data /design
SPRING 2014
IT’S A BLOG EAT BLOG WORLD Blogging: What’s in it for You
Cover Photography: Starr Properties business cards designed by MayeCreate Design
MayeCreate D E S I G N
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STARR PROPERTIES & Developing Columbia EYE CANDY
COLUMBIA COMPUTER GAMMA PHI BETA Love,CENTER Labor, Learning Client andConsideration Loyalty Wireless
MayeCreate Design
STARR PROPERTIES
Developing Columbia
Justin Starr (right), Janna Gates (left) and Naomi Starr (middle) pride themselves on providing a good value and exceptional service with all of their properties.
When Starr Properties was created, twenty-something years ago it was a small, mom-and-pop operation with a couple of duplexes as investment properties. “My folks managed the business,” explains Justin Starr, current Starr Properties General Manager. “Dad did the leasing, Mom did…everything else!” Starr Properties is still familyowned and operated today with two additional family members as project managers: Janna Starr Gates, Justin’s sister, and Naomi Starr, Janna and Justin’s cousin. What started with just a few properties is now comprised of a vast combination of commercial properties and residential rentals that include: 100,000+ sq. ft. of commercial space, the large townhome complex known as
The Pointe at Rock Quarry Park, and 50 rental townhomes perfect for families and young professionals. All of the Starr commercial properties, as well as The Pointe, were developed from the bottom up. “We tend to buy raw ground, or raw lots, put in the infrastructure and utilities and then build the building,” explains Justin. “We view our properties as longterm investments.” The result of their dedication is a collection of aesthetically pleasing structures built to stand the test of time. Starr Properties’ commercial properties are home to local, regional and national tenants. “We look at ourselves as being able to accommodate a business of any size or industry,” Justin says. “We provide for several different industries including restaurant, office,
retail and medical.” In addition to expanding their Broadfield Shopping Center property located on the west side of town, Starr Properties is actively seeking tenants for their future development near the Old Hawthorne Country Club in East Columbia. “There has been an explosion of houses out there,” says Justin, and he knows a prime opportunity when he sees one. Recent extensions of roadways in the eastern part of town have provided a greater traffic flow. The Starr property most commonly known to the students of Columbia is The Pointe, 60 units of 4BR/4.5BA townhomes located south of town on Rock Quarry Road. “We don’t mix students and non-students,” explains Justin. “That’s why we jumped into The Pointe.” The apartment complex was
uncharted territory for Starr Properties, at the time, but it has proved a successful venture. The ultimate goal of The Pointe is to maintain good value and excellent service. “We keep the prices consistent,” says Justin. “We have no hidden fees, and we price the townhomes so it works for us AND our tenants.” “I also think it’s special because it’s locally-owned,” expresses Naomi. “We know every single one of our tenants.” The community environment of The Pointe is different from that of other residential student complexes. “The tenants appreciate the park-like community,” says Janna, thoughtfully. “People play football and during the summer they hang hammocks.” Aside from The Pointe, Starr rents out and manages 50 townhomes in the southwest area of Columbia
Starr Properties Website
The PointeWebsite
“
I sometimes get focused on the narrow part of things, and you guys help me find the big objective. ” - Justin Starr, Starr Properties General Manager
perfect for young professionals and families. “In those properties, our strong benefit, aside from our personal service connection, is that we offer a good property for a good value. People generally stay a long time.” Justin believes this is a testament to the good value and quality service Starr Properties provides. “There’s always a waiting list for our rentals,” says Justin. “If you went and interviewed these folks, you’d hear we’re responsive to their needs and they get a good value for their money.” With Columbia on a growth trend commercial and rental properties are popping up overnight. Starr Properties wants to keep their name in the forefront. Having previously worked together, Justin knew Monica Pitts, Creative Director of MayeCreate Design, had a keen eye for design, as well as the marketing knowledge that could push the Starr name out in front of the competition. “WE know what WE do,” laughs Justin. “If we tried to do it ourselves we would spend far too much time with a lesser product, so we get the professionals.” MayeCreate quickly and effortlessly designed effective print work for Starr Properties and The Pointe, but where the MayeCreate team talent truly shines is through their websites.
