Design, Marketing & Promotion

Visit us there to see more current updated information, specials and how-to's:

http://longhorndesign.blogspot.com/

So you wanna website? But you aren't a designer...or maybe you are? Check out these sites to get some FREE website design templates or website builders, and if your drooling and need more, more, more than what these sites can give you check us out at www.longhorndesign.com for a quote on professional custom website design.

http://www.freewebsitetemplates.com/

http://templates.favpage.com/

http://myfreetemplatehome.com/

http://www.zerodollartemplates.com/

http://www.freewebtemplatesnow.com/templates.php

http://www.templatesxchange.com/templates/all_templates

We all know in today's world of digital photography and photo editing that Adobe Photoshop is the KING!!! But don't let that price tag scare you way from doing what you need to get that image ready for your postcard, newsletter, or even to put on your desktop as your wallpaper. This batch of online image editors have what you need . They are simple and easy to use, but as powerful as the KING!!! Looks like it almost time to overthrow the monarchy :)

http://fotoflexer.com/

http://a.viary.com/tools/phoenix

http://www.picnik.com/

http://www.splashup.com/

http://www.flauntr.com/

And once you get that photo...err shopped you can count on www.longhorndesign.com to make those business cards, postcards, webpages or whatever you need. Plus if you still need help with your images, just leave it to the pros....us! We're always here to help you with your photography and photo editing needs.

So your a creative person. You've spent X amount of dollars on school and books and the "tools" for your trade....but what's it all worth?

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE YOUR RATES?

To choose the income target you want from freelancing, remember that as an independent business person you must pay all your overhead, health benefits, vacation pay, retirement savings and taxes. Also, you must set aside regular time for marketing, accounting, and other nonbillable work. Total cost of living, expenses, and overhead are then divided by billable hours to figure the minimum per-hour rate you need to stay afloat. Billable hour estimates range from 1,000 to 1,500 hours per year. A quick ballpark estimate takes hourly rate X 1,000 hours to project potential annual income i.e., $55/hour X 1,000 hours = annual income of $55,000. (To fulfill this goal, though, you need 1,000 hours of billable work!)

Once you have determined your estimated hourly rate, you can use it to decide if you'll earn more than the average fast-food employee on a particular assignment. You can also use the rate to prepare project rates-a single all-inclusive fee where Project X is delivered for Y amount by Z deadline. Many clients and publishers prefer project rates, since they know the total cost in advance. It's good for the freelancer who works fast, too. If a given assignment pays $500, but takes 40 hours to complete, you've earned $10.50 an hour. But if you do that same assignment in 10 hours, you've earned $50 an hour-and have 30 hours left over to devote to another paying project. Some freelancers add an extra "hassle factor" charge for difficult clients or rush jobs.

The following are some basics rates for different "creative" industries...

ADVERTISING, COPYWRITING & PR

Copywriting $300/half day, $500/full day on-site in agency.

Advertising copywriting $120 high/hour, $33 low/hour, $66 average/hour; $750 high/project, $250 low/project, $525 average/project; $1.50/word.

Book jacket copywriting $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $65 average/hour; $500 high/project, $75 low/project, $300 average/project.

Campaign development or product launch $150 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $82 average/hour; $7,500 high/project, $1,500 low/project, $3,740 average/project.

Catalog copywriting $85 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

Copyediting for advertising $120 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $60 average/hour; $120/project for 1,000 words.

Direct-mail copywriting $150 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $78 average/hour; $15,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $5,000 average/product.

E-mail ad copywriting $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $2,500/project.

Event promotions/publicity $100 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $67 average/hour.

Fund-raising campaign brochure $75 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $58 average/hour; $2,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $1,500 average/project.

Political campaigns, public relations $75 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $49 average/hour.

Press kits $125 high/hour, $53 low/hour, $85 average/hour; $5,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,334 average/project.

Press/news release $100 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $62 average/hour; $1,000 high/project, $75 low/project, $305 average/project.

Public relations for businesses $115 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $76 average/hour.

Public relations for government $60 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $49 average/hour.

Public relations for organizations or nonprofits $95 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $56 average/hour.

Public relations for schools or libraries $75 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $65 average/hour.

