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simchamagic Regular user 190 Posts |
Hi!
I'm about to go tomorrow to a printing house to design and print 5000 postcards. Their goal - to be given out (together with a B. card) after preschool shows and birthday party shows, and to be sent in the mail from time to time to prospects or past clients. Just before I go and print this amount, do any of you have a postcard for these age groups and mentioned purposes who could share it's design here, just to get ideas and "to fill the well" (<= a term taken from the excellent book "The Artists Way" - meaning in short - to get new ideas and inspiration). Thanks! Simcha |
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
The biggest advantage of a postcard for advertising purposes is that we have all been trained to turn them over and look at both sides before tossing them away. That gives you TWO chances to give your message and make that sale. If the pictures are interesting enough to examine rather than merely glance at, that gives you a bit more time with the prospective customer on the way to the trash. The "holy grail" of postcards is the "keeper and the sharer." That's one that's so interesting that the prospective customer will want to keep it and share it with others. A puzzle, a coupon, a winning scratch off number can all potentially do that.
Type font should be immediately legible (don't get fancy here!) and the message given in short, easily read words. Always include mailing address, phone number and Web site (plus e-mail address), that is, if you aren't hiding out from the cops and want to be found. Make it easy for the customer to contact you and make it worthwhile to do so. Since you are having so many postcards printed at one time, leave a space to attach a sticker where you can write in new information... such as an expiration date for coupon offers, a change of contact information, etc. It may take you a long time to go through a printing of 5,000, unless you shower them down on the population by crop duster.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
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stempleton Inner circle 1443 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-05-10 10:32, Spellbinder wrote: Wow... these tips are worth my entire annual membership, Spellbinder Seriously, I rely heavily on postcards, usually printing 300 at a time for a single mailing. Recently, I have considered a 5000 run but have been delaying due to concerns you just addressed. Also, I know a fellow performer who no longer uses business cards, and simply gives out his postcard after events, with his "autograph" on the back if requested. I think it is a bit redundant to give a postcard AND a business card, but that's just me. As for taking the project to a "designer," I do that myself with an online service (currently printsmadeeasy.com, but I may change) because I like the creativity involved...uh, and I'm cheap! |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I'll be doing a lecture at this years Kidabra conference in Pigeon Forge, Tenneessee which will include some of the unique things I do with postcards.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Here's another idea.
Put your photo on one side. Optional idea - a speech bubble which you can autograph or write a note. Variation - buy a huge posterboard with a fancy border from a store like Staples -- pose for your promotional photo holding the posterboard in front of you or to the side of you. On the final postcard that's printed, you write your notes / comments on the blank white posterboard area. Print part of the batch as a regular postcard back, which you can use for mailings. Use the rest of the batch as giveaways at shows, by printing illustrations of teach-a-trick magic tricks (Ed Harris type artwork) on the back. That way, your giveaway has both your photo and also beginner magic tricks to learn. If you want to get fancy, you can create a series of cards with different fronts (photos) and backs (tricks), which you can number and the kids can collect. Like trading cards. With both styles of back, you put your contact info on the back. Some people put their contact info on the back, or the front, or on both sides. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I'll be revealing my secret for what I do with postcards AFTER I autograph them. Kidabra is only 3 months away so make plans to be there!
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Futureal Inner circle 1695 Posts |
... and you are?
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12938 Posts |
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On 2009-05-10 05:22, simchamagic wrote: Try vistaprints.com if you can stomach their upsell attempts you can get 100 for 9.99 just to test around. John |
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Also, overnightprints.com is also very good. I have used them for all my designer projects and stuff I have done for others over the years. Great quality, great color and good stock and customer service. They may not be the cheapest, but cheap does not always mean better. =)
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12938 Posts |
Yes, I also use overnight. Probalby had over 10,000 or more postcards printed by them.
I use vista for test runs if I don't need more than a few. J |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
Use an alternate/throw away e-mail address if you use Vista Print. They will junk mail you death.
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Matthew W Inner circle New York 2456 Posts |
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On 2009-05-11 12:12, derrick wrote: It is not junk mail, they always send great offers. I just got an email for a free 3 x 1.6 foot full color vinyl banner. I have never paid for business cards from them.
-Matt
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
I give away about 10,000 postcards a year. Every child receives one. They've been designed for kids to personalise and keep - and I know a large number of them end up in kids' bedrooms, on the wall or noticeboard.
The front of my card has my web address (which is also my performing name, so no need for a separate bit of text), and a studio photo. the other side has a smaller picture of me and my parrot, as well as a bit of blurb confirming tha the owner of the card is a "Crew Member". My signature is printed onto the cards, and there is a space for the kid's name and the date. All my contact info is on the back, email, phone, etc. They cost about 3p (5c) each, and are the cheapest and most effective form of advertising I use. I agree that changing the pictures every year is a good idea, as then kids will start to collect the "series". Potty |
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
I really like Donald's suggestion of "teach a trick"...thanks for sharing that.
I've used print shops but I've also recently purchased a colour laser printer for doing small/personalized cards. You can also purchase an Avery poster set which gives you the templates for designing large size pictures that you can print. It breaks it down into pieces which you connect and add to a large poster. Cost me like $15 for this. jeff |
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
I am also a fan of Vista Print. I have had them do postcards and brochures all at no cost except shipping. They have done other stuff for me to like business cards etc.
As to using the postcards - they make good thank you mailers, good give aways, or just a little "hello reminder" to clients. I have sent them to certain clients telling them when I am performing or to certain prospective clients who have asked me to let them know when I am performing so they can come see me.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
Forgot to mention, I like Donald's idea of the speech bubble or holding the posterboard. Good idea for sending special announcements.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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simchamagic Regular user 190 Posts |
Hi!!
OK, I went to the printing house, and they gave me this example: http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=8143f......a7bc68bc *Please* tell me what you think. The first file is side #2 and the second file is side #1. I'm sorry about the language. At the first one it gives a few testimonials and at the second side it reads: "Bring joy, fun and lots of happiness to your next event..." Thanks, Simcha |
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
I like it. Nice layout and shows children having fun.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
Looks good!
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Spellbinder Inner circle The Holy City of East Orange, NJ 6438 Posts |
On side 2, the photo on the lower left clips some of your head off. See if the photo can be lowered without messing up anything else.
Professor Spellbinder
Professor Emeritus at the Turkey Buzzard Academy of Magik, Witchcraft and Wizardry http://www.magicnook.com Publisher of The Wizards' Journals |
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