The MayeCreate team took time learning and figuring out exactly what each of Justin’s websites would need. “You all help me have that outside perspective,” explains Justin, “and look at our ideas and tell us what we need to do, or not do.” The websites MayeCreate designed for both Starr Properties and The Pointe work the way Justin and his staff operate: in a clear, no-muss, no-fuss way. MayeCreate understands all the complexities of web design and realizes others might not have the same knowledge. “You guys are very vocal and that really helps me,” confesses Justin. “You throw out ideas we may not have even thought about.” MayeCreate Design delivers topnotch customer service, providing a customized experience with each client. “Whenever I call MayeCreate, Stacy, our project manager, knows us,” says Justin, happily. “She knows what’s going on.” MayeCreate’s eloquent print work, successful web design and stellar service has maintained Starr Properties’ marketing objective: keeping the eyes of their audience to the Starrs.
View the full article and more images at the blog post: mayecreate.com/2014/02/starr-prop
MayeCreate Design
MAYECREATE DESIGN: MARKETING ADVICE
It’s a Blog Eat Blog World THERE IS AN AVERAGE OF IN ONE
DAY
2 MILLION
BLOG POSTS IN ONE DAY
4.7 million minutes
1,000
ARE SPENT ON FACEBOOK
f
= 185%
website
TRAFFIC
BUSINESSES WHO BLOG HAVE... 55%
more WEBSITE visitors
70%
MORE LEADS by blogging 1-2x/mo.
97% more inbound links
500%
more website visitors by blogging 15x/mo. Non-blogging business
Blogging: What’s in it for you? With all the hype about blogging, many business owners are asking why everyday over 2 MILLION1 people sharpen their proverbial pencils and publish blog posts. Blogging isn’t for every business, but it comes with distinct advantages. Here are some results you may find by investing time and energy creating quality blog content:
IMPROVED SEARCH RANKINGS The recipe for improving search engine optimization, or SEO, is a complicated one. Blogging is one of the ingredients that can help capture and hold a high listing in search engine rankings. Two additional ingredients for healthy SEO are inbound links, links from other sites to yours, and indexed pages, pages recognized and cached by search engines. Companies who blog experience 97% more inbound links and 434% more indexed pages than those who do not blog.2 Improved SEO often increases the quality of site visitors because the people who find your site found it on purpose.
MORE WEBSITE LEADS Think of blogging as a part of your sales
INCREASED WEBSITE VISITORS
mix, an activity to boost sales opportunities.
By allowing visitors to find the site easily, higher search engine
Companies who blog as little as 1 to 2 times
rankings increase traffic to your website. Businesses publishing
per month gather 70% more leads through
15 or more blog posts every month experience 500% more traffic
their website than those who don’t blog.2 In
than those who don’t blog.2 Sharing your blog posts via social
sales, generally more phone calls equals more
media and email can generate traffic, as well.
leads. The more calls you make, the more people you touch, and the more likely you are to find an interested buyer. Consider each
Whether your business has never posted a single blog article or
visitor to your site a cold call; increasing quality
you’re well on your way towards 200, there are benefits to be reaped from every additional post you make. Using blogging as a part of your sales mix doesn’t provide results overnight but it does build an ever improving foundation to generate a steady flow of website generated leads.
traffic to your website increases your number of touches, multiplying your opportunities to gather qualified leads. According to digitalbuzzblog.com From HubSpot.com Marketing Benchmarks from 7,000+ Businesses report 1 2
the
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Tranquility Internet
GAMMA PHI BETA:
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ALPHA DELTA CHAPTER
Sammy Peterson, Exec. Board President, and Andi Lanning, Exec. Board PR VP feel living at the house is a priceless experience bringing the young ladies together like sisters.