Speechwriting/editing (general) $100 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $83 average/hour; $6,000 high/30-minute speech, $2,700 low/30-minute speech, $4,064 average/30-minute speech.

Speechwriting for government officials $90 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $52 average/hour.

Speechwriting for political candidates $60/hour.

AUDIOVISUALS & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Copyediting audiovisual $85 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $58 average/hour.

Business film scripts (training and information) $125 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $82 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute; $550 day rate (with discount up to 20% for multiple-day project); $3,500 high/project, $1,500 low/project, $2,500 average/project.

Educational/training film scripts $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $77 average/hour; $6,000 high/project, $1,500 low/project, $3,500 average/project; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute; $500 high day rate, $300 low day rate, $400 average day rate.

Corporate product film $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute.

Movie novelization $10,000 high, $5,000 low, $7,000 average.

Options (feature films) First 180 days, 5% WGA minimum; 10% minimum each 180-day period thereafter.

Radio editorials $70 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

Radio interviews $1,500 high, $35 low, $100 average (rates depend on who you are and how badly the radio station wants you); $100 high/run minute (produced pieces over 2 minutes), $65 low/run minute (produced pieces over 2 minutes), $75 average/run minute (produced pieces over 2 minutes).

Radio commercials/PSAs $85 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $72 average/hour.

Script synopsis for business $70/hour; $20/news show.

Screenwriting (original screenplay) $91,495 high, $48,738 low, $70,117 average.

Script synopsis for agent or film producer $2,000 or $500/day.

Scripts for nontheatrical films for education, business, industry $100 high/hour, $55 low/hour, $80 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute; $5,000/script (starting point).

TV news story/feature $100 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $90 average/hour.

TV scripts (nontheatrical) $150 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $100 average/hour; $1,000 high/day, $550 low/day, $800 average/day; $250/page; $1,200 (minimum)/project.

TV scripts (teleplay/MOW) $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $350 average/run minute; $6,567 story only (30 minutes or less); $19,699 (plus teleplay); $11,560 (story only); $28,974 (plus teleplay).

TV commercials/PSAs $85 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $73 average/hour.

BOOK PUBLISHING

Abstracting and abridging $35 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $33 average/hour.

Anthology editing $60 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $39 average/hour.

Book proposal consultation $60 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $48 average/hour; $500/project.

Book proposal writing $60 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $47 average/hour; $5,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $2,300 average/project.

Book query critique $55 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $51 average/hour; $30/page.

Book query writing $500 high/project, $120 low/project, $200 average/project.

Children's book writing Advance against royalties $10,000 high, $200 low, $4,900 average.

Content editing (scholarly) $80 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $40 average/hour; $3-$5/page; $850-$2,000/project.

Content editing (textbook) $65 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $36 average/hour.

Content editing (trade) $75 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $46 average/hour.

Copyediting $75 high/hour, $17 low/hour, $38 average/hour; $3,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $1,875 average/project.

Fiction book writing (own) $7,500 advance against royalties.

Ghostwriting, as told to $55 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $40 average/hour; $55,000 (one report)/project.

Ghostwriting, no credit $80 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $55 average/hour; $20,000 (one report)/project.

Indexing $8 high/page, $2.35 low/page, $3.50 average/page.

Manuscript evaluation and critique $65 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $55 average/hour; $1,500 high/project, $350 low/project, $950 average/project.

Movie novelization $7,000.

Nonfiction book writing (own) Advance against royalties $150,000 high, $5,000 low, $25,500 average; (textbook) $60/hour.

Nonfiction books (collaborative) Advance against royalties $30,000 high, $5,000 low, $15,700 average; $65 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $50 average/hour.

Novel synopsis (general) $60 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $51 average/hour.

Proofreading $45 high/hour, $16 low/hour, $26 average/hour; $3 high/page, $1 low/page, $2 average/page.

Research for writers or book publishers $75 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $49 average/hour; $500/day.

Rewriting $75 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $46 average/hour.

Translation (fiction) 12¢ high/target word, 6¢ low/target word, 9¢ average/target word; $10,000 high/book, $7,000 low/book, $8,500 average/book; (nonfiction) 15¢ high/target word, 8¢ low/target word, 10¢ average/target word; (poetry) $15 high/page, $0 low/page, $7.50 average/page.

