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This month The Sign Depot is featuring a few of our Sign Depot Demo Day attendees that are in the Business Marketing Industry. When we wanted to improve the SEO of The Sign Depot’s website we went straight to Julia Rosien. Her ability to clarify and create focus for our online pressence has made an impact on our site as well as our custom sign business. We chatted with Julia Rosien of SocialNorth to get her take on marketing in the modern age.
Get To Know Julia Rosien
Julia can you tell us the nature of your business, SocialNorth and how you got started?
SocialNorth is my pearl. It was that grain of sand that grew out of working for a company fast-tracking to bankruptcy. I was reporting to a president who allowed his employees to shoulder the burden of his mismanagement and the stress was unreal. As the communications director and the online spokesperson for the company, the negativity spurred a need to leave for my own survival.
Thankfully, I’m married to this guy who believes in me and together we dreamed up SocialNorth. He is an integral part of the organization and deserves kudos for his faith and patience in putting up with me.
SocialNorth specializes in social media (strategy and community management), SEO, copy writing and content strategies.
Knowing your background in journalism, what do you think are some of the differences between traditional media marketing and social media marketing?
As a journalist, I was trained to remove myself from the story – to present it from a non-emotional, balanced perspective. Social media puts your heart into the middle of your reporting – it’s expected that you’ll share your opinions and personal experiences. One thing hasn’t changed though – the need for strong communication skills. I’m always amazed when I see bloggers and community managers make silly typos or spelling mistakes. Quality is still far more important than quantity.
What knowledge do you hope your clients learn from you?
When I’m working with a client, I hope I pass on as many of my skills as possible – and the confidence to get out there and do it. I want them to be 100% successful after I’m finished with their strategy, training and coaching. They hire me to contribute to their success and I’d be disappointed if they didn’t soak up as much from me as possible during our time together.
What online marketing trends should we be watching for?
Mobile and video. If you’re not looking at how people are using both of these, you’re already late to the game.
How do you stand out from others in your field?
While SocialNorth is still a small company, we’re big with ideas and our team never fails to deliver in unexpected and amazing ways. I’ve always made working with younger people part of my strategy. People just beginning their careers are still full of big, beautiful ideas. Their fearless energy is contagious and it pushes me to think beyond what my training and career has taught me. When my clients come to me, they know they’re going to get a lot of great ideas coupled with a maturity that comes from being through more than my fair share of corporate crisis’.
I would also like to think that my clients come to me because they know I’m as ridiculously attentive to detail as I am to creativity. Failure is simply not an option.
Want to learn more about Julia Rosien and Social North? Make sure to RSVP for our Sign Depot Demo Day on June 20th to network with Julia and many other fantastic business industry professionals. There you will see the behind the scenes of The Sign Depot just like Julia did.
Custom Personalized Father’s Day Signs Are Great Gifts
Finding Fantastic Father’s Day Gifts
With June right around the corner we wanted to make sure to help you get your Dad a Father’s Day gift that he will thrilled to get. With all the option we have here at Sign Depot we can customize any sign to fit what works best for your family!
We have
and so much more to offer in the way of customized Father’s Day Gifts.
Whether Dad has a cottage, cabin, trailer, den, or man-cave we can create a unique gift that will reflect his personality!
Below are just a few of of the one of a kind items that the expert sign makers here at Sign Depot have created.
Have an idea in mind or perhaps you need a bit of inspiration? Make sure to Contact Us today. That way your Father’s Day gift will arrive in time. With our 15 day turnaround time you have enough time to make a big impact on Dad this year!
How To Turn A Good Idea Into A Great Sign Design
To start the process make sure to keep these five items in mind
- the size
- the shape
- any wording
- the image
- choice of colours
These five items are important to know before custom project can begin. Whether you are looking for a custom carved sign or an artistic sculptural piece the five factors listed above should be considered. After the custom design has been perfected the project will then go into production here at The Sign Depot Workshop where it will be manufactured and finished. If you require shipping or installation we can help with that as well. We take pride in being a full service sign company and look forward to working with you soon!
Happy Father’s Day
We know that giving a Custom Personalize Gift To Your Dad will show how thoughtful you are. After all we’re sure you had a conversation with him very close to this when you were young.
You know he deserves something great this Father’s Day!
Custom Signs As Architectural Interior Design Elements – Against The Grain
Creating Custom Dimensional Restaurant Signs
For those who follow us on facebook I am sure you have been wondering what all the artistic wood sculptures pictures were about.
