Cost Effective Art And Photo Presentation

Everyone is looking for an economical way of presenting your art or photos in a professional manner.

One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is to take the most common sizes of regular and digital artwork and purchase pre-cut mats.  To make things even simpler stick to black and white mats or a combination of those colors that suit the sizes and art or photos you are presenting.

When you purchase your pre-cut mats, you can source them in single or double with options like regular mat board, conservation quality or 8-ply conservation board. Don’ t forget to add items you will also need such as backing boards, crystal clear poly bags or acid-free tape and dispensers.  Many of the suppliers for pre-cut mats will also supply packages that include everything you need.

The result is an incredible saving over buying the components separately – yet sacrificing nothing in the area of professionalism and presentation.

One of the simplest and yet professional presentations is the simple single white or black mat over your work – placed on a clean white backing board and presented in a clear poly sleeve that can be sealed and then opened and re-sealed as necessary if you need to remove the artwork to show or even to autograph for a buyer.

One of the best things you can do in presentation is to standardize.  By staying with certain sizes, you simplify your own process of ordering, stocking and presenting your work.  You will find that you same money as well as use your materials wisely.

Try to choose a final size that is considered standard will also make it easier for your purchaser to locate and add a frame of their choice from either an on-line supplier, art supply, frame shop or department store.

Present your work elegantly, yet simply and cost effectively.  Some samples of packages like this can be seen at http://www.matshop.com.

Retail Boxes Help Attract Customers Through Presentation

As the owner of a store, you have to be concerned with all aspects of your presentation. Lighting, shelves, product placement, and much more contribute to the customer’s experience when they shop at your establishment. While it would be unusual to come across a manager or owner who didn’t give thought to these aspects of the shopping experience, it’s not so unusual to see owners disregard one of the most important parts of the chain: the purchase itself. How many companies are satisfied with throwing purchases into a nondescript plastic bag before handing it to the customer? If you want to do better, retail boxes may be the way to go.

Aesthetics
Customer service and competitive pricing are always going to be an unbeatable tandem when it comes to making a store successful. But aesthetics are important as well. You would be surprised at how much of a customer’s decision making is based on how something looks. Even when the prices and service are outstanding, how many people want to shop in a dingy store? Even if it is perfectly functional, who is going to buy an ugly lamp for their home? Aesthetics matter, and retail boxes are another way to add to the illusion. Because an illusion is really what it is, in the end. You’re selling an experience, and packaging is an important part of the design.

Branding
If you like, you can also use retail boxes as a way of expanding your brand messaging. Customers will walk out of your store holding their purchases, so why not have your logo and brand name on the side of the box? This advertises your company to anyone who happens by, strengthens brand loyalty in the customers themselves, and is just generally a good way to get your name out there. If you’re spending thousands on TV advertising and other media, don’t overlook simple ways such as this to spread the word about your business.

Satisfaction
In addition to adding to the aesthetic appeal of the customer experience, you also want to make sure your retail boxes don’t detract from the purchase. This is why you should spend some time making sure you purchase supplies that are sturdy and comfortable. The best looking box in the world is worthless if it falls apart as the customer is walking out the door. A little incident like that can sour a customer’s experience to the point where they won’t be in any hurry to return to your establishment. Buy from a supplier who understands the importance of a good product.

Dealing With Difficult Negotiators

Screaming, yelling, ranting, raving, cursing, throwing items across the table, hanging up the phone in your ear … Many of us have difficulty with negotiators who do these things.

These outrageous behaviors can shake us up, intimidate, scare, or upset us.

Why? The most common explanation is that our fight-flight response is evoked. Fighting rarely gets us moving toward a meaningful agreement. Fright can cause us to make compromises or give concessions we would otherwise never entertain.

Why Do They Do It?

Why do some negotiators rely on outrageous behavior to get their way? Because they can … or because they have in the past.

But, we don’t have to allow this behavior to cause us to give in.

Feigned Emotion

Some negotiators act as if they are emotionally upset when they really are not.

Usually, this negotiator is the sophisticated, high level, manipulator who is looking for an advantage. His intention is calculated. The results sought are pre-planned.

Tantrum Behavior

The overwhelming majority of screamers are just stuck in a tantrum behavior pattern. As a child, they threw tantrums and got what they wanted. As an adolescent, they pressed the bounds of behavior. As an adult, they just act like big babies who must have what they want!

What Can We Do?

Whether the outrageous behavior is fake or real, we can deal with it without making serious compromises.

Silence is first. Not engaging a screamer … letting the screamer go uninterrupted works many times. Some negotiators simply want to be heard. Genuinely upset, some negotiators become quite compliant after they have vented. In fact, sometimes the boomerang effect can set in … that is, a screamer after venting will accept whatever is offered, and may even give more than expected.

Avoid Taunts. Many times we fall into taunting behavior as a defense, “Are you finished?” … “Yell a little louder!” … “Who do you think you are talking to?” These responses do not help. We must avoid these taunts, secure in the knowledge that our objective of a negotiated agreement is primary. Mirror Behavior. This probably sounds contradictory (and probably is) but sometimes shouting back can be the answer. This technique has limited utility but when effective is best used as an out of character response. People who almost never yell can use mirroring effectively on really important issues.

Feel, Felt, Found. The feel, felt, found technique works well with outrageous behavior because at its core, this technique seems to validate the unaccepted behavior … and then provides enlightenment. Feel … “I understand how you feel.” This is the validation or commiseration phase. Felt … “Many people in your position would have felt the same way.” This is the generalization phase. Your irate counterpart is in league with many other (ill-informed) people. Found. “But understanding … (Point A, B, C) … most people have found our position is quite reasonable.” The A, B, and C are the features, benefits, and additional appeals that support our position.

Positive Outrageous Behavior. Give them a reason to laugh. Goofy behavior, funny statements, and strange responses that cause laughter can many times disarm the worst tantrum behavior pattern.

Good luck dealing with difficult negotiators … we all need it!

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