TYPEFACE CREATIVE

Customer Service Golden Rules

2010-04-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

More & more I am winning clients because other web designers have 'let them down'. I have heard stories of clients being stood up, advised that the agreed mock up was impossible to build & web designers going AWOL...

WHY? WHY? WHY?

Coming from the client side I know what my expectations were of agencies & their account management practices... quite simply their attitude towards customer service could make or break a competitive pitch.

SO I thought I would voice my Customer Service Golden Rules:

Do what you say you will do... it is that simple
Listen to the client – it doesn’t hurt to clarify objectives to make sure you are on the same page.
Be honest... don’t try and create sub standard work that is outside of your remit just for a quick & dirty buck!
COMMUNICATE. By this I mean, ask questions, give progress updates... an unexpected courtesy call goes a long way.
Dont use jargon!

I found this quote:

“To my customer: I may not have the answer, but I'll find it. I may not have the time, but I'll make it. I may not be the biggest, but I'll be the most committed to your success.”

So, rant over. I feel better now!

Does anyone have any customer service gems that they can share?

The 4th The 5th

2010-03-09T08:40:00.000-08:00

I am excited to be developing a brand new website for up and coming indie/folk rock/acoustic band 'The 4th the 5th' who have just been confirmed to play guildfest this year.

If you want to have a listen please visit: www.myspace.com/the4ththe5th

www.the4ththe5th.com COMING SOON!

CHECK MY Pension

2010-02-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

I recently compiled a Corporate Identity document for CHECK MY Pension; then acted as a creative consultant throughout their website build which was completed internally.

Clarifying the look of all communications from the logo, to font, colours & image styles really helped to guide the development of their new site.

I highly recommend setting yourself some simple design rules/guidelines before embarking on any new business. This will ensure that over time clients/customers won’t even need to see your logo - they should instinctively know it is you from the look & feel of the message.

Visit: www.checkmypension.co.uk

ONLY MINX

2010-02-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

I have been happily copywriting for an online fashion store specialising in Australian footwear (EMU, Holster & Souls brands). Focusing on brand overviews & then writing concise ordering, delivery & returns processes.

The website is still being constructed but as soon as it is live I will post a link to the site - Big brands, little prices.

The Harmony Room

2010-02-16T00:19:00.000-08:00

The Harmony room site is now live.
For holistic therapies in the Frome, Somerset area please visit www.theharmonyroom.co.uk

Busy Bee

2010-01-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

The Topiary Salon website is now live! Take a look www.thetopiarysalon.co.uk

I have been working on the first e-newsletter for Blue Iris Films, this will be sent out to their mailing list in the next few days. Visit www.blueirisfilms.co.uk

I have recently pitched to put together a Corporate Identity & Brand Guidelines document for a financial advice company... watch this space!

I am waiting for the OK on an SEO campaign proposal for the Pensarn Hall Website...I have found the most helpful software for monitoring SEO success through Google/Yahoo rankings in relation to specified keywords.. take a look at: Advanced Web Ranking.

AND FINALLY... UK2 web host provider = nightmare!

Dreamstime

2010-01-13T08:05:00.000-08:00

Downloading high-res images couldn't be easier. Typeface Creative often requires images whether for use on a website or brochure, Dreamstime offers fantastically high quality images at a great price. I am yet to be disappointed; just search what you are looking for & be prepared to scroll through pages of options! www.dreamstime.com.

Pensarn Hall Complete...

2010-01-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

The Pensarn Hall website that I mentioned previously is now complete... including Hiking, Cycling, Fishing, Horseriding, Golfing & Eating out pages. If you are wondering where to go on a family holiday this year, perhaps it should be Pensarn Hall. www.pensarn-hall.co.uk

The Topiary

2010-01-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Over the next couple of weeks I will be working on a 4 page website to generate an online presence for a Hair Salon. With high quality products & an established clientele - the aim of the game is to put across the quality of service & ultimately the cut on offer to prospective clients.

Watch this space for a link to the new site.

