Marketing
A Practical Guide to Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses
Social media is one of the most accessible and effective marketing tools available to small business owners today. It gives
March 26, 2025
Branding
Mastering Audience Personas: A Practical Guide for Small Businesses
Understanding and connecting with your target audience is at the core of every successful business strategy. For small businesses and
February 26, 2025
News
Harness the Power of Brand Archetypes to Shape your Brand
Have you ever wondered why some brands feel instantly relatable while others struggle to make an impression? The secret lies
February 26, 2025
Business
Learn how to Grow your Marketing with Data Driven Decisions
Simplifying Marketing Data Analytics for Everyday Decisions Let’s be honest—when most of us think about data analytics, we think o
October 2, 2024
Branding
Logos & Beyond: Personifying your Brand
Think of Your Brand as a Person We typically recognize other people in three ways: from a face, a style,
October 2, 2024
Marketing
Search Engine Optimization: Don’t Get Left Out of Google Search
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a critical part of digital marketing that focuses on enhancing a website’s visibility on search
July 16, 2024
Marketing
Email Marketing: How To Leverage Your Existing Client Lists
Email marketing has been a central part of digital marketing long before social media held the spotlight. It’s one of
May 31, 2024
Branding
Chat GPT: How we Use Ai as an Intern
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a leader in innovation, particularly in how businesses
May 22, 2024
Branding
Your Brand Archetype: Who Are You?
A Hero is a character, usually coming from a humble beginning, with a unique strength. Their stories usually foreshadow greatness
January 25, 2023
News
3 Ways a Brand Will Work for you
“Branding is too expensive, I have other things I need to prioritize.” “Meh, Branding isn’t really that important, I’ll focus
November 28, 2022
News
Open Your Vault: Unlock Your Funding Options!
As ABBA once said, Money, must be funny in a rich man’s world. Finances can create barriers for you to
November 21, 2022
Branding
Your Brand in Action
Okay so you’ve started the branding process. You have a logo and visual identity, maybe even some brand insights &
November 16, 2022
Branding
Design Basics: ABC Design
Creating beautiful graphics that are on brand every time can be daunting if you’re not a professional designer. What if
August 24, 2022
Professional Development
Save Yourself! Use Keyboard Shortcuts!
I want to tell you about how Keyboard shortcuts saved my life! Okay well maybe that’s a bit of an
August 9, 2022
Branding
Building a Brand: Where do You Come In?
We talk a lot about what Brand means and what you should expect from your branding agency when they build
July 25, 2022
Branding
What Is a Brand Kit And Why Do You Need One?
When it comes to building your Digital Marketing, having a brand is central to having an effective marketing strategy. Okay
July 12, 2022
Business
Making Graceful Mistakes
We’re humans. At this point, we’ve all accepted that we are just that, human. None of us is perfect, so
June 28, 2022
Marketing
Backlinks Back, Alright!
If there’s one thing that Nine10 believes in, it’s making Marketing accessible to everyone. Industry Jargon is a really great
June 14, 2022
Branding
Understanding Your Customer’s Deepest Desires
Marketing is all about targeting your customers by figuring out what they need and how you can give it to
May 31, 2022
Business
Who is Your Audience, Really?
