WEB DESIGN and DEV
20+ years of experience designing, developing, hosting, and managing websites.
- Governmental Agencies.
- Nonprofits.
- Small Businesses.
In 2010, I shifted my focus to provide a diverse range of digital services for small businesses and nonprofits including:
- Logos/Branding.
- Google Ads Mgmt.
- Social Media Mgmt.
- Google for Nonprofits Mgmt.
- Search Engine Optimization.
- Copywriting/Content Mgmt.
- Newsletter Mgmt.
- Video Production and Post Production.
Graphic Design
Branding • Logos • Apparel
Photography and Videos
FAA licensed drone pilots, aerial photography, drone photography, and more.
About Sierra Blue
Sierra Blue is a full-service creative agency based in East Sacramento, CA. With roots in Lake Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay Area, Sierra Blue is a small, agile, yet seasoned agency that competes with much larger agencies, but at a fraction of the cost.
Over the last 24 years, I have developed a robust array of digital skills ranging from web design, graphic design, coding, marketing, advertising, photography, videography, post-production, pre-production, networking, etc.
Key professional milestones.
• 2015 – Rebranded my agency as Sierra Blue to capitalize on my work around Lake Tahoe with large and small businesses.
• 2014 – Became a certified Google Partner and managed more nearly $2 million in ad budgets for Google Search.
• 2013 – Worked as a certified Google Specialist at the Google Winter Wonderlab in experiential marketing.
• 2006 – Launched Webduty.com on Capitol Mall – a web and print design company.
• 2002 – Manager/Owner of Sacvibe.com, the largest concerts and events website in Northern, California 8 years in a row.
• 2000 – Contract web designer with the California Legislative Data Center.
• 1997 – Began studying and writing HTML code by reverse engineering websites via source code.
• 1995 – Worked as an Internet consulting in downtown Sacramento installing TCP/IP, email clients, web browsers, and providing instruction to mostly attorneys and lobbyists around the State Capitol.
A few notable projects.
Sacramento Zoo
Google for Nonprofits Ad Grant managment. Wrote and published online ads and provided monthly Analytics reports. Increased grant from $120,000 to $480,000 annually.
Sacramento Valley Conservancy
Re-branded, designed new collateral marketing materials, and created the new logo.
Sacramento Superior YMCA
Produced radio commercial for summer swim program.
Branding, scripting, voice-over, social media campaign, and supporting creative print assets.
Crocker Art Museum
Google for Nonprofits Ad Grant managment. Worked closely with marketing staff to ensure upcoming events were properly marketed and advertised. Also increased their annual grant to $480,000.
California Legislative Counsel
Web design and graphics for leadership in the State Legislature. Worked without supervisorial oversight. This project launched my career as a professional webmaster.
Google for Nonprofits
This program consists of 2 primary parts: a $120k annual Ad Grant and Google’s powerful Workspace.
√ $120,000 annual in-kind donation for advertising.
√ Google Workspace (fomerly G Suite).
√ 100TBs secure storage.
√ 100 participants in video conferences.
√ Security admin controls.
√ Tech support by Google.
A few nonprofits I’ve worked with in this space include:
• The Sacramento Public Library
Google for Nonprofits official site.
Advertising and Marketing
Expertly designed digital marketing and advertising campaigns that run on websites, social media pages, and ads like Google, Facebook, etc. Pitctured below is a recent project – graphics, advertising, social media by Sierra Blue.
Book a Zoom with me.
Meet The Team
CT Perez
Webmaster/Owner
I’m CT. I began working as an Internet specialist in 1995 and by 2000, I was hired to design websites for the California Legislative Data Center. I launched Sierra Blue after completing a marketing contract for Google and offer the services usually only found at large agencies, but at a fraction of the cost.
Hilary Wagner
Governess/Controller
Hilary has been part of Sierra Blue from day one and specializes in reviewing the opportunities from the “big picture,” perspective, asking the tough questions that need to be answered. Her insights and business acumen are an important asset to the continued growth of Sierra Blue.
Carl Costas
Photo Journalist/ FAA Commercial Drone Pilot
Carl was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps., but traded his weapon for a camera. His work has taken him around the world and into the lives of countless people. Today he shoots a mixture of commercial, editorial, and personal work. Carl likes to stay, “If we’re all on a fast train to somewhere, you’ll recognize Carl as the elder statesman with the kid spirit in the front car.”
Alex von Allmen
Web Technology Specialist
Alex is a marketing, finance and communications professional who has worked in start-ups and Fortune 100 organizations. He has experience in branding, market research, design, digital marketing, product management, business metrics, software as a Service (SaaS) and team leadership. He holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School in marketing and finance and a BA from Vanderbilt.
Real Reviews
Live reviews populated via a dynamic application using an API tied directly to the Sierra Blue Facebook Page.
That's exactly what I got from Che. He was patient and knowledgeable and willing to get it just the way I wanted it.
He also gave it a look I hadn't even expected and it's absolutely perfect.
I couldn't be happier.
Sandyjean
Winward Natural Equine Centerread more
I have worked with him many many times and he always makes huge differences in a great way on how... my business is run.
Social media can be a challenge but Che has an understanding on the systems in pace ....
Thanks Che for all you do!!!!!read more
In My Words (the Blog)
Topics include Lake Tahoe, festivals, technology, SEO, Google, nonprofits, Sacramento, and anything remotely intresting and related to Sierra Blue.
Authenticity In Marketing: Building Brands, Alliances, And Partnerships: Marketing Hacks Are Bogus.
Authenticity in marketing has been key to my success in business and working in Lake Tahoe has proven this beyond doubt. One simple and satisfying example is seeing sponsors from prior projects appear on new projects. Another is generating unsolicited referrals from Tahoe-based clients that end up building new alliances with established organizations.
Marketing with Video
This is a marketing video (demo) for consideration to be installed in a resort lobby in North Lake Tahoe. The client is interested in doing this for winter, but I suggested we get something up before August 2021 so have something to show advertisers.
How to Start an Online Shop for Free.
Social distancing became the new normal in 2020, the print-on-demand (POD) industry has experienced tremendous growth. Most analysts agree that the 44% year-over-year growth will continue well past 2021. In this video, I explain the essential tools I used to launch...
Vlog for January 2021, Video Conf., Google Grants, and Social Media Personalization
3 Quick Reads to Help Accelerate Your Business 2020 didn't change how business is done, it simply accelerated it. Here are the "3 Biggies," to watch for in 2021. Rapid expansion of the use of video conferencing. Running a nonprofit? Why aren't you getting your...
Zoom vs Google Meet
Zoom or Google Meet? I use both but there are some differences. Zoom does things Google Meet can't, and Google Meet does things Zoom can't. Zoom's popularity begins with it's ease-of-use. Google Meet is popular because it doesn't require a download on most popular...
Google Grants
Google Grants is easy and fast. I've helped dozens of nonprofits apply and manage the $120,000 annual in-kind donation as well as setup and learn how to use Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite). Both offerings come with every approved application. That process...