Work for hire (flat fee, no royalties) $10,000 high, $1,000 low, $2,484 average.

BUSINESS

Annual reports $150 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $65 average/hour; $15,000 high/project, $3,000 low/project, $8,334 average/project.

Associations and organizations (writing for) $100 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $62 average/hour; $20,000 high/project, $2,500 low/project, $7,500 average/project.

Brochures, fliers, booklets for business $150 high/hour, $28 low/hour, $75 average/hour; $100/page; $5,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $3,125 average/project.

Business editing (general) $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $57 average/hour.

Business letters $150 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $1,200 (minimum) high/project, $200 low/project, $500 average/project.

Business plan $150 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $80 average/hour.

Business writing seminars $200 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $83 average/hour; $3,500 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,250 average/project.

Catalogs for businesses $150 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $73 average/hour; $2,500 high/project, $2,000 low/project, $2,250 average/project.

Consultation on communications $150 high/hour, $28 low/hour, $84 average/hour; $500/half day; $1,200 (minimum)/project.

Copyediting for business $100 high/hour, $27 low/hour, $57 average/hour; $4/page.

Corporate histories $115 high/hour, $28 low/hour, $71 average/hour; $200/printed page.

C

It is easy to get carried away and spend a bundle of money on printing your newsletters, postcards or even company business cards. To help contain the high costs often associated with this type of printed product, there are several expense reduction concepts you can employ.

Situation 1: Let's assume that your monthly newsletter has been up and running for a year or two. It is successful. You plan on continuing with it for at least another year or two.

You are buying 60,000 newsletters per year. Overall size: 11 x 17 inches. You three-fold them to fit into a #10 envelope. Printed two sides, in two colors, the "constant" copy (borders, headline boxes, logos, return address, etc.) is printed in dark blue. Black ink is used to print the "variable" (editorial) text copy, which of course changes each month.

Every 30 days, you take copy to your printing vendor and they print up say, 5,000 newsletters. By the end of the year, you have printed and mailed 12 separate orders = 60,000 2 color newsletters (5M x 12).

Situation 2: You have a business with lots of sales reps, high employee turnover, or even one that some people need 100 cards for a month while others go through 1,000 cards or more...

Well if you print small runs of ANY card it just isn't feasible after paying for press time and setup for 100 cards you could have bought 1,000. Well your logo isn't changing or your address, or even your tollfree number (if you have one).

Situation 3: You run a "special" or sale every month or even once a quarter. Whereas the the specifics of your promotion or special may change, your product or service is still "Your Product or Service"! You may have several "looks or design that you use per season but all in all your branding stays the same year to year and may change from one season to the next, but thats about it! You print 4 postcards each year, with a different information on a sale for winter, or a spring special but much of that information stay the same so each season you "start from scratch" because the "sale info has changed".

Masters & Shells

An interesting and positive byproduct of distributing a consistent look (with your newsletter, or your business card or anything you print multiples of) is that you can use it to your (economic) advantage when it comes time to get the items printed. Printing "master" runs of "shells" is one way to keep costs under control. Here is how "shells" can work for you: Instead of printing the "constant" copy 12 times during the year, you instead print up a one year supply of "shells" in January, that lasts all the way to December.

Known as a "master" printing run, the 60,000 blue-ink-only "shells" are stored on the shelf, in their unfolded size. Then, month by month, 5,000 "shells" are imprinted (in the second color, in this case black ink) with the "variable" editorial or other copy that was developed during the past 30 days.

The "master" method only works if copy on the "shells" does not change during the timeframe in question (in this case, one full year). Also, the 60,000 "shells" have to be paid for before even one complete newsletter has been printed, much less mailed.

However, the financial rewards that stem from adopting this unique printing method can be substantial, for two reasons.

First, it is less expensive to print 60,000 one-color "masters" all at once compared to printing 12 separate times. Second, the 60,000 "shells" can be produced even less expensively on a large press. This offers the opportunity for even greater overall cost savings.

Done the right way, adopting the "master/shell" approach to printing can reduce overall costs by 20%-40% or more, depending on what is involved.

