Monday, November 29, 2010

5 Tips You Need to Know when placing your jersey order

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

In the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season... there are some serious questions to be answered... Who is going to design our team's cycling jersey this year? Which manufacturer are we going to use? Can we find someone to meet our budget? What about sizing?


December is normally the busiest time for me, as many teams are putting together their orders to guarantee their brand spanking new kits arrive in time for the their first race.
In my 14 years of designing apparel, I've seen some great designs and some not so great designs.
There are many different ways to design your jerseys. We can do full custom, semi-custom or print on an existing jersey.
  • As you can imagine the full custom takes the longest to design and produce. But has the most FLASH at the finish line.
  • Semi-custom means that the design is already printed and a jersey is already sewn and ready to go, we just have to print on it. This is perfect for small teams less than 24. However, you may show up race day with others in the same template design.
  • Printing on an existing jersey - If you see my PBR jersey, we just printed on a white jersey and this is great for small orders and quick turnaround time.

1. Set the team's budget and collect down payment from team early on. Avoids stress and late orders. Most manufacturers require 1/2 up front at beginning of order.
2. Set a realistic deadline. Some clients work 4 months ahead. This is ideal because some production times run 4-8 weeks depending on the amount of orders.
3. Get artwork in vector or original format. Right clicking on your sponsor's website and giving me a .jpg won't work. I'll have to redraw the logo for a small fee. 
 4. I wish I could wave my magic wand and get your order in as soon as we talk. The clock starts ticking when artwork proof is approved from the manufacturer. Just because we talked about it Friday on Nov. 5th nothing happens until artwork is submitted.
5. I have relationships with all the manufacturers, from Primal Wear, Giordana, Pearl Izumi, ZBikewear, Sugoi, Louis Garneau, Voler, Hincapie. I've been at their plants, worked with them and have even my own designed retail apparel lines.

I'm the perfect person for you to work with, I design, gather quotes, manage the order and make sure order comes in on time and correct, so you can be out there riding. I don't know of anyone else that does what I do. Pretty cool, eh?

I would be more than happy to come to one of your monthly meetings to bring samples and answer questions. Free pizza and a couple of beers and I'll share all my vast knowledge. I'm available any Tuesday or Wednesday night and some weekends.

Holiday Snuggle Gift IDeas

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

Have you wanted to snuggle one of your clients?


That got your attention didn't? Check out the flyer below for neat holiday gift ideas for friends and family, sporting your company logo.
Gifts from $6-$60
I think the fleece blanket is very unique and is great for tree lightings, early morning marathons or yes even snuggling with your client.
Now that's customer service. LOL
  • The price listed is for the garment only.
  • 12 piece minimum is required.  Price drops after minimum is met.
  • Embroidery, shipping and taxes are additional.


Monday, November 22, 2010

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - COOL ARTWORK!

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a perfect time
To stop and reminisce
About the many hours we've spent
Discussing that and this-
The laughs, the smiles
That we have known
The wonderful things we've done
That make the friendship that we share
A very special one!
Have a lovely Thanksgiving Day, my friends!


Mariellen, Jack & Ava Auer
 

T-shirt Design with Silver Ink

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

I'm working on my first apparel design that incorporates silver ink. You know you see all these cool shirts out there, with the silver on it. I hope this works out. They want to do it on a burnout t-shirt as well.
I can't reveal the design or client, just yet, but hoping to get more orders like these!


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Holiday Gift Ideas $15 Leather Journals

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com


You would think the art of writing has been lost, but guess again.
Journals have turned into one of the hottest items to give to your top clients.

And the international printing company, is right here in Charlotte! So you are buying locally!!
Show your clients you care this holiday season and thank them in an unusual way for their support of your business.

The $15 price can't be beat for this journal. it comes in several different colors with your logo embossed on the front.

The Terra Cotta is my favorite color, you all know I love orange!!
Details:

- Your company logo embossed on the front.  
- Pen loop 
- Calendar 
- Important contacts sheet 
- Locally, handcrafted in Charlotte

Order specs: 
Qty:  30 piece minimum 
Size: 7” x 10” 
Does not include set-up fee, shipping and taxes. 

