Running a small business means wearing more hats than you ever imagined. Marketing, though, often feels like the one you’re least prepared for — and the first one people tell you to outsource. But handing off your voice, your story, your connection to customers can be risky when you haven’t fully defined them yet yourself. Taking charge of your ownmarketing doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It means claiming ownership of your brand and your message before inviting others to help amplify it. You don’t need a degree in advertising to build something memorable, but you do need clarity, courage, and a
willingness to experiment. This isn’t about perfection — it’s about getting started with
confidence and learning as you go. Let’s break it down into seven actionable ways you can
take back control of your marketing.

Start with a Strong Brand Identity

Before you send out a single post, email, or ad, pause. Who are you? Not what you sell, but
what you stand for and how you want to make people feel when they see your name.

Establishing your brand identity is the foundation on which everything else rests. A
thoughtful color palette, consistent typography, and clear tone of voice all reinforce that feeling every time a customer interacts with you. The benefits of a strong brand identity go beyond aesthetics — it signals trustworthiness and positions you as serious and professional even on a small budget.

Consider Formal Education to Enhance Your Skills

For some owners, the confidence to run marketing campaigns comes from filling in
knowledge gaps. If you’ve ever felt unsure about the business side of business, formal
training might help. The online business degrees that equip small business owners with tools in marketing, finance, and management can make decision-making easier and more effective. Because these programs are online, they’re flexible enough to fit around your current responsibilities. If you like having a solid foundation to stand on, a degree can add that reassurance and expand your possibilities.

Embrace Local Partnerships and Community Engagement
Marketing often conjures images of online campaigns and hashtags. But some of the most effective strategies start right outside your front door. Working with nearby businesses, sponsoring community events, or simply showing up and talking to people can create a buzz digital ads struggle to match. The power of local partnerships lies in how they make customers feel: connected, seen, and part of something bigger than a transaction. Look for ways to collaborate — maybe a co-hosted workshop with another shop owner or a charity fundraiser. Every handshake and face-to-face conversation adds to your story in ways an algorithm never could.

Leverage Short-Form Video Content
There’s a reason short videos dominate feeds everywhere. They’re bite-sized, intimate, and
easy for viewers to engage with. Small businesses can showcase what makes them special — a quick peek behind the scenes, a customer’s reaction, a quirky moment — in ways that feel authentic, not polished. Short-form videos are a powerful way to spark conversation and build loyalty without spending big. Even thirty seconds of genuine footage can outshine a thousand-word post if it hits the right note. If you’re camera-shy, start simple: show your hands at work, narrate a thought, or just film your product in action. After all, the first step is showing up!
Utilize Email Newsletters for Direct Communication
Social platforms come and go, but email stays yours. When customers opt in, they’re
inviting you into their inbox — don’t waste the chance to connect. Regular newsletters let
you share stories, spotlight products, and remind people you’re still here without shouting.
The way Rare Beauty used Substack to build a more personal and transparent connection
with its audience shows just how intimate email can feel. Write like you’re talking to one
person, not a crowd. A good newsletter doesn’t sell as much as it invites people along for the ride, keeping your business top of mind without overwhelming them.


Invest in Continuous Learning

Marketing moves fast. What worked last year might feel tired today. That’s why it pays to
keep learning, even if you’re not aiming to become an expert. Workshops, webinars, and
just reading up can change how you approach campaigns and save you from rookie
mistakes. Continuous learning equips you to stay ahead of these changes and spot
opportunities others miss. You’ll also know enough to call out bad advice when you see it
— and that alone can save you time and money.


Explore Guerrilla Marketing Tactics
Sometimes you need to surprise people. Not every effective campaign comes with a budget line item — in fact, some of the most memorable don’t. Guerrilla marketing uses creativity to turn heads in unexpected ways. A clever sidewalk chalk message, a pop-up booth at a farmers’ market, even a quirky window display can generate buzz. Think of it as controlled chaos that delights your audience and gets them talking. There’s a lot to be said for cost- effective guerrilla marketing strategies that leave a bigger impression than any sponsored ad ever could.




