ECO & BUDGET-FRIENDLY CLIENT HOLIDAY GIFTS

It's hard to believe it's that time of year again; it's time to start planing our holiday promotions and to start thinking about how we'll show our clients that we appreciate them.

This year, why not make your client promotions work for you? In other words, how about not just sending a store-bought box of chocolates and calling it good... What about sending that box of chocolates with your logo printed on the box cover and with a handwritten note on your company's stationery?

Below is a list of holiday promo ideas I've come up with that are sure to show your clients that you care, plus, they're all eco-friendly and they won't break your bank!


Bottle of Wine:
This is what I give my clients each year. Through PersonalWine.com, I can create my own custom-designed wine label. This reminds my clients of my abilities as a graphic designer while adding a personal touch. More importantly though, the bottle is 100% recyclable, as I indicate on my wine labels.

Host a Holiday Open House:
What's better than getting the chance to wish your customers happy holidays in person? It's very personal, plus, it shows effort. Set up your office space for a few appetizers and drinks and unlock your doors. This allows you to keep your costs low while inviting your clients in out of the cold. The only waste is those paper plates and cups that are left to be recycled.

Make Your Own Fruit Baskets:
Add a personal touch to your fruit baskets! Purchase used decorative baskets at garage sales or on Ebay then go to your local market for some organic, local produce. Fill the baskets and add a personalized note. You're supporting your local agriculture, reusing someone's unwanted baskets and giving a gift that's more personal.

Coffee and a Chat:
This could take a while depending on how large your client list is, but what if you called up each customer and offered to buy them a cup of coffee? With no agenda in mind, you could sit down with your client and truly get to know them. Everyone knows time is valuable, so the gesture will be highly appreciated, along with the free drink. Remember to recycle your cups, and at roughly $3.50 per drink, this one's a bargain!

Coordinate a Discount:
Join forces with another business in your area that could be beneficial to your client base. Instead of spending the money on actual gifts, work out some sort of cross-promotion. For example, a copywriter may be a useful service to my clients. If I were to work out a deal with said writer for a free consultation for each client (and their clients for me, likewise), they would actually be receiving something their business might truly benefit from. Plus, other than paying to print a voucher on recycled paper, you have a cost-free gift that could result in several new clients for each business.

When wallets get a little tight, and when trying to keep an environmentally friendly approach in mind, all it means is that we need to be a little more creative. Furthermore, I think it truly is the thought that counts.

Co-Op America: For Green Businesses

I recently was approved by Co-Op America (...just haven't gotten around to putting that seal on my site yet...) and it's something I'm really proud of. By having this seal and by being listed in the Co-Op America National Green Pages, it shows that I'm a business dedicated to using green practices for a greener planet.

Dani Nordin of The Zen Kitchen in Boston inspired me to apply for my seal of approval. Here's some information for how to do ths for your business (taken directly from the Co-Op America website:

Screening Green Businesses

To become a member of Co-op America’s Green Business Network™, businesses submit an application, or are pre-qualified by Co-op America's Screening Team.

The Screening Team, which is appointed by and reports to Co-op America's board of directors, investigates each applying company to determine: 1) its familiarity with and commitment to social and environmental responsibility, and 2) significant action in terms of this commitment. Our research team also seeks independent data to verify company information.

Specifically, to be qualified to be listed in the National Green Pages™, companies must demonstrate that they:

•Focus on using business as a tool for positive social change.

•Are "values-driven," as well as profit-driven.

•Are socially and environmentally responsible in the way they source, manufacture, and market their products and run their offices and factories.

•Are committed to and employ extraordinary and innovative practices that benefit:
1) workers, 2) communities, 3) customers, and 4) the environment.

Click here to start your Co-Op American Membership Application: Become a Member

Resources for Green Graphic Designers

In working to keep my business as eco-friendly as I can, I like to pick up a few resources here and there to help generate some ideas, keep me informed and to offer inspiration. As of late, I've come across two new books that I thought I should point out.

The first is one I just ordered (used, of course) and is available on Amazon.com. I haven't gotten the chance to crack it open and really truly read through it yet, but I was very impressed with the full-page design examples they included along with the wonderful reviews it received. If you're interested in green graphic design at all, be sure to check out The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Design by Poppy Evans.

The second book, which I just found online today, isn't really geared towards graphic design itself. It's more for those who are interested in running their own design shop or business. I haven't ordered this one yet, but it's definitely on my wishlist. Has anyone read Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage by Daniel C. Esty and Andrew S. Winston? Can you offer a little feedback?

Old Promo Items?

I have a few tote bags left from the PWN trade show I exhibited at in April (see previous posting on Eco-Friendly Tradehow Promotional Piece). While they were a huge success, I'm left with a few bags that I hate to leave sitting on my desk shelf.

I was trying to think of a way to still put those printing dollars to use. Here are some ideas I came up with:

1. Donate left-over promotional items to The Special E, a charity that makes use of extra business promo stuff and passes them around to people in need.

2. Conduct A Raffle: I could always try to gain a few more email addresses for my email list by posting a photo of the tote online and and asking for new people to sign up for my e-newsletter. The winner gets a free tote. But then there's shipping and postage involved. Do I really want to pay for something I'm trying to give away?