NOTE: The "shell" approach to printing can be applied equally well to other printed items such as sales sheets, price lists, literature, 4 color brochures, bulletins, memos, etc.

This has been the question of all the ages, well at least the computer age. Which is better for your creative self, the Mac or the PC.

Now we've all seen the commercials... HI, I'm a mac and I'm creative, easy to use, and fun. And I'm a pc and I'm in a boring beige box, I crash alot and I'm not user friendly.

Well thats great marketing on Apple's side but to tell you the truth why is ALL the major design software is available on both platforms? And why can you run Windows on your mac or build a "hackintosh" which will run OS X on your PC?

The lines of a business computer and a design computer are blurred nowadays. With the number of small businesses, in-house design agencies, accountants doing their own newsletters and design firms doing accounting in-house, the mac as the design tool and pc as the business pro days are over!

Lets talk about which is best for you!!!

MAC PROS & CONS
PROS:
The mac is easy to to use and does have a rock solid interface with OS X. It has been the design "standard" for large advertising agencies and design firms. Viruses do exist still for the mac platform but are NOWHERE near the total count of virii, spyware, malware and such of its arch enemy the pc. Really true plug and play, get a mac and your up and running right out of the box. Networking macs is "like butta" if you have more than one.

CONS:
For all those features you pay a price. Macs are 2 to 3 times the cost for hardware than their pc counterparts. Some software, primarily games and "business software" were written for a pc and will run only on a pc even with softwindows installed on your mac, somethings wrong with your mac- reinstall!!! thats what you'll usually have to do, since OS X is a very "closed" operating system you can't really change any setting to fix problems, but then again you can't really cause any either.

PC PROS & CONS
PROS:
Cost, first of all you can get a base no name pc with all the trimmings for $500 to $800, plethora of pay software and freeware - tons of software that it pc "only" and some of it available for free. Highly user editable OS - hack it, crack it, shove it in a box...windows is a programmers dream.

CONS:
The "blue screen of death" if you've been an avid pc user you have seen this before (admit it), drivers, drivers who's got the drivers, fully customizable means...easy to mess up (one wrong line and your kernel and all 32bits of his friends gets it), virii a plenty (get some good software for anti-virus, spyway, maleware, underware (oops sorry about that last one)

THE WINNER!!!

Neither or both, it all depends of how you look at it. You could always get a unix machine and scrap the whole mac/pc debate...hmmn but then your really going to have a hard time with software (did someone say photoshop for unix, I think not!)

If you want a computer to run graphic software, don't want to worry about the OS or drivers and have the cashflow of Bill Gates then I say go Mac all the way.

If your do-it-yourself, get your hands dirty kinda person, who needs to play some of the high end games on your spare time, and you might have the computer knowledge of Bill Gates, but not the pocketbook to match...it's PC all the way baby.

Either way when it comes to bringing your ideas to life and creating a world of possibilities for you or your company goto www.longhorndesign.com and let the pros do all the really hard design, marketing & promotions work.

p.s.
We can use your mac or pc files, we're cool like that.

Well, 1/2 of our systems have been upgraded, and about 1/2 of our webpage...Of course all of you know in the digital world, you must keep on top of your toes and things are so ever-changing. During this time of reinventation, we think it may be time to look at your own company or even yourself. Its a fast paced world we live in and sometimes we need to reflect in order to move forward, right now during our "construction" from March 1st 2009 - April 31 2009 we are giving customers 15% off all design services to help you reinvent yourself or your company. Just say that you want the "new me" discount on your next order and get 15% off any design service.

Whether you are a small business, organization, or individual, Longhorn Design has your perfect solution - get Agency-In-A-Box!

Agency-In-A-Box Overview

Every business or organization relies on regular marketing activities and graphic design communications to ensure their success, but not everyone will have the time or budget to take on a full-time marketing or design staff.

In today's ultra-competitive marketplace, you cannot afford to lose potential clients because they think that your compeititors appear more professional, more unified or more put together than you are. But it requires an investment of time and effort to keep your graphic design, web and marketing efforts looking their best.

