Facebook now gave us an 850px X 315px Cover (or header) that sits at the top of our Facebook profile pages! (hint hint – I can design this for you!) The new Facebook cover is a HUGE amount of space to promote you, your business and your services – it’s SO exciting!

This is an example of what the Facebook timeline looks like:
(Click to zoom)

You’ll notice on my Facebook cover banner, I added my website URL, free eBook incentive for people that come to my website, social networking icons, photo, tagline, logo, etc. This is an incredible space to use for showcasing your products and services.

Here are examples of recent Facebook cover designs I have completed for clients: (Click to zoom)

To compare, check out the previous banner space and design work I achieved with the old layout, in this post titled, “Custom Facebook Fan Page Profile Pictures” These profile images are used on fan pages still.

Get YOUR Facebook Cover Banner Header Designed:

I can design you a beautiful, functional and converting cover banner to ensure you are making the very most out of the new Facebook timeline experience.

If you are confident you’d like to start now, please click the button below to submit your order for only $97.

click to order

(ps) IF you’re a previous client who ordered the previous sized Facebook banner, all ya need to do is contact me saying you want to convert your old banner to the updated size, and you get a special price (almost half off!).

As soon as your order is placed I will contact you right away with instructions of what I would need to start your cover banner design. I will show you a comp draft and we can make edits until you have the design you are proud of.

Make it a great day!

“I just started reading your ebook – Online Evolutions – and I wanted to let you know that it is truly inspirational! You talk about many of the same principles that I applied to my sales regime and daily routine early in my career. I must say that I needed a “refresher course”. Keep writing and offering up principles to live by!”  — Joyce K

“Thanks Amber! I got the hard copy of the (Online Evolutions) book in the mail yesterday. Thanks for your note. You are so great! I am excited! Thanks again! You rock!!!! “  — Sarah

I’ve been asked throughout this year, “When’s the next volume coming??” Thank you all for your patience as I could get this formatted and prepped for you. Today I can announce, “IT’S HERE!”

I had a ton of fun putting together Online Evolutions, Volume 2. I got so inspired I even started Volume 3 already!

So What is Online Evolutions 2 Anyway?

If You – Or Someone You Know – Wants to…

• How to create an eBook or product that sells or can go viral
• 21 tips to improve online efforts for better results
• Learn about eCommerce and selling products online, effectively
• Get over anxiety of not knowing what to do next or how to do it
• Learn key design and social media strategies every website owner should know

…Then Online Evolutions 2 has become one of the most important purchases you can make today.

Online Evolutions 2 is a 67-page collection of my top training articles and includes an impressive lineup of do-it-myself strategies that can give you the progress you’re wanting to boost your online status!

What if I need more convincing?

Online Evolutions, Volume 2 is really only for those of you who already know my work, the value I provide and don’t need convincing. However, you can download Online Evolutions 1 for FREE in the right sidebar to get a taste of the value. Then I am confident you will come back to look at Volume 2 as it holds 67 PAGES of more, more, more value.

Oh ya, almost forgot, I have a SPECIAL surprise for you…

I don’t know what got into me as I was finalizing this eBook, haha, but I got a wild itch to throw in a special surprise to those of you who have purchased the downloadable eBook OR the hard copy version. The catch is, you have to READ the book in order to get the surprise! Somewhere in one of the 67 pages I have a section blocked off a small section that has a link. This link will lead you to a special surprise that will absolutely make an impact on the way you look at your website and the way it performs for you. That’s all I can say!

So, what are the options to get  your hands on Online Evolutions 2?

Option 1.  You can get the Instant-Download eBook version for only $29.97

Option 2. You can get a printed, signed, hard copy version for $39.97 and get the eBook free while you wait a couple days for me to ship the book to you.

Once you get your copy, please let me know your thoughts. All I want to do is provide value to you and make your life easier. I know we are in an Information Age where you are bombarded with hundreds of “To-dos” and “Must-dos”. My goal is to tell you what is actually important and how to execute easily and without spending gobs of money. We must all pool together and help support each other toward success. From me to you – enjoy what I have prepared for you! 

Simon Leung had used the little image boxes at the top of his Facebook Profile Page to spell out the URL to his website, added branding, and now has a big “Facebook Marketing Banner” that shows a constant call to action! Bravo.

Then today, I saw another one:

Ah ha… I started to catch on. Maybe this isn’t brand spankin’ new, but it’s new enough that I’m just now catching on and I try to always stay current.

With a quick Google Search I see there are lots of free Banner-Builder sites out there you can use to achieve this Facebook Marketing Banner idea. It’s great! Most though have pre-made banners with a catchy (or not) phrase or template design. boo.

So where to go for a custom-designed Facebook Banner (like Simon’s)?

