With Internet usage almost overtaking TV usage and the recent rave for social networking groups such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, companies all over are jumping on the bandwagon and doing their part to invest in this new form of advertising. Buzz questions such as “Are you my Facebook friend?”, ”Have you tweeted recently?” and “Did you check out that blog?” are heard around the world from audiences of all demographics. Sounds like they may be speaking another language, but in fact this is the language socially accepted in response to the new age of  social media marketing.

In an effort to compete with advertising across a social platform, Downy is promoting a new way to stay connected with friends and family. Until May 31, those who enter a snapshot photo with a pledge caption are automatically entered to win the ultimate reunion trip. Downy, the fragrant fabric softener, wants you to share this pledge with the world and connect with family and friends in a whole new atmosphere. So check it out, submit your own Downy pledge and stay connected with family and friends in a whole new way.

We recently launched the new and improved Wrightsville United Methodist Church website. The Wrightsville Beach NC church wanted a website that included a soft color palette, clean lines, and appeared simple and modern. Wrightsville UMC will have the ability to manage (add, edit and delete content) their website using a content management system. This new website will be used as Wrightsville UMC’s central source of information and will continually be managed by the client to include a current newsletter posting, ministry information and an updated events calendar. This website also features a video welcome message and iTunes Podcast subscription to listen to previous sermons.

We also developed an email newsletter template for Wrightsville UMC. Utilizing the white-listed program Vertical Response, Wrightsville UMC will now be able to send out email campaigns notifying members of new information. Furthermore, clicking on these email campaigns will drive viewers back to the website allowing Vertical Response to track and generate reports on email click through and bounce rates.

Charles McCormick came to Sage Island with the hopes and dreams of creating a website to promote a World of Better Being through the use of his principles. These principles, known as the Wellmaster Way, can be viewed throughout the wonderfully developed Flash slideshow. This Flash element is complete with powerful steps complemented by beautiful monarch images paralleling the metamorphosis and transformation of the human mind and body to a better being. Take a look and be inspired.

Due to the economy and current and upcoming workforce shortages, the nonprofit organization Cape Fear Allied Health Partnership sought Sage Island’s services to develop a website to act as a central hub for the South Eastern Healthcare community. This website unites the healthcare community to recruit, retain and promote allied health occupations throughout 5 targeted counties of Southeastern North Carolina. Cape Fear Allied Health was built within a content management system so that it can be continually expanded as more information and resources are placed. This website is complete with an auto-purging database, News and Events module and a captivating Flash header.

Go Skate or Go Home wanted to redesign their online skateboard retail site to make it more user friendly and visually stimulating. Their new site utilizes a live product feed from Eastern Skateboard Supply, displaying product inventory in real time. This is a highly customized e-commerce site that gives customers the opportunity to search by brand, category or build their own complete skateboard. The site will have the ability for customers to sign up for contests and information as well as contribute to the Go Skate or Go Home blog and upload their coolest skate tricks to the video blog.

Last year Lyf-Tyme products became Howard Building Supply. In this transition Howard Building Supply wanted a new look and feel to represent their new brand identity. The new website is displays nearly the same content with an updated look and feel.  The site also clearly displays the products available from Howard Building Supply.

The new Honolulu Real Estate Search website is a project started by Paul Coffman with Coastal Carolina Properties. This site will serve as his main site for selling real estate in Hawaii. The client is very excited about the ability to easily update and grow his own site.

The new Swain and Associates website features many dynamic pieces for Property Listings, Featured Properties, Maintenance Requests and Management Requests. The client has the ability to add, edit and delete properties and edit many property fields. This website incorporates an administrative tool that will be used to manage maintenance and management requests that come from the site.

Originally the LMC Group website was built in Flash, but we rebuilt the site in DotNetNuke with the same look and feel. The client now has the ability to add, edit and delete their own content throughout the site.  This project is also partnered with SEO and a new corporate identity and features the addition of a new LMC Real Estate blog powered by Wordpress.

Sage Island is proud to welcome our new clients:

The Regency at Landfall
Wake N Skate
Fells Point Surf Company
Intermodal Equipment Exchange
Hawkeswater Development, Inc.

In January Mike Duncan will be speaking at three upcoming Action Sport Industry tradeshows across the country.

Friday, January 16 at Surf Expo

“Geek Tools: 10 Inexpensive Things You Can Do to Improve Your Website”
This seminar will present expert tools and marketing strategies that can strengthen your online marketing efforts at little to no cost. Topics discussed will be blogs, social marketing, PPC and SEO.

Friday January 23 at ASR

“Tech Tools: 10 Things You Can Do to Promote Your Website”
In these down economic times, it is more important than ever to have an effective marketing strategy that is cost efficient. In this presentation, Mike discusses low cost, high impact marketing tools, resources, tips and strategies for promoting your website.

Thursday, January 29 at SIA

“The Secret Strength of Search Engine Optimization (SEO): How Simple “Tricks” Can Impact Product Sales”
The most visually appealing Web site in the world means nothing if no one knows about it. This workshop will help guide the way to high placements on search engines so you can better position your Web site as an effective marketing tool.

Hope to see you there!

Sage Island’s work on Florblanca.com was recently honored with the Silver Award for the best tourism website in the 2008 Davey Awards competition. Designed using Adobe Flash and stunning photography, the award-winning website transports visitors to the tranquil, relaxing surroundings at the Florblanca resort.

We’re so proud of this honor.