Today marks a significant milestone in our journey at Visionary Rising. I'm excited to announce that "Growth Labs by VSNRY", launched earlier this year as a subscription service, is now "Next Level Design." This change isn't just in name but an embodiment of our evolution and commitment to delivering unparalleled design and development services for our subscription clients in a vein that is more aligned with their needs. Why the Change? Embracing Clarity and Focus: The name "Next Level Design" directly reflects the essence of our service – elevating design and development standards. It's a name that speaks to our ambition and the transformative impact we aim to have on startups and brands. Aligning with Our Mission: Our mission has always been to empower businesses with visionary branding and robust development solutions. This new name aligns perfectly with our core objectives and the innovative spirit of our agency. Setting the Stage for Future Growth: As we expand our services and continue to innovate, "Next Level Design" positions us at the forefront of the industry, signaling our commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons. What Does This Mean for You? Unwavering Commitment: While our name has changed, our dedication to providing top-tier design and development services remains steadfast. Enhanced Services: With this rebranding, we're also refining our offerings, ensuring that every aspect of our service is tailored to meet and exceed your expectations. Continued Partnership: For our existing clients, this change is a step forward in our shared journey. For new clients, it’s an open invitation to experience design and development like never before. Looking Ahead "Next Level Design" is more than a name – it's a promise. A promise to continually elevate our services, to deliver exceptional value, and to be the partner you need in your journey towards growth and innovation. Why We Created This Service In our journey with diverse clients, we've recognized a common challenge: the need for continuous, high-quality design and development support without the unpredictability of freelancing or the high costs of traditional agencies. We asked ourselves, how can we provide startups with the flexibility and expertise they need while keeping things simple and affordable? The answer lies in our new subscription model. What Is the Next Level Design Subscription? For a fixed monthly rate of $3,500, we offer unlimited design and development requests, processed one at a time to ensure quality and focus. This model is designed for startups eager to make their mark with visionary branding and robust development. It’s like having an in-house team, but with the breadth of expertise and creativity that only a diverse agency like ours can provide. Core Features Unlimited Requests, One at a Time: This ensures each project gets the attention it deserves. Rapid Turnaround: Averaging between 48-72 hours, we keep your projects moving. All-Inclusive Monthly Pricing: No surprises, just one simple rate. Seamless Project Management: We utilize tools like Trello for easy collaboration and tracking. Diverse Expertise: From SEO to social media assets, our team covers a wide range of services. Our Commitment to Quality and Collaboration At Visionary Rising, we believe in the power of collaboration and the importance of a seamless workflow. This subscription service is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional design and development support while simplifying the process for our clients. Ready to Elevate Your Brand? If you're ready to take your startup's design and development to the next level, we invite you to learn more about this groundbreaking service. Let's create something extraordinary together. We're thrilled to embark on this new chapter and can't wait to see what we'll create together. Stay visionary, LaTecia

We're thrilled to announce our recent nominations in three distinguished categories at The Netty Awards, a prestigious recognition of design and creative excellence within the creative industry. This accolade is not just a nod to our creative prowess but a testament to the relentless innovation and strategic thinking that is the lifeblood of our agency. The Journey to Excellence Visionary Rising's journey is marked by the relentless pursuit of excellence, creativity, and strategic innovation. Since our inception, we've consistently pushed the boundaries of design and strategy, blending them uniquely to deliver outstanding results for our clients. These nominations are reflective of our team's dedication, talent, and hard work. They underscore our commitment to meeting and exceeding industry standards and client expectations. The Nominated Categories Color Theory Application: This nomination recognizes our expertise in utilizing color theory innovatively in our designs, creating visually stunning and emotionally resonant work. Design Agency of the Year: This prestigious category underscores our overall excellence in the design industry, celebrating our achievements as a leading creative agency. Designer of the Year: A personal accolade for our founder and Creative Director, LaTecia Johnson, this nomination honors individual excellence in design, showcasing the talent and creativity that thrives within our agency. What This Means for Us and Our Clients These nominations reaffirm our philosophy that great design is a blend of art and strategy. For our clients, it's a reassurance of our ability to deliver industry-leading, innovative design solutions. We see these recognitions not just as achievements, but as a promise and commitment to continue delivering excellence in every project. Looking Ahead While we take a moment to celebrate these nominations, our eyes are set on the future. Inspired and energized, we are more committed than ever to pushing the boundaries of design and strategy, to continue evolving and setting new benchmarks in the creative industry. Conclusion We extend our deepest gratitude to The Netty Awards committee for these honors and to our clients and partners for their trust and collaboration. These nominations are not just ours; they represent the collaborative spirit and dedication of everyone involved with Visionary Rising Agency. Join us on this journey forward, as we continue to rise and redefine the landscape of creative design!

