ER - Your SS# on Mailing Labels - Emergency Room

A few weeks back, a State of Wisconsin tax mailing to certain
residents included their Social Security number on the label on the
outside of the envelope. Apparently this is the second time such a
thing has happened. Not a good thing. Another example of cutting
corners by some institution we like to imagine is looking after our
welfare.

We may look at it and call it an employee problem, a failure of
training, or of supervision. Yes, these problems could be systemic.

Finally, we think it's a problem with proofreading.

Label - EmergencyRoom

ER - I'm a EZ Girl - Emergency Room

The bar that sponsors the bowling league is called the End Zone.

On my niece's bowling shirt it says: "I'm a EZ Girl".

She wants to take a marker and put an 'n' after the 'a'.

I am AN EZ Girl. I am AN End Zone Girl.

Except that that might be calling too much attention to the deal.

She thinks they got the shirts for free because of the error.
I think they got the shirts for free because that's what sponsors do
in order to have a bunch of people wear silly slogans on their bodies.

I asked her to send me a jpg so I could show you, dear reader.

"The worst part of it is," she says, "not only do people think I'm
easy, but that I'm stupid, too."

Well, that's what the doctor is here for; listening, taking notes, writing prescriptions. Not that this will help the shirt. But that's why we're in the Emergency Room.

Seek good editing & proofing before it's too late.

ER - Sioux Fall, SD - Emergency Room

I was out at the first luncheon meeting of ABLE South yesterday.
ABLE is the acronym for Active Business Leads Exchange and South
means the southern suburbs of Milwaukee area.

I met a young gal there in graphic design and supporting services who
was representing the third branch office of a North Dakota firm.
She'd forgotten her business cards but followed up quickly with an
email with her contact information.

I went immediately to the website and saw that their South Dakota
Branch office has an address in Sioux Fall, SD 57109

Of all the waterfalls in the world I'd never encountered a singular
fall.

I wrote her back and said I think Sioux Falls, with a 's', is what is
needed. These things are easy to overlook.
I know I've spelled Milwaukee wrong on more than one occasion.

I told her I'd be very happy to proof and edit something for her firm
as a get-to-know-you gift.
The fine print says that I read your copy and make verbal edits over the
phone. It's about a half hour of time and it shows you any problems in your message.

You could take me up on such an offer, too. The Doctor will see you now.

Fifteen Professional Minutes - A great deal

Fifteen minutes of Designer/Photographer time to use for yourself.

Click above for a larger jpg image, or
click for a PDF of the above image.

Go here to see some of the fine work George Lottermoser is doing.
http://www.imagist.com/blog/

Timing Your Offers

Making an explicit offer at the close of a presentation, direct mail
piece, or networking opportunity, in order to get a meeting or get
closer to a sale, is something that escapes many of us.

At least, that's according to Robert Middleton in his email
newsletter and on his blog.
And you know, there's a ring of truth to that.

I don't have much more to say at the moment. I'm working on my offers.

You can read it for yourself at

www.actionplan.blogs.com
The date you'll be looking for 1/14/08.

Case Study: Before and After

Another Case Study.

BEFORE

________________

David,
I'm sending out a brief and simple email to my existing client base
in the hope of getting some conversations started re: 08 business.
I don't want to belabor the thing. ...

Here's what I have:
-------------------------------
Dear

In the spirit of mutual prosperity,
and planning for 2008,
I'd like to begin a conversation regarding
your web site and other promotion plans for 2008.

As several clients have expressed
an interest in video on their web sites,
we've added video production and editing capability.
We're delighted to have two video projects in the works right now.

Hoping we can help you accomplish
your promotion and information goals,
with the best value in photography,
videography, illustration and
graphic design for either print and web,
during 2008.
-----------------------------------------

Any recommended prescriptions, therapies, etc. would be appreciated.

###

And here's what I sent him ....

AFTER

Dear

In the spirit of planning and mutual prosperity for 2008, I'd like to begin a conversation with you regarding your web site and other promotional plans.

As several clients have expressed an interest in video on their web sites, we've added video production and editing capability. We're delighted to have two video projects in the works right now.

I'm hoping we can help you accomplish your promotion and information goals, with the best value in photography, videography, illustration and graphic design for either print and web, during this new year.

Call me when you get a minute. I'd like to see you again. We'll have coffee.

---

Generally the client was pleased with this until the subject of
Timing Your Offers came up. However, he didn't get an immediate response. Part of the equation has to do with the level of relationship with his existing client base.

ER - Short List - Emergency Room

Stuff like this pops out at me and I feel some need to comment on it. Also, truth be told, some small joy, as well.

• The sign on the pyschologist's door has psychology misspelled.

• I go to get a logo off a guy's 8-page website and on 6 pages his email address has a typo in the domain name. "No wonder I'm not hearing from anyone," he says after I tell him.

