So how do you do it?
Well to start with. You're only as good as the product you show your client.

Here's the scenario;
You have spent money on advertising and a great website, your office looks great and you have some great ideas.

Your first big client gives you a brief to see what you can do. You spend days getting it just right and make a sample for them. It's a brilliant idea but the client is not impressed.

Now ask yourself the question;
How is your new million dollar client going to see the brilliance of your idea, if they can't see past the poor quality of the sample that you knocked up on the office printer?

Here is the fix;
Get an experienced Print House. They will have a graphic designer on staff to help you with making that brilliant idea into something that can be printed. Then get them to create your samples. Yes it might cost a little more but the professional look of the sample, will make a huge difference to your pitch.

Next. When the client goes ape over your samples. Go back to the same Print house and get them to print the job for you. Why? Because the Printer with the experience to make the samples look good is the guy you want to make the finished product.

It's at this point a lot of people put their ‘bean counter' hat on and tries to save a little money by using a cheap printer. That means the materials may be different and the colours won't match.

Here's why;
Cheap printers are banking on the presses turning all the time. They can't take the time to check everything because otherwise the press isn't making money. Some brag about calibrating their machines once a month. The Machine should be calibrated for every job that goes through, or that perfect spot colour that exactly matched the company logo, may well change dramatically. The end result is a disappointed client or a delay while you wait for expensive re-prints. Both of which will damage your reputation.

A good printer will not start the press till everything is right. He will take the time get the colours right. He will check, and check again as the job runs, to ensure you get what you asked for. That attention to detail and perfection is worth paying for.

At the end of the day, marketing is about showing things in the best light. If you want to be a marketing Guru, shine the best light on yourself by using experienced professionals.