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Supercharge Your Instagram

Ready to Supercharge Your Instagram?

Join Our Hands-On Workshop!

September 16, 2024 | Blog, Useful Materials

Calling all wedding vendors!

Have you been struggling to get your Instagram presence off the ground? Or maybe you’re ready to step up your game but don’t know where to start? Join us for a 4-hour Hands-On Instagram Workshop on October 23, 2024, at TPC Sugarloaf and take the guesswork out of your social media strategy!

What You’ll Learn

This isn’t your average sit-and-listen seminar. We’re diving straight into action with practical insights and real-time application.

Here’s a sneak peek of our course outline:

⭐ Intro & Workshop Overview
We’ll break the ice, get everyone comfortable, and outline exactly what’s in store for you over the next four hours.

⭐ Profile Optimization Basics
Your Instagram profile is your brand’s first impression, so let’s make it count! You’ll learn how to optimize your bio for SEO, ensuring your profile is searchable and professional. We’ll also dive into maintaining consistent branding across all platforms, making sure your Instagram fits seamlessly into your broader marketing efforts. By the end, your profile will reflect your brand identity, making it easy for your audience to recognize and engage with you.

⭐ Social Media & Digital Marketing Integration
Social media is just one piece of the puzzle in your digital marketing ecosystem. In this section, we’ll explain how Instagram supports your broader strategy, from driving traffic to your website to reinforcing your email marketing efforts. You'll walk away understanding how social media fits into the bigger picture, ensuring that every post complements your overall marketing goals.

⭐ How Instagram Works
Instagram’s algorithms can feel like a mystery, but we’ll demystify it for you. We’ll cover how the algorithm works, so you know what kinds of content are prioritized and when to post for maximum visibility. We’ll also look at analytics to help you understand what’s working and what needs tweaking, and the different content types – from posts and stories to reels – so you can diversify your strategy and keep your followers engaged.

⭐ What & How to Post
Feeling stuck on what to post? We’ve got you. Learn how to research trending topics, identify what resonates with your audience, and utilize ChatGPT to generate compelling captions and ideas. We’ll teach you how to plan your content using a content calendar so you’re never scrambling for ideas at the last minute. By the end of this section, you’ll have the tools to confidently create a cohesive, engaging content strategy that aligns with your business goals.

⭐ Hands-On Activity: Creating Reels
Time to roll up your sleeves and create! This section is all about Reels 101 – we’ll cover everything from the basics of reel creation to advanced features and trends you should be following. You’ll learn tips for filming, editing, and maximizing the reach of your reels. By the end, you’ll have 4 reels created and ready to post, and a solid understanding of how to continue creating them to keep your audience coming back for more.

⭐ Q&A and Final Tips
Your chance to ask any burning questions and get final tips on how to apply everything you’ve learned. Walk out feeling confident and ready to take your Instagram to the next level!

Why You Shouldn’t Miss This

For just $155, you get more than just a seat at the table:

  • 📈 Instagram YTD Audit: Receive a comprehensive report and raw data that you'll use during the workshop.
  • 🗓 Content Calendar Template: Plan out your posts with ease using our tried-and-tested format.
  • 🗒 50 ChatGPT Prompts & 50 Content Bank Ideas: Struggling with what to say or what to film? We’ve got you covered!
  • 💡 100 Post Ideas, specific to the wedding industry, in four crucial categories: personal, utility, entertainment and conversational content.
  • ☕ Plus, bottled water, coffee, snacks, and a Certificate of Participation to round out the day!

Want to bring a colleague? No problem! Additional participants from the same business can join for just $55.

What to Bring

  • Laptop đŸ’»
  • Smartphone đŸ“±
  • Chargers (don’t forget!) ⚡
  • And, of course, make sure Instagram is installed on your phone!

Limited Spots Available – Register Today! 🖊

We’re keeping this workshop intimate with only 15 12 spots available. Make sure you secure your seat before registration closes on October 18, 2024.

Ready to master Instagram and take your business to the next level? Join us at TPC Sugarloaf for a workshop that’s designed to be both fun and professional – just like your brand!

Don’t wait – sign up below today!


Payment options: direct bank transfer, Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, Credit/Debit Card (+1.6%)

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Brand Logos: Explained

Brand Logos: Explained.

What are they for?

December 19, 2023 | Useful Materials

Ever wondered about those small, yet impactful symbols that represent your favorite brands? They're more than just images; they're the visual voice of a company — a logo. They’re like your brand’s signature — used for almost anything whether it’s digital content or posters, flyers, billboards, calling cards, etc.

