A study by Backbaud indicates that despite limited budgets, nonprofits are able to find value using social media networks.

Findings include:
• 98% have a Facebook page with an average community size of over 8k fans.
• Average Facebook and Twitter communities grew by 30% and 81%, respectively.
• Average value of a Facebook Like is $214.81 over 12 months following acquisition.
• 73% allocate half of a full time employee to managing social networking activities.
• 43% budget $0 for their social networking activities.
• The top 3 factors for success are: strategy, prioritization, dedicated staff.




Frank Beecham
Mystique Creative

A lot of tools have been created to fix holes in Twitter's functionality – here’s some to try out...

Slipstre.am
Slipstre.am is a plug-in for Chrome that allows you to hide certain status updates on Twitter. 

For example, if like me you think Foursquare-based tweets are irrelevant, then simply add ‘Foursquare’ and / or ‘4sq.com’ as a term. You can also mute specific users.

Mute.ly
If you’re just looking for a simple tool that mutes a Twitter user then here it is.

Buffer
A scheduling tool for Twitter. Rather than sharing lots of content in a short space of time, you can click the Buffer bookmarklet to add it to your tweeting schedule. Tweets will then be staggered. You can plug in your Bit.ly account to use a custom domain and monitor analytics. Try Buffer.

PostPost
A tool that helps you to discover interesting tweets that might otherwise have been buried. PostPost identifies standout content from the people you follow, and aggregates it on one page (embedding watchable videos and full size images, as opposed to links).

Tweetwally
A tool for creating a ‘tweetwall’. Choose hashtags, keywords or users and Tweetwally will display them on a dedicated web page. You can embed tweetwall onto your own website. 

econsultancy.com



Frank Beecham
Mystique Creative

Relogo is a branding initiative developed by designer Matt McInerney.

rel="logo" is a proposed standard for serving and maintaining up-to-date logos for use in various media. By including a line of code on your site that links to a scalable vector logo, you make it very easy for other websites, applications, readers, clients, and stations to ensure that they are using an approved logo directly from you.
– relogo.org

This is a brilliant proposal and I really hope that it gains the recognition and support it deserves. Gone will be the days of bitmapped client logos for print. This is good for all, designers and clients alike. Let's make this happen!

Say goodbye to moments like this ...


Kudos to those progressive companies such as foursquare for showing their support.



Rene Tan
Graphic Designer
Mystique Creative

A logo is the visual centerpiece of a brand. It identifies your business, or product line, in its simplest form using a mark or icon. While a logo is not your brand, nor your identity it does help define the tone of your brand.

Below are a few examples of logos recently designed by Mystique. Let us know how you like them.
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ARCTIC HARVEST • A new product line for Just Quality International — a leading supplier of Frozen Vegetables/Fruits, Juice Concentrates and ingredients for the food, beverage and nutritional industries for the US and Canada.


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MEETINGS INDUSTRY EUCHRE TOURNAMENT(MIET) • An event created to raise much needed funds in support of Princess Margaret Hospital, a world recognized leader in the fight against cancer. For more information visit their site http://miet.ca/


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THE CORD BLOOD BANK OF CANADA • The cord blood bank of choice for expectant parents. Stay tuned for their new website.

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JUNO HOOPS • A revised logo to highlight a change in venue. This year's event is held in Ottawa. It will be the second annual celebrity basketball game in support of MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with CARAS.


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EWT Construction • A new contacting company focusing on home renovations including additions, remodeling, as well as decks.

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Does your brand reflect the outstanding company you are — or want to be? Take a long hard look… Does your logo look dated? Are your communication pieces consistent with your website? Is your website converting visitors into profitable customers? If you're uncertain — or believe your image is less than stellar — it's time to overhaul your brand.

We'd love to speak with you about your specific branding initiatives. Contact us today.



Paul Bies

President,
Mystique Creative

Sometimes initiating a simple series of exercises from the scope of a very specific perspective can steer one back onto the right path.

Here are a few interesting personal branding projects I've come across that can get the juices flowing as well as some of my personal favourites.

Comic Sans project




Hipster Branding








Branding Lakes






Rene Tan
Graphic Designer
Mystique Creative