Blog

Vervante • December 12, 2017

We know the holiday season can get pretty crazy, so here’s a few quick tips and ideas for creating, selling and shipping products to your customers and making everyone’s season a little bit brighter. NEW 2018 CALENDARS ARE HERE We’ve got three new versions of our calendar for 2018 ready to go: A Desktop calendar, Wall calendar, and an impressive Poster calendar (pictured here). If you love calendars - and your clients and customers love them too - it's not too late to sell or share them as a part of your own business. It's easy to customize our calendars. Just add your logo and – bam! – you’ve got a great product that is gorgeous, useful and keeps your brand front and center all year long. Email us at [email protected] and we'll get them set up for you. 2018 PLANNERS YOUR CUSTOMERS WILL LOVE In addition to calendars, you also have time to add 2018 planners to your store or give as a holiday gift. Our new “Live, Love, Inspire" 2018 Planners have been flying off the shelves. They are easy to customize and a perfect product for the New Year. Here’s what you can do: Simply add your logo and use it as is. We can send you the InDesign files, you add content, modify the format, change the colors and make it into the perfect product, then we’ll print. Or… let us know what changes you want and our design team can make the changes for you. Click HERE for photos and details. A FIERCE START TO THE NEW YEAR Our Fun, Fit and Fierce Card Decks are another great product to maximize holiday sales and start the New Year strong. If you’d like to use for the holidays there is still time to add your logo to the cards. The deck includes 34 cards with inspirations, motivations and affirmations, and can be packaged in a drawstring bag or window tuck box. Click HERE for more details. Or email us to order them right away. No matter what, there’s still time to create valuable, interesting products your audience will love. Just send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll help you make it happen.

Vervante • November 30, 2017

We ship our customers’ products anywhere in the world using USPS and UPS services. One question we often get deals with USPS Media Mail. It’s often noticeably less expensive, so what’s the catch? Here’s a quick explanation of how Media Mail works, and the benefits and risks when using it for shipping your own products. Media Mail is a cost-effective way to send materials such as books, cards, calendars, journals, DVDs, and CDs through the U.S. Postal Service. This service has certain rules and restrictions, however, including a maximum weight of 70 pounds and can only contain educational media. Media Mail packages also usually take longer to get to their destination. Current USPS estimations are arrival in 2 to 10 days, but it can take longer. Another point to consider is that Media Mail items are not insured and are open to postal inspection. The USPS retains the right to open and inspect your package to check for abuse of the system such as including an item not on their approved items list. Unfortunately, when a package is inspected, it is often poorly re-packaged before delivery to the customer. Some of our clients have reported that the re-sealing or taping of the original shipping package was so poorly done that boxes or envelopes were delivered empty to the recipient. On the benefits side, though, Media Mail for orders shipped in the United States is usually much less than other methods, which makes it a popular choice. To wrap it all up (no pun intended): Risks: Slow delivery, risk of inspections and damaged materials, no insurance, no compensation for damages Benefits: Dramatically cost-effective when compared to Priority Mail. For example, a package that costs $4.59 for Media Mail would be $11.95 via Priority Mail.  Here at Vervante, we offer our customers the ability to select the method of shipping they desire for all of their shipments (and a sizeable amount choose Media Mail). When deciding what method to use for your products, just remember that there is no wrong answer. Consider the pros and cons of each method, and your priorities, and we’ll do the rest.

