It’s been a while (we won’t say how long) since anyone at Good & Gold headed “back to school,” but we still pick up on those vibes every year as September rolls around. Check out this collection of throw-back reads from our own school “daze.”
Moody moors, haunted hallways, and English estates… not to mention the brooding Mr. Rochester and fierce first-person narrator, Miss Jane Eyre herself. A teenage Anna Louise couldn’t get enough of this gothic tome, especially the version illustrated by the quirky Dame Darcy.
This hard-hitting, prize-winning novel (which Toni Morrison herself said she wrote to remind readers how hurtful racism is) still packs a punch and resonates deeply. If you haven’t re-read this since your own school days, we recommend revisiting, especially through the lens of the BLM movement.
Dark, strange, perfectly crafted. The short story “A Good Man is Hard to Find” was Katie’s first intro to sardonic Queen of Southern Gothic, Flannery O’Conner, and it may or may not haunt her still…
Not all of us got to study decadent French poet Charles Baudelaire at school, but Lucie sure did! Still a favorite poem of hers, L’albatros took Baudelaire over 10 years to complete (but it definitely won’t take you that long to read).
Not all of us were big readers from birth, but we all sure came around. When 17-year-old Carrie first read “The Old Man and the Sea,” she was blown away by how a book can transport you to another place completely. And now she’s obsessed with reading, so you know this is a good one to revisit!
No list of school favorites would be complete without “To Kill a Mockingbird”. For Rachel, nothing quite compares to the sweetness, the innocence, the loss of innocence, the family relationships, the eloquent tackling of seriously heavy stuff. And, of course, Atticus.
This Earth Day, we're taking a moment to reflect on our personal connections to the planet we call home. At Good & Gold, we make a point to celebrate the beauty and importance of the Earth in our everyday lives. This Earth Day, we’ve asked each of our employees to give us a glimpse into their relationship with nature. Whether it’s through sustainable practices, efforts to better our environment, or simply reveling in nature, each of us has a unique way on how we connect with the Earth and the important role it plays in our life.
Carrie
For Earth Day, I conduct a household audit to identify areas where we can improve our environmental stewardship. This includes strategies for composting kitchen waste, reducing plastic use, and optimizing energy and water consumption. To connect with nature physically, I enjoy hiking in Forest Park or the Gorge. Additionally, I participate in neighborhood clean-ups, like this year's city-wide effort organized by We Believe in Portland.
Hannah
I spend as much of my time outdoors as I can, whether that’s daily walks in my neighborhood to recharge and take in the fresh air or going out to surf, snowboard, and camp. Mother nature provides us with such a huge playground and never fails to ground me! It’s important to me to do my part everyday in small ways, like biking more as transportation and growing my own vegetables, to keep the Earth happy so we can enjoy it for as long as possible.
Ryn
I generally take a walk everyday and watch the seasons as they change. I’ve been loving the long spring Portland gets and seeing all the trees and flowers bloom over the last couple of weeks has made me feel very connected to the springtime.
Parker
The trails by my house are serene and vibrant this time of year. It’s always good to see the foxes and deer out and about again, amongst many other animal populations. Trash pickup along this trail and the woods around it make for a fulfilling springtime and it shows in everyone’s uplifted spirits.
Maggie
I stay connected to the Earth through gardening. I’ve found it so rewarding to learn how to compost, recycle seeds, and use organic materials to support an abundant garden. Gardening is very grounding, and has helped both my physical and mental health! It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Jackson
Whenever I take time to quietly observe nature, whether in a dense forest or a city park, I start to understand the deep connections among all living things on Earth. These moments make me feel part of a larger, vibrant cycle of life that spans hundreds of millions of years. They also remind me of humanity's significant impact on other species and our environment, highlighting our greater responsibility as stewards of the Earth. These observations help me stay committed to reducing my ecological footprint by minimizing waste, using renewable energy at home, supporting conservation efforts, and engaging in land restoration projects.
Kyle
I love Earth. I enjoy spending my spare time surfing, snowboarding, and riding bikes on the fun playground Earth provides. I also enjoy the cute animals and interesting plants that you can find on land and in the ocean. Earth is pretty cool, I think everyone should do their part to protect it.
Alison
Most mornings I start the day with a bike ride. As the city wakes up - usually with a stunning sunrise - I’m pedaling through Portland’s parks, vibrant neighborhoods, and winding trails, giving me a feeling of abundant appreciation for this planet. The fresh air fills my lungs, and the sights and sounds of the environment become vividly alive, reminding us of the importance of preserving and cherishing our planet. Each turn of the pedal serves as a gentle reminder of our responsibility to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations.
Emily
A big focus for me is how to reduce my environmental footprint. This includes biking more often, using reusable items such as totes for shopping, and growing my food in my garden! This year I’m planning on a couple of new home projects focused on the environment as well, including raising chickens and starting a worm bin!
Iulia
Gardening and embarking on long bike rides through nature serve as my sacred rituals. In the garden, I nurture life from seed to fruition, grounding myself in the cycles of growth. Through these acts, I find solace and belonging, harmonizing with the natural world around me and fostering a profound sense of interconnectedness.
Happy holidays from the G&G team! This year our team chose a selection of great gift ideas from our clients. From bike panniers and specialty beverages to gift cards for local businesses, there’s something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.
Wishing you a warm & cozy holiday season and a happy new year! 🥂
Look no further for design inspiration for your holiday marketing campaigns! Our design team has rounded up their favorite trends and ideas for the 2023 holiday season. We’ve even included a simple checklist of tips for sprucing up your website for the holidays!
Go beyond the traditional red and green for your digital design this holiday. Use bright colors, rainbow palettes, and bold graphics to captivate your customers.
