Over the past few months I've found myself silently asking/wondering...Why aren't there more sign people attending sign meets? I've been to and read about meets in certain areas where, not only does a single shop or shop owner take on the responsibilities of sponsoring a meet, but other sign people and shops in that same area jump on the band wagon and help the sponsor out with the enormous amount of work envolved. These are very blessed areas and even though they are all competitors in business, they all know the value of sharing our craft. My #1 Brother, Steve & I co-produced two very successful Letterhead/Walldog meets so I know first hand the "Other Side Of That Coin"...That being...Local Sign Folks...Those within 50, 100 or 150 miles of a particular meet don't get off their butts and attend! Therefore this is an invitational SHOUTING LETTER FOR YOU! These get togethers are for everyone in our trade. These meets are a sharing affair where most times the most simple tricks can help to increase your time efficiency. Learn different methods of application to some of the work you are doing already...No matter which meet a person attends there will be plenty on every path and direction of the sign trade. Every meet is for everyone so pick one and go! GET OFF OF THE EXCUSES...WAKE UP TO YOUR REALITY...ARE YOU BORED? BURNT OUT? DISCOURAGED? HAVE YOUR YOUR CREATIVE JUICES LEFT YOU? DO YOU FEEL LOST? DO YOU WORK FOR SOMEONE THAT WON'T LET YOU GO? (If so quit...you are that persons slave.) DO YOU THINK YOU ARE A SIGN GOD OR GODDESS THAT KNOWS EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW? (If so please come work in my business...I'll give you 60% of the profits.) ARE YOU DEAD? WELL GET REVIVAL BROTHERS & SISTERS! DROP THE EXCUSES, BREAK THE PIGGYBANK and get registered, get your kit together and just do it! Go to the closest meet or two or three. What you will learn will help you to improve your craft and increase your profits. MORE PROFIT MAKES FOR MORE FUN IN THE SIGN BIZ ! Now isn't that what you are really, really interested in? If you feel intimidated, it's normal, I felt that way at my first meet but the intimidation factor will soon leave you and then guess what? More than likely you will find yourself, that's right, sharing with others. We're International Letterheads!!! I Hope this writting will have purpose and cause for some to challenge themselves to be a Letterhead and meet other Letterheads at a meet this summer somewhere. Hey! I gotta go! If the challenge hits you and you choose to go to Atlanta, I'll see you on Route 66...July 11-13 on the east side of Chubby's Bar & Grill.
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
Hiya Dave Seems like this is the crux of matter concerning the sign business as a whole! ALSO the same reason the "public" misunderstands and refuses to pay for quality work. The newbies entering the trade DOES NOT want to take the time to learn what is nessisary in order to DEMAND!! due payment from the customer. The customer doesn't see anything extraordinary of the work being sold to them. Two(2)common sayings come to mind here...... "You get what you pay for." "The price of ignorance far out ways the price of education"
Go figuire Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :
And, in case you do come to this meet and come on Thursday, the day before it starts, and you are anywhere near I-55/74 and RT 9/Market Street exit in Bloomington, we are haveing a special party for early Letterhead arrivals who would like to hang out in a signshop.
We are also holding an Edge Head meet on Saturday for those who run thermal printing equipment, (like the Edge) and all are welcome and its free and its an easy 20 minutes from Atlanta, Illinois.
Our meet will be small, and won't consume all of your time so you will have plenty of time to take in both meets.
Come hang out at my shop and BYOB.
[ June 05, 2003, 12:56 AM: Message edited by: Dave Draper ]
Posted by Dave Utter (Member # 634) on :
Amen brother, amen.............
Posted by Laurie Goretski (Member # 3821) on :
Dave, Awsome message! I am sure that many have to agree. The magic of "letterheads" is addictive, and is not to be missed for fear of becoming stagnant. If you could, please send your message to the trade magazines, I am sure that there are the masses that aren't tuned into this media. See you in Atlanta! Andy Goretski
[ June 05, 2003, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: Laurie Goretski ]
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
Before this web site came along, there was NO way to BE a letterhead UNLESS you WENT to a meet. Now, this great site has transformed the Lhead movement, and anyone who logs on can think they are a real "Letterhead".
This is OK. Being a letterhead is really just a state of mind anyway. Though anybody who has never attended an actual meet, has NO IDEA what they are missing.
Maybe they are afraid of something unknown (in their mind) or lazy or CHEAP. But actually there is NOTHING to lose by taking a first step. (As Martha says, "It's a good thang".)
Some people won't leave their cave even for free beer! And as we (the REAL Letterheads) know, there is always plenty of free beer at the meets.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Dave, your enthusiasim and reasons for attending a meet are well voiced. I recently discovered the letterhead website while surfing thru some supplier sites. I had no idea what it was all about, but the first time I hit the chat room, I was welcomed by everyone there, including a fellow painter in my area, Ron Costa. The next day, Ron called me at my shop and gave me a better idea of what Letterville was like. He told me about the meets and mentioned Mass Mayhem 3. As the meet got closer, I was getting to understand the feel of what a meet is like and decided to attend Mayhem...no matter what! I can't even begin to tell you how close I was to shutting this shop down just before the meet. I'd never been able to have anyone to "talk shop" with or get serious critique from that understood what signing is all about. I also never knew what my work meant to me until after the meet. Since coming back from Mass Mayhem 3, I have been heading out to my tiny little shop with a renewed passion to refine my skills, define my style and redifine my business. People like Mike Z and his family, Bill Riedel, Alan Johnson, Bruce Bowers, Si Allen and many of the other great folks I've gotten to know and meet over the last few months are not only great at what they do, but have inspired me, not only to keep "pounding out the paint", but also to realize that what I do for a living is fun, creative, sometimes frustrating, and at times a true joy.
If anyone reading this post is sitting on the fence about whether or not they should go to a meet, consider this. I found my first meet so great that I'm doing everything I can to hit at least 2 more this summer, LetterRip and Quebec.
Hopefully, I'll see you there...I'll be the the guy with the biggest smile all weekend!
"Rapid" Ray
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Those of us who are fanatical Letterheads will never understand why everyone dosen't share our enthuesem. Ray's post brought back fond memories of my own discovery of Letterheads back in 1983. Welcome to the crazy World of Letterheads Ray.
[ June 07, 2003, 02:23 AM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Thanks, Steve.
Keep up the good work, Mr. Mayor an I look forward to meeting soon. You should be getting a check in the mail for my residency this week. Best money I have ever spent.
I'm in the middle of redesigning my truck and whipped this up for giggles...enjoy!
[ June 07, 2003, 02:28 AM: Message edited by: Steve Shortreed ]
Posted by Nancie W. Phillips (Member # 3484) on :
Ya'know...a letterheads meet is better than a family reunion. It's like CHOSEN family...and I'm hopin' to see y'all in Atlanta in a few weeks. This board is a great source of comeraderie, but being at a meet in person is so much better.
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
I love it Ray! A couple years back, we leased a cranberry PT Cruiser. The plan was to turn it into a Letterville Cruiser. We envisioned the sides very similar to your design, tied into a really cool paint scheme complete with an area for all Letterheads to sign. It's never got done, but I still like the idea.
Posted by Source Signs (Member # 1164) on :
Hurray! You said it all! These meets are 'Life Altering'......you will never be the same after attending just one meet. The wealth of knowledge, the expanded imagination, the new ways of doing the same old jobs, learning new jobs,.... I feel only pity for those who don't at least attend one meet. Nothing ventured...nothing gained. Venture to a Letterhead meet and everything changes to the good. Hurray for all those hosts who have opened their doors and invited us all in!
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