Introduction In a world where digital experiences can make or break a brand, Visionary Rising has always been at the forefront of innovation. Our commitment to pairing incisive strategy with transformative creativity has never been stronger, evidenced by our latest partnership with Shogun—the unparalleled e-commerce landing page builder for Shopify will now be available to clients through development with the agency. The E-commerce Revolution While e-commerce has seen exponential growth in the past decade, it's far from static. The emphasis has shifted from simply having an online storefront to creating immersive, personalized shopping experiences. Here lies the strategic genius of our partnership with Shogun: It's not just about facilitating transactions; it's about transcending them to build long-lasting customer relationships. Why Shogun? So, why Shogun? The answer is embedded in their technological capabilities and our shared vision for the future of brand-to-customer interactions. Shogun's platform allows for customization at a granular level, making each landing page not just a destination but a journey reflective of the brand's essence. Key Features that Resonate with Visionary Rising's Ethos Customizability: Shogun's drag-and-drop interface empowers brands to manifest their creative visions without constraints. Scalability: From startups to enterprises, the platform is engineered to scale, aligning perfectly with Visionary Rising's diverse client portfolio. Data-Driven: Shogun’s analytics capabilities make it an invaluable tool for brands that want to evolve based on consumer behavior and preferences, a practice that's at the heart of Visionary Rising's strategy-first approach. The Synergy Imagine an e-commerce landscape where the lines between online and offline experiences are blurred. Where machine learning, informed by actionable analytics, reshapes landing pages in real time to resonate with individual users. This is the groundbreaking work we are embarking upon. Strategic Considerations Unified Experience: One of the pillars of our strategy will be creating a unified experience across all touchpoints, effectively turning every interaction into a step in a larger customer journey. Voice-Activated Commerce: As voice search becomes more prevalent, adapting Shogun landing pages to integrate seamlessly with voice-activated systems is a strategic move to keep an eye on. Ethical Data Usage: In an age of increased scrutiny over data collection, our partnership will prioritize ethical data usage, resonating with the conscientious consumer. Conclusion The partnership between Visionary Rising and Shogun isn’t just a business deal—it's a manifesto for the future of e-commerce. We’re not just riding the wave of digital transformation; we’re the ones creating it. So, to our clients, our teams, and our ever-expanding community, buckle up. The next chapter of the e-commerce experience is about to be written, and it promises to be a game-changer.

With Wix Blog, you’re not only sharing your voice with the world, you can also grow an active online community. That’s why the Wix blog comes with a built-in members area - so that readers can easily sign easily up to become members of your blog. What can members do? Members can follow each other, write and reply to comments and receive blog notifications. Each member gets their own personal profile page that they can customize. Tip: You can make any member of your blog a writer so they can write posts for your blog. Adding multiple writers is a great way to grow your content and keep it fresh and diversified. Here’s how to do it: Head to your Member’s Page Search for the member you want to make a writer Click on the member’s profile Click the 3 dot icon ( ⠇) on the Follow button Select Set as Writer

