Comments on: A Revenue Stream: Making Flyers and Brochures http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/ Tips and Techniques for Real Estate Photography Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:52:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Evan http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5221 Evan Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:39:55 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5221 Larry great discussion and thank you for this undoubtedly priceless site! Denise you did a great job with what little Design experience you have, keep up the good work. Seems everyone here has a lot of great ideas and points. Regardless of what programs individually we choose to use, one of the single most important elements of bad to great design is typography. Poor typography selection can kill any design. With this said, as a Designer and Photographer I would strongly suggest understanding the difference between serif and san serif along with all other elements of design and type if your truly wish to create nice work, vs just making a few extra dollars? Once you have type under your belt, elements of design and layout are much easier. I suggest do your research. Whatever one's level, take some courses! There're countless courses online, at nearby community colleges or adult schools. A great free education once learning and understanding type's important elements are the news stands. There are countless Architecture and Home magazines with great layouts and type design you can learn from? Whatever the source, like anything else educate yourself. For first impressions can make or break you with 1 to 100 potential clients? Thank you all for sharing your insight and experiences. Wishing you all great success in 2008! Larry great discussion and thank you for this undoubtedly priceless site! Denise you did a great job with what little Design experience you have, keep up the good work. Seems everyone here has a lot of great ideas and points.

Regardless of what programs individually we choose to use, one of the single most important elements of bad to great design is typography. Poor typography selection can kill any design. With this said, as a Designer and Photographer I would strongly suggest understanding the difference between serif and san serif along with all other elements of design and type if your truly wish to create nice work, vs just making a few extra dollars? Once you have type under your belt, elements of design and layout are much easier.

I suggest do your research. Whatever one’s level, take some courses! There’re countless courses online, at nearby community colleges or adult schools. A great free education once learning and understanding type’s important elements are the news stands. There are countless Architecture and Home magazines with great layouts and type design you can learn from?

Whatever the source, like anything else educate yourself. For first impressions can make or break you with 1 to 100 potential clients? Thank you all for sharing your insight and experiences. Wishing you all great success in 2008!

]]> By: Photography For Real Estate » A Real Graphics Designer Responds To My Flyer Design http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5148 Photography For Real Estate » A Real Graphics Designer Responds To My Flyer Design Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:15:34 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5148 [...] Jordan of Enhance Design responded to my post on flyer design and redesigned my flyer for me (see the redesign to the [...] […] Jordan of Enhance Design responded to my post on flyer design and redesigned my flyer for me (see the redesign to the […]

]]> By: James Northen http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5137 James Northen Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:29:44 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5137 Thanks Jim ..... I really need to update - have not touched it in a year and have a lot of new material to post. Again - Many Thanks, M. James Thanks Jim ….. I really need to update - have not touched it in a year and have a lot of new material to post.

Again - Many Thanks,

M. James

]]> By: Kevin Errington http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5130 Kevin Errington Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:09:56 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5130 I would like to agree that adding brochures to your portfolio or menu is a great idea. But I would also like to mention that it is not something that just anyone can do. It requires an eye for layout and design, a less is more concept, and an artistic flare. The first brochure example (larry's) althought you talk about the need to be photo focused versus text; I would suggeest this: don't put the price on the front (it screams sales) I'm not in love with the drop shadow behind the text on the trees. Drop shadows are supposed to be subtle. You should also consider picking a color scheme that consists of 2 to 3 colors at most. Red is often a hard color to read and should be used carefully. Keep the number of fonts you use to no more than 2. One main font and one accent font, anything else is confusing and distacting to the customer. You can design brochures and many other things with MS Publisher if you know how to use it (we use InDesign as a standard rule). I have one designer that could blow the doors off anything posted so far using MS Publisher. Including reproducing larry's brochure sample. The bottom line is pratice makes perfect. Our company generates a great deal of its income selling the "full service" to top agents. Photography, Design, and the final print. The key is to deliver the product in a way that an agent could not reproduce it on their own. Full color bleeds, punchy designs, on the best cover stock paper you can find (not at staples) Our typical layout is done on an 12x18 sheet cut down to an 11x17 full bleed folded to a finished booklet size of 8.5x11. Give them something they can't do in their own basement, thats what sells the brochure to agents and likewise to their clients. If can get this part of your business cranking though there is some real revenue there. Our full serivce including photos, design print and delivery of 50 brochures is seliing for as much as $1000. Good Luck, and Happy Selling I would like to agree that adding brochures to your portfolio or menu is a great idea. But I would also like to mention that it is not something that just anyone can do. It requires an eye for layout and design, a less is more concept, and an artistic flare. The first brochure example (larry’s) althought you talk about the need to be photo focused versus text; I would suggeest this: don’t put the price on the front (it screams sales) I’m not in love with the drop shadow behind the text on the trees. Drop shadows are supposed to be subtle. You should also consider picking a color scheme that consists of 2 to 3 colors at most. Red is often a hard color to read and should be used carefully. Keep the number of fonts you use to no more than 2. One main font and one accent font, anything else is confusing and distacting to the customer.
You can design brochures and many other things with MS Publisher if you know how to use it (we use InDesign as a standard rule). I have one designer that could blow the doors off anything posted so far using MS Publisher. Including reproducing larry’s brochure sample. The bottom line is pratice makes perfect.
Our company generates a great deal of its income selling the “full service” to top agents. Photography, Design, and the final print. The key is to deliver the product in a way that an agent could not reproduce it on their own. Full color bleeds, punchy designs, on the best cover stock paper you can find (not at staples) Our typical layout is done on an 12×18 sheet cut down to an 11×17 full bleed folded to a finished booklet size of 8.5×11. Give them something they can’t do in their own basement, thats what sells the brochure to agents and likewise to their clients. If can get this part of your business cranking though there is some real revenue there. Our full serivce including photos, design print and delivery of 50 brochures is seliing for as much as $1000. Good Luck, and Happy Selling