Vervante • October 24, 2017

What would it be like to know that no matter what you do during your day, your business has a rock-solid system always running, 24-7, that is attracting new clients, making more money and giving you the time and freedom that you’ve always dreamed of? If you’re saying to yourself, “yes, I want that!” then it’s time to consider adding books and printed products to your business. We’ve helped businesses of every shape and size create and distribute books and printed products that educate, captivate, inspire and motivate their audience while providing easy, stress-free ways to take their business to the next level of success. And during that time, we’ve seen that there are 3 types of products that stand out as the very best for business support and financial growth: 1) Books, 2) Coaching & Training Products, and 3) CDs, DVDs and Flash Drives. Why create products? If you’re a business professional, creating products like these puts you head and shoulders above your competition. You now have a unique and powerful competitive edge, your business model is filled with new potential, and your products can help you: Gain credibility and influence. Become known as the go-to expert in your field. Receive invitations to speak. Create a platform on which to build your business and create even more products. Sell your products online or at the back of the room during speaking engagements. Be interviewed on radio or for magazines and newspapers. Open doors to publication of articles and columns. Command higher speaking and consulting fees. Expand your business and get the competitive edge over your competition. Demonstrate your passion and commitment to your business. Increase visibility online Make money while you’re sleeping – or hanging out on the beach. Finally have the freedom and time to concentrate on what’s most important to you. Attract the right kind of clients Connect and collaborate with powerful business colleagues The list goes on and on... Books Having a well-written and professionally published book can be rewarding both personally and professionally. If you’re a business professional, writing a book puts you head and shoulders above your competition, and open the door to speaking, publicity, consulting, new income streams and more. If you’ve always wanted to write a book, now is the time to start. Get your thoughts and ideas recorded, even if it’s on anything from notebooks to napkins, and go for it! It may never be perfect, but the longer you wait, the more opportunities you may miss to get your message out to the world. If you’re thinking to yourself, “I don’t have time to write a book from scratch,” don’t let that stop you. If you’ve been in business, or blogging, for a while now you probably already have most of the content you need to become an author without a lot of stress or hassle. Don’t worry, we’re not talking about writing the next great American novel or encyclopedias here. In fact, most best-selling nonfiction books are often less than 200 pages and can be created from content and experience you already have. Here’s a few ideas: If you’re a blogger: Gather up a series of blog posts that address a similar topic. Turn your articles into chapters, write an introduction and a wrap-up chapter, and you’ve got a manuscript! If you’re a business leader: If you’ve been leading live workshops or online training sessions, assemble your speaking materials and lessons and turn them into a business book that people can turn to for help and advice in their own business. If you’re in the health and fitness industry: Share stories of people who have turned their lives around to become healthier, fitter and happier (with permission, of course) and you can inspire thousands!  Coaching & Training Products If you’ve already written a book, maybe put together some worksheets for a mini class, or recorded a speech you gave at the last networking event, you’ve got all you need to create a Coaching & Training Product. The secret weapon of successful entrepreneurs around the world, these are the most powerful money-making, influence-boosting, business growth product you can have – and, like with the other products we recommend, the content is right at your fingertips. These kind of products can be very low-cost to create and bring a lot of benefits to your business in addition to creating new revenue streams. Here are some ideas of products that are great for packing together to create a product to teach, train and share information:  CDs/DVDs Flash Drives Books Newsletters 3-ring binders Bookmarks Card decks Notepads Posters, Certificates and Journals CDs, DVDs and Flash Drives Creating a CD, DVD or Flash Drive is a lot easier than you think. You can create content from scratch, but if you’ve already recorded yourself giving workshop presentations, being interviewed on the TV or radio, or video of your latest training, you’re almost at the finish line. You can share these files as free list-builders, or revenue-generating products as CDs, DVDs, or Flash Drives. And you can package these with other products to add value as well. Need inspiration? CDs, DVDs and Flash Drives can offer a wide variety of content perfect for any business, including:   Guided meditations and spiritual inspirations Educational how-to series Budgeting guidelines and financial templates Health and exercise programs Cooking tutorials with shopping checklists and printable recipe cards Real estate how-to’s for buying, selling or improving homes Crafting videos, templates and tool guides If you require more than 500+ CDs or DVDs, we offer disc replication, which is significantly more cost-effective than disc duplication, and doesn’t add much time to your turnaround. What's the difference between disc duplication and replication? Duplication is the process of recording or "burning" content onto blank CD or DVD discs. Replicated discs are manufactured from a glass master and are less expensive if you need more than 500 copies of a disc. Don’t make this mistake… We’ve steered you in the right direction to learn about the best types of products you can use to boost your business and bottom line. Now, let’s talk about the one big mistake to avoid that can destroy your product’s value and your credibility. DO NOT COMPROMISE when it comes to the quality of your product. You wouldn’t cut corners on the quality of the content in your product, right? The same should go for the quality of the final product as well. When choosing a publisher that will help you bring your product to life, be sure to work with a company that has the experience, expertise and commitment to quality that will make your product stand head and shoulders above others in your industry. When you’re ready to get started, choosing a publisher is more than just about price. It’s about finding someone who becomes a part of your team, who takes the time to understand your needs and your vision. Vervante doesn’t require that you select package deals that don’t meet your needs. If your goal is to publish and distribute a family history or a cookbook for your immediate family or within a small organization in your community, we can help you do this. Just as easily, we are able to work with businesses, entrepreneurs and leaders who want books professionally formatted, designed and distributed on a large scale. When you work with us, you won’t spend a ton of money to have thousands of books printed, only to have them sit in your garage until you need them, then go through the agony of shipping and handling on your own. With Vervante: You keep the rights to your products.  You maintain all creative control. You determine the retail price.  You tell us when, where and how many, then sit back and relax. We make it easy and affordable to get your products published. We print and distribute your products in one step directly to your customer. We offer a retail sales solution for you. We distribute your books through online channels such as Amazon and wholesalers. Questions? Ideas? Send us an email at [email protected] and our publishing pros will be happy to provide you with free quotes and all the support you need.  

Vervante • October 18, 2017

If you are thinking of selling books or other printed products this holiday season, then the time to get started is now! Yes, now. You need as much time as possible to promote your products for the holiday sales season, so it’s never too early to start taking action. We’ve put together a list of common products perfect for holiday sales, along with tips and a timeline for getting ready in time. Books: More than 40% of all books sold during the year are purchased between November and January. Hard cover and paperback books, adult coloring books (a huge trend for holiday gifting!) and even children’s books are all great for sales and gifts this time of year. Note cards, postcards: Cards for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, New Year, as well as cards that show customer appreciation, feature gorgeous photography, inspire, motivate, or “just because” are favorites for gifts and popular sales items. You can create your own custom cards, or use our ready-made ones by adding your logo or message. 2018 Calendars: Another favorite that can be used to create new revenue, or given as client and customer appreciation gifts and lead generation freebies. 2018 Planners: Planners are a product that people just can’t seem to get enough of. You can create your own, or save some time by starting with our ready-to-go beautiful new 2018 planner, then add your logo, message, or other adjustments and selling it to your audience. Holiday Sales Timeline If you have a manuscript ready to go, are updating something you’ve done in the past, or inspired to create something new, here’s a timeline to help you get going: Sept / Oct: Send new manuscripts out for editing. Hire graphic designers for cover art, coloring books pages and interior formatting. Get quotes and information from Vervante for printing, shipping timelines, etc. October: Upload print-ready files to your Vervante account. Order sample copies for quality and proofreading checks. Send preview issues out for reviews, feedback and testimonials. Plan marketing strategies. Have Vervante list your books and products for sale on Amazon. Set up shopping carts. November: Put marketing plans into action. Schedule an official book / product launch. Announce special promotions, early bird sales and specials. Reach out to book stores to schedule book signings. Promote, promote, promote! December:Check with Vervante on holiday shipping deadlines. Attend book signings. Continue promotions, especially for New Year / 2018 products. Announce surprise last-minute deals. January: Continue to promote New Year products. Journal about your holiday sales experience, making notes about what worked (and what didn’t) to refer to for next years’ holiday season. Questions? Let us help you make the most of your holiday sales by dropping us a line at [email protected] or scheduling a phone call at https://vervante.youcanbook.me/.