The cedar pieces shown in the image above were for Against The Grain‘s newest restaurant location. The custom dimensional restaurant sign pieces that we created for their first restaurant were taken on step further and used as architectural interior design elements for this sign project. The design for this location required many more artistic sign elements to bring the restaurant’s custom wood interior to the forefront of the restaurant while still being aesthetically pleasing to the patrons dining there.
Ceiling Of Cedar
The most prominent feature for the restaurant’s interior is the cedar block ceiling. Each wooden block was custom cut here in the Sign Depot workshop and attached to Against The Grain’s ceiling to add dimensional artistic elements to the interior.
Walls Of Wood
Much like the first Against The Grain location, plank walls were created to add texture to the restaurant’s decor. In addition to the plank wall, cedar screen walls were custom made further enhance the restaurant’s interior.
Decadent Desks And A Sturdy Stand
The restaurant custom sign design package also called for a few structures. A front desk was handcrafted along with a sculptural hostess stand. Both pieces were give a custom finish to match the interior. They were designed for both form and function. They serve as display sculptures as well as a decadent desk and a sturdy stand.
Dine With Us In Mind
Want to see the custom interior signs we made for Against The Grain up close? Visit their newest location in Toronto
Against the Grain Urban Tavern Leaside located at 87 Laird Dr.
We would love to hear about your dining experience there. Make sure to leave us a comment below or send us a tweet with your thoughts.
Custom 3 Dimensional Signs Can Be Big For Business – Baden Coffee
A Big Bean For Baden Coffee
Finding ways to bring attention to a new location can cause difficulty for some businesses, but Baden Coffee knew just what to do for the opening of their sit down coffee shop and retail location. They decided a 3 dimensional sign would be a great way to attract attention to their establishment and increase the findabilty of their location. Baden Coffee decided to create a landmark sculptural sign that would make their business highly visible to passers-by. Over the years we have created several signs for Baden Coffee and they wanted to heighten the visibilty of their unique brands.
The 3 dimensional sign was created to extend their branding to the exterior of the store. A replica of the animated coffee bean from their logo
was constructed from Carved High Density Urethane (HDU) through the use of our CNC Router Table and a lathe to manufacture the rounded objects.
Below is photo recap of how the project evolved within our Sign Depot workshop.
Artistic Finishing Touches
An artistic custom finish was applied to the sign scuplture. It included a styrocoat spray applied to the surface to harden the HDU (sign foam) and serve as a base for the paint to adhere to. Painting was done in stages and made to match the character logo for Baden Coffee. Creating the custom paint finish for the Baden Coffee Bean sculpture added to the “look” of the 3 dimensional sign.
Bringing In Big Business At Baden Coffee
After the Baden Coffee Big Coffee Bean was completed it was installed above the main entrance. This 3 dimensional sign is sure to become a landmark for the Baden Coffee retail location and will attract the attention of the traffic passing by.
To see more pics of the Baden Coffee Team with the new BIG BEAN head over to their facebook Photo Gallery. To learn more about our 3 dimensional signs for business and how they can create a branding buzz, be sure to check out Proportion Is Everything post. There you will see how sculptural signs quickly become landmarks and a 24 advertisement for your company.
Do You Run A High End Business? Do Your Signs Reflect That?
We Have The Solution
Do You Run A High End Business? Do Your Signs Reflect That? Do You Have a Lowest Price Promise? Is That Part of Your Slogan? We Have Several Business Sign Solutions To Show Your Best Attributes!
The best way to show off your best attributes is to figure out what they are. Not sure where to start? Use the comparison chart below to figure out how you want to represent your business.
There is nothing wrong with any of these terms. They are all great descriptive words but if your business falls more to one side than the other, then know that the terms on that side highlight what your business does best. Find ways to use some of these words in your text slogans or choose graphics that represent these terms in your logo. If you think your business represents terms from both sides then a great mix of text and graphics from both sections can work as well. These are the beginnings of a custom business sign solution for your business.