3. Save Them For Next Year: These totes went over really well. But that's part of the problem; are they too memorable? Not that I think I have the world's greatest trade show giveaway by any means, but keep in mind, they're bright orange. I'm also the exact opposite of a pack-rat and hate having clutter around. Saving them for a different trade show opportunity that I may or may not work could keep these things around for quite a while yet.

Finally, I could just keep thinking about it. I've tried to research blogs and articles about recycling these things or how to keep them working for you without putting money into it. Do you have any ideas?

Green Hosting Options

I have been researching for a while about transferring my hosting service to a greener, more sustainable provider. There are many hosting companies out there that offer their hosting in a variety of "green" fashions. Some run solely on wind or solar energy (this is the route I'd like to go). Others simply payback their carbon emissions by using Carbon Offsets or Carbon Emission Credits. While this is a step in the right direction, certainly, I'm all about finding a hosting provider that doesn't create pollution in the first place.

In exploring my options, I thought I'd share my findings with you, should you or someone you know be interested in switching to a green hosting company. I started by looking at Co-Op America's National Green Pages. There's a long list of web hosting providers listed there; a great place to start.

There's also a great hosting green hosting company in Minneapolis called Sunday's Energy. If you're local, they may be a good fit.

Finally, the Minnesota Green Pages is a great resource when looking for anything eco-friendly in the area. I looked for an independent hosting company a while back and didn't see much, but it's updated regularly, I think.

Eco-Friendly Tradeshow Promotional Piece

The PWN organization that I belong to is hosting their annual conference on April 17th in River Falls, WI. The conference doesn't just include a keynote speaker, but a chance for local area businesses to exhibit at a small tradeshow.

This year, I wanted to hand out a promotional business piece that would really catch attention. I feel that my business is helping clients to have better self-promotion - I should follow my own advice! I decided that since I've taken my business to a greener level, I needed to find something that wasn't likely to end up in the trash, something that was eco-friendly and something that was likely to be used. After much price hunting, I decided I'd hand out cloth bags (for groceries and such) with a fun decal screen printed on it. And wonderfully, I was able to find a local area business owner to support by sending my project to be printed there.

I'm very excited about this piece and just received a print proof of it yesterday. I went with the orange bag to keep in line with my company branding and wanted to create an attractive decal; one that wasn't just attractive and that people didn't mind carrying around, but a decal that actually spoke for my business. Anyhow, my eco-friendly tradeshow promo piece is below.

Lights Out: March 29th at 8pm!

I receive daily emails from IdealBite.com. Below is today's email - read and participate in tomorrow's Earth Hour.

Is 7 minutes in the dark long enough?

The Bite
Only if you're an awkward, slobbery teenager. Otherwise, turn the lights off for a full hour tomorrow starting at 8 p.m. your time, and you'll join millions of people around the planet coming together for a cause even greater than a teen's first kiss: global warming.

The Benefits
Immediate impact. Last year's Earth Hour, which happened only in Sydney, Australia, had the effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for an hour. This year's event is global, so savings will be even bigger.
Long-term impact. Earth Hour organizers are also raising awareness by promoting energy-efficient lighting.
Fun in the dark, without being stuck in a closet. (But hey, if you wanna spend 60 minutes shacked up with your linens, it's your call.) Get together with friends, and make a night of it.
Personally Speaking
We're armed and ready for tomorrow night with beeswax candles and make-out partners.

Wanna Try?
Turn 'em off at 8 p.m. your local time, Mar. 29 (that's tomorrow).
Earth Hour - pledge to turn off your lights here, and receive Earth Hour updates and tips.

Green Resources

I've been somewhat green in my life for a while. Within the last year, I've been devouring more and more books and listening to podcasts about how to be a greener individual and to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible. About six months ago, I had an epiphany - if I'm trying so hard to be greener in my personal life, why not carry that over to my work life?

As of recent, I've applied with the Co-Op of America to be a member of their green business organization. In doing so, there's a long questionnaire one must fill out to describe how their business operates in an environmentally fashion. In doing so, I realized that I could never have greened my business (or my life) to the extent that I have without the resources I've tapped into.

The following is a list of books that I've read, websites I've looked over and podcasts I've listened to. Hopefully you can make good use of these resources as well.



Green Talk Radio: podcasts featuring conversations about how to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

GreenLivingIdeas.com: host site of Green Talk Radio.

IdealBite.com: daily tips for living a greener life. Sign up and you'll receive one tip per day in your email box.

TheGreenOffice.com: online office supply store offering office products that are more sustainable.

Co-Op America: organization for individuals and businesses to join. Mission statement: "To harness economic power - the strength of consumers, investors, and businesses - to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society."

GreenGirlGuide.com: haven't read this one too much, but I think the design is cute.

BooksForTheFuture.org: not really a resource for making a lifestyle change, but this is a great cause. If you purchase a book, they plant a tree!

GreenHome.com: next time you need to replace something in your home, make it a more sustainable something.

These are just a few of my favorite resources. I hope this is helpful!