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The
consensus was that it would be best to produce a number of promotional pieces to
promote the Guild to employers during Northwest Bookfest (November 13-14) and
other similar events. 1.
Brochure It
was decided we would make a paneled brochure containing information about the
Guild and how to contact us. We will pass this out to employers at Bookfest and
other area events. The content of the text will largely remain the same as the flyer we distributed at Bookfest last year, although we may think about changing the tone to be a little more “glitzy” and inviting. Perhaps the brochure might open with something like “Do you need an editor? We can help!. . .” Additional suggestions for content were including the names of employers who have hired Guild members and adding a short list of editorial specialties covered by the group. Amy Smith Bell volunteered to draft the text for the brochure. On the design front, Amy and Gretchen Russell will work on creating a layout, perhaps with the input of a graphic designer in the final stages. When
it is completed, the draft brochure will be posted
for comments/feedback, and we'll finalize and approve it at the September 19
meeting.
2.
Rolodex card We
also hope to produce a rolodex card containing contact information (probably the
Guild's name, e-mail address, and URL, with Sherri's phone number).
This would be attached to the brochure distributed at Bookfest and would
be used for other promotional purposes down the road. 3. Logo Lastly,
we hope to find a logo for the group that would give us a graphic identity on
both of the aforementioned pieces. Anyone is welcome to submit designs for the
logo. Please tell all your graphically inclined friends and family! Some
preliminary design ideas offered at the meeting included purposely misspelling
the name of the group and then adorning it with handwritten corrections, carets,
etc.; using a small generic map of the Puget Sound area with perhaps Puget Sound
misspelled and corrected by hand; or appropriating some 17th-century guild’s
crest and incorporating it into our own design in some way (Judith Calman said
she would look into such designs). The
deadline for submissions will be August 15. Submissions will be posted,
and we will make a decision at our September 19 meeting.
The winning logo’s designer will receive credit wherever the logo appears as
well as a prize of $75 and our endless gratitude. Strategies
for using these pieces Everyone
seemed to agree that it wouldn’t be efficient to staff a table or booth all
day during Bookfest. Some thought if the
publishers at Bookfest received “goodie bags,” it might be worthwhile to see
if we could have our brochure/rolodex card included with the freebies. Based on
last year’s experience, though, the consensus seemed to be that it was more
effective to hand such materials directly to the exhibitors. Small publishers
and nonprofits were particularly glad to receive them last year. Some
stressed their belief that the personal contact made by members handing out our
materials (as opposed to just getting material in a bag) was important. Also, it was
suggested that we might consider recontacting employers from Bookfest, perhaps
via e-mail, about six months down the road to remind them of us and our
“services.” We discussed other venues where we might use these materials to promote the group:
Sherri
will contact the Convention Center for a schedule of events
there so we can create a “plan of attack.” Discussion topics raised but tabled for future meetings Should
we set up some kind of formal or informal mentoring program within the Guild,
and if so, how would it work? Should
the Guild consider setting up a grammar workshop to offer to the general public
and/or Guild members? How can we communicate better with each other?
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