Thread: (UPDATE w/ PICS) Spinoff: Help my choose my car door magnet!

This is a spinoff from the car advertising thread. Thanks to the great advice on that thread, I finally decided to give a car door magnet a try. Since I do not have much in the way of skizzles as a graphic artist, I decided to use VistaPrint's designer, which actually had a lot of customizable options for fonts, images, colors, etc.

The template I chose is very clean and simple, but where I am having a problem is deciding what picture to use in the center. I've gone back and forth between whether to show my face or not, if I should shy away from anything that shows a bedlah top/bare midriff, etc., etc. So I mocked up 4 proofs (they're actually screen captures, so the quality might be funky), and was hoping y'all would help me decide. The magnet will be just over 17" x 11" when produced, in case it matters.









What say you, bhuz collective?

Overall, I think the second one is the best.

Yes, either number 2 or 3. Let us know how it works out!

#1 or #2

I don't think #3 o #4 are the best representation of what you're ulitmately trying to sell...

hmmm.. as far as your face goes...are you comfortable driving around with your face on the side of your car? If yes, I like 2, if no, I like 1.

i like #1 I think it's more eye catching, and that's what you want. especially id the sign is not big.

I like #2 as well, and I like the continuity because it's cropped from the same picture on my business cards and home page of my website. I'm just concerned that since it only shows the bra part of the costume and the hair uplifted pose, it could be a little too sexy - especially since people may only see it for a quick moment.

ETA: And Kels brings up another thing I'm not sure of - if it's a good idea to feature my face as opposed to something more generic looking.

Go with #1 it's what the GP thinks of when they think bellydance, and I think the presentation is clearest.

I wanted to do this at one point in time, but the idea never realized itself. I had intended to use one of my pictures with my veil covering my face, just showing my eyes. Looks very middle eastern and it leaves your face to the imagination. Just a thought! Good luck.

As an experiment, I am also posting these on a non-dance board a frequent. Since the GP is my target audience with this ad, I thought it might be interesting to see if there's any consensus of opinion between "us" and "them".

I like #2 best.

I'm not a big fan of faceless torso shots because I usually find them dehumanizing and objectifying.

#1!

#1 for sure. It screams belllydance to me.

I'm not sure if the GP saw #2 they would think bellydance. I'm afraid they would think something else. That pose is common for that "other" dance form. Wink wink.

either #1 or #2. i like #2 best

Okay, I've gotten a lot of responses from the non-BD board, and so far the results are surprisingly consistent but quite different from the dancer perspective. Many of them actually like #4 the best! Some interesting feedback from the GP (I love free market research!) on that pic and the other options:

"It makes me want to look twice, because if I look at it quickly, I see a green blur, and my curiosity is piqued... "What in the world is that green thing supposed to be? Oooh, belly dancing!!! Way cool!"

"The others all look very still, but the last one suggests graceful motion. I mean, when I look at the last one I can picture the spin being completed."

On #1: While several think it most clearly says BELLY DANCER to them, about an equal number think it's uncomfortably sexy, or share Shira's opinion that disembodied torsos are creepy.

On #2: Almost without exception (and this was kind of surprising because it sems to be the front runner among dancers), it was the least preferred. Most said it was way too sexy, and made the think they were passing an ad for a stripper or escort service. At least a couple of posters said that when driving by, only one thing would come to mind: BOOBIES!

On #3: Finally, a consensus with the dance community. You said they wouldn't get it, and they don't. No one likes it here or there, so it's totally out of contention. ETA: Oh snap! Someone over there just posted about #3 : "The third one looks a bit like I'd expect to see from a realtor" Ouch! ..l;,

Originally Posted by laura 2

I like #2 as well, and I like the continuity because it's cropped from the same picture on my business cards and home page of my website. I'm just concerned that since it only shows the bra part of the costume and the hair uplifted pose, it could be a little too sexy - especially since people may only see it for a quick moment.

ETA: And Kels brings up another thing I'm not sure of - if it's a good idea to feature my face as opposed to something more generic looking.

I agree that you are too sexy-looking in #2, and you are even sexier in #3 (those come-hither eyes!) and number 4 is blurry and obscure.

I say #1. It's eye-catching but tasteful, and representative of what you're selling.

Someone on the other board suggested mocking up one with no picture, for comparison purposes. What's the verdict on something like this:


By galateadancer

too much text for a drive-by ad!!

Originally Posted by nasila

too much text for a drive-by ad!!

It's the same text as in the other one, though. Or do you mean, the text takes up too much room and there's not enough white space around it?

Originally Posted by laura 2

It's the same text as in the other one, though. Or do you mean, the text takes up too much room and there's not enough white space around it?

too much BIG FONT. I don't know where to look!

and for what it's worth, I like the image version (#1, or one similar to #2 that's not so damned sexy!) much better. :)

I know you want your name large, but I would concentrate on, in order of importance:
1) a large eye catching image
2) what you are selling (BELLY DANCE!)
3) contact info
4) your name

An eye catching image will get their attention, then the name of what you're selling tells the rest of the story of what you are offering. Then they want to know where to find out more.

It's so funny, because I liked number 4 the best immediately. As a newbie, I guess I'm more like GP.

Once again, I agree with Shira that #1 is pretty much selling a body. As a woman, I would never consider hiring #1 or #2, but #4 has wonderful movement and is non-threatening- that person could dance for my grandma or my husband.

Originally Posted by TribalDancer

I know you want your name large, but I would concentrate on, in order of importance:
1) a large eye catching image
2) what you are selling (BELLY DANCE!)
3) contact info
4) your name

An eye catching image will get their attention, then the name of what you're selling tells the rest of the story of what you are offering. Then they want to know where to find out more.

Is this in the general direction of what you mean?

YES! Much better!!

And I would skip the "www" at the beginning of your website, so you can make that font larger to fill the width of that area. www is not not necessary.

Originally Posted by TribalDancer

YES! Much better!!

And I would skip the "www" at the beginning of your website, so you can make that font larger to fill the width of that area. www is not not necessary.

D'oh! My graphic artist friend is always telling me that!

Love the new version. The photo is clear, not too sexy, and suggests dance movement: the best of all the previous options.

The order of text is also a big improvement. I would even suggest putting the web address before your phone number, since it's easier to remember and you want people to get to it before they drive past.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I like #2 best.

I'm not a big fan of faceless torso shots because I usually find them dehumanizing and objectifying.

That's exactly what I was going to post.
I like the second one better.

Oh, the new version is perfect :)
Love it!!!

I think we have a winner - lots of good feedback here and over on the GP board!

Lovely!