Let’s face it. It’s trendy to “be green.” Companies across the US are trying to sell customers with their green-washing; “we’re eco-friendly,” “good for the earth,” “we’ve gone green,” etc. With all of the slogans, it’s hard to know which services and products are actually dedicated to helping the environment. Consumers are listening to these messages and people are making more of an effort, as a whole, to be environmentally conscious. So you’ve decided to join in. Whether you’re looking to give your company a green-overhaul, or whether you’re just doing your part here and there, here are a few things I am doing which may appeal to these environmentally-conscious consumers.

Jim Hance produces email campaigns. Email campaigns are paperless, and some studies show they can create better results than postal mailers. The email is delivered directly to the recipient’s email in box, it is easy to view, and there’s a level of convenience. If the viewer wants more info, all they need to do is click and they’re at your Website. That’s instant gratification, and consumers love that.

Jim Hance produces “green” postcards and mailers. Some studies show great results from systematically scheduled Direct Mail with highly targeted mailing lists offering products or services used by the recipients. Did you know that if you mail 2,500 postcards, printing those cards on recycled cardstock with soy ink, aqueous-coated on one side can cost you less than $200? Postage and mailing to your mailing list will be about $870 (depending on mailing services used). The stipulation here is that the card be designed by someone like myself—precisely to USPS specifications, and of course designed to appeal to your recipients —or you will spend more than $500 more in postage for not being to code. So the cost of using a graphic designer can actually be less than the increased postage doing it even just “a little bit” wrong.

Jim Hance can put your catalog or coupons online. An e-commerce site can be expensive up-front, but once it is up it can be easy to maintain, and you don’t have to reprint and mail! I am working on an e-commerce site right now using WordPress templates, which means most of the programming is already done by somebody else, saving the client a lot of money. And if you are selling online, why not do email promotions which feature promotional codes for specials — the equivalent of a discount coupon, but without the printing! How green!

Tradeshow Banners Can Also Be Eco-Friendly. If you’ve decided to do a tradeshow, the most typical signage pieces are banners. There are actually printers out there that specialize in printing not only with environmentally-friendly inks, but on special, eco-friendly banner materials as well.

Enjoy the environment at Lakeside’s River Park. I designed a 6’ map exhibit at Lakeside River Park which tells the story of where the San Diego River water comes from, and it is right across the trail from their brand new lookout deck. Learn why the Kumeyaay Indians called the San Diego River “the upside-down river,” where the redtail hawks are nesting near the river’s edge, and what kind of plants and wildlife were native to the area 200 years ago. Lakeside’s River Park trail is a great place to walk, birdwatch, bicycle or ride horseback. The entrance to the trail is off Channel Way and is marked by a James Hubbell sculpture of one of the River Park inhabitants, the Great White Egret. Learn more at their Website, 
http://www.lakesideriverpark.org.