Bob Hicks designs and maintains websites from a home office in Torch Lake Township. As he says on his own site (Northern Michigan Web Design) when you call him you’re using the same number his mother-in-law uses to invite them over for Sunday dinner. Like a lot of other people up here, Bob has another job, too. His is at the Eastport Market, so during the course of a week he sees everybody around here at least twice. This, he mused, was a marketing opportunity. Voila:
He turned himself into a walking billboard. It worked, too. You’re reading this story aren’t you? And he’s picked up at least two new clients. Now he’s got me thinking along the same lines. I’m considering a tasteful blue and green tee with the Torch Lake Views header emblazoned across it. It would save a lot of explaining when I’m out and about on my rounds looking for stories. What do you think, should I include a picture of Miss Sadie and the Cowboy too?
Torch Lake Views 
uphilldowndale
June 11, 2009
How could you not include them?!
Gerry
June 11, 2009
You’re right. Let them earn their kibble.
giiid
June 12, 2009
What about your blog, hopefully this will not be changed? Photos of you and the dogs would be nice. What about a photo showing you and them on a walk? Like when you are researching stories.
Gerry
June 12, 2009
The blog wouldn’t change. I would just use the T-shirt to “advertise” the blog. I think a photo of the dogs on one of our walks is a good idea. I figure that since I’ll be wearing the shirt, maybe a photo of me would be superfluous. Unless I could get friends to wear the shirts . . . Hmmm. I can see it now: Mr. Uhdd fell-running in a Torch Lake Views shirt. Shirts in the U.P., shirts in Australia, shirts in Nova Scotia . . . and how do you say “Torch Lake Views” in Danish? Must investigate.
flandrumhill
June 12, 2009
What a great idea Gerry!
When I think of ‘view,’ I always wonder about the spot from which the viewing is being done. Are you usually behind a window? If so, could you integrate that into your design? For example, a lakescape shown in four rectangles (each representing a pane of glass) that make up a square or larger rectangle. I could email a drawing to you to clarify if I haven’t explained it well with words.
Gerry
June 12, 2009
Thank you for the ideas. When I think of views I think of points of view, perspectives, and vistas. I hope all of these find their way into the blog. I’m definitely behind a window while writing, since my laptop monitor died. But I’m almost never in front of a window otherwise, on account of I have these dogs . . . and, well, I’ve tried, but I can’t get everybody in the Township to drop by the Writing Studio and Bait Shop with their stories. I pretty much have to get out and about, or else it’s all just what’s in my own head, which I assure you is a messy, dusty place in need of a good airing out each day.
I wonder if I should have a contest . . .
giiid
June 12, 2009
Well, if you dont want to wear the shirt, what about passing (we are outside, and you are walking with the dogs) a clothes-line with some Torch-lake Vievs shirts? BTW, your world wide idea is great…
Gerry
June 12, 2009
I love the clothesline! And it makes me think of another possibility: a row of those triangular banners that flutter from the masts of boats.
I do want to wear the shirt. I just don’t want to wear a shirt with my own picture on it. I’m glad you like the worldwide idea.