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-   -   In a crunch & need an idea brainstorm today or sooner! (Thanks!) (http://www.sowpub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4216)

Bea July 31, 2007 10:26 AM

In a crunch & need an idea brainstorm today or sooner! (Thanks!)
 
Hi, everyone! :)

I am wanting to do a publication in a city that I can sell ads on. I want to use only black ink, as that is the cheapest right now that I have found.

I am leaning towards a welcome guide to the city. (Course, I want to do it cheap, but not LOOK cheap! :D

I have two challenges with this:

A) that I need a cover design that doesn't look B-O-R-I-N-G done in Black & White (or black ink with Grey or pink paper)

B) Secondly is the fold & layout...I did a restaurant guide before that was on 8.5 x 11 grey thicker-style paper, but nice b/c it stood up...goal was to have menu on 3/4 of the page,then a coupon at the bottom, but it just didn't seem like it was ever enough room to really make the menu part look nice, as each restaurant only had a 4 x 10 space the way it was folded.

Anyway...I am open to ideas. (I went to google images & saw a few interesting things there done only in black, but it IS a challenge and I'm open to ideas on both design & basic concept.

I know I'm in the right place for ideas! :)

Thanks, everyone!

~Bea

Sandi Bowman July 31, 2007 11:13 AM

Re: In a crunch & need an idea brainstorm today or sooner! (Thanks!)
 
You don't say what kind of publication other than it will have ads for sale on it. The combo you use and the appearance should mesh with the purpose.

Here's an idea for you that has worked well for many budget-minded folks. Use a light beige paper with the black. It really stands out and looks quite nice. Make sure it is a clear, not muddy, beige and use a heavier than standard paper weight.

Whatever you do, do NOT put a black border around it as that signifies death to many folks. Frankly, I'd spring for the little bit extra (if any...some printers just charge for a single color regardless because the setup and washup is the same) and use a brown tone ink. Not a really dark brown so it doesn't look blackish. A good printer will guide you.

If you go the brown on light beiege, then you could screen the header box background to make it stand out. The black won't look well screened as it will wash out to grey...which would be okay if you used a very light grey paper. Still, it's not as classy as the other choices.

Sandi Bowman

MMacGillivray July 31, 2007 11:28 AM

Re: In a crunch & need an idea brainstorm today or sooner! (Thanks!)
 
Bea - to get a choice of photos that you might use - try www.sxc.hu - beware the conditions imposed by individual photographers as all their work is copyright.

Margaret

Bea July 31, 2007 11:34 AM

Re: In a crunch & need an idea brainstorm today or sooner! (Thanks!)
 
Thank you, Sandi!
Those are very good ideas!

On the publication type, I just meant I am open to ideas on that, too, but I am *thinking* of making it a Welcome to Our City Guide book. Just something not too large that I can go into a city & do it all within 7-10 days, then put it out thru the chamber for new move-in inquiries.

I am not totally sold on the Welcome book, though, & so that is what I meant by I'm open to ideas on that, too. I'm trying to help out with a certain pressig bill, though, so I would like to make up my mind the sooner the better.

Thanks!
Bea :)

Glenn July 31, 2007 12:10 PM

You Might Do Your *Welcome to Our City Guide* inside Cabs
 
Dear Bea,

Thanks.

A photographer friend visiting Las Vegas noticed many of their cabs now have a TV monitor in the back seat.

Print ads.

Plus photos.

Restaurant Guides.

And short videos are rotated thru to a captive audience.

He went back to Ohio.
Convinced a local cab company owner to do the same.
Got the rights to photograph and create and sell ads on the Taxi Cab Ad Screens!

Perfect for you to do a *Welcome to Our City Guide*
because of the 1000's of tourists and visitors
coming into the city from the airports.

I'm told that this concept has spread all across the USA. Check your local cab companies.

Glenn

P.S. - The benefit of doing digital testing. Is you don't have to decide UP-front what color paper or ink or format will work. You can TRY OUT 2 dozen ideas in a week or two. And let your prospects TELL YOU what format they like - when they vote with their wallets.

GordonJ July 31, 2007 01:41 PM

Bea, a ONE time deal?
 
2 Attachment(s)
Here are some ideas for you.

Yesterday I bought a card from a kid who knocked on the door. Paid 10 bux for to "help" the local football teams.

On the back are discounts. You can see them below.

Here are some links to IDEAS for you to consider. Similar to what I bought.

http://www.easy-fundraising-ideas.co...raising-cards/

http://www.member-cards.com/INDEX.htm

IF you are in a hurry, you can go back to the FLYER that is distributed, charge a per house rate...and in your 7-10 days, you can or hire some kids to pass them out. Pizza shops do this every week around here.

ONgoing programs like Coffee News could work too. Although I wouldn't invest in a franchise, we have several similar publications.

http://www.coffeenews.org/new/index.htm

Twist this to a "Waiting Room" newspaper with ads. Barber shops, beauty salons, tire and oil change places, doctor's office etc. I think Pete or maybe it's Skip...have a report on this...sign in please Pete or Skip...

The thing about a fundraising program is there are ALWAYS groups looking for ways to raise money...so the cards and discount programs are good for that.

Here are some templates to look at, maybe you'll get a good idea from them.

http://www.laughablenews.com/start-a...FRe9Igodyh8QZg


And let's not forget that Jimmy Krug did a million bux with his little BOOKLETS too. Or course Paulette Ensign did OK with hers too. Consider these also.

OK Bea, you wanted IDEAS, you got some.

