Hi Heads. I don't know whether it's just me, or perhaps some of you have noticed as well, but I'm beginning to sense a trend toward "marketing" knowledge, tips, techniques, and tricks etc. by some of our fellow Letterheads. Examples of this are the establishment and marketing of "boot camps", how-to videos, tutorial sessions, and even "schools" for particular aspects of the sign business.
This raises an interesting question. Is this "charging for knowledge" trend in the true "Spirit of Letterheads", or more in the "Entreprenurial Spirit"? Some of the knowledge and information disseminated is the result of techniques prefected & refined by the individuals now marketing the same. Other information and knowledge is that which they've gained from mentors, peers, and fellow Letterheads. Is it then fair and reasonable to be now marketing the knowledge gained from those who passed it along freely, without any personal gain, to those who now desire to learn from the masters of our trade?
A lot of "sharing of information" goes on at every live meet, and one only has to attend one to realize the amount of free information that's available just for the asking. Seminars are conducted by those with particular expertise in a host of specialties. Is it "fair game" to come away from a number of such events and then begin "marketing" the knowledge" thus gained?
I guess what i'm asking is where is your sense of where the black & white issue of "sharing" end, and the grey area of "marketing knowledge for money" begin?
I realize this may be a somewhat controversial question, and one that not everyone may feel comfortable in responding to, but it may be one that will ultimately determine the future direction that this movement called "Letterheads" will take.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
Posted by Brian Stoddard (Member # 39) on :
Hi Ken, I know many of these guys will share for fun AND profit. I was in on the first "boot camp" offered by Mike Lavelle and John Hannukaine and it would be silly to expect them to give that much time and energy on a regular basis to share and teach what they have learned for free. On the other hand I know that at a meet either one will be glad to share what they can. I think the difference is in the intensity of the situation. The bootcamp was three Looooong days packed with more info than I will be able to put into practice for a long time. Yep, I think the spirit is still there!
------------------ Brian Stoddard Expressions Signs A few puddles east of Seattle
Posted by david drane (Member # 507) on :
Good post Ken, I am surprised that it hasn't taken off already. I guess it will get back to the font thing a bit. If a person spends weeks of his time putting a video together regardless of how much free info he obtained from fellow letterheads is he entitled to cover costs and maybe make a small profit? The end result will be up to the entrapreneur, as the goods will certainly have to be up to scratch to entice us suckers to actually buy the product, in which case it will be worth it to us. Myself I would rather buy book-video etc. than be on the board or at meets whatever scraping up knowledge when you could have a complete handy catalogue to refer to as needs arise.
------------------ Drane Signs Sunshine Coast Nambour, Qld. dranesig@dingoblue.net.au Downunder "If we did all things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Hi Ken, I believe the "head" spirit has always been on the rise and in the past it all had something to do on where you lived. I on the other hand always travelled. In the seventies I was friendly with many signman and stripers who always had something to offer whether an ear or a voice. When the tune changed to money, it was always whatever the market will bear, but always on a good note.
I have had my stripe site up for information and tips about five years in regards to my trade, there are also photos and how-to's and prices I've recieved. I believe that ones ability to promote themselves is something another may not do as well or even cares to, but I do believe that money comes to those who make money come to them.
------------------ HotLines Joey Madden,47 years in the Classic Art of Pinstriping Grants Pass, Oregon Learn something new........ http://members.tripod.com/Inflite
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
From what I can tell, the people doing the boot camps are the same folks presenting free seminars at Letterhead meets. But to be able to tap into the wizardry of Steve Cheszeyka or Mike Lavalee or Russ Mowry or John Hannukaine for a weekend would be worth whatever they charge. If you could see Larry Whan's town of Banff, it would give any prospective student ample reason to attend his school. As far as "Letterhead marketing" goes, David Butler has been selling Letterhead shirts, mugs, sign police stuff, etc. for years, and most people can't wait to get his latest. I would personally pay big bucks just to watch him design something. Any one of these guys could probably make more money in a day at a bike rally, or gilding a sign, than in a weekend boot camp, but my guess is most of them would rather share their vast abilities and then delight in watching the results.
