Learn With Fuzzy Duck
Small business marketing can be a daunting challenge. Our blog aims to give you a leg-up by offering practical tips with a little personality. Read how to best accomplish your goals and get musings from marketing experts. Whether you’re seeking strategic insights or a dose of inspiration, get a little guidance in navigating the world of small business marketing.
Are your social media account images up-to-date and looking sharp for 2024? Social media profile page designs change and evolve, and the image sizes [...]
A strong visual aesthetic is powerful way to build brand recognition and be memorable in our brand-saturated world. Having a selection of visual brand [...]
We talk a lot about brands being all-encompassing. Your brand extends from your name and logo to the way you answer your phone. Everything your [...]
Quick, tell me what your company does in 30 seconds or less. But make it interesting and worth my while! I’m waiting. . . If [...]
Are your social media accounts growing slowly, or maybe even not at all? Have you played with the idea of boosting posts or running a [...]
Creating a new logo can feel like a big task! Encapsulating all the elements of your brand in one simple design is a true feat. [...]
Working for a small business, you know your offerings like the back of your hand. You care about their quality and value; that’s great! The [...]
As 2023 draws to a close and we flip open a new calendar, we naturally spend time reflecting on how things could be different – [...]
These days, it’s not uncommon for your company website to be the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. Great UX design [...]
Stuff those halloween decorations back in their cupboard and string up those holiday lights! It’s THAT time of year once again. While it might be [...]
In the dog-eat-dog world of marketing, there's a golden rule that every small business owner should keep close to heart: You can have the most [...]
When you visit your company website, are you bursting with pride for your business? Or peeking through the fingers covering your eyes? Your website is [...]
Think Again. In the digital age of viral trends and meme-worthy moments, not being on social media is like trying to win a marathon wearing [...]
Ah, the Minnesota State Fair – The quintessential Midwest bash where we wash down the final days of summer with all-you-can-eat food on a stick. [...]
For small businesses, marketing plays a crucial role in attracting new customers, increasing awareness of their brand, and driving business growth. However, marketing is often [...]
We know social media and the constant wheel of churning out content can be exhausting. It just never ends! Capturing images that look nice and [...]
As a small business owner, it can feel like there's just not enough hours in the day to tackle everything you need to get done. [...]
10 years may seem like a lifetime ago but for many small businesses, that may be how long it's been since they've updated their website. [...]
Animation refers to the process of creating moving pictures from a series of still images. Some of the original animations were made up of hundreds [...]
There's the counseling fairy godmother, the chivalrous prince charming, and the wise-cracking donkey sidekick to make us laugh, for example. Many of our most beloved [...]
For millennia, images and iconography have been an important part of communication and the written language. You know, like the buffalo etched into cave walls [...]
Don’t let the winter blues bog down your business marketing. This time of year especially, there is a real opportunity to draw audiences back in [...]
There are a host of psychological phenomena businesses use in their marketing. Some examples include the common practice of pricing items to end in “.99”, [...]
The word animation might conjure up images of your favorite Saturday morning cartoons or that Disney movie your kids can’t stop watching. And while animation [...]
Are you reading this on your phone right now? You may or may not be, but you should know that a significant section of the [...]
Colors can have quite an effect on us, either positive or negative. Designers can spend a lot of time deciding on just the right hue [...]
You know how it feels to look at a big sea of text – an entire page of body copy. It can be overwhelming as [...]
As a small business owner, we know you’ve got to be scrappy with your resources and sometimes that may mean some do-it-yourself design. If you’re [...]
Listen, I’m sorry to do this. . . but, coffee shops are rolling out their fall drink specials, the kiddos are back in school, and [...]
Many people have not migrated their website tracking to Google Analytics 4 (GA4). But don’t worry, you are not alone, and we are here to [...]
You already know that your logo, your tagline, and your service offerings are key aspects of your brand. But what else is? Branding is all [...]
In recent years, video content has skyrocketed, and right along with it so has video marketing. It can be an exceptionally captivating and powerful medium! [...]
