Ad-vice

[Michelle Smith]

As the wife of a graphic designer, I can tell you two things:

1. Use a graphic that will grab the reader's attention.  Codie thinks a
piano or keyboard is too obvious, but your readers' eyes are moving very
quickly across the concert program.
2. White space!  People tend to fill up their ad with as much text as they
can squeeze in which is overwhelming.  Especially in a concert situation,
people are casually reading so keep it short.  Do you have a website?  Refer
them to it in the ad so they can do some research about your business.  (For
the detail people like me.)

Hope this helps.

Michelle Smith
Smith Piano Service
Bastrop, Texas


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Boyce
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2007 6:36 AM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Ad-vice

Greg, I think your question is interesting, and not at all inappropriate. I 
know the list is strictly for technical matters, but what you ask is 
certainly related to being in the business and there have been other 
non-tech questions in the past.

I believe you are right to think so carefully about the "tone" of your ad. 
The form of words used may matter more than the exact font (as long as that 
is dignified).  Is there a community college near you with a graphic design 
department? Perhaps a student would take it on as a project for a small fee?

It sounds very sensible to me have an ad in the Symphony program. You're in 
the right company there.  Do you tune at any venue where the symphony plays?

Perhaps you could mention that?

Best regards,

David.