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While there are plenty of services out there where we can automatically generate our own website, there is no substitute for professionally done work. A case in point is this website, a business blog with a template automatically generated from Blogger. There is a lot one could do with these templates. They're really great and with any amount of creative inclination you could really run to town with them. Of course, that's exactly what I have been doing, and I've been having a ball doing it too. There did come a point, very early on actually, where I knew I wanted some professional work done in order to give my blog a unique appearance. It was time for my brand.
Brand is a word I've been hearing a lot in internet marketing circles. Brand yourself is a common refrain of professional internet marketers. In effect, the theory goes the most successful internet marketers do not promote a product, but rather their brand. Coming from a background of being a musician, this was an easy concept to understand. In music we call it creating your image.
So whether you're going after a brand or an image on the internet, unless you're a graphic artist yourself, you could benefit from the services of one. Wendy Ward is both graphic artist and website designer, which greatly simplifies the process when it comes time to have some work done. Ward takes on a variety of projects and has found a niche with new and advancing marketers whose needs vary greatly. And while she could build you an entire website, she will tell you that no job is too small.
For myself, what I wanted was a header and some matching banners for advertising this blog. After viewing the samples of her work on her website, I e-mailed her explaining the work I wanted done and asked for a quote. Ward works surprisingly fast and, after taking a payment through PayPal, she delivered my work the next day.
Perhaps this may give some insight into Ward's artistry and professionalism. Just brimming with ideas for what I wanted, I sent her a long description of what I was looking for. I told her I wanted something fun on one hand, keeping credibility on the other, that I didn't want something overly formal, and particulars for certain scenarios. So how does an artist deal with the varied and sometimes conflicting needs and desires of clients and come up with something gracious? No problem for Wendy Ward. She understands the creative language. As a professional she knows how to translate clients' needs into visual perfection. She understood what I was looking for without missing a beat.
As an artist, she has a good instinct, a good judgment. Wendy's designs have a unique flavor. Her work does stand out. If you look at her work you will see an artist of versatility.
Here is a smaller version of my header…
Here is a smaller version of my header…
Here you can see a scaled down version of one of my matching banners…
You can find more examples of her work on her website. And as you can see, if you are looking to create a look or feel that is your own, you can be confident that is what you'll get. For me, it was a pleasure meeting and doing business with Wendy Ward. Getting some design work from Wendy's Web Page Design was an easy and simple step to create a look to get my business blog noticed. And that's all it takes, folks. Doing the next thing to promote your business really is easy.
© 2009 Louise Ciofalo