Holiday Gift Ideas-Tote Bags/Wine Holders

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

Yes it's that time again. Time to figure out what to give your clients this year.
Put your company name on of these items below, silk screen or embroidery can be used.

Bags has been a very popular item this year, with recycling on the uprise, everyone needs a tote for grocery shopping, running to the gym or kid's overnight trips. Or fill them with holiday treats for special clients.

AND my personal favorite is the wine bag, of course, you have to supply the good wine. Riesling is my favorite, light, fruity and a good wine to give.

Price includes the bag only.
Min is 12 items.

I have other gift ideas as well, just let me know if you want to meet for a coffee and I can show you.

Mariellen Auer

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Big Success at BIg Stampede - Who I Met

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com

Another year for a bike swap meet and expo.  I think this is going on 5 years now. It was great to hang out at the speedway, listening to the loud NASCAR's running around the track. Being out in the cold and seeing old friends and meeting new faces.

NEW!! Some new friends I met were Angela Olson, with this wild red hair and she said she had someone unfriend her so I went home and friended her on Facebook. Too funny. She was a ton of fun.

Performance Therapy  - Met Mike the owner and we discussed apparel and jersey design for his company. He has trained pro athletes to the everyday weekend warrior. I met him at his office today, and they were just buzzing with clients.

Rivergirl Fishing Company - they stopped by needing jersey designs for their outfitter store. I went on their website, and realized that I'm a Rivergirl at heart. My dad used to take me fishing all the time growing up on Lake Michigan and even for spring break trips to the Ozarks.... that could be a trivia question. www.rivergirlfishing.com

Prudent Enviro Products - environmentally safe products for cleaning your bike and accessories. Good stuff, hope to see more of their products out there on the market.
OLDIE, BUT GOODY
Nicole Bossie Boyd -  new husband has launched a new accessory for those in need of gadgets and such. He was even telling me he was flying out to Apple in California to work on an iPhone app. I shared a lot of laughs with Nicole and she even told me about someone who is trying to launch a cycling apparel line nearby.. Can't wait to hear from her.  www.boydbikes.com

Jeff Wise, with the US National Whitewater Center buzzed by my booth. I hadn't seen Jeff in quite a while. We used to spend countless hours together when the Whitewater Center didn't have a clue where it was going to be and who was going to pay for it. It was good to see him, and bumped into him last night at Taco Mac's. 

Spencer Lueders: I didn't know he was still around, he's such a celebrity now... but he stopped to chat. We only had a few minutes, but it was good to talk to him. He's one of my favorite peeps. He has his own attorney practice right now and we started going down memory lane a little and catching up. Still need to grab a coffee and see what other trouble we can stir up.

Highlight of the day was watching Ilan Paltrow, owner of Bicycle Sport, doing wheelies at it slowed down in the main aisle, I was waiting for him to bust his ass, but he held his own.. Looking good Paltrow!!



Thursday, November 4, 2010

Auer Agency Exhibitor at Big Stampede

Auer Agency | Charlotte, NC | 704.236.0568 | mariellen@aueragency.com


What is the BIG STAMPEDE?
How about the biggest bicycle expo and swap to hit the Southeast! Big Stampede features 25,000 square feet of manufacturers, retailers, clubs/teams, and individuals buying, selling, and swapping new and used cycling and triathlon equipment. A place for YOU to sell your old gear, and buy or swap for new gear, plus a whole lot more!

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

WHEN: The expo/swap is from 9AM until 3PM.
WHERE: Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC, will host the 2010 Big Stampede Southeast Bike Expo & Swap in the NASCAR Nationwide Garage located in the infield of the Speedway.
Admission = $5.00
12 and under = FREE
Parking = FREE
The Offical beneficiary for the Big Stampede is Trips for Kids. They will be there to accept any donations of used cycling equipment.