Mascots are a fun and effective way to literally put a face on your brand. They become the storyteller for your marketing message embodies your [...]
You did it! You finished a training and you learned something new! "It all seemed so simple," you think to yourself, sashaying out of the [...]
Marketing strategies and budgets are flexible, adjustable, and can grow with your business. When first starting out, your marketing budget might be relatively small which [...]
Summer is almost here! It’s the perfect time to revitalize and reset with this season of new growth and transition. While you’re switching over your [...]
As summer rolls in, we’re returning to walking business districts, day-tripping to new destinations, and generally taking in the fresh air. This seasonal shift to [...]
It is inevitable that any actual business will receive a negative review. When this happens you have a few courses of action that you can [...]
Since the pandemic, most people have fallen into the routine of purchasing a lot of items online and this type of shopping is often preferred [...]
It's October and if you haven't started planning your holiday marketing do not delay any longer! Typically in October businesses begin promoting their Fall and/or [...]
Who is Behind Google Ads? Google Ads announced a change in their platform policies in April of 2020. This change requires the verification of the [...]
What a challenging time to own or run a business! A pandemic, an unstable economy, and ever-changing protocols are all tough enough to adapt to [...]
Investments You Can't Afford Not To Make How much is too much? How little is enough? How do I know what to invest in branding [...]
In a world that has been so upside-down and chaotic for nearly two years, we have all been inundated with story after story filled with [...]
I love food. Wholesome food. Savory food. Even not-so-healthy-for-you food. Every August, I strategize my food consumption at the Minnesota State Fair, often making multiple [...]
You have probably heard the phrase, "If you build it, they will come" from the movie Field of Dreams. But does that line really apply [...]
Keeping up with the ever-changing social media trends is not an easy task. It kind of feels like being stuck in a revolving door and [...]
A slow website is annoying for your customers and is hurting your search engine results. Here are just a few things that you can do [...]
Most of us are familiar with the app TikTok. If you haven’t used it yet, you have most likely at least heard of it. You [...]
When it comes to improving your businesses’ customer service there is no better time than now to gather up some golden tips and put them [...]
Creating a logo can feel like a daunting task. How can a business encapsulate their personality and effectively convey who they are and what they [...]
For the last couple of years, the web scene has been moving like crazy. It seemed like everything was new. As soon as you got [...]
Social media can be extremely effective when marketing your brand if you stick to these sweet tips! Are you frustrated with how long it’s taking [...]
As if Halloween 2020 falling on a Saturday with a full moon ablaze isn’t scary enough, here are a few spooky marketing ideas for your [...]
Do you have business goals in place? Do you create new goals every year or adjust the ones that you have? Maybe you don’t have [...]
I’m sure everyone in America has noticed the increased use of signage in and on most stores, businesses, and restaurants since the COVID-19 pandemic began. [...]
Summer is coming to an end and this is the time when businesses NEED to start planning their holiday marketing. You may think that September [...]
Certain simple shapes have developed meaning to us as human beings due to their occurrence in nature. Animals to be more specific! Think back to [...]
What changes are needed to survive in an uncertain future. 2020 has proved to be a challenging year for businesses. I don’t think anyone could’ve [...]
What Small Businesses Need to Know to Continue Operation With the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the world, many small businesses are [...]
To many, the differences between animation and illustration may seem obvious. Animators and Illustrators alike will be quick to explain the difference between these two [...]
The holiday season is upon us and with it brings a flurry of customers crossing items off of their lists and inventory that needs to [...]
Located at Colonial Square in Wayzata, MN, The Owl and the Octopus is a family-owned, unique toy store packed with toys, games, learning activities, books, [...]
If you haven’t started your holiday marketing that’s okay, there’s still time. It’s really important, however, to create a solid plan by October and begin [...]
A mascot is more than just a fluffy costume that smiles and dances around at local events. A mascot can bring life to your brand, [...]
If you spend any time on the road, you’re sure to see numerous examples of vehicle graphics. From simple car magnets to full vehicle wraps, [...]
