WHAT IS LANNAN FREELANCE ENTERPRISES?

For many years I have struggled with the idea of starting my own agency focusing on graphic design and literary services like writing and editing. This is currently a part-time as time is available business while working another job. Maybe it will become my full-time gig someday. 

My first endeavor into a part-time business started in 2001. Emerald Jukebox Promotions (and Creative Services) was never about making money. I launched the company to help a friend's daughter with her music career. I believed having someone outside the family representing her might get more attention from the media. What started as promotions like writing media releases for her led to a variety of projects. I designed several different logos over time, three different websites, several CD covers, flyers, posters and other marketing materials. One logo and other art was used on apparel and merchandise sold at her concerts. I also helped find a couple of sponsors for special shows and opportunities to perform though most of that was done by family members. Eventually this led to another performer I helped with a logo, website, photography and promotions. We all found out how competitive it is to break into the music and ended up pursuing other opportunities. 

My primary background is in the newspaper publishing industry. I have been a photojournalist, writer, page designer, editor and even attempted sales. Definitely not my forte. Then I migrated into advertising design and page layout for shopper magazines - zoned editions with ads and lifestyle content. This led to opportunities in developing content and designing pages for a series of zoned lifestyle tabloids. From there I moved back into newspaper before being brought on board as designer and editor of another group of shopper magazines. Unfortunately, due to low revenue one of the partners pulled the plug. He hired me to help with direct mail design and later digital press operation.

To be perfectly honest, my life is kind of in a weird spot right now because of my health so I am trying to find an outlet for creating income and putting my creativity to good use. While working my way back to better health I hope to continue working with my current employer in some way while doing design and writing on the side. My goal is to help find people in need of creative work (my area of experience) and direct mail marketing and printing (and referring them for expert advice).

Eventually I want to do more photography but I am saving up for the equipment needed.

WHY THE NAME?

The idea of calling myself self employed or independent contractor didn't seem real glamorous. And I am a creative services person, so why not go beyond lackluster bios and sloppy marketing materials. 

When I envision a freelancer I am reminded of the knights of old. Sometimes they were not employed full time by any one king and would offer their services, in exchange for carrying out whatever task was needed. Often it was helping protect the castle against rival kings and their armies. You were hired by the biggest bidder. In the world of fantasy or science fiction, knights would fight more than human enemies, they were expected to slay dragons. 

As a business owner or manager you have a lot of responsibilities. Maybe you feel stretched too thin but don't have the budget for your own marketing department so you do what you can with the time you have available. 

It could be that marketing, promotions and advertising are dragons in need of slaying so you can focus on other aspects of your business. We can help! We are expanding into new territories so some of these services are new to us. We hope you will give us a chance to build our portfolio while saving you money.

SOME OF OUR SERVICES

• Business Cards & Stationery
• Flyers
• Brochures
• Loyalty Cards
• Banners & Signs
• Postcards
• Newsletters
• Copywriting
• Logo Design
• Copy Editing & Proofreading
• Printing & Direct Mail (with partner)
• CD Cover Design

Areas I want explore, get more experience

• Promotions/Public Relations
• Brand/Identity Program
• Web Design