Vervante • September 19, 2017

Prime is killing it in Amazon these days. Prime memberships offer a lot of perks, including one that readers love – free shipping on books. Let’s face it, having free shipping is often the key to getting the sale, because who doesn’t love getting something for free? As you know, our philosophy at Vervante is that you sell from your site, collect the customer data, build your list and make more money. We also understand that selling your book or product on Amazon is desirable and we recommend Amazon Marketplace. In the past, you didn’t have the option to offer free shipping on Amazon Marketplace to compete with products in stock at Amazon (or printed with CreateSpace). Products in stock, fulfilled by Amazon, or printed with CreateSpace qualify for free shipping for PRIME customers. But now, we’ve got a solution for you with the ability to offer free shipping for your products listed on Amazon Marketplace! FREE SHIPPING Here’s how it works. You can now choose to offer free shipping to the Amazon buyer.  There are three shipping regions: US, Canada and International. You can give away free shipping to all regions or limit the free shipping to just US buyers. We will charge you for postage to ship the product but you can choose to not charge the Amazon buyer. Here’s an example if you choose not to charge the Amazon US buyer for postage. For those of you who currently have products listed on Marketplace, you will notice in this example that there is no reimbursement for postage from Amazon. (*NOTE: The following numbers are examples only.) We will then print and ship the book to the buyer and charge you for the transaction: So in this case you would make $6.60 on this Amazon sale.  Amazon sale of $15.16 less cost to print and ship $8.56 = $6.60 profit.   SET THE SHIPPING FEES You can offer free shipping but you can now also set your own shipping fees for the Amazon buyer. In the past, we didn’t have any flexibility on what the buyer was charged for shipping.   The pre-set shipping fees were:  $3.99 for US, $9.99 for Canada and $16.95 for International.  With the recent changes, you now have the flexibility to not charge for shipping or set your own shipping fees.   Here’s another example of a book/product that weighs 4 pounds. As you can see, the prior pre-set shipping fees determined by Amazon would not come close to covering your shipping costs to Canada and International locations. If you currently have products listed on Amazon Marketplace we suggest that you take a look at your Amazon Reconciliation Report.  This is available in your Vervante Author Account under Reports. You can see what your actual postage costs are vs. what you are reimbursed from Amazon. If the current pre-set shipping fees of $3.99 for US, $9.99 for Canada and $16.95 for International orders is covering your actual postage costs, then you probably don’t need to do anything. However, if your product or book weighs more than two pounds you may want to determine the average postage costs for each region and let us know what you’d like to charge the Amazon buyer so that postage costs aren’t dipping into your profit. In summary, you now have the option of:  offering free shipping by not charging Amazon buyers for postage leaving the pre-set postage fees for the Amazon buyer as they are now changing postage fees based on how much it costs to ship your book/product to each region If you want to make changes to existing products, please let us know by emailing change requests to [email protected]. For questions about how we can help you set up the best sales options for your book, or if you would like a free quote, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Or better yet, schedule a call with one of our publishing professionals at https://vervante.youcanbook.me/. There are a lot of options for selling your book out there. Let us help you figure out what works best for you.

Vervante • September 5, 2017

When it comes to building a business, it can be hard to find new ways to stand out from the crowd. That's why we love to brainstorm new products to help our clients - and came up with two new products perfect for fitness professionals, dieticians, nutritionists, gym owners, personal trainers, and just about anyone dedicated to helping people improve their lives. And so we're introducing to you today our new customizable Daily Fitness & Nutrition journals and the “Fit, Fun and Fierce” motivational card decks. All that these super-fun and ready-to-brand products need is your logo and – bam! – you’ve got  ready-to-go products that can be used to add new income streams, as additional product or program resources, or even as gifts and incentives.   Here’s the details: Daily Fitness & Nutrition Journal Two beautifully-designed covers – with space to add your logo (at no charge!) Journal comes in 30, 60 or 90 day lengths Get in Shape goal-setting section Starting weights and measurements diagram page Daily nutrition, exercise and resistance tracking pages Weekly check-in pages Final section for weights, measurements, success and celebrations Click HERE to see what's inside the journals “Fit, Fun and Fierce” motivational card deck 33-cards with inspirations, motivations and affirmations Cover card can be personalized with logo Cards are packaged in window tuck box for easy storage Cards are designed to support and inspire – they are not specifically fitness-focused, rather provide positive attitude support and encouragement Click HERE to see what's inside the card deck If this news just elevated your heart rate and you’d like to learn more, check out our fitness products page in the Vervante bookstore, or send us an email at [email protected]. Journals and cards can be ordered as a bundle or individually, and you’re welcome to order samples by clicking on the following links: $6.95 for the journal $5.95 for the cards $11.75 for the bundle We’re excited to share these new products and hope you are too. Because there’s nothing better than helping people become better versions of themselves.

Vervante • July 3, 2017

Sending someone a hand-written card or letter is becoming a lost art. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We love getting cards in the mail – and we bet you do too. A card with a hand-written note in it makes those who receive it feel special. Like they are worth that bit of extra effort it takes, versus a quick text or email. Creating custom greeting cards that carry your brand or logo are a great way to show your clients, customers and colleagues that they are extra special to you. They are easy to create, easy to brand, and make a great positive impression at a very budget-friendly cost. We can help you create your own greeting cards – or let you add your logo/brand to ones we’ve already created. Like these gorgeous, glossy 5x7 folded greeting cards featuring 10 different designs and with the ability to add your logo to the back free of charge. Each card is designed in a variety of colors and patterns and features positive messages great for any occasion (to see all of our designs, just click on the image at left, or click HERE.) And each set of cards comes in a white box with a clear lid to show off what’s inside. If you love this idea and want to order your own, here's what you get: A set of 10 blank inside greeting cards, 10 white envelopes, packaged in a white stationary box with clear lid for $9.65 printed on demand. And we'll add your logo to the back of the cards at no charge. Cards like these are great for your own use, can be packaged with other products you currently sell, or used as gifts, prizes and awards that are guaranteed to make someone’s day. If you’ve got greeting cards on your mind now, and would like to talk to us about our ready-to-brand cards or creating ones of your very own, we’re here to help! Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to send you a free quote and all the details to get your cards created. Here’s to products that make people smile!

