About The Magalog Guy

Welcome! I’m Mike Klassen, The Magalog Guy.

It’s said that people don’t like to read any more. As a direct market designer who has been involved in laying out magalogs, books, and personal development products, I know that’s not true. When people are interested in a topic, they’re willing to read anything that will help them reach their goals or solve their problems. My clients know this, too. They wouldn’t bother investing in large-scale projects like that if they weren’t getting the results they were after.

My passion for layout is directly related to my passion for the written word. We live in a time where information on any topic is available in books, newsletters, reports, or with a few keystrokes on the Internet. It’s the power of people willing to share what they know to help others along, whether there’s profit involved or not.

That’s why I have a special interest in copy-heavy projects… they’re generally intended to teach the reader something even it it’s just part of the sales process.

It’s likely that when you look at the plain copy you or your copywriter has written in a Word document, it’s a bit overwhelming to think about getting it into a format that encourages readers to start and keep reading. More than a few clients who have attempted to handle layout on their own quickly learned that desktop publishing software is a completely new world with a steep learning curve.

Part of my job is to spare you from that necessary chore so you can focus on the other things you do best. In fact, I consider myself a content bridge. I take your copy and bridge that gap between the raw text and a format that people can easily read and respond to.

While book lovers enjoy getting lost in a good book, I enjoy getting lost in copy-heavy projects. As strange as it sounds, it’s a very relaxing experience where you get into a layout groove… deciding where the main copy and sidebars will fit, choosing the colors, choosing the fonts.

As a designer with a writing background and a love for reading, I suppose it’s no surprise I enjoy working with words and creating something that compels people to read and react. I know first-hand how powerful the written word can be. I’m fortunate to be able to combine my background in writing with my passion for layout and design. That, in itself, makes being in my studio an enjoyable experience each day. But just as enjoyable is helping you get your message into the hands of your customers and prospects.

And that’s what it’s ultimately all about… reaching your customers and prospects with something that is valuable to them and leading them to that point where they make a decision to buy or take some sort of action. That’s my job as a direct market designer.

Mike’s Background:

Mike Klassen transitioned from writing to layout and design in 2005. Now, as a direct market designer, Mike brings an understanding of the importance of copy to his clients’ projects. The layout is created to enhance the copy and help generate sales or leads, not show off a designer’s software tricks.

Mike not only does magalog layout, but also works on sales letters, books, and other material used in direct marketing.

In addition to working with clients across North America, Mike has taught copywriting and design at the college level and at nationally-recognized direct market bootcamps. His articles and advice on marketing and design have appeared in Print Professional Magazine, Home Business Magazine, Inside Freelance Design, copy and design-related blogs, and even translated into Norwegian for the Markendsheltene marketing and sales website.