I've always been an artist. I was the stereotypical hyperactive child drawing on the walls even when mom told me not to do it. I was even doing in my 20's and 30's.
One thing I can tell you about most artists is that we make crappy business people. For the most part, we have our heads so far in the clouds, the mere thought of creating a sales process or an operations manual or accounting forces us to run, hide and put our heads somewhere where even the sun can't get at us.
Nevertheless, I've finally succumbed to the notion that if I want to keep my head in the clouds, I'm going to have to spend a little time here on earth.
Coming back to reality started last week when I began to work on our company's budget for 2010. This is the first time I have ever done this and the artist in me began throwing in numbers and creating these lofty projections for next year where I was making a quarter million dollars by the end of 2010!
When I looked at year's past however, reality set in and I realized there was definitely a mismatch.
A lot of people question our prices. They often claim they are too high. I would say that's the price you pay for high-quality graphic design work.
After studying our company budget, however, I realized it takes a lot more than a big ego to run a business. Do you know that it costs just over $10,000 for our St. Petersburg office to break even every month? Considering very modest expenses and a staff of one, that's a shitload of money! The reality is I can't have my head in the clouds when when we're talking that kind of money each month.
I love my job and if I could do it for free, I would. Truth is folks, I need to eat and pay the rent just like everybody else. If you are looking for a good deal, please ask someone else, because I'm not going to give it to you. However, if you are looking for a graphic design team to deliver premium marketing solutions for your company, then let's talk business.
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Designers. Not decorators.
While it may seem obvious, Maria Giudice of Hot Studio gives small businesses a little and important Reminder when it comes to hiring your graphic design team.
©2009 David Scott | Cosmic: Advertising & Design
©2009 David Scott | Cosmic: Advertising & Design
Friday, May 23, 2008
Graphic Design vs. Annual Reports
I meet with a business coach about every 2 months or so and yesterday we met to discuss marketing. She asked me what I say to potential clients I want to work with and I ran through a couple of mock conversations with her.
She said, "y'know, you talk a lot about graphics and graphic design, but as a general consumer I don't know what that is. If you enjoy designing annual reports for example, then say that."
Afterwards, I attended a social gathering with about 150 local business people and as they asked me what I did, I told them my company designs annual reports. The response was completely different than what I normally got. People were actually engaged, interested and willing to give me referrals of people they know.
It is amazing what can open up out of being specific in your message. This includes being specific in your advertising and marketing efforts. The best marketing is the simplest marketing.
©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding
She said, "y'know, you talk a lot about graphics and graphic design, but as a general consumer I don't know what that is. If you enjoy designing annual reports for example, then say that."
Afterwards, I attended a social gathering with about 150 local business people and as they asked me what I did, I told them my company designs annual reports. The response was completely different than what I normally got. People were actually engaged, interested and willing to give me referrals of people they know.
It is amazing what can open up out of being specific in your message. This includes being specific in your advertising and marketing efforts. The best marketing is the simplest marketing.
©2008 David Scott | Cosmic: Graphic Design & Branding
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Business Networking
Here in St. Pete, business networking is the buzz word of the day and if you don't belong to a business networking group, well you just won't succeed. At least, that's what I'm told, anyway. It really is amazing at how many of these groups there are around here. There's BNI, NPI, Free Networking International, Le Tip and Business Builders just to name a few.
I joined a small group called Local Business Networking (LBN). The group meets every Wednesday at 7:25am in the community room of Perkins restaurant and they seemed to take a liking to me so much that they made me secretary, which basically means I take attendance. The group is really a great group. There's a good deal of comraderie and everyone has a fun time at the meetings and it's an awesome group if you are a small business owner like a plumber, termite specialist, you sell Mary Kay or are even a massage therapist. It is not, however, for the professional graphic designer.
While I respect what groups like my LBN group does for small businesses, most of the members can't justify the costs associated with professional graphic design services. Especially when they can do it themselves using Microsoft Word! In other words, these groups are loaded with people that are overly concerned with cutting costs instead of taking steps to enhance their professional image. I've heard this referred to as steping over dollars to pick up pennies. If you play your cards right, what you put into your company you'll get back tenfold. Likewise, if you spend little you get little back.
Generating a powerful brand for your company does take time and money. It also builds confidence and morale. Can you see that a confident and high energy sales team wouldn't have to work so hard to get business? Graphic design is critcal to developing a strong corporate image that is backed by inspiring people. In the long run, the money is always well spent.
©2007 David Scott | Cosmic
I joined a small group called Local Business Networking (LBN). The group meets every Wednesday at 7:25am in the community room of Perkins restaurant and they seemed to take a liking to me so much that they made me secretary, which basically means I take attendance. The group is really a great group. There's a good deal of comraderie and everyone has a fun time at the meetings and it's an awesome group if you are a small business owner like a plumber, termite specialist, you sell Mary Kay or are even a massage therapist. It is not, however, for the professional graphic designer.
While I respect what groups like my LBN group does for small businesses, most of the members can't justify the costs associated with professional graphic design services. Especially when they can do it themselves using Microsoft Word! In other words, these groups are loaded with people that are overly concerned with cutting costs instead of taking steps to enhance their professional image. I've heard this referred to as steping over dollars to pick up pennies. If you play your cards right, what you put into your company you'll get back tenfold. Likewise, if you spend little you get little back.
Generating a powerful brand for your company does take time and money. It also builds confidence and morale. Can you see that a confident and high energy sales team wouldn't have to work so hard to get business? Graphic design is critcal to developing a strong corporate image that is backed by inspiring people. In the long run, the money is always well spent.
©2007 David Scott | Cosmic
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