With a little direction on design, I can create the marketing banner for you that will be an extension of your brand, have a solid call to action, and compliment your Custom-Designed Facebook Profile Image to the left. The small design fee is only $40 and we can have the images ready for you within 1-2 business days. To get started, click the button below:

When you get the idea to write one of these short books (usually 6-12 pages in length), puuullllease consider all that “stuff” beyond writing the words. In my opinion, to write a solid eBook you’ll want to:

1. Create an outline so you stay on topic. Think of it like a mini-book. There should be a beginning (intro), middle (meat of your content), and end (closing with call to action).
2. Edit your eBook. You want to comb through your pages a few times to make sure you don’t have typos. Remember this is a *reflection* of how you want to come across to these readers as a first impression.
3. Format your eBook. Create headings and subheadings, add images, create good spacing between lines and paragraphs, indent your content. This is all the initial foundation of designing your eBook.
4. Design your eBook, or get it designed by a professional. It is important to add life to your eBook. If your eBook goes viral, think of all that exposure you can get – it’s better than a billboard! But it’s amazing how many people just type words on a Word doc and say “it’s ready, come buy it or signup for it!” It is worth the time and resources to invest in a beautiful eBook that shows your dedication and quality of work.

There are many “types” of designs for eBooks. You have a standard design like you see to the right. This is common and effective.

I personally like to add more to it than that! See below for a few pages from an eBook I recently designed and formatted for a wonderful author named Angela Alexander. She has an AMAZING story and message to share with the world. Angela’s message is centered around how she turned her pain into power, and grief into peace after a horrific car accident that forever changed her family.

Many people have asked me, “Angela how were you able to turn your pain into power and grief into peace?” In my book, “Miracles Action” I go into great detail about my personal journey with a strong focus on how I got through to the other side.

For this powerful book I wanted to share five pivotal points in uncovering your peace, all based on my book. I also reveal my thought-provoking reflections, decisions and actions. My purpose and intentions are to help you also turn your pain into power and grief into peace.

  

  

 
I think if you spend the time and resources to build it the right way, they will come (yes, quoting Field of Dreams – LOVE that movie!!). After Angela was sent this eBook after formatting and design she said,

“AMBER! Tears are flowing! This is soooo beautiful. I just have to absorb it. Thank you so very much. I’m so proud to be associated with you and this project. You’re right this e-book is much bigger than FFYD and should be for sale. Love, Angela” – www.MiraclesInAction.com

Anytime you can evoke that reaction from a client, you know you’re on the right track and it feels soooo good. Angela is a true angel and someone you should look into.

This is what I mean about spending the extra time to do things the right way. When people see that design they will really FEEL her message. If you have a cheesy design (or no design at all) you won’t be transferring the message in a way that people will feel they want to share with others.

Today I encourage you to take a look at your marketing materials, website, eBooks, business cards even and ask yourself, “Is this the feeling I want to people to feel when they see ‘me’ for the first time?”

Your Facebook Welcome Image can have design graphics, images, text links, opt-in boxes and even Live Chat icons, video and more! You must get on Facebook if you haven’t already. If you are on Facebook, are you doing the right things to maximize your results? Do you have a Custom Facebook Profile Image, a Welcome Image, are you posting frequently and starting conversations?

Facebook is a great way to get free exposure and leads back to your website. But also, make sure you’ve creatively executed ways to pull people in without having them leave to another site. Again, one great way to do that is with these Welcome Images that are custom-designed to match the look and feel of your website or brand. See below for a couple of examples:

Want a Facebook Welcome Image custom-designed for you or your business? Contact me and let’s talk about your project!

As soon as your order is placed I will contact you right away with instructions of what I would need to start your cover banner design. I will show you a comp draft and we can make edits until you have the design you are proud of.

The photo you choose to represent you in your website design is so important. When a visitor comes to your website for the first time, you have all of 3-5 seconds to make a first impression. That impression will either result in them staying on your site to learn more about you, or they will hit the back button, thereby increasing your bounce rate.

So what does your headshot say about you? If your photo is outdated, please change it! I think it’s important to show a photo of you within the last 1-3 years, versus 5+ years ago. You can even go to Target if funds are tight – or most digital cameras are very high quality these days. Note too your website designer can tweak your photo to add a background or border or fade that can really make your photo pop.

I personally suggest you mark your calendars once every 3-6 months and spend an hour to seriously evaluate your website. What is outdated, what needs work, what’s missing? I’d also suggest you survey a dozen people and ask them “what turns you on or off about my website?”. A website is not something you spend $2000 on once and say “it’s good enough”. At least not if you want real results from it.

Below you will see some examples of custom-designed website headers and a quick explanation of what the website is for – then you can see why that photo was chosen for the header.

Note: Click on the header to see a larger version.

Hilde Vercaigne – An inspirational website/blog about how you can create the life you want even if you’re coming from a very difficult and dark past. She draws people in with her depth and people can identify with that lostness. Then she lifts them up in her writing – a powerful blend.

