Pennsylvania

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Thanksgiving 2012

 

33 Dimensions Newsletter
November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving 2012Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I have much to be thankful for this year, beginning with the privilege to run a creative and rewarding business like 33 Dimensions. It has been a year of great growth for my company and I’ve gotten to work with and know so many great clients and associates, which has been fantastic.

Of course, on the other side of Thanksgiving comes the retail blitz which kicks off the holiday shopping season. “Black Friday” has become an institution, almost to the point of becoming a national holiday in of itself. Over the past decade or so, “Cyber Monday” has become a huge day for online sales. But the latest and greatest of these specialized shopping days is Small Business Saturday.

Started in 2010, this November 24th will be the 3rd Small Business Saturday and I encourage you all to participate. As a small business owner who provides the bulk of my services to other small businesses, promoting and supporting such initiatives is a year-round endeavor because these businesses face multiple challenges (as I wrote about in this blog on Sunday). Please support some of our affiliated initiatives listed below as well as small business in general.

Ric Albano
Owner and Creative Director
33 Dimensions LLC

Small Business Initiatives

Strella Social MediaSmall business owners wear many hats, which often leaves them short on the time, money, and resources it takes to properly execute a social media plan. If you’ve been struggling to find your foothold, it’s time to turn the tables by ordering A Small Business Owner’s Guide to Social Media. In coordination with Strella Social Media, We’re offering a special 50% off, Thanksgiving / Black Friday / Small Business / Cyber Monday sale of this.

 
The Cornerstone CoffeehouseLocated in the heart of Camp Hill, Pa., The Cornerstone Coffeehouse offers the absolute best of what a small business can be. With a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, the Cornerstone offers an incredible selection of coffee, tea, and creative drink specials and top-quality lunch selections ranging from salads to hearty sandwiches to savory soups. They have cold treats during the summer, a warm atmosphere during the winter and year-round offers live music, special art displays by local artists, and a top-notch gourmet cooking school. The Cornerstone also has a private room which is a great place to hold meetings, private parties, and fundraisers. Visit the Cornerstone Coffeehouse website

 
The BadleesYou may not think of a rock band as a “small business”, but for nearly 23 years The Badlees have been run as just that. In their early years, they started their own record label to sell their albums, which sold so well that the big labels took notice. In 1995, they signed with one of those labels, toured the world with top-notch acts, and scored a couple of top 40 hits along the way. Now they own their own studio and once again produce their own music right here in Pennsylvania. In 2013, the band will do something they have never done before – release a double album – and they currently have an extensive program where fans can get involved in supporting this ambitious endeavor. Please check out the band’s website to get involved with this exciting project. The Badlees 2013 Double Album Campaign

Coming Soon

In December we will be launching three new websites, all of which offer exciting prospects.

Ron the Bagman is the owner of R. Davis Enterprises near Elizabethtown, PA. and is truly a unique client to say the least. On the technical side, Ron offers a range of services including logistics, distribution, wholesaling, warehousing, importing, exporting, LTL trucking with “white glove” service and, of course, top quality custom plastic bags made in the U.S.A. On the personal side, Bagman is an unforgettable personality who has done business around the world and is known by name at markets in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Lancaster, Harrisburg, and many places in-between. 33 Dimensions is proud to be a new member of the “Bagman family”.

EMR Strategies and Kids Theatre News are both initiatives of a central Pennsylvania entrepreneur who has set her focus on expanding to other regions on the Northeast. EMR Strategies was established in 2008 to offer services for business executives, entrepreneurs, politicians and government officials with problem solving, strategic planning and organization. Kids Theatre News is a brand new initiative which will provide a central hub for students and parents involved in theatre shows and other stage events. This website will focus on medium-sized markets with a strong theatre community, starting with the Harrisburg, PA area and Albany, NY area and expanding to other locales in the future.

We strive for the continued growth and success of all our customers. Please support small business this weekend!

