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Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Cardboard Postcard

Sleeping on cardboard is no way to overcome mental health problems. This oversized cardboard postcard for Cascadia was hand-written and designed to rais...

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GBJ Architecture Neonatal Care Promo

GBJ Architecture designed a beautiful Neonatal Intensive Care Center. This promo mailer delivers the details with a tender touch. The roll-fold copy goes like this:  Hug them. ...

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Portland Office of Sustainability Recycling Rollcarts Campaign

When Portland’s Office of Sustainability rolled out their Recycling and Yard Debris rollcarts, we lent a hand. With the help of genuine Dotzero Design, Les Overhead produced th...

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KBVM-FM Billboards

  Holy Moses, a religious radio station with a sense of humor! The client commandment?  “Thou shalt reach out to youth and attract new listeners.” Blessed be the Board ...

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American Insitute of Architects Conference Invitation

Les Overhead develops theme ideas and promo materials for the AIA Oregon Design Conference. Architects gather on the edge of the continent at Salishan Resort, inspired to talk,...

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Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Brochure

Nick Buoniconti, famed Miami Dolphin middle linebacker, founded this nonprofit after his son was paralyzed while playing football in college. How do you tackle the solvable pro...

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Bainbridge Design 30th Anniversary Promo

Bainbridge Design is an interior design and space planning firm that has been riding high for 30 years. This Anniversary card shows how they have been successful - by blending ...

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Portland "Block 300" Brochure

In downtown Portland there is a building called Block 300 (I see it out my window). They asked for help in creating a brand and copywriting platform for the building. Playing o...

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Mile 7 Website

Mile 7 helps clients use the web in effective, practical and often wondrous ways. They help make connections. I helped tell their story.

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ALS Association Brochure

When ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) slowly stole jazz musician Richard Burdell’s life, his sister, Cindy, formed this nonprofit. In this fund-raising piece, Richard’s honest, hilar...

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OHSU Alzheimer's Fund-Raising Mailer

Days and memories disappear when you have dementia. The copy and design here demonstrates that in a simple, memorable way. Created for Oregon Health Sciences University, this m...

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Popina Swimwear Bus Benches

Better than skinny-dipping (almost), Popina designs and sells vintage and modern swimwear for women. It is without a doubt the coolest swimwear boutique you’ll ever step into. ...

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Z'IVO Wines Website

One of the hidden gems in the hills of the Willamette Valley is Z'IVO Winery.Their website is written for both fans and fanatics. You can consume all the wine and winemaking de...

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Interface Engineering Website

Known for integrated, sustainable design, Interface is a conduit to a better built environment. They use resources wisely – sun, rain, wind, writers...

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Showmax Marketing Website

Showmax manages trade shows and promo events for Panasonic, Subaru and other major brands. Moto Interactive drove the smooth-handling design for their website. It was a kick to...

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Hanlon Development Website

HDC specializes in socially responsible real estate development and public policy consulting. In short, they are helping build a better world. Amen to that.

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SRM Studio Website

Here's a breakthrough idea. A design practice that combines brand strategy, marketing, architecture and interior design - all under one roof. SRM breaks through the walls and s...

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Spotted Bear Ranch, Montana Website

On a pristine river in the remote mountains of northwest Montana lies a fishing lodge worth wrestling a bear to get to. Words fail to do it justice. But I tried.

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NYC AFTER THE FALL Web Production

This 9/11 multimedia photo essay was created by Geoffrey Hiller and written by Les Overhead. It was selected as Multimedia Site of the Day on July 4, 2002.

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Bill Biggart Memorial Website

Photojournalist Bill Biggart died on 9/11 while shooting photos beneath the World Trade Center. His body and digital camera card were found under the rubble. This website shows...

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Allen Trust "Alaska Office" Promo Piece

When Allen Trust opened a new office in Alaska, we created an oversize postcard printed on thick, heavy stock. When he saw the design, the client said, “Mush!” It doubled as a ...

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The Big Float

Every July in Portland, a flotilla of river revelers climb into various forms of human-powered watercraft and set sail on the mighty Willamette. The goal of TBF? To inspire fol...

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Les Overhead "Grateful Head" New Year's Card

Without a doubt, we all have a lot to be grateful for. To express my gratitude and wish clients peace and joy, I sent out this nostalgic card. Long live the Dead!  Keep on truc...

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SERA Architects Brochure

SERA is in the business of shaping the future – with sensitive, earth-friendly architecture and design. They know how to do more with less (and Les).