Thursday, August 22, 2019, was the opening day of the Minnesota State Fair! The Fuzzy Duck Team decided this would be the perfect way to [...]
Who am I? My name is Katya Yavela and this summer, I joined Fuzzy Duck as a marketing and client relations intern. As a marketing [...]
We all enjoy the lovely cinematics of animated movies from places like Pixar, Disney, and Dreamworks. We marvel at the process they’ve created that takes [...]
A Look Into the Likely Future for the World’s Most Popular Content Management System At present (July 2019), WordPress is reportedly running as much as [...]
In 2016, Fuzzy Duck was contacted by the Wayzata Heritage Preservation Board to help create a stronger visual brand for the long-time organization. They had [...]
Are you stuck in a social media rut? Are you struggling to create meaningful content to post? Are your social accounts gaining followers or stuck [...]
As of the end of 2018, there were 3.196 BILLION social media users! That’s nearly half of the planet! With that volume of users, businesses [...]
2018 was a productive year for Fuzzy Duck and our clients! We had the privilege to work with so many incredible people on some challenging [...]
Getting to know your customer base through carefully crafted personas. If you aren't familiar with the term "customer persona" or why you would want to [...]
We take a look at some of the biggest challenges for 2019 and how smart businesses can work around them. There were a ton of [...]
A comprehensive overview to digital marketing and how it is used to target consumers and influence buying behavior.
Have you noticed an increase in visual content in blog posts, articles, and social media? And in that visual content, have you noticed the use [...]
We often run into a situation where we need two different Facebook tracking pixels on a single website. This is typically the result of multiple [...]
Whether you're starting a new business or you’ve been around for 20 years, when launching a new or updated website - don’t forget to promote [...]
One of the main social media questions that I get asked a lot is “When is the best time to post to my social accounts?” [...]
Let’s get right to it, the single best way to lower your cost per click is to improve your Quality Score. The Quality Score is [...]
Inbound marketing is not a new “here today, gone tomorrow” marketing fad. It has been around for a very long time in different formats and [...]
Social media accounts are vital to growing your restaurant’s business. With instagram and facebook being the must-have platforms for showcasing your food, atmosphere and customer [...]
It is no secret that repeat customers make up a large portion of a restaurant's revenue. In fact, most restaurants report 50% or more of [...]
Email marketing is one of the best channels for promoting your business. The low cost of operating an email marketing campaign, ease-of-use, and automation capabilities [...]
This article appeared in the August 2018 issue of Wayzata Life Magazine. Business Spotlight: Fuzzy Duck If you’ve spent any time walking the streets of [...]
Key Performance Indicators or KPI for short are the metrics that are used to see how well or poorly your site is performing. They not [...]
Are you finding yourself buried under the responsibility of creating a large amount of graphics and social posts? Do you often find yourself in a [...]
Are you finding yourself buried under the responsibility of creating a large amount of graphics and social posts? Do you often find yourself in a [...]
Over the years we have used a number of different text editors. From BBedit back in the day to more recent Sublime Text, there haven’t [...]
In the past week, you may have noticed a flood of privacy policy updates invading your email inbox. Companies have been scrambling this week to [...]
Google has just released Material Design 2.0 - bringing a host of new features, tools, elements, and my personal favorite ( Material Theming ). Originally [...]
Whether you're just getting big enough to need some outside marketing help or looking to make a change, trying to nail down the perfect marketing [...]
Following a tumultuous software update from Snapchat geared at giving advertisers more visibility, many users started to jump ship, including celebrity influencers like Kylie Jenner [...]
All eyes were on Minneapolis for the big game last Sunday, but our eyes were glued to the TV. We saw major commercial success and [...]
Social media has the possibility of connecting communities, uniting groups and providing so much good. But often we see the negative aspects of social media [...]
As we bid 2017 farewell, we can reflect on the year's marketing and begin to look forward to the future. Last year, we predicted the [...]