 
33 Dimensions
P.O. Box 126
Highspire, PA 17034
info@33dimensions.com

 

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The Uphill Battle Facing Small Business

Next Saturday, November 24th has been deemed Small Business Saturday, positioned between Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the post-Thanksgiving shopping spurt. On the surface, this is a very good thing. It brings widespread awareness to small business in general and should cause consumers to think of the little noticed shops they may routinely pass on their way to the big box store.

I must admit, however, that I have some skepticism about this initiative. First, it was launched by American Express, a multi-billion dollar, multi-national, corporation that may be about as far from “small” as one can get. AMEX has also registered the terms “Shop Small” and “Small Business Saturday”, which means that an actual small business may get into trouble if they used these terms in this context without permission or sanction from AMEX. I don’t mean to dump too much on American Express as I still think this is a great awareness campaign for small businesses, but let’s be frank; it is a big advertisement for their financial services.

There is also a bit of cynicism with the term “small business” itself. It has been volleyed around the political world in recent times as a mere catch phrase, well focus-tested and positive. In a way, saying you’re in favor of small business is like saying you’re for “world peace”, a great sounding concept, but totally meaningless unless you’re willing to look at the finer details needed to achieve such a lofty goal.

In the past political season, we’ve heard both sides speak how they were in favor of “small businesses” or the “middle class.” But when you look at some of the finer details, you see that the opposite is true. When the IRS audits a large corporation, they receive an average of $9,173 per man hour in recovered tax revenue. When small and medium size business are audited, that figure is only $702 per hour, a ratio difference of about 13 to 1 in actual dollars for the U.S. Treasury. Yet small-and-medium-sized-businesses are audited about 30% MORE than large corporations. Why?

The answer is that small businesses are easier targets. They don’t have the resources to properly fight these audits, so they are “low hanging fruit” for bureaucrats who are more concerned with their own success rates than actual dollars recovered for the taxpayers and, of course, this proves devastating for many small business owners. This stat alone should make you furious but there are many more examples of the deck being stacked against small business.

The point is, small business is a great attribute in a free society but there are many unnecessary burdens that inhibit our growth and survival. Most people agree that they want small business to thrive and it is time we all take some responsibility in challenging these burdens.

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Halloween 2012

 

33 Dimensions Newsletter
October 29, 2012

Halloween 2012Usually Halloween is a time for good nature and fun, but this year Hurricane Sandy is bearing down upon us in the Mid Atlantic and there is in an official state of emergency. Sandy gave the kids a few days off of school and some of us a few days off of work (although we never really stop working at 33 Dimensions) and, while unexpected vacations are serendipitous, this storm is to be taken very seriously.

I encountered some comedy in the stores yesterday. A clerk in the hardware store was answering the phone, “Thank you for calling, we are out of generators how else can I help you?” I even witnessed a “water thief” in the local market grab two gallons of bottled water out of another customer’s cart and disappear into the gridlock of shopping carts between bare shelves where bread and milk used to reside. Hopefully everyone managed to get their supplies and is home safe to ride out the storm.

Be safe out there!

Karyn Albano
Communications Director
33 Dimensions LLC

Client Initiatives

Strella Social MediaFor those of you struggling to find your way in the vast world of social media, I’ve got the inside scoop on a product that’s launching in early November. This comprehensive, practical and affordable guide is perfect for ANY small business! After years of working with small business owners and witnessing the many challenges they face, the developer, Rachel Strella, has created a product that’s guaranteed to help your business. Rachel understands that small business owners wear many hats – and as such – find it difficult to execute an effective social media plan for their business without spending hours a day or hiring additional help. Keeping up with the changes to social media alone is enough to drive someone mad, which is why a product to help business owners leverage the time and resources they have to create a presence that generates results is so important.

The guide contains five modules each with a theory, an example of execution, and exercise for crafting a successful social media game plan to meet your business goals. Unlike other social media products that can cost thousands of dollars, Rachel has made this product affordable for the small business budget – a one-time fee of just $149! I can personally attest to the value Rachel provides and I’m very excited to share the knowledge of this guide with you! Click here to learn more about the product and stay tuned for details on ordering, coming next week!