Implement Data-Driven Marketing Strategies
Finally, track what you’re doing. Don’t just post and pray — measure. Analytics can tell you which emails get opened, which videos earn clicks, and which posts spark conversation.
Armed with that knowledge, you can adjust your efforts and double down on what works.
Businesses that embrace measurement see more efficient and informed campaigns, and it shows. That’s why organizations that use customer analytics consistently outperform
competitors who fly blind. You don’t need fancy software, either — just start paying
attention to patterns and let the data guide your next step.
Marketing isn’t just a box to check. It’s your chance to tell your story the way you want it
heard. By building your identity, leaning into your community, trying new tools, and
staying willing to learn, you take the wheel instead of letting others steer for you. People
want to buy from businesses they can believe in — businesses with a heartbeat. So give
them yours, imperfect and all. When you own your narrative, customers don’t just notice.
They remember. Discover the perfect blend of creativity and functionality with VanHaaren Designs, your go-to for custom website and graphic design.

New book is out titled "Choose Me Light Up My Life," available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Will list the links to the store for purchase of the book. Available by ebook and print format. Watch the promotional trailer. 

It has been a busy 2025 for me and my family. With a full time job and juggling a large house and now with spring around the corner, this will also grab my attention for outside work. I have been creating a few new songs which can be found on YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. I will link my Spotify and YouTube profile. 

I am still selling Tastefully Simple and plan to get back into blogging more with discounting on gas, groceries, I am also reviewing gaming apps that pay out. So stay tuned. I miss writing about what stores have discounts and coupons. I am also doing some collaborations and will be launching a new brand so that will be coming out soon so be on the look out for that. 

Creating a website that not only attracts visitors but also promotes business growth is an art that combines understanding, strategy, and technical prowess. In today's digital age, a website serves as the central hub of your business's online presence. To harness its full potential, you need to strategically plan and execute its design and functionalities with your audience in mind. Here’s how you can make your website a powerful tool for business expansion.

Understand Your Audience
 To make your website effective, start by deeply understanding who your audience is. What are their needs, preferences, and web browsing behaviors? Tailor your website’s content, design, and user experience to meet their specific expectations and solve their unique challenges. By doing so, you not only retain their attention but also foster loyalty, which is crucial for repeated business and referrals. Remember, a successful website speaks the language of its users and meets them where they are.

Develop an Intuitive Interface
An intuitive user interface (UI) is key to a positive user experience. Your website should be easy to navigate, with logical pathways that guide visitors effortlessly to their desired destinations. This includes having a well-organized layout, clear menus, and interactive elements that are responsive and quick to engage. A straightforward UI reduces bounce rates and increases the chances of converting a visitor into a customer by minimizing frustration and improving satisfaction.

Establish a Clear Purpose
Each page of your website should have a clear purpose that aligns with your business goals. Whether it’s to inform, engage, or convert, the purpose should be evident through the content and calls to action you incorporate. This clarity helps visitors understand what you offer and what you want them to do next, be it subscribing to a newsletter, making a purchase, or contacting your team for more information.

Work with Website Expert
Collaborating with Van Haaren Designs ensures that your website not only looks professional but is also optimized for business growth. Their dedicated professionals bring a wealth of experience in design, functionality, and user experience, ensuring your website delivers on every front. From seamless navigation to compelling visuals, they take the time to understand your unique business needs, translating them into a top-notch online presence.

Enhance Your Site for SEO
Elevating your website's SEO is crucial for enhancing its position in search engine rankings, which significantly boosts visibility and attracts more traffic. To effectively connect with potential customers, integrate keywords relevant to your services, using resources like the Google Keyword Planner to discover which terms are most likely to draw in your target audience. These keywords should be skillfully woven into the fabric of your website’s content, as well as its titles and meta descriptions, to maximize your SEO impact.

Optimize for Responsiveness
In a world where mobile devices account for approximately half of the web traffic globally, having a responsive website is crucial. Ensure that your website’s design adjusts smoothly to different screen sizes and resolutions. This not only improves user experience but also affects your SEO rankings, as search engines favor mobile-friendly websites. A responsive design ensures that all visitors, no matter what device they are using, have access to a fully functional, visually appealing site.