This November, we welcomed new graphic designer Lauren Addy. Lauren is a talented animator with a strong knack for storytelling. She started on her creative [...]
A web application, also known as a web app, is a software program that runs on a web server and is accessed via an internet [...]
Artificial intelligence might stir up images of a Kubrick inspired distopia, but in reality most of us are engaging with it on a daily basis [...]
I have used MAMP (Macintosh, Apache, MySQL, PHP) for local development for many years, and I fully admit to liking it for its simplicity for [...]
Why Dedicated Social Media Accounts for HR? As a marketing and digital solutions company within the human relations (HR) world, we are often asked, “Do [...]
Google and other search engines care about the security of their users. In an initiative that kicked off this year, Google Chrome, has begun setting [...]
On paper, Snapchat is the hot new marketing trend. It has more than 160 million active users, exponential growth rate, it's extremely timely and was [...]
UX might sound like some space age acronym, but it is really something each and every one of us encounter every time we use our [...]
Staying up to date on marketing trends is extremely important to the creative staff at Fuzzy Duck. Every member of our team shows initiative in expanding their knowledge in a [...]
With all this talk of “the digital age” and “digital marketing trends” we're presented with the question-is print truly dead? Is print marketing/advertising still relevant [...]
Last month, Fuzzy Duck welcomed one new member to our team. The opening for digital engagement specialist was recently taken up by Christina Creel. Christina grew up [...]
When you work at a company called “Fuzzy Duck,” people just assume it must be a pretty fun place to work. And while any staff [...]
Welcome to 2017. As we embark on our journey into the new year, it is always good to think about what went right, what went [...]
We are still in the early stages of the new year, a time when we all aspire to make changes; work out more, eat healthier, get [...]
The following is an excerpt from an article written by Kim Anderson for the Sun Sailor. To read the article in it’s entirety, CLICK HERE. [...]
Looking for a fast-paced but casual work environment that offers a tremendous opportunity for the right candidate to both grow with our team and take [...]
The following is an excerpt from an article written by Laura Michaels, Managing Editor of Foodservice News. To read the article in it’s entirety, CLICK [...]
It should come as no surprise that there are a number of factors to consider when creating your first website. Lately, the big question that [...]
March marked the beginning of Minnesota FoodShare Month - the largest annual food and fund drive in the state. Fuzzy Duck was pleased to support [...]
Tradeshows can be an effective and efficient way of reaching your goals for both consumer and B2B scenarios. However, they can also be expensive failures [...]
When I tell someone I’m a graphic designer, more often than not, the response is “So, you make logos?” A positive reply to that query [...]
After the holidays, shoppers are worn out and so are their wallets. The last thing on consumers' minds is to buy more - especially after [...]
This article first appeared in the Wayzata Chamber of Commerce's Talk of the Town in Wayzata Life. What's Your Wayzata Way? For Eddie and Beth [...]
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a common term heard among CMO's nowadays, but some might be surprised how little CMO's actually know about the topic. [...]
'Tis the season for giving! Fuzzy Duck was proud to support the US Marine Toys For Tots Foundation this holiday season by collecting new, unwrapped [...]
Google+ moves interests to the front and center of its new user experience strategy. People talked, and Google listened. As of yesterday, Google announced a [...]
Wayzata's Fuzzy Duck invigorates branding with a clear direction. Written by Shannon Slatton Schwartz, Lake Minnetonka Magazine. Photo by Emily J. Davis View Article [...]
Twitter unveils its 'Promoted Moments' as a new advertising option for brands on the platform - one that the Creed movie was quick to jump on before [...]
Is your company thinking of switching your website over to a new content management system (CMS)? There are a large number of factors that need [...]
If anyone knows hows to captivate an audience, it's Steve Jobs. The upcoming biopic of Apple's late co-founder has drawn in an unusually high level [...]
Polly, Stubby & Al, a fun-loving children’s story book by D.B. Silvis, was recently published in print format. Fuzzy Duck had the opportunity to work [...]
Bad online reviews can be the death of a business as increasingly connected customers research their purchases on the internet before making up their minds. [...]