Pensarn Hall Website - NOW LIVE

2009-11-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

I have finished the Pensarn Hall website & it went live today.

I expect to let it lie for a couple of weeks before the client & I get together to start refining it.

I must admit - not many holiday lets (albeit a grand one) have such a detailed online presence.

Visit: www.pensarn-hall.co.uk

All feedback is welcome.

Bijou Gift Shop

2009-11-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

I am gathering inspiration for my latest website. A double fronted gift shop in the picturesque village of Odiham. On one side gifts, gift wrap/greetings cards & a large stock of beautiful Emma Bridgewater pottery; on the other side gorgeous high quality 'kids' gifts from books to finger puppets.

Typeface Creative Website

2009-10-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

I am taking some time to create a Typeface Creative website rather than replying solely on this blog. This is more difficult than it sounds. I will have to start at the very beginning & write myself a brief!

The Harmony Room

2009-09-28T06:53:00.000-07:00

I am looking at creating a brand image & website for a holistic therapist that will be resident at the country retreat that I mentioned a while back. Having come up with a business title that the client is happy with I have mocked up the below homepage. Just waiting for a few of the practicalities to be ironed out before progressing with the rest of the site.

Hook House Hotel Progress

2009-09-24T15:06:00.001-07:00

I have made lots of progress with the Hook House Hotel website & will be monitoring hits & subsequent bookings to gauge the influence on customer conversion rate.

Visit: http://www.hookhousehotel.co.uk/

Pensarn Hall

2009-09-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

I am working on an exciting new project to create a website for a large holiday house in North Wales. This house is unique in that it offers 10 bedrooms, overlooks the estuary, is pet friendly & has an activity company on the doorstep; making it ideal not only for family holidays but also corporate team building events... oh and it is located in the middle of Snowdonia National Park.

How to do this justice? We will have to wait and see.

Web maintenece

2009-09-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hook House Hotel have been in touch as they require someone to maintain an existing website. Having inherited the website from a web designer the initial changes will be simple updates etc. Moving forward I hope to gradually refresh the site, mixing essential maintenence with 'nice to have' reformatting etc budget permitting.

Visit: www.hookhousehotel.co.uk

Typeface Creative Logo

2009-09-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

I am waiting to see my new logo that is being created by Matt @ Culprit Art...as soon as it is decided I will be updating my profile with it.

Village shop - on a tight budget.

2009-08-31T12:46:00.000-07:00

I was asked to create a logo & tag line for a village shop, whilst suggesting ways for it to be used which would encourage customers to return, rather than visiting larger stores in the near by town.

The village shop stocks fresh fruit & vegetables all locally grown. So keeping it simple & taking heed of the cultural shift to green products/recycling & sustainability we went with: 'The Wallop's Village Shop. Fresh, Friendly & Green'

The simple image & mainstream font were used so the shop's committee could easily recreate the logo; using it on letterheads & flyers etc without further cost to them.

I also sourced cotton shoppers (Brand Addition) which were printed with the logo; this fitted the tight budget & complimented the environmentally responsable angle. Now potential & existing customers can easily identify with the shop's values of which they are reminded every time they see/use one of the shoppers; encouraging them to visit their local!

Inspiration for a Country Retreat

2009-08-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of gathering information/inspiration for a new country retreat in Somerset. I have been asked to create a brand identity, design & write copy for the website & a brochure (either print or digital). My client is in the last stages of renovating the accommodation so I should get the green light to start soon... watch this space to see it all come together.

Blue Iris Web Copy & e-newsletter

2009-08-24T16:06:00.000-07:00

I have just finished a preliminary copy review for the Blue Iris Films website. Focusing on the development of B2B relationships between the Production Company & writers/directors in the film industry.

I am also looking at developing an e-newsletter for existing contacts to update them with new projects & remind them of the services that Blue Iris Films can provide.

By writing clear copy, Typeface Creative can help to highlight the benefits of using Blue Iris Films to potential film industry clients.

Visit: www.blueirisfilms.co.uk