Today I checked the 'Dashboard' for my blog. This consists of many different aspects of my blog but a small list of some of the things included are:

• The number of posts I have made


• The number of pages included in my blog


• How many comments I have


• A graph of how many visits I have had daily and monthly


• A list of where these visits came from


• The top posts on my blog


• The most active pictures, posts and pages


• The top searches of how others found my blog

I am always checking the comments section as well as the graph of the number of visitors.  Of course I find these fun because then I know who is checking out my blog!!

I also find the "Top Searches" section particularly interesting because for the most part, these are coming from people around the world.  Most of these people, if not all, I do not know and they do not know me.  So today I checked out my Dashboard.  This is what I found:
Top Searches

[caption id="attachment_308" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Embroidered Toilet Paper"][/caption]



toilet paper embroidery, embroidered toilet paper, embroidering on toilet paper, embroidery designs on toilet paper, picture purse

How interesting is that??!!??   Why would so many people be searching for embroidered toilet paper?

Embroidered toilet paper is one of the things that I like to tell people about at networking events.  This is something that when I talk about it . .  I will always be remembered.  Yes, that means that I will be remembered for 'embroidering toilet paper' but that is OK.  At least they will remember me!!

The conversation is rarely left at the fact that I embroider toilet paper!  In fact, there are always more questions to follow.  The top question usually asked is, "Why do you embroider toilet paper?"  This is a great question and you are probably wondering the same thing.  I will begin with the reason that I just mentioned. .  .because it is unique and you will remember it!

Other reasons include:

• It shows that we can embroider on almost anything even something as delicate as toilet paper.


• It is a great gift for the person that has anything!


• Still yet, if you have a company restroom, why not have you logo embroidered on the toilet paper placed on the back of the toilet?  Just another way for your customers to see your logo. . .even in the restroom!

For those of you who did not search for embroidered toilet paper. . .why not?  Just kidding!  What do you think about embroidered toilet paper?

For those of you who found me because of this exact search, please leave me a comment and let me know why you are searching for this particular thing!!

Labels: embroidered toilet paper

Sometimes our customers are not sure if they should go with screen-print or embroidery.  Surprisingly enough, there are some things to think about:

• Where will you be wearing the shirts?  Will you be wearing them doing yard work or at a convention?


• What is the image you are going for? Do you want to look a little bit more professional with embroidery or do you want to go for more of a “team” look with the screen-print?


• How many will you need?  Less than two dozen or over 6 dozen?


• How many colors are in the design?


• What is your budget?


• Will you be making repeat orders?


• How many locations will there be?  Do you want logo, web page, tag line, etc to also be included but in different locations on the shirt?


• Do you want something really big across the entire shirt?
  

Pros and Cons for Screen-print and Embroidery

Screen-print: There is a screen charge each time you place a screen-print order, even with reorders.  It will not always be as expensive as the initial order, but there will be a charge.  With screen-printing, the cost for each shirt is based on the number of colors in the design, as well as the number of shirts ordered.  Your logo has four colors, so that puts it into the highest price category.  There is usually a minimum quantity of items purchased for screen print too.  One benefit is that screen print can go larger on the front of a t-shirt than the left chest of the embroidery.

Embroidery: The shirts just look more professional. You will have a one-time set-up fee, but after that has been completed then you can always order more shirts as they are needed without a minimum.  We do not recommend  putting a large embroidered design on the front of a t-shirt.  Embroidery will last much longer than screen print, sometimes even outliving the shirt.  The embroidery can be placed in several different locations such as a logo on the front left chest and then your website on the back or sleeve.

Rough Estimate: Here is a rough estimate I gave a potential client recently:  The logo had 4 different colors in it and they really only needed about 6 to be worn at conventions or other events.  Based on a rough estimate, they were looking at a difference in cost of about $15.00 for 12 screen printed t-shirts vs. 6 embroidered polo shirts.   Both with only a front location of the logo.

There are times when it is way more cost effective to go with screen print vs. embroidery.  But when the logo has so many different colors like this one and the quantity is so small, it really does not make that much difference in cost.  It is sometimes better to go with the embroidery because then it is ready for any future orders.

What do you think?

Which way would you go?

Labels: Embroidery, Logo colors, logos, Screen Print

I began working with the Actum Group last year. They are a wonderful group of people from which I have learned many things. Because my background is in teaching and not sales, it has been a struggle for me when it came to knowing what to do. I know how to do the embroidery, but the sales calls were a different story. How do I set them up. . .What do I do when I get there. . . What should we talk about. . .etc. When I first started attending networking events, I was very insecure and stood by the wall. Many of the these things may seem very simple and common sense, but for me it was not easy. After working with the Actum Group, I now have no problem going up to people to talk. I am comfortable speaking with them and learning about what they do.

While working with the Actum Group, I have learned that standing against the wall is not how to grow a business. The customers are not going to come to me, I need to go to them. Not only did they teach me this simple concept, but they also taught me how to find the customers.

It has not been easy and I would prefer to not have the role playing (or humiliation :) as I like to call it), but I have to admit that I have learned a lot!! To my surprise they offered to write an extremely nice article about me on their blog.  Please check it out ( Infocusselling.com/blog ) What do you think?

Please leave your thoughts. Even better yet, add their blog RSS feed to your RSS Reader.

Labels: Actum Group, blog, Embroidery, InFocusSelling, Jeff Bowe, Kristie's Kreations