News

New profile picture size for facebook pages coming

2012-04-19T15:55:29Z

Somewhat annoyingly, facebook will be increasing the profile picture size for pages on Thursday, April 26. Currently, a profile picture measures 130 x 125 pixels. From April 26 pictures will measure 166 x 160 pixels.

Additionally, the new profile picture will sit at 23 pixels from the left and 210 pixels from the top of the page.

For those of you (us) that have integrated the profile picture with the cover photo, a redesign will be needed as they will no longer work together.

The image is still a preview of your full profile picture, which can be viewed in full when you click on it.

Making the most of facebook timeline

2012-03-09T16:25:55Z

Whether you like the new facebook timeline layout or not, all facebook pages will switched to the new format on March 30, so you have until then to learn about the new features and get your page ready for the switch.

Here are the biggest changes:

1) The Timeline Cover Photo

The biggest aesthetic change to the new page layout is the timeline cover photo; and these photos are huge taking up some major screen real estate at 850 x 315 pixels.

This photo is a big opportunity to really let your brand pop when people visit your page. You'll see above that we’ve used photos of the office taken with instagr.am to create a collage, plus with a little jiggery pokery we’ve incorporated the profile picture into the design.

If you’re going to use a timeline photo, it should be around the size above. If it's bigger you can move it around for the best positioning and impact.

The Growth of the QR Code

2012-01-19T18:19:47Z

In recent months it feels as if we have been invaded by QR codes. They lurk everywhere from the corners of magazine adverts to name tags, tickets and business cards. For some they represent another exciting digital tool but for the silent majority they are another example of technology leaving them behind. Here we will try to shed some light on this new development, why they are proving to be very popular, and how Broadsword Communications has been using them with their clients.

What are QR codes?

QR codes stands for Quick Response codes and that is exactly what they are – 2 dimensional bar codes that are scannable by a camera enabled mobile device, linking the user directly to digital content on the internet.

Broadsword's site mobilized

2011-08-26T20:55:16Z

Broadsword's site mobilizedRecently we've noticed that more and more people are visiting our site on mobile phones. Never ones to be afraid of embracing the new marketing trends, we've mobilized our site for quick and easy access to key elements of our site: simplified Home, Services and About Us pages; a contact form; and our blog.

We'll be rolling out more pages as we go.

Why mobilize your site?

Driving site traffic with content

2011-05-13T00:14:27Z

facebook fans up 129%, 14,000 post views; main site visitors up 28%

During this year's BVI Spring Regatta, the Broadsword multimedia and digital team ensured that Nanny Cay's web site (the event's presenting sponsor and host) was kept up to date with news photos and video from the week-long event.

The home page was re-designed to bring the latest photos, news, tweets, facebook posts front and centre and also incorporated a pop-up "party cam".

Email subscribers were mailed before the event encouraging them to visit the site during the event and a free sweepstakes was run on the facebook page to encourage "likes" and general engagement.

For the 10 days straddling the event, facebook fans increased by 129% with over 14,000 post views.

Compared to the same regatta period last year (whick also saw a large traffic uptick), visitors to Nanny Cay's web site increased by 28%, with page views up 13%. Average time on the site was 6 minutes and 28 seconds, up 68%. Bounce rate (where visitors visit the home page but don't go any further) was down 12%.

Fresh and timely content, including the only video of the 40th anniversary fireworks, were the keys to success.

Scrub Island Advertising and Awareness Campaign

2011-05-02T17:13:19Z

Click to enlargeIn January 2011 BVI Sotheby’s International Realty engaged Broadsword Communications to develop and execute an advertising and awareness campaign for the real estate opportunities available at Scrub Island, the first new luxury resort to be built in the BVI for over 15 years.

Scrub Island offers a range of ownership opportunities from estate lots to two bedroom suites overlooking the marina to five bedroom Long View Residences located on the surrounding hillsides.

The sol/RBVIYC t-shirt

2011-04-20T17:32:43Z

Click to enlargeHere's the Broadsword-designed t-shirt that the youth sailors wore in their fundraising efforts during the BVI Spring Regatta assisted by sol.

More than a mention

2011-04-12T17:12:27Z

Sol Petroleum, a gold sponsor of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival (BVISR), wanted to have more of a presence beyond a public mention and a logo on event collateral.

Broadsword put together a budgeted proposal of activities and branding opportunities to help activate Sol's sponsorship, ensure event integration and get maximum exposure.

Strategically tying in with Sol's pledge to support the Royal BVI Yacht Club (RBVIYC) junior sailing programme, we developed activities that would also benefit the RBVIYC, a founder of the BVISR. Sol hosted the RBVIYC under the Sol branded tent at the regatta village, displayed a Sol branded optimist and facilitated raffle ticket sales to raise funds for the junior sailing programme.

New BVI Triathlon Fed logo unveiled

2011-04-12T02:20:29Z

Click to enlargeAt the recent BVI X Tri, the new logo created by Broadsword for the BVI Triathlon Federation was unveiled on the official event shirts. It works well as a single colour logo and has reversed out will on the official web site that we launched in December.

In between taking photos of the event, we even managed to compete and win the team event, topping our second place in the TSC Tri, our first triathlon effort.

The things we do for our clients

2011-04-12T01:27:15Z

The view from Necker Belle's crow's next - click to enlargifyThe 2011 BVI Spring Regatta was busy for us as we looked after the interests of Nanny Cay, FirstCaribbean, SOL and Scrub Island. Over the week-long festivities we provided the daily photographic coverage and site updates for Nanny Cay. There were two "must-haves" over the weekend: one a shot from the crow's nest of the Necker Belle; two, good shots of the fireworks. Both miserable tasks for a acrophobiac.