**The New Year brings with it a chance for new beginnings for everyone.**
An opportunity to kick those bad habits, and resolve to change them for the better. The same should be said for your graphic design in 2013. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top 12 ways to help improve your business this year:
**1. A healthier diet**
**Everything in moderation**
Give your brand a health check by creating comprehensive (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/the-importance-of-brand-guidelines/ text: brand guidelines). They are the key to ensuring that your brand (company wide) stays consistent. From colours to fonts, logos to layouts, design consistency helps to build a strong brand image and guidelines ensure it isn’t diluted.
**2. Quit smoking**
**Let your design breathe**
Concise and informative copy cuts out the jargon and allows your audience to get right to the heart of you message. The same ‘keep it simple’ principle also applies to design. Utilising tricks like sticking to two fonts and using more white space creates more visual impact and focus on your message.
**3. Be more sociable**
**Make new contacts**
Joining a local business network can be a great way to (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/how-to-build-your-database/ text: grow your customer database popup: true title: How to Build Your Database) and (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/15-ways-to-drive-customers-through-the-door/ text: generate more business). Look for local business breakfasts and networking events held in your area, you never know who you might be able to do business with.
**4. Keep in touch with family**
**Expand your social media presence**
With the ever-expanding trend for community sites and social media, your business ‘family’ extends beyond your direct customers to potentially everyone with access to the Internet. Keeping on top of your (link: https://www.superdream.co.uk/digital/social-media-marketing/ text: social media marketing popup: true title: Social Media Marketing) with regular posts will be appreciated by your current customers and could reel in potential customers.
**5. Challenge yourself**
**Or your brand…**
Playing it safe may be the easiest option but isn’t necessarily always the best. Pushing the boundaries with a more creative take on things can seem daunting, (for both designer and client) but when presented with a design that’s a little more ‘out there’, the chances are you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome! Resulting in a happy client, happy designer and a better solution to the brief.
**6. Start saving**
**Consider the costs**
Times are hard and budgets are tight, but rather than scrimping on the design or exposure of your brand there are other things you can do. Make sure you, or the agency you deal with gets a range of print quotes to ensure you get a balanced view of the costs. Another thing you can do is to pay your suppliers on time, this not only creates a good working partnership, it means they might be more inclined to meet you in the middle and help you achieve what you want, on time and budget.
**7. Plan for the future**
**Future-proof your brand**
You need to know what direction you’re going which is why it’s great to have a brand plan. Putting this plan into practice also means you have a benchmark against which you can analyse your brand success and reassess your brand objectives. So sit down and think about the company you want to be in five years time, then make sure you look and act like that brand today!
**8. Become a trendsetter**
**Keep on top of your competition**
They say to keep your friends close and your enemies closer and that’s a great rule to live by in business. Keep one eye on the competition and the other peeled for new trends and you’ll be sure not get left behind. You should always be one step ahead of the rest in order to be a true brand leader.
**9. Remember to turn off the lights**
**Be environmentally aware**
There are lots of options to help you minimise the impact your design and print has on the environment, such as biodegradable inks and recycled paper. You could even consider using local suppliers to cut down on delivery distance – it’s the little things!
**10. Do something selfless**
**Improve your CSR and get involved…**
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a big part of big brands today, and being seen doing good things – whether it be for the environment or for charity, all come together to build a good image for your company.
**11. Manage stress better**
**Don’t get overwhelmed by tight deadlines**
Being realistic about deadlines is the key to being less stressed. Putting together a timescale plan keeps everyone in the know and the project on track, check your list regularly and keep your team updated with the progress so that you all pull together and share the weight.
**12. Drink less…**
…Party more!