Orange County Outdoors Ministry (OCOM), a small local nonprofit organization, is devoted to combating hunger in the community and bringing together outdoors enthusiasts in an environment that fosters spiritual growth and fellowship.
When founder Rob Gray needed a website to help the organization grow its outreach, I was honored that he called on me. I created a beautiful, user-friendly WordPress site that he is able to easily keep updated on his own. After the new site was completed, I trained him on how to use it.
In addition to designing the website, I also created a new logo for OCOM.
New logo
Rob previously had the OCOM site and domain name hosted with Squarespace, but found this platform limiting and sometimes difficult to use.
So the first thing we did is set up a hosting account on SiteGround (a hosting company I use and highly recommend, especially for self-hosted WordPress sites), and we transferred his domain name to to this new account. I have found SiteGround to be fast and highly reliable, and with excellent tech support. By hosting with SiteGround, Rob is also able to set up email accounts that use his domain name, at no additional charge.
Then, after meeting with him to learn what wanted in his new site, I got to work building it. The new website contains his wish list of features, including:
Mobile responsive design
Created and integrated an email list system, so people can easily subscribe on the website
Photo galleries
A new blog, to post news updates
Information on how to partner with the organization
A “Donate” button in the sidebar
Links to social media accounts
Testimonials
Attractive new graphics that draw the reader in, and help tell the OCOM story
Here is what Rob had to say about his new website and branding:
“I knew what I wanted in a website but I also had to accept the fact that I did not have the knowledge and time to make it happen. Doing this on my own would have taken energy away from the other work I needed to do and the results would not have been nearly as good. Working with Michelle was so easy. I provided a vision and a few examples, and in a few weeks I was presented with a website design that exceeded my expectations. I would trust Michelle with any of my marketing and communication needs.”
Features of the website include information on how to partner with the organization, a “Donate” button in the sidebar, and a form to subscribe to the mailing list.
A blog on the website enables Rob to post news updates regularly. These posts are then shared on social media and in the newsletter.
Could your organization benefit from a new, easy-to-use WordPress website or a branding makeover? Please contact me today and let’s talk!
I use and highly recommend SiteGround for web hosting.
Brochure for a newly-established investment firm. Services provided: Logo design, writing, graphic design and printing.
Does your organization have a brochure? Or perhaps you do, but it’s outdated?
A professionally designed, high quality brochure is one of the best ways to effectively promote your organization and to connect with prospects. Your brochure is a salesperson that markets your products and services 24/7; or, helps a nonprofit tell its story and raise funds.
And with the web and social media becoming more crowded by the day, a top-notch printed piece truly stands out. A brochure that you can hand out or mail is the perfect complement to your online efforts. But unlike online, a printed piece that you present is guaranteed to be seen.
Your brochure also gives you the opportunity to market to your existing clients and constituents. Chances are, there are products and services you offer that they aren’t aware of. With a beautiful new brochure, you can begin promoting those for a strong fiscal year.
Save yourself valuable time and money by working with me
Perhaps you are aware of the value of promoting your organization with a professionally-produced publication and have wanted to, but the question you’ve always asked yourself is: How are we going to do this, and more importantly, WHO is going to do it?
If you’ve ever tried to create a brochure yourself or thought about it, then you are aware of what a complex job it can be. Writing, editing, photography, graphic design, printing, distribution…what busy professional has the time, expertise or budget to manage all of that?
The good news is, you don’t have to! I am an experienced brochure editor and an award-winning graphic designer. I can handle the entire process from A to Z so you don’t have to. My services are tailored to your needs and budget.
In addition, location is no barrier to working with me. I work with organizations and business professionals locally, as well as across the country. Your printed brochures will be shipped directly to you. When you work with me to produce your project, you won’t even have to leave your office.
So save yourself valuable time and money, and eliminate frustration, by contracting with me for your marketing materials. Contact me today, and let’s get started!
Take advantage of our special brochure package for small businesses and nonprofits
Right now is the perfect time to prepare your organization for success with professionally-produced marketing materials!
Photo shoot – One local photo shoot by our in-house photographer, to include photos of your building exterior and/or staff, for your brochure (available for clients in North Carolina’s Triangle/Triad area).
Digital version of brochure – A web-ready digital version of your new brochure (PDF), so you can email your brochure to prospects and customers or post as a download on your website.
Social media post – We’ll create a special graphic and text that you can post on your Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram pages to promote your new brochure.
Credit cards accepted • All of our work and printed products are produced in the USA
Two brochures and a postcard for an insurance firm. Services provided: Graphic design, photography of building exterior, printing.Two brochures for an insurance agency, in English and Spanish. Services provided: Graphic design, logo design, translation, printing.Promotional materials (pocket folder, booklet, response card) for a library’s capital campaign. Services included: Logo design, graphic design and printing.Two brochures for an outpatient counseling center, English and Spanish. Services provided: Writing, translation, graphic design and printing.
What clients say…
The team at the Center for Maternal and Infant Health highly recommends working with Michelle Rogers. Not only did Michelle quickly understand our message and what we were trying to achieve with our materials, she executed all the designs and edits quickly and professionally. We were under considerable pressure and tight timelines and Michelle’s quality work allowed us to meet all our conference design goals. It was also truly a pleasure to work with her. Her creative work was the icing on the cake for our Symposium! It is without question that hers will be the first number we dial the next time we need design and creative services! — Dr. Sarah Verbiest, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
When Sarah Verbiest, DrPH, executive director of the UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health, and her team were launching a new medical conference, they knew the value of branding a high-profile event like this. They also knew who to entrust with such an important, time-sensitive task — yours truly!