A bit of history:

The word, "logo", comes from an Ancient Greek word, "logos" which is derived from the verb, "legein". It means "to say" something significant. The Greek word, "logos", can mean a variety of things including: "description", "theory", "explanation", "reason", "reasoning power" and "principle".

According to Time Magazine, one of the first companies who used a logo was the Belgian Brewer, Stella Artois, in 1366.

Stella Artois First Logo
Image from 1000 Logos

The Power of Recognition:

Logos are the title of your brand’s story, they’re like familiar faces in a crowd. They help you identify a brand instantly, much like recognizing a friend by their smile or wave. Think of the Nike swoosh or the bitten apple of Apple — they trigger memories and associations that make the brand stand out in your mind.

Brand recognition logos
Left: Nike Logo; Right: Apple Logo

Simplicity with Substance:

Creating a simple yet meaningful logo is like distilling a complex idea into a few essential words. It might look effortless, but it involves extensive thought and design expertise. The goal? To communicate a brand's story and essence in the most straightforward and memorable way possible.

Adapting to Every Stage:

Logos are versatile — they adapt to different contexts effortlessly. Whether on a billboard or a business card, they maintain their identity and purpose.

Creative Pandas logo
Creative Pandas logo

The Language of Colors:

Ever noticed how certain colors evoke specific feelings? Logos use this language of colors to subtly influence emotions and perceptions. For instance, blue often conveys trust, while red signifies energy or passion. It’s a silent but powerful communication tool.

Ever wonder why fast food chains are either red or orange, this is because the language of those colors are already associated with food that you can get quickly, hence, FAST FOOD.

Fastfood logos: burger king, kfc, dominoes, pizza hut, mcdonald's, noodles & company
Top - Burger King, KFC, Dominoes; Bottom - Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Noodle & Company

The Evolution Story:

Like any evolving entity, logos change with time. It's a reflection of the brand's evolution and ever changing story — embracing new trends or modernizing its identity. Take the Starbucks mermaid or the Coca-Cola script — both have undergone significant transformations while preserving their essence.

Starbucks logo evolution
Evolution of Starbuck's Logo

So, the next time you encounter these visual marks, remember—they aren’t just designs. They’re the concise storytellers, speaking the brand's language and forming a connection with you, the consumer.

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#TechNerdTips

#TechNerdTips

Code with a purpose

November 4, 2023 | Tips

In the fast-paced world of web development, coding with a purpose is not just a choice; it's a necessity. Whether you're building a personal blog, an e-commerce platform, or a corporate website, the success of your project largely depends on your approach to coding and understanding what you want to bring to people who will browse your website. ??

Here are some valuable tips to help you code with a clear purpose and create websites that shine:

1. Plan Your Code ?

Every great web development project starts with a well-thought-out plan. Planning your code is like crafting a roadmap to success. It involves defining the project's objectives, outlining the architecture, and breaking down the tasks. This process leads to better-structured, efficient, and maintainable code. A clear plan ensures that you and your team understand the project's goals and expectations, reducing the chances of misunderstandings and errors. Structured code is not only easier to work with but also results in a more successful and reliable website.

2. Learn to Use Programming Tools ?

The world of web development is a treasure trove of programming tools, frameworks, and libraries. Embracing these tools can turn you into a web wizard! From code editors and version control systems to pre-processors and automated testing tools, there's a tool for almost every aspect of web development. Invest time in learning and mastering these tools; they can save you time and effort, help you catch errors early, and improve the overall quality of your code.

3. Keep Up with New Trends ??

The tech industry is like a rollercoaster - fast and ever-changing. New technologies, methodologies, and trends emerge regularly, and as a web developer, staying informed is crucial. By keeping up with new trends, you can stay flexible and ready to tackle the ever-changing adventures and opportunities in the dynamic world of tech. Whether it's responsive web design, progressive web apps, or the latest JavaScript framework, adapting to new trends ensures your websites remain competitive and user-friendly.

4. Test on All Screen Sizes ??

In today's multi-device world, it's essential to create websites that are responsive and work seamlessly on all screen sizes, from desktop monitors to mobile devices. Testing your website's functionality and design on various screen sizes is like making sure your outfit fits for every occasion. It ensures that your users have a consistent and enjoyable experience, regardless of the device they use. Remember that a great design on a large screen may not look or work the same on a smaller one. Comprehensive testing is the key to a successful web project.

 

At Creative Pandas Design, we're not just web developers; we're web jedis! We understand the importance of coding with a purpose, and we're committed to creating pixel-perfect websites that not only meet your objectives but also exceed your expectations.

Let's collaborate and bring your web development project to life. Start your journey to web greatness with us today! ??

