Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Upswept Creative - Portland web design and online marketing Portland web design and social media agency ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/blog/) - Learn from an uncommon web design and social media agency about how to navigate online marketing for your small business or non-profit organization. - [When to use AI for marketing copy](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/when-to-use-ai-for-marketing-copy/) - AI-generated marketing copy is a hot topic, but is using AI for marketing copy the right move for your business? Learn what you should consider with AI. - [is inbox AI tanking your email performance?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2026/how-to-write-marketing-emails-for-inbox-ai/) - There’s an uninvited guest hanging out in your Inbox, and its name is “AI.” You’ve probably seen AI bots popping into your inbox, offering auto-generated summaries of your emails, like a nosy stranger. Worse yet, it’ll even auto-generate a writeup for how it thinks you should respond to those emails. Thank you, AI, but I - [How Social Media Has Leaned Into Harmful Practices](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2026/how-social-media-has-leaned-into-harmful-practices/) - Lately, Meta and TikTok have been doubling down on invasive privacy policies. Some users are even describing those policies as a shift to surveillance tactics. Why are harmful policy updates like these popping up so often? As it increasingly becomes “the norm” for billionaires to control how we exist online, big tech is taking the - [What alternatives are there to Instagram and TikTok?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2026/what-alternatives-are-there-to-instagram-and-tiktok/) - Between recent reports of censorship at TikTok, and ongoing shenanigans at Meta, now feels like a good time to ask: what alternatives are out there? - [Email newsletter platforms that aren't Substack](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2026/email-newsletter-platforms-that-arent-substack/) - Frustrated with Substack? Here are some great newsletter platforms that don’t promote white supremacists. - [LinkedIn’s algorithm doesn’t want your external links.](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2025/linkedins-algorithm-doesnt-want-your-external-links/) - LinkedIn’s algorithm is known for de-prioritizing posts that contain external links, but what do the effects of that look like, and what should you do about it? - [Is 2026 really the year of the storyteller?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2026/is-2026-really-the-year-of-the-storyteller/) - Many claim this is the year of the storyteller, but will storytelling really fix your online marketing in 2026? Yes, but probably not for the reasons you think. - [Do I need to worry about what's going on with WP Engine and Wordpress?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2024/whats-going-on-with-wp-engine-and-wordpress/) - You may have recently caught wind of the dust-up between WP Engine and Wordpress. Maybe you didn’t even get the details, and you just heard that "something" was happening between WP Engine and Wordpress. Tech folks like me had some Big Feelings about it. (nerds having strong opinions? Who could’ve predicted?! 😆) For business owners, however, - [Why You Need Social SEO](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2025/why-you-need-social-seo/) - Whether you saw our post on social, you’ve only heard whispers, or this is your first time hearing about it, these days you need social SEO. But what is social SEO? Social SEO refers to collectively optimizing your social media profiles and content. The goal is to make your social easier to discover on a - [Ethical Social Media Marketing Prompts](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2025/ethical-social-media-marketing/) - With dramatic changes in the political and social media landscape, it's hard to know what to do as a human – let alone as the boss of your business' online presence. How do you exist ethically on social media? Our businesses give us a platform to seed and amplify radical ideas on social media. That - [Is It Really Time to Redesign Your Website?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/is-it-really-time-to-redesign-your-website/) - If the new year has you thinking it's time to redesign your website, here are important ways to tell whether or not it's REALLY time for a new website. - [Don't Make Your Website Users Think](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/web-design-user-friendly/) - Good web design is a must-have if you want your small business to look professional. However, looks aren’t the only thing your website needs to focus on. Good design should also keep website usability in mind. If your visitors have to think too hard about how to find what they want, you’ll easily lose their - [What’s the deal with Instagram Edits?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2025/whats-the-deal-with-instagram-edits/) - Back in April, Instagram launched its new platform-integrated video editing app, Edits, to a mixed bag of reviews. Some of them are positive, though. Now, if you’ve been following along with me these past few months, you can guess my feelings about giving Meta access to even more of our time, energy, and money. 😉 - [Big Shifts in the Online Marketing Realm!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2025/big-shifts-in-the-online-marketing-realm/) - What's With All the Major Changes Happening in Online Marketing? Over the past few months, it seems like online marketing (social media) has been turned upside down. From the latest (infuriating) Meta updates to the TikTok ban, to the possibility of breaking up Google’s search and advertising tools, major changes seem to be hiding around - [More Joy, Less Stress: Decluttering Your Digital Space](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/more-joy-less-stress-decluttering-your-digital-space/) - Spring is traditionally the time of year for cleaning up and clearing out. We awaken from longer nights and cooler temperatures to more energy and more drive to get things done. We feel the urge to clear space for this newfound energy and drive. We clean up yards and gardens to encourage new growth; we - [Legal Marijuana and Changing Brand Perception](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/legal-marijuana-and-changing-brand-perception/) - Branding is all about creating a memorable impression of your work that appeals to your ideal client. Sometimes, that means overcoming common assumptions about your product... and when it comes to public perception, legal marijuana dispensaries have an especially tough challenge. Marijuana was legalized in Portland less than a year ago, and as a previously illegal - [Are the Testimonials on Your Website Costing You New Clients?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/how-to-use-testimonials-on-your-website/) - Testimonials on your website can build trust with your audience, or they could lose potential clients. Learn the best ways to use testimonials on your website. - [5 Irresistible Lead Magnets That Will ACTUALLY Power-up Your Email List in 2023](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/5-irresistible-lead-magnets-that-will-actually-power-up-your-email-list-in-2023/) - Let's explore 5 irresistible lead magnets proven to transform your email list. As a leading digital marketing agency in Portland, we share strategies for turning potential leads into loyal subscribers. - [How to Choose the Perfect Instagram User Name and  Attract Your Ideal Clients](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/choose-the-perfect-instagram-user-name/) - Your Instagram user name is a crucial part of your brand identity. Discover how to create a memorable name that will help you stand out on the platform. - [Why Social SEO matters for your business](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2024/why-social-seo-matters-for-your-business/) - Social media platforms aren't search engines, but they do have built-in search. Social SEO can give your business a boost by getting more views on your social content. - [Three Things I Wish I'd Known in My First Year as a Small Business](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2024/three-things-i-wish-id-known-in-my-first-year-as-a-small-business/) - To say ‘running a small business is hard’ is an understatement. We put so much of ourselves into making our business the best it can be, and inevitably, we make some mistakes along the way. They’re usually not as earth-shattering as we think, and even when it feels dire, we learn from those stumbles and - [Why You Should Pay Attention to Client Fit](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/why-you-should-pay-attention-to-client-fit/) - Paying attention to client fit is crucial for your business. Here's why assessing client fit now will bring you more peace and profit in the year to come. - [Not Another Productivity Hack](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/not-another-productivity-hack/) - You’ve heard it before. “Create the perfect morning routine!” “3 Hacks to 10x your productivity!” “How to force yourself into an unnatural routine to conform to society’s productivity expectations and burn yourself out!” Okay, maybe not that last one. But it seems like that’s what most “productivity hacks” actually do—force you to create some unattainable - [What should you look for in a Social Media Manager?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2024/what-should-you-look-for-in-a-social-media-manager/) - Choosing who to hand off your social media to is not something to be taken lightly. Your business is your baby! Obviously, you want someone with professional graphic design experience and a discerning eye, who knows how to create beautiful, made-for-you content. But more importantly, they should also be someone you can trust to make - [How to Bring Your Dated Website Back From the Dead](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/how-to-bring-your-dated-website-back-from-the-dead/) - Has your website become… the undead? A zombie? Is there forgotten content lurking in some distant dark corner, covered in sticky cobwebs? Welcome to the land of "zombie websites" – websites plagued by outdated, lackluster content that drains the vitality from your business’ online presence. Oh no! Your website serves as the face of your - [Email as a Marketing Tool](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2024/email-as-a-marketing-tool/) - Want to meet your customers where they are? Make sure you've got a plan for email in your marketing toolkit! - [What is Web Hosting and Maintenance?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/what-is-web-hosting-maintenance/) - Learn what web hosting is, how it fits into Wordpress web design, and how to avoid a sub-par user experience by choosing the right web host. - [Why You Need a Lead Magnet for Email Marketing](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/why-you-need-a-lead-magnet-for-email-marketing/) - Email marketing can bring in repeat sales, but where does a lead magnet fit in? We cover what a lead magnet is and how to create a great one to draw in clients. - [How To Prepare For A Consultation](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/how-to-prepare-for-a-consultation/) - Ready to level up your business? If you plan to hire an expert to spruce up your branding or website, we've got tips to help you prepare for your consultation. - [How to Set Up Google Analytics](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/how-to-set-up-google-analytics/) - Google Analytics has the potential to be a very helpful tool for you as you evolve your website. You can take a closer look at how many people are visiting, how they're getting there, even whether or not they convert! ...but before you can take advantage of that, you'll need to actually set up Google - [Can I build my own business website?