Celebrating six years of Visionary Rising Agency and setting the stage for what's next. Six years ago today on a day not unlike today, I launched the site for Visionary Rising Agency as the culmination of months of hard work. What I would find out later is that launching the agency was not only the culmination of years of preparation, but it was also the start of a new journey. When I launched, the idea of owning a creative studio was something of a long shot. I did not know a lot of people who’d done what I was dreaming of doing, and yet, I knew even fewer people who had succeeded at the scale I was aiming for - but I knew that it was possible. The path here was not an easy one. In the years since opening our virtual doors, I've learned how to survive and thrive in the creative industry and I recognize there are even greater lessons to learn, as we set our sights on even bigger goals. Yet, as I re-read our launch statement, I know that the initial vision of the agency hasn’t shifted. Visionary was built on the belief that creators can build anything if they have a community. I’ve shared our model over and over again: the easiest and quickest way to scale something is to partner and collaborate with the best there is. We’ve done that over and over again. From the companies we’ve counted as clients to the creators who have blessed our projects with their ingenuity, and the community that has continued to foster this dream. Since launching, we’ve paid out over 6-figures to independent creators as part of our staff and tout a 90% inclusion rate across projects. That means the collaborators on our projects are minorities, identify as women, and are LGBTQ+, 90% of the time. The opportunities that have come to us have always been shared with our community. As I celebrated today’s milestone with our core team, I was also struck by how many creators have gone on to launch and scale their own studios, secure placements, build entire communities to help others thrive, and so much more all from the foundation poured here. I am beyond thrilled to share new initiatives with the intent to expand the ecosystem and access to opportunities for underrepresented creators, studio owners, and freelancers who have often been told that their dreams are out of reach. They aren’t. With that in mind, I’m excited to announce the launch of the VSNRY Creative Society (VCS), a members-only collective designed to help creators break through the barriers of solo entrepreneurship and scale their studios to six-figures and beyond. Members of VCS will receive access to the resources, courses, and experience needed to scale their craft while also gaining the opportunity to work on projects across our portfolio of clients, increase their revenue, and focus on doing more of what they love: putting dope shit out into the world. Applications to join the community are open to everyone starting today and will run through the end of the month. I encourage anyone who is interested in scaling their efforts to apply and join our network. I know that what we build together is far greater than anything we’ll build on our own. I’m excited to continue building with you. Let's keep dreaming.

In order to succeed in business today, it is essential to have a strong online presence. One of the best ways to build and grow your community is by using newsletters. Newsletters allow you to keep in touch with your audience on a regular basis, and can also be used to generate leads. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 ways that you can use newsletters to grow your community and increase lead generation efforts. Sending out a regular newsletter is a great way to stay in touch with your audience and keep them updated on what is going on with your business. It is also a great way to generate leads since you can include links back to your website or landing pages in your newsletter. In order to maximize the effectiveness of your newsletters, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. First, make sure that your newsletter is informative and interesting. Include content that will help your readers learn more about your industry, and be sure to include links to resources that they can use. Also, be sure to keep your newsletter concise – no one wants to read a novel every time they receive an email from you. Second, make use of graphics and images to break up the text and make your newsletter more visually appealing. People are more likely to engage with content that is easy on the eyes, so including pictures or infographics is a great way to increase engagement. Third, segment your list so that you are only sending your newsletter to those who are interested in receiving it. There is no point in sending a newsletter about your latest product launch to someone who has never bought anything from you before. By segmenting your list, you can ensure that your newsletter is going to the right people and that they will be more likely to engage with it. Fourth, use an email marketing service to send out your newsletters. These services will help you track opens and clicks, and will also provide you with valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. The one we use for the agency and our clients is lu.ma, a no code newsletter and community tool that enables uses to set up one-stop communities for their audience. Fifth, include a call to action in every newsletter. Whether you want your readers to buy something from you, sign up for your email list, or just visit your website, be sure to include a call to action so that they know what you want them to do. Sixth, make it easy for people to share your newsletter. Include social sharing buttons in every newsletter so that people can easily share it with their friends and followers. Seventh, measure the performance of your newsletters. Use the insights from your email marketing service to see how many people are opening and clicking through on your links. Also, pay attention to any feedback that you receive – both positive and negative. Eighth, use what you learn from your newsletter analytics to improve future editions. If you see that people are not engaging with a particular type of content, try something different. Also, be sure to test different subject lines and calls to action to see what gets the best results. Ninth, consider using an autoresponder series for new subscribers. An autoresponder series is a series of emails that are sent out automatically after someone subscribes to your newsletter. This is a great way to welcome new subscribers and give them more information about your business. Finally, don’t forget to promote your newsletter on your website and social media channels. Be sure to include a sign-up form on your website, and make sure that your social media followers are aware of your newsletter and how to sign up for it. By following these tips, you can grow your community and increase lead generation with your newsletters. Keep these things in mind and you’ll be well on your way to success. use newsletters to grow their community and increase lead generation efforts.