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Day of the Dead: Tribute

Day of the Dead Tribute

Remembering our loved ones

November 1, 2023 | Blog

Every year from the 31st of October to the 2nd of November, we pay tribute to the ones who have touched our lives but have passed on. Different cultures have different names to call this day. The United States has Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve, Latin America calls it the Day of the Dead or Dia De Los Muertos and where we’re from, the Philippines, we call it Undás.

This tradition of celebrating the ones who have passed on was practiced thousands of years ago by indigenous peoples such as the Aztecs and the Toltecs. They believed that death was not the end of one’s life but rather just a chapter of it.

We’ve seen it in movies like The Book of Life and Coco. Families would place pictures of their beloved ones who have passed on in what they call an ofrenda, which is like an altar but to honor those who have gone ahead. In the movie Coco, we saw that the dead are able to travel to the mortal realm in order to visit their loved ones once a year.

I believe in this tradition. I’d like to think that once a year, the people I miss dearly come to visit me - of course, in a none-scary-horror-movie type way but rather in a sense that they visit to check on me.

In the Philippines, during undás, it is tradition to visit cemeteries and stay there for hours at a time to celebrate the lives of our loved ones who have gone ahead. We would have picnics, pray the rosary, catch up with our relatives and just share memories of the ones we’ve lost.

As Pandas now living away from home, we can’t visit our loved ones in the cemeteries they’re buried in. So, this is our own little way of paying tribute to the ones we’ve lost in the past.

Teresita “Mamasing” Alquiros (Nov. 3, 1932 - Oct. 31, 2009) & Lolo Willie Alquiros (Mar. 27, 1931 - Aug. 6, 2015)

 

Lolo Jimmy Roxas (Aug. 8, 1920 - Aug. 5, 1983) & Mommy Cely Roxas (Dec. 14, 1929 - Mar. 10, 2007)

 

Mommy Naty “Maty” Crame-Rogers (Dec. 23, 1922 - February 1, 2021) & Daddy Joe Rogers (Mar. 23, 1915 - Aug. 22, 2003)

 

“Inay” Lydia Aspi (August 1947 - April 1999) & “Tatay” Rolando Aspi (October 1938 - May 2000)

 

Lolo Nicomedes Antonio (September 1932 - December 2014) & Lola Juanita Antonio (May 1935 - September 2019)

 

Estelita Barete - Oct. 24, 1928 - Nov. 5, 2018

 

Juanito Ongcoy - Aug. 9, 1959 - Mar. 30, 2020

 

We would also like to dedicate a special tribute to that friend who taught us “Pilosopy”. In Filipino, the term “pilosopo” means “to be sarcastic”. Most of us learned how to answer questions sarcastically from Chandler Muriel Bing of the 90’s sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S, played by Matthew Perry, who sadly passed away last October 28.

Matthew Langford Perry - Aug. 19, 1969 - Oct. 28, 2023
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History of Halloween

The History of Halloween and it's Branding

How it is branded to what it is today.

October 30, 2023 | Blog

Halloween ?, the spooktacular, spine-tingling celebration that creeps into our lives every late October, has a history that's more thrilling than a ghost story by the campfire. What started as a mystical Celtic ritual called Samhain has taken a bewitching journey through time, evolving into the commercialized and creatively branded extravaganza we adore today. ??

 

A bit of history...

Halloween's roots go back to the ancient Celtic bash known as Samhain, a festival marking the end of the harvest season. On the night of October 31st, it was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was at its flimsiest, allowing spirits to wander among us. ??

During these ancient times, people lit bonfires and donned costumes as their ghostly disguises to keep those wayward spirits at bay (not to go around houses and ask for candy ?). They also carved turnips (not pumpkins) into spooky faces, displaying them in windows to ward off spirits ?.

Halloween was no plain pumpkin when it interacted with various traditions over the years. It collided with the Roman festival of Feralia, honoring the dearly departed, and the Christian holiday All Saints' Day, morphing into All Hallows' Eve, which eventually got its trendy abbreviation - Halloween.

With Irish immigrants flooding the U.S. in the 19th century, Halloween's popularity surged. It took on a secular and commercial character, adopting the costume-clad parades and the infamous trick-or-treating tradition we know and love today. As a result, marketing and branding turned Halloween into a holiday shopping spree. ??

As I mentioned, turnips were carved instead of pumpkins but when the Irish immigrants came to the U.S., they found out that pumpkins were more readily available to carve at the end of October (pumpkins are planted from May through June which makes them fully mature by October) which brings us to why the usual color scheme for Halloween is orange ?.

