This is Where We Share All Things Design & Marketing
Insights, trends, news, tips, and more on branding, marketing, and graphic design for the building materials, nonprofits, and consumer product industries.
5 Things to Share: July 2025
As the wise Yoda would say, “The greatest teacher failure is.”
In the spirit of passing on what I’ve learned, here are my top five marketing and business mistakes—what I did wrong, what I learned, and how I aim to fix it. I hope it helps you along your journey.
5 Tips to Build a Strong LinkedIn Network
People are what make the world go round, whether you own a business or are looking to land your next job. Growing your network is still key to success even in the age of AI. Here are five quick tips on how to build a strong LinkedIn Network.
5 Things to Share: June 2025
In this newsletter, we’re exploring how to blend Artificial and Analog Intelligence. Read on if you’d like a glimpse into how AI works into my creative process and how you can put it to work for you, too.
5 Things to Share: April 2025
Change seems to be in the air in Colorado, whether it’s news about tariffs from my friends in the toy industry, my 80-something old neighbors downsizing and moving to a ranch house, the lilacs blooming in the backyard, or the fact that there are only 17 days left of school and my oldest is sneaking up on her senior year (when did that happen?!).
But life doesn’t just change overnight. It happens bit by bit.
It’s the same in marketing: small changes and tweaks, like fine-tuning your website’s CTA, starting a daily habit of engaging on LinkedIn, or following best practices for links in your email marketing.
Those little moves add up to something big changes over time. So, keep taking those small steps, and you’ll see the big results before you know it.
This month’s 5 Things to Share rounds up small but mighty ways to keep your marketing growing strong. So, grab a cup of coffee (or heck, a sweet tea if that’s more your style) — and let’s dig in.
Building Effective Calls to Action on Your Website
Clear and concise websites where users don’t have to guess what you want them to do next drive more sales and create more leads. That’s where Calls to Action (CTAs) come into play. A well-crafted CTA can transform passive browsers into active leads and loyal customers.
5 Things to Share: March 2025
Make your own marketing luck. In this newsletter you’ll find other ways you can stack the deck in your favor from Building a Content Map, Making the Most of Your Social Media Profiles, Collecting Testimonials Without the Awkwardness to a Logo Case Stdy with Inside Sunshine. Just for fun, Harrison Ford Angrily Points at Stuff. And Bonus! Who’s the Last Idiot You Met? Honoring Women’s History Month. A Disney Imagineer’s Story
Collecting Testimonials Without the Awkardness
Let’s face it—asking for testimonials can feel a bit like an awkward blind date. But a solid testimonial can build trust, add credibility, and show future clients and customers what it’s like to work with you or the product quality they’re buying.
Avoid the awkward ask with these tips for collecting testimonials.
Make Your Own Marketing Luck
Are we born lucky? Sometimes, some people are born lucky, while others feel cursed from birth.
I’ve always thought we make our own luck through the choices we make. It turns out there’s a science to back that up. According to Richard Wiseman’s book The Luck Factor, making your own luck consists of four factors.
1. Maximize Your Chance Opportunities
2. Listen to Your Gut
3. Play the Glad Game: Expect Good Things to Happen
4. Turn Your Bad Luck Into Good
I’ve put a Disney spin on it to help you learn how to apply these principles in your marketing.
5 Things to Share: February 2025
In February’s 5 Things to Share, build better relationships. From creating authentic website content for log home contractors, email nurturing campaigns, to what’s actually working on Facebook right now? Plus, how to design successful product packaging.
What is an Email Nurturing Campaign?
Nurturing your audience is all about building and maintaining relationships. Your customers may not be ready to buy just yet, and that’s okay. You want them to think of you in their time of need.
So when they are ready, they think of you first.
This is where an email nurturing campaign comes in. You’re planting the seeds now, watering them along the way, making sure they get enough sunshine and nutrients to grow and eventually bloom.
Website Content Tips for Log Contractors & Builders
Potential clients are looking for quality workmanship and someone they can trust to preserve and restore their dream homes. Authentic website content builds trust and credibility with your audience and translates into more business.
But what does “authentic content” mean? I struggled with this when I first started Moonshine. Who was Moonshine? Was I Moonshine? How do I make my content personal yet professional? Am I oversharing?
Here’s what I learned.
5 Things to Share: January 2025
Embrace Creativity this January with #5ThingsToShare, featuring insights from Brian Wilson and Julia Cameron on how creativity drives business growth. Discover how to unlock creativity with Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, determine if now is the right time for your email newsletter, explore nine essential features for log restoration websites, master the art of before and after photos as a log home contractor. Join us in supporting victims of the California fires and ignite your creativity this month with these topics
Essential Website Features for Log Home Restoration Pros
Are you a log home restoration contractor going out on your own? Or maybe your website needs a refresh and isn’t up to snuff anymore. Whether you’re going the route of a one-page brochure style website or a full-on website with a multi-page website with services pages, a blog, and a project gallery, you’ll want to include these features in your website to attract the right clients and be able to charge what you’re worth.
Log Contractors: Capture Before & After Photos Like a Pro
If you’re a log home restoration contractor, the expertise in before-and-after photos at a glance. Here are eight tips to help you capture before-and-after photos like a pro.
Unlocking Creativity with Julia Cameron’s Artist’s Way
As designers, writers, and marketers, creativity allows us to connect with and capture an audience. We use our skills to translate thoughts into meaning and messaging. But with tight deadlines, client needs taking priority, and life’s little distractions, sometimes, we can feel stuck in a rut. Last fall, I read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. First published in 1992, the book has been a staple of the creative community for over twenty years. Her nuggets of wisdom can help you get unstuck and spark creativity in your life and marketing.
5 Things to Share: December 2024
In last month’s newsletter, we talked about connecting emotionally with your people, what a brand’s real job is, unwrapping what makes a successful homepage design, and building an email list from scratch. Want this delivered right away to your inbox? Subscribe here or read it now on our website.
Create Entertaining, Educational & Engaging Content
Do you struggle with creating content for social media? Maybe you don’t know where to start or you’ve been at this awhile and need a creative jolt. Here are a few ideas to inspire and get your creative juices flowing. You can apply these tips to any type of content—reels, carousel posts, static images, and more.
Lemon-Honey Drop Cookie Recipe
What do cookies and content have in common?
Sometimes, you have to do something a little different to stand out.
Usually, everyone brings chocolate, fudge, or peppermint cookies to the cookie swaps. I love chocolate, but I actually get a little tired of it this time of year (gasp! I know.)
This is why I love Lemon Drop cookies. They’re different and refreshing, plus they are easy to make. And, as cookies go, they’re on the healthier side since they’re made with yogurt, at least as healthy as you can get with cookies.
If you need some tips to refresh or mix up your social media content, we serve it up fresh here.
5 Things to Share: November 2024
Gather round the table, folks; this 5 Things to Share is about connecting and strengthening relationships, from Thanksgiving memories and building a thriving social media community to 11 tips to improve your website’s UX. Plus, we’re passing on a 40% off all #ConstantContact marketing plans for 3 months deal (hurry it ends tomorrow, December 4).
Building a Thriving Social Media Community
How do you build a thriving social media community? It involves understanding your audience, planning content, and engaging effectively. Start with a clear buyer persona and utilize various platforms strategically. Share a mix of educational, exclusive, and entertaining content while fostering interaction. Review and adapt your approach regularly to maintain community growth and engagement.
5 Things to Share: October 2024
Happy Halloween, You Ghouls! The IMTA raises over $50k with email marketing, YouTube tips, a sweet brand refresh, humanizing your website, and notes from the HOW Design Live conference.