 
The BadleesThe Badlees are about to start production on their most ambitious recording to date, a double album of about 25 songs, and they are offering fans a chance to be part of it from the beginning. Being an independent artist, The Badlees are in a unique position to offer special fan perks and in return, fans can help with such an ambitious project with a custom and unique “crowdfunding” program. Check out the new record page on Badlees.com and browse through the various packages that are available now through the end of the year (12/31/12), but act fast because there are limited packages and the band expects these to sell out fast!

Welcome

We’d like to welcome some fine businesses and organizations for which 33 Dimensions began providing web services since the publication of our last newsletter.

 
The Cornerstone CoffeehouseSince its opening in 1994, The Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Camp Hill, PA has been a popular destination for those seeking great coffee, positive energy, and a warm and diverse sense of community. Their inviting atmosphere, great food and beverages, and great service has won them the prestigious Harrisburg Magazine’s “Simply The Best” award for the past ten consecutive years. Beyond the typical coffee house, the Cornerstone supports and presents local music and art, various non-profit organizations and causes, and includes the Cornerstone Culinary Kitchen and Cooking School, a Tuscan-inspired private room and kitchen for cooking classes and special occasions.
The Cornerstone website

 
Hazleton Historical Society and Museum33 Dimensions is happy to be updating the website for Greater Hazleton Historical Society and Museum. The society was established in 1980 as a private, non profit organization, with the physical museum being established in the historic Pioneer Firehouse in downtown Hazleton, Pa. The purpose of the Society and Museum is to preserve, educate, and share the rich local history of Hazleton and the surrounding area, with an endeavor to accomplish these goals through a variety of online media, museum tours, and special events. The Society also strives to intervene and actively preserve local landmarks – particularly those in danger of deterioration or demolition.
Greater Hazleton Historical Society and Museum website

 
Greco ChiropracticGreco Chiropractic offers professional chiropractic and physiotherapy services to patients throughout the Hazleton, PA area. Whether you have been injured in an accident or are suffering from muscle pain, Dr. Julian Greco and his knowledgeable staff can help alleviate your discomfort and educate you on how to keep your body limber and healthy. With over 10 years of experience, their dedication to patients’ treatment has earned them the reputation as one of the best chiropractic centers in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Greco Chiropractic website.

We strive for the growth and success of all our customers!

 
33 Dimensions
P.O. Box 126
Highspire, PA 17034
info@33dimensions.com

 

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The River of Rock, Volume 1

 

33 Dimensions Newsletter
October 10, 2012

The River of RockWelcome to the debut issue of the River of Rock newsletter!

This will be the single source for the latest information on all our affiliated rock and entertainment websites. To start, we’ll publish this monthly (on the 10th of each month), but do plan on expanding our content sources and publishing frequency in the future. We’d also like to establish affiliates with more musical artists, writers, merchants, and anybody else related to this industry.

If you’d like more information on becoming an affiliate or just would like to offer some feedback , please email me at info@33Dimensions.com. I hope you enjoy this new feature.

Ric Albano
Creative Director
33 Dimensions LLC

Rock n Roll

Modern Rock ReviewToday is the 2nd anniversary of the official launch of Modern Rock Review on 10/10/10. Two years ago, the site kicked off with a first-of-its-kind profile of The Badlees, which examined their career on the 20th anniversary of their own debut EP in 1990. Since that launch, the site went on to do extensive profiles on Rush, Mark Oliver Everett, Lenny Kucinski, and Coldplay, along with many more articles, album reviews, and blogs.

Today the website also announced J.D. Cook as the new Executive Editor.

   Modern Rock Review website   Modern Rock Review on Twitter   Modern Rock Review on Google Plus    Modern Rock Review on Facebook

 
Classic Rock ReviewClassic Rock Review started off as a specialized section of Modern Rock Review in 2011 but has become its own distinct website with a clear mission. The site’s primary purpose is to review significant, historic rock albums in a systematic way, by dedicating particular periods to focus on particular feature years in rock n roll. Right now the year being featured is 1987, which will continue to be covered through October 28th with the album of the year feature on U2’s The Joshua Tree. Starting in November, the site will review albums from 1972.

