This is part 2 in the series about the pros and cons of online printing. Read the first part. Several months ago, I redesigned the Visible Logic web site. We reorganized and updated the content of the site and at the same time, introduced a new tagline. While the overall branding was not new, we made some adjustments and freshened things up a bit. You can read more about the process in this newsletter archive. After doing that, I decided that our business cards really should be updated too, to reflect these changes. As you may imagine, a graphic designer designing the business cards for their own company is a painful and prolonged production. We’re our own worst client. So, I hemmed and mulled and tinkered and got a design I sort of liked. I really needed new cards, and really needed to order cards for a designer on staff, so I decided to print some online just to see… Continue Reading »
Read More...Category: Startups
Who's the "General Contractor" for your Brand Building?
If you’re building a house or doing a renovation, you understand the need for a general contractor. This is the key person who pulls a team together and keeps the project on track. The general contractor for your kitchen re-do may be your carpenter who does the cabinetry work himself and pulls in a tile specialist, a plumber and an electrician. This pivotal leader generally decides what sub-contractors to use and makes sure the workflow makes sense. You don’t need the painters showing up the first week on a job, and you do need to make sure the sink is going fit into the countertop. When you’re building your own identity or brand, who is managing all the pieces? If you’re a business owner, you may be the one who has to bridge the gap from one vendor to the next. You have to decide where to spend the money, what subcontractors to use, and how to schedule the project(s)…. Continue Reading »
Read More...Do-It-Yourself Business Cards, or Hire a Pro?
If you’re starting a business you’re going to need business cards. But if you’re starting a business, you may be looking to save money on the myriad of upfront costs involved with getting the company up and running. Let’s look at the different levels of professionalism and brand identity that you could consider when getting your first business cards. Design & Branding Fees vs. Production Costs There are two steps to creating your business card: first is the design of the card, and the second is the printing of the card. For the design, you will likely start by developing a logo or a logotype (a specific, customized typesetting of the business name). In addition, you will need to typeset your contact information, and then you will need to look at the layout of the entire card. You could try to do these yourself, or you could work with an experienced designer. For the production, you will need to find… Continue Reading »
Read More...Your Logo is Like Your Interview Suit
Everyday on my way to the office I pass by the University of Southern Maine. Recently, I saw what must have been a student prepped for a job interview: poorly fitting navy blue suit, well-combed hair and still carrying his collegiate backpack. The scene reminded me of my own transition from student to an adult living in the real world. As college graduation neared, I was eager to get out on my own, and start my career. I didn’t want to move back to my parents’ place. Therefore, I had to be able to afford an apartment, which meant I had to get a job. So I worked on my resume, learned to network, and started applying for jobs. Eventually, I landed an interview. Suddenly I realized that I needed a suit. Well, honestly, I had known it for a while, but since I had little money, and suits are expensive, I put off buying one. No suit for the… Continue Reading »
Read More...Business Cards Dos & Don'ts for Start-ups and Veterans
If you’re in business, you need a business card. When you launch your business there are a lot of details to juggle, and a budget that can only stretch so far. But when you neglect your calling card you are showing to others that you don’t take yourself seriously. Here are few tips to keep in mind. Business cards for a start-up: Do: Get cards printed. There are many low-cost options from online sources, to paper you can run through your own printer. You need a physical card to start networking. This seems so basic, but some people think they can skip cards altogether. If you aren’t bothering with cards, you probably aren’t really bothering to set up a sustainable business. Don’t: Print too many or spend too much on the printing. It’s likely many details are still in flux—such as your address changing as you move from home office to rented space. Do: Spend your money on branding. While… Continue Reading »
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