What are three thoughts that come to mind when you think about LinkedIn? Are they, boring? Plain? Underused? LinkedIn may be getting a bad wrap. LinkedIn [...]
I’ve laid out my bait, but why aren’t more people biting? Successful Social Media Managers are constantly on the lookout for new tools to [...]
By now, you've most likely read all about how content is king in today's fiercely competitive digital landscape. So, it hardly seems necessary to reiterate [...]
Have you ever wanted to travel back in time? All the way back to some historically significant period, where nations were born and women carried a [...]
With so many different WordPress plugins available, I found it necessary to go through and hand-pick some of my favorites that are helpful tools to have for [...]
Congratulations to Eddie Ulrich, President of Fuzzy Duck, who was named the winner of the TwinWest Chamber's 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Find out [...]
A new decision from WordPress is causing many web developers to groan with disgust. Recently, WordPress announced the decision to streamline all new theme updates [...]
Make It Memorable. The Pillsbury Doughboy, AKA Poppin' Fresh You want your company to stand out, right? Sometimes a logo just isn't enough. What [...]
Whether we like it or not, change is coming and you will want to pay attention before it arrives. With the release of Drupal 8 [...]
Since its announcement on April 30th, 2014, Facebook has been rapidly changing app permissioning rules and Software Development Kit ( SDK ) requirements. By rapid, [...]
It is a sad truth that nothing lasts forever and that truth even applies to your beloved web application. After years of growth, care and [...]
During the summer and into the Fall, businesses have an opportunity to give back to the community in a few different ways that allow them to [...]
It comes as no shock that social media has staked its claim in business marketing. Businesses have found new opportunities to spread their message and reach [...]
SEO has become a crucial strategy to increase traffic to your website. SEO stands for search engine optimization and it is the process of driving [...]
The holidays may be months away, but businesses should start thinking now of ways to incorporate the holiday season into their business strategy. There are [...]
Fuzzy Duck has worked on and helped develop several comic book and graphic novel titles. Storylines, charater development, coloring, visual effects and logo treatments, we [...]
Spring is in the air and it may be time to spring clean the office space. Cleaning may even boost productivity and increase motivation in your [...]
At the end of March, Facebook underwent a few layout changes. The reviews are still coming in, but overall, the new timeline layout for Facebook [...]
It is becoming a very common occurrence to see someone whip out his or her Blackberry, iPhone or Android, anytime of the day. Smart phones [...]
Is your business involved in social media or email campaigns but you don’t have the number of followers or emails you would like? Contest campaigns [...]
Through the years, as owners of Fuzzy Duck Design, Eddie and Beth Ulrich have worked with many non-profits. Through this work, they were exposed to [...]
Young Life consists of volunteer leaders who educate high school students about Jesus Christ in a relaxed, social environment. Offering weekly and monthly events, Private School [...]
After many years of helping non-profit organizations create websites, logos and marketing materials through their business, Fuzzy Duck Design Owners, Eddie and Beth Ulrich have [...]
The holidays are here and QR Codes are everywhere. You see them on billboards, shopping catalogs and even in stores. However, a lot of people [...]
The holidays are upon us, and so is the cold weather. Many children are in need of warm hats and mittens! The Fuzzy Duck office [...]
Last month some of the Ducks took time to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) in Chanhassen. The process began with an eye-opening video [...]
Do you remember what your day was like before the use of social media? You woke up in the morning, had a cup of coffee, [...]
Now in its fifth year, Humor to Fight the Tumor is an event designed to raise awareness and funds for brain tumors, brain tumor research [...]
Here at Fuzzy Duck Design, we believe it is important that everybody be given a voice, including your brand characters. We work with many companies [...]
Fuzzy Duck Design offers social media marketing! Many clients have shown interest in establishing a larger presence on the Internet and with these services we [...]
In a fragile economic state such as this, it’s a natural instinct to want to ‘cut back’ on anything that isn’t absolutely essential. For many [...]