Bring the Bauhaus vibes! Pair bold and weighty graphic design and patterns with a simple, contrasting color palette.
Sparkles, metallics, starts, and yes, disco balls! Create a festive, non-denominational design thread that you can weave into your marketing from now until the New Year.
Leverage clever product photography and classic holiday shapes and colors to spark interest that subtly pulls shoppers into your campaigns and makes them want more!
Use fun fonts and enticing typographic layouts for your messaging to sleigh the season.
Dive into some archival ad campaigns to create a playful, vintage-inspired design vibe for your campaigns this year.
Holiday campaigns aren’t the only place to inject a little holiday cheer. Get your website ready for the holidays while creating a little seasonal whimsy with these digital design tips from our design team!
Add A Holiday-Themed Banner
Create a custom banner or header image that touts your exclusive holiday discounts, deals, or bundles. Use festive holiday elements in the banner design, like snowflakes, ornaments, or holiday colors.
Play With Color
Change up your website background colors or accent colors to reflect the season and spread cheer. Keep your brand identity in mind when choosing the hues to make everything feel unique to your brand.
Dress Up Your Logo & Iconography
Bring the Merry, Merry by adding a Santa hat, candy canes, a fir tree, or some holiday color to your logo for the season. Pepper in some seasonal iconography (we LOVE turning our icons into Christmas Ornaments) to really bring it home.
Let It Snow
Adding some subtle snowfall animation to your homepage is a delightful way to incorporate the holidays into your website.
Remember: Don’t Overdo It
Getting into the holiday spirit is a blast, but be wary of letting it take over your brand. You want to find the balance between leaning into the season and staying true to your brand identity. Try incorporating a few of your favorite tips from this list, and save the rest for next year!
Want some help getting your brand set up for the holidays? Our digital design services can get you there. Let’s talk!
If you're in the business of outdoor lifestyle brands, you know it's more than just selling products—it's about selling an experience, a way of life. In today's digital age, the success of your brand largely hinges on your mastery of the art of digital marketing. In this guide, we'll delve into eight invaluable digital marketing strategies tailored to elevate your outdoor lifestyle brand's online presence and engage your audience effectively.
Before embarking on your digital marketing journey, it's essential to gain an in-depth understanding of your audience. Are they avid hikers, dedicated cyclists, weekend adventurers, or passionate about action sports? Each subgroup possesses its unique language, values, and role models or influencers. Understand them like you understand the backcountry. Dive into surveys, engage in social listening, and collect user data to gain insights into your target audience's preferences and behaviors. The more intimately you know your audience, the more effectively you can tailor your campaigns to their specific needs and aspirations.
In a world where mobile devices dominate, vertical video has emerged as the reigning format. Craft concise, visually captivating videos that are less than 60 seconds in length. Whether you're using platforms like Instagram Stories, TikTok, or Snapchat, vertical videos fit seamlessly into the mobile screen and effectively capture user attention. These videos should feature action-packed shots, vibrant visuals, and compelling storytelling. These elements serve as stoppers in the endless scroll, enticing viewers to engage with your content.
You may be creating exceptional content, but if it remains undiscovered, its value diminishes. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is your trusty trail guide through the wilderness of online searches. Optimize your content for local search, identify and incorporate relevant keywords, and ensure that your website loads swiftly. Remember, your brand isn't just a brand; it's also a valuable resource for outdoor tips, gear advice, and adventure inspiration. Keep your SEO strategy up to date by monitoring trending keywords and conducting competitor analysis to help maintain a consistent flow of organic traffic.
Building trust is a cornerstone of successful digital marketing. Reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content are your secret weapons. A user's photo featuring your gear in a real outdoor setting often conveys more authenticity than any perfectly curated advertisement. Leverage the power of these authentic visuals by incorporating them into your product pages, scattering them throughout your social media feeds, and seamlessly integrating them into your email campaigns. Amplifying the authentic voice of your customers enhances brand trust.
Don't underestimate the power of a good collaboration—they can be a game-changer for your outdoor lifestyle brand. Whether you're partnering with influencers or curating community with complementary brands, a well-thought-out collaboration can expand your audience and bolster your brand's credibility. Remember: define the terms and objectives of your partnership clearly to ensure success. When both parties benefit, collaborations become a potent tool for achieving your goals.
Email marketing is a valuable tool for connecting with your audience, and it’s important to craft emails that stand out from the crowd in the inbox. Load your emails with value-packed engaging content, such as exclusive outdoor guides, insider tips, or early access to sales. Personalize your emails based on user behavior and segment your email lists to deliver targeted messages. By doing so, you elevate the email experience from being seen as a nuisance to being viewed as a valuable resource.
Data analysis is your compass in the digital landscape. Regularly monitor your metrics, including engagement rates, click-through rates, and the ROI (Return On Investment) of specific campaigns. Use these insights to fine-tune your strategies, abandon what's ineffective, and double down on successful approaches. Real-time analytics provide immediate feedback, while deeper dives into data sets inform long-term strategies. Cultivate a habit of checking and interpreting these numbers to continually optimize your digital marketing efforts.
While digital ads may attract attention, it's your brand that forges a lasting connection and turns clicks into conversions. Invest in your brand's storytelling, values, and aesthetics. This isn't a separate endeavor from digital marketing; it's what gives your digital efforts depth and meaning. Consistency in brand messaging across all channels is essential. Ensure that your visual elements resonate with your audience and authentically reflect your brand's ethos.
Whether you're a seasoned marketer looking to refresh your strategy or a startup embarking on a new adventure, these digital marketing insights are your guiding stars. Implementing these strategies can empower your outdoor lifestyle brand to soar to new heights in the digital landscape.
Ready to elevate your digital presence? Let's chat. Schedule A Call Today!