Comments on: Which Is Better? Grassroots Feel or Slick Presentation?

By: Beth Bates

Beth Bates — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:44:47 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more, Holly. I’d also throw in a little “taking pride in your work”. At the end of the day, you want to not only ensure that your customers are getting what they want/need, but you also want something that you can be proud of. And pride shows through in everything – print worksheets, websites, professional communication, etc. This is such a great discussion!

By: Holly

Holly — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:14:39 +0000

Hi Beth! Totally psyched that Office Hours spawned such a great conversation! It’s an interesting idea to kick around. For me, it brings up the 6 P’s of marketing. There are lots of different versions of the 6 P’s, but the one I was taught included Production. The idea being that you have to be able to deliver your product in a way that is satisfying to the consumer. For many nonprofits, that product is information, and we need to give it to folks in the way they want it. Most of your stakeholders don’t want poorly photocopied handouts. They want real publications with engaging color photos and well laid-out text. That might not be the case for every organization’s stakeholders, but I’d bet it’s generally true.

By: Beth Bates

Beth Bates — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:27:27 +0000

Great points, Sue. Thanks for the feedback!

By: Sue Cline

Sue Cline — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:36:43 +0000

Beth,

Great recap from today’s chat! If I may, let me offer a couple more tips?

Share your print budget with your graphics person and ask for creative ways to keep within that budget. A good graphics person will know that 3.5 x 5 cards print four on a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet vs just 3 for 4 x 6 cards.

Try to negotiate your printing based on your entire annual print budget and commit to staying with your printer for a one year contract. It’s ok to have a performance clause in the agreement, but you’re more likely to get donations down the road if one printer has regularly done business with you.

Don’t be afraid to ask your printer for a discount in exchange for using their logo on the printed materials – when I worked at Kinko’s we’d automatically give 20% off to non-profits and associations that helped spread the word for us. Printers hate marketing too.

Thanks again for a great chat today!