Vervante • June 12, 2017

Have you ever wanted to include something a little extra in the books or journals you create? What you might be looking for is a “pocket.” Pockets are an easy and low-cost way to add value and functionality to products. For books, journals or similar products, pockets can hold a little something extra, like a CD, DVD, cards, stickers, notes, or anything that needs to stay with the product. And here at Vervante, we offer a variety of sizes and options so you can get exactly what you need: Adhesive corner pockets are available in 4x4 and 6x6 Binder pockets are available in 8.5x11 and 5.5x8.5 Adhesive corner pockets can be added to the inside front or back cover of perfect-bound books and spiral-bound books, notebooks, journals or workbooks. Binder pockets are typically added to a 3-ring binder but can also be spiral bound into a journal or workbook. Here are some ways we’ve seen our customers put pockets to good use: Empty adhesive pockets used with perfect-bound hard cover and paperback books for readers to keep print-outs, notes, worksheets, or additional materials Adhesive pockets inside fitness journals filled with fun stickers to highlight milestones and rewards successes Binder pockets in 3-ring binders for CDs or DVDs to accompany the printed materials Binder pockets in a spiral-bound cookbook holding recipe cards, shopping lists, etc. If you love this idea – and would like to add pockets to existing products or future ones, let us know. Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to send you a free quote and all the details for using fun and functional pockets.

Vervante • February 28, 2017

When you ask people to blurt out the first thing they think of for catalogs, you’re probably likely to hear things like “Sears” or “Pottery Barn.” As much as our mothers may have loved the catalogs they received back in the day, today’s catalogs are breaking new ground and being used by savvy entrepreneurs and businesses to share information well beyond a simple lists of products. In fact, we’re pretty excited about the things we’re seeing people do with catalogs these days. Businesses small and large are using catalogs to share their brand story, give their audience a new way to learn and connect, share news and showcase events, services, products and other offerings. Catalogs drive sales, yes. But they also help build loyal fans by capturing their interest, providing multiple ways to connect, and sharing unique and colorful images and content that build interest and trust in what your business provides. Here are a few important things catalogs can do for you: Tell your brand story: A mix of articles, images and messages along with product or service offerings in a catalog inspired emotional connections with readers. Boost credibility: A colorful, information-filled catalog inspired confidence and creates credibility. Synergize with social media: In a digital-focused world, printed catalogs offer a unique and strong complement to online marketing that has the same targeting ability as many social media channels. For instance, you can send catalogs only to specific customers who have visited your website, or worked with you in a specific way. Another idea would be to create alternate covers for your catalogs that appeal to different segments of your target audience, focusing in on what will capture their attention the best. And yes, increase sales. Sharing your products and services in this way offers a format for readers to pick up what you’re putting out there again and again, in venues that social media can’t get to. If you’re interest in creating a catalog for your business, we can help. First, you need to understand the product itself. Here’s the secret: it’s simply a saddle-stitch booklet, easy to create and easy on your budget. Next, decide on your content. Don’t be hindered by old-fashioned ideas of what catalogs should be. Create your own unique product by mixing up content and staying true to your brand and message. Catalogs can be any dimension and any number of pages. You can email us at [email protected] to ask any questions and receive a free quote. And we’re happy to put you in touch with one of our publishing experts to brainstorm ideas. Don’t forget, we now offer services to schedule phone conversations, just use the link from our Contact page.

Vervante • February 14, 2017

We're excited to share something new we've set up for connecting with Vervante customer support - an online phone appointment system. This is a quick-and-easy way to schedule a phone call directly with one of our publishing experts here at Vervante HQ. Here's how it works: Click HERE or on the link provided on the Contact Us page of our website. Your local time zone should be filled in, but it's always good to check. Select an open appointment time by clicking on it. If you want to see future dates, just click on the arrow on the right side of the page. Fill in the required contact information and submit. You're all set! You will receive a confirmation email with all the information. If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, you can do so by clicking in the links provided in your confirmation emails. We're so excited to be able to offer this additional level of service and can't wait to hear about your newest projects.

Vervante • November 29, 2016

Here at Vervante, we’re fortunate to have clients from all over the world. We love how unique each one is – and the amazing variety they bring to the products we help them create. When products cross borders, however, often the “standards” are very different. Let’s look at one of the most common conversion scenarios – the standard letter size. Here in the U.S. and Canada, standard letter size is 8.5 x 11 inches. International users have a standard called A4, which is slightly thinner and longer, at 21 x 29.7cm (8.25 x 11.67 inches).   The image shows very simply the difference. Most of the time, if you are sharing digital products such as ebooks, pdfs, or download of any kind, this isn’t an issue. But for products that are printed it can cause problems. If you have customers in other countries, or you are based internationally, they will love you for thinking of them when you create your next products. We can print in A4 size for any of our products that need it, including hard cover and paperback books, spiral training manuals, binders and tabs, journals, note cards, stationery, and more. It’s easy to make the change. Questions? Need help? Email us at [email protected] and we’ll help you get it done.

Vervante • November 22, 2016

  To my dear friends and customers, When I started Vervante 15 years ago I took a huge leap of faith and followed my intuition that there was a genuine need for print-on-demand solutions and I was going to fill that need. Now here we are 15 years later and I want to thank you for being part of that journey. I am personally very grateful for your business and your trust in our company. Every day my team and I strive to continuously grow and improve so that we can provide you with an awesome experience. Vervante started with a leap of faith and a mad dash during a short window of opportunity after I’d been working in the industry for 22 years (17 years as an exec at Xerox, followed by 5 years at Fatbrain.com, a Silicon Valley startup). Fifteen years later, we have amazing and awesome customers, like you, who have helped inspire and guide us into the business we are today. As the Thanksgiving season approaches, I feel inspired to share with you my sincere gratitude for your support, your business, and your loyalty. If there is anything we can do for you, new services or products that you would like us to offer, please let me know. It is our pleasure to work with you and your team and we hope to do so for many more years.  Happy Thanksgiving. Here’s to another 15 years! Cindy Tyler, CEO, Vervante

