Images for the site

Once more I have been playing with graphics. This time for advert images for the site.



What do you think?

Credit Crunchies - Bringing you Hope in 2009

For some it might seem that the reason for creating this blog was as a "knee jerk" type reaction to the sudden economic atmosphere of fear. However my aims and probably the aims of many other writers here was not to "cash in on poverty" but to sign post personal prosperity.

Thing about the classic basic maths of money management, for example:

income - (bills + food + other spending) = amount left to save

Let's put some overly simplistic numbers into this.

£26,000 - (£24,000) = £2,000

This guy is probably doing okay for themselves and in the excessively blind and optimistic years that preceded the current economic crash and the years of the same that will come again this is a successful person.

Often it is not until the situation becomes:

£12,400 - £24,000 = HELP!!!

That people turn to blogs such as this for advice.

But I want to tell you something - the person in our illustration was being foolish as are we all. If companies, even during good years, we're run like we run our lives and homes they'd need to go running cap in hand looking for cash when there is a short fall. Oh wait...

» Continue Reading: Credit Crunchies - Bringing you Hope in 2009

Drafting a new logo

I have been thinking that while the design of this site is good it lacks a little character. Hoping to bring that to you with as little effort as possible I have given the logo a good looking at.

This is the current one.



This is a red version without the by-line. It's brighter in that it gives contrast.



This one is a lot more complex. This could be bad. It could be good. It has a technical limitation to it that I have to go back and fix or set the background of the header area to white.



Finally here is an idea that is very similar to the current idea. This is a jpg file but the final image would be a transparent background gif file.



Do any of these logos do it for you? I'm no logo design expert, they don't have flashy web 2.0 reflective thingies nor special badges saying beta. Tell me what you think even if what you think is "try again".

6 'Quick Fire' Strategies For Growing Your Business During an Economic Downturn

By Richard McMunn

During a recession or economic downturn it can be a testing time for many businesses and entrepreneurs. However, by changing your mindset and applying a few simple strategies your business can grow significantly during difficult economic times:

1. It is imperative that you implement a 'multi step' follow up communication strand of between 7-30 contacts (email, mail, telephone etc) with everybody who comes into contact with your business as a potential customer. The majority of business owners will give up after just one or two contacts with a potential customer. If only they knew how much income they were missing out on!

2. Powerful guarantees are essential during an economic downturn. If the customer trusts you, they will buy from you.

3. Learn how to test the market - especially the internet, and become very good at Pay Per Click Advertising (PPC). PPC is very easy to test, yet most Search Engine advertising can't be bothered to test it, and will lose a fortune through wasted adverts.

4. The media are generally very good at scaring people - They only have to print the Headline 'RECESSION LOOMS' in their newspaper and the readers attitude to everything will change dramatically. Limit the amount of media coverage you intake. It is important that you keep away from all negative media publishing as you need to be at your best during an economic downturn. If you are feeling negative, then this will come through in your business.

5. Implement an immediate upsell and cross sell programme into your business. It's one of the easiest ways to give yourself an immediate profit boost - at no cost.

6. Double the amount of communications you send to your existing customers. They are 16 times easier to sell to than new customers.

Don't forget, it is those entrepreneurs who develop a 'must win' attitude who will not only survive during an economic downturn, but will see their business grow significantly. You must try to see a recession as an opportunity for growth. Your products or service must be something that the customer really wants, or better still, needs. Try to think outside of the box and go out of your way to communicate effectively with each and every customer or potential customer. Testing the market is also key as this will allow you to reduce costs that are not helping your business grow. If you are going to advertise then remember that now is a great time to get heavily discounted advertising rates - up to 90% in some cases.

Richard McMunn, Firefighter for 17 years and a HSBC Award winning Entrepreneur develops a free online course that will show you how to succeed in any business. Want to learn more about how to start a highly successful and sustainable business? Get Richard's popular free course now, available at: => http://www.how-to-start-a-business.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_McMunn
http://EzineArticles.com/?6-Quick-Fire-Strategies-For-Growing-Your-Business-During-an-Economic-Downturn&id=1834145

A Carnival of Credit Crunchies

With the news that the tech industry, publishing industry and pretty much every other sector are all feeling blue it is good to know that there are still plenty of resources that can help us become more efficient and in doing so be far more wealthy in resources of our own than we might have ever been otherwise. This might be especially helpful if you have a large family.

Things could be worse but that is no reason not to take action now. For example smarter shopping (easier with a new price war or two getting ready) and more careful planning can go a long way to make your budget more efficient.

The Guardian (UK newspaper) has recently pointed out traditionally in times of crisis we Brits pull together and co-operate. (read it here). Here at Credit Crunchies I'm hoping to encourage the people of the world to do likewise. We can support each other, share what we know, and do well even under stress.

So far this seems to have manifest in practical kitchen oriented gifts which leads me nicely to the next set of links I wanted to share.

» Continue Reading: A Carnival of Credit Crunchies