Other things to consider when it comes to creating business signage for your company are
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Colour scheme to be used
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Choice of font
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Visibility from traffic areas
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Competition awareness
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Budget for the sign package
Perhaps you need some assistance with the items listed above. That’s where The Sign Depot comes in. Our expert sign designers and sign manufactures have the knowledge to guide you through the custom sign creation process. They can help with everything from Sign Permits to Sign Completion. They find ways to incorporate your estblishment’s message into a custom artistic sign that best represents your business and all that your company stands for. Whether you are marketing to an upscale clientelle or the best bargain hunters make sure your potential clients take note of everything you have to offer. Make sure they “Notice The Signs“
Top Five Ways To Get Your Sign Noticed
Business Sign Solutions
Looking for ways to differentiate yourself from your competitors? We suggest you start with your business signs. We know that first impressions mean everything when it comes to a company’s reputation and with spring right around the corner we encourage you to take a good look at your entrance-way signs and see if there are opportunities to make your business signs more noticeable. Our motto here at The Sign Depot is A Good Sign Is Sign Of GOOD BUSINESS. Below are a few more terms we have been known to use a well.
Top Five Ways To Get Your Sign Noticed
- Refresh your curbside signs. Do they need a bit of refurbishing? Often a fresh coat of paint or a good cleaning can make your signs clearer to passers-by.
- Create a focal point. According to Wikipedia In Fine art, a Focal Point focuses specifically on a point of interest which makes a canvas unique we believe the same to be true for your signs as well.
- Renew your company’s image. This may mean updating your logo or finding eye-catching text to make traffic take note of your business.
- Find out what your customers love about your company and incorporate that into your signs. Not sure what your customers love most? Have them fill out a quick survey.
- Stand out from your surroundings, literally! We have lots of creative ways to help with that. Read on to find out more
Take A Stand And Have Your Sign Stand Out
There are several options when it comes to business sign solutions. The key is stand out and not stick out. By that we mean be noticeable, but don’t be an eyesore.
Some great ways to make your signs memorable choosing 3 dimensional signs, custom sandblasted signs, and high end architectural signs. By choosing a look that best represents your business our expert sign makers can give it extra oomph by adding unique finishes such as gold leaf guilding, distressed look rusting, or sleek style glossy vinyl. They can install your signs flush to the building or add extra dimension with pin mounted letters and LED lighting systems. With the variety of custom sign options that Sign Depot provides you are sure to find a business sign solution that fits your company’s needs and budget.
Make sure to visit our contact us page and let us know how you want to stand out from your competition.
Custom Interior Signs Add Dimension – Kitchener Rangers
Renovating The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium has gone through a lot of changes over the years. The latest being the addition of extra seating in the Dom Cardillo Arena and the renovations to the Kitchener Rangers office area. The timing couldn’t be better. With the Kitchener Rangers celebrating 50 seasons this year, the refreshed Kitchener Aud was a wonderful way to commemorate this celebration.
Custom Commemorative Signs
A large portion of our custom interior signs are created for reception areas and wayfinding purposes. This signage project was much more elaborate. This interior signs for The Kitchener Rangers renovations were designed to reflect the rich history of the hockey team and show off the modern facilities where they reside. As you can see below there were a variety of sign materials used to complete this commemoritve sign project. Each interior sign style represented a different era for this historic hockey team.
Built With Pride
The Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club is built around the area’s passionate hockey fans. Kitchener Ranger fans take pride in the city’s hockey heritage and support the team season after season. Many teams have a great fan base, but Ranger fans are loyal and constantly filling the seats in the Kitchener Auditorium. Passion and pride are what can take a team to the next level and perhaps that is why the Rangers decided to add an extra level to the arena.
Where Legend & Legacy Live
We are excited to see the Kitchener Rangers head into the 2013 Playoffs. The spirit of hockey has been alive in the Kitchener Auditorium for many years and we look forward to what is in the Rangers future for the years to come. To find out more about The Kitchener Rangers and the team’s longevity make sure to visit there post about Where Legend & Legacy Live. We know they will continue to #ROCKTHEAUD
Custom Pub Signs – Traditional VS Modern
Creating Custom Pub Signs
Pub signs are very unique sign projects. Traditionally they were one of a kind projects to mark a local establishment. Today some pubs are part of restaurant chains which means the signs will be duplicated. The professional sign makers here at Sign Depot take a different approach to each sign project. This gives the restauranteurs a variety of choice and the opportunity to personalize their custom pub signs.
Traditional Pub Signs
Traditional pubs signs are often 3 dimensional custom carved wood signs. They were highly visible signs to passers-by. To learn more about traditional pub signs please take a look at the slide show below.
These pubs are generally geared to distinct crowd. Many have a rich family heritage and the owners want that history to been represented in their pub’s sign. Personalization of the sign is of tremendous importance.
Modern Pub Signs
Modern pub signs can be just as customized as traditional pub signs. These signs tend to made from an assortment of materials and are built to a much larger scale. These modern day pubs are often located in larger buildings that are created that way to compete with other establishments in the restaurant industry. They often have a menu mix of traditional and modern fare.