I created a special logo for the Symposium, an 8-page 8.5″x 11″ full-color program booklet, a banner, and a Powerpoint template that speakers could use for their individual presentations. The new branding was carried throughout all of the conference materials. I also designed a 5.5″ x 8.5″ full-color postcard promoting their new website, to be handed out at this event and others.
Dr. Verbiest said this of my work on the project:
“The team at the Center for Maternal and Infant Health highly recommends working with Michelle Rogers. Not only did Michelle quickly understand our message and what we were trying to achieve with our materials, she executed all the designs and edits quickly and professionally. We were under considerable pressure and tight timelines and Michelle’s quality work allowed us to meet all our conference design goals. It was also truly a pleasure to work with her. Her creative work was the icing on the cake for our Symposium! It is without question that hers will be the first number we dial the next time we need design and creative services!”
Logo created for the Symposium. The client requested that their existing circle icon be incorporated in a graphic of the state of North Carolina, so that they have the option of using the state/circle graphic without the symposium wording for other Center uses.Postcard/handout promoting the Center’s new website.Powerpoint presentation using the Symposium template I created.
The past year was filled with a lot of work, and was particularly focused on expanding my knowledge in the health and fitness field. Here are a few highlights from 2015.
Becoming a Certified Fitness Professional. My biggest accomplishment last year was finishing the very challenging Certified Personal Trainer course I’d been working on for two years, and passing my exam. I’m now Michelle Rogers, CPT!
Rebranding. Last year I rebranded my blog, changing the name from Healthy Beauty to Michelle Rogers Healthy Living. I created a new website design and logo, and also updated my social media handles to reflect the new name. The new site not only looks great, on the back end it features the latest technology and is mobile responsive.
Continued social media growth. Last year I topped 40,000 followers on Twitter, and doubled the number of followers on Instagram. I also joined video-broadcasting platform Periscope soon after it launched, experiencing quick growth there to 1,200 followers.
Welcoming new clients. I worked with a professor from the University of Kentucky on a new website for her group’s research project, creating a user-friendly WordPress site that they are able to easily keep updated on their own.
Collaborating with brands. My healthy living blog regularly attracts brands interested in partnering with me on promotions such as reviews, giveaways and advertising. For example, last year I was invited by upscale weight loss resort Hilton Head Health to stay for a week to experience their program so I could feature it on my blog. I had a wonderful time that included gourmet food, workshops, yoga on the beach, stand up paddleboarding, and even a spa massage. It was definitely the highlight of my summer, and one of the most enjoyable stories I’ve written in my career. Read it here.
Presenting. I was asked again last year to be a guest lecturer in a master’s level nonprofit marketing class at UNC. I spoke on using social media and blogs strategically to promote your organization. I was also asked to present at the Charlotte Fitness and Health Expo in January ’15, where I spoke on, “Five Simple Secrets for Starting–and Sticking to–a Workout Program,” a very timely topic for those whose New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and get in shape.
Radio interviews. I was a guest on two radio shows last year. First I did a recorded interview for It’s Your Health, a syndicated program carried on various stations nationwide, where we discussed how to reach your weight loss goals; and then a live interview on Naturally Savvy, a show on the RadioMD network. I’ve posted the audio here. The media training I’ve had with my communications and public relations background came in very handy for these experiences. I enjoy working with the media and would like to do more.
What’s to come in 2016?
This year I’ll be continuing my education in the health and fitness field. I am enrolled in Group Fitness Instructor Certification with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). I also plan to become certified as a Senior Fitness Specialist and to work with the Silver Sneakers program.
Also, I plan to do more videos and have invested in a new camera and lighting equipment. In addition to using this in my blog, I’m especially interested in incorporating video in my clients’ marketing and communications projects.
The past year was filled with behind-the-scenes hard work, expanding on my current knowledge and building my online brand. Here are a few highlights from 2014.
1. Attending two blogging conferences. In October, I was invited to Fitness Magazine’s Blogger Meet and Tweet in New York City, and in May I went to Fitbloggin ’14 in Savannah. Both of these events offered excellent opportunities to learn at breakout sessions, to network with bloggers from around the country, and to connect with brands in person.
2. Explosive social media growth. I worked every day to grow my presence on social media, and was especially active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. As a result, my followers on Twitter nearly tripled this year, Facebook doubled and Instagram quadrupled.
3. Developing a media kit and working with brands. The growth of my healthy living blog now attracts brands interested in partnering with me on promotions such as reviews, giveaways and advertising. This year I really delved into that aspect of professional blogging, and have enjoyed the experience. I also created a media kit with information about me and the website, such as how much traffic the site receives and the services I offer. I send this to brands who request information, and to those I’m pitching. Please contact me if you’d like to receive it, and I’ll send you one with my latest stats.
4. Welcoming new clients. I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Jennifer Swanberg of the University of Maryland, and created an outstanding website promoting her research. She was so pleased with my work that she referred me to a colleague at the University of Kentucky, and I’m currently working on a new site for their research project.
5. Presenting. I was asked twice this year to be a guest lecturer in classes at UNC, one of them an undergraduate public relations class and the other a master’s level class. I spoke on using social media and blogs strategically to promote your organization. I was also thrilled and honored to be asked to present at the upcoming Charlotte Fitness and Health Expo in January. I’ll be speaking on, “Five Simple Secrets for Starting–and Sticking to–a Workout Program,” a very timely topic for those whose New Year’s resolution is to lose weight and get in shape. I’m busy working on that presentation now, and am so excited about this opportunity!
2015 will no doubt be another busy year, and I’m excited about the new adventures to come.
