How does Asheville Creative Services work?

Following your contact with ACSG, our Executive Director will arrange to meet with you. At this meeting your specific needs will be discussed. Following that he will review your project with those members of ACSG whose skills and capabilities will meet your particular needs. He will also ask you if you have a preference for the work of one or more of our members.

After your project has been carefully reviewed with one or more of the ACSG members, a meeting will be arranged with you and the ACSG member(s). During this meeting various particulars will be discussed. You will then be provided with a detailed proposal for the project. Once you have agreed to the proposal and signed it, work will commence.

When your project has been completed, an invoice will be submitted by the ACSG member(s) and you will make payment directly to the member(s). You will most likely receive a follow-up call from ACSG's Executive Director to ensure you are pleased with the creative services you received.

How long has Asheville Creative Services been in business?

ACSG was established on October 1, 2000; however, each of our members has many years of experience in his or her area of creative expertise.

Who are some of ACSG's clients?

A list of major clients served by ACSG members is available here on our web site.

How many creative people belong to ACSG?

Currently there are 14 creative and marketing professionals who are members of Asheville Creative Services.

How can I become a member of the ACSG creative team?

We have a membership committee which interviews prospective members, reviews their portfolios and professional experience, and then determines if the individual would be compatible with the Group. There is a membership application form to fill out and sign which specifies conditions of membership. There is an entry fee to join and members pay a modest commission to ACSG for work they receive through ACSG. Please contact our Committee Chair, Bob Boeberitz, through our online membership inquiry. Let us know about your work experience and qualifications. Attach a resume if you have one. To be considered for membership you must be self-employed and have substantial experience as a freelancer.

If I am accepted for membership in ACSG, how much can I expect to earn?

It depends on your area of expertise and the client demand for those services. Prospects are accepted for membership based on the kind of services they bring to the group and our perceived need for those services. But there really is no guarantee as to how well you might do. Prospects should always have their own client base to start with. You should think of membership in ACSG as a way to supplement the client base you already have.

Does ACSG work outside of Asheville, NC?

Yes. Asheville Creative Services and members have clients throughout the Southeast and the United States.

How is ACSG different from a full-service advertising agency?

ACSG is a "virtual agency," which means we have no formal headquarters. ACSG members are linked via phone, the Internet, and regularly scheduled meetings, eliminating the need for costly office space and staff. This means we can offer the same services of a traditional, full-service agency at more affordable prices to our clients.

Will ACSG give us some rough ideas before we decide to use your services?

ACSG provides all prospective clients with an estimate or written proposal following a preliminary discussion. Creative work will begin once the proposal is approved and signed.

Can ACSG help us with our marketing plan?

ACSG has members with extensive marketing experience who can help your company formulate plans to meet your business objectives.

Will ACSG work with non-profit organizations?

Part of the ACSG mission statement is to provide help to organizations that benefit the community.

Is ACSG's Executive Director available to meet with us?

ACSG's Executive Director is happy to meet with any prospective client with no obligation. For more information please go to our Contact Us page.

Will ACSG handle the printing for us?

ACSG's graphic designers have working relationships with a number of printers and would be happy to coordinate any printing project with them.

Can Asheville Creative Services help us with a rush project?

ACSG will make every effort to help any client complete a project within a limited time frame without compromising the quality of the work.

What if we are not totally satisfied with the results of a project?

Client satisfaction is our utmost concern. Should a problem develop with any aspect of a project, we will do everything we can to resolve it as quickly as possible.

Will ACSG mail us samples of members' work?

Due to the risk of loss, damage, or wrong delivery, ACSG members do not mail samples of their work. We will be happy to set up a meeting with you to review ACSG members' portfolios. Plus we have many examples of our members' work on our Portfolio pages. Samples of work can also be e-mailed.

Are we allowed to keep original artwork or photographs when our project is completed?

All such work is the property of the ACSG graphic designer, illustrator or photographer. Rights of ownership can be negotiated with each member. In most cases a high-resolution file can be provided on disk.

I do not like calling and getting a recording. Does ACSG have someone answering the telephone?

Since ACSG is a virtual agency, we do not have a secretary or receptionist to answer the phone. We conduct much of our communications using voice-mail and e-mail. While we do not always answer the telephone personally, we do promise a PROMPT response to your call.

Why is Asheville Creative Services not listed in the phone book?

As a virtual agency, we have no office and no shared phone number to be listed in directories. The first point of contact with ACSG is with our Executive Director. Please feel free to contact him through our website here, and tell us a little about your creative needs.