Incorporate Visuals Strategically Incorporating
 high-quality images, videos, and graphics into your website not only captivates visitors but also clarifies complex concepts, making the user experience both informative and enjoyable. You must choose visuals that are directly relevant to your content and optimize them for rapid loading to enhance site performance. Strategically placed, these elements can dramatically increase user engagement and extend the time visitors spend on your site. By carefully integrating these visuals, you ensure that your website is not just seen but remembered.
 
In crafting a website that advances business growth, prioritizing both functionality and aesthetics is crucial. Effective web design merges strategic planning with innovative execution, ensuring that each element serves a distinct purpose in engaging visitors and enhancing their experience. By attentively addressing the core aspects of user experience, visual engagement, and technical performance, businesses can develop a digital presence that not only attracts but retains a growing audience.
Transform your vision into reality with custom website and graphic design services from VanHaaren Designs, now featuring affordable photo sessions to capture your special moments. Contact us today for personalized service and 24/7 support.

I finally have my new book "Never Forget You", published on Amazon. Below is the book for purchase. I will be working on some other new projects, a mini series is coming soon to follow up this short story. 

It has been a long time since I have written any posts or updates. With moving back to Michigan and starting a new job with different hours and just getting a busier schedule, I have not had the time to dedicate within the past year to post any writing on my website. 

I now have a more balanced schedule and will start getting back into writing. First major update, I have written a new short story which will be published soon on Amazon Kindle. The name of the book is called "Never Forgot You." Once the title is live on the store, I will publish the link here. 

I am also going to start getting into selling Tastefully Simple. I do love the products and purchase them, however just the schedule would not allow for me to have the extra time. Once I get everything renewed, I will repost my new link to purchase products. I will also post a calendar to schedule in home or virtual tasting parties later in September. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and I will post more information soon. I miss writing about saving money on everything!!

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Video marketing is an effective way to reach potential customers and build brand awareness. It can be used to showcase products, provide tutorials, and create a connection with customers. For small businesses, video marketing can be a great way to get started without breaking the bank. Here’s what you need to know about video marketing.

Defining Your Target Market to Tailor Videos
​The first step in video marketing is defining your target market. This will help you tailor your videos to the right audience and ensure that they are seen by the people who are most likely to be interested in your products or services. Knowing who you are targeting will also help you create content that resonates with them and encourages them to take action.

Planning a Budget
Creating videos can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Before getting started, plan out a budget for how much you are willing to spend on video production and promotion. This will help keep costs under control while still allowing you to create quality videos that engage viewers and drive conversions.

Types of Video MarketingThere are many different types of video marketing including product demos, webinars, explainer videos, customer testimonials, and more. Choose the type of video that best fits your needs and goals. Consider how you want to engage viewers and what type of content will be most effective for reaching your target market.
 
Trust VanHaaren Designs for expert web and graphic design services.
 
A Project Management Platform Can Help
 
Using a project management platform for video production allows you to stay organized, manage tasks, and collaborate with team members. It streamlines the production process by enabling remote collaboration on scripts, storyboards, and other documents. Moreover, its centralized communication feature ensures everyone is kept in the loop with real-time changes and updates. With options for a project management tool, you can be sure that your team will always deliver high-quality videos in an efficient and timely manner.

Incorporating Infographics in Your Videos
Infographics are a great way to convey information engagingly while keeping viewers interested in what you have to say. Incorporate infographics into your videos to make them more visually appealing and easy to digest. This will help viewers easily grasp your message and retain the information you are presenting.

Choosing Where to Publish
Once you have created your videos, they must reach their intended audience so consider publishing them on social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, or Google Business Pages. This will help you get your videos in front of potential customers and create brand awareness. Additionally, depending on the platform you choose, you may be able to target specific demographics to ensure that your videos are seen by the right people.  

Adding Videos to Content
  Using videos in your content marketing is another great option for small businesses looking to reach potential customers without spending too much money on advertising campaigns or production costs. Consider creating tutorials or educational pieces related to topics within your industry that offer useful advice or tips that viewers can use in their everyday lives. This will help establish trust with potential customers while also showcasing the expertise of your company at the same time.

