Replies

1. 
   PaulBinCT | May 05, 2004 01:19am | #1

   Although I'm not currently in the same field David, I do a lotttttttt of marketing for my current business (a large commercial film lab) and in my experience nowadays you have to have both a printed portfolio or brochure and a website.  We get an amazing amount of new clients from our site, as well as existing clients that refer to it offhours for information.  But in face to face dealings, nothing beats putting a printed piece in their hands.  And when you sit down to make your pitch a good portfolio (I'd strongly advise a professional photographer and high end prints in a well made professionally bound portfolio) makes a great impression and is a lot more convenient to pass back and forth than any computer... IMHO of course

   Paul

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 05, 2004 03:40am | #2

   Well, then you'll relate to part of the reason for my question. Over the years I've had a lot of jobs shot professionally, but for reasons I won't go into I need new prints of most of those images if I'm going to take them around in a print portfolio. The cost of 8x10 prints from 4x5 transparencies is fairly steep, so the thought of running enough of them to make a decent-sized book got me thinking about whether or not I'd rather just spend that money on a web designer. My wife is in favor of the web and a small print book. A brochure is a good idea... hadn't thought of that.

   How long before you figure you're not running film or wet prints anymore?

1. 
   FastEddie1 | May 05, 2004 03:50am | #3

   I have a web site, and I plan to put together a scrapbook/portfolio.  I don't see a reason to have a brochure to hand out to clients...that's what the web page is for.  The portfolio is good for the meetings, and when you're gone they can access the web and re-visit your projects.  A brochure is nice but static...once you get 1000 printed, any changes will be costly.

   One of the posters here did my web site, and I am happy with the results.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 05, 2004 03:58am | #4

   I'd like to take a look--what's your link?

   Also, do people find you thru the site or do you refer them to it so they can see your work?

1. 
   FastEddie1 | May 05, 2004 04:12am | #5

   All my work has been referral, so the web may be an unnecessary expense.  But I like it anyway.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

2. 
   PaulBinCT | May 05, 2004 03:12pm | #10

   Well, as I've mentioned I'm planning to change careers into building so personally I may not be in this business much longer but I think "wet" photography will still be around for quite a while David.  FWIW, I'd suggest you think of the cost of getting prints from your 4x5s in much the same way you think about a good quality tool.  Get the best you can afford, even if the quantity is smaller, and take care of them, they will last many years.  We deal with literally two of the worold's most famous architects and I can tell you that they still use well done printed work as a marketing tool. If I can help in any way, please let me know, it would be nice to return the help I've received from this board in some way.

   Paul

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 05, 2004 04:00pm | #11

   My usual source for ilfochromes is $23 per 8x10, so I have to stop and think a second before sending off a bunch of stuff to print.

1. 
   PaulBinCT | May 05, 2004 04:14pm | #12

   That's an average price for those, assuming they are hand made custom prints.  If you're doing multiple copies you may want to consider doing 4x5 internegs and custom Cprints as the price drops much more rapidly as a rule.  We actually got out of Ilfochrome some years ago as the interneg/Cprint process evolved so much, and is oftentimes actually nicer looking, especially on high contrast images (all the self masking stuff aside).

   Paul

2. 
   Isamemon | May 05, 2004 04:24pm | #13

   I do both ir all three, bochure, portfolio and we are rewoking our website. ALl work for different peolple. But if you are sitting insomeones house you cant say lets go turn on your computer and take a lookl. and as someone mentioned it gives you things to talk about and discuss quality, it is two way. A web site is one way, a poor web site is not a help either. Brochures are like big business cards. Quick eminder of what you do and all the web phones and contact info tht does not fit on a card well

   Pictures, now images. INvest in a newer 4 or greater megapixel ( hey if you laready send 23 a picture wont take long to pay for.

   Decent printer will print up to 8x10 that you can not tell the difference especially i a drag arund portflio. Want pur photo quality take the hard disc to a good copy center. they can print a 8x10 on real photo paoer for undr 6, or take it to a real photo developing place and they can blow it up without distoration. The trick is mega pixels.

   josh

2. 
   CloudHidden | May 05, 2004 04:31am | #6

   Every client except one has been internet savvy. And his son was. Anything printed would be a waste for me. But we tend to get early adopters as a rule, so it makes sense they'd be up on technology, too. And they like to read and research more than I'd wanna handle all in face-to-face meetings. So I go web only. My only suggestion, if you do that, is to have your own domain. Just posting pix on Yahoo or similar, or in the personal space of your ISP, is not as polished as a custom domain.