]]> By: Jim http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5127 Jim Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:35:42 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5127 James Northen, Just visited your website and was totally blown away. Exceptional homes - nothing like it in my area. I can see why graphic designers are making so much. Your attention to detail and light is amazing ... incredible interior and exterior photography. I envy your location and obvious expertise. James Northen,
Just visited your website and was totally blown away. Exceptional homes - nothing like it in my area. I can see why graphic designers are making so much.
Your attention to detail and light is amazing … incredible interior and exterior photography. I envy your location and obvious expertise.

]]> By: James Northen http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5112 James Northen Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:52:29 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5112 @Jim - with three kids in college I bet you do. To tell you the truth I find it hard to swallow that rate in little old Vero Beach ..... but that is what they are getting here ....... amazing. M. James @Jim - with three kids in college I bet you do. To tell you the truth I find it hard to swallow that rate in little old Vero Beach ….. but that is what they are getting here ……. amazing.

M. James

]]> By: Jim http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5105 Jim Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:18:38 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5105 A suggestion for everyone who wouldn't want to shell out the money for InDesign... many times you can visit your local college or university bookstore. There you may well find the 'Educational Version' of something you're looking for. I have two (and soon) three kids in college and have purchased software like this before. While it states "Educational Version" on the package, it's still the full version, only costing hundreds less. In response to James Northen: How I wished I lived in your area to be able to charge $140.00 an hour for graphic design work! At most, a professional designer in this area commands a price of about $75 per hour, many more charge less, yet provide exceptional work. Here again, contact your local college or university and see if they have any graphic design students who might like some extra cash and a way to build a portfolio for themselves. I have a daughter soon graduating and would jump at the chance to design for the experience and at less than the going rate. I enjoy reading the responses her and especially the content of this blog - great work. A suggestion for everyone who wouldn’t want to shell out the money for InDesign… many times you can visit your local college or university bookstore. There you may well find the ‘Educational Version’ of something you’re looking for. I have two (and soon) three kids in college and have purchased software like this before. While it states “Educational Version” on the package, it’s still the full version, only costing hundreds less.

In response to James Northen: How I wished I lived in your area to be able to charge $140.00 an hour for graphic design work! At most, a professional designer in this area commands a price of about $75 per hour, many more charge less, yet provide exceptional work.

Here again, contact your local college or university and see if they have any graphic design students who might like some extra cash and a way to build a portfolio for themselves. I have a daughter soon graduating and would jump at the chance to design for the experience and at less than the going rate.

I enjoy reading the responses her and especially the content of this blog - great work.

]]> By: Denise http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5100 Denise Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:41:21 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5100 I really appreciate this article, Larry. I am approaching this business from the opposite direction from most....I know from working in the real estate field how awful the brochures are out there, and I wanted to create elegant brochures at a reasonable price. It's the photography that I am learning right now. I know most will disagree with me, but for now I use a combination of Photoshop Elements and yes....Microsoft Publisher. I think Publisher is simple to use and for right now I can't afford the $700 for InDesign. Here's a folded 11" x 17" draft brochure I just did using only Publisher for the design. (Please ignore pictures....no electricity in the house and will be back to re-shoot it and add some outdoor photos). http://www.flickr.com/photos/24609417@N07/sets/72157604669801169/detail/ I have created about 10 templates so far and all of them are in Publisher. While not ideal, it's a start. I would love to trade template design ideas with people who are already doing brochures. It could only help enhance our portfolios and what we offer our clients. If interested, please e-mail me at smallwoodphotos at aol. I really appreciate this article, Larry. I am approaching this business from the opposite direction from most….I know from working in the real estate field how awful the brochures are out there, and I wanted to create elegant brochures at a reasonable price. It’s the photography that I am learning right now. I know most will disagree with me, but for now I use a combination of Photoshop Elements and yes….Microsoft Publisher. I think Publisher is simple to use and for right now I can’t afford the $700 for InDesign. Here’s a folded 11″ x 17″ draft brochure I just did using only Publisher for the design. (Please ignore pictures….no electricity in the house and will be back to re-shoot it and add some outdoor photos).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24609417@N07/sets/72157604669801169/detail/

I have created about 10 templates so far and all of them are in Publisher. While not ideal, it’s a start. I would love to trade template design ideas with people who are already doing brochures. It could only help enhance our portfolios and what we offer our clients. If interested, please e-mail me at smallwoodphotos at aol.

]]> By: ALBERT SOTO http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5098 ALBERT SOTO Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:00:25 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5098 How about Illustrator? I find that to be easier than Photoshop. Al How about Illustrator? I find that to be easier than Photoshop. Al

]]> By: Mike Martin http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5096 Mike Martin Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:35:59 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/2008/04/20/a-revenue-stream-making-flyers-and-brochures/#comment-5096 I also wonder why MS Publisher exists. What does it do that you can't do more easily in PowerPoint? Most of my clients either have in-house ways to creat flyers or just use the ones built into their broker's website stuff. I also wonder why MS Publisher exists. What does it do that you can’t do more easily in PowerPoint? Most of my clients either have in-house ways to creat flyers or just use the ones built into their broker’s website stuff.

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