DIY (Do-It-Yourself)

›› Knowledge is Power

I highly recommend reading and learning about graphic/web design. It’s a good idea in a long-term sense whether you do design projects yourself now or hire in future. You will be able to communicate more effectively to your graphic professionals when your business is ready to outsource. By learning design techniques, it will help you organize how to present your image to your target market. The most important lesson to remember is if you start your design project, don’t forget about Quality. I may not call myself a copywriter, but I do write my own content and persuasive marketing materials... But I feel fairly confident about my copy because I have taken steps to learn about writing copy that sells and you can do same for design. Read books. Take classes. Learn software.

›› It’s an affordable route

Nothing is more affordable that pulling up your sleeves and doing it yourself especially if you don’t have a budget to spare on outsourcing.

›› It gives you instant gratification

First impressions often leave lasting impressions. Impressions also result in people’s perceptions. There goes that age-old debate -- “Perception versus Reality.” I say that perception is someone’s impression of reality. And sometimes... no matter what is reality, you just can’t change people’s perception of a situation or thing.

Let’s define these words...(im·pres·sion) noun: a characteristic, trait, or feature resulting from some influence; act of impressing. (per·cep·tion) noun: a result of observation.

To make a long story short, “Yes, design does matter!”

• When you meet someone you hope to date, don’t you want to make a good first impression? You want to be in nice clothes, have your hair just right and be in right place at right time.

• When you shop for books at bookstore, doesn’t nicely designed books attract your attention... let’s be honest, we do sometimes judge a book by it’s cover then read on for content?

• When you meet people, don’t you give them a firm handshake? Why do you do this? Because you want them to know you are confident.