Gordon

PS. Here is a link to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal.

http://www.ohio.com/business/8793472.html

We are a HOTBED for foreclosures (any investors?)...and if you read the story, here is what caught my eye:

According to county officials, there is no formal processto view the property before the sale. Some purchasers inquire about the property with neighbors and others contact utility companies about rates and usage before bidding.

‘‘The key is being able to check out the home first so you feel more comfortable bidding on it,‘‘ Amos said. ‘‘It's a lot easier bidding on something you've at least seen on the outside and know what neighborhood it‘s in.‘‘

It appears to me that a local HOTSHEET might help these people out. And maybe a bank or two, or RE company would want to PAY for the privledge of giving these people some help.

Rod Carr July 31, 2007 03:04 PM

Re: In a crunch & need an idea brainstorm today or sooner! (Thanks!)
 
Bea,

One idea that looks promising to me is a take an existing city Blockwatch newsletter and to spruce it up and turn it into an advertising supported Blockwatch & Home Safety newsletter.

The main advantages that I see are:

1) Existing distribution - most every neighborhood in my city has a blockwatch captain that goes door-to-door, and in some cases corner store-to-store to drop 'em off. And have for quite awhile.

2) Ugly design - every issue is obviously done as cheaply as possible, and I think if you can cut through the bureaucracy, cities should look favorably upon the idea of distributing one that more people will read and benefit from.

3) Ad prospects - when you get into home safety there is an endless amount of helpful to life-saving products and topics to present.

I put this one on hold but am gonna take another shot at it.

Cheers,

Rod

bobmcalister July 31, 2007 04:56 PM

Re: Bea, a ONE time deal? dno ...couldnt cancel?
 
g

bobmcalister July 31, 2007 04:59 PM

Re: Bea, a ONE time deal?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by GordonJ (Post 16381)
Here are some ideas for you.

Yesterday I bought a card from a kid who knocked on the door. Paid 10 bux for to "help" the local football teams.

On the back are discounts. You can see them below.

Here are some links to IDEAS for you to consider. Similar to what I bought.

http://www.easy-fundraising-ideas.co...raising-cards/

http://www.member-cards.com/INDEX.htm

IF you are in a hurry, you can go back to the FLYER that is distributed, charge a per house rate...and in your 7-10 days, you can or hire some kids to pass them out. Pizza shops do this every week around here.

ONgoing programs like Coffee News could work too. Although I wouldn't invest in a franchise, we have several similar publications.

http://www.coffeenews.org/new/index.htm

Twist this to a "Waiting Room" newspaper with ads. Barber shops, beauty salons, tire and oil change places, doctor's office etc. I think Pete or maybe it's Skip...have a report on this...sign in please Pete or Skip...

The thing about a fundraising program is there are ALWAYS groups looking for ways to raise money...so the cards and discount programs are good for that.

Here are some templates to look at, maybe you'll get a good idea from them.

http://www.laughablenews.com/start-a...FRe9Igodyh8QZg


And let's not forget that Jimmy Krug did a million bux with his little BOOKLETS too. Or course Paulette Ensign did OK with hers too. Consider these also.

OK Bea, you wanted IDEAS, you got some.

Gordon

PS. Here is a link to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal.

http://www.ohio.com/business/8793472.html

We are a HOTBED for foreclosures (any investors?)...and if you read the story, here is what caught my eye:

According to county officials, there is no formal processto view the property before the sale. Some purchasers inquire about the property with neighbors and others contact utility companies about rates and usage before bidding.

‘‘The key is being able to check out the home first so you feel more comfortable bidding on it,‘‘ Amos said. ‘‘It's a lot easier bidding on something you've at least seen on the outside and know what neighborhood it‘s in.‘‘

It appears to me that a local HOTSHEET might help these people out. And maybe a bank or two, or RE company would want to PAY for the privledge of giving these people some help.


man...that is a great idea ....we have to be licensed in this state of confusion to do home inspections tho ....but ...a checklist would be great idea....just need to find out WHO would buy it ...

the banks want to move these quickly ....the inspectors inspect, the 'preservation contractors' repair it to hud or ginne mae minimums...( for outrageous sums, by the way )....and then HUD, FannieMae., or whatever taxpayer supported Gurantor underwrote the loan package...anyway, these people end up with the property ...

then...instead of giving em away for a reasonable price, they close em up and wait for the market to change...meanwhile, the neighborhood deteriorates
///bringing down the values of ALL the houses....

finally , the house will be in such poor condition, that the local community will condemn it ....and then ....someone buys it for a song....puts some little bit in it ..and puts in on the market for an outrageous price....an aggressive appraisor gives it a high value, the mortgage underwriter uses creative accounting, the loan is given to people who cannot even afford a 5% down payment...

and the cycle continues...

some of the higher valued neighborhoods around here are helping people avoid foreclosure within the community ...not entirely out of charity , but as means to avoid the contagion of the mortagage industry and those associated with it ...

anyway ...a hotsheet would be HOT , if anyone could suggest how toget in the right market ...

thanks

Bea August 1, 2007 09:08 AM

Re: In a crunch & need an idea brainstorm today or sooner! (Thanks!)
 
Those are GREAT ideas, guys!

Yes, I do remember the pizza deal, with the coupons...I think it'd be perfect! I put together a coupon book before, but my huge mistake was putting it together in the market of the Entertainment Book! ~lol~ We live & we learn!

Fantastic ideas, thanks for the help there. I think we're settled now, betweene these two threads I have running!

Thanks, everyone!

Bea :)


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