• In late 2007, a national hotel had a flyer to meet Santa, have brunch, etc. Herring and omelette were misspelled and, in the dates and times, the year was listed as 2008. Not that it was a herring omelette, but being in too much of a hurry to use the spell-check up in the offices makes me wonder if they’re short staffed in the kitchen. A side note: too many non-corporate fonts at use in the name. Ho, Ho, Ho.

• Around these parts a middle eastern grocery probably does not have to worry too much about competition, but I wonder why they don’t demand to have their business name spelled right on at least two of their signs. Holy Land and Holyland. Before they moved to their new location the delivery truck was lettered: Holly Land. Next time I go in I’ll pick up a business card. I wonder what it says. And, each one of these ‘designs’ uses different fonts and color combinations.

• I know. I know. I’ve spelled Milwaukee wrong, too. That’s why I have a Find-a-Typo Contest from time to time.

It takes so little attention to alleviate these problems. I don't know if calling this area the Emergency Room is actually appropriate. Perhaps we're doing a post-mortem in the morgue.

Artist's Statement - Shelby Keefe

Shelby, a contemporary impressionistic painter, needed some editing
on her artist's statement. She paints and I see myself in her work. I
can't wait until I have some on my walls.

http://studioshelby.com/

Here are the two edits I wrote for her based on the material she prepared.

#1
Artist Statement - Shelby Keefe

Architectural "Impressionist" Painter
After 30 years, I still get the most pleasure out of painting
architectural landscapes whether it be urban, rural or a small town
setting. I use my own photographs as reference as well as painting
from life "en plein air". I intend to put the viewer in the scene;
transport them to the location and transform their mood in a positive
way through color, light and composition. My work is representational
but freely rendered; capturing reflections and unique light
situations by allowing the paint to do the talking. I feel that a
work of art has a lasting impression and a longer "wall life" if the
viewer's imagination is required to fill in the details rather than
spelling everything out in very careful detail.

Teacher & Performance Artist
I am committed to furthering my growth as an artist and sharing my
vision and techniques with the larger community. I teach that making
art, being around art, and thinking creatively is essential for human
fulfillment and quality of life. I believe that all people have
creativity within no matter what their experience with art-making. My
contribution as a teacher involves direct and individualized
instruction to all levels of experience with some focus on doing
painting demonstrations and "performance art".

I recently integrated my expertise as a painter and my mission to
demystify the painting process by doing 20-minute painting
performances. The resulting spontaneous works, painted to music, are
extremely loose, authentic expressions of a variety of subjects. This
process is usually highly entertaining to audiences of all ages and
gives me the utmost satisfaction. I will continue to explore this
intuitive process more deeply and widely in the coming years.
________________________

#2

Artist Statement - Shelby Keefe

Architectural "Impressionist" Painter
After 30 years, I still get the most pleasure out of painting
architectural landscapes whether it be urban, rural or a small town
setting. I use my own photographs as reference as well as painting
from life "en plein air". I intend to put you, the viewer, in the
scene; transport you to the location and transform your mood in a
positive way through color, light and composition. My work is
representational but freely rendered; capturing reflections and
unique light situations by allowing the paint to do the talking.
I feel that a work of art has a lasting impression and a longer "wall
life" if your imagination is required to fill in the details rather
than spelling everything out in very careful detail.

Teacher & Performance Artist
I am committed to furthering my growth as an artist and sharing my
vision and techniques with the larger community. I teach that making
art, being around art, and thinking creatively is essential for human
fulfillment and quality of life. I believe that all people have
creativity within no matter what their experience with art-making. My
contribution as a teacher involves direct and individualized
instruction to all levels of experience with some focus on doing
painting demonstrations and "performance art".

I recently integrated my expertise as a painter and my mission to
demystify the painting process by doing 20-minute painting
performances. The resulting spontaneous works, painted to music, are
extremely loose, authentic expressions of a variety of subjects. This
process is usually highly entertaining to audiences of all ages and
gives me the utmost satisfaction. I will continue to explore this
intuitive process more deeply and widely in the coming years.

Velocity Direct Marketing

Gil and Gail purchased an existing telemarketing firm and needed their first brochure for the trade show. We talked our way through the language and they handled the layout and printing.

TEXT

=====

(spread across inside panels - top left)

Your Custom Voice Connection ...

(bottom right)

... can bring you face to face.

Business-to-business teleprospecting is a necessary component of a successful marketing program. Velocity Direct Marketing is a team, seasoned in improving customer awareness, obtaining desired information and scheduling face-to face appointments with qualified potential customers. This process provides you with the opportunity to build strong customer relationships and increase your sales to their highest potential.

HOW IT WORKS

You set aside blocks of time and we fill those time slots. For instance, if you would like one or two appointments per morning, three days a week, or one appointment per afternoon five days a week, we aim to match your schedule. Then, we let you know with whom and when, the appointments are.

