Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Ok...I have this belief that since I am in the stationery business, that correspondence to my prospects and clients needs to be hand addressed, rather than printing out typed labels.  I just feel that from a brand identity pespective, I have to do it this way.

But in order for me to get myself psyched to address tons of postcards, I need a very specific pen -- which is the Pilot Easy Touch.

What is your weakness when it comes to office supplies.

BTW...I looove flipping through Office Depot`s catalogue...it`s one of my favorite forms of procrastination...that and re-runs of Sex and the City. lol

Kim -

We have yet another thing in common.  I, too, am addicted to office supplies.  What with all these addictions, I am bound to be committed, huh?  (I love double entendres, don`t you?)

As I mentioned on the Startupbucks board the other day - work doesn`t happen unless I know where my pencil is...but not just any pencil.  No.  It must be my Pentel Twist Erase 0.7 pencil.  :)

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MeLissa
Independent Chocolatier for Dove Chocolate Discoveries http://www.ChocoRocco.com Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ChocoRocco

Kim,

You REALLY want to get their attention? Address them in calligraphy. Stop! Before you utter those words I know are coming - "R@ - this is crazier than human taxidermy!" - it`s not as hard as it sounds - or you think.

I`m also a calligrapher - taught myself, started at age 12. Just kept practicing and practicing through the years and have a pretty good and fast calligraphy hand. Do 3-4 wedding gigs a year - envelopes and sometimes the whole package - just a hobby. But seriously, reading your posts and comments the last month or so, knowing the biz you`re in - I bet you can do it - with some practice.

Try it. Even if you only do a few special ones to special clients, you will blow them away when they receive it. Ask MeLissa - she`s in the wedding biz - she knows how they go goo-goo over calligraphy.

Later - R@

PS - came in pretty handy back in the dating days

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Yep.  He`s right. That`s actually something I want to teach myself so that I can send direct mail "invitations" to brides whom I meet at bridal shows, etc. and, of course, so that I can provide the service to interested clients...  Anything with calligraphy means "important" and "worthy of opening."  :)

Richard - did you use a specific course that you can recommend?

 

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MeLissa
Independent Chocolatier for Dove Chocolate Discoveries http://www.ChocoRocco.com Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ChocoRocco

MeLissa,

When I started doing calligraphy, I didn`t even know there were courses out there - or books (the Internet wasn`t even a thought in Al Gore`s head yet). I started copying Old English style lettering (the hardest of them all - IMHO) with just a regular ball point pen. As time went on, I did discover some books on the subject and bought my first pen, nibs and India ink (made plenty of messes with that ink!). Back in the days when it was all "dip the pen in the ink" and you really had to learn how much to dip and the pressure was really important then - Ahh - the good old days.

I really couldn`t tell you all the books and manuals I have. I would have to pull them off the shelves and sit down and list them - many are just artsy books from people who incorporate calligraphy into their art form and others are on the ancient styles from past civilizations.

There are some really good and simple starter manuals out there. Learn and practice the basics of a simple style. Choose a style you like. When you get right down to it, the 26 letters of the alphabet are made up of very few strokes - just different combinations. Learn those strokes, the rest is easy.

One good trick - practice, practice, practice on unlined paper that you can see through and use a lined guideline underneath. The goal being to get away from the lines as soon as possible - writing in a straight line - because when you start addressing envelopes, you won`t have any lines to go by. And you don`t want to be using any ghost-lines as a guide that you have to go back and erase - you`ll never get many addresses done.

Later - R@

PS - to answer Kim`s question about office supply stuff - you guessed it - I like calligraphy pens and supplies and books and related items.

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Calligraphy is something I`ve been thinking about...it`s very time consuming and I have an issue with the admin work that I have to tend to...lol

What if I send you the client list and you two can address them all:-)

And yes Melissa, I love double entendres...

I also like oddly shaped staplers.  hee

Well, when I was a little girl, I loved office supplies.  Tried my hand at the calligraphy, but couldn`t get the ink and pressure part figured out.  Then just realized it was a fancy letter, so I gave up.  I forgot about the old english text, so that was that.

As far as my favorite office product . . . hmm.....I`d have to say ALL OF THEM.  At ages too young to remember, I remember going to the office supply store next to my church.  All the cool things on display were just amazing.

So here I am a mother of two and a wife of 20+ years and guess what I do for my living??  Other than making Eric mad about the ratings system on SUN, that is . . . I SELL office supplies.  All of them.  Just like Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and all the rest.  I guess I just couldn`t get away from them.  Now, whenever I see something cool, I just order it.  From . . . Me!!  How cool is that . . .

Anyone want a catalog . . . I`ve got lots.  Just shoot me a note with your address and I`ll get one out to you.  You can enjoy your goodies, just like the rest of us.

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But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrew 11:6

My favorite office supply or item has to be that little staple remover that when you press down it makes a clicking sound. I like it because it helps me come up with ideas and keeps me occupied when I am not doing anytihing. At times I catch myself clicking away when I am on the phone with my clients...

 

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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

My favorite office supply is the Clipiola swirl paper clips.  I`ve used them for several years now and they are great conversation starters with anyone who receives documents clipped together with them.

- J.




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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!