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/can-i-build-my-own-business-website/) - At one point or another, I think just about every small business owner who’s found themselves a bit strapped for resources has asked themselves: "can I build my own business website? Even just something basic to prove that my business exists?" I’ll freely admit that I’m biased when I tell you that, well, I don’t - [Why Your Email Marketing Matters Year-Round](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2023/email-marketing-small-business-year-round/) - Tempted to step back from your email marketing after a Big Sale or Major Holiday is behind you? Learn why you should stick with your email marketing year-round. - [Who's the Main Character in Your Website?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/whos-the-main-character-in-your-website/) - Who is your website really for, and how can you make it as effective as possible? Learn more here! - [Does Your Brand Need to Be More... Selfish?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/brand-goals-values-get-selfish/) - Yeah, I'm saying it: folks aren't selfish enough with their brands. That's especially true when they're creating branding for a small business. Businesses, by nature, have their eyes on the bottom line: quarterly revenue, conversions, ROI, blah blah blah... You've probably heard all the buzzwords, acronyms and then some. A certain amount of that is - [Does Email Marketing Work?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/does-email-marketing-work/) - Social media has taken over our marketing strategies. Every new platform promises that this is the only way you’ll connect with potential customers. This is the only way you’ll build an audience. This is the only way you’ll grow your business. But is it really? Short answer—absolutely not. While social media is a great way - [Map It Out: Smart Website Planning](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/map-it-out-smart-website-planning/) - Your website is your online storefront. Make it easier for your customers to find what they need with a smart website plan. - [Authenticity Online](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/authenticity-online/) - Authenticity can often seem like it’s in short supply. Especially on the internet. Whether it’s a snarky meme or "fake news," genuine voices are in high demand online. People are starved for them. Whether you’re managing the social media channels of an established business, or taking a DIY approach to building your own online marketing - [Collaboration By Design: Tips for Better Creative Teamwork](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/tips-for-better-creative-teamwork/) - When you reach out for design or marketing help, you're essentially hiring a new teammate. Here are suggestions for better creative teamwork. - [Simple ways to improve your website accessibility](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/simple-ways-to-improve-your-website-accessibility/) - If your website is hard to navigate for people with disabilities, you're leaving out a potentially huge part of your audience. - [Creative Mornings PDX with Jelly Helm](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/creative-mornings-pdx-with-jelly-helm/) - “The punch line is…” he said “Ethics have shifted from the tribe to the individual.” What do donuts, ethics, and creativity all have in common? They were the bright stars of my Friday morning a few weeks ago at Creative Mornings PDX. The donuts, however, were easily outshined by the charming, charismatic speaker, Jelly Helm - [Party With Us and Celebrate 5 Years!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/party-us-celebrate-5-years/) - Upswept Creative is turning FIVE years old, and we want you to party with us! Join us for a sweet soiree to celebrate five years of creating strong, smart, beautiful business brands. Way back in 2011, Upswept began as a one-woman show with a different name, but now we have a small-but-fierce team to help - [Stealing Photos is Bad](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/stealing-photos-bad/) - Photography usage in the digital age has, unfortunately, been a big problem. Stealing content is not ok - ever! Knowing the rules and etiquette surrounding using work that is not your own is an important part of being an ethical and responsible business owner or creative professional. I’ve written this post as a quick guide - [Social Media Management 102](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/social-media-management-102/) - A few weeks ago, we talked about some basics of social media marketing. In that post, I went over how to set goals, decide which platforms to use, and urged you to stick to the plan. Now I’d like to get into another aspect of social media marketing that’s just as important… what the heck - [Brand Experience: Get in Touch With Your Feelings](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/brand-experience-get-touch-feelings/) - Let’s talk about feelings for a minute. Don’t worry, it’s not a heart-to-heart about your innermost dreams and desires. We’re talking about the feelings your branding creates. It’s often said that your brand design and messaging should create a feeling, but there isn’t as much said about what the heck that means. How do you - [The Story Behind The Rebrand](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/the-story-behind-the-rebrand/) - If you’ve been following Upswept Creative for some time, you’ve likely noticed things look a bit different these days. Don’t fret - our purpose and mission haven’t changed; just our brand identity! Let’s be real, though: it's not just a brand identity. It’s a first impression, an aesthetic, a mood, a visual representation of what - [Join us as our next Project Manager!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/join-us-as-our-next-project-manager/) - We’re hiring! We're seeking a badass project manager for the creative industry, particularly in the area of branding and web design. It’s currently a part-time role, but it’s growing into a larger time commitment–the more you bring to the role, the better it is for all of us! We'd be a great fit for each - [Shifting Your Website for Shifts in Your Goals: A Case Study](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/shifting-your-website-for-shifts-in-your-goals-case-study/) - A consistent mistake I see in websites, across a variety of industries, is that they don’t show clear goals or intentions. Or, perhaps a business website reflects goals from their past, rather than reflecting what they are now. Your website has the potential to be a powerful tool, but if your website isn’t trying to - [You Are Not 2D: Making Resolutions that Reflect Your Humanity](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/resolutions-reflect-humanity/) - Every year we try to change ourselves to conform to a list of resolutions. What if this year we made that list fit us instead? - [Why you (yes, you) should raise your rates](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/why-you-yes-you-should-raise-your-rates/) - Nobody tells you how to set or raise your rates when you start a business. We're here to tell you that, yes, it's time to just do it. - [Pride: Celebration, Not Commodification](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/pride-celebration-not-commodification/) - Pride month is a celebration, not an opportunity for commodification. Let's return the focus to the full diversity of our community. - [What Does a Social Media Manager Do?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/what-does-a-social-media-manager-do/) - Having someone take over your social media needs is one of the best things you can do to save yourself time and energy. - [5 Must-Have Tools for Social Media Management](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/5-must-have-tools-for-social-media-management/) - Content creation is time-consuming enough without adding all of the logistics of social media management into the mix. Taking photos, shooting videos, posting, and planning can be an endless task. Then you have to figure out what to post and when. And then you still have to pay attention to how everything is working (or - [Write Better Emails: Tips for Effective Communication](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/write-better-emails/) - You already know email is a major communication tool. Now make sure that communication is effective with tips on how to write better emails. - [No Business As Usual: Work in an Unsettled World](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2022/work-in-an-unsettled-world/) - When the world is unsettled, how can you be more mindful and skillful about doing business? We have a few suggestions. - [In With The New: Business Trends for 2022 and Beyond](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/business-trends-for-2022/) - There’s a lot of noise out there about marketing trends for the new year. Here are our thoughts on business trends for 2022 - and beyond. - [Ethical Marketing Practices are Coming for Your Ads–And That’s a Good Thing](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/ethical-marketing-practices-are-coming-for-your-ads-and-thats-a-good-thing/) - With more consumers focused on the ethics of business, how can companies incorporate ethical marketing practices? - [Understanding Instagram Analytics](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/understanding-instagram-analytics/) - Want to make sense of what works and what doesn’t on Instagram? Let us help you understand Instagram Analytics! - [What Does a Project Manager Do?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/what-does-a-project-manager-do/) - A bird's eye view of what goes into being a website and social media project manager at Upswept Creative. - [Is Your Website Serving Your Audience?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/is-your-website-serving-your-audience/) - If you’ve ever tried to build a website, you know how challenging it can be! The complexities of a great website go beyond coding and design. It’s a tricky balance of serving your needs and serving your audience’s wants. No matter what service or product you offer, there’s one universal truth for every website on - [Does Your Business Need a Blog?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/does-your-business-need-a-blog/) - You need fresh content for good SEO and user engagement, but does that mean you need a blog? It may or may not. - [Drive Traffic to Your Website Using Social Media](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/drive-traffic-to-your-website-using-social-media/) - Suggestions for creating interesting and relevant content to drive traffic to your website using your social media feeds - [What The Heck Do I Post? Social Media Content Ideas For Your Business](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/social-media-content-ideas-for-your-business/) - Struggling with what to post online? Let us help! We've got social media content ideas to inspire you and help you attract the right folks to your offering. - [Wow and Welcome Your Website Visitors](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/welcome-website-visitors/) - Consider your website visitors as guests to your digital party and you’ll have a better idea of what to say. - [Plugins in Wordpress web design: how much is too much?