Vervante • November 15, 2016

This time of year the orders for creating custom cards are rolling in. Thank you cards, holiday cards, cards branded with business logos, messages, photos and graphics. We love them and it’s so much fun helping to create these for our customers to share around the world. But really, cards are great any time of year. Whether you share them freely, or use them to support your business, they are perfectly adaptable for any creative ideas. Here are some fun ways we’ve seen our customers use card decks and greeting cards lately: CARD DECKS Stand-alone products (tarot cards, games, calendars, goddess/angel cards, educational, etc.) Daily challenges in decks that you can display in clear stand-up jewel cases Checklists, tasks or ideas that accompany information products Inspirational or motivational messages as part of mentorship programs Recipes or health and wellness tips Fitness programs, workouts, exercises GREETING CARDS Client thanks you cards with small gift cards included inside Gratitude cards for loyal customers Included with information products Welcome letters for new program attendees Congratulations notes for program graduates Post cards as invitations, notification for sales or special events Our cards are highly customizable – they can be printed at any size, with square or round edges and in either full color or black-and-white. And when it comes to packaging, the options are pretty fun, too. How about sharing or sending your cards in: PACKAGING OPTIONS Full color printed boxes featuring your custom designs Clear envelopes Drawstring bags Clear pop-up boxes Button/string poly envelopes No matter how you package them, card decks are a sure bet for delivering a big impact in a small package. For a free quote or to run your ideas by us, email [email protected].

Vervante • November 8, 2016

If creating a new calendar featuring your own custom designs for your business isn’t on your list yet for New Year ideas, let us show you why it should be. While traditional wall calendars are still one of our most popular products this time of year, there are a lot of exciting new versions you can create and so many different ways to use them as business-building tools. In fact, here’s some awesome facts about calendars: Studies have shown that more than 78% of consumers use branded calendars in their homes, 70% will do business with that company, and 40% will refer that company to others. Here are a few ideas for types of calendars we offer – and creative ways to use them: Saddle stitched wall calendars Pretty pictures are a classic, but why not provide take-action images for monthly calendars such as recipes, workouts, writing prompts, how-tos, infographics, and useful tips? Spiral bound wall or desk calendars This type of calendar is great for folding, easy to lay flat and write on, and perfect for taking it on-the-go. Fill it with things like checklists, challenges, fitness charts and financial goals. Help your readers keep track of goals and progress throughout the year and they’ll thank you for keeping them on track. Card deck calendars in clear stand-up (jewel-type) cases Daily or monthly cards can be stacked and displayed on desk or countertops with ease. Instead of focusing on the days of the week, try about using these to provide daily, weekly or monthly quotes, challenges, education, to-do’s, action items, etc. Fill it with amazing value and you’ll create raving fans who can’t wait to flip to the next day. Easel style desk calendars No need to hang this calendar on the wall. This fun style can be printed any size and features a self-contained easel that makes it easy to stand on a desk, in a studio, on a countertop, or wherever it makes sense. Large wall calendars (with optional lamination) Big in size and big in value, custom wall calendars will definitely make a splash. These can be laminated for write on / wipe off use. And they are perfect both as standalone products and to include as part of coaching or training programs. And don’t let the size make you think they are hard to ship. They can be rolled and shipped in a tube, or folded and mailed flat. Bottom line, calendars are a great way to help your audience keep track of their valuable time while also keeping your business and brand at their fingertips throughout the year. They can be sold, or they can be given away for free. And no matter how you use them, they are guaranteed business boosting resources that work hard all year long.   For more info or free quotes about creating calendars for your business, please email [email protected] or click on the "Product Catalog" link at the bottom of every page on our website for full-color photos and lots of other calendar ideas.

Vervante • September 20, 2016

The two main forms of commercial printing are digital and traditional offset printing. Understanding and choosing the right printing method for your projects is essential for creating the best end result for your product - and your budget. Here at Vervante we offer both digital printing and offset printing services. Both have their pros and cons. To choose the right method, you'll need to look at things like quality, volume, budget and timelines. Digital Printing Digital printing is great for people who need smaller runs of less than 1,000 copies, flexibility to customize, and quick turnaround times. Digital printing also is great for creating proofs of each product. Extremely detailed samples can be made of your print job quickly and cost effectively, helping ensure the final product is just right without hurting your budget. In addition, if you need to make slight changes to your products, such as personalizing with different names or logos, digital printing is a better way to go. For example, personalized letters can be printed with a different name and address on each letter. This is great if you are creating products for direct marketing, client relationship development or advertising. Bottom Line: If you need a fast turnaround, a short print run, or the ability to customize your prints, digital printing will help you meet your deadline and keep costs down. Offset printing Traditional offset printing is a better choice when you need a large amount (more than 1,000) while keeping your expenses low, a wider range of paper, ink and finish options, and exceptional color accuracy. With offset printing we can print on any stock, create custom covers that can include foil stamp and embossing, and work with a wide range of printing surfaces including paper, wood, cloth, metal, leather, rough paper and plastic. A budget-friendly option for high volume projects, traditional offset printing is not only more cost effective but can be quicker. The more you print, the better, as unit cost goes down as quantity goes up. Many of our customers print thousands at a time, opting to store extras in our warehouse for later shipments while enjoying a drastically reduced cost-per-product. When it comes to color quality and accuracy, offset printing uses the Pantone Matching System and inks to deliver unparalleled accuracy, making it the best type of printing when image quality or accuracy is concerned. Bottom Line: Traditional offset printing is a better choice for higher volume print runs, projects that demand a higher level of color or image accuracy, and the potential for much higher cost-per-product savings. Choosing the right printing method comes down to each projects' quality and volume demands, budget and timelines. Remember, we're here to help, please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we'll help you make sure you choose the best method for each of your projects.

