Welcome, 2014!

We are off to a rainy beginning of the new year. Perfect for staying warm, cuddling up with a blanket with an (ELEMENTS!) mug of your favorite warm beverage to get some marketing done. Let’s start of the new year re-energized and ready to roll.

In that spirit, we’ve taken the time to round up the best blog posts from our past year all in this one post to jump start your marketing thinking and creative endeavors. 

So, put your feet up and get ready to be inspired … here is our list of our favorite post from each month in 2013. Enjoy!

JANUARY :: Our guest blogger and friend, Terry Lee Stone, advised us on how to get the most from working with your design team.

FEBRUARY :: Amy wrote a moving, heartfelt post about her beloved Dad who passed away three years ago – and the lessons he is still teaching her.

MARCH :: Many readers found our secrets to successful e-mail marketing campaigns post very helpful. It’s worth a read for anyone who markets using e-mail in their mix.

APRIL :: Amy’s “6 things you must know before redesigning your website” received many notes of thanks – and we used this very list on our own website redesign this year!

MAY :: Many of you told us that Allyson’s “10 Tips to Maximize Your Social Media Strategy” had a wealth of information within for newbies through seasoned users.

JUNE :: “Blogging for Business – FAQ’s” helps you determine the ROI of having a company blog.

JULY :: “Taking Control of Your Website Project” had a Part 1 and a Part 2  – and was one of the year’s most popular posts. It is a must read for any marketer involved in a website project. These are the steps to success for any website project.

AUGUST :: The kids went back to school, and Amy got us ready to take our marketing back to school in this post chock full of ideas.

SEPTEMBER :: As we welcomed Chelsea back {yeah!}, we also posted these 10 quick tips to use content marketing to grow your business.

OCTOBER :: Trick or Treating with Pinterest gave some quick tips for using the ever-growing Pinterest social site for more social reach.

NOVEMBER :: In Amy’s post “An App I Used To Love”, she vented her concerns for companies who ‘cross the line into creepy’ and how to avoid doing so – and from the feedback, many of you feel the same way! Businesses using gathered data beware.

DECEMBER :: For the third year in a row, December was filled with posts of gift ideas – one guide per day leading up to the holidays. And, here is our guide to support local charities. We also support these organizations, and are forever grateful for the critical help they provide in our own backyard. Although the holidays are over, its never too late to give. If you still wish to peruse our gift guides, here is the first in the series – gift for teens. Maybe you can find a gift for yourself for the new year!

Phew! What a year it was. It was difficult to select just one post from each month. Are there any favorite posts of yours that we missed? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you to keep our blog relevant and of interest to you.

We thank you sincerely, our readers, and look forward to providing many more creative and marketing inspired posts in 2014.

Cheers!

~Amy 

The post In Case You Missed It :: The Best Posts of 2013 appeared first on Elements.

1. In case you missed it, our biggest news of the month … Chelsea’s Back!

2. These tips are great for helping businesses using Facebook to engage their fans.

3. Everyone is talking about content marketing and we’ve honed in on 10 simple tips for using content creation to increase your business.

4. Amy’s biggest nemesis is trying to get a handle on her emails! Here’s some solid advice.

~Chelsea

The post In Case You Missed It :: September Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.

1. Here’s A Thought :: Back To School Marketing

All the back-to-school ads, coupons and commercials got Amy thinking – what if she planned some marketing efforts based on the same “to do” list as her kids? This post details her plan to get a head start before the back-to-school season becomes too hectic.

2. Noted :: Attack of the Apps – August 2013

An app that can do anything and an app that can take you anywhere – I’d say my August app review is one you shouldn’t miss!

3. Picture(s) of the Week :: EXPLO Marketing at Yale University

Amy was invited to speak at the EXPLO Marketing program at Yale University. It was very impressive to see high school students taking the initiative to start exploring their career paths at such a young age. This post recaps our presentation filled with inquisitive student, questions, {and more questions} and finished with everyones favorite – ice cream samples!

4. Our Talented Friends :: How To Shoot A Burger

We were lucky to have the very talented, and very funny, Paul Johnson to guest blog for us. Paul is an expert photographing food – and in this post, he breaks down the steps for shooting food – specifically a gigantic burger! As you’ll see, it’s not easy to make a burger look this good!

5. Here’s A Thought :: Leading With Innovation

Amy’s AIGA/Yale School of Management course gave her a lot of information and also a lot to think about. One of the articles she was assigned in class actually inspired this post and answers the question – how do we grow our businesses to encourage and support innovation within our organization?

Did we miss any of your favorites?

~Allyson

The post In Case You Missed It :: August Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.

1. Noted :: What’s Your Digital Impact? 

If you’re looking for 8 hours worth of Socia and Interactive Media tips packed into one blog post, you’re in luck. I reviewed all my notes from the PRSA Digital Impact Conference I attended and distilled them down to 5 key take-aways.

2. Here’s A Thought :: Summer Marketing 2013

While most companies take it easy on their marketing efforts over the summer, here at Elements, we tend to use this time to get some of our own larger communication projects ramped up. In this post, Amy dives into some suggested to-do’s for the slower summer months.