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/plugins-wordpress-web-design/) - What are the pluses and the pitfalls that come with using plugins in a Wordpress web design? Learn about our best practices and what you should do to get the most out of your Wordpress website. - [The "Future" of Instagram: Who Likes It?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/the-future-of-instagram-who-likes-it/) - If you’re keeping up with the wild world of social media, you may have heard about Instagram testing hidden “likes” in select countries earlier this year. It seems our friends at the photo sharing platform liked what they saw (pun very much intended) enough to extend testing into the United States market. If you haven’t - [Let's Talk Instagram Algorithm (Again)](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/lets-talk-instagram-algorithm/) - What you need to know to make the Instagram algorithm work for you - [Using SEO Keywords without Sounding Like a Phony](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/using-seo-keywords/) - Tips for researching and writing with SEO keywords without sounding like you’re a robot. - [Doing The Work as an Anti-Racist Small Business](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/anti-racist-small-business/) - Last summer might feel like it happened 100 years ago, but it was a period in history that we won’t soon forget. Systemic racism came to the forefront of so many issues we faced in 2020, and folks all over the U.S. felt moved to do something about it. A lot of people and businesses - [Build Connection, and Stay Connected, with Email](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2021/build-connection-with-email/) - You use social media to stay connected with friends and potential customers. Don’t forget to use email marketing to build connections as well. - [Getting Sales on Your Website Without The Hard Sell](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/getting-sales-on-your-website-without-the-hard-sell/) - When you started your business, you probably didn't plan to spend all of your energy on sales calls (unless you're a sales coach, that is). Still, even if you’re brilliant at selling, sales takes time and energy, doesn't it? And sometimes, just the idea of trying to persuade someone to buy can send your anxiety - [Connection in the Time of COVID: How Our Online Experience Has Changed](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/online-connection-in-the-time-of-covid/) - With everyone spending more time online, how can businesses adapt and adjust their social media presence to keep audiences engaged? - [The Email Processing Ecosystem](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/email-processing-ecosystem/) - A tidy email inbox makes your world easier; moreso when you have the right tools to help process your messages. - [Diversify Your Feeds: Hack the Social Media Algorithm](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/hack-the-social-media-algorithm/) - Diversify your social media feeds by understanding bias in the social media algorithm - [What Can Small Businesses Do For Equity in Communities?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/what-can-small-businesses-do-for-equity-in-communities/) - You have the power to make real change. Seriously, I want you to sit with that idea for a minute. I know that it feels like there’s a lot wrong in the world. Add in the uncertainty of COVID, and it may feel like there’s not much we can do about any of it. But, - [Upswept Creative at the ACT-W Conference in Portland!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/upswept-creative-headshot-photography-at-the-act-w-conference-in-portland/) - Last weekend, we had the awesome opportunity to attend the ACT-W (Advancing the Careers of Technical Women) conference in Portland and we had a great time! As I wrote about fairly recently, the gender gap in tech is pervasive, and ACT-W is doing its part to help support women entering into and working in tech - [Good Content: the Cornerstone of SEO](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/good-seo-content/) - Demystifying what “good SEO content” means when it comes to your website rankings: text, images, video, and reviews. - [#FunForAll: Make Your Social Media More Accessible](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/make-your-social-media-more-accessible/) - Social media is for everyone! We share our best practices for a more accessible social media presence. - [Why You Aren’t Getting Website Leads](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/why-you-arent-getting-website-leads/) - I believe that a website should do more than take up space on the internet. I’ve created websites with features ranging from online booking to membership programs to interactive quizzes, and y’all, the power of a website as a business tool is massive. A pretty universal goal for most any website, however? Get someone to - [Getting Search Engine Spiders to Crawl Your Website](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/getting-search-engine-spiders-crawl-website/) - I know, I know, the idea of having eight-legged beasts crawl my website gives me the heebie-jeebies, too. But organizing your site like a well-structured web is honestly the key to the SEO prize you want: getting seen when your potential customers query a search engine. I apologize for the arachnid symbology, as I often - [Owning This Moment: Smarter Social Media for Social Justice](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/owning-this-moment-smarter-social-media-for-social-justice/) - Social media has become an incredibly powerful tool for communication, marketing… and activism. Just like any other tool, there are right ways and wrong ways to wield it. Examples of performative allyship and hashtags gone awry make it more evident than ever that those of us using social media for our businesses need to be - [How Non-Black People in Small Business Can Fight Racism](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/how-non-black-people-in-small-business-can-fight-racism/) - If you’re like me, you’ve been waking up feeling a lot of things, over the past week-or-so. We’re in a pivotal moment, and all of us on Team Upswept have been grappling with how to move forward, as people who think of ourselves as allies. If you’re reading this, I hope that you, too, are - [Letting Go: 3 Things Holding You Back From an Awesome Brand Redesign](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/awesome-brand-redesign-rebranding/) - Do you get an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach when you look at your logo? Do you feel sheepish when you hand out your business card? You may be thinking about a brand redesign, or even know deep down that you need to refresh your brand… and yet, it feels like an - [What is SEO exactly?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/what-is-seo/) - People know they need it, but exactly what is SEO? Here’s a very broad overview of the definition of SEO, what goes into it, and why it’s important. - [Revising Priorities: Social Media Strategy for Uncertain Times](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/revising-priorities-social-media-strategy-for-uncertain-times/) - Adaptability in the face of changing circumstances is crucial to keeping your social media presence effective and successful. - [We're Here For You During COVID-19](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/were-here-for-you-during-covid-19/) - We know a lot of small businesses are stressing out during these times (trust us, we're among them). And, we also know that we want to just do something to help. So, we're channeling our deep tech-savvy to help other small businesses who may need the skills we have. In these uncertain times, we’re offering our - [Remote Work: A Permanent Solution for Your Business?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/remote-work-permanent-business-solution/) - There are tons of benefits to going remote for you, your employees, and the planet. Maybe you are looking for a way to cut costs. Maybe a valuable employee has a long surgical recovery coming up and wants to spend some of that time working. Maybe a team member is moving out of state. Or - [Social Media Science: Understanding the Algorithm](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/social-media-science-understanding-the-algorithm/) - Ever wonder who the mad scientist hiding behind the curtain of your social media feeds is, determining what to show you next? He’s got a name, friends: Al. Al Gorithm. OKAY terrible jokes aside: what exactly is the algorithm, and why does it matter? I appreciate the simplicity of this definition from Pedro Domingos’s The - [The Value of Knowing Your Company's Values](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2020/branding-knowing-your-company-values/) - “Values” has become a bit of a buzzword in the age of online branding. Buzzwords aren't exactly our favorite thing, but behind the buzz, we do believe there’s a lot of value in seeing and identifying your values--both as a person and as an organization. What do you want to see in your business? Once you’ve - [Books to Read for Better Work-Life Balance in 2020](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/books-to-read-for-better-work-life-balance-in-2020/) - If you follow us on social media (hint, hint), you’ve probably seen some of the year-in-review questions Upswept has been posing. One question was particularly convicting for me: did you take enough time to rest this year? Anyone reading this right now probably has a lot to do and very little time to just sit - [Get That "Yes": Your Customer's Journey Starts With Content](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/drive-your-customers-journey-with-content/) - For a lot of people, the web seems like weird tech magic—you create something out of bits and bytes, and it somehow generates sales, right? For organizations redesigning their websites, the "process" might look like this: Build new website and launch it. ...???... Profit! Sounds pretty easy, right? Not so, friends. An updated design isn't - [Is It Time to Give Up on Facebook?