MacDirectory Magazine

Summer-Fall 2008 (#38)

MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.

Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/838

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 152 of 179

MacDirectory 151 MacDirectory 151 PROFILE PRINTING FOR LESS > A UNIQUE SERVICE IN A UNIQUE LOCATION Printingforless.com (PFL) is located in the heart of Big Sky country, setting up shop in tiny Livingston, Mont. Why Livingston? Jessica Cooper, PFL's marketing manager, explained, "We do 99 percent of our business online…so we are able to work from just about anywhere. Being…in Livingston gives PFL employees the ability to work for a high-tech, progressive printing company, while still living amidst some of the most natural beauty this country has to offer." Yet it isn't just PFL's location that makes them so unusual. It is their ongoing commitment to helping small businesses get the most out of their marketing materials. PFL advertises brochures, postcards, business cards, stationary and everything else a business would need in the way of printing. Pretty typical, right? What isn't so typical is that when you call in an order to PFL, you are automatically assigned to a specific set of customer service representatives who will walk you through every phase of your printing job. These individuals are your dedicated team, offering advice and suggestions and answering all your questions.Best of all, when that customer calls in later, they will automatically be routed to the same group of people. This means that from the moment you begin your journey with PFL, you are always dealing with someone who is familiar with your account. This commitment to customer service coupled with quality products at a reasonable price has made PFL a leader in return business. In fact, 40 percent of PFL's business comes from referrals. Cooper on the future for PFL: "I think that our core business is going to stay the same – which is to help small businesses be successful. We are looking at expanding our product and service offerings, but our main focus is continuing to grow by providing the expertise that enables small business people who aren't print experts to get professional-grade marketing materials and stationery." WORDS BY JONE DEVLIN VIDEOGUYS > GETTING AHEAD OF THE CURVE Videoguys advertises as the world leader in affordable Digital Video Editing sofware and hardware, and it only takes one quick look at their Web site to see why. There is a huge inventory of products to choose from, complete with capability listings. There's a research section, special areas for HD and DTV, free software, discounts, trades and rebates. But most important of all, there are multiple ways to reach Videoguys' customer service department – which promises something you won't always get in your local computer store – educated, helpful, and detailed customer support. MacDirectory talked to Gary Bettan, who bills himself at "The Videoguy" and he explained Videoguys' emphasis on customer service. "We're all videographers ourselves. We deal with this equipment every day, and I don't mean watching demos, we actually edit video ourselves." This expertise means that users, from the novice to the expert, can get real-time advice on everything from the best equipment to buy, to how to enhance or improve what they already have. Videoguys is so secure in the knowledge of its customer service experts, that they offer a 30-day, no questions asked money back guarantee if customers are not happy with their recommendations. So is this self-assurance warranted? Bettan says it is. "We work hard to stay ahead of the curve," he explained. One way is by constantly doing research, both via the net and by, of course, working with the different types of equipment. As new information is discovered, Videoguys posts it to its database, making it easily available to staff and customers. This model began in 1985, when Videoguys was known as the Electronic Mailbox. As the technology evolved, so too did Videoguys, which launched its Web page in 1995. Back then, Bettan remarked, no one could have predicted the revolution the Internet was going to cause in video – at least not until Final Cut came along. "Apple democratized video editing," Bettan said. "Final Cut made people realize that anyone could do this." See more at WORDS BY JONE DEVLIN

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of MacDirectory Magazine - Summer-Fall 2008 (#38)