This is Where I Share All the Things

Insights, news, tips, and more on branding, marketing, graphic design, and photography.

This is the way.

My focus is on the marketing and design problems consumer product goods, manufacturers, and the building materials industry face every day.

But shhhh….here’s a secret — you adapt most of the insights here to your industry too, whether you’re a nonprofit or small business.

Do you have an idea for a blog topic or a problem you’re trying to solve?

I’m always on the prowl for helpful content ideas. Give me a holler here.

5 Things to Share: March 2023

5 Things to Share: March 2023

I’ve had branding on the brain this month. Learn how to build a better brand for 2023 and beyond. Plus, Honest Eggs counts their chix steps.

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Buckland Salad

Buckland Salad

If you’re looking for an easy side dish for your holiday table try my Buckland Salad. My relatives fight over the leftovers. I’ve also thrown in a couple of holiday playlists for you while you whip it up. 

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Take Better Photos Using the Elements of Design

Take Better Photos Using the Elements of Design

There are six elements of design in photography—line, shape, form, texture, pattern, color. They all work together, and without one, you can’t have the other. Using these elements you can create powerful compositions and images from everyday subjects. First up line.1....

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The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing

The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing

Ever wonder if you’re getting the most out of your email marketing? Or if you could do it better? Or maybe you’re not sure where to even start when it comes to email marketing. We’ve put together some of the golden rules and best practices when it comes to engaging with and reaching your customers with email marketing.

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5 Things to Share: February 2022

5 Things to Share: February 2022

Happy Super Bowl Weekend! Who are you rooting for? I’m a Bronco’s and Vikings fan. Since, by default, you were one or the other if you grew up in South Dakota with no home team like I did. And since neither of those teams is in the Super Bowl, I’m there for the friends, halftime show, commercials, and food. Here’s to your team winning this week, and enjoy this installment of 5 Things to Share. Cheers!

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What Makes a Good Product Website?

What Makes a Good Product Website?

When it comes to website design, it’s easy to get carried away with how it looks. Does that button look good? Maybe I should round the corners? Should I make the hamburger menu white, perhaps it should be blue? What if I put a carousel gallery there? Or, I really like...

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January 2022: 5 Things to Share

January 2022: 5 Things to Share

Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with love, laughter, and joy and you're looking forward to 2022. This month I'm finding focus, feeling heartbroken by the Marshall fires, reducing the plastic packaging I bring into my house, watching marketing trends...

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GenZ’s Top 10 Holiday Classics

GenZ’s Top 10 Holiday Classics

It's almost that time of year! Curling up by a fireplace, making hot cocoa, and listening to holiday music are all things on my to-do list.  Tunes like Sleigh Ride and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree are age-old classics that never get old as the season comes and...

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Introducing 5 Things to Share

Introducing 5 Things to Share

Welcome to the inaugural edition of 5 Things to Share. It was inspired by the desire to shorten the monthly newsletter while still sharing news, trends, interesting bits and pieces, and tips in marketing, design, and photography with you. So here are 5 things worth...

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Do’s & Don’ts: Mind Your Manners in Your Marketing

Do’s & Don’ts: Mind Your Manners in Your Marketing

Just like when you sit down at supper — you don’t start eating until everyone has sat down, received their order, or chew with your mouth open (a personal pet peeve of mine). In marketing and design, if you have good manners, not only will you show your audience respect, but you connect and attract more business. So when it comes to your marketing manners, here are a few dos and don’ts.

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Email Marketing: Writing Your Subject Lines to Increase Open Rates

Email Marketing: Writing Your Subject Lines to Increase Open Rates

At the end of October, I attended HubSpot’s virtual InBound Marketing Conference. One of my favorite sessions was by Jay Schwedelson from World Data, Email Myths Busted. Not only did I bust a gut laughing out loud in my home office, but I learned a thing or two about what’s going on in email marketing right now, what to avoid, and what’s working.  According to Jay, it’s like the Wild West in email marketing right now — anything goes. But this doesn’t mean you should hitch your wagon to every trend. Read on to find out what I learned.

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5 Things I’m Grateful for in 2021

5 Things I’m Grateful for in 2021

I was in the car the other day driving kids to and fro when my phone randomly picked Kacey Musgraves, Let It Snow, from the 16,747 songs in my iTunes library to play over the car stereo. As random as it was, it was the perfect fit for the moment. Not because the weather was cold and cozy, it was sunny and 72°F here in Colorado, but because I think we’re all looking forward to 2022.

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Got a design, inbound marketing, or product photography question?

I’m always on the lookout for content ideas and ways I can help you. Shoot me an email at sarah@themoonshinedesign.com, and we’ll be put on our list.

Don’t Be Shy. Give Me a Holler!