Saturday, August 30, 2025

Our goal is very simple ...

Help you grow your business. Everything that we do is aimed at helping you grow your business, from our Internet tools and packages, to consulting services, to sales management. We didn’t get into this business to sell websites. We got into it from our business background to help people grow their business, and the Internet is such a valuable tool in helping to achieve that. And, we’ve done it inexpensive enough that any business can afford it–and thrive with it.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:
Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

What Does the Trend Setter Package Inculde?


OUR TREND SETTER PACKAGE INCLUDES ALL THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

>  Professional Website

>  Blog & Regular Blog Posting

>  Limited Social Media Posting & Management

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

>  Personalized Email Newsletter

>  Video & YouTube Channel

>  Marketing & Business Consulting

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Learn career skills with Ian Wright


This pundit, former player, and ex-plasterer knows a thing or two about changing careers. Check out his best advice.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Trend Setter Package


Our Trend Setter Package is unique in that it offers even the smallest businesses the marketing power of a much larger business. We do this by combining all of our services into one low cost monthly package, which ensures your Internet properties are updated regularly every month.

Think of it this way; You open a business and want some customers. So, you put out a sign. Then, you want some more business. So, you put out a sign down the street, then two streets over, then out on the freeway, and pretty soon you have them all over town. People now know about you even if they have never been in your store or used your services.

This is exactly what we do for you via the Internet. Beginning with a website, we add a blog, a monthly (or more often for some businesses) email newsletter, social networking in Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in. Next we add a YouTube channel and video is included. We help you get found. Last is our own consulting to help you get the best of our services and more.

We do this in a systematic way, which allows us to keep the cost low. Now, virtually every business can afford to look like a much larger business.

Each business is different. Give us a call to talk about your specific business. We will let you know how little it takes to get started right away.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Monday, August 18, 2025

CONFUSED ABOUT HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN…


Use Internet? Website? Blog?
E-Commerce? Social Networking?
YouTube/Videos?
HTML Newsletters?
“What Is This Stuff?"
“Who Has The Time To Deal With It?"
“What’s In It For Me?"
Too Expensive?
RELAX. . .

We Make It So Easy! And So Affordable!


Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Friday, August 15, 2025

Learn business skills with Ian Wright


Football legend Ian Wright’s got some top tips that could help you gain more customers and grow your business!

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Confused About How Your Business Should Show Up Online?


Website? Blog? Social media?
YouTube? E-commerce?
HTML newsletters?

If you’ve ever thought:
“What is all this stuff?”
“Who has time to figure it out?”
“Is it even worth it?”
“Isn’t this all too expensive?”

You’re not alone — and you don’t have to do it alone either.

We help businesses like yours get online the right way—without the tech headaches, high costs, or confusion. From websites to social strategy to newsletters that actually get read, we make it simple, clear, and affordable.

RELAX.
We’ve got this.
You just focus on what you do best.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Your Homepage Isn’t a Billboard—It’s a Welcome Mat


Your homepage isn’t there to impress everyone. It’s there to speak directly to the people you want to work with. That means clarity over cleverness, and structure over noise.

Within the first few seconds, your visitor should know:
  • Who you are
  • What you do
  • Who it’s for
Anything else? It can wait. A focused homepage doesn’t try to be everything. It guides, filters, and invites the right people to go deeper.

Want fewer bounces and more bookings? Start with your message. Say less, more clearly.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

How to create a great brand name | Jonathan Bell


Ever wondered why companies like Apple, Uber and AirBnB are so easily identified in a sea of advertising? Jonathan Bell gives step-by-step advice on how to create a lasting brand name. 

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Your Homepage Isn’t Just a First Impression—It’s a First Filter


People don’t scroll to figure it out—they scan to decide if it’s worth staying.

That’s why your homepage should act like a filter: attracting the right people and gently guiding the rest away. Clear messaging, purposeful layout, and one focused call-to-action help your ideal clients feel instantly understood.

You’re not trying to say everything—you’re trying to say the right things, right away.

Less noise. More direction. That’s how strong homepages work.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Content That Connects (and Converts)


Design gets them in the door—content gets them to stay. The words on your site should speak to your ideal customer’s needs, questions, and goals. That means less jargon and more clarity, empathy, and value.

A skilled designer works with a strategic copywriter to make sure every message builds trust and nudges people toward action. Because the right words on the right page? Game changer.

Say what matters. Write with purpose. Build real connection.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Monday, July 28, 2025

Typography Tutorial - 10 rules to help you rule type


Graphic Design Tutorial: 10 Typography rules to help you improve your type skills. Get better at graphic design by understanding how to use type. Improve your layouts instantly by following these 10 easy to follow rules.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Friday, July 25, 2025

Why Every Page Needs a Call-to-Action


Your website isn’t just digital decor—it’s a guide. Every page should answer the question: What do you want the visitor to do next?

Whether it’s “Schedule a call,” “Download the guide,” or “Shop now,” a clear, consistent call-to-action keeps people moving forward. Don’t leave them guessing—or they’ll leave altogether.

Guide the journey. Drive results. Make every click count.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Your Homepage Has 5 Seconds—Make Them Count


When someone lands on your website, they make a decision fast. Within five seconds, they should know:
  • What you do
  • Who you do it for
  • Why they should care
If your homepage is cluttered, confusing, or vague, visitors will bounce. Clear headlines, intuitive navigation, and one strong call-to-action can turn quick glances into meaningful engagement.

Design with clarity. Lead with purpose. Convert with confidence.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org


Saturday, July 19, 2025

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

More Than Looks—Your Website Needs a Strategy


A beautiful website is great—but beauty without strategy won’t convert visitors into customers. A skilled designer helps align your layout, content, and calls-to-action with your business goals.

Whether it’s booking appointments, generating leads, or making sales, your site should guide people toward taking action. That’s the difference between a pretty page and a powerful tool.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Mobile Matters—Is Your Site Ready?


Over half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your website doesn’t look or work well on a phone or tablet, you're likely losing customers before they even see what you offer.

A good web designer will create a responsive site that adapts beautifully to any screen size. Because first impressions don’t just happen on desktops anymore—they happen in the palm of someone’s hand.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Why Your Designs Still Look Amateur (And How Pros Think Differently)


Most graphic designers want to improve their skills, but very few talk about the mindset of advanced graphic designers!

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Monday, July 7, 2025

Why DIY Websites Can Cost You More Than You Think


It’s tempting to go the DIY route when building your website—but what you save in money, you may pay for in lost opportunities. Slow load times, poor mobile design, or broken links can frustrate visitors and hurt your search rankings.

A professional designer ensures that your site is fast, functional, and optimized—so you make a strong impression every time. Think of it as investing in your credibility from day one.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Friday, July 4, 2025

Happy 4th of July!


Happy 4th of July!

Be Safe and Enjoy Your Holiday Weekend

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org