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/is-it-time-to-give-up-on-facebook/) - I’d wager a guess that many of us spend more time on social media sites than we’re willing to admit publicly. Don’t worry; I’m not here to judge! If anything, I’m here to gently remind you, my small business owner friend, to use social media more to your advantage. According to the Pew Research Center, - [Design Monsters: Scope Creep](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/web-design-project-scope-creep/) - How to stop scope creep in its tracks and still achieve the final product you want. - [Cascadia Blade Works puts an end to dull moments with sharp tools](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/cascadia-blade-works-puts-an-end-to-dull-moments-with-sharp-tools/) - One of the real joys of our work is bringing an exciting venture to life, and Cascadia Blade Works has excitement going for them in spades. Connecting with them was a learning experience not only in the technicalities of blade sharpening, but also in the power of connecting with your values, and following the path - [How to Scale for Your Audience and Your Own Team](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/website-case-study-hope-animal-assisted-crisis-response/) - HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response is a non-profit organization that trains comfort dogs and animal handler response teams, and sends their specially-trained teams to provide emotional support in the wake of crisis events. HOPE has a long history of serving the community, and they’ve grown into a seven-region organization with volunteers nationwide. When we connected with - [More Than Rainbows: The Story of the Pride Flag](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/more-than-rainbows/) - When you spot a rainbow flag when you’re out and about (pun very much intended), you might safely assume you’re in the midst of LGBTQ community. However, have you stopped to consider how the rainbow became the ubiquitous symbol for pride? A self-described “geeky kid from Kansas,” Gilbert Baker made his way to San Francisco - [How to Simplify Your Social Media](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/simplify-your-social-media/) - Social media has done wonders for connection and exposure. It is easier than ever to reach out to folks you don’t know and stay in touch with those you do, and its ubiquity makes it an accessible tool to promote yourself and your business. Unlike you or your business, however, the threads of the world - [Social Media Tools for Success](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/essential-social-media-tools/) - As a social media marketing professional, I’m here to tell you about the best social media tools that you'll need to succeed. - [Nellie McAdams is Safeguarding Oregon’s Farmland](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/infographic-design-oregon-farmland/) - Using color, typography, simple icons, and an intuitive content structure, we were able to communicate a lot of information into a relatively small space while maintaining a visually appealing and user-friendly look. - [Use Better Hashtags](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/use-better-hashtag/) - Learn how to hashtag the right way! - [Communication is Collaboration](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/communication-is-collaboration/) - Working remotely can present unique challenges to team productivity. Read about what works and what doesn't at Team Upswept. The key is communication! - [Secure Your Website with SSL](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/secure-your-website-with-ssl/) - The web is a go-to place for your audience to learn about--and buy from!--your business. As the online market grows, security is becoming more important, both for you and your customers. A secure site means that the people who visit you online feel safer, and are more likely to stick around. That’s why, beginning this - [Choosing a Web Host](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/choosing-a-web-host/) - There are a lot of moving parts working to make your website look awesome on the web. One of the key pieces that’s often overlooked is your web host. - [Website Case Study: Portland vocational school](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/website-case-study-portland-vocational-school/) - We recently worked with a known leader in vocational training here in Portland, Oregon, and you’ll find many of their graduates building thriving careers here in town and beyond. In 2017, however, they decided to revamp their online experience, to better connect their audience with the details they don’t already know about their diverse programs. - [Be Our Next Social Media Maven!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/be-our-next-social-media-maven/) - UPDATE: this position is now closed as of Oct 26th, 2018! Thank you for your interest! We're seeking someone who's interested in social media management for small-to-medium-sized businesses. It's currently a part-time, ongoing role, but it's growing into a larger time commitment–-the more you bring to the role, the better it is for both of - [Shopping Locally and Responsibly](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/shop-local-responsibly-small-business/) - Black Friday is almost upon us, and your inbox is probably full of big-box sale announcements and “doorbuster” deals! But, you don’t have to suffer through long lines or sidewalk campouts. We talk often about shopping locally, but here’s a reminder that you have a choice: do your holiday shopping locally, and you'll support small - [Local Business Profile: Lindsay Kandra, Three Peaks Wellness](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/business-profile-lindsay-kandra-three-peaks-wellness/) - Lindsay Kandra believes that movement and mindfulness can transform your life. She recently created Three Peaks Wellness in Bend, Oregon. - [Reflect + Refine: How We Wrote Better Creative Proposals in 2018](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/write-better-creative-proposals/) - We had an acceptance rate that we felt pretty good about. But, end-of-year goal setting isn’t about maintaining the status quo, and we wanted to put some of the same problem-solving tools that we use on client projects to work internally. - [A Call to Small Businesses: Hire Trans People](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/a-call-to-small-businesses-hire-trans-people/) - It’s not often that I get political in this space, but after Wednesday’s directive from the Justice Department that businesses can discriminate against workers based on their gender identity, what I'm about to write feels both right and necessary. Upswept Creative is now in its 7th year, and for the first few years, it was - [Why I Kind of Hate the Apple Store](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/why-your-website-doesnt-keep-your-audience/) - OR: Why Your Website Doesn't Keep Your Audience We’re about honest design here at Upswept, so today I’m opening with an honest admission: as much as I enjoy and rely on my Mac, and my iPad, and my iPhone, I never enjoy going to the Apple Store. A recent trip to the Apple Store also - [Making Content that Connects](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/making-content-that-connects/) - We spend our days designing dreamy websites, and we've learned that you shouldn't trust just anyone with your content. Content is what makes you memorable, and it's never a place to cut corners! That's why, when we were looking to tune up our website copy a few months ago, we called in Kelley Gardiner Content & - [Good Artwork is NOT Good Logo Design](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2019/good-artwork-is-not-good-logo-design/) - Whether your business is new or you're re-visioning it, there’s bound to be a lot of excitement and energy around it! In fact, you may even have a very specific idea for your logo, with lush colors, and watercolor effects, and beautiful, finely detailed linework, and... Okay, hang on. There may be room for really - [It’s WordPress 5.0; Get Excited!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/wordpress-5-gutenberg-update/) - A big update to the WordPress editor is coming! In Gutenberg, content is built with blocks, making it easier and more intuitive to publish rich content. - [How To Build A Brand That Reaches Your Dream Clients](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/how-to-build-a-brand-that-reaches-your-dream-clients/) - Branding can be a hard thing to understand. You know that a strong brand can help you land more clients and make more sales, but you may wonder: how does that happen? It's important to make your brand distinctive, so it sticks in your clients mind. That means knowing your own values and staying in touch with - [Congratulations! Your Website is Live!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/congratulations-your-website-is-live/) - Pro tips on what to do AFTER your website launch. Your site is a living thing, keep your it working hard for you! Tips on maintaince, QA testing, and... - [Why Your Social Media Sucks](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/why-your-social-media-sucks/) - So you’ve committed to, and prioritized your social media presence. You’ve thought about your audience, found a ton of free image content you can use, and started posting pretty regularlyYour numbers are horrible.So what gives? - [Design Monsters: The Committee](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/design-monsters-committee/) - Designing by committee is a challenge for both the client group and the designer — but it doesn’t have to devolve into a disaster. - [Social Media Trends 2018](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/social-media-trends-2018/) - ... prepare for possible trends on the horizon. Here are the trends I see having an impact on social media marketing in the coming year. - [Collaborate with Us!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/collaborate-with-upswept/) - Partnership and Collaboration are two of our core values at Upswept Creative. We leverage both to make your project maximum awesome. - [How Much Will Your Website Really Cost?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2018/how-much-will-website-cost/) - When we talk website design with potential clients, one thing we hear pretty regularly is, “I have no idea what this kind of thing costs.” It’s not just about shopping around between different providers, either--there are a lot of factors that can affect your total investment. If you want to get a better sense of - [The Balancing Act of Social Media Marketing](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/balancing-act-social-media-marketing/) - Social media marketing is unlike any other type of marketing. Facebook, LinkedIn, and all the various platforms provide unique opportunities to build an audience organically, made up of people that are just as psyched about your product/brand/business as you are. These platforms are highly personal. It’s prudent to keep in mind that your posts will - [Creating Better Together](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/creating-better-together/) - Team Upswept loves partnering with and supporting other local businesses. - [Meet Josselyn Haldeman, Our Social Media Maven!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/meet-josselyn-haldeman-our-social-media-maven/) - Josselyn is fantastic at what she does, running Upswept’s social media presence, as well as human-focused, data-driven campaigns for some of our clients. - [SEO Made Easy: Keywords and Permalinks](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/seo-made-easy-keywords-permalinks/) - Using custom permalinks allows you to improve the ranking of your website with search engines. Make your business find-able! - [What Your Website Builder Isn’t Giving You](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/hiring-a-website-professional/) - Website builders only provide you the most basic tools to get a website online. A website professional will have the skills you need to succeed online. - [Content is Queen: A Case for Content-First Design](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/content-first-design/) - On creating intentional, purpose-driven, content-first design. - [Code is Poetry: Why We <3 WordPress](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/why-we-love-wordpress/) - Team Upswept chooses WordPress as the platform for nearly all of our clients’ website redesign needs. Here’s why. - [When April Fool's Jokes Become Smart Branding](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/when-april-fools-jokes-become-smart-branding/) - Business branding may seem like an odd stage for pranks, but I can't help appreciating the creativity that April Fool's Day seems to bring out in some parts of the internet--especially now that businesses are taking part in clever ways. Instead of being a terror-inducing and mean-spirited occasion, it can become a neat project for the business and a smart - [Analytics in Social Media Marketing](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/analytics-social-media-marketing/) - Setting goals and tracking them is super important in