The Blog

Preparing for a Vendor Booth

Trade shows and other vendor events are a fact of life for anybody in direct sales. They provide you with an opportunity to meet customers in person, helping you to forge personal connections and establish a rapport. In a world where an increasing number of sales transactions take place anonymously through online merchants, vendor events are a great way to personalize your brand, help build awareness, and generate sales leads. They are one of the most effective networking opportunities you’ll find. An added bonus is the fact that you can stealthily gauge your competition.

Marketing Monday Recap: Elements of Design

Amazon Chairman, CEO, and President Jeff Bezos once said, “Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” If anybody understands the power of branding, it’s Jeff!

Summer Issue of Black Hills Parent Magazine is Here!

After what feels like the longest winter ever, sunshine and warm weather have finally descended upon the region. There’s nothing like summer in the Black Hills! As a parent, the season is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your kids while school is out. But it also poses some challenges—namely, keeping them entertained so they don’t utter that cry moms and dads know all too well: “I’m bored!”

Staff Picks: On Our Bookshelf

We’ve all got our favorite reads – those go-to books that inspire us, motivate us, or simply offer an escape from the stresses of everyday life. The EGM staff is no exception: some of our picks offer practical advice for succeeding in business or accomplishing personal goals, while others are simply fun page-turners. Here are a few of our staff favorites.

Tips for a Good Headshot

Career-minded individuals looking to make a positive impression should invest in a professional headshot. Appearances matter; whether networking, searching for clients, or applying for that dream job, you’ll want to put your best face forward (literally). Your selfie game may be on point, but save those shaky handheld phone pics for your Instagram account. Instead, hire a professional photographer for a high-resolution, visually-appealing headshot. They are experts in composition, lighting, and editing and know exactly how to create a perfect shot that showcases your most valuable asset – you!

Unplug for Self-Care

If you’re like most people, you spend far more time on your phone than you’d care to admit. This obsession with technology is universal – and not exactly healthy. Smartphones have become our go-to options for entertainment, even when we should be spending our time on other pursuits. We joke about our addictions, but experts don’t believe it’s a laughing matter.

The Color Code

If you’re like most people, you are subconsciously influenced by color. Psychologists have long known that color has a strong impact on mood and is a driving force behind behavioral and decision-making processes. Advertisers are aware of this too, and use color to their advantage when promoting products and services. Opinions vary on just how strongly color influences purchases; some surveys have shown color to be the primary motivator in 85 percent of buying decisions and at least a partial factor 93 percent of the time, though personal reactions are highly subjective. Regardless, color does play a significant role in purchasing decisions and brand perception.