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I'd love to be able to have some sort of site up and running before I open my business, and although putting it together will be a challenge on its own, my real concern is what to put ON it?
Until now, I've worked at other sign shops so all the designs and signs I've done belong to them. It would be strange for me to post my vehicle jobs or other signs on a portfolio page when they were actually done by "Ventura Signs" or another place I've worked in the past (or would it?). I'll be making some samples for my wall, but even that is time consuming and I'm not sure how much I'll have done before I open my business, I'm so busy trying to get my own advertising in place.
I hate to just have an index page as a place holder and no content and would like to be able to include my website address on my new business cards, vehicle, post cards etc.
Any suggestions anyone?
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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Can you identify them as "Designed and manufactured by Tracie Johnson for Ventura(or whatever) Signs" I suspect there are probably legal issues. Eh?
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Maybe make up a few virtual signs. Kinda like the proofs we do up for the customers to look at. If I'm serious about trying to impress a potential customer, I'll do them a proof that's hard to tell from the real thing.
Post just a few pics, have a brief description of what you do and why you're better than everyone else, and have your contact information and an email address. Could be all on the main page.
Just my idea... I'm not a marketing major by any means, I just know that I hate going to a website and just seeing a big UNDER CONSTRUCTION sign on it. Forty-five minutes worth of work and at least it could have some advertisement value and contact info, along with a small note that a bigger better site is coming.
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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I would design a bunch of designs and set them up like I did for a hand out sheet I made for looking for a job. Although all the work I posted was for real work I had done, yours could be fictional businesses.
I included a wide assortment of types of logos and design work that would be typical for higher end stuff.
After you do some "real" work, then you can create a page for that stuff, too.
Sorry for the blurry pic... I have no idea why it did that other than the original page is like 25 meg... LOL! I couldn't load that so I re-sampled it and it got blurry. I think you can get the idea of what I am trying to say.
Edited to add... I would NOT include any work you did while working for any other shop. Legalities aside, it is unethical and it could provoke your former employers into a bad mouthing tirade. Just my opinion.
[ July 22, 2006, 12:06 AM: Message edited by: Bruce Bowers ]
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Tracie, are you in the same town, and it direct competition with your old sign shop? I know we talked about this at Lodi, but I can't remember where you were going to set up shop.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Kelly, I was thinking the same thing, but was unsure about the legalities or even the ethical issues on that one. Thought maybe someone here might know.
And Russ, yes unfortunately, I am in the same town.
My idea was to make up some samples of fictitious businesses and use them. I'm just concerned I don't have time to do enough. I'd like to open soon and still have so much to do. Not to mention I'm trying to work full time, plan a wedding (though small, August 25th, by the way ) ) and all that "mom" stuff. I may just have to bite the bullet though and get it done.
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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Anything you did in the old shop belongs to them. Period.
The suggestions above are good. Its about QUALITY not quantity. Most folks, me included have to much in their portfolio. Less is better. Onl;y show the type of work you WANT to do.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hiya Tracie, This is what I have on the bottom of my web pages... ALL IMAGES AND GRAPHICS ON THIS WEBSITE ARE PROPERTY OF CHECKERS CUSTOM SIGNS, PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS I did ask for and get permission from my previous employers about displaying their work on my site.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Check out other sign site web pages for ideas...I really like what Diaz's did with theirs...not that you have to copy anyone...but it's great for inspiration.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Mr Bowers, that is some knock down, kick in the pants work!
Would it be possible for people here to help? Send me a not too complex idea as a pencil sketch, and I'll vectorize it for you.
Even if that doesn't work out, we could turn this thread into an idea generator. Here are names of recent callers, changed a little:
City View Motors Ashton condominiums Financial Consultants Group Hambree Trucking Rocky Top Boots McKrosky Mini Storage New Life Baptist Church
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Congratulations on getting married. My wife and I were just married April 26 on the beach in Grand Cayman...
Kinda early to tell, but looks like I'm gonna love it..
When I said "make up some virtual signs," I meant to design some logos for fictitious businesses, like the rest stated... much better and plainer than I did.
Good luck with the website!
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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I'd say start small with a basic site with contact info and your capabilities and whatever jobs you have done yourself and build the portfolio section as you build your own portfolio.
Start with a one page web site (build more pages over the next month(s).
List the sign work you do, and a couple pictures. You'll need to make some showroom type signs anyway, so these can be your photos. Over a period of a couple months you should have quite a few sample signs to show off your skills.
Your work will come more from word of mouth and just introducing yourself to local businesses.
And check out the BNI groups in your area. Chances are there may be a group that doesn't have a sign maker in it. The word of mouth refferals you'll get from being part of a BNI group will get you started on the right foot $$$$!
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) ) and all that "mom" stuff. I may just have to bite the bullet though and get it done.
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
Send me a not too complex idea as a pencil sketch, and I'll vectorize it for you.
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