Please review and make suggestions

This is a 4x5 promotional that will be printed on glossy card stock. We are going to mail and hand out these to promote Pentecost Sunday with the them of "Mercy and Grace". I created this in Photoshop 7 which I am just learning. If some of you pros could help me it would be very helpful.

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

It's pretty plain, could you add some watermarked photos or something to give it some spunk?

[benwilhelm]

I like Phil's idea of adding a watermark picture, B&W probably, some abstract item.

Check the spelling on Dramatic and Interpretation.

Is there a back to the card? Could you put some vitals on the back and make the front simpler? Otherwise I'm OK with it.

Ben

I agree it does look a little plain. People need (lack of a better term) eye candy. If it doesn't look good, they'll just ditch it or skip it. I think you were going for an elegant/formal design, but it still is very plain. I like the idea of photos. I think the best would be to do it two-sided. On the front have something very interesting and eye-catching. Then on the back have details, times, and your church location. A nice picture of the church building on the back would be nice too. If people are going there for the first time, they'll want to know what it looks like to make sure it's the first place

On a more encouraging look, good job for one of youre first times in Photoshop. You definitly have potential! Don't quit or give up, stick with it, and you'll be a pro yourself one day!

Thanks for the input guys. I wanted to add a watermark or overlay in the backgroud, but could not figure it out. If anyone has some easy instuctions please send them on. I would be happy to email some of you the file for you to play with for me.

email me at

Post it in the MXC

[[Admin] skstarkiller]

Check out the Tutorial section

I found this PODCAST show to be quite helpful with tips:

http://www.photoshoptv.com/

Add some texture to the black and white gradient; also pop your text with a little shadow or embossing. Maybe a very light line around the text (1px or so) to bring it out.

Ask yourself, what looks "inviting" about this. Its kind of dark and formal. Who are you targeting? You say that you will be mailing and handing this out, so I think you need to assume that many of the people receiving it will not know what Pentecost is, much less, Pentecost Sunday. Mercy and grace, yes things we need, but maybe you could find a better way to say it.

You want to make the writing interesting. Make me WANT to read it. "Imagine what it would be like if God spoke to you" is more interesting than "hear from God". In this case maybe its something like, "A group of people came together and a movement was changed forever. Join us for Pentecost Sunday and learn what this can mean for you."

It all depends on your audience as to how to say it, but I would say it differently. For the non-church to barely churched, what does powerful preaching mean? What is anointed music? Maybe the bottom could be simply, "music, drama and a message for you." The song interpretation almost throws me off, and I've grown up with this stuff.

Be sure to use spell check, you have two errors that I saw at a quick glance.

Think in these terms: if you couldn't use "church" words, how would you explain what you are trying to say. Also, I would encourage you to post this at the Church Marketing Lab.

[RiveraRa]

Couldnt have said it better myself Brandon!

[WilliamR]

Here's a quick five minute throw together based upon some of the comments here.

[revjbat]

It's always best to assume that unchurched people don't speak the same language we're accustomed to within the Church. Consider using language as if you were promoting a secular event. That's more likely to connect with those who don't have a Christian background.

One other thing, and I know this shows my past bias. I was raised in a mainline denomination but went through a number of prodigal years. The "pentecostal" langauge of your card would have kept me from accepting your invitation even as I made my way back home. I'm sure I'm not alone in this and I'm sure you'd like to reach people like me who may have been raised with a non-pentecostal background but who are presently seeking the Lord.