Graphic Design, Print Specialist

Media Mainline is your source for graphic design and digital communication solutions, including: - Product Packaging Design - Printed Advertising Campaigns - Logo Design and Visual Identity - Marketing Material - Video Production for Promotional or Training DVDs and Broadcast - Web Site Design and Development. Trust an Adobe Certified Expert. We offer affordable, professional creative services. Contact us now or visit us online at www.mediamainline.com Located in Hanger Eleven behind NAIT, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Click here to view our map and flyer. You can view samples of our work by clicking here.

Lawn care business tips

Following are ten samples... These are linked to images on my own website, so they will automatically update when I have the time to update my own site. Check back now and again for new works.

[Steve]

Hi Ned,

Great work! You are very talented.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]Video Production for Promotional or Training DVDs and Broadcast

Have you ever done a video on your company? As a way to show people the steps they go through to create promotional material? The things they should be considering when creating such material?

Thank you, Super-Gopher!

No, I've never actually done a video reel on my company, though I have certainly thought about it. This will probably be a likely project after I finish completing a new website, along with a completely new marketing campaign for myself which I have in the making. Alas, as they say, "a mechanic's car is never worked on".

There is one man in particular who has given me great inspiration to create a video reel about Media Mainline's processes in creating powerful, relevent, and meaningful marketing material. Check out www.okaydave.com.
My video will be more technical and hands-on in the presentation, but the same idea is there. Dave Werner's videos are a "reel" work of art.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]This will probably be a likely project after I finish completing a new website, along with a completely new marketing campaign for myself which I have in the making.

I think it would be great to see some before and after examples from you. That would give us all a chance to see what you changed and you could tell us why it was changed.
Maybe it would inspire other business owners on this forum to consider the same things you did.

Thanks for the link about www.okaydave.com. I will check that site out too.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Team Gopher @ Mar. 28 2006,6:07)]
I think it would be great to see some before and after examples from you. That would give us all a chance to see what you changed and you could tell us why it was changed.
Maybe it would inspire other business owners on this forum to consider the same things you did.

You bet I will do that for you! A lot of what I have done in the past has been done on a "need to do" basis, with not enough time for preparation. A guy's gotta eat, and therefore must be "out there" no matter what.

However, through the years I have developed very positive goals in regards to the path I want my business to follow. I have a clearly defined plan, and know my ideal customer, the reputation I would like to keep in their eyes, and have a good sense of my strengths and weaknesses (not that I'm admitting to having any of the latter).

My new marketing campaign takes all these factors into account, and I hope it will bring a much more personal touch to my identity. I want people to know who I really am, and what I want to do for them!

[Steve]

How much of your marketing campaign has to deal with educating potential clients about the industry?

I can see how the graphic design industry could have a big problem with low balling prices.

For example there are some designers out there that may offer a logo designed for $50 with unlimited revisions. I have seen some of our lawn care operators use such companies only to find themselves not satisfied with the work and feel strange about asking for further updates. They have posted they feel like they are being a pain in the butt to the designer and may just go somewhere else.

How does a graphic artist warn and educate potential clients of such potential pitfalls? Show them you get what you pay for? Be aware.

How important is this when you create a marketing campaign?

It just so happens that education of clients is one of the key points to my new marketing campaign!

I have always felt this yearning to educate people (and I don't mean like "educating" that guy who just cut me off in the wrong lane!). I have been through many careers in my life, and have always found myself to be an instructor in the end. I have taught everything from Motorcycle Riding Techniques and Safety, to Graphic Design.

My role as a designer is far more than creating designs, it is foremost as a consultant and an educator. My primary objective is to help businesses realize their full potential.

Every businessman has several key strengths which have made them succeed thus far. But no man (including myself), is Jack of All Trades, unless they're Master of None. As Robert Kiyosaki said, the best skill of a good business person is to know how to hire the right professionals for the job.

I want people to know that my skills are there to help them. They've created their business, it is their baby, but as we all know, babies don't come with manuals. I probably can't do what they do, but I want to be able to educate them in my areas of expertise. I don't just take a job, throw it together behind some secret door, and present it to them on a silver platter. My customers are in the loop and communicated with throughout the process. I learn about their business, and I help them by educating them on my craft, and why I do the things I do.

[Steve]

That is really fantastic and should allow you to command a higher fee than others who do not offer such services.

It's great to know you are so knowledgeable and can offer so much advice.

Let me start another post on this subject here so others can learn from your insights.