In today’s economy, it makes sense to save a buck when you can. But that doesn’t mean you should save a buck where you probably shouldn’t. For example…
Things It’s Okay to Buy at a Dollar Store:
Bouncy Balls
A Slinky
Tinsel
Coloring Books
Gag Gifts
Things We Don’t Recommend That You Buy at a Dollar Store:
Baby Formula
Batteries for Your Emergency Flashlight
Medicine
Pants
Graphic Design Services
Some people are tempted to find a super-cheap “graphic designer” to put together their advertising materials. It’s the happy medium between a DIY job and hiring a real professional, right? these poor folks think to themselves. But you get what you pay for, and like the other items on the list of Not-Okay Dollar Store Items, you really want your advertising materials to be high-quality and work when you need them most.
You can probably find an ad on Craigslist for some dude who’ll put together a flier for you for peanuts, but what he doesn’t realize is that graphic design is much more than haphazardly slapping clip art on a page. Real graphic designers have the training to understand the psychology behind what should go where and the eye to balance function with aesthetic appeal. Like anything else that requires talent and experience, you’re going to pay a little more for that. But the results will make your investment worth it.
After all, spending a small amount of money on graphic design services that bring in zero customers makes less sense than spending a moderate amount of money on graphic design services that bring in five customers. The initial investment is more, but you’ll end up ahead in the end if you build your client base as a result of the advertising.
Of course, you don’t have to take our word for it. Ask that guy over there who’s sitting in the dark with a wedgie thanks to his dead flashlight batteries and $1 pants. He’ll tell you that sometimes, that extra couple of bucks is worth it.