Margie Dana

Guess how many Print Tips I have written? Over 700! I started back in the fall of 1999, and here I still sit, writing a column a week about print and related fields.

When I decided the time was right for a change in my business, I just couldn’t toss the Tips – I have too much to say. But it surely was time for a makeover. Here’s the first issue of my newsletter’s new look: cleaner and leaner.

Your time is precious, as is mine. I vow to keep my Tips short and sweet.

What’s in store for this new generation of Print Tips? Here’s what interests me:

– How print ‘plays nice’ (or not) with new media

– How marketers are changing how they incorporate print in campaigns

– How new printing technologies can help marketers

– How printing companies are evolving

– How print buying pros are dealing with changes in their careers

– How other media affect the print industry

These topics will continue to be the grist for my newsletter mill, as it were. Looked at as a body of work, they will help me help you keep an eye on what’s changing about print – and what’s exciting.

Very soon I’ll be doing a short survey to find out what your interests are. For all I know, you want me to write about raising a mini poodle (just kidding) or the secret to a perfect piecrust (go ahead, ask me). Seriously, I want to know what you want to read. Then I’ll do my best to deliver.

I hope you’ll come along with me for this ongoing ride. Once again, welcome to my new newsletter. As always, I value your comments. Don’t be shy – tell me what you think!

Karen Spellman

April 22, 2013 at 10:39 am

I’ve been an avid follower of yours for I’m sure over 10 years. As a print/media buyer, I would love to hear how other print/media buyers are fairing. Since I made the bold (not so sure smart) move of branching out on my own freelancing, I need all the ideas I can get to aquire more business.

Thanks and best of luck to you!
Karen

Margie

April 24, 2013 at 1:08 pm

Hi, Karen!

First, thanks for your readership all these years – I SO appreciate it.

Second, keep your peer group on LinkedIn growing, and if you’re a member of my PBI buyers-only group there, post the query there if you want.

Also, I’d recommend you become active in your local/regional direct marketing associations. Ours here is dynamite! The other members may well need your services as a freelancer.

And then there are your local business community groups/organizations…

Just a few suggestions…

Margie
- Karen Spellman
  
  May 01, 2013 at 3:03 pm
  
  Thank you for the great advice, I will be sure to do that!

Tom Boyd

April 22, 2013 at 11:18 am

Hi Margie,
Long time reader, & enjoy your newsletter.
We are printers, but we also buy printing.
Your N/L’s keep me informed on new processes. (Love That)
Also forward (& recommend) to some of my customers that are woefully uninformed about printing.
Your N/L & Trish Witkowski the fold of the week lady I look forward to.
Cancelled Sabine Lenz N/L. She seems to be paid by certain paper mills.. Much rather get that information from our paper merchant sales people.

Keep em going!

Tom Boyd
Yoder & Armstrong, Inc.
627 East Baltimore Ave
Lansdowne, Pa 19050
Phone number-
Fax number-
E-Mail-
Making Good Impressions Since 1948

LIsa Bickford

April 23, 2013 at 11:06 am

Thanks Margie – looking forward to it. (And yes, I would love your secret to a great pie crust!)

Margie

April 24, 2013 at 1:13 pm

HI, Lisa,

And THANKS! Aside from writing, taking Zumba/Kickboxing/Step classes daily, spending time with my family and doting on my mini poodle Charlie, I am crazy about baking, especially pies!

My secrets to terrific pie crusts:

– make sure all of your ingredients are well chilled ahead of time.
– once the dough is ready, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour, then roll it out.
– whether you’re a pure butter fan or a “Spry/Crisco” fan, just don’t overdo the dough when you’re mixing it. Better to add the water a TAD at a time till the dough holds together. Once you add too much water, well, that’s a problem!

Hope this helps! I have 3 favorite recipes if you want.

Spring Cleaning Is Good for the Soul

Spring Cleaning Is Good for the Soul

Margie

Karen Spellman

Margie