Designing a Professional Image
After going to all the trouble to become legal, you want to be taken seriously by the business community and your customers. So, designing a professional image for your company is essential. People in the hobby and craft industry have an especially hard time with this, because a lot of people may do what you do for fun only and not with the intent of earning a living.
Promotional materials are important tools you can use to develop your image. Business cards, letter head, price lists, catalogs, flyers, all can help promote your product and communicate who you are to those who matter. There is no harm in starting out with hand lettered business cards, but often these items are not as expensive as you think. If you don't want to spend a lot at first, decide which promotional materials are most important and visit a local office supply store or printer to determine how much it would cost to have these professionally printed. Many printers also provide items such as business cards with basic formats that are printed on white stock with black ink. These are the least expensive, but a good place to start.
Another necessary image device that hobby and craft businesses need are pictures and slides. Almost all shows require pictures or slides to be sent along with an application. These must represent your work, and in many cases they also want to be shown what your booth or display will look like. Pictures can also be helpful when trying to interest stores in your merchandise.
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