These pumpkins are also often called jack-o-lanterns and this involves an Irish and Scottish story of a character named Stingy Jack who was a notorious trickster that managed to outwit the Devil ? on multiple occasions. When Jack died, he was neither admitted to Heaven nor Hell. As a result, he was condemned to wander the Earth with only a burning coal inside a hollowed-out turnip to light his way. Fun fact, this is also where Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas got his name.

Halloween Scene at a Cemetary
Halloween Scene at a Cemetary

In today’s time, carved pumpkins are used to decorate houses for Halloween. Decorated houses usually means that the people who live there are giving out candies and goodies to kids who are trick-or-treating. With a bit of research, we found that there are not only orange pumpkins but different colors as well, that are used for awareness whilst in the hunt for goodies.

Here are some of them:

  • Teal Pumpkin
    This awareness campaign was started by the Teal Pumpkin Project, a Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE) initiative. This color means that the house has food-allergen-friendly options for trick-or-treaters. Similarly, if you see a child trick-or-treating with a teal-colored bucket, this means that the child has a food allergy.
  • Blue Pumpkin ?
    An awareness campaign started by, Autism Speaks, blue pumpkins signify that the child inside the house isn’t participating in trick-or-treating and might be easily agitated by the ringing of the doorbell or it could also mean that the house supports trick-or-treaters who are within the spectrum. Similarly, kids with blue buckets mean that the child carrying it is on the autism spectrum and may need a grown up’s assistance to go trick-or-treating.
  • Purple Pumpkin ?
    Launched by a parent of a child with epilepsy, the Purple Pumpkin Project seeks to raise awareness and money for the Epilepsy Foundation. A home with a purple pumpkin indicates support for the cause or that someone who lives has or knows someone that suffers from epilepsy.
  • Yellow Pumpkin ?
    Houses with yellow pumpkins advocate and raise awareness for the disabled and at the same time, a child with a yellow bucket may signify that they need a little extra compassion.

If your brand wants to join the haunted hype this Halloween, here are some wickedly good tips to get you started:

  1. Themed Products and Promotions ?: Create Halloween-themed products, services, or promotions that'll enchant your audience.
  2. Engage on Social Media ?: Spook up your social media presence! Share eerie stories, costume ideas, and hold fang-tastic contests and giveaways.
  3. Collaborate with Influencers ?: Partner up with influencers who thrive during Halloween. They'll help you cast your marketing spell on a targeted audience.
  4. Decorate Your Space ?: If you've got a physical store or office, transform it into a Halloween wonderland. Attract curious souls and create an eerie atmosphere. ??
  5. Spooky Content ?: Serve up Halloween-themed content that's as thrilling as a haunted house tour. Share ghostly tales, how-to guides, and other content that engages your audience's spooky side.
  6. Charitable Initiatives ?: Consider tying your brand to charitable initiatives during Halloween. Show your commitment to the community and create a brand image that's sweeter than a sack of candy! ??

Halloween is a howling good time with a history as intriguing as a ghost hunt in a creepy mansion. The symbolism of differently colored pumpkins adds a delightful twist, offering endless possibilities for marketers. By adopting a bewitching branding strategy, your brand can cast a spell on audiences and become part of this ghoulishly grand celebration. ??

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It’s Launch Time!

It's Launch Time!

Creative Pandas launches to the world wide web.

October 11, 2023 | Blog

Do you remember that scene in The Princess Diaries when Queen Clarisse was scolding Mia for the Baker Beach Bash scandal? She said, "a picture is worth a thousand words, and you have two!"

Well, that's how we feel about your brand. â­

It all starts with your logo; when someone looks at your logo, it should embody everything you stand for as a person and as a company. If your brand voice and language is fun then your logo shouldn't be serious, right? ?

Then your website, SEO, content and social media will depend on your brand tone, voice, and language also.

What we're trying to say is: everything we do at Creative Pandas is connected to each other in order to create the story of your brand. How you want your customers to see you, what you want them to do in your website, what you want them to see when they visit your Instagram, Facebook, X (aka Twitter), or TikTok and what you want them to discover when they search for something on Google that's related to what you do.

To us, your brand is our brand. We'll take care of it like its ours. It's personalized to your liking and comfortability because we do tons of research (aka chit-chats ?) with you in order for us to have a feel of who you are as a person and what you want your brand to convey to your customers. We'll answer any questions you have and be there with you every step of the way. All this happens before we dive in to creating your logo, website, SEO, content and social media.

We just launched Creative Pandas today and we're excited to meet you and go on this epic journey to tell your stories to the world wide web.

 

Sincerely,

The Pandas ?