Are you publishing your first book? Congratulations! Would you like a road map to show you the book production process and outline each step to go from manuscript to a professional, printed book or ebook listed on Amazon? Over the years of designing books for independent publishers I’ve recognized first-time publishers could use a quick reference guide on time frames, tasks they are responsible for, and how to work with contractors such as editors, designers and printers. I created an easy-to-follow 10-page guide with checklists of action items, standard time frames, an overview of the design process, and where to obtain important items (such as ISBN…
You meet someone who could hire you for your expertise and services. In the spirit of getting to know you, that decision-maker asks, “What do you speak about?” or “How do you help organizations?” or “Which groups have you worked with?” These questions become your opening to convey how you assist people and why you’re the one experienced to do so. That’s exactly what a speaker one-sheet does, too. To convey that you’re a “must-have” expert, your speaker one-sheet needs to be written and designed effectively. Your Speaker One-Sheet Answers Key Questions Your speaker one-sheet, in effect, succinctly answers these…
“Digital printing” can be a confusing term because the word “digital” is often used in different ways. To clarify its use when printing your marketing materials, let me point out the difference between a digital and offset printer, a traditional offset press, and a direct imaging offset press. Take special note of the pricing examples below to help demystify beliefs about digital printing. Then decide for yourself which option is most cost-effective for your projects. Traditional Offset Presses Traditional offset printing uses a plate for each color on the press. Today, most plates are imaged from computer files, but in the…
My team just finished creating a website and book cover brand for our new client: author and speaker Bill Young. The portfolio samples and case study below show you how we created his new brand and worked together to keep the graphics consistent throughout his website, 2 book covers, CD label and stationery items. An accomplished business and community leader Bill Young has created and sold businesses, is spearheading efforts to raise millions of dollars to fund a healthcare start-up company, and has led teams of volunteers to raise millions for Denver-based charities. Given his expertise in raising funds for non-profit organizations and start-up…
The first impression a business often makes with prospective clients or customers comes from the written word. Your company can lose credibility by having just one typo in the volumes of words it sends out. Here’s how to improve your proofreading skills so you can improve the quality of your written or printed communications. Therefore, to minimize mistakes, be sure to proofread everything that gets written in your office—and this includes email. Use a guide to help you methodically check for errors. Avoid proofing your own copy in the final stages because it’s easy to become too familiar with it. If…
Using the proper file formats for internet and print can mean the difference between a having a professional-looking printed document and one that looks blurry or is missing graphics. Graphic file formats for the Internet and offset printing are totally different animals. Do not interchange them! Graphics for the Internet Low-resolution raster graphics are used on the Internet. These graphics are made up of thousands of pixels (squares of color). Internet browsers will read JPG and GIF graphics, which are best scanned or sized at 72 PPI (pixels per inch). Because of the limits of screen resolution, anything greater will…