3. Noted :: Home Is Where Your Website Is

When you’re working with clients, their work always comes first, and often time your own company goals and projects can be pushed aside –especially your own website. This blog post provides a few simple tips for keeping your own website updated, relevant and at the top of the ranks.

4. Here’s A Thought :: 10 Trade Show Tips

In this post, Amy provides 10 helpful tips that will help your company and your brand stand out amongst the crowded trade show floor.

5. Noted :: Taking Control of Your Website Project {Part 1 and Part 2}

Amy gives us the thirty-thousand foot superhero view of tackling a serious nemesis for any company – building or redesigning your own website.

Did we miss any of your favorites for this month? Let us know!

~Allyson

The post In Case You Missed It :: July Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.

1. This post about popular social media questions had everyone talking – and asking more questions! 

Noted :: Three of Our Most Commonly Asked Social Media Questions

2. This blog post revealed a secret life indeed. Amy explores the life and photography of Vivian Maier – a camera-toting 1950’s nanny who took amazing, beautiful, real, portraits that have just been unearthed.

Noted :: A Secret Life Revealed

3. We love to blog about blogging. Wondering when you should blog or how to measure the success of your blog? This post gives some helpful tips about blogging for business.

Noted :: Blogging for Business – FAQs

~Allyson

The post In Case You Missed It :: June Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.

1. Some of our most popular blog posts are where we share our work with you, our readers. This blog post shared one of our recently wrapped up projects. Yes, we do tradeshow booths!

T A C K W A L L :: Its Not Just A…

2. Amy completed her second year at the RAGNAR Relay Race and shared her experiences and lessons learned in this popular post.

Here’s A Thought :: What RAGNAR Taught Me, Year 2

3.  My May app review shows three unique applications that can help your business go viral!

Noted :: One Second…On Your Mark, Get Set, Snap!

 4. Every wonder why some ideas stick while others die on the vine? Amy’s latest book review will shed some light on the question.

Elements Library :: “Made to Stick” 

5. We could all use a little “simple” during our work day. This post gives you 10 simple steps to maximizing your social media strategy. 

Noted :: 10 Simple Steps to Maximize Your Social Media Strategy

~Allyson

The post In Case You Missed It :: May Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.

1. I wrote about three new apps that can help you share content, go viral and stay connected.  

Noted :: Have You Flipped, Bumped or Keeked?

2. We gave advice from newcomers who are just starting to blog. If you’re not sure where to start, this post provided tips to get you started on your journey to becoming a blogger.

Noted :: Blogger Basics

3. Amy listed out 6 of the most important things you must do before redesigning your company’s website.

Noted :: 6 Things You Must Know Before (Re)Designing Your Website

4. Amy’s popular post reviewed her latest book review that answers the question, “Do You Matter?”

Elements Library :: “Do You Matter? How Great Design Will Make People Love Your Company”

5. If starting a business isn’t challenging enough – naming your business can prove to be even more difficult. If you’re ready to name your company, here are a few do’s and don’t to start off the naming process.

Noted :: What’s In A Name?

~Allyson

The post In Case You Missed It :: April Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.

1. I wrote about three new apps for your smartphone that can help any business get organized, share content and stay ahead of the competition.

Noted :: Three New Apps To Get Excited About

2. Are your email marketing campaigns really working? Amy breaks down the steps to create successful email marketing that will produce real results. 

 Noted :: The New Secrets of Successful Email Marketing

3. Does your ad campaign have the secret sauce to making it “stick” with consumers? Find out the recipe to success in Tracy’s blog post.

Noted :: Is There A Recipe For Making An Ad “Stick”?

4. See the International Home + Housewares Show through Amy’s eyes as she chronicles her journey to Chicago!

Events :: International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago

5. This short but informative posts breaks down the “science” behind tweeting. 140 characters can be more powerful then you think!

Here’s A Thought :: Is There A Science Behind Tweeting?

The post In Case You Missed It :: March Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.

1. This post by Amy resonated with all of us – a story of love, loss and lessons learned. If you only read one blog post this month, this is the one to read!

Noted :: Lessons

2. It was a storm, and a blog post, to remember. Nemo hit us all hard but the wonder of technology brought us all together. Each Elements team members sent in images from their part of the state and created this post.

Noted :: The Blizzard of 2013

3. I often get asked the same common social media questions – in this blog post I correct 5 of the most common social media mistakes when it comes to follow-up and interacting with listeners.

Noted :: More Then A “Like” – 5 Common Social Media Mistakes

4. I put on my chefs hat and had some food and fun at an Olive Oil tasting for one of our Clients in NYC.

Picture(s) of the Week :: Olive Oil Tasting & Learning Event

5. Amy’s book review has spawned many emails and messages asking for more book recommednations. Check out the book she just finished reading and how it can help you re-energize in your work.

Elements Library :: REWORK

The post In Case You Missed It :: February Blog Recap appeared first on Elements.