I just wanted to share with you some information for any of you who are trying to think of a way to increase your business and look more professional at the same time.
Since the big move here to the North West, My business has just multiplied at an amazing rate. the quality of my work is leagues beyond what it was only 5 years ago.
So , I decided that I wanted to do something for my business that would help me market my work to the the range of clients that I wanted to reach. What I did was to go to the Printer that handles my Business cards and discuss the idea of a brochure to showcase some of my work. I collected some photo's of my more recent pieces and got some copy ready for the printer. we decided on a tri fold 11x17 brochure in full color on cover stock so it would "FEEL" professional and expensive. well I showed them to people at the Seattle roadster show and got an emediate response from them! All good I might add! The cost for the brochures for 1000 of them cost around $1500.00 but have already paid for themselves 10 times over in just 2 weeks! and the thing I like about them is, unlike a business card, these brochures are like mini portfolio's that they will keep and show around to friends. anyway, I just wanted to let you know that this is just another way to showcase your work to the clients you're looking for. its well worth the investment.
Mike
------------------ Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And Dance like no one's watching. :) Mike Lavallee Mike Lavallee's Pinstriping & Airbrush Art Everett, WA
Posts: 449 | From: Everett, WA | Registered: Dec 1998
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I tried to scan it the other day to share in the Chat room but it came out with a wierd dot pattern from the printing. I'll send you one snail mail if you'd like maybe you'll have better luck than me. Mike
------------------ Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And Dance like no one's watching. Mike Lavallee Mike Lavallee's Pinstriping & Airbrush Art Everett, WA
[This message has been edited by Mike Lavallee (edited March 30, 2001).]
Posts: 449 | From: Everett, WA | Registered: Dec 1998
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If you want to try scanning that again, there might be a setting in your scanning software called "Descreening" or something similar.
That setting is for scanning prints like you have and it eliminates the dots and makes the image more of a continuous tone. It takes longer to scan as the scan head makes multiple passes to do this but I've done scanning like that before and it comes out perfect every time.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
Hey Guys.. just about ready to go to print with some brochures myself.... and since Donna is such a sweetheart, and oh so kind, maybe she'll post my brochure for me? I'll email it now... Yes Mike, a brochure is an amazing selling tool, and for those of you thinking about it, go ahead and do it! Neil
------------------ "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF
Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
I'm just now getting motivated to do a brochere...but don't have the capitol to put out that much cash at the moment....maybe someone can do a step by step on making some at home to get started. I need to try out different looks and copy before I go with the finished product anyway. A
------------------ Adrienne Morgan Splash Signs www.splashsigns.com "Rainkatt'on chat
posted
thanks for the post. this is what i've been working on for the past week or so. i have a nice postcard finished up. now i am back to finishing the brochure.
i have received divine inspiration from people who responded to my post wanting to see others' brochures. i want to see yours' too....
maybe i could figure out how to compress and post mine too.
posted
I know the timing didnt correspond between the printing of the brochures and the website but did you get your URL printed on them? Judging by the pics you sent me that site is gunna be full of some sweet images. Did you have a contingency plan with that side of things? I suppose if its not on the brochure itself you could always print off some sticky labels and put them somewhere unobtrusive on the brochures. Just curious David
P.S. I'd be interested to see them if you try the descreening process and get a decent scan of them
------------------ D.A. & P.M. Fisher Signwriting Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com
Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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I did put my url and email on the brochure. also all the logo's match on my business cards ansd website and brochures now www.killerpaint.com ( will be up and running in about a week or two) and email is now Mike@killerpaint.com ( now active ) Mike
------------------ Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And Dance like no one's watching. :) Mike Lavallee Mike Lavallee's Pinstriping & Airbrush Art Everett, WA
Posts: 449 | From: Everett, WA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Mike, thanks for emailing me the cover. Wow, that is gonna be some brochure! The Globe is acting up and I can't upload it at the present time. I'll try again from time to time till it's done.
posted
Hey Colleen, Congrats are in order! hope all is well back home. ....oh by the way, I hear you have snow? hmmm, well we have pink snow right now...thats right PINK!! hahaha the cherry trees have been in bloom for a couple of weeks now and the petals are starting to fall off the trees now.. just had to rub it in a little to my home girl hehehe. and thanks for the offer Mark I may be calling on you for some assistance soon! take care, Mike
------------------ Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And Dance like no one's watching. :) Mike Lavallee Mike Lavallee's Pinstriping & Airbrush Art Everett, WA
Posts: 449 | From: Everett, WA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Coming from a long line of printers,I know 4 color process on quality paper is the very BEST way to go.Anything else would look cheap and a waste of time trying to produce via Desk Top Publisher.As we try to tell OUR own customers the same is true with Signs.I think we should take our own advice.Smart thinking Mike! It should be pointed out that this kind of advertising is an Investment to the future of our own company.NOT a waste of our money."it takes money to make money" Also try to work closely with your printer,as opposed to sending them away to a mail order catalog.
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Hey thanks Donna, looks great! nice job. you are the coolest!
------------------ Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And Dance like no one's watching. :) Mike Lavallee Mike Lavallee's Pinstriping & Airbrush Art Everett, WA
Posts: 449 | From: Everett, WA | Registered: Dec 1998
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