planning an effective social media marketing strategy. But how do you go about that? With analytics - [Elements of Good Logo Design](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/good-logo-design/) - Logo design has come under a ton of scrutiny, thanks to increasing numbers of people using social media. Now, basically any well-known company who dares to update their brand assets open themselves to critique from the internet at large. - [Put the “Pro” in Creative Professional](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/put-the-pro-in-creative-professional/) - Ways to build trust as a creative professional. Janet credits her success as a professional to the following three keys: - [Portland Business Spotlight: Janet Price, Makeup Artist](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/portland-business-spotlight-janet-price-makeup-artist/) - Profile of Upswept client Janet Price, Portland Makeup Artist - [Doing It! The Silver Lining in producing apparel locally](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/silver-lining-producing-apparel-locally-portland-logo-design/) - "Where is your shirt made?" A lot of us probably don't know the answer to that question, and too often, the answer is, "not in the U.S.A." We recently worked with Silver Lining Productions on creating the perfect logo design for their business: garment manufacturing for clothing designers! As we worked with them, we really got to the - [Social Media Management 101](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/social-media-management-101/) - Online marketing is so widespread, it’s hard to imagine a business today without some kind of presence on social media. But how do you even get started? It can be a lot to tackle. What is a good social media strategy? How do you manage posts across platforms? What does success even look like? This - [Local Business Spotlight: Tori Tissell](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/local-business-spotlight-tori-tissell/) - Tori Tissell, founding owner of Storiarts, maker of literary soft goods, has the kind of internet success story that entrepreneurial dreams are made of. - [Meet Sarah Giffrow, our fearless Creative Director and Benevolent Overlord!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/meet-sarah-giffrow/) - Sarah deftly serves up smart branding solutions and builds beautiful, usable websites that make sense and look awesome. - [DWP: Good Design Solves Problems](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/design-week-portland-good-design-solves-problems/) - On April 28th, Upswept Creative hosted a panel discussion at HQ as part of Design Week Portland. What started as a fun idea tossed to the group in one of our team meetings very quickly evolved into a fully realized, (and totally booked!) event. Creative Director and Benevolent Overlord Sarah had been thinking a lot - [Cherry City: A Case Study in Design Work](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/cherry-city-case-study-design-work/) - Working in web design can be a complicated process. A lot of creative decisions need to be made while working under a deadline, and within a budget. Both functionality and the client’s needs have to take priority, all while looking prettier than the previous iteration. So how do the pros do it? We’d like to - [Portland Business Spotlight: Katie Proctor, Owner, Books with Pictures](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/portland-spotlight-katie-proctor/) - Portand's Katie Proctor is on a bold mission to bring comic books to *everyone.* - [How to Give Feedback to Your Designer](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/give-feedback-designer/) - Feedback tips for a peaceful and productive relationship with your designer. - [Climb the Google Ranks with SEO](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/climb-google-ranks-seo/) - WHAT IS SEO? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It’s the practice of building your website in a way that makes it easier for a search engine to find it, and give it a high-ranking in search results. Think of it as improving your website’s communication with search engines. I’m not going to lie, implementing - [What's in a logo?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/whats-in-a-logo/) - A logo is a key brand element for any company. Whether a new startup venture, or a well-established company, getting your logo design (or redesign!) nailed down feels good, and can help re-energize your company going into the new year. Approaching logo design can be a real challenge. A good logo design will fit the - [Mistakes to Avoid When Building an Authentic Brand](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2017/mistakes-avoid-building-authentic-brand/) - Building and nurturing a strong brand is a process. It take time and focus, and the process isn't always clear. It's easy to put your focus in the wrong places when you create a new business brand, or rebrand an existing business. Here are a couple of mistakes to watch out for during the process, - [Feel Good About Your Website](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/feel-good-about-your-website/) - Make your website awesome. Not sure where to begin? Start by asking yourself these questions to nail down some basic elements of design for an awesome... - [Are You Our Next Project Manager Extraordinaire?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/next-project-manager-extraordinaire/) - NOTE: Applications for this position are now CLOSED! Thank you for your interest! We’re hiring! We're seeking someone who’s interested in project management for the creative industry, particularly in the area of branding and web design. It’s currently a part-time role, but it’s growing into a larger time commitment–the more you bring to the role, the - [Building a Nest for a Happy Brand](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/portland-branding-web-design-building-nest-happy-brand/) - When we first met with Emily of Happy Nest, she had a busy day-to-day of running her professional organizing business and caring for her young children. She had the start of an online presence, but her brand didn't feel like a good fit. "It's just... not awesome," she told us. So, we made a plan to turn her disappointment into excitement, and - [4 Reasons Why Hackers Might Target Your Wordpress Web Site--And How To Stop It!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/reasons-why-hackers-target-your-wordpress-web-site-how-to-prevent-it/) - Your web site is vital to your business. It connects the world with your work and gets your audience energized, and every minute you're without it, you could lose out on a new client who's ready to love what you do. Does a web site hacker care about any of that? Well, you can probably guess - [Why Letting Purpose Drive Your Brand Makes Your Business Stronger](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/purpose-driven-branding-stronger-business/) - Jessica and I recently enjoyed a panel discussion at Pull The Weeds, an exhibition and event centered around purpose-driven branding hosted by FIRNW. Kirk Souder, Thom Walters, and Jen Michaelis Van Arkel shared their thoughts about what drives branding when social good is at the center of the organization. The most obvious purpose-driven brands are the ones that are engaged - [Use Your Web Site to Make Your Business Findable](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/web-site-make-business-findable-portland/) - Summer is upon us in Portland, and that means tourism! People from all over come here for vacations, explore our city, and fall in love with it. You might be making special plans to get ready for the buzz of tourists, especially if you have a storefront or tourism-based business, but there's one thing you might - [Getting Real About Timelines](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/getting-real-timelines-web-design-branding/) - It’s the end of a new client consultation. We’ve discussed your company and why you love what you do. We’ve talked about the features your new website will have. There’s just one question lingering: “How long will it take?” The answer? "It depends." Not the most satisfying answer, we know! Timelines often vary at least - [All Work and No Play Makes Dull Creative Work!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/design-week-portland-creative-work-play/) - It’s all too easy to get stuck in work mode. Working long hours, rushing to the gym, then going home to eat something and fall asleep. Only to wake up early and do it all again. But as a creative agency--or any type of business, really!--it’s important for us to remember take play breaks. Design - [Bringing strong brand to web design for Random Order Pie Bar](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/bringing-strong-brand-web-design-random-order-pie-bar/) - When a once-humble pie shop gains a worldwide audience, a lot of eyes will suddenly be looking for it, especially on the internet--a lot of business dream of that level of fame, but not all of them are ready for it! It's easy for a potential new fan to see you in a magazine or on TV, pull out - [On Keeping Projects Moving and Shifting Gears: an interview with Kelley "Frisky Sour" Gardiner](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/keeping-projects-moving-kelley-gardiner-frisky-sour/) - Writing a book is no small undertaking, and neither is being a parent. Kelley "Frisky Sour" Gardiner didn't shy away from either of those things, though--she resolved to write and edit her first book throughout her pregnancy, and publish it before her little one's due date! Now, she's created Roller Derby for Beginners, a definitive roller derby resource book - [Breaking It Down: Setting Goals for 2016](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2016/setting-goals-for-business-2016/) - The Future Is In Your Hands! Start Setting Goals and Make a Plan for 2016! It's a new year, and everyone has resolutions and setting goals on their mind. If you’re anything like us, you might start feeling sort of anxious or overwhelmed about all the possibilities. You keep telling yourself to floss more, drink more water, - [Are You Our Next Project Management Ninja?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/are-you-our-next-project-management-ninja/) - UPDATE: this position is CLOSED! We've found our new team member, but we appreciate hearing from you! We’re looking for someone who’s interested in project management for the creative industry, particularly in the area of branding and web design. It’s currently a part-time role, but it's growing into a larger time commitment–the more you bring to - [Freelance Web Designers & Developers: We're Seeking You!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/freelance-web-designers-developers-were-seeking-you/) - Are you a freelance Designer or Wordpress Developer? It's looking like a busy Fall here at Upswept, and we might just need your help! So, we're updating our resources and looking for smart, fun, and all-around-stellar people to work with us on current and future projects. DEVELOPERS: We have front-end development projects coming up in the - [Planning and Standing Out for Business Success](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/standing-out-in-portland-for-business-success/) - If you run a small business in the crowded Portland market, standing out from the crowd is an important aspect of business success! Here's how it's done. - [Open Source Bridge Day 2: You Are Not Your User](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/open-source-bridge-you-are-not-your-user-experience/) - Open Source Bridge encouraged us to look beyond our own experience to help us create better design and user experience for everyone we want to reach. - [Open Source Bridge Day 1: Everyone In Tech Matters](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/open-source-bridge-day-1-everyone-in-tech-matters/) - We're spending a big part of our week at Open Source Bridge, both taking in wisdom and taking photos! On Day 1, I spent a lot of time wishing that I could be in multiple places at once, but I did make it to a couple of different talks which drove home the message that tech needs to strive to - [Don't Get Left Behind - Get Your Web Site Mobile-Friendly for Google!