Links and networks

How do we make the web we weave work for our clients as well as ourselves? It seems that new terms come into use every day. Recently we discovered the umbrella term “social media.” We’ve been using these media (e-mail, blogs, Skype, discussion groups, etc.) for years; yet didn’t have a term to refer to all of them. The potential of social media appears huge, time consuming, informative, mind boggling. Sorting out the best choices, and uses, for our clients and ourselves becomes the challenge.

About a week ago I received a call from Suzanne Kresse, inquiring about web site development. She liked what we did for William Peterson of Woodland Ponds; as the real estate agent for that development, she thought we could help her achieve her web site goals. So this link comes directly from an existing client. The question, “can we maintain and further develop this link for ourselves as well as meet Suzanne’s goals and budget?”

Yesterday I received a call from Renee Ferrara inquiring about developing a web site for Mille Tesori. Over the past 8 years I’ve worked with Marcia Klode, owner of Mille Tesori Design Studio, on a number of small photography and design projects. Each time we’ve met I’ve brought up the subject of developing a web site for her studio. Now we (potentially a new Mille Tesori web team) seem ready to begin the design process. This link speaks on the virtue of patience.

A simple photograph and ad design, produced in 2000, for inclusion in a Milwaukee Symphony program .

Kim Temkin-Taylor of Temkin-Taylor Design (we designed her logo, letterhead and business card, and host her web site which we hope to develop in the near future) actually designs the spaces which interior designers like Marcia eventually get to work within.

Matt Millen of Millen Roofing Company puts the lid on the finest homes, churches and other historic buildings. This family owned company has been installing and maintaining slate and tile roof systems since 1893. We’ve had the honor of working with Matt on numerous projects, including his web site, corporate identity, and documenting the making of the best quality hand split slate tiles in Arvonia, Virginia.

Both Dan Nauman at Bighorn Forge and Seth Tyler at Tyler Studios, Limited serve the same demographic as Suzanne, William, Kim, Marcia and Renee. In fact Seth did a little work on William’s beautiful permanent Woodland Ponds entryway signs (which we also helped design). I’m proud to have designed Kim’s logo, William, Dan, and Seth’s web sites, as well as having the honor of photographing Dan and Seth’s amazing metal sculpture, gates, railings, lamps and lights for years.

I look forward to exploring, discovering, and developing, all the new ways and means to take our small network of existing clients to new heights of success. It seems obvious and appropriate that Suzanne, Kim, Marcia and Renee, Matt, Dan and Seth should all meet — at least on-line — because they’ll find their clients within nearly identical demographic parameters.

Some time ago I proposed to Dan (and I believe Seth as well) that we arrange some sort of event to make these connections. Perhaps this very “social media” blog is that very event.

We look forward to helping you all stay in the news through the use of “social media,” fine web design services, superb photography, as well as multimedia: including audio, video, web casts, pod casts, etc..