Vervante • August 22, 2016

Ready to stand out from the crowd? We've got just the product that's perfect for building up a business, creating new revenue, and just about a million other things - Custom Card Decks! Custom-designed card decks are a fun and creative way to present a message that's unforgettable. Card decks can be used to make a big impression with your target audience, giving them a handy and useful product to enjoy for months or even years, keeping your brand, business or message at their fingertips.   You're not limited to traditional playing cards stamped with your company logo, either. The sky's the limit when thinking of new ideas for using cards decks. How about as .... Stand-alone products (tarot cards, games, daily inspirations) Part of an information product Bonus for ongoing mentorship or business programs Marketing lead generators Additional revenue streams Retail products Table-top attention-getters Unique gift-bag goodies Recipes Fitness or nutrition programs Networking or workshop activities Our card decks are highly customizable – they can be printed at any size, with square or round edges, in either full color or black-and-white and can be laminated for extra durability. When it comes to packaging – the only limit is your imagination! Here are a few ways our clients have presented their custom card decks:  Drawstring bags Clear boxes Button/string poly envelopes Custom printed card deck boxes One-hole punch with ring For a free quote or to ask questions about creating your own custom card deck, email [email protected].

Vervante • April 25, 2016

When it comes to books, we love 'em! From that first burst of inspiration all the way through to sales and distribution of the final product, we take joy in helping our clients every step of the way. In fact, we go above and beyond when it comes to books by providing full-service solutions that anticipate and meet every need our authors might have, including:  LCCN assignment Copyright registration eBook conversion Word count conversion charts Listing on Amazon for Kindle and printed books List on Barnes & Noble for Nook and printed books Supporting Amazon Bestseller campaigns Both paperback and hard cover formats Printing both on-demand or in bulk Storage in our warehouse for bulk orders Assembling of your book with other products for shipping Wide variety of products that help market and sell your book, including bookmarks, postcards, special event tickets, printed newsletters and more. Check out our special "Fast Track Publishing" infographic by clicking HERE to access our easy-to-follow guide for creating and printing your book - and all the great services we offer in between. Whatever you can think of for your book - including interesting products that will help market and sell it - we've got you covered. Here's to letting your creativity flow!

Vervante • April 18, 2016

Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. Adult coloring books have become a fun and lucrative product that many of our clients are using to create new revenue streams, attract new followers, and have a little fun while they’re at it. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, coloring books have jumped into the spotlight as a big business opportunity that is skyrocketing in popularity. Nielsen Bookscan estimates that 12 million were sold in 2015, a dramatic jump from only 1 million sold the previous year.   Adult coloring books offer value to your readers by allowing them to embrace their inner artist, release stress, find their focus, and recharge their creative batteries. Coloring books can be created quickly and easily around any theme that will fit your business, such as nature, fitness, food, family, travel, love, relationships, growth and inspiration. They can be offered as revenue-generating products on their own, or as a value-add to other products or programs you offer. If you're ready to create an adult coloring book, here are our recommendations to ensure a high-quality product readers will love: Spiral binding or saddle stitching is best so that the book will lay flat. Coloring books can be printed single-sided or double-sided. If you choose to print double-sided, we recommend using a thicker-weight paper to avoid bleed-through. We can print any size but recommend 8 x 10 or 8.5 x 11 (perfect for fitting in a standard size picture frame). We can also perforate the pages to make them easy to tear out. And remember, you can print your book vertical or horizontal. Adding pens, pencils or other products to your book Help your coloring books stand out from the crowd by adding your own branded products such as pens, pencils, tote bags, etc and including them with the shipment. You can order unique promotional products from our partner Prodigy Promos, and have them stored in our warehouse until they are ready to be packaged and shipped together.  Another great idea we've seen is to create audio CDs packaged with coloring books. Music or meditations to color to, now that's pretty creative! If you have any questions about creating coloring books, CDs, or other products with Vervante, please email us at [email protected]. We can provide you with free quotes and help you create this fun and lucrative product for your business.