Many of our clients or potential clients come to us with unique projects but similar questions. The first question is almost always "How much will [...]
When is the last time you really looked at your logo, and not just looked but really examined your logo? If you are like many [...]
Can you guess what the #1 rule of marketing is? The answer is…brand consistency! Brand consistency provides your business with a cohesive tone, image, and [...]
In this digital age, websites are extremely valuable to a business and its customers. Your business’s website portrays an image for your brand, and is [...]
As many of you have realized by now, we are living through a social media revolution. This revolution is changing the way that businesses work [...]
Think back to your childhood memory and try and recall your favorite products or brands – most of you will recall the brand characters rather than the [...]
Fuzzy Duck has added Communications Strategies to our list of services! For many years, we have been helping our clients think about their overall communication [...]
Fuzzy Duck web designer/developer Jared Law recently rocked the Internet radio world as the featured guest in a segment on Next Stage Business Radio. During [...]
Fuzzy Duck Design is proud to announce -MascotLab - featuring our mascot / character development services. After years of developing characters, mascots and illustrated spokespeople for [...]
What is that thing? You may have recently come across a curious looking barcode displayed upon a bus stop shelter during your morning commute or in [...]
Does your company’s logo still flash with neon graphics of the eighties? Does it feature an overused cliché, send an irrelevant message, or just simply [...]
These days, talk about email marketing has taken a back seat to the rising social media craze. Well, email, as a marketing tool, is still [...]
Do you ever look at your company logo and think to yourself, “Something is missing.”? Each time you glance at it do you find yourself [...]
Have you ever wondered how Fuzzy Duck Design got its name? It’s one of the most asked questions we get when meeting new clients and [...]
The common marketing question that many businesses want answered is, “What is the best way to market my business?” There is no magic answer to [...]
Many small businesses do not have a designated marketing department or even an individual in charge of important marketing tasks. Without this internal resource, the marketing [...]
Not every medium- to large-sized company can justify having their own in-house creative, marketing or web department - and those that do sometimes find it [...]
Regardless of the size of the firm or agency, the weight of their workload, the complexity of their projects, or the deadlines they face... clients [...]
When Fuzzy Duck first opened its doors over 16 years ago, we worked almost exclusively with small and start-up businesses. We focused on providing affordable [...]
Data Sources: Adweek Oct 12, 2015 --- Emarketer - Statistica - Internal Company Revenue Figures
Source: http://mascola.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/anti-drink-driving-halloween-small-27819.jpg Source: http://files2.coloribus.com/files/adsarchive/part_328/3280555/file/mms-halloween-ghost-small-72892.jpg Source: http://dvserver.net/addy2013/gold/page22/files/stacks_image_632.png Source: http://www.smashingapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/guinness-halloween.jpg Straight-forward, clear messaging, clean and simple design (not too [...]
Reddit is looking to get back into the public's good graces with its first stand-along property, a news-focused site called Upvoted, which will cull news [...]
'--EMAIL CAMPAIGN-- Did you know that 74% of consumers use social networks to make purchasing decisions? This means that having a social media strategy in [...]
The holiday season is almost here. Along with seasonal goodies, there's also going to be lots of shopping. Here are a few of our tips [...]
elements of a tweet short description - use catchy taglines, ask questions, tailor your content to current trends, character limit link - Twitter is very [...]
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This past month Fuzzy Duck was able to contribute some of our Social Media Strategy Secrets with members of the Greater Wayzata Area Chamber at [...]
Congratulations! Through hard work, creativity and dedication to quality, you have created a successful restaurant property. The restaurant is so successful that you have decided [...]
Congratulations! Through hard work, creativity and dedication to quality, you have created a successful restaurant property. The restaurant is so successful that you have decided [...]
Fuzzy Duck Celebrates 25 Years! If you’ve spent any time walking the streets of downtown Wayzata, you may have noticed a hand-crafted sign hanging in [...]
A new year marks the time for people to start making resolutions and setting goals. But staying on track and motivated seems so difficult and [...]