>There are obviously many new ways to promote your services; the internet,
>teaching seminars, creative directories, etc.. The reading I've done lately
>has put forth the notion that direct mailing of brochures, postcards, etc. is
>old fashioned and a waste of money--clients rarely respond to a "cold" direct
>mailing of materials sent to them.  Do any of you find this to be true?  I
>would agree that flooding a data base of clients with marketing materials
>without having a personal connection seems, well, kind of like a shot in the
>dark; but is it still an accepted technique, or a complete waste of time and
>money. And if it is no longer the norm, what has replaced it as a technique
>for making an immediate presence in a targeted client base.
>
>Amelia Janes
_______________

It is a big problem.  Certainly what I have heard about larger firms is
that all those bulk mailings go into the trash unread and unfiled.  No one
has time any more.  I think this is true of small firms as well, more and
more.  Everyone is in a time crunch.

I think paper based Directories are held onto because it is an easily
catagorized reference that can be pulled from the shelf when needed.  This
would bode well, I would think, for a specalized book of Medical or Science
artists.  A combo paper directory and Net site might do well, but even
then, to really get noticed is hard.  Personal calls to make appointments
for interviews or requests to send a director a personalized package of
samples is the next level of effort.

Networking with fellow illustrators is the best.  If they recognize your
talents, they will recommend you or tell you when they hear of something
(at least if they are not going to try to do it themselves).

Take these comments with a grain of salt.  I have been imployed full time
for the last 4.5 years.  I only do a little freelance on the side.  Word of
mouth and old client only.  So I am not to familiar with advertizing
trends, at least from personal experience, at this point

Britt

Britt Griswold
Goddard Space Flight Center/NASA
Code 253,  Bldg. 8 Rm N15
Greenbelt, MD 20771
USA
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(301) 286-3381