Christmas came early...

Most of our advertisers are content to send in their advertising information and wait for their ad to appear in our publication. They trust us to make that miraculous transformation from barely-legible-scribble-on-a-napkin to professional advertising.
Others don't feel safe unless we send them a proof for them to make changes/corrections (this, by the way, is irritating for me, but recommended for you - don't get advertising without a proof) . A select (and irritating) few, insist on sitting there and guiding us step by step as we alter the font size and location.

While explaining your vision and the emphasis that you would like you ad to have, providing sample ideas along with any artwork you would like to use, and asking for a proof are all excellent ways to ensure clear communication between you and your graphic designer - sitting there and directing her every move is an excellent way to get kicked in the head.

Also, your ad won't be as good. It is very hard to be creative while someone is watching you.

For some ads this isn't important. One of our clients has the same ad with tiny alterations each time. He doesn't really need to be sitting there each time...but he feels better doing so and since the ad is mostly price lists anyhow, it doesn't bother me. Besides, he tips me ten bucks every time he comes.

Today I was scheduled to help someone who when I last tried to ask his vision for his ad he said, "You're the one that does this kind of thing." Yes, this is true; however, I am not the one who runs your business and I can't know how you want to portray it until you tell me.

But he cancelled, thank the stars and constellations (though I'm not actually sure what they have to do with it). After he cancelled the christmas card man who came in last night at five till five wanting an ad design called and said he wanted to sit down and design his ad.

Oh, goody.

This is the same person who called three times to change his last ad...mostly he kept finding new things he wanted to underline. He was here for three hours designing two ads and making small changes to the previous ad. This is when I'd already spent half an hour doing prep typing for the biggest of the three ads.

I had grand plans for his ads. I could have done great things. It wasn't to be.

As he was leaving he asked what he owed me for my time. Technically design time in included in the price - but no limit is afixed to this price. So this means that while most people get a paltry 15 minutes per advertisment (give or take - depends on how inspired I feel/how much time I have till the deadline) people like him can sit here for three hours directing the formation of thier advertising.

I told him there was no charge and he walked out for a moment during which my boss jokingly said "No charge for design time, but $100 for mental anguish." I couldn't help but wish the man had felt compelled to tip me even five dollars for my time.

When the man returned he was laden with candy boxes and informed me that they were for us. I'm not talking about Hershey's or Russell Stovers. You can keep your boxes of molded wax. He had boxes of Jelly Bellies, Lindt, Guylian, and Ferrier Rochier. There was at least forty dollars worth of candy there.

I carried them into the break room and told my boss that the man had covered the mental anguish bit. Money is nice, but I would feel compelled to spend it rationally. I have no option but to enjoy chocolate.