Kudos on your Signcraft Article Mike.

[Kelly Thorson]

I finally got time to sit down with the last issue of Signcraft and wanted to commend you on your "12 tips for surviving and thriving in a slow economy" article (long title though) . While the economy here still seems to be fairly strong, I realize that to the South, West and East of us, things have slowed down.

It seems as though these are the times when we should be actually the busiest, as businesses are fighting for the limited dollars available. I once started a series of information articles on signs in order to educate the public. I was going to run it in the local area free rag as a column, but got buried in work and never actually got there. It would be good advertising, however, and if things do slow down I might revive the idea and give it a go.

Working out of a small town (population < 200) had it's challenges in the beginning, but I get as much work as I can handle without actually expanding and hiring. Word of mouth has been good to me and I don't even carry a phone book ad anymore ( it was a waste of money anyhow). I'm pretty creative with my marketing when I need to be. Ideas are my forte, or perhaps my nemisis, the urge to go with an idea just to see how it pans out, when I'm not looking for more work is dangerous.

For those of you who are experiencing a slump in sales, the article is well worth a read. The final line of the article: "We can complain and go broke or take on a positive attititude and make things better." sums it up well. Attitude is everything.

[Doug Bernhardt]

I've often said that "That Guy" is a sharp feller.....so I agree!

[Rob Schramm]

Yes it was a very good article.

[Raymond Chapman]

I'll join in with congratulations, too. Unless you have written some articles you don't know how much work it is. Mike has been producing these jems for the last 112 years (well, maybe a little less) and does a fantastic job with every one. I don't know how he keeps coming up with something to publish with every issue, but he does....and the rest of us are glad that he does.

[Mike Jackson]

Hi All,
Thanks for the note. Actually, the whole magazine is a very good one. Raymond Chapman has a big spread of photos of his work, showing the previous sign and his improved versions. Dan Antonelli has some very attractive logos. The Design/Price workshop feature images by Gary Anderson, Adam Scholljegerdes, Noella Cotman, and Bob Sauls. Dan Sawatzky also has an article on coping with slow times. This issue features a ton of great dimensional work and a lot of hand lettered signs. If you don't already receive SignCraft, I'd say you are missing out!

January and February are always slow months for us, and this year was probably a little worse, but there are signs of Spring here and we've had a few more projects coming our way. We are definitely jumping right on the jobs, getting the sketches quickly, and following up on all leads.

Best regards,
Mike Jackson