Last August, a local businessman came to Berry Digital Solutions looking for....well, a digital solution. He had recently acquired a popular national product, The Insider Bat™. The Insider Bat™ was well-liked and highly reviewed by thousands of happy customers, but it was mostly just known on the baseball and softball trade show circuit and through some word-of-mouth between some highly respected coaches and instructors.

So our task was to help spread the word about this wonderful training tool and create a website to make The Insider Bat™ available for purchase online. Within a matter of a couple of weeks, we had created a Facebook page, Google business listing, and built The Insider Bat a beautiful new online home to the exact specifications of the client. Almost immediately, the site began paying for itself with online sales...with almost no promotion of any kind! The Insider Bat™ was such a solid design and well-respected training tool amongst baseball and softball experts, that it pretty much sold itself.

Sometimes, that's all it takes! Create a product that people love, and the happy customers will act as your sales team!

That business model frees up our client to expand his offerings to more great products, rather than hiring more support staff and adding to the overhead costs of The Insider Bat™. Now he's using his Insider Bat platform to sell some of these great new products, including the Hands Inside Trainer, Soft Hit Balls & Lizard Skins Bat Grips.  And we're excited to partner with this client on a couple of new products and websites in the very near future!

Just a couple of Champaign County businesses growing together by offering quality products and services in a new digital world!

Have you rented a booth for the Champaign County Fair but don't now what to do when you get there? Or are you looking for a way to be represented without attending? The fair can be an awesome place to reach a large audience but when you're competing with other businesses it's important to standout! If you aren't sure where to start, we'd love to help you! Can't attend? No problem, we've got you covered! Let us advertise for you using one of our We Spend Local screens at the fair! Make sure your marketing strategy includes the fair! If the words "marketing strategy" has you stressed, let us handle the guess work & get you to where you want to be!

Does the idea of social media have you frazzled? Feeling like you're unsure of what to post, when to post or why? Quality content that engages your audience and promotes your business can seem like a long shot but don't worry, we are here to help! And if these tips aren't enough, let us buy you a coffee and learn more about what you do and how we can help!
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1. Get creative!    
Think outside the box with what you post and how you utilize all the tools (such as check ins, networking with other businesses, enticing engagement.)

2. Post Consistently     
Not only consistently but with intent, daily is best (using a variety of types of post, aka if all you are doing is selling, you are doing it wrong!)

3. Images & Videos Matter     
Increases visibility & quality is important. (Every post should have an image or video with it.)

4. Analyze Data     
Know where to find & how to use.

5. Interact     
Followers want to know you are just as invested in them as they are in you. (Respond to them, thank them, show them love!)

6. Why     
Give your audience a reason to follow you.

7. Hashtags Matter 
Use wisely.

8. Promote 
How & when to promote.

9. Recycle & Reuse
 It's okay to recycle posts & break them up in to multiple posts when implemented correctly.

Whether you are a father, have a father or just need some fatherly advice, we can all agree that advice from a dad can be life changing. Here's some words of wisdom from two of our favorite Dads. 

• “Find something you love in life and do it everyday."
• "Keep your hands AND FEET to yourself!"
• “Your path will be unlike any other in the world. Embrace it and never compare yourself to others, as they were meant to go down their own paths.”
• "Be careful!"
• “Be a leader, not a boss.”
• “Be kind, always.”
• "Stop pestering your brother/sister."
• “Worrying is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but you won’t get anywhere.”

                                                                          Happy Father's Day from our family to yours!

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Is your computer slowing you down? Are you wasting time waiting for your computer to load websites, sorting through error messages or downloading program updates? It can be frustrating to navigate computer issues but here are 5 signs it's time for a computer clean up!

1. Error Messages: It's easy to ignore these but your computer may know something's wrong. Those pop-up messages about missing application or system files could be a sign of something far worse. . . a virus. 
2. Screen Freezing & Unexpected Crashes: If you're having to restart your computer on a regular basis, something is wrong. Don't wait until your computer doesn't turn back on, get it checked out now!
3. Slower Internet & Processing: This can seem like an issue caused by your internet service provider but if the entire office isn't affected, your computer may be the cause. Use a speed test to verify your internet speed.Use your task manager to take a look at your processing speed. If either seem slow, it's time to find out why.
4. Missing or Extra Files: It's important to keep track of your hard drive size. A virus may install unwanted files or copies of itself. Or worse, begin to delete files. If something seems strange, it's time to run a few scans & tests to determine the issue.
5. Advertisements Everywhere: Seeing advertisements while you are browsing the internet is not uncommon, but are you seeing them when your browser is closed? Don't open or click on these ads! These can be the start of a serious problem. Run an antivirus scan using your own software, not using ads that may be popping up.  

Experiencing one or more of these issues & not sure where to start? Wondering if you're antivirus software if up to date or effective? Contact us for all your IT needs & let us save you time & money!

