Our Yearly Family Newsletter :: A Lesson in...

I know that it is no longer christmastime, but I wanted to share the family newsletter than I designed and sent out as our Christmas card this year. One reason I wanted to share it is because I am proud of how beautiful my family is, but also, because it was FREE from beginning to end --- don't believe me? I'll explain.

I have an acquaintance who is a photographer. After Chloe was born in Feb 08, I knew that I wanted to get some pictures taken of our "finished family" (we are done having kids because I am plain exhausted!) So, I approached my photographer friend (after I looked at her website and knew she didn't have a real logo) and told her I would swap services with her if she needed some graphic design stuff done. At first she didn't really say anything like, "Sure, that would be a great idea---" so I thought she might just brush me off. Which is fine, but I know this is what keeps peope from putting themselves out there in the first place. Afterall, who likes to be rejected right?!?

After a week or two she emailed me and said she would take me up on my offer. And, voila, FREE photography. She even burned all the raw images to a CD for me and I was able to retouch and work my magic on all the photos myself! Plus I printed them out on my own printer, so no exhorbitant photography print fees (it is like $9 for one 4x6 if I buy them through her!) Oh, not only did I use them on my newsletter, but the pictures were also Christmas presents for both sets of grandparents --- so free pictures + a nice frame = 2 presents off the list! Here is her website in case you are interested in seeing the logo I designed for her: http://www.onemomentintimephotography.com. I didn't do her website in general, so that is not my work --- just the logo.

(Oh, and if you are wondering about copyrights and all that, I talked to her about using the pictures in my newsletter and printing them myself in exchange for a by line in my publication. Afterall I am an artist and totally get the copyright thing. I also did the same for her with the design work I did. Gave her all the finished files on a disk so she can have them printed where she wants and can utilize her logo without having to come through me.)

So, images in hand I designed my newsletter. My husband used to work for a print company. Last year my husband's company fixed the roof for his old company and they took part of their compensation in free printing. So, I submitted my newsletter and they digitally printed them for me for free. I did buy stamps and envelopes, but that was minimal compared to the over all expense of the whole project if I had had to pay for the entire thing.

What I love about tough financial times is that it forces us to have to get CREATIVE! What talent do you have that you could trade services for? Just because we are in a "recession" doesn't mean we have to turn our brains off, sit in a corner and suck our thumbs. GET CREATIVE!

The other things I have thought of in the past to swap with people are: babysitting - I babysit for you then you babysit for me, offer to clean someone's house in exchange for babysitting, I painted my hairdresser's studio space in exchange for a year's worth of hair cuts, I offered my design servies in exchange for free gym membership, free tuition at a mothers-day-out program and to our pediatrician.

Anyway, what things do you have to offer? (and please keep your mind out of the gutter!)