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/dont-get-left-behind-get-your-web-site-mobile-friendly-for-google/) - After a recent Google algorithm change, mobile friendly sites are now being favored. Is yours one of them? - [WebVisions PDX: Design is about People](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/webvisions-portland-web-design-people-centered/) - Our recent visit to the WebVisions Portland event showed that the best web design and creative work is people-centered. - [Catching up with jewelry designer Fresh Tangerine](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/catching-up-with-jewelry-designer-kimberlee-from-fresh-tangerine/) - It's been a busy Portland May, but we are excited we got a chance to catch up with jewelry designer Kimberlee at Fresh Tangerine! - [Pro Tips: Making the Most of professional services](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/pro-tips-for-portland-professional-design/) - It's spring in Portland! Time to dust things off, and get started on that business plan! Take it to the next level with some Pro Tips from Upswept Creative. - [Lessons from the Lesbians Who Tech Summit!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/diversity-lessons-from-lesbians-who-tech-summit/) - I attended the 2015 Lesbians Who Tech Summit in San Francisco, and this is what I learned! - [Brand Exposure, The Old-Fashioned Way](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/portland-branding-exposure-brand-noticed-tips/) - Are you a small Portland business, an innovative start-up, or a one person band? You're not alone! Get your brand noticed the old fashioned way. - [Goal Setting: What can you learn from yourself?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/goal-setting-independent-business-design-branding/) - If you're an independent business owner, you've probably spent a lot of time reflecting over the past year. How did your year go? If you're like a lot of folks, there were probably some plans that went swimmingly, and others that, well, didn't go quite as nicely as you hoped. I'm certainly no exception to that! - [Saddling Up for a Fun Social Media Campaign](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2015/portland-event-social-media-campaigns/) - Dreaming up a great social media campaign doesn't have to be a struggle! Upswept Creative brought the fun to social media with this unique event promotion. - [Making 2015 Awesome - Reboot your social!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/branding-design-reboot-social-media/) - The end of the year is the perfect time to breathe some new life into your website, social networking, and branding. - [Show Why You Love Local, and Win!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/show-love-local-win/) - We love local makers, and we love that the holidays give us even more opportunities to Shop Local. We want to get YOU in on the action, with our #UpsweptLovesLocal social media contest! How To Play: while you're shopping for the holiday, share your snapshots of why you love Local--it could be a product you adore, - [Making 2015 Awesome: Get Your Blog Humming!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/making-2015-awesome-get-blog-humming/) - In this second part of "making 2015 awesome", we'll tell you what you can do for your blog to dust things off and move successfully into the new year. - [Doing It!: Catching up with Portland's ethical jeweler Valerie Kasinskas](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/catching-portlands-ethical-jeweler-valerie-kasinskas/) - Portland's ethical jeweler - Valerie Kasinkas talks to Upswept Creative about her work and about making jewelry in Portland, Oregon. - [Making 2015 Awesome: New Year, New Ideas, New Business!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/making-2015-awesome-new-year-new-ideas-new-business/) - Make 2015 Awesome with our pro tips for renewing your business, reaching new customers, and keeping your brand fresh! - [Give Shelter Pets "A Bowlful of Heart" This Holiday](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/give-shelter-pets-bowlful-heart-holiday/) - We're lucky to be connected with wonderful people who love to give, and we're thrilled to be reviving A Bowlful of Heart pet food drive for the 2014 holiday season! We first teamed up with Alyson Clair of Clair Vintage Inspired in 2011, to work together with Portland businesses and collect pet food donations. Thanks to their help (and - [October Open House with Design Week PDX!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/october-open-house-design-week-pdx/) - Our next Open Studio event celebrates three years of branding and design magic at Upswept! - [We're Hiring!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/hiring/) - 10/13/2014: This position has been filled, but we super-appreciate your interest! Keep your eyes peeled for other opportunities in the future! We’re looking for someone who’s interested in project management for the creative industry, particularly in the area of branding and web design. It’s currently a part-time role, but it's growing into a larger time commitment–the more - [Ello and How to Make Your Web Site Experience Easier](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/ello-making-web-site-user-experience-smarter/) - Ello, you've probably noticed that, well, it's not exactly easy to find things. Here's our guide to making it easier. - [Doing It! PDX Fat Fashion Collective](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/portland-fashion-photographer-pdx-fat-fashion-collective/) - Summer in Portland brings us some of the most awesome fashion runways this town has to offer, and we're pleased as punch to be trusted photographers for some high-profile shows! One of our proudest fashion photography bookings this summer has been shooting the runway for Summer Strut, a fashion show produced by the PDX Fat Fashion - [Branding designer in the Portland Mercury](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/branding-designer-portland-mercury/) - Branding designer Sarah Giffrow of Upswept Creative is profiled by the Portland Mercury, with an overview of her branding, web design, and photography work. - [Brand Means Knowing Who You Are and What You Want](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/brand-means-knowing-want/) - We've been doing interviews for our next Project Manager recently, and whenever we do that, it's always a little bit of a learning experience for me. Part of the process is sharing what we're looking for, and what Upswept is all about, and I always end up spending some time thinking about that and re-evaluating - [Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/branding-your-business-portland-stepping-out-of-your-comfort-zone/) - When it comes to branding your business, you may have to consider some crazy ideas. When you're looking to make yourself stand out among other businesses, you probably won't get very far doing exactly what "the other guys" did. You're different from them, and you'll need to find your own path. And sometimes, that means pursuing - [Your Brand is Something to Lean Against](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/portland-rebranding-agency-something-lean/) - Branding is an important part of running your own business, but it's hard to do when you're first starting out. - [Branding design for the WedBrilliant web site](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/branding-design-wedbrilliant-web-site/) - Branding design is new territory for us at Upswept. Look what we did for wedbriliant! - [Is Your Old Branding Design Right for a New Year?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/portland-branding-design-new-year-2014/) - Is it time for you to rebrand in the new year. Portland branding design experts Upswept Creative take a look at why you should consider rebranding. - [Looking back at 2013! Upswept Creative's Year in Review](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/looking-back-2013-year-in-review/) - It's been a memorable year in a lot of ways! Looking back, here is Upswept's Year in Review. - [Brand development: Are you a Maker, a Giver, or a Guide?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/brand-development-maker-giver-guide/) - Does your brand design lack direction? Learn how to start with brand development for your brand with branding experts Upswept Creative. - [Does Your Brand Design Make You Feel Something?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-rebranding-design-make-feel-something/) - More than anything, your brand should create a feeling. Whether it's a sense of whimsy or lightness, bold confidence, trust and wisdom, your brand should make you, and your audience, feel something. That feeling is what makes your audience want what you have to offer. When you're rebranding or building a new brand, make sure - [Doing It!: Little Boxes](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/little-boxes-shop-local-portland-branding/) - We love seeing people grow and prosper, so every so often, we'll highlight people who inspire us. We couldn't be more excited to kick off our Doing It! series with Portland's independent shopping movement, Little Boxes. Little Boxes is Portland's response to Black Friday: instead of braving the big-box mega-stores, Little Boxes unites local, independent - [First Thursday returns in August!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/portland-rebranding-agency-first-thursday-returns-august/) - Hooray! Our First Thursday Open Studio parties return to Upswept Creative in August! Come visit us and enjoy beautiful wearable designs and visual art. This month, we’re featuring a fashion trunk show by Hubris Apparel, including all-new garments for Fall/Winter 2014. STAY TUNED: we'll be announcing more awesome makers for our August lineup soon! New photos - [Portland Web Design | Small Business Is About Embracing Change](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-small-business-embracing-change/) - Portland web designer Upswept Creative talks about getting comfortable with change as a small business owner. - [Could You Be Our Next Project Manager?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2014/next-project-manager/) - The first part of this year has brought some shifts in how we do things at Upswept. Some of those changes are great, but there has also been the occasional sad note: we had to say goodbye to Lexx, who stepped down from her position. She's been with us since the early days, and she - [Fashion, Jewelry, and Art | August First Thursday](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/fashion-jewelry-and-art-august-first-thursday/) - Yeah, it still feels like Summer, but get a peek at what's coming for Fall at August First Thursday in Old Town! This month, we're featuring fashion by Carolyn Hart Designs. She'll be showing and selling some brand-spankin'-new pieces from her Fall/Winter 2013 collection. Also joining us is jewelry designs by Cobracult- pieces inspired by - [Awesome Client DO: Three Ways to Communicate With Your Web Designer When Things Go Wrong](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-web-designer-communicate-with-your-designer/) - Portland web designers do better work with good communication from their clients. Read 3 ways an Awesome Client can make things clearer! - [Portland branding design | Locals We Love!