Stephen Hyde – A health care consultant who offers high-end consulting services. Very professional and modern. Crisp and trustworthy/inviting.

Debbi Donner – A professional and personal life coach who is also an author and speaker. Her photo is very classy, inviting, personable, trustworthy and she really exudes the life people want for her industry.

Paul Hendricks – A best-selling author and speaker with an edge that draws people straight to him. In Paul’s header he was able to show his confident, professional speaker side, but also shows off his edge and creativity.

Sandra Coulson – The grandmother of Orofacial Myology. Sandra is a very loving, intelligent, author/speaker and giver. She has worked with over 25,000 patients across the globe to diagnose and treat tongue and lip posturing.

These are just a few examples of headshot images that really support the website design. Adding an image to your header can really draw a visitor in, it can build trust and it can help sell your services (IF you have the right photo). If you need help with website design or would like a second opinion no evaluating your current website design, contact me and let’s discuss.

We helped to redesign the website, yes, but also converted their entire website into the popular WordPress software. WordPress truly makes website maintenance doable for the hard-working business owners out there. You don’t have to pay your developers to make tiny changes (and wait two weeks for it to get done).

HereNextYear is all about WordPress because of the CONTROL it gives our clients. We setup the website and integrate the design. We prep the site and launch after client approval. Then the fun begins. At this point I train the clients on anything they want to know about how to manage their website. One year of full training and support is included in our package deals. Whether it be teaching a client how to add a YouTube video to their site, add a Facebook profile badge or manage their blog – it’s all included.

Check out Custom Pak’s design – would love to hear your thoughts!

Top Links On Their Website:

• View Products »

• Product Data Information »
• Learn About Custom Packaging »
• Read Their Blog »
• Contact Custom Pak »

Interested in getting a website or blog of your own? Or maybe you’re just looking to get a website redesign?

Contact Me and let’s have a no-obligation discussion to see what we could do for you.

Having a web design that sends the wrong message to your audience can have an impact on your bounce rate (the rate at which someone clicks on your site and immediately clicks the back button within 5 seconds). Having an ineffective design will cost you money! It’s the money you could be making if people signed up for your list, stayed to look through your resources or hired you for your services. A website design that lacks proper Internet Marketing planning and strategy is something we see often, unfortunately, but something you can change luckily.

When we sit down with a new client we will review their existing design and discuss the holes which lead to visitors exiting the site without taking action. When sitting down with a new client who wants to start a website, we teach them the proven strategies for web design that will get them a higher conversion rate and better long-term results.

Below I have listed a few key things to consider when approaching design:

• Make sure you ask your designer for your “final files” which will most likely include a Photoshop file with layers, any fonts the designer used, and a copy of the iStock photos they used. If you need to make a change later or hire a new designer (or that designer just isn’t around in the future) you want to have all copies of your design. It’s also wise to ask your designer if they will provide these files to you before even starting design work – if they say no, run!

• Do you have a logo that describes your business or has a visual meaning? (We can help with logo design too!)
• Your tagline is important. It should be less than 7 words and should totally describe your business and intention. Having a confusing tagline can be a turn off to new visitors and they may exit your site unless something else grabs their attention
• Once your design is built into your website, check to make sure your web programmer checked the site in all browsers for inconsistencies (FireFox, Internet Explorer 7 & 8, Safari, Google Chrome). When a programmer codes the design into the website frame they need to have a knowledge of how these different browsers read code – they all read HTML and PHP code slightly different. So while your design could look great in FireFox it could look totally screwed up in Safari. Be sure to check this.
• Do you make it easy for visitors to find a way to contact you? I mean, in your face easy. If not, change this immediately!
• Check to see how you website design looks on a smart phone (Droid, iPhone, Blackberry). It is worth the cost and time to get your phone optimized for mobile web. WordPress makes this easy with the help of a plugin. Contact me to know what it’s called.
• There are clients out there who insist the size of their website font is 15pt or 16pt. This is huge and can be annoying to your visitors. We recommend size 11-14 max depending on the font used.
• Be sure to only use “web ready” fonts on your site. Click here to see a list of web ready fonts.
• It’s not recommended to use more than 3 colors, fonts or styles within your website design. We want design to be modern, professional yet soothing to your visitors. If your colors or design jump out at them, they will leave. Even check out how simple Facebook is – there’s a reason for that.
• Never, ever use reverse text (white text on a dark background). Your visitors will be able to read your content for the first minute maybe, but then their eyes will start to feel strain and they will leave your site no matter how great your content is.
• How are you using the Upper Right Quadrant (URQ) of your header? This is the most looked at spot on your site for new visitors (just as your About page is the most clicked page in your site). This is a great place to add a phone number, testimonial, search bar, book cover – what you really want visitors to see.
• Does your opt-in newsletter signup box (for email subscribers) stand out, or get lost in the design?