Vervante • March 8, 2016

Do you ever feel exhausted or "brain-foggy?" Desperate for a quick boost of energy or inspiration so that you can get focused, get on track, and get that next big project done? We know the feeling! Creating a successful business takes a lot of work. Add to that the effort and energy it takes to write books, choreograph and film videos, create information products, and more, and suddenly that morning cup of joe is starting to look pretty weak. We knew that there had to be easier, and healthier, ways to boost creativity, focus and energy than an addiction to Starbucks. So we reached out to our favorite fitness, energy, nutrition and wellness experts and asked for their secrets. We loved what they shared – activities, recipes, exercises, products and more – all designed to keep you at the top of your game so you can create the life you want.  We know you’ll feel energized just reading this. There are some surprising ideas we loved and have already put to the test successfully, so be sure to read through to see them all. We’ve split this article into a series of 2, so read through these and watch for Part 2 coming soon for even more powerful ways to boost your energy, clarity and creativity all day long. Mike Mahler, Mahler’s Aggressive Strength One of my favorite methods for increasing energy, mood, and focus is deep breathing exercises. This works especially well early in the morning to get your day going. Sit down and relax and take a deep breath to a count of four. Hold it for four seconds and then breathe out slowly to a count of four. Make sure to breathe in deeply through your nose into your stomach as opposed to your chest. Breathe out through your mouth. Do 10-15 deep breaths every morning or whenever you need a boost. http://mikemahler.com   Holli Clepper, Fitness Education Unlimited To boost creativity I often breathe in my favorite essential oil, (Clarity by Young Living), which includes a mix of oils such as basil, ylang ylang, rosemary, jasmine and bergamot. This helps settle the mind a bit. I then use a breathing technique that I find really increases focus and calms the mind. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly while lying down (seated if you have nowhere to lay). Breathe deeply into your belly making the hand on the belly rise, hold that breath for 2 seconds then while still holding the breath, move the breath into the chest until the chest rises, hold for 2, send it back to the belly, hold for 2, back to the chest, hold for 2, and back to the belly, hold for 2, and exhale. This charges up the body, released toxins and helps work the diaphragm. Moving the breath around instead of just holding it is what really gets the diaphragm working. A tight diaphragm can affect your breathing and posture, which is why breathing exercises are important. You can perform this technique one to six times, during the day, before bed or whenever you need to settle the mind. www.fitnesseducationunlimited.com   James Wilson, Mountain Bike Strength Training Systems My top tip to boost creativity, energy and focus is to take 5 minutes and meditate. Nothing fancy, just sitting there focusing on your breathing while counting out 10 breathes in your head is fine. If meditation isn't your thing then get outside for a 10 minute walk (as bonus, a walk will help boost your energy as well). The problem is that we usually have too many other things buzzing around our heads and finding a way to lower the noise so you can finally focus the brain is the key. I've found that taking 5-10 minutes to help quiet and focus the brain really pays off in terms of how much more work I can get done in the remaining time I have and the quality of that work. www.bikejames.com   Chad Tackett, Fast Track to Fat Loss There are all sorts of manufactured energy drinks, pills, bars, and "shots" on the market, but none hold a candle to real, whole food. Choose the right foods and you'll get more nutrients for faster (and better), long-term energy. Here are 5 energy-boosting super foods that will give you true, lasting energy throughout the day: 1. Fruits, especially those high in potassium, such as bananas, apricots, cantaloupe, and kiwi. Other excellent energy-boosting fruits are apples, grapes, and peaches. 2. Quinoa is truly a super food. It’s a super-grain that's a complete protein, a high-quality complex carbohydrate, and high in fiber and iron, as well as calcium. Quinoa is also high in magnesium, which helps relax your muscles and blood vessels and has a positive effect on blood pressure. In addition, it's full of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and can even help balance your blood sugar! 3. Oats are a quality source of complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber, low on the glycemic index, and rich in energy-boosting B vitamins. I'm not talking about instant oatmeal, but rather old-fashioned oats, dry rolled oats, steel cut oats, or oat bran. Because these kinds of oats aren’t broken down like instant oatmeal is, it takes longer for them to be processed within your body, providing a slower release of energy (meaning, sustained energy). Oats also contain stress-reducing B vitamins, which helps transform carbs into usable energy. And because they're high in fiber, your body gets an ongoing stream of energy that gradually flows into your bloodstream, as opposed to a short-term spike that crashes soon after. 4. Seeds such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and hemp seeds provide a great supply of fiber, healthy fats (including omega-3's), vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Chia seeds are an especially great choice because they have a large amount of soluble fiber, which creates sort of a gel in your intestines. This keeps you full and satisfied longer and provides time-release energy, which stabilizes your blood sugar and keeps your energy levels even during intense training or longer physical activities. 5. Lentils are a great source of fiber, which again, translates to a slow release of glucose, as well as B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium and copper. Protein helps slow down the digestion of food for sustained energy and lentils help reduce your cholesterol and blood pressure as well. Plus, they’re low in fat and calories! Beans (black, kidney, garbanzo, etc.) are also an energy-boosting food with similar benefits. BONUS: In addition to these 5 foods, keep in mind that without water, your body cannot generate energy. Water makes it possible for your system to digest, absorb, and transport nutrients. It also helps regulate body temperature. When you’re dehydrated, your cells receive nutrients for energy less efficiently, and your body can’t properly expend heat through sweating. Both conditions lead to fatigue. Try to drink eight to ten 8-oz. glasses of water a day and you'll be amazed at how much energy you get just from staying adequately hydrated. http://fasttracktofatloss.com/fbg/fat-burning-gene.php.   Chris Barnard, Strength Camp and Overtime Athletes My favorite go-to tip for boosting creativity, energy, and focus comes from a simple morning ritual.  Every morning I meticulously wake up and repeat a series of steps.  No matter if I'm at a seminar in another city or at the comfort of my home, I try my hardest to set my day off with my morning ritual.  A morning ritual can consist of many different aspects but here are the 3 things I believe add up to successful day.  1.  Combine Movement and Breathing - Meditation can be difficult for some people to get into but anything you can do to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system is essential in our busy driven lives.  I love to take a short walk and focus on breathing deep into my belly and clear my mind to the present issues of the day.  Simply try your hardest to be aware of something new on your walk each day.  This allows laser focus. 2.  Consume Knowledge - To increase creativity, it will help if you expose yourself to new ideas.  The simple way that I do this is listen to audio books on my way to work. I typically like to choose a book that is pertaining to the things I may be dealing with in my present life and allow new ideas or ways to approach each situation and marry it with my own. In turn this allows me to put my own creative spin on it. Try listening to a new idea every morning to allow your past ideas to mesh and become a new creation each day. 3.  "Super Shake" - For energy I have a "Super Shake" every single day.  With our days filled with meetings and always on the go we sometimes forget to treat our body as a temple. So each morning I drink a potent shake that literally takes me 2 minutes to make. Here’s my recipe:   - 2 scoops whey protein (Nectar fruit flavored)   - 1 scoop Living Fuel Greens   - 1 scoop Living Fuel Berry   -  5 drops liquid Fulvic Vitamins   -  5 drops liquid Fulvic Minerals   -  1 Adrenal Support   http://strengthcamp.com   Rachel Cosgrove, Results Fitness University When working on a project such as an article or a book I love to create a Mind Map to brainstorm my ideas. I'm a very visual person, as 80% of people are, so by drawing a mind map or using one online (I like www.mindmeister.com) it gets my brain churning with ideas of what I want to include - stories, images, points I want to make...and each of these goes in a bubble. From there I end up branching off of each bubble with more points or ideas. Ideas will hit me at the strangest times (in the car, walking the dog, in the shower) and as soon as I can I add them to my mind map. Then when I sit down to create the product I can chunk it down into writing each bubble at a time. www.RachelCosgrove.com, www.ResultsFitnessUniversity.com   Hut Allred, New Wave Fitness "To ramp up vitality, try a supervised detox for a minimum of 7 days. A detox helps to rid your body of harmful toxins and as a result, can give you increased energy plus physical and mental vigor." www.NewWaveFitness.com     Janet Rae Humphrey, E-RYT Oxygen is the best energy booster. The chemical reactions that produce energy in the cells of your body require oxygen. Inhale more oxygen by sitting up tall and taking long diaphragmatic inhales: Diaphragmatic Breathing for Energy Sit away from the back of the chair using the muscles of your back and abdomen to sit erect. Place your feet flat on the floor parallel to each other and your knees over your ankles. The long upper bones of your legs (femurs) should be parallel to each other. Place your little fingers in the crease between your torso and thighs with the middle fingertips touching two inches below the belly button. Inhale – Expand your belly out and lift up your belly, spine and chest. Exhale –Pull your lower belly in and hug your shoulder blades together on your back. Take three long, slow diaphragmatic breaths in and out through your nose. For energy and to decrease depression – make your inhale longer than your exhale. Inhale for the count of six, hold for the count of one, exhale for the count of three, and hold for the count of one. Concentrate on your breathing for three to five minutes. For anxiety and to increase relaxation– make your exhale longer than your inhale. Inhale for the count of 3, hold for the count of one, exhale for the count of six, and hold for the count of one. Concentrate on your breathing for three to five minutes. www.AgeWithoutLimits.net   Dave "The Band Man" Schmitz Performing quick 20-minute morning exercise routines have been my "go to" when it comes to boosting mental focus and physical energy. To accomplish this I have found resistance bands to be the go-to training tool no matter if I am on the road, in​ the​ office, or at home. Bands provide all the benefits of training with weights while making it easy to train anywhere, anytime at any intensity level while being able to perform any movement​. Give bands a try.... You will not be disappointed.   www.resistancebandtraining.com    