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-branding-design-locals-we-love/) - When we’re not making Portland branding design, web site and photography magic happen, we’re roaming the wilds of Portland and enjoying what our beloved locals have to offer. We'll periodically share some of our favorite things here on the blog, hoping that you'll get out there and celebrate the locally-made awesomeness by trying something new-to-you! - [Portland Fashion Photographer | June First Thursday!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-fashion-photographer-june-first-thursday/) - Join us in June for a summery First Thursday in Old Town! This month, we're featuring stunning swimwear designs by Amy Elizabeth Couture! She'll be showing and selling pieces from her recent runway collection, and brand-new, hot-off-the-sewing machine creations. Also joining us is jewelry designer Deborah Funches, who'll be showing her colorful arrays of crystal - [3 Reasons to Let Your Personal Self Shine in Your Business Brand | Portland branding design](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/3-reasons-to-let-your-personal-self-shine-in-your-business-brand-portland-branding-design/) - Portland branding designer Upswept Creative tells why letting your own personality show in your professional brand can help you get the right clients. - [Portland graphic design | Facebook Changes and a Facebook Design Special!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-graphic-design-change-your-facebook-graphics-special/) - Upswept Creative discusses recent and upcoming changes to Facebook, and offers a Portland graphic design Facebook Cover Photo special! - [Portland Web Design | Locals We Love!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-web-design-locals-we-love/) - Portland web design firm Upswept Creative shares some of our favorite Portland-made places, things, and events! This month features Quizzical Empire, Moon Brine Pickles, and Retrolicious. - [Portland Fashion Photographer | First Thursday featuring Waterspell Jewelry](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-fashion-photographer-first-thursday-featuring-waterspell-jewelry/) - Portland fashion photographer Upswept Creative announces First Thursday opening for March, featuring Waterspell Jewelry and Bonnie Thor Kornahrens. - [Portland Web Design | We need a Wordpress developer!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-web-design-we-need-a-wordpress-developer/) - Portland web designer Upswept Creative is seeking a freelance Wordpress developer to assist with Portland web design work. - [Portland Professional Photography | First Thursday featuring VK Designs!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-professional-photography-first-thursday-featuring-vk-designs/) - Now that we're all settled-in at my new Portland professional Photography studio, we're opening it to you for First Thursday in Old Town! This is the first of what I hope will be many First Thursday openings in our new neighborhood, and I'll be showcasing the new space, new photos, a cool new window display. - [Portland Web Design | On the Rose City Rollers redesign and Finding creative release](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-web-design-rose-city-rollers-redesign/) - Sarah G Creative talks about Portland web design for the Rose City Rollers derby league, and the experience of releasing your creations into the world. - [Portland Flyer Design | High Rollers Brunch Fundraiser!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2013/portland-flyer-design-high-rollers-brunch-fundraiser/) - Sarah G Creative does Portland flyer design for the High Rollers roller derby team, for their upcoming fundraiser brunch! - [Portland Web Design | Yep, We're Moving!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-yep-were-moving/) - Sarah G Creative moves her Portland web design and professional photography headquarters to a new home in December 2012. - [Portland graphic design | A Bowlful of Heart pet food drive returns!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-graphic-designer-a-bowlful-of-heart-pet-food-drive-returns/) - Sarah G Creative teams up with Clair Vintage Inspired and other Portland metro area businesses for the holiday pet food drive, A Bowlful of Heart. - [Ignite Portland 11: Become More Awesome at Roller Skating!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/ignite-portland-11-become-more-awesome-at-roller-skating/) - Hey guys! Thanks for listening during my Ignite Portland talk. I'm glad you came, and I hope you learned a few things from all of the super-cool speakers, and hopefully from me, too. ;) As promised, here are some handy links to videos and blogs, that'll help you get more in-depth on the skating techniques - [Portland graphic designer | I'm Speaking at Ignite Portland 11!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-graphic-designer-im-speaking-at-ignite-portland-11/) - Thanks to an unexpected combination of hubris and overabundant enthusiasm about roller skating, I've been selected as a speaker for Ignite Portland 11! Yes, you read that right, folks--if you've been looking for an opportunity to see me attempt public speaking in all my introverted glory, here it is. I'll be delivering 20 slides' and - [Portland graphic design | Pixel art for Portland Retro Gaming Expo](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-graphic-design-pixel-art-for-portland-retro-gaming-expo/) - If you live in Portland long enough, you learn that geekery is mighty and on-the-grow here in PDX. This year, the Portland Retro Gaming Expo is continuing that trend, by expanding the event into the Oregon Convention Center. And, with the help of everyone's favorite barcade, Ground Kontrol, they're also debuting their new "Mega-Cade": 20,000 - [Portland Fashion Photography | Recognizing Your Value](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-fashion-photography-recognizing-your-value/) - I appreciate cool creative works, and I've lost count how many times I've seen a unique, handmade creation, and then cringed at the price tag. It's not because it's too expensive, though--it's because it's not expensive enough. Pricing can be a pretty intimidating topic--it's hard to know what to charge, and you may even feel - [Portland Fashion Photography | Alley 33 Runway Fashion](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-fashion-photography-alley-33-runway-fashion/) - The Alley 33 Fashion Event was a super-fun way to close out my photoshoot-filled July--over 20 Portland and Oregon designers, showing an incredibly eclectic array of looks? Yeah, sign me up! You can see some of my photos from the event on the Portland Mercury blog, where they've recapped the event better than I could, - [Portland Flyer Design | Clair 5-Year Birthday and Pretty Dress Party!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-flyer-design-clair-5-year-birthday-and-pretty-dress-party/) - If you like glitter, dancing, and pretty dresses, Clair Vintage Inspired has you covered: This Friday, Clair is celebrating FIVE YEARS of independent, Portland-made fashion! Clair has been designing modern and wearable clothes with a vintage twist since 2007, and I'm proud to have been there as her photographer for three of those five years. - [Portland Web Design | Make Your Web Site Navigation Work For You!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-make-your-web-site-navigation-work-for-you/) - One of the hardest parts of making your web site work for you is structuring your content. What do you include in the navigation bar? What pages will you realistically be able to maintain? What are the things your potential customers want to find? What are the things you want them to see most? It's - [Portland Professional Photographer | Heading to LA and San Francisco!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-professional-photographer-heading-to-la-and-san-francisco/) - Sarah G Creative is hitting the road: for June 10th-15th, I'll be road tripping to LA and San Francisco, and taking photos along the way. I'll be in LA on the 10th/11th, and San Fran on the 13th/14th, and a lot of my time there will be for play, so please be patient while I'm - [Portland Web Design | Portland Business Card Design | Sprout Lifestyle](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-portland-business-card-design-sprout-lifestyle/) - After getting to know Sprout, a Portland-based health coaching business, for more than a year, I was excited to hear from Skylor--Sprout's owner, and one of my favorite yogis on the planet!--about re-designing her web site! Skylor already had a basic Wordpress site for her coaching business, and a separate blog of recipes and lifestyle - [Portland Professional Photography | First Friday is Back in June!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-professional-photography-first-friday-is-back-in-june/) - It's been a busy few months, but First Friday is returning to Sarah G Creative, just in time for summer and with a fresh new lineup! I'll be opening my studio doors once again, along with many of my neighbors at the Ford Building, who'll also be exhibiting their loveliness. It's going to be a - [Portland Design for Print | Business Card Design | Old Town Computers](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-design-for-print-business-card-design-old-town-computers/) - When a local business treats me right, I'm all about helping them out, and referring other people I like to them whenever I can. Last week, Old Town Computers saved my bacon, so I'm glad that blogging about my design work for them is giving me the excuse to shout praises from the rooftops about - [Portland Graphic Design | 3 Tips for Awesome Flyers and Banners](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-graphic-design-3-tips-for-awesome-flyers-and-banners/) - When you need to design a banner or a flyer for an event, it can be an intimidating task. It's a good idea to get expert help from a Portland print and graphic designer, but if you can't do that, you can still make sure your sign gets the message across, by keeping a few - [Portland Web Design | HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-hope-animal-assisted-crisis-response/) - I like doing web design for non-profits whenever I can, because supporting good work in the community? That's pretty awesome. This particular non-profit web site was a pretty ambitious project: I did a full Wordpress redesign of their web site, and also built them a Members-Only login area, and helped set them up to run - [Portland Web Design | Simplify Your Internet Life: Schedule Your Content!