End of the Line for 2009

Another year has passed and on behalf of all of us at InfoVine, we thank you for your business and Happy New Year. Just wait to see what we've got planned for 2010!

From Santa

We got a great present from Santa...but we can't tell you about it just yet....

Santa Claws

The InfoVine folk are passionate about their causes. One of our favorite charities is Frisky Paws. It's a great group that helps dogs and cats transition from the BARC facility to new homes. This weekend, InfoVine employees Frank, Judy and Steve helped raise money by taking pictures with "Santa Claws" at a local PetSmart. A good time time was had by all and most importantly, money was raised.

InfoVine Holiday Party a Great Success

We gathered again to share a meal and play our infamous version of white-elephant game. We take it very, very serious around here. Some of the gifts...were just a bit different....

I Think Our Christmas Present Just Got Here

A big truck showed up today with a really big box on it. I wonder if it's our Christmas present?

Big Order

Here's a shot taken a few minutes ago. One of my best customers needed some custom 9" x 12" window envelopes printed quickly. Ricky and Jerry pulled out all stops (and some of their hair) to get it done. Thanks guys!

Happy Birthday Dena!

Our Dena Joy celebrated her birthday last week while she was on vacation. We never forget to clelebrate one of our own - especially if it involves food. The top photo shows a "Molly Cake," which looks like her dog. Happy Birthday Dena and thanks for all that you do for our customers and for us. Let's Eat!

It's just a business card, right?

The business card as we know it has been around for so long, we sometimes take it for granted. It's small, portable, has a lot of information...and represents your brand. I admit, I'm a collector of business cards. I'll flip through my collection looking for someone, and I tend to notice that certain cards stand out more than others. Here are some things you might want to consider:

1) Size: ever thought about doing a size slightly smaller? Standard size is 2" x 3.5", but I've seen slightly smaller sizes such as 1 5/8" x 3". I've even seen one from a green-friendly company that was 2 1/4 x 2" (yes that's right). It says right on it "This card uses 35% less paper than the average business card."

2) Paper: You are proud of your business, show it. Why not use a heavier paper, maybe a 111# glossy cardstock. It'll sure last longer and it gives a good impression.

3) Orientation: maybe try a portrait (vertical) orientation rather than the traditional landscape one.

4) The back: I'm a big fan on white backs when I have something to write on them (where DID I meet this person, who do they know, etc.) However you could also argue that a white background is 50% wasted real estate...so the choice is yours. If you've got something compelling to say on the back, go for it.

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. With the Christmas rush here, the dedicated InfoVine folks are here on Black Friday with the presses running full steam. Thanks guys and gals for working today, you are the best in the business.

Targeted marketing versus....

It's a tendency to think if I print 5,000 direct mail pieces, 10,000 will get me twice the sales. That's not necessarily true. We find it's better to use targeted marketing and narrow your audience. Through cleaning up your mailing list to acquiring the right new prospects, you can actually print fewer pieces and get better results versus "spray and pray" innudation.

Postal Holiday

Today is Veteran's Day, when we salute our heroes for service to their country. It's also a US Post Office Holiday, and it sometimes catches people off guard. Obviously Thanksgiving and Christmas will be mail-free as well (with some exceptions). Get ready for 2010 by knowing these postal holidays:

• New Year’s Day – Friday, January 1st
• Martin Luther King Day – Monday, January 18th
• President’s Day – Monday, February 15th
• Memorial Day – Monday, May 31st
• Independence Day – Monday, July 5th (Since the 4th is a Sunday)
• Labor Day – Monday, September 6th
• Columbus Day – Monday, October 11th
• Veterans Day – Thursday, November 11th
• Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 25th
• Christmas Day – Friday, December 24th

The Holidays Are Approaching...

Here in Houston, TX it is 76 degrees and sunny and the holidays seem far away. Looking at the calendar gives a different story. A little bit of planning goes a long way in ensuring that your direct mail and customer communications not only mail on-time, but stand out from the barrage of mail we all get during the holidays. Several of our customers are ahead of the pack in preparing holiday mailings, so let us help you spread good cheer - in a timely and effective manner!

Happy Birthday Frank!

Our great boss celebrates a birthday today. The team got together and threw him a party at lunch. We had some great Mexican food followed by cake, of course. Thanks for everything you do for us Frank, and Happy Birthday!

Stretch for a Good Cause

We partnered with the good (and flexible) folks at Washington Pilates to produce a new calendar. Titled "Passions and Pilates 2010", a portion of each sale will go to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Each page features a striking photo of staff members, and each calendar page is prepopulated with holidays and other helpful information. This year, give a gift that helps others! Calendars are $20 each and are available at Washington Pilates, 2203 Washington Avenue, east of Sawyer Ave. (281) 352-5791.

Our Home

We've been in the Heights for about five years now, on 23rd Street, west of Shepherd. Just like the rest of the neighborhood, it's seen a lot of change over the years, but still has a unique feel to it. We share our building with the good folks at Pennebaker. They have the top floor and we have most of the bottom, about 100,000 square feet.

From Whence We Came

The name InfoVine marries two thoughts. One obviously is "information" and the second (vine) is how we connect not only to our customers, but how we help them connect. I didn't know that vine is also the name of the street where our first office was located. It's a huge old warehouse north of downtown Houston. It's now home to FotoFest and next to the new UH Downtown building. The new metro light rail North Line will run past it.

All About Us

Welcome to the InfoVine blog! Our company helps organizations grow by providing communication services, techniques and tools. We do traditional and digital printing, with expertise in variable data and mail services (yes, "we speak postal...fluently!")

Thanks for visiting and stop by from time to time and see what we do!

Thanks, Steve.