Vervante • January 11, 2016

Peggy Murrah, owner of PMA Web Services, is known for implementing and overseeing timely, high-quality projects from web design, product launches and sales campaigns to virtual assistant services and online business management. Peggy’s solid reputation and extensive professional network have connected her with exciting, high-profile opportunities and top-tiered people. Her client list includes entrepreneurs, business professionals, speakers, coaches, consultants, authors, musicians, real estate pros, health & fitness providers, educators, attorneys, Non-Profit Organizations and even a rocket scientist. When it has to be done right and on-time, PMA Web Services is who they call! She is a recognized Social Media authority, coauthor of Amazon bestseller “42 Rules to 24 Hour Success on LinkedIn,” along with her latest book, “Success Tweets for Virtual Assistants.” Q: When creating a book, info product, or other published product, what do you think authors can do by themselves? And what should they outsource? Great question! Authors need to be very honest with themselves about what they know how to do exceptionally well, and what they find zaps their creative energy. And of course, delegate those tasks that drain them! There are some obvious areas to outsource: Cover design, fulfillment (who wants a box of books in their garage?), page layout and design, proofreading and editing. And then there are some less obvious choices, such as: Consider hiring a writing coach to keep you on track and manage your deadlines. Use them to brainstorm and to keep you accountable. Secondly, don’t wait to hire a support team. Book promotion is not for the faint of heart, attention to detail is a must, and there is a ton to get started on before the product is even published. Build the buzz with social media, send out press releases, and arrange book tours and readings. The opportunities are endless. Q: Project management is an often overlooked, but very important part of the process. Any thoughts about key points of success for the project from beginning to end, ways to avoid trouble, things to keep an eye out for? YES! Work with a team with a variety of well-honed skills. A team allows your needs to grow, without trying to find a new team member in the midst of everything else! Create realistic timelines. We all have the best of intentions on completing tasks, but you need to get real about how long each element could take, and one setback can impact other projects going forward. When planning, take into account holidays or other planned absences. Have regular meetings with your team to check in and make sure everyone has what they need to complete the task. Keep communication open with you and within the team. Encourage brainstorming sessions where the team works together, not just in isolation. The big one – don’t wait to hire a Project Manager (and the Project Manager isn’t you!).  Bring them in early in the process, let them be a part of the planning, and let them own it. Q: What are the essential things that an author should prepare or understand BEFORE they start a publishing project? Information products are incredible marketing tools and help solidify your expertise in the market. Products have the lasting ability of establishing who you are, what you do, and why it’s so important to you. But they should not be thrown together for the sake of having a product out there, because they will look just like that. A good quality product that is insightful and expertly pulled together will reflect the perfectionism your company will be known for. The thought and care you put into it will be evident to everyone who happens upon it. Before you start, understand what you want to include, and what may be best to leave out. Each section should make sense, and not confuse the reader. Plan the journey the reader will go on as they review the book. What outcome do you want them to achieve? Does the product accomplish that? Does your reader know how to get more information? Plan your content around these questions, and then let your creativity flow! Q: In your opinion, what are the most profitable or successful type of products entrepreneurs can create? That really depends on the entrepreneur, their style, and their market. There are some entrepreneurs that are born speakers. Their face lights up, and they engage their audience in a powerful way. They’re naturals. This type of entrepreneur may focus on products that are recordings (mp3’s, DVD’s, etc). Other entrepreneurs have the gift of the written word. They reach their audience by opening their heart in a book, the content is more personal in style and feels very one-on-one. But the other aspect is really knowing your market. A busy professional may not have the time to read a book, but would enjoy an audio version.  Content that is meant to be more reflective, where the reader is journaling as they go, may be best delivered in writing. Which is why a good choice is to create a book with an audio download option! Q: What do you think about the value of using published products to support a growing business? Published products are a FANTASTIC business card! When you’re at a speaking engagement, having a product available that attendees can pick up right then is wonderfully valuable – for both of you! Obviously it is a great income stream for you, but also deepens the learning (and impact of your message) for your attendees. Q: In your experience, what are some ways that authors can make their products stand out from the crowd and increase their changes of successful launches and long term popularity? Plan, re-plan, plan again. Just PLAN! A successful launch will pull together multiple partners/affiliates/resources toward the same goal. There will be many moving pieces that need attention. Create a plan, be flexible and realistic, and don’t over-commit. For longevity – my advice is to take time and care. Determine what your goal is and work authentically towards it. Get feedback often from trusted friends/colleagues/mentors. Lean on those who provide you with constructive feedback and encourage and motivate you. Lastly, think beyond the book. What other products and services will you offer to complement this product? Do you have a plan to leverage your following? How will you market to new prospects? Do you have a sales funnel in place to capture your list and keep them? How will you continue to market to them? What are your next steps? Lots to consider I know. But a published piece is just one part of your marketing plan! ------ --------- You can learn more about Peggy and connect with her at http://www.peggymurrah.com/.