When it comes to marketing, Especially digital marketing, understanding your audience informs the whole process. Your audience will be how
May 17, 2022
Branding
The Iron Chef Kitchen Analogy
Let’s talk about Logos and visual identities. When we create brands for our clients, we deconstruct them, load them into
March 9, 2022
News
Leveraging Instagram for your Business
Leveraging IG for your Biz! Social media is such a powerful tool to market your business. Instagram is organic, fun
March 2, 2022
Branding
A Roadmap to Goal Setting
Another blog talking about reflection during the new year.. Yep, keep reading! There is so much hype around a new
January 5, 2022
Business
Google’s Local Search Changes & What It Means for Your Business
In the ever-changing landscape of search and digital marketing, it is crucial to stay up to date on any significant
December 20, 2021
Marketing
How to Access the Emoji Keyboard on Your Desktop
Do you pre-scheduling your social media posts while working at your desk on your desktop computer or laptop? Most of
December 14, 2021
Business
Push and Pull Marketing Explained
Let’s talk about push and pull marketing within the context of digital marketing. I’m going to use two examples of
December 6, 2021
Business
Insights from the Modern Entrepreneur
2021 was quite a year! What a time for business owners and entrepreneurs as we learned to pivot and navigate
November 19, 2021
Branding
Case Study – Chamber Market
THE ASSIGNMENT Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC) wanted to provide an online space for Local Businesses. Thus the Chamber Market
October 26, 2021
Creativity
10 Weirdly Funny Stock Photos
Stock photography has always been a mixed bag, you might find an amazing image or you might find something really
October 14, 2021
Branding
Case Study: Oliver’s Funeral Home Logo & Brand
Challenges Oliver’s is an Independently owned and operated funeral service company that provides full funeral services from the most elaborate
October 8, 2021
Branding
Case Study: Nitehawk Adventure Park
The Assignment Nitehawk Recreation Area in Grande Prairie approached nine10 with the challenge of re-branding the organization. Nitehawk, which originally started
October 8, 2021
Quick Plays
Quick Play: How to Set Up Styles in Microsoft Word Documents
Hi there, I’m Paula, the Administrative Assistant at nine10. In today’s quick play, I will show you how to set
October 6, 2021
Case Study
Case Study: Prairie Plaza
The Challenge Prairie Plaza is a professional business center that features a variety of retail spaces. They were looking to
September 30, 2021
Branding
Case Study: Brain Solutions
The Challenge Brain Solutions is an occupational therapy clinic that provides rehabilitation services for those who have experienced brain injuries.
September 30, 2021
Branding
Case Study: Ecofor
The Challenge Ecofor is a natural and cultural resource management company with offices throughout western Canada and Nova Scotia. Their
September 30, 2021
Case Study
Case Study: Mont Tea
The Challenge Mont Tea is a bubble tea cafe based in Grande Prairie. They serve a variety of beverages with
September 30, 2021
Case Study
Case Study: Frequency Hearing
The Challenge Frequency Hearing is a new hearing clinic opening in Beaumont, Alberta. When Frequency Hearing approached nine10, they had
September 30, 2021
Branding
Quick Play: Is Line Height the Problem with Your Graphic?
Today’s tip is line-height. Line height is the space between the lines of text on your design. Most programs will
September 24, 2021
Quick Plays
Quick Play: How to Set-up Tabs in a Word Document
Hello everyone, thank you for joining nine10’s Quick Plays! I am Paula, the Office Administrator at nine10. Today I’m going
September 17, 2021
Quick Plays
Quick Plays: How to Rename Multiple Files at One Time
Hi everyone Nicole here with this week’s Quick Play. This week I wanted to talk to you about search engine
September 14, 2021
Quick Plays
Quick Plays: One of the Key Things to Include on Your Website
Hey guys Richard here, with a website tip. Make sure that your website has contact information clearly displayed at the
August 30, 2021
Marketing
7 Reasons Why Your Facebook Ads Account Could Get Locked Out
Digital advertising is a must-have in your business’s marketing strategy. Facebook is an excellent place for business owners to make
August 29, 2021
Design
Quick Plays: Font Confusion & How to Avoid It
In today’s tip, we’re talking about text overload and too many fonts. Using too many different fonts – and by
August 23, 2021
News
Quick Plays: How to Quickly Access Hashtags on Your Phone
Hey, I’m Cris, welcome to Quick Plays! I am one of the marketing coaches here at nine10, and today I’m
August 10, 2021
Business
Do I Need A Website for My Business? And, If So, Why?
Honestly, good question — especially if you’ve never had a reason for a website before. The short answer is yes,
August 9, 2021
Business
4 Easy Steps to Set Up Your LinkedIn Business Page
Are you asking yourself, “Should my business be on LinkedIn?” The short answer? Yes. LinkedIn is a valuable social media
August 6, 2021
Lifestyle
10 Ways to Use Social Media While Practicing Self-Care & Maintaining Mental Health
At nine10, I’m the resident “Instagram expert.” In my own time, I’m a self-proclaimed TikTok fanatic. And yet, for as
July 26, 2021
Marketing
6 Web Design & Branding Words I Didn’t Understand Until I Joined nine10 – From A nine10 Administrator
Working at a marketing agency without a design, writing, web, or marketing background is always intriguing. Since I fill the
July 20, 2021
Marketing
5 Reasons Your Professional Services Firm Needs to Blog
Professional services is an industry that stands to benefit the most from blogging. This article gives you five solid reasons
July 16, 2021
Lifestyle
Why Am I So Excited to Join the nine10 Team?
