rapidly progressing. While many constituents love our print version (which we have continued to provide with regular frequency), the online flip-viewer magazine provides a whole new outlet for alumni communications. As we grow in developing audio and video story components, there is another area which we have scratched the surface on, social media convergence. This is the idea of inviting our readers to share their memories, stories or opinions about a particular article in the magazine on Facebook or LinkedIn. The convergence, as it continues to grow, engages our alumni with the association and each other. Click the link below to read the Alumnus. Be sure to check out the Facebook convergence present on page 19.

Ball State Alumnus Magazine—JULY 2010

Lake photo featured on Assignment: Indiana in May

Denise R. Greer — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:10:19 +0000

Evening Calm at Prairie Creek Reservoir

Each month, the Assignment: Indiana group on Flickr posts a theme for photographers to best capture the theme. Then the group votes on which image to feature. “Evening Calm at Prairie Creek” was featured in May. The photo was taken at sunset with a Canon Rebel XTi/18-55mm lens.

To learn more about Assignment: Indiana, visit http://www.flickr.com/groups/59626241@N00/

Catching an Eye in the Mailbox

Denise R. Greer — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:42:51 +0000

While at times I am able to design brochures in four-color like for our services brochure, most often I am working with a two-color system, red and black. Red is one of the most challenging colors to work with due to its tendency to turn pink when lowering its transparency. Below are examples of ways I have been able to use two- and four-colors for brochure covers.

Shaping Page Layouts

Denise R. Greer — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:45:53 +0000

Designing page layouts involves more than placing pretty pictures on a page. Layouts pull several different sources of information together and make it visual appealing for the reader. Below are various page layouts from the Ball State Alumnus magazine.