Local Event Promotions

Let’s imagine that you have a public event planned for 2009. The event is scheduled to take place on a Saturday in July and will showcase a couple of local bands and a fundraiser.  Where and when should you advertise?

It would be in your best interest to ensure that the venue that your event will be held at is confirmed before even considering advertising for the event. Having to rebuild advertising for a date change is time consuming and also can be damaging to your credibility. Let’s just assume that everything is confirmed and ready to roll.

Step 1. Consider your audience
You should have an idea of the type of person you would like to attend. The advertising should be directed at these individuals.

Step 2. Place a weekly ad for the event in a local paper starting 1 month prior to the event date
This step will work as your anchor. The advertising will be consistent and semi redundant but it will reinforce the message until the event date. Choosing the publication will be very important. You must know who your target audience is and find a publication that will reach them directly. This is where working with a design firm like Studio 3 Design will come in handy.

Step 3. Create event posters and distribute 2 weeks prior to event.
Have your design firm create 11″ x 17″ posters. These posters should be in color and include an image of the bands or an illustrated suggestion of the fundraiser. Do not try to save a little money by having one print photocopied on colored paper. You’ll want to grab the attention of people passing by and color prints are absolutely worth the added expense. Distribute these posters to retail stores or other businesses that will attract your audience. Event postcards could be created in lieu of posters, but having both is an unnecessary expense.

Step 4. The optional Radio ad – Daily; beginning one week prior to event.
If you want to reach all of your target audience, it would be best to not overlook the power of radio ads.  You don’t have as much control of the timing of the ad, but having your message broadcast over a radio station that targets your audience directly, can be a huge benefit.  Again, working with a design firm like Studio 3 Design will simplify this whole process.

Hiring a Pro: Logos and more!

Is it necessary for you to hire a professional designer to create your business logo?

Yes. Professional designers, like the staff of Studio 3 Design, have had extensive training in color theory, typography, layout, and design flow. These skills along with the ability to create vectorized digital artwork are key factors in creating clean, effective logos that represent your business in the correct way.

What are the steps in creating a logo design?

Step one: Find a Designer
Most metropolitan areas have a large number of designers, or design firms that are very well skilled in creating logos. A simple web search will bring up a large list of potential designers. Find a designer that has a portfolio showing samples of their work. You’re looking for clean, professional looking designs. It’s also a good idea to consider future projects when choosing a designer. Creating a partnership with a design firm that can provide multiple products will eliminate headaches down the road.

Step two: Agree on Price & Services
Not all designers are created equal. Prices for logo design do vary with location, experience and services offered. There is MUCH more to a logo design than just creating a sketch of the idea. Logo design prices can range from $500 – $1500 but keep in mind that you “get what you pay for”. A good comparison would be fast food vs. 4-star dining. You can certainly fill your belly for $3.00 but you won’t remember the experience nearly as much as eating at a restaurant with a great chef. (BTW; If you haven’t eaten at the Prospect Street Cafe yet, I highly recommend it.) A good designer will provide multiple designs that will include a design with your specifications in mind, and some unique designs that he/she has come up with based on his/her research.

Step three: Confirm file management, after the project.
When the final logo design is settled, the designer should provided full color, greyscale, and black & white versions of the design in 4 formats, minimum. Adobe Illustrator, .EPS, .JPG and .TIF. These 4 file formats will ensure that your logo will be represented correctly in every print or web medium imaginable. If your designer cannot provide these 4 basic file types, walk away. It will not be worth the effort. After the project is completed, ensure that the designer will maintain an archive of the original artwork. In the case of Studio 3 Design, the original artwork is archived and backed up on an offsite server. If you ever should need a copy of the artwork, or a different file format, Studio 3 Design provides this at no additional charge.

Step four: Print it.
Now that you have your logo ready to go, what do you do?
Storefront: If you are a retail establishment, or have a walk in store front, you’ll definitely want to get your logo on those windows. Work with you designer to determine the best way to showcase your new look. You’ve trusted him/her to create your beautiful logo, now trust him/her to make your entire storefront look its best. Studio 3 Design has created partnerships with local sign company’s and we know what materials will work best with your location.

Print: Business Cards, Letterhead, Brochure. Studio 3 Design can help you with business print packages that include all of the above. Our prices include the printing too. Contact us today to learn more.

Focused Advertising

How do I know where my customers are?

Finding the best venue to advertise your products and services is a very simple task when you’re aware of the types of people who make up your core customers. If you are a small business owner, you most likely have a big interest in your products or services and your customers will be alot like you. Where exactly will you have to advertise to lure these folks in?

This is when hiring a creative group like Studio 3 Design is a huge benefit. We know of all the different ways to advertise, from print ads and bus cards to event sponsorship and radio spots. Talk with us today to learn about some of the best ways to get your message out to YOUR customers.