In 1874, four Syracuse University women, in the face of adversity, bravely founded Gamma Phi Beta, the first woman’s group to officially coin the term “sorority”. Gamma Phi Beta was created with a single mission: to embrace the full potential of womanhood through commitment to personal and intellectual growth. The Alpha Delta Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta, also known as G-Phi, are nestled in Greek Town at the University of Missouri, Columbia. These ladies pride themselves on maintaining their four L-word values: love, labor, learning and loyalty.
one type of person but that’s not how it is. We’re all completely different,” explains Ashlan Feister, current Admin. VP of the Gamma Phi Beta Executive Board. “Even if someone doesn’t get selected, we still become friends,” adds Kate Ruppe, Executive Board 2013 Financial VP. The cheerful, welcoming attitude the ladies of Gamma Phi Beta maintain could be a contributing factor to the 2013 PHA recruitment count of 1,700 students, the largest class in MU history. The G-Phi sorority has around 290 chapter members total, with 83 young ladies currently living
Sammy Peterson, President of the Executive Board explains, “One of the biggest things we strive for at G-Phi, is our reputation for being a laid-back, friendly, easy-to-get-along with group of young ladies.” “People may feel like we’re looking for
in the G-Phi house. “That’s why we have so much good food and Internet,” Ashlan laughs, “because there are so many girls living here at one time.” While Gamma Phi Beta is involved in many charitable events throughout the year, two particularly intriguing, and successful,
Love, Labor, Learning and Loyalty events they host are Grilled Cheese with the G-Phi-B’s and the Crescent Classic held annually, in the fall. On a Friday night in October Gamma Phi Beta hosts Grilled Cheese with the G-Phi-B’s, a late-night party featuring allyou-can-eat grilled cheese, cookies and chips for a mere $5!
G-Phi Philanthropic Efforts Campfire USA: Helping young girls build confidence through Girl Scout-like events and programs. Hearts for Huntington’s: helping to find a cure for Huntington’s Disease, a degenerative brain disorder, founded by G-Phi Katie Long. Girls on the Run: Motivating young girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through physical activities.
The following Saturday is the Crescent Classic Soccer Tournament, in which teams play each other in a bracket-style, friendly competition. The proceeds from both events are donated to Campfire USA, Hearts for Huntington’s Disease and Girls on the Run. Every sorority chapter has their own Executive Board offering its members the ability to govern themselves. Being a board member can develop lifelong leadership skills. “It’s a trial run for life,” adds Kim Berry, G-Phi House Mom. The ladies of Gamma Phi Beta aim high as scholars. In 2013 the average GPA of Gamma Phi Beta ranked higher than all female students, all of the Greek community and above the average GPA of the Mizzou student body. The G-Phis depend upon a multitude of Internet-required resources to maintain their high-ranking GPA. Students need constant access to Mizzou email and the Mizzou Blackboard system. “Internet ranks right up there with food,” laughs Ashlan. They consider it that much of a necessity. The G-Phi house previously had access to the Internet through DSL in their small computer lab. With the need for easily accessible, reliable and consistent Internet, Tranquility Internet Services had the perfect solution: Metro Ethernet. “When the house went through major renovations a few years ago,” explains Kim, “we were advised by our tech company and Tranquility, to install wireless throughout the building.” The House Corporation Board made
Kim Berry, G-Phi House Mom, has no complaints about Tranquility.
Tranquility provides the G-Phi house Internet, which they use for school and entertainment.
the commitment and Tranquility installed their Metro Ethernet fiber line. “The ultimate goal for our Internet was to allow every person who visits the house the freedom to connect,” says Kim.
“
Kim. While she and Travis are nice enough to allow Netflix, they block potentially viral websites and other unnecessary sites, including online gambling.
Travis was aware I knew nothing about techy stuff. He stepped me through the process. I always felt respected. ” - Kim Berry, Gamma Phi Beta House Mom
Not only can everyone at G-Phi connect to the Internet, the speed is unparalleled. “I’d rather come here to study than go to the library,” says Kate. “Even during chapter meetings, when all members are here, we can all be on the Internet at once without a problem or reduction in speed,” contributed a fellow G-Phi. Tranquility also provides content filtering to the G-Phi house, managing productivity flow and helping to avoid viruses. “Travis understands what the ladies need Internet for and what needs to be blocked before it gets here,” says
The services Tranquility provides to the G-Phi house have been a great addition and Kim’s experience with Tranquility’s customer service has been equally pleasing. With mutual roots in love, labor, learning and loyalty, Tranquility Internet Services could not have been a better fit for connecting the G-Phi-B’s to the Internet super-highway.
View the full article and more images at the blog post: tranquility.net/2014/g-phi
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