Local LGBTQIA+ Owned Businesses to Support During Pride and Beyond

To celebrate Pride we’ve compiled a list of our favorite queer-owned businesses all around Austin. From cozy cafes to innovative startups, Austin offers a flourishing ecosystem where LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs thrive, infusing their unique perspectives and talents into the local economy. Their continued contribution to Austin culture deserves year-round recognition, so make sure to continue your support through Pride and beyond! Join us on a journey to explore these small businesses that not only embrace diversity but also serve as beacons of empowerment, creativity, and community in our dynamic city.

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The Value of User-Generated Content

In the ever-evolving marketing landscape, user-generated content (UGC) has emerged as a powerful tool that every marketer should have in their back pocket. Gone are the days when traditional marketing tactics held the sole spotlight and in is the new dawn of user-generated content creating genuine connections between consumers and companies. Savvy marketers around the world understand the value of empowering their customers to become brand advocates and storytellers. User-generated content, authentically created and shared by individuals, has become a driving force shaping consumer perceptions, fostering trust, and propelling businesses forward. Come along as we delve into the remarkable effectiveness and undeniable value of UGC in the modern marketing world, exploring what user-generated content really is, why it’s important, how it works, and the key to harnessing its awesome power for your brand.

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Can You Learn Web Design Online?

Web design is an in-demand skill. As the tech industry grows and businesses around the world realize how important their digital presence is, web designers are needed more than ever. But you don’t need a computer science degree to tap into this ever-expanding and highly lucrative service, you can master web design on your own time. Learning web design online only makes sense! With so many learning platforms marketing their courses as the one-stop shop for a design degree- it can be difficult to know what’s worth your time and money. To save you the hassle of sifting through syllabi and endless reviews, we’ve compiled a list of the best online courses to become a web design wizard.

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Twenty Years of Building Better Brands

It’s HMG Creative’s 20th Anniversary and we’re celebrating with cupcakes, ping pong, and a look back at the last two decades. With so many changes in the industry and our company since we started way back in 2003, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the world as we know it and forget exactly where we came from. After all, we’ve changed a lot since ’03! Our happy hours consist of Miller Lite instead of Smirnoff Ice, we work out of an amazing office rather than an apartment, and our team has grown from an army of one to a family of senior-level designers and marketers. Although we’ve evolved over the past 20 years, our guiding principles have stayed the same. We are good stewards of our clients and community, we find purpose in everything we do, we navigate growth with grace, hold ourselves accountable, and always remain authentic. Witness where these principles have taken us through our 20-year timeline below!

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Many of us are still adjusting to the lifestyle of working from home and putting our social lives on pause. Our living rooms have turned into our gyms and our kitchen tables have become work stations. Let’s be honest, the most fun some of us are having is going to the grocery store twice a month. It can be really difficult to find a good work-life balance when our homes and our workspaces are morphed into one. It’s important that we take time out of our days to unwind and have some fun. So, we’ve come up with a few recommendations for some entertainment that we think you’ll love.

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Last year, Black Friday pulled in a record $6.22 billion in online sales. This is a 23.6 percent increase from the year prior. This year, Adobe Analytics predicts that online sales will reach a new record at $7.5 billion. We are now two weeks away from the busiest online shopping season in history. If you’ve not prepared your marketing strategy or tested your online performance, that’s okay! There are still ways to enhance your shop in time to make great sales this holiday season! Here are our last-minute tips for Black Friday 2019:

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“In this industry, you either evolve or become obsolete. I’m constantly learning, but just like any growing business, I’m always looking for ways we can better serve our clients and build stronger partnerships. This last year, I’ve put lots of thought into processes, smart growth and investing into our current team.”

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For all of you still recovering from holiday gift-giving and those outrageous New Year’s Eve expenses – we get it. That’s why we’ve got you covered when it comes to affordable Valentine’s Day activities. V-Day is approaching fast, and if you haven’t made plans yet, you’re still in luck. We’ve rounded up five activities in Austin under $50 to enjoy with your loved ones. After all, Valentine’s day is all about love, and what better way to show love than to make this holiday as affordable as possible for everyone?

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The importance of marketing for any business is no secret. The real issue can be deciding on whether to hire an external marketing team or to keep your efforts in-house. After all, your marketing strategy determines the overall success of your business, and you want to make the right choice. Ultimately, it’s important for business owners to do the research before deciding, so we broke it down for you!

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Hey, there! My name is Thalia Carrillo and I’m the freshest member of the HMG Creative team. I’m thrilled to be the new Social Media and Marketing Intern! I graduated from The University of Texas at Austin less than a month ago, with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a minor in Sociology. My studies brought me to Austin four years ago, but I’m formerly and proudly an El Pasoan. When I’m not in either of those locations, you can find me traveling to places like New York, Mexico City, or Paris. I’ve even attended The University of London, where I studied Social Work.

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