Requests for EMC Content, Material Markups and More in March’s Inbox

Visual Market

• We recently worked with a marketing firm for an event that was about video/content creation for social media, website, etc. We brought an EMC to show how their already-designed videos can be used in other places to promote the sale of message centers. I think a good topic would be about EMC-design content and the benefits of partnering with the video marketing industry in that aspect. — Sara Geiger, Fox Cities Sign, Appleton, Wi

Weary Business

• 28 years and counting… This is a tough business and it keeps getting tougher. So much of what we do these days is not about signs. Landlord, muni, marketing approvals, CYA provisions and the need for over-communication seem to take the lead… — Bob Persichetti, Effective Sign Works, Burlington, NJ

Read and Ask

• I had a conversation with another signshop yesterday. This person commented on the challenges of all the mom and pop signshops that continue to start up. How does it impact the bigger or more established shops? — Nancy Wilde, Wilde Signs, Vernon, BC, Canada
• Current equipment financing options. What are sign companies doing to pay for new equipment? What are typical rates and terms for purchases of equipment? — Kelley Campbell, Specialty Graphic Solutions, Vancouver, WA
• What are typical markup rates for materials, labor and outsourced goods? — Dominic Tancredi, Woodshed Stage Art, Cleveland, OH

Read and Reference

• Designer burnout scenario was a great article (see ST, January 2024, page 46). I try to give my designers tasks away from the computer. It breaks the hold and keeps their eyes fresh. As a former designer who worked their way up to ownership, I know by first-hand experience. — Bobby Jordan, Fastsigns White Marsh-Joppa, Joppa, MD

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