Franklin Nursing Home to Host Community Blood Drive

I began my career in publishing in 1992, starting with magazines rather than community newspapers in Austin, Texas. I had a rare skill: I was proficient in Photoshop and PageMaker. I was entering the early days of the computerized graphic design age for publications, and websites soon became a popular tool for businesses. I taught myself the website programming software of that time, including HTML, using BBEdit on a Mac. Although the sites were straightforward, this learning experience led to a special award at SXSW in Austin for Best Commercial Website. Stu Shapiro, a Hollywood producer, and I created a unique website that transformed handwritten samples of famous deceased individuals into computer fonts. We started with the handwriting of George Washington, but soon, my macabre side took over, leading us to add fonts based on the handwriting of John Wayne Gacey, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Lizzie Borden. The site went viral during the O.J. Simpson trial when we offered a font based on O.J. Simpson's penmanship. Despite receiving a cease and desist notice, we continued with our "Buy 3, Get O.J. Free" campaign, which turned out to be magical. Fast forward over 30 years, and I'm still dedicated to designing websites and specialized landing pages for my customers. Other newspaper owners and publishers might benefit from the experience I've gained over the decades. I envision a simple approach where they can look at a customer and say, "Why don't we create a single webpage to sell those widgets?" In the digital age, it is easy for your customer to get lost. A newspaper landing page has many applications, but there are too many to list. If you know me, you know I have to try. 1. Direct from an ad on your website. 2. Direct the ad from your newsletter. 3. Direct off your e-edition. 4. It helps complete the advertising loop. (Call me, I'll explain) 5. A one-page sale leads to an entire website build, which generates plenty of revenue—not just a one-time fee but a recurring fee as well. 6. You and your customer control the narrative, which is very important nowadays, with so many outside "commercial sites" trying to do that for them. I can do this all day, but the best part is that you offer your customers an affordable web solution, removing that "one more thing to do" from their list. Let's face it: Most small Texas businesses do little or nothing when it comes to online promotion. A couple of posts on Facebook, and off they go, thinking that was enough. You and I both know it is not. But they feel good about it for a day or two, and then the whole process creeps back in: " What do I do about a website? How can I even use the internet to make money?" I am a graphic designer, a newspaper owner, and a sales rep. More importantly, my customers consider me an advertising agency, and they often call me to consult on their t-shirt designs as much as their advertising. I am here for my customers 24 hours a day, and they know it. I once told a car lot that I was his least expensive sales rep and could sell 3-5 cars weekly. I told him I was ready to go to work for him. Naturally, he thought I would don the tie and walk the floor. When he asked when I could start, I slid over the 52-week contract and said, "Is today good for you?" That pitch still works if you are having difficulty with your car lots. My point is that I sell every day, as I am sure you do. Here is a product that is cost-effective for your newspaper and customers and works. I will see you at the TPA Convention and look forward to meeting you. Stop by the booth.