1987 Album Reviews
Hysteria by Def Leppard
In the Dark by Grateful Dead
A Momentary Lapse of Reason by Pink Floyd
Kick by INXS
Tango In the Night by Fleetwood Mac
Cloud Nine by George Harrison
Appetite for Destruction by Guns n’ Roses
Big Generator by Yes

   Classic Rock Review website   Classic Rock Review on Twitter   Classic Rock Review on Google Plus   Classic Rock Review on Facebook

 
Big Blue BullfrogIf you like entertainment, movies, video games, sports, literature, philosophy, politics, and yes, music, then Big Blue Bullfrog may be the site for you. This site was started in 2007 but was revamped to its current status in the Fall of 2011, and in that year has grown to be a cultural phenomenon. The site is currently reviewing the first five Resident Evil games, in honor of the release of the sixth, and the NFL features Tuesday Morning Tailback and
The Giants Blog are published weekly.

   Big Blue Bullfrog website   Big Blue Bullfrog on Twitter   Big Blue Bullfrog on Google Plus    Big Blue Bullfrog on Facebook

 
33 Dimensions
P.O. Box 126
Highspire, PA 17034
info@33dimensions.com

 

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Summer Sunshine

 

33 Dimensions Newsletter
June 20, 2012

SummerThe Most Sunshine of Any Day of the Year!

Happy summer everyone! I’d like to take this opportunity to re-introduce my web design business, 33 Dimensions, LLC. We provide Web Design, Website Management, and many other services for small businesses, individuals, entrepreneurs, and non-profit groups. Our specialty is helping our clients grow and we work hard to go above and beyond to help them realize their online promise. We can work with you at any stage of your online experience, whether you’re brand new and need a site from scratch, would like to upgrade an existing site, or just need some consultation on the latest trends and technologies.

Most of all, we provide service at the lowest practical cost and strive to reach 100% customer satisfaction. Please visit 33Dimensions.com for more information, our latest specials, and a portflio of our past work. Or please feel free to send me an email ric@33dimensions.com or call me on my cell at (717) 829-4221.

Ric Albano
Creative Director
33 Dimensions LLC

Why Do I Need a Website?

Simply put, a website along with a solid social media strategy is the most cost-effective means of advertising. The Internet is revolutionizing entire markets, allowing all businesses, large or small, the same opportunity to market their products and services in an effective and appealing manner.

Compared with attracting new customers through traditional advertising or conventional marketing, a Website is amazingly low cost and the possibilities are endless. Search engines, referrals and the vast linking mechanics of the worldwide web provide volumes of “foot traffic” unimaginable in a “brick and mortar” storefront setting.

What if my business sells products I don’t think can be sold online?

If you have a business, you should have a website. Period. Even if you deal with products and services that can’t be sold directly online, you must have a presence so that customers can find you. More than 20 million shoppers are now online, and when they are not purchasing many of them are “window shopping”. Don’t have the shutters closed when they come looking for you.

That said, it’s not enough that you just have a website. You must have a professional-looking site if you want to be taken seriously. Since many consumers now search for information online prior to making a purchase at a brick-and-mortar store, your site may be the first chance you have at making a good impression on a potential buyer.

Client News

Classic Rock ReviewLast week, Classic Rock Review published a special feature on the 50th anniversary of The Beatles First Abbey Road Session. The site is also currently featuring album reviews from the year 1992, with that year’s album of the year to be announced next week.

 
Keystone Rock ReviewOur newest site, Keystone Rock Review was launched last month as a successor to DAMES of PA. This site will focus on Pennsylvania music, artists, and events from both the present and past. The first big feature was a four-article profile on the legendary Philadelphia band The Hooters.

 
On April 21st, The Badlees released their first ever compilation album, spanning their first 22 years as a band. See Me As a Picture, The Best So Far, 1990-2012 contains 16 classic hits along with 2 new songs from the band. The CD can be purchased at the Badlees Online Store.

We strive for the growth and success of all our customers!

 
33 Dimensions
P.O. Box 126
Highspire, PA 17034
info@33dimensions.com

 

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