1. 
   davidmeiland | May 05, 2004 04:55am | #7

   Definitely.... I have the domain name, email goes thru it, etc. It's got to be something that people can read off the side of your truck and remember.

3. 
   RenaissanceRestorations | May 05, 2004 05:03am | #8

   Have both a portfolio I keep in the van, and a web site.  Over the past 3 years, I've found most of the restoration projects I've undertaken are a result of the portfolio.  Even in this age of "internet in every home", people either don't want to look at a web site, or are not that internet savy.

   Joe

   Renaissance Restorations - Victorian Home Restoration Services

   http://www.renaissancerestorations.com

4. 
   Piffin | May 05, 2004 05:22am | #9

   I like the portfolio thing because I take it with me into the home and visit face to face. Ther is discussion that proceeds from the photos displayed.

   in addition to beginning to do my pitch, I am also "interviewing" them and getting a sense of whether I want to work with them or not. The communications have begun already.

   Wioth the web presentation, the communication is one way.

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
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   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   BillHartmann | May 05, 2004 04:42pm | #14

   I agree.

   As a potentional client I would use a website to qualify the contractor. Do they do work of the type and scale that I an interested in. For example if wanting modest of kitchen redo for say $25,000 and only see jobs on the web site that where complete gut, add on, and high end appliance that START at $100k then I am not going to be calling them. And the same if I am look for $100k kitchen and all I see on the web site is low cost make overs.

   But there ain't no way in h*ll that I would sign a contract based on what is on the web site.

   The portfolio is where the job will be sold and "designed". There you have a 2 way interaction and the contractor can explain the options and quickly go from one picture to an other to show different features that might be combined for this job and how different problems where solved.

   And this is the place that the client can see if the contractor knows where he is talking about or not. The web site could be a complete phony.

5. 
   jpainter | May 05, 2004 05:05pm | #15

   David:

   I'm the marketing guy for my company.  Here is my two cents.  First, no matter what media you use, you must have a design and a message that is consistent and that is repeated in each media.  That means the same logo, many of the same pictures, and much of the same language in each of your presentations.  In the year 2004 you must have a website, period.  It does not need to be flashy or big, but it does need to be. 

   Here is an example.  An architect recently did me a favor of translating my drawings into "real" sealed drawings for presentation to the town.  In return, I designed a small website and some sales sheets for him.  He is not at all technical, so the website is simple and generic enough so that it does not need constant attention:

   http://www.barryginsberg.com

   (The website will have many more pictures in the portfolio once he gets the photographs to me to scan.)  The sales sheets I made for him have the same look and feel and a lot of the same language in them.  This reinforces the marketing message to the customer and gives them a warm fuzzy.  The message seems reassuring and familiar to the customer because it appears in multiple media.  Individual sales sheets or tri-fold mailers can be produced VERY cheaply on today's color printers in small quantities.  I would recommend using a website and sales sheets on your customers first, and bringing out a photo album only when you are sitting on their couch talking about contract or design details. If you are a professional, then present a professional image.  Like it or not, perception is reality when it comes to marketing your business.

   J Painter

1. 
   WorkshopJon | May 05, 2004 06:03pm | #16

   "In the year 2004 you must have a website, period.  It does not need to be flashy or big, but it does need to be."

   JP,

   ABSOLUTELY correct.  Only adding here.  If one has neither the time or budget for what you would like to build into your web site "some day", DON'T create a half a$$, dead link "this page is under construction" type of site.

   Just like you need a yellow page add, for a web site, say what you do, include a graphic of some kind, and contact info.  That's the minimum.  When the resources allow, replace it all with something better.

   Oh, and while broadband is still not widely adopted, design your "future" site for it. This does not apply to your home page however.  That should be simple and load quick.

   Jon

1. 
   jonblakemore | May 05, 2004 11:35pm | #17

   Jon,

   "Under Construction"

   I should add this to the "pet peeve" thread for me. Whenever I see a dead link I leave with the taste of sour grapes. An employer from the past has had a website for 5 years, with 2/3's of his links "under construction".

   Maybe I read too much into it, but I think it exhibits lack of drive, organization, and a sense of polish. 

   Jon Blakemore