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Davis Wright Tremaine Ad Campaign

There’s no law that says law firm advertising must be as moronic and dull as a mud fence. If there were, I’d be behind bars. As the ads show, an arresting image goes a long way...

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Bike Box Billboard Campaign

Bike Boxes are designed to save lives and prevent accidents. These billboards are designed to show drivers where to stop (behind the box) and to build support for the campaign....

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Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Brochure

The sane way to help people with mental health challenges is to provide them with a home and the care they need. To do anything less is, well, crazy. Seriously.

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Asian Gambling Treatment Outdoor Campaign

In Asian cultures, gambling tears families apart. To help people quit, Multnomah County offers a gambling treatment program. We helped promote it by creatin...

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Barran Liebman - "Time Clock" Holiday Card

  We love to punch in on projects for Barran Liebman. For this employment and labor law firm, we created a “pull-up time clock” holiday card. It’s a custom die-cut, all pri...

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Allen Trust "Model Airplane" Promo

To celebrate Allen Trust’s 10th Anniversary, we created a model plane punch-out card with custom envelope. Named “Spirit of Portland”, the plane was a soaring success and launc...

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Instant Headline Generator

Need a headline fast?
Use the Les Overhead Headline Generator,
a random compiler of attention-getting words
GUARANTEED to draw interest.

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Les Overhead Blog

Send a carrier pigeon with your contact info or just email Les Overhead (les@) to receive the blog.

You simply must read this

BY LesOverhead / communication, crazy, Creative, humor / 0 COMMENTS

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HEY, LOOK THIS WAY! READ THIS AMAZING BLOG POST! You will be astounded at what happens next! Did you hear the shocking news? Are you missing the boat on this? Good God, HURRY!

(Pause. Heavy, exasperated sigh.) I am really, really, really tired of emails and headlines that bark like yip dogs for attention. They come from everywhere – sellers, service providers, news outlets, social media… I’m getting carpal tunnel deleting them as fast as I can.

Here’s what I won’t delete (at least in a nanosecond).
1. Emails with subject lines that are not desperate, dumb, blatant hype.
2. Messages that offer good information I can use.
3. Headlines and images that are interesting, entertaining, or humorous as hell.

Those are the three ways to get into my mind and make a connection. Without them, the doorman will not let you in. GET LOST!

From Les Overhead archives

BY LesOverhead / Archives, communication, Creative, history, humor, Videos / 0 COMMENTS

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1934 Les Overhead holiday card

Lessons learned from a freelance Snake Charmer

BY LesOverhead / communication, crazy, Creative, humor, Snake Charmers, Travel, writing / 0 COMMENTS

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On a recent holiday trip to Morocco, I spent some time in Marrakech with various local freelancers, including storytellers, drummers, dancers with roosters on their head, fortune-tellers, cell phone hawkers, and one highly charming snake charmer.

I came away with five insights into freelancing that can be applied in any country, any line of work. Not just snake charming.

1. People will be leery of you and what you offer. When you approach prospects, do it in a light-hearted way. Be friendly and casual, make a joke, and ask a personal question (such as where they are from) to start a conversation.

2. Don’t beat around the bush too long. Get to the point soon and bring out your goods (snakes, roosters, rugs, design, copy, consulting).

3. Let customers try on your product – whether it be a cobra, leather jacket, or creative work). For instance, create an ad or poster for your prospect that shows your design and copy. Give them an idea of how it will look, feel and work. Then offer it at reduced cost and nurture the relationship. Bargain wisely and fairly.

4. Explain how simple it is to work with you. Keep it short and add some wit and humor to show your warm, engaging personality. If you don’t have such a personality, get a snake.

5. If the prospect turns you down, just smile and say, “Okay, friend. Maybe later.” It works. After first turning the snake charmer down, I went back later and paid for a photo.

ARCHIVE!

  • spacer You simply must read this

    HEY, LOOK THIS WAY! READ THIS AMAZING BLOG POST! You will be...

  • spacer From Les Overhead archives

    IMG_4501 1934 Les Overhead holiday card

  • spacer Lessons learned from a freelance Snake Charmer

    On a recent holiday trip to Morocco, I spent some time in Ma...

  • spacer Happy Selfie-Promo Holidays from Les Overhead

    Hope your new year is even better than the last one. Keep sm...

  • spacer Moby Dick for kids

    I don’t know if you’ve ever read Moby Dick, but it is one wh...

  • spacer Random Uncounters

    Bucket Joke I learned something the other day about homeless...

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