Do you know those moments in life where someone is explaining to you their vision and plan… and you find
June 9, 2021
Marketing
Top Metrics to Pay Attention to In Your Digital Marketing Ads Report
Reading a digital marketing ads report can feel overwhelming. Many reports include a lot of metrics without a whole lot
March 24, 2021
Branding
Experiencing Font Confusion? Don’t Cry, Learn Why
As a graphic designer, my job is to learn which feelings a client wants to show, and then pick the
March 3, 2021
Branding
8 Things To Prepare for a Kickoff Meeting
I’ve been a graphic designer for over 10 years – and I’ve worked with clients in professional settings for over
February 26, 2021
Logo Design
The Top 7 NHL Logos (Not Teams!) According to a nine10 Designer
Hockey is back. Between that and the release of Seattle’s team name and logo last August, we thought we’d get
January 12, 2021
Web Design
7 Webby Words You Might Hear At A Website Kick-Off Meeting
Designing a website is a big undertaking for all parties. Like all technology in the 21st century, web design is
November 19, 2020
Branding
Designer-y Words You’ll Hear at a Kickoff Meeting for Branding Or Other Design Work
Starting a design project can seem like an overwhelming task at the beginning. There are many factors to consider and
August 20, 2020
Lifestyle
7 Tips for Working From Home
A lot has changed in 2020. One of the biggest changes is that a lot more people are working from
July 22, 2020
Design
How Designers Create Design-y Logos & Websites
Designers get very elitist when it comes to the design craft (I’m sorry peeps, it’s true). Full disclosure, I am
July 13, 2020
Logo Design
Your Logo Is Important, But It Doesn’t Need To Have ALL The Stuff
Alright, so you’ve started a company. Now that you have a GST number, a company name, and all the other
June 29, 2020
Marketing
3 Reasons You Might Not See Your Own Google Ads & Why It’s A Good Thing
For a small business owner, seeing your company show up as an ad on Google is exciting. It’s just like
June 4, 2020
Community
Continuing Our Support of the Local Arts Community
During this challenging time, it’s important communities rally together. Here at nine10, we’re committed to supporting our local arts community
May 28, 2020
Hosting
Don’t Lose Your Domain Name: It Looks Official But It Isn’t
We’ve encountered some companies who will try to take (not win) your domain name business under the guise of a
December 10, 2019
General
Know Thy Audience and Respect Them
If you’ve owned a business for literally any amount of time, you know one of the most important questions you
April 11, 2019
General
Grammar: Write English Good, Okay?
Oh, dear. This is probably giving you bad high school flashbacks, isn’t it? Red pen marks scrawled across your paper.
March 20, 2019
SEO
Simplifying Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of pleasing Google (and other search engines) with website content and features so
May 21, 2018
Opinion
What Do Attackers Gain By Hacking a Small Website?
In a blog post titled “Why Attackers Hack Small Sites“, Pilar Garcia of Sucuri outlines some of the key reasons
May 15, 2018
Business
How to Build an Effective Online Quote Form
One of the most powerful things a website can do is generate new inquiries, and your “Request a Quote” form
May 11, 2017
Design
What We Say: Use a Content-First Approach
The nine10 team was chatting the other day about why we switched to focusing on content first for projects, especially
February 28, 2017
Creativity
Finding Inspiration: DesignThinkers Conference 2016
Like any other profession, a marketing team is composed of a variety of individuals. Each of us is skilled at something
December 2, 2016
Branding
The Difference Between Logos, Visual Identities and Brand Insights
You hear these terms thrown around all the time, yet you aren’t confident how to tell them apart. You’re not
September 29, 2016
General
Copyediting vs. Copywriting
If you’ve ever been in the position of finding content for your website, you may have come across these terms:
August 9, 2016
Branding
Infographic: How to Use Trends to Market Your Business
Integrating trending topics into your business’s social media posts is a great way of increasing traffic. But are you sacrificing
July 28, 2016
General
Ask the Intern: Quality Under Control
My eyes are glazing over. The light from the dual screens in front of me bores a hole through my
July 22, 2016
Marketing
Why Doesn’t My New Website Show Up in Search?