If you're not using user-generated content (UGC) on your website, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to engage with your customers and create a more loyal following. According to research by Adobe, UGC generates 6.9 times the number of views as traditional brand-generated content. Here are 5 reasons you need to start using UGC on your website today: Authenticity User-generated content is more authentic than traditional brand-generated content. In a world where consumers are bombarded with marketing messages, UGC provides a breath of fresh air. It's more relatable and trustworthy because it comes from real people who have actually used your product or service. Engagement UGC is also more engaging than traditional content. It's been shown to generate up to twice the engagement as traditional content. This is likely because UGC is more personal and relatable. People are more likely to comment on or share something that they can relate to. For the loyalists UGC can help you build a more loyal following. According to research by Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust peer recommendations over advertising. By featuring UGC on your website, you're effectively turning your customers into brand ambassadors who can help you reach a wider audience. SEO Benefits UGC is also great for SEO. User-generated content often contains the keywords and phrases that people are actually searching for. This helps your website show up in more search results, driving more traffic to your site. Fun to Watch Finally, UGC is simply more fun to consume than traditional brand-generated content. It's more interesting and varied, making it more likely to hold people's attention. So if you're looking for a way to engage with your customers and create a more loyal following, user-generated content is the way to go. If you want to get started with user-generated content, there are a few things you can do. First, make it easy for customers to submit their photos and videos by creating hashtags or setting up a dedicated email address. You can also run contests or giveaways to encourage people to submit their best content. And finally, be sure to showcase your favorite pieces of UGC on your website and social media channels. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to reaping the many benefits of user-generated content. So what are you waiting for? Start using UGC today! Your customers will thank you for it. Do you have any other tips for using user-generated content? Share them in the comments below!

Are you looking to scale your digital studio but don't know where to start? It can be tough to figure out the business side of things but don't worry, we're here to help! In this blog post, we will discuss the important aspects of scaling a digital studio. We'll cover topics such as finances, hiring and firing employees, and more. So whether you're just starting out or you're looking for ways to improve your business, read on for helpful tips! Show me the money One of the most important aspects of scaling a digital studio is finances. When you're first starting out, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of projects and overlook the importance of financial planning. But if you want to scale your business successfully, it's crucial that you take the time to develop a strong financial foundation. This means creating a budget, tracking your expenses, and setting aside money for taxes and unexpected costs. It also means being mindful of how you're pricing your services. Make sure you're not undercharging or overcharging for the work you do. If you're not sure where to start, I recommend reviewing our article on driving value as an independent studio owner that covers how to price your services based on the value you're delivering instead of the time you're spending. Build the Right Team Another important aspect of scaling a digital studio is hiring and firing employees. As your business grows, you'll need to add new team members to keep up with demand. But it's important to remember that not every hire will be a good fit. Sometimes you'll have to let someone go, even if it's difficult. When scaling your business, it's important to be thoughtful about who you hire. Make sure you're taking the time to find the right person for the job, and don't be afraid to let someone go if they're not a good fit. These are just a few of the important aspects of scaling a digital studio. If you're looking to grow your business, it's important to be mindful of all aspects of your operation. By taking the time to develop a strong financial foundation and build a great team, you'll be well on your way to success! Do you have any tips for scaling a digital studio? Share them in the comments below! If you enjoyed this blog post, be sure to check out our other post on scaling a digital studio. We discuss the nitty-gritty of what it takes to launch and grow an independent studio.

