You Can Tell a Book by its Cover - Right?
Ever watch people at Borders?  Some know which book or author they want from the get go.  These are the lucky ones.  The rest of us just meander through the aisles looking at the book covers with a glazed look on our faces.   Sometimes we’ll stop and read a blurb but, for the most part, we just keep staring at the covers hoping one will “speak” to us.  Now true, there is a visual short hand code for some types of books.  A Hunk of the Year/Fabio lookalike holding the swooning maiden in his arms screams, “I am a Romantic Novel”. Another cover is showcasing swarms of airplanes or submarines.  Graphically, it is telling you its about War or Spies.  The best series of covers in recent times that communicated to the prospective reader was the DUMMIES collection.  Gardening For Dummies, Computers for Dummies, whatever the topic, the title told you exactly what was inside.  So, what does this have to do with Interiorscape sales?  Well, I believe that too often we ‘scapers write out a bid or proposal with lots of words and numbers and forget that this alone does not sell the content.

We Need a Presentation that is In Keeping with our Product 
For example, a few pictures of the proposed plants and containers go a long way, but still fall short of eliciting any “WOW” factor.  The best presentations I’ve ever seen include computer generated or hand drawn renderings of the plants in the planters located in the actual space along with a list of plant material, containers, and any other accessories.  Add to this a well done cover using high end paper goods, architectural font for the printing and a packet heavy enough to give off a “thump” when landing on a desk and that is what the well dressed Presentation wil wear.

With Today’s Technology
Even the smallest of companies can look like one of the big boys.  A computer program that generates industry graphics is that next hired salesperson and
best of all,  this is the very best salesperson you could ever hire.  One that never sleeps, goes on vacation, or asks for a raise.  A one time expense that after it has paid for itself, just keeps giving and giving.  Companies that have bitten the bullet and bought the program AND taken the necessary training - report great results and  that the program quickly pays for itself.  It takes you off the bookstore shelf as a “me too” and makes you a star.

 Look at it This Way
It is no different than going to a high-end restaurant where the chef spends almost as much time creating an architectural wonder as a mouth pleasing dinner.  They know that Presentation is everything!!!
The good news is that years ago there were no computer programs for our niche industry. Most of us cut up every Interiorscape Magazine we could get a hold of to get plant pictures. Now thanks to Tom Creedham and Joe Cialone of Tropical Computers www.cdplants.com, ‘scaper computer programs exist.  Just tell‘em Barb sent you.

Now go out there and get’em Tiger.