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Expert Answers to Biz Questions Listen in! Pick up some expert advice to a reader's question that we selected from CyberSchmooz.
The Biz Question I am looking for resources on preparing a gang buster layout and design portfolio for my new Desktop Publishing Company. I also need a resource on how to find my first customer. Suzi
Answer from our Guest Expert Laura Wiegert of Creative Consultants Suzi! Kudos to you for taking that first step and starting your own desktop publishing company! Now comes the nitty gritty essentials, such as developing a sizzling portfolio and getting new customers, which are key issues for any DTP company. Here are some tips from my DTP kitchen to yours -- hope they help you! Cooking Up a Scrumptious Portfolio Because your portfolio gives clients their first impression of your unique menu of the creative and production skills, you'll want to make sure it's arranged and organized well. From it, customers will browse your work and notice your range of industry experience. (If you specialize in a particular industry or production of a specific marketing piece, you may be well-served to create a special portfolio just for those types of customers.) Arrange your portfolio in distinct sections. For example, the portfolio I use for my DTP services features logos, newsletters, brochures, and direct mail pieces. In each section, there are two to four examples of quality pieces I've produced covering a broad spectrum of industries. A portfolio should give your work good representation, not only showing the diversity of materials you produce, but also the types of clients you've served. If you have such a special niche, consider developing a separate portfolio. For example, I have a separate portfolio for newsletters, which is one of my niches. This portfolio is arranged by employee newsletters and customer newsletters and contains many more samples of publications than in my general portfolio. Tips to Spice Up Your Start-up Portfolio Once you've decided how to arrange your portfolio, you'll have to figure out what items to feature in it. If you've already done DTP work, the decision's easy. Pick your best work based on the considerations above. However, if you're just starting out and don't have a large amount of creative material to choose from, consider the following ideas to help you whip up some winning portfolio pieces.
Getting Those First Customers Just by creating a brochure or newsletter to market your company and redesigning potential clients' existing brochures, you're already on your way to enticing those first clients to walk in your office. But adding more fuel to the fire won't hurt. Here are some hot-out-of-the oven tips for landing more clients.
Dessert Items to Tempt You If you'd like some additional resources on developing a portfolio and getting customers, check out the following books:
Best of luck to you, Suzi! Great Question! Laura
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