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Woof of the month!
FREE business card clinic and half price redesign PLUS 10% discount on the printing!
Yep! Let us give you an honest assessment of your current business card, and if we can suggest improvements, we will redesign them for £30 rather than the usual £60.00, plus we will give you 10% discount on the printing of 250 or 500 single or double sided cards.
Offer ends 30 September 2009 - Just quote clinic0809 when you call or email us.
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or promotion.
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| Referral Scheme |
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Many of you already tell your friends about the great service we give you, so we decided to repay you for that (and encourage those of you who haven't yet!).
For each referral you give us that converts into £500 worth of business we will send you a £20 Marks and Spencer voucher. There is no limit to how many vouchers you can earn, and we will send them to you as soon as we receive payment.
So keep those referrals rolling in !
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| Funnies! |
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We don't normally put jokes in and when you read this one you'll probably see why, however it made us laugh so we thought we'd share it !
3 fonts walk into a bar, the landlord says, "oi! you three, we don't want your type in here! |
We are a Constant Contact Partner - contact us to find out about sending newsletters like this to your clients! | | |
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Issue 10: August 09 |
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Welcome once more to Listen Think Create!
Hi everyone, it's that time once again and it's scary how quickly the last month has gone by. Having said that it hasn't been too bad a month weather wise (it could have been a lot worse!) and we are hoping to get the tent out for one last camp before it gets too cold. (Alice loves it; especially other peoples' barbeques!).
When not looking out of the window wishing the sun would come out, we have been busy behind the scenes with lots of new stuff that we will be able to tell you all about in September - we're almost there so watch this space !
This month we show you how to critique your business cards (plus a very special offer to go with it), and take a look at one of the projects we've been working on for one of our favourite clients, The Phoenix Arts Centre in Bordon.
Enjoy!
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Is your business card a binner or a winner?
Have you ever been to a networking meeting and been given a business card printed on a home printer, on flimsy card, with perforations around the edge? What was the first thought that crossed your mind? This person is new in business and possibly a bit "green"? This person is a cheapskate (be honest!)?
A business card isn't just a piece of card with your information on it, it is a highly important document which speaks volumes about you, your company and even your values. 
In some countries, the business card is treated as if it were a prized possession, only to be given to the highly favoured. In Japan for instance, the card (or meshi) is handed over with great ceremony, with both hands and with the name facing the person receiving so that it can be read.
Obviously in the UK, such ceremony would seem be a bit odd, but there are things you can check to make sure your card is taken back to the receivers office and kept for a day when they might need your assistance, rather than being thrown straight in the bin.
Paper quality
If your card is of the home made paper type, or even digitally printed at local copy shop, the chances are that it will feel flimsy and therefore create the impression of low value. It is highly likely that a card like this will end up in the bin.
Ink
Do your cards smudge when you rub them? Some print companies charge extra for a machine seal while others don't. It's worth asking your printer if they do it as standard. If not, you will have to request it and pay a premium (or chose another printer!) If the ink comes off on a persons' fingers when they look at your card they will probably bin it.
Message
OK, this is the important bit. Does your card tell people what you do? Time and time again I am given cards that say "Joe Bloggs Consulting" and nothing else. The giver may tell you what it is they do, but when you get back to the office, with a handful of cards, it's highly likely that you won't remember what it was they did, making the card a prime candidate for the bin.
Image
What does your card look like. Is it professionally designed or knocked together in 5 minutes on a word processor? If the latter, that lack of attention to appearance will show. A good business card should reflect what you do. If you are a high quality home stylist, then you need a card that shows you have taste and flair. If your card doesn't match how you see your business, then it's time to find a designer who can help you achieve that.
Font size
While many business cards fall foul of the not enough information problem, others fall into the opposite camp; too much! If your card is crammed full of lists of everything you do, in a font that you'd need a magnifying glass to read, then it's definitely time for a rationalisation. Think about the things your potential clients need to know and make it succinct. Most importantly always ensure all your contact details are there, a card which doesn't tell the holder what they need to know most will most certainly end up in the bin !
As the old adage goes; you only get one chance to make a first impression, and your business card is very often the only thing that people have to remember you by after that first meeting. So take your business card out and view it in the same way a stranger would, and decide, is my card a winner or a binner?
Looking for some inspiration? Take a look at this blog with some truly amazing cards! |
What we've been up to this month... It's been another busy month here at The Studio (against all expectations given it's the summer holiday period!) and we have been beavering away on various projects including the autumn programme for The Phoenix Theatre. As Sam is an amateur thespian (when she gets time!), The Phoenix is a client that is always close to our hearts. The programme is the cornerstone of the art's centre's marketing activities, so is something that we are always keen to keep as fresh and vibrant as possible, which of course all has to be achieved on a tight budget!
As well as laying out the season's shows in an easily digestible format, we design images for the theatre's own shows, create adverts for advertisers and edit the images supplied by the visiting companies to fit them into the space allowed.
We are also always on the lookout for any companies who are interested in a bit of local advertising with the added benefit of supporting arts in the community, so if that sounds like you, drop us a line and as a special incentive, we will design your advert for free. Unfortunately this season's has now been printed, but there's always the spring one which we start in December (you may laugh but it will be upon us soon enough!). |
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Best wishes
Sam & the Team
The Studio | |
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