Gauging Campaign Effectiveness  
Once all of the above steps have been taken, it is important to gauge how effective each campaign has been by tracking views, clicks, and conversions. This data can then be used to optimize future campaigns by focusing on what works best for each business’s needs. This allows companies to maximize their return on investment (ROI) from each campaign over time.
 
With careful planning and research into different types of video marketing tactics such as publishing content across multiple social media channels and utilizing a project management platform, small businesses can effectively utilize video marketing strategies. It is important to remember that while video marketing can be a powerful tool, it should be used with purpose and care to ensure maximum results. With the right approach, small businesses can unlock the potential of video marketing without breaking the bank.

                                          Careers in Video Game Development 
Even the biggest video games — such as Minecraft, League of Legends, Call of Duty, and
Legend of Zelda — come from creativity, effort, and love poured into them by thousands of
individual developers without whom the game industry wouldn’t exist.
Many of those game developers were players first. Driven by a passion for video games,
they use a mix of skills to bring games to life. These skills include IT and programming,
communication, teamwork, time management, creativity, and problem-solving. Devoted
gamers likely already have several of those in spades: the challenge is finding a job as a
developer. Read on to learn about some ways you can turn your love of video games into a
career.

                              Building Experience and Breaking Into the Industry 
Getting a job as a developer in Fairfield Bay, AR, requires you to demonstrate IT skills and
video game expertise. Fortunately, there are many ways into this industry. In Fairfield Bay
and elsewhere, video game bloggers and YouTubers make money from advertising revenue
or sites like Patreon that allow their followers to support them directly. Starting a gaming
blog or YouTube channel will improve your knowledge and demonstrate consistent
engagement with games and game mechanics. Similarly, jobs, such as game testing, allow
gamers to get a sense of the thing's developers have to consider, while working directly
with or for game studios and building connections within the industry.
Potential employers will want to see a portfolio of your previous work experience in game
development. To gain experience, you can:

• Join a game jam. Events like GlobalGameJam bring thousands of developers of every
skill level to collaborate and build games in as little time as one or two days.
• Build your own game. Developing indie games on platforms like Unity is another way
to get experience. 
• Apply for an internship. Internships have low entry requirements and offer learning
experiences for beginners. Many can become a full-time job when the internship is
over.
Whatever your path, it’s important to practice wherever possible and build a portfolio to
show potential employers.

Another strategy is to ensure you have the right qualifications. Having any undergraduate
degree is helpful, but you can specialize when you earn something like an online software
development degree. Many computer science graduate programs and job listings near
Fairfield Bay don’t require applicants to have a bachelor’s in a tech-related field at all --
only that they have one.

                                                              Starting a Business 
Starting a business, such as a limited liability company or LLC, offers substantial tax
advantages and helps you manage your finances. So, consider starting a video game
business. To register your new LLC, refer to Arizona state regulations. For those who need
assistance, online business formation services will do the work and typically cost less than
hiring a lawyer.

                                           You Can Have the Career of Your Dreams
Making money while playing and testing video games, starting a business to streamline
your game development portfolio, and earning a degree relevant to game development are
all time-tested strategies to break into the video game industry. The whole video game
industry is at your fingertips as long as you are creative and work hard. Reach out to Van
Haaren Designs to set up a website that showcases your experience, work, and identity in
the gaming industry.

Image via Pexels      

By now I am sure everyone knows I sell tastefully simple and pure romance. I absolutely love the companies and the connections I make and fun times I have. For the months of October, November and December I am opening my calendar to fill dates for online and in person parties. Holidays are right around the corner and I would love to help get the shopping started. Win free products and receive deep discounts for becoming  a hostess for either company. I am excited to get the party started and hope to hear from you and when your available to book your party. 

#holidays #tastefullysimple #pureromance #parties #fun

With the cost of food on the rise, it saves money in the long run to eat at home. Nothing wrong with going out occasionally and getting food. With Tastefully Simple, you have access to budget friendly recipes and our products are delicious and affordable. Below I will share a website that has so many different recipes you can pick from to plan out your meals for the week. If you want to place an order as well for anything, my personal shopping link will be included. 

​#tastefullysimple #recipes #savemoney #food

Personal link to place an order:
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