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Hi Emily, thanks for replying- ditto recent eu passport holder! so no visa problems :), can’t do the states unfortunately. yes had a look at wageningin as well as hs-anhalt (bauhaus affiliated in bernburg germany) and copenhagen plus a couple of m.urb design courses. we will see- I need flexibility to work/ freelance while doing 2 years, else it…[Read more]

Hi, I just realized that you posted this awhile ago, but I’ll respond anyway. I looked at getting an MLA abroad as well…it’s a fantastic opportunities, but there are some cultural differences that need to be looked at before going into it. When I say “cultural differences,”  I’m talking about how the school/classes are run. I looked into a two…[Read more]

Great advertising ideas! Especially as some of our landscapes mature…Jon worked at one house last summer that will be very cool probably next summer.
I just made up a post card that I sent to a local business that was specific to them, an image of their building with an improved photo shopped entrance-haven’t heard anything but Lord they need to…[Read more]

Nicketo, “You can’t win the lottery unless you buy a ticket.”
However, like Thomas said above, stock market is not even close to a lottery. Those who don’t fully understand the markets make such comments. Someday you will come to understand. Make your money work for you! Let your money be your personal slave. And best of all, you don’t care about…[Read more]

I just broke out regional, one of several, lifestyle type magazine for my area – Cape Cod. I see architects, interior designes, and even a civil/survey ad in it. It was a winter edition with no landscape related articles ( just a really nice shot of a fine rock garden of mine unrelated to the article),so no LA adds in this issue.
Sure does not l…[Read more]

Thomas, your rainbow is just around the corner!

Andrew, my normal retirement age is still 30 years away! I don’t think my current $$ in Roth IRA is enough to live on for next 30 years. It rounds out to roughly a little over $46k a year…assuming I stay healthy and stay clear of any other emergencies. Nevertheless, my recent purchases in 2009 of Ford Motors, Sirius radio, Vonage, Alcoa, Las…[Read more]

Yeah, I’m beginning to think that too…plus I haven’t felt ASLA’s relevence in decades….if even then. I was under the  false impression  that they were there to help educate the public about what we do….how’s that worked out? They have difficulty telling Us what we do….
 

Okay, so decades ago some pencil pusher decides it was “unethical” to advertise any A & E firms to tv and radio? Who made this guy king? Honestly, if I had my own shop, I would advertise locally on radio and maybe a one or two spot tv commercial. It would be much more entertaining than any local pizza shop commercial. I don’t give a hoot what ASLA…[Read more]

Thanks Andrew….I’m seriously considering it.
There is sooo much high dollar work being done by amatuers and I’d like the public to know they have better choices. i.e., me

Henry, good idea…I do perfer the high end residential market….I enjoy designing outdoor living spaces for individuals…
I got burned out on the “deadline/budget” noe one cares about the design will it be in budget and on time?????
Have you seen such an ad for LA’s in these mags?
There are a few such pubs here, maybe the publisher needs a plan.

I don’t see it being at all the same for LAs. It really is not any different than a landscape contractor to advertise. It is not like you are going to blackmail someone into hiring you because their circulation doesn’t flow.
I see LAs advertise in high end home magazines all of the time. My belief is that you don’t hear radio or see tv ads simply…[Read more]

this is what I mean though….how to you pull it off without coming off as a huckster?
 

So, I guess if I’m just a small firm and advertise it apears that  I’m just small time….I get your point.
I do wonder if tasteful ads with an educational point or two would help inform the public what we actually do …..

My understanding from the civil/survey end of things is that it is unethical for them because many of the services are required under certain circumstances and aggressive marketing could easy blur that fine line between letting people know you’re there if you need them and implying that they have a situation that requires the need for such…[Read more]

No, not avoiding a stigma, just not an effective use of money. If it made them money, they would do it. Marketing depts are supposed to troll for RFPs and foster/maintain client relationships..something an ad in the newspaper cannot do. As I had stated, I’ve seen large firms advertise in print, but only in trade mags. Direct mail is also quite e…[Read more]

Jason, you always have well thought out input here in the lounge and I enjoy reading your posts…..
Do you think the “Corporate Firms” are avoiding a percieved sleeze factor by avoiding crass advertising?
Many of them do have big marketing departments with big budgets…
 

I am not sure what the history on the ethics for LAs has been, but I did read once that the AIA had made advertising for Architects an ethics violation starting in 1909, however by the late 1970s that was no longer true. I do know that the ASLA code states:
R1.106  Members shall not mislead through advertising or other means existing or…[Read more]

I’ve seen print advertising for design/build LAs here (around DC) in newspapers for home landscaping, but there is serious money and a lot of competition here. The status of “A landscape architect designed my yard” is part of the game for the pseudo-riche around the beltway. For the most part, high-end design firms don’t advertise on TV or in…[Read more]