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-simplify-your-internet-life-schedule-your-content/) - Keeping your social networking and blog active for your business can be pretty tough--finding the time to create the content is hard enough, and a busy day or week might make your blog update drop off of the To-Do List. Worse yet, you might have a billion ideas one week, and be drawing a blank - [Portland Logo Design | Roller Derby Design | DerbyCoaching.com](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-logo-design-roller-derby-design-derbycoaching-com/) - Roller derby is a growing sport, and it needs good design to keep growing and gaining respect in the sports community... and, as a derby skater, I'm definitely happy to be contributing to that effort! I was approached for some logo design advice by Beater Venkman of the Stateline Derby Divas, for her new online - [Portland Food Photography | Love and Cake](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-food-photography-love-and-cake/) - It's Valentine's Day, and no matter what your Facebook says under "Relationship Status," it's a good excuse to spread some love around. My beloved Portland folks--clients, friends, and supporters--have been wonderful during my first few months as Upswept Creative, and I love you for it! THANK YOU for being awesome, and letting me help you - [Portland Web Design | Portland Geek Council of Commerce & Culture](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-portland-geek-council/) - I can safely say that my involvement with the PGC3 was sparked by my passion for web design and making things look awesome online: basically, while working with my noble compatriot Kenna of GeekPortland on fancying up her Portland geek events calendar, I took a peek at the Portland Geek Council of Commerce and Culture's - [Portland Logo Design | The New DC Comics Logo: No sir, I don't like it.](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-logo-design-the-new-dc-comics-logo-no-sir-i-dont-like-it/) - Logo design for Portland small businesses is one of my great loves, so I feel disappointed when the big-fish companies don't get it right. Case in point? The new DC Comics logo. DC Comics' logo redesign has met with, well, mixed reviews, to put it mildly. DC Comics dropped their new brand identity on an - [Portland Web Design | 4 Reasons Why Your Flash Web Site Won't Help You](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2012/portland-web-design-why-you-shouldnt-have-a-flash-web-site/) - As a web design professional, I can say with confidence: your Flash web site is not helping your business. Strong words, perhaps, but Flash is good for a very specific set of things, and your business web site is not one of them. These are just a few reasons why you should think twice before - [Portland fashion photography | First Friday returns for the holidays!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-fashion-photography-first-friday-returns-for-the-holidays/) - First Friday is back at Upswept Creative, with a special holiday edition! We had a fun evening at my October First Friday open studio event, so we're doing it again! This time, we're kicking off the holidays featuring several fantastic Portland creatives: new jewelry from the Fresh Tangerine Holiday 2011 collection collaborative holiday arrangements by - [Portland web design | Wordpress web design | A little guide to Twitter shorthand](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-web-design-a-quick-guide-to-twitter-shorthand/) - They say social networking is becoming more and more important when it comes to sharing your brand, but it's not always obvious how you'd actually, y'know, go about doing that. Not to mention, it can be tough to say what you want to say in 140 characters or less. Fortunately, the shared Internet brain has - [Portland web design | Portland print design | A Bowlful of Heart Pet Food Drive!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-web-design-portland-print-design-a-bowlful-of-heart-pet-food-drive/) - This flyer design project was so exciting that it was hard for me to keep from announcing it right away, and Alyson of Clair Vintage Inspired felt the same way, but now we can both spread the word: we're joining forces and reviving her pet food drive for a second year! We'll be collecting donations - [Portland web design | How does color affect your branding?](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-web-design-how-does-color-affect-your-branding/) - I've been a graphic designer and web designer for quite a few years, so I've spent a lot of time thinking about color. I recently helped present at a workshop about marketing--hosted by MercyCorps Northwest in downtown Portland--and one of the questions we were asked was, "does the psychology of color matter when designing your - [Portland graphic design | Rose City Rollers go to WFTDA Championships!](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-graphic-design-rose-city-rollers-go-to-wftda-championships/) - What do we want? JUSTICE! That's especially true this weekend, because omjesus, it's WFTDA Championships in Denver. I'm one of the sad, sad people who doesn't get to see it in person, but I'll be transforming into a rabid fangirl, "checking my scores" at the brunch table, and (gasp!) WATCHING SPORTS IN A BAR. I - [Portland logo design | Portland web site design | Books Make It Better](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-logo-design-portland-web-site-design-books-make-it-better/) - The Christmas shopping and decor is already hitting stores, but I'd rather call this the season for helping out a good cause. When Jen Barth at Big Small Brands asked me about creating a custom logo design for her upcoming nationwide campaign, I dove into Adobe Illustrator, and came out a few hours later with - [Portland web design | Wordpress web site design | Four Things You Should Know Before Building Your Web Site](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-web-design-wordpress-web-site-design-four-things-you-should-know-before-building-your-web-site/) - Your web site is one of the most important parts of running your own business, and a good web designer will know how to help you build it. But, when you add something new to fancy up your business, you usually have a plan, right? Your web site is one of the most important investments - [Portland Web Design | Custom Web Site Design | Bridgetown Brawl](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/2011/portland-web-design-custom-web-site-design-bridgetown-brawl/) - I love getting inspired by custom web site design, and when the inspiration is one of my favorite things ever--namely, roller derby--I'm basically dancing a jig. If you've been watching my Twitter feed over the past few weeks, then you know that Portland's Rose City Rollers are hosting this year's WFTDA West Region Playoffs, otherwise ## Pages - [Home](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/) - Upswept Creative does Wordpress web design, social media, and email marketing for ethical and passionate service-based businesses and nonprofits. - [Email Marketing](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/email-marketing-small-business/) - If you're tired of coming up with topics for your email marketing and too busy to write it, we'll handle your monthly emails, nurture sequences, and email campaigns. - [Website Design and Build](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/small-business-web-design/) - Get a small business web design that sells for you with beautiful designs and wild automations that make running your business and life easier. - [Book Your Consultation](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/web-design-social-media-consultation/) - [Community Benefit Organizations](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/your-website-online-marketing-agency/community-donation/) - Past Organizations We've Supported: April - June 2026: Respond to Racism January - March 2026: Future Generations Collaborative October - December 2025: Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) July - September 2025: Outside In April - June 2025: ELSO January - March 2025: The Rosewood Initiative October - December 2024: Next Up Oregon July - - [Work](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/portland-web-design-branding-social-media/) - See our portfolio of Wordpress website design and web development, social media management, and email marketing work, and reviews from past and current clients. - [Link In Bio](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/instagram/) - [FAQ: Why Web Design is Better With Us.](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/your-website-online-marketing-agency/web-design-faq/) - What makes web design with Upswept Creative different? Collectively, we're big nerds about every aspect of web design, so we dig in with you on everything from content strategy, to imagery, to colors and fonts, to custom coding. When you work with us, you'll enjoy: Our discovery process, to zoom in on your needs, get - [Contact](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/contact/) - Ready to find out how we can level up your business? The first step in learning more about why it's better with Upswept is to book a consultation. You can easily reserve time with us online, so we can learn more about each other, and make a plan to work alongside you towards your goals. - [Social Media Management](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/social-media-management-marketing-services-portland/) - Our social media management brings the strategy, consistency, and compelling content to your business, while taking the grunt work off of your plate. - [Online Marketing News for Radical Leaders](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/online-marketing-news-for-radical-leaders/) - [Get our Website Planner](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/get-our-website-planner/) - If your website isn't getting you clients, our downloadable website planner will make sure your next website does, whether you DIY or hire a pro. - [Wordpress Website Consultation](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/wordpress-website-consultation/) - We'll design a smart, beautiful Wordpress website to help you reach more clients and get more done. 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Our website planner will help you identify the mission-critical issues your website needs to handle, so your next website gets you more clients whether you DIY or hire a website pro. - [About](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/your-website-online-marketing-agency/) - Tackling your website, social media, and email marketing with us will turn your online marketing from a PITA to your perfect fit. - [After Hours Support Policies](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/after-hours-support/) - Our working hours are 9:30am-4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. However, you might have an emergency show up outside of our standard hours. What’s considered an emergency? Your website is offline or down Your website is redirecting to a different website What isn’t an emergency? 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A good business website should: be a time saver, not a time sink make you look sophisticated, not sketchy serve you and your customer, rather than just taking up space Upswept Creative helps you show up with purpose online with - [You're an Established Business](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/youre-an-established-business/) - [You're a New Business](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/youre-a-new-business/) - [Thank You](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/thank-you/) - Your subscription has been set up successfully. - [Account](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/account/) - [Login](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/login/) - [Client Portal Login](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/client-portal-login/) - [Thank you](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/web-design-social-media-consultation/thank-you/) ## Projects - [Columbia Riverkeeper](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/projects/columbia-riverkeeper/) - [Ticket to Dine](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/projects/ticket-to-dine/) - [Center for Body Trust](https://www.upsweptcreative.com/projects/center-for-body-trust-social-media/) - Center for Body Trust's audience growth had stalled out. 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