We get you through the gatekeepers. You get appointments with, and leads to the person who makes the sign buying decisions.

Qualified potential customers have an immediate or future need for your products and services. They buy what you provide. You meet with them and bring yourself to the table.

With your customized script, we conduct the call in the same manner as you would, if you were making the calls. The difference is, you're not spending time on the phone, up dating the calling list and keeping track of that number you wrote on a scrap piece of paper. When we can't reach a contact, we leave a message and call back later, or as often as needed. We do this everyday, during prime calling times, giving you the time to do what you do best!

WHO WE ARE

Velocity Direct Marketing is a seven year old team seasoned in setting appointments that you want to keep. We know the sign business.

We know your best prospects.

We know your best customers.

And we set your appointments.

We are particularly experienced with new franchisees and are a good fit for continued growth in established stores.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Teleprospecting Consultation and Development

* Script Preparation

* Call List Generation

* Target Market Identification

• Appointment Setting

• Direct Mail Follow-Up

• Seminar and Trade Show Follow-Up

• Database Integrity and Development

* Contact Verification

• Lead Tracking

• Customer Relationship Management

• Customer Satisfaction & Quality Control Surveys

• Price Comparison Shopping

_________________________________________

Customer provided logo, stock photos, clip art and a panel of testimonials.

Project Voice

I met Jim Barrett at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast after I'd announced the availability of some pro bono time.

During his volunteer work with Easter Seals patients he had designed a new keyboard that would allow them to communicate much more easily. He needed sponsors, seed money, something to get the prototype out of design and into development.

And in order to get that started he needed a brochure. And a logo. We sat down, talked it out and I helped him get started.

I wrote the brochure, laid it out, designed a logo and gave him a PDF on disk. He was then free to print what he needed as he went along.

I gave a little time to someone who was giving a little time.

Here's the text I wrote for the initial brochure.

==============================

(brochure front panel)

Imagine this.

You think. You feel. You move.

And you are unable to speak.

(logo)

Inside 1st column

Project Voice

What we mean ....

Some people with disabilities are confined to wheelchairs. In some

cases, cerebral palsy being one of them, the ability to speak is

lost over time.

Steven Hawking, the celebrated physicist, is one of those people.

The computer technology that helps him educate and communicate to

us what he understands about the universe is not priced out of

this world.

While talking books and talking boards can be cost prohibitive for

personal ownership, inexpensive labs can be set up using recycled

computers and a bit of ingenuity.

That we can do. There is much work ahead of us and much of it is

beyond our particular expertise.

And so, we need your help!

(Inside 2nd column)

Project Voice

What you can do immediately ....

• Raise Your Voice! Help get the word out. Talk to people you

know. Get the idea juice flowing.

• We need Financial Expertise and help administering donations.

• Underwriters: Help secure 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

• General Legal, Patent & Copyright

• PR/Media assistance

• Videographer or photographer to document the conversion process.

• Tech writer to document the conversion process.

• We need you to help think of things we need that we don't yet

know we need.

We appeal to you, what else do we need?

(Inside 3rd column)

Project Voice

What we intend ....

We intend to make assistive communication technology more

affordable.

We intend to show how to set up computer labs for those in group

homes and day centers.

We intend to create a hardware list of new and used equipment that

is most and least desired.

We intend to document the process of converting recycled computers

so that others might follow our lead.

And, what else do we intend? If you're interested just call. We'll

put you on an update list.

Who knows what your rewards will be? Our rewards will be more and

better conversations with our friends. And we will all know we've

made a difference in someone's life.

The back panels consisted of a letter written by Mr. Barrett.

If you'd like to get in touch with Jim Barrett. let me know and I'll give him a ring.

TDL Electronics

People don't think of calling Tom until they're broke down. As a
matter of fact, that's his motto: "You break it. We fix it."

Whether repairing a high-school football scoreboard, the digital
display at a gas station, the back-stop on an industrial paper cutter
or a conveyor belt at the duck farm, Tom goes where the current calls
him. Often times these days, problems that look mechanical in nature
turn out to be electronic.

Tom, of TDL Electronics, was looking for a new client or two to round
out his customer base. We defined the equipment he enjoyed working on
(Bobst and MAN Roland) and the range he was willing to travel. We
spelled out the possibility of a mailing list database, some simple
mailings and possibly a blog, or other compilation, of his war
stories. Testimonials, as it were.

And, over the course of our conversations, a new client appeared with
some desperately needed maintenance on their industrial sewing
machines. He was able to repair, upgrade the design with readily
available parts and provide documentation. A winning relationship.

I didn't actually write any materials for him. The brainstorming was
enough to clear the skies. Sometimes that's all it takes.

Call Tom Leitschuh, a trouble-shooters troubleshooter.
Timely. Dependable. 'Lectronical.

www.TDLelectronics.com

Tell him Dr. Dave sent you.