I was hired to design and have printed 400 invitations for a business open house today. I thought it was going to be easy, but to match the style the business had already established proved to be harder than expected. I’m used to curvy lines, modern colors, and even designing my own logos, so to be given certain colors, shapes, and logos was a new twist. You’d think having the choices already made for you would make the design process easier, but I really struggled to make a cohesive look. In the end, after many many drafts, we got what we were looking for, though. I feel like I might not have been worth what I was paid, though – I had to have a lot of direction with the design. I did learn quite a bit about designing around specific logos, though, and will take those lessons with me the next time I’m hired by a business.

I also learned today how not to market to photographers.  For the past week, I’ve sent maybe 100 e-mails to various photographers offering them a link exchange and discount for clients.  I got a great response – maybe 20 people asked for samples and want to share links.  Today, my e-mail included my phone number – I thought that maybe it would add a more realistic, personal touch (i HAD learned the other day that people want to meet and be personal, after all).  Negative.  I only got 2 responses today out of my 20-30 e-mails out.  They were all to other states – my theory is that the 303 area code scared them off.  Local to local businesses seem more appealing to people for some reason – as is evidenced by today’s response, anyhow.  I will leave off the phone number tomorrow and see if it really makes a difference or if I just had bad luck today.