With Agency-In-A-Box you can now afford to have all of your creative materials such as your logo, business stationery, print ads, flyers, brochures, sales material, marketing materials, Website design and much more created or maintained for one flat monthly retainer rate, starting from just $100/day - that's about $2000/month for unlimited design services.

What is a retainer service?

Longhorn Design's Retainer Service (Agency-In-A-Box) is a an all new way to look at your companies advertising, design, marketing & promotions. A cost effective way for small and mid-sized businesses and organizations to access all the services of a talented graphic design professional without the cost of hiring a full-time employee. It offers the perfect way to get an out-sourced graphic designer for businesses that need regular recurring graphic design every month and want to save money on high salaries and expensive benefits.

For a pre-determined monthly fee, Longhorn Design budgets a set amount of priority hours each month specifically toward your projects (flexible to your needs). Unused hours may be carried forward to future months (however must be used prior to the determined expiry date).

The Agency-In-A-Box Retainer Service contract is month to month and paid in advance, with typical terms set for monthy, quarterly, yearly or custom taylored terms (upon approval).

Advantages of having Agency-In-A-Box

Convenience
Gone are the days of wondering if you can afford to have a particular piece of marketing collateral created. Gone are the delays of getting a price quote before work starts. Enjoy the convenience of just sending a request and having work start on your required piece. It's included in your Agency-In-A-Box monthly fee.

Priority Service
By securing a guaranteed amount of prioritized design service time, Agency-In-A-Box retainer clients are always given a higher priority when it comes to their projects (which are sometimes needed "yesterday").

Consistency
Enjoy the creative consistency that comes from using a single firm for all your marketing needs. Relax with the peace of mind that all of your marketing communication pieces will be unified and present your business or organization's image in the best, most professional light.

Cost Effective and Customized
Maybe you just need a graphic or Web designer for a few hours do minor monthly updates. Or you may have a major project coming up and need a designer for a week or two each month! Whatever your individual case may be, we'll work with you to develop a plan that fits your unique needs.

Discounted Design & Service Rates
Along with the benefits and convenience of monthly billing and securing a lower hourly rate, unused hours may be carried forward to future months (however must be used prior to the determined expiry date).

No Added Overhead
With the monthly Agency-In-A-Box retainer service Longhorn Design is a extension of your business and you will have the resources available to get your advertising, marketing and design done right; without making space in your office, paying for equipment or added employee costs and benefits.

Consider the costs (time and money) you'll save compared with hiring and employing an in-house designer:

* Full-Time Salary (current national average is $55,000 according to a average national reports)
* Benefits Package (medical insurance, dental, vision, etc.)
* Overhead and workspace (office, expensive hardware and software, payroll)
* Vacation, sick time and more...

The cost of employing a full-time designer can put an unnecessary strain on your "bottom line". Contact us today to see how we can meet your specific needs more cost effectively!

Direct Contact
In addition to the regular calls to discuss your account, a secured webpage will be set up where you can review or download your requested work. Depending on your preferred method of contact, communication can be facilitated by phone, email, fax, or a custom instant messenger account to allow real-time online contact.

How much does the Agency-In-A-Box service cost?

Longhorn Design continues to provide quality graphic design services on a per-project basis. We can quote and design any individual design item you might need. But we also offer Agency-In-A-Box for the clients that have numerous products or services needed on a quick-turnaround basis, but not quite enough to warrant employing a full-time, in-house graphic designer. So we have created a revolutionary way for clients who need a more complete design service and a way to benefit from more savings.

Rates: An average Agency-In-A-Box client pays only $100/day or $2000/month to ensure a 100 hours per month of dedicated designer services to design an unlimited range of projects as opposed to our standard hourly rate which is from $35 to $105. Now figure 5 hours each day for a 1 month design project at our standard design rate of $50 per hour...thats 5hours x 5days x 4weeks x $50 per hour= Thats $5,000!!! The contract is monthly plan, paid in advance, there are several plans to choose from or even customize...call us for more info.

Who Becomes a Agency-In-A-Box Client?

Some of our Agency-In-A-Box clients are small businesses or organizations who are either just starting up, and require everything to get their business started off on the right foot, while others are already established and have some form of recurring monthly graphic design needs - whether it's a newsletter or monthly email marketing campaign or those just looking to update their Website content.