As an independent creator or studio owner, you know that your success depends on creativity and dedication. You also know that marketing is a must to grow your business and reach more people! It's no secret that the landscape of the creative industry has changed dramatically in recent years. With technology becoming more and more accessible, it's easier than ever for independent creators and studio owners to get their work out there. However, in order to be successful, it's important to find ways to increase profits and stand out from the competition. When I first started the Visionary Rising Agency, the only thing that mattered to me was getting my name out to as many people as possible in the hopes that name recognition would translate into closed deals. Newsflash: it didn't. It wasn't until year three of business that I learned valuable lessons that unlocked my potential. If you're just starting out and are looking to level up, try using these growth strategies: 1. Focus on Collaboration Over Competition When you're starting out, your next project is more likely to come from your favorite designer than it is from random introductions. A big thing I loved to do was attend studio networking sessions. Invite local creatives to tag along with you driving traffic to space while also showcasing the talent you're introducing to the local ecosystem. 2. Diversify your services One way to increase profits is by diversifying the services that you offer. This could include anything from offering consulting services to selling products in addition to your usual offerings. By expanding your service offerings, you will be able to reach a wider range of potential clients and customers. 3. Develop a Distinctive Brand Identity A distinctive brand identity with an accompanying lookbook of images demonstrating the breadth of talent they offer which is easy enough on Instagram but also needs its own website. This should include pricing information so people know what they are getting before reaching out! (Note: Pricing should be negotiable based on budget.) 4. Build Your Email List An email list for regular updates on what's happening in their lives as well as relevant industry news. This is also a great way for them to stay connected without having to post all the time which can be overwhelming. Provide an easy way for people to subscribe so they can get updates on new work, upcoming events, and discounts. Add a link to your website in the email signature which may lead potential clients directly to you without having to search and find it themselves. It will also provide them with an opportunity to check out what’s happening on other social media channels that they might not be following yet. 5. Look for new opportunities in untapped markets Another way to increase profits is by looking for new opportunities in untapped markets. This could involve anything from targeting a new demographic to entering a new market altogether. By expanding your reach, you will be able to bring in more business and ultimately increase your bottom line. 6. Automate where you can Another way to increase profits is by automating where you can. This could include anything from setting up automatic billing to using software to streamline your workflow. By automating some of your processes, you will be able to free up time that can be better spent on other aspects of your business. 7. Always be learning Finally, it's important to always be learning. This could involve anything from taking courses and attending workshops to reading industry-related articles and books. By continuously learning, you will be able to keep up with the latest trends and find new ways to improve your business. So there you have it- my seven strategies to increase your profits as an independent creative or studio. If you liked this content, be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for more updates on ways to make money as an artist. And if you have any thoughts or questions about the tips we shared in this post, feel free to leave them in the comments below. We love getting feedback from our readers and helping artists achieve their financial goals! Ready to elevate your brand?

Who We Are Visionary Rising Agency is a creative strategy and production studio providing authentic storytelling for brands and startups who want to reach diverse audiences. Our work has won awards and been ranked among the top 30 Advertising Agencies in Austin. Our blog provides insights on the work we do, the clients we love, and how to build an independent studio. Introducing our new website Today, we're excited to share with you our new website! Our founder, LaTecia Johnson, and lead designer, Ar Owaisi, worked together on the updated site, putting a lot of thought and effort into the overall design. "I wanted to make sure that it reflected our brand and who we are as an agency," says LaTecia in speaking about the undertaking. "Our goal was to create a website that is easy to use and provides visitors with the information they need quickly and efficiently." Unlocking the Process The first step in the design process consisted of the duo meeting to talk through the goals of the site and what LaTecia wanted this next iteration to represent for our brand. From there, Ar, a UI/UX designer with over 10 years of experience, built the wireframe, sitemap, and interactions. After the site map was complete, it was time to add content and photos. The Visionary Rising team wrote all of the copy you see on the site while our in-house photographer provided updates to the content we've worked on through the years. We also borrowed some imagery from our favorite stock photo website, Unsplash, to supplement. Taking the Next Step Our goal in sharing the process is that you can see how much goes into even the simplest of designs. We also want to show you that we're always working to improve the user experience on our site and welcome any feedback you may have. If you have any questions or comments about our new website, please feel free to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you! We're extremely proud of the end result and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Thank you for taking the time to check it out! If you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you.