Designing A Pub Sign
Whether choosing a Traditional or Modern Pub Sign there are several factors to consider
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How big in the building that the sign will be displayed on?
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Is the traffic near the pub vehicle or pedestrian traffic. or a bit of both?
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What will the text say?
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What kind of logo or graphics will best represent the pub?
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What is the budget for the project?
Once you are able to answer these five questions, then the design and sign permit process can begin. Customizing a sign can be just as individual as you are. Here at The Sign Depot we have quite a portfolio of both traditional and modern pub signs. Make sure to contact us regarding your restaurant signage needs.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!
Restaurant Industry And The Sign Depot – Custom Business Signs
The Sign Depot Returns To The CRFA Show
Right away we knew our Custom Signs For The Restaurant Industry would be a good fit for the Canadian Restaurant and Food Service Association (CRFA) Show. We are always looking for ways to show our unique signs. We find that they fit well with a variety of establishments. Getting in front of Restaurant Professionals is always top of mind for us, and what we want is for Sign Depot to be top of mind for them.
Restaurant signs that are stand out are great ways for companies to get noticed and our expert sign makers always find ways to add artistic styles that incorporate company branding. These signs become find-ability solutions that work for businesses.
Award Winning Beertown Public House Sign
We wanted to ensure that we were able to stand out at the CRFA Show as well, so were able to secure a spot directly across from the Chef’s Cooking Stage. Here’s a look at our surroundings.
This was a highly visible area with lots of traffic travelling by our booth. We even had some familiar faces stop by. We had the fine folks from Baden Coffee and Herrles Market pop by our CRFA booth.
Then we had our own Artistic Flair Bartending demonstration happen at our Sign Depot booth.
How Much Would It Cost To Create A Sign For My Business?
That was only one of the many questions we answered at our booth. We had our slide show running through the trade show to exhibit the variety of custom 3 dimensional signs we have created. Many of these sign projects would have been too big for our display booth, but we knew it was important to cover all the types of signs we can create. The reactions we varied from “I recognize that sign” to “How much would it cost to create a sign like that for my business?” We always have time to answer those questions. Requesting a quote is easy to do. Just head over to our Contact Us page and let us know the following
- How big should your sign be? Including measurements streamlines the process
- What is your budget for the sign project?
- Do you have any logo, text or graphics that should be incorporated into the sign?
These three questions are great ways to get your sign quote started. After approval, your signs will be handcrafted here in our workshop to your specifications. As your sign supplier, our goal is to exceed your expectations. Professional looking signs are expected from high end industries. We are always looking for different ways to connect with Industry Professionals.
The CRFA Show was a great way show our custom business sign solutions to Restaurant Owners, Chefs and Marketing Executives.
Custom Vintage Look Wood Signs – Truth Beauty’s Business Sign Solutions
The Beauty Of A Distressed Wood Sign
When it comes to Business Sign Solutions we have lots of options to suit a company’s branding. Finding that perfect fit may take more than one type of material to make the establishment recognizable in busy areas. When the The Truth Beauty Company moved from their Olivier location, they took the opportunity to create custom business signs for this new business.
Their store front sign and reception sign was fabricated from repurposed wood to give the signs a vintage look. To add dimension to the custom signs, High Density Urethane (sign foam) letters and designs were CNC cut on our Router table. Those HDU pieces were given custom finishes and then attached to the distressed wood and framed. This gave the Truth Beauty sign 3 dimensional sign elements while keeping with the antique look of the wood.
Add Some Artistic Signage
In addition to the exterior entranceway sign and interior sign and additional artistic fabric wall hanging was created to further showcase the business’s logo. A stencil was cut to match the design and applied to the fabric. Next the design was airbrushed on the material and after the stencil was removed the result was an artistic sign in the form of custom piece of drapery for their location.
To read more about The Truth Beauty Company make sure to check out their article in the Waterloo Chronicle aptly named The Truth About Beauty.
Source: waterloochronicle.ca via Lisa on Pinterest
To learn more about The Sign Depot’s custom signs and business sign solutions take a look at our portfolio page and be sure to contact us.
Looking for more engaging ways to connect with Sign Depot? Make sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter that highlights our recent sign projects and upcoming sign features. You can also follow us on Facebook, check out our Sign Depot Pinterest page or send us a tweet! Have an inquiry specific to this post? Make sure to leave it in the comment section and we will make sure to act swiftly to answer it for you.