So. You just launched your shiny new website, and went over to Google to find it. You type in some
March 2, 2016
Design
How to Take a Photo for a Website Homepage Banner
Website banners pose a unique challenge when it comes to taking (or finding) photos that will work for them. This
December 13, 2015
Web Design
The Difference Between Maintenance & Bug Fixes
We offer pretty comprehensive support for clients who are hosting their nine10-built websites with us. Included in the support is
November 16, 2015
SEO
Trying to Be First in Google? Don’t Spam Blogs.
If you’re trying to get your website to the top of Google here in Grande Prairie, you need to be
September 10, 2015
Marketing
Five Steps to Measured Marketing
This article was featured in the Fall Edition 2014 of Move Up Magazine During the best of times and the
June 10, 2015
Design
What’s The Deal with Photo Resolution?
Have you ever been asked to provide photography by a Graphic Designer, only to get a response that the photo
June 1, 2015
Web Design
3 Ways to Get the Lowest Price For Your Website
So, you’re building a website. I’m guessing it’s pretty safe to say you want to get the best value possible.
May 21, 2015
Branding
Logo Design: Design it Yourself, Buy it for Five Bucks, or Hire a Professional?
So you need a new logo for your business and you’re not sure where to start. You could design it
April 21, 2015
Design
How to be an Awesome Client and Get the Results You Want
Designers do a lot to make their clients happy, but there are some things that clients can do to make
March 28, 2015
Marketing
Standardization in Digital Marketing
Imagine opening your web browser to catch up on the daily news only to find yourself scrolling forever to find
March 27, 2015
Business
The Simple Genius of PayPal
For the longest time, PayPal was shunned by website owners because of an age old myth that you have to
March 20, 2015
Hosting
5 Reasons an IT Company Should Handle Your Email
It’s common for clients to request email hosting along with their website package. Many web developers and agencies offer email
March 15, 2015
Hosting
Comparing Hosting Prices? Make Sure It’s Apples to Apples!
Hosting is cheap. You can go online and find hosting for a few dollars a month. Of course, most clients
February 13, 2015
Creativity
5 Simple Rules for Choosing Fonts
Using fonts for your business in any print materials (such as newspaper ads, in-store print outs, memos, etc) or for
November 13, 2014
General
15 Tips for Athletes Using Social Media
– The following article was prepared for, and reposted from the AthletesCAN Athlete Handbook – My name is Ryan Blais,
September 3, 2014
Web Design
Website Features: Add It Now or Later?
A really common question we get from clients buying websites is if they should add a feature while building the
August 8, 2014
General
Tips for Applying for a Design Job at nine10
We’re always on the lookout for smart, talented designers who have a passion for their craft. We get a wide
April 15, 2014
Branding
Employee Recruitment: Branding & Marketing Isn’t Just For Sales
When you think of branding or marketing, do your first thoughts go straight to your income statement? If so, it’s
March 3, 2014
General
We’re Moving!
We’re very excited to announce that on September 10, you’ll find us on the 3rd Floor of the Nordic Court Building, located downtown
August 27, 2013
News & Events
We’re Moving…And Re-Inventing Ourselves!
2013 has been a milestone year for nine10 Inc. We’ve more than doubled in size, expanded our staff, moved to
August 25, 2013
General
The Secret Ingredient of the Perfect Marketing System
Google the term “marketing system” and you’ll get over 12 million results that have been updated just in the last
August 23, 2013
General
The Difference Between a Basement Guy and a Freelancer
If you’re going to hire an independent designer to help your business with graphic design, web design or logo work,
August 8, 2013
General
Markup on 3rd Party Costs: When and Why?
A question we often get from clients is how our markup on third-party services works. Mostly, when it’s applied and
July 29, 2013
General
SEO is Dead.
Have we become so selfish in our need to self-promote that search engines care more about our customers than we
July 19, 2013
Branding
What Affects the Price of a Branding?
Developing a brand identity for a company is no small responsibility, even for a small company. Clients often wonder, though,
July 5, 2013
Business
Building a Website? Think Social By Design
This article was originally published in the May 2013 edition of Ask The Experts. We’ve also included a video presentation Ryan gave
June 24, 2013