That is a great list to get you and your designer started. These are just some of the things we consider when creating a website design for our clients. See below for a few website design examples we’ve created, then scroll to the bottom to see the process we take our clients through when starting a website design.

Click on the image to see Full Size

Website Design Process:

• First, you will be sent a Pre-Flight document which is a sort of website evaluation. This will guide us through the exact design and layout of your site, based on your wants and needs.

• Once we get the filled out pre-flight back, Marty and I will arrange a one hour call to review the pre-flight with you and ensure we are all on the same page for the creation of your site.
• I will submit a hand drawn sketch to you within a day or two that will be the rough layout of your site.
• Once you approve that layout, I send your pre-flight, logo (or we can create this for you), and the sketch to our design team.
• Over the course of a week, you will receive 3 completely different designs.
• You can pick one of the 3 designs, or combine all three, to create your final design. We will work on making changes to the design to make it one you’re happy with and one that will convert.
• Once the final design is approved, we begin to add that to the framework of your site.

If you have questions or would like to get a quote, Contact Me Today!

I want to show you a few examples of what you *could* do with your Facebook Fan Page profile picture. I’d say less than 1/4 of the pages have really utilized the 200px X 600px space they’ve been given. Most have a small logo or medium sized headshot. If this Fan Page is showcasing your business, why not tell people more?

See below for a few examples I’ve personally designed showcasing effective ways the profile picture space was used:

CLICK to zoom

[Show as slideshow]

You’ll definitely see a wide variety of Facebook Fan Page profile images above and that’s not a bad thing. Your profile image should reflect you (and what you do!).

What are a few things you could consider adding to your profile picture?

• Your logo
• Your photo
• Tagline
• URLs to websites or other social profile pages
• Let your visitors know how you want them to take action, ie. “Sign up for…”, “Don’t forget to…”
• A short testimonial that says it all
• A bullet list of services you provide
• Contact information!!
• A catchy headline that explains why you are different and great
• Images of books you’ve published
• A list of titles you hold
• Etc.

Keep in mind too, that when you create your profile picture for Facebook, it should absolutely reflect the quality of your business.

If you are unsure of how to design your own Facebook Fan Page profile picture and want some help, here’s what I can do…

You would submit payment below for a mere $30 – think of ALL the exposure this page is going to get you … kinda worth it, right? I will reply right away and we will discuss what elements you think would be best for your Facebook Fan Page. I will create a rough draft comp within 1-2 business days.

We will create a design that is modern, classy and not too flashy. We don’t want something that will be in your visitors face, yet it will be memorable and designed well-enough to provoke action.

I will coordinate with you to get any images or wording you’d like, then I’ll design my recommendation for your profile picture right away. We want the colors and style to usually match your website. We’ll work out any final edits and then it’s yours to add to your Facebook profile page.

Let’s get started today!

– 1st Order Before & After –

I’ve actually researched a bit, where you can go to get free but SAFE fonts. I found a website that I now use exclusively, www.UrbanFonts.com. You can search fonts by category and view the styles without having to go through a ton of hoops. I’ve probably download a few dozen fonts from their site without problem 1.

Check out the Products section of this website. See that eBook,
“57 Tips to a Better Blog“? Now, look toward the bottom of the book and check out that script:

Believe it or not, that’s just a font – not something I designed. See how you can set your designs apart from the crowd with simply finding a cool font?

So how do you download the fonts so you can use them in your design?

Using UrbanFonts.com, once you find the font you want to download (see this example for a visual):

On the right side of the font box, you’ll see a WIN | MAC . When I click on WIN, since I have a PC, A .zip file opens as a pop-up. Inside that .zip folder is the font file. You want to “open” the .zip file and you may find more than one file. Sometimes you’ll find a README.txt file, sometimes you’ll find multiple versions of the font (ya know how Ariel has Ariel Narrow, Ariel Wide, etc.? Same thing).

Next, you’ll select everything in the .zip file (PC users: Ctrl+A to select all), copy the contents (PC users: Ctrl+C to copy), then paste the files onto your Desktop (PC users: Ctrl+V to paste).

Now that our font files are on our Desktop, the download portion is complete. Now all that’s left is to install the fonts onto our computer’s C drive. Here’s the easy part of installing a font on your PC (Sorry Mac users, I’m a PC gal, you’re on your own for this part)…

This is an example of what you font file should look like on your Desktop:

All you need to do is Right Click your mouse on top of the file. A drop-down of options will appear and you want to select Install. You’ll see a progress bar and vuala! Your font was successfully installed on your C drive and holds a permanent spot. Repeat font install steps if you have multiple files and move on to the next font if you want.

Enjoy downloading your cool fonts – feel free to share links to ones you find and love!