Thread: poster info-updated with preview-suggestions?

A little background info...We don't have any Arabic restaurants in town or a very large Arabic community. However we do have an Arabic store. I was visiting the other day and gave the owner my card....she said that I could put up a poster in her window. I don't have a poster, but am now (of course) going to make one. Any suggestions? Should I call myself a bellydancer or Middle Eastern Dancer or Middle Eastern Dance Artist? On my business card it says Middle Eastern Dance artist. An Arabic lady in town (whose friend's wedding at which I performed) suggested I leave my information at this particular store. I am just going to have something small printed like an 8 X 10 or 8.5 X 11. Will Kinkos or Office Max print just one for me? Any suggestions for the poster itself, content or printing?
Thanks!!:cr:

Kinko's will do it, but beware of the copyright laws. Even if it's your picture, they may need a release from the photographer in order to copy it. If you can get it done...go a bit bigger...16x20 or so. Full color, full picture and bold print in a very contrasting color (like bright white). Include your name, number, website, email, and what you do (ie: weddings, bridal showers, etc..) - you can then get the same poster made into 4x6 cards so the store can hand those out. Can you tell I've done this before....brings in plenty of business.

Yes, I was going to suggest getting postcards made as well.
People will hold onto them longer if interested than just a card.

Thanks for your advice. I hadn't thought about postcards.
I hope to work on it tonight!

OK...please give me your HONEST feedback. I have never created this type of poster so I'll be appreciative of any advice. Please look at the text colors and sizes and tell me what you think. It's going in a store window so I don't want it to be too busy....but is it to plain??
poster
Thanks!

Hi Alexandria!

I like the shot of you dancing however do you have any other photos? I would suggest a photo of you looking "up" not down and maybe one w/ your hands closed and not wide open?

Mina

I agree with Mina....you should use a more professional "staged" photo, not an "on-stage" photo. I like the rest - you could even place the info centered on the bottom (thighs and down). I do like the font color being similar to your costuming - keep it in the same family of hues but go either a bit darker or a bit lighter just to make your name stand out.

Hey Alexandria! I know you guys just had some really nice troupe/studio shots recently, did you have any individuals done? I really like the poster overall but I think professional photos look more professional on business promotional material with very few exceptions... Good luck!
Rach

You can also have Ritz Photo print it & they are very reasonably priced & cheaper than Kinko's. Here in MD they have wonderful new machines at some locations that print large size posters. I've done several for restaurants where I perform (or did) at their request and used 16x24. In those cases, the restaurant info was included since it was promotional for them.

Do make sure to check with the photographer since the image is going to be used for commercial purposes. Usually it's never a problem but it's always nice to ask.

I also used the same image that was on my business cards. That way it was visually a reminder to the clients, that "Hey, I saw your photo at such & such". It's a another small tip that helps people remember who you are.

Oh the other thing...Frame it! Go to Michaels or another framing place and have it professionally framed. It looks so much classier than taping the poster in the window. Choose a frame that compliments the poster. Try to get the framing on sale as you can easily spend $100 or more for the larger ones but I've had some done for as little as $50.

I think the photo is fine. You look natural and approachable. It looks like you are dancing at a real show--which to me says that you actually are a legitimate performer.

From a design aspect--it's good practice to use no more than two fonts. Since your name is in one big font, choose one other font. I think you have at least two more and it takes away from the professional look.

Choose a font that harmonizes well with your name font and sends the message you want--in this case I'd say something with simple elegance, but easy to read.

ETA: Also, you might want to talk to someone at the print or copy shop about the size you want and the photo resolution you need. Otherwise, once it's enlarged, it will look all pixelized and low quality.

Did you create your poster in MS Word?

Mish Mish..I had the same thought as you, that the photo is a performance shot taken at a show and that it looks natural and not posed. I know some of you think it would be better to have a posed photo though. Being the Libra that I am I can't make a decision to save my life..c::

Rach...We did have photos made (you must be friends with Mary) . It was her shoot so the photos were mainly of her and the group. I have a few solo shots, but they are all really posed (good or bad??).

The photographer who did that group shot designed a poster for me last night, however when I showed it to my husband he didn't like it. He said it's too busy and that he liked mine better. See why I am so confused??

Deelight, I created the posted in Yahoo site builder.

I am at work right now, but when I get home I'll see if I can post the photographers poster and see what ya'll think about it.

I never thought about a frame...good idea.
I could use the same photo that is on my business card. I'll look at that as well.
Thanks so much for all your input. Great advice

Alexandria, I'm one of Alexia's girls (yep, the Alexandria Dancers..l;, .) I know Mary but I can't really claim friendship just because I was just coming into the ensemble when she was moving to Chatt so we didn't really have the chance to know each other beyond recongnition... but Alexia is very proud of Mary and did show me the group photo. We met when you came up to dance at the Kerbala Temple with Mary but you probably don't remember (I was pregnant with twins & had pneumonia on top of it..c:: .) You're coming up again to dance in the show in April so we'll meet again then. I do feel as tho' I already know you b/c of Alexia & Mary -- only good things said I promise!!!

P.S. I'm a Libra too so I feel ya,r:; !!!

Hi Rachel,
I knew your face (photo) I just couldn't remember where we met. Now I remember...the double P whammy!! I know you were wiped out after that.
I am so happy to have Mary in Chattanooga now. We had attended some of the same workshops for years, but never met each other.
Both Mary and I will be performimg solos and then we are doing a group thobe piece as well. I am looking forward to meeting you again...hopefully under better circumstances for you Are performing in the show as well?

Originally Posted by songofincense

Alexandria, I'm one of Alexia's girls (yep, the Alexandria Dancers..l;, .) I know Mary but I can't really claim friendship just because I was just coming into the ensemble when she was moving to Chatt so we didn't really have the chance to know each other beyond recongnition... but Alexia is very proud of Mary and did show me the group photo. We met when you came up to dance at the Kerbala Temple with Mary but you probably don't remember (I was pregnant with twins & had pneumonia on top of it..c:: .) You're coming up again to dance in the show in April so we'll meet again then. I do feel as tho' I already know you b/c of Alexia & Mary -- only good things said I promise!!!

Originally Posted by basil1

Hi Rachel,
I knew your face (photo) I just couldn't remember where we met. Now I remember...the double P whammy!! I know you were wiped out after that.
I am so happy to have Mary in Chattanooga now. We had attended some of the same workshops for years, but never met each other.
Both Mary and I will be performimg solos and then we are doing a group thobe piece as well. I am looking forward to meeting you again...hopefully under better circumstances for you Are performing in the show as well?

Yep, that was me... I know we meet alot of people at these events but introductions like "she's pregnant with twins and is on antibiotics & codine for pneumonia.w.: ..." are hard to forget even if you can't remember the name & face. I'm very excited to see both of you dance again -- we missed you Chatt ladies last year..cr.: ! I am absolutely back in performance mode and am very excited about the show -- nothing beats dancing in a real theater on a full stage!!! Plus Virginia rocks! Did you decide to go with your original poster? I really like the framing idea for places that your poster stays up!!! What dimensions are you using 8x10 or 11x16?

I made a color poster last weekend. It was 11 x 17 which seemed to work really well, it looked big enough and "poster-ish". Printed it out for $2 at Kinko's. I asked about printing it in larger dimensions, like 16 x 24 and the price went up drastically to about $21 per unit. So I decided to stick with the smaller size.