Long Beach Trade Show
Entry posted by JulieVan
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Here I am, sitting deeply lost in thought as I try to come up with a way to spread the word. No fair, that Illy has dominated the online community with forums of bragging print masters and sign-making hippies. Not that I hate them. I do appreciate good word when they back up what they believe in. I am in deep involvement with a software of my own.
I had walked around the crowded convention center last week, observing the seemingly all-too-similar large format printers as I crave to take one of their "samples" to bring home for myself. The public would often times sneak in and grab a few samples for themselves, unregistered and uninvited. I eye each representative of their own individual companies and I would quietly pull them aside as I asked them why they are representing the brands they have chosen to represent.
"What software do you use?" I keenly stare wide-eyed at the displays printing slowly but surely out of their format printers.
Some of them keep their stern eyes on my buyer name badge, while others would let loose and remember that I'm a human being and not a potential sale.
"Flexi."
"SignLab."
"Onyx."
Those were some of the answers I've heard, or some at least among the more commonly mentioned words included in the exchange. They ask me what business I'm in, and I answer, "EasySign." I squint my eyes as I envisioned each representative walking away from me, like guys walking from a nerdy school girl in a junior high school.
But they don't. They ask me what it is. Sign-making software. How many available licenses? Many; starter, pro, master, bundling, etc. I reassure them that there is no need to have them convert from RIP, eliminating any possible (and unnecessary) middleman in the transaction. Good business is business done directly between two firms, and not by their henchmen. That's what I always thought. I offered them a demo version of EasySign v5 as they handed me their business cards, which I carefully placed in my own wallet. I only give them my business card upon request; I don't want to be seen carelessly throwing around my card like it's my phone number in a singles' bar. I have value, and I know it.
I spoke to around 8 or 9 individuals that day, and each one of them personally. Only a couple can I recall that they gave me a cold, dry-eyed stare because I was asking too many questions (I am not very knowledgeable in the whole world of sign-making!). They had dollar signs in their eyes, and they were not appealing to me whatsoever. I do recall, however, each and every single individual who remained grounded as we made interesting conversation about the vinyl cutters and the posters that they specialize in. I learned about what type of printers are good for what type of businesses (i.e. billboards, movie posters, etc.). Mimaki, Signmart, Sign Warehouse, etc. were all but a few that I have spoken with.
You weren't at the convention center...were you? If you're reading this, and you're probably wondering why I wrote this, it's because that was my first sign-making trade show, EVER. Care to educate me, then that's fine. Care to ask me questions about EasySign, I will provide you with the information. All you have to do is message me via this forum site or contact me with relevant content at julie@easysignusa.com. I don't know how often I will be on here :)
I'm an interesting person with a lot of things to say. Promise!
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