Berry Digital Solutions is proud to announce their new partnership with Your Hometown Techs to offer the you the best service when it comes to your computers, tablets, phones, and other digital devices!  Shawn Suter prides himself on being able to provide exceptional service and technological knowledge to our community at an affordable price. 

Your Hometown Techs will offer residential services in your home or you can drop off devices at their new location inside The Spotted Cow Coffeehouse on the north side of Urbana. Your Hometown Techs also offers flat rate IT support for small businesses.

Ryan Berry, co-owner of Berry Digital Solutions, is excited to partner with Your Hometown Techs, adding "Shawn Suter is a man of all digital trades.  Not only can he dig deep into computer or networking issues, but he can also create video content and be a vital part of a business' brainstorming session.  He has already become a crucial part of the Berry Digital Solutions team!"

Are you in need of service for your computer, printer, network, tablet, phone, smart TV, smart home, etc?
​There are two convenient options available to clients in need of digital repair and maintenance services:

1. Your Hometown Techs will come to you.  No need to mess with cords, packing and transporting devices. Shawn will help you with all of your needs, right in your home, without any additional charge!
2. OR you can utilize 1 of our 2 drop-off locations.  Simply drop-off your device, and Shawn will call you when he has everything ready for you to pick-up!  You can drop-off your items at​ The Spotted Cow Coffeehouse, located at 927 North Main St. in Urbana, or at the Berry Digital Solutions office in downtown Urbana office at 3 Monument Square (between The People's Savings Bank and Security National Bank). ​

Do you feel like your marketing dollars are being wasted year after year and find it difficult to know if your marketing strategies are effective? Business owners are often overwhelmed by the ever expanding world of digital marketing and it can be frustrating to wonder whether or not your hard earned dollars are making an impact. Your website should be the most powerful marketing tool you possess, with the potential to take your business to the next level. Using localized SEO services, constant site reviews and campaigns designed to drive traffic to your website, you can be confident that your small business will be ready to compete with big business. Not all websites are created equal and we want to help yours succeed! If your website isn't working for you or the world of digital marketing drives you crazy, let us at Berry Digital Solutions manage your digital world while you focus on your business. We'd love to buy you a coffee and learn more about your business and how we can support you.

Mama always said, “Life is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get.”
 
Actually, that’s a pretty terrible life lesson from ol’ Forrest, Forrest Gump because a lot of boxes of chocolates have a key included, usually somewhere in the box, that guides you to exactly what you’re gonna get. (And if you can’t find the key, we live in a digital world now. Google it and you should have an answer in less than a second.)
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So instead here are some words of wisdom from a woman that raised the man behind
Berry Digital Solutions, Ryan's mom, Becky:

“You can do anything in this world that you want to.”

“Do it while you are young, you have the rest of your life to be bored.”

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

“Always reward yourself for accomplishing your goals.”
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Happy Mother's Day from Berry Digital Solutions!

'Local Matters' movements are a growing trend nationwide, and for once, this is a trend worth your participation! Our communities and local economies need patrons who spend their paychecks in their own backyard. When you shop local, you are putting significantly more money back into the local economy rather than sending it to a billionaire CEO who has no intentions of returning the favor.

​What else can a local business offer over a nationwide corporation? Local business owners offer unmatched, personalized customer service. Getting to know the owners allows you the opportunity to hear their backstories, learn about their products and share in their successes. Will a large retailer remember your favorite drink, ask you about your family or be willing to order a specialty item just for you? Local businesses and organizations care about their communities and know why local matters. Research shows that local small business owners are more likely to keep their dollars local and improve the local economy. If we haven't convinced you, please ask your favorite local owners why local matters to them!

Ryan and Erika welcomed a new baby boy in March of 2018, making their hearts and home beautifully full.  Chris and Jessica, along with their two boys, purchased a home in West Liberty.  Chris ended 2018 with an emergency back surgery.  He is such a valuable partner who has continued to provide superior service to our clients, even with his limited mobility.  We are hoping Chris rests his body and heals quickly in the new year.

In 2019, Berry Digital Solutions will continue to find new, creative ways for clients to connect with their target audience.  We are planning to implement new marketing technologies, such as: video, social media, Google AdWords, and YouTube advertising.  Our biggest assets are our local small business partners.  We are proud to partner with individuals who are experts in their field, and are excited to pass their expertise along to our clients.

As you reflect and plan, think about how you want to grow your business this new year. In addition to website services, we provide:  social media advertising, Google AdWords advertising, 3-D virtual tours, photography, videography, graphic design, local screen advertising, computer repair and more!  

Ryan ended 2018 with #CoffeeWithRyan and has begun 2019 with #WaterWithRyan.  We're only kidding, but you don't have to love coffee to meet with Ryan to put together a plan for your small business this year!
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