Getting Started with Visionary Rising Visionary Rising Agency is a team of creatives who fuse traditional and digital media to generate memorable campaigns and strategies for clients. We build authentic touch points, one story at a time. Our Austin-based creative strategy and production studio crafts cross-platform campaigns that drive real human interaction using creators and culture for brands who want to reach diverse audiences. The agency was started as a means to bridge the very real gap between digital and traditional media. We believe in authenticity: we find it in the heart of every consumer on social platforms; we nurture it by listening closely and expanding on the finer points to uncover growth opportunities. We believe in collaboration: we work with our team to write the next chapters of a brand’s story and that starts by uncovering new insights and strategies for clients in order to craft cross-platform campaigns that drive human interaction. This means being respectful of both the traditional and non-traditional paths that lead creators to us. It means respecting our own time and the time of others, allowing us to deliver awesome things for you. It also means recognizing that respect is a two-way street, which includes being respectful when we have to say no or ask questions about what’s needed from your side as well. This attitude of integrity sets an example so that other members of our team can follow suit; it inspires them to do their best work in order to serve ourselves and those around us better. So how does this play out? Well, for starters: We set reasonable expectations with deadlines early on - and meet them! We communicate efficiently through Slack channels and meetings (with clear agendas) Everyone feels comfortable voicing concerns or asking for feedback We listen to each other’s ideas before passing judgment (and we have healthy debates!) We explore multiple points of view and thought before taking any action We hold each other accountable to the agreed-upon goals and deliverables. We also take time for fun! In order to maintain a good work/life balance, we try - when possible - to keep our meetings short (30 minutes or less), have flexible hours, and scheduled days off at least once every two weeks. This approach has resulted in higher productivity while preserving mental health; team members are happier and more productive as a result of this culture. If you’re looking for a team of creatives to help with your next campaign or strategy, look no further than Visionary Rising Agency. We’d be more than happy to help you uncover the good in your brand story. Contact us today to get started!

Over the last year, the Global Gig Economy has exploded in growth, with projections to be over half of the workforce by 2030, that number will be largely made up of creators, who already make up 59% of the current 60 Million employed as freelancers. It comes as no surprise that creators are leading the charge in changing how the world works but, with less than 5% earning above 6-figures, they are still taking the smallest piece of the pie. Wethos, an end-to-end platform built specifically for studio owners, recently raised $8 MILLION to change how creators work and help to shatter that 6-figure ceiling. I am excited to share that Visionary Rising has partnered with Wethos to bring you a series built for creators by creators, to provide insightful tips on utilizing the Wethos platform to scale rapidly and win more business. #InSession: A Series for Creators, is a 6-part series artfully crafted to provide creators, studio owners, and freelancers, with all the tools and resources needed to expand to the next level. When I discovered Wethos, I was like many of you who’ve read the blog, seen our work, and followed us for the last few years: a studio owner doing great work but struggling to align the company’s bottom line with the value we provided to our clients. I had a feeling I was undercharging, but with others being unwilling to openly share their rates, I was limited on what to leverage when potential clients low-balled us. And, trust me, they did that often. In June 2020, I started thinking about how I wanted to shift the agency’s model, increase our rates, and work better. That search led me to the Wethos platform’s scoping tool and an invitation to join as a 1 of the 100 founding studios. The first thing I did was complete a scope for one of our clients and immediately discovered how much money we’d left on the table ($20K), by not negotiating our rate. I completed a few more using the service's library and was stunned. The next steps became extremely clear to me. I spent the remainder of 2020 restructuring our service offerings, creating new scopes of work, and increasing our rates. So far in 2021, we’ve signed $25K, $50K, and $100K agreements, on RFPs we were able to turn around in days thanks to the Wethos platform. We’ve maintained an 80% win rate on services, maintained a 99% retention rate for clients, and been able to expand our projects utilizing the collaboration tool. I don’t just want to give you the blueprint on how to scale - I want to give you the tools, resources, and knowledge to do it again and again. Save the date for October 12, 2021, and get ready to level up your output. Register for #InSession: A Series for Creators and stay tuned for more information on the amazing sessions we have lined up.