One of things I wish PASS provided was at least one template for an event flyer, something that is basically plug in the event information and looks professional. I wouldn’t want to see it’s use mandated, but having at least one available would be nice. Since we don’t have that (yet!), we’re on on our own. I have I think negative graphics/visual skills so I typically would go to a designer who would pry information out of me and then give me something that was usable. Not cheap, but worthwhile. The Orlando team suggested we try fiverr.com which lets you order designs for five bucks. I’ll admit to being skeptical, but at $5 – why not try it? I submitted two requests just to get a feel for what a basic request might generate:

Flyer #1:

- Format should be 8.5×11 portrait layout
- The event we’re promoting is “SQLSaturday Orlando” (it’s also referred to as SQLSaturday #318 on the event site)
- The URL at the bottom of the flyer should be http://orlando.sqlsaturday.com
- We’d like to include the logo I’m attaching (I can get you a higher res one if needed) and we’d like colors that are complimentary
- Event date is Saturday, September 27, 2014
- Include this text prominently: “Free Training for SQL Server Professionals”
-We’d like some kind of simple graphic that calls out the following types of presentations that attendees can choose from:
(Administration, Performance Tuning, SSIS, Powershell, Reporting Services, Business Intelligence)
-We’re not looking for a lot of detail, the goal is to have something that looks very professional and will get them interested enough to visit the web site.

Flyer #2:

- Format should be 8.5×11 portrait layout
- Should be retro design
- The event we’re promoting is “SQLSaturday Orlando” (it’s also referred to as SQLSaturday #318 on the event site)
- The URL at the bottom of the flyer should be http://orlando.sqlsaturday.com
- We’d like to include the logo I’m attaching (I can get you a higher res one if needed) – you pick the colors for the rest
- Event date is Saturday, September 27, 2014
- Include this text prominently: “Free Training for SQL Server Professionals”
-We’d like some kind of simple graphic that calls out the following types of presentations that attendees can choose from:
(Administration, Performance Tuning, SSIS, Powershell, Reporting Services, Business Intelligence)
-We’re not looking for a lot of detail, the goal is to have something that looks very professional and will get them interested enough to visit the web site.

Thoughts so far:

• Having a flyer is important, even if it’s not perfect
• We need one that looks professional, something we can show to someone who doubts the value of “Free”
• I think it’s reasonable (depending on cost) to have more than one
• Everyone has “ideas”, but unless they can pencil/crayon/type it out, it’s doesn’t help a lot!
• I expect to print some to hand out, but more I expect to have people email them and/or print them out at work to drop on a co-workers desk
• I need a separate flyer for the seminars, not started yet
• The goal is to get them to the event site, not give them all the details
• Ideas I may pursue: an “invitation” to attend and an “admitance ticket or coupon”

If you’ve designed a flyer for SQLSaturday or figured out the best way to make Fiverr work (or anything similar), I’d appreciate your thoughts via comment or Twitter (@sqlandy).