Category: General

Looking for creative ways to increase business? Think print!

When your audience sees your business on paper or print, it stands out, and they remember it better than an online ad. Print marketing offers a variety of ways to capture people’s attention, leading to more business for you.

In fact, 56% of US consumers think that print marketing is more trustworthy than any other type of marketing. Here are some out-of-the-box ideas to help build your brand and increase customer retention.

8 Innovative Print Marketing Strategies That Stand Out

1. Table Tents with Spiral Binding

These are fun, useful, and creative.

They keep customers’ attention through the months if used as a calendar. Otherwise, use them for products that you offer. Add some inspirational sayings and great pictures.

2. Clear Plastic Business Cards

Get attention by trying something unique and special, like plastic, see-through business cards.

People are more likely to keep them and put them in a prominent place.

3. Pop-Up Cards

These are so much fun!

Create an image, a logo, a product, or whatever your mind can invent to pop up when people open the card. These will not only get attention but keep it.

4. Die-Cut Image

Create something different with a shape that represents your business.

Then get a die-cut image of it to hand out as a business card, postcard, or other mailer.

5. Use Moving Advertising

Get a large magnet printed to put on your cars, vans, and trucks to get the word out about your business.

When people are stuck in traffic, they read these, which will promote your business more than you know.

6. Print Stickers

Stickers are popular right now, so why not capitalize on them?

Create fun stickers that promote your business and encourage people to keep them. If they are unique, people will put them on their water bottles, folders, journals, and other things they use every day.

7. Greeting Cards

Create your own greeting cards (with a graphic designer’s help).

Put your logo on them so people know who to thank for the great cards. Hand them out to guests at trade shows, meetings, or at the front counter.

8. Scented Printing

There is a new way to get customers’ attention—scented printing.

Pick a fragrance that matches your image, and we can help you create a lasting memory with varnishes and coatings to get the scent you desire.

Your customers will love it, and it will leave an impression.

If you need more ideas or want to put one of these into action, we can help. Contact us today!

Summer is approaching, and along with the warm weather come dozens of opportunities for your company to connect with customers!

Creative campaigns are one of the best ways to engage customers and inspire them to purchase from you. Why not try discounts and promotions centered around unique holidays? 

Research has shown that consumers respond more positively to special day-themed products and promotions than to ordinary campaigns. So here are eight ideas for special day-themed promotions to use in your direct mail this summer!

8 Creative Summer Special-Day Promotion Ideas

1. June 2nd- National Donut Day 

Who wouldn’t be motivated by a sweet incentive?

Try mailing coupons that read “Bring in this coupon for a free donut with purchase!” to draw customers to your store. 

2. June 5th- Thank You Day  

This is a great time to reinforce connections with existing customers.

Mail out a card from your company thanking your customers for their loyalty and choosing to use your services! 

You could even add a discount code (ex., THANK-YOU-5) to nudge them toward another purchase.

3. June 11th- National Children’s Day

A day to celebrate kids should always be celebrated!

Let your customers with families know you’re supporting them and appreciate them by doing something fun for their kids. 

You could include a kids’ craft or coloring page in your mailing packet and information about a sale on any kid’s clothing, decorations, bedding, toys, or games your company might sell. 

4. June 22nd- Positive Media Day 

This is an excellent opportunity to bolster your company’s social media presence!

Mail out a flier celebrating Positive Media Day and encourage customers to follow your company’s accounts. 

You could also introduce a “challenge” for customers to make a funny or uplifting social media post and use your company’s designated hashtag along with #positivemediaday to be entered into a giveaway!

5. June 27th- National Sunglasses Day 

There are a couple of ways you could get creative with this day.

You could try offering a free pair of branded sunglasses to each customer that stops by, offering a discount for each customer that comes into your store wearing their sunglasses, or an online coupon code such as SUNNIES-10 for 10% off.

6. July 12th- National Simplicity Day

Embrace the simple things at your company with this holiday, and encourage customers to do the same by offering a sale price on the “basics.” 

A great way to do this is to create an “essentials” bundle or package of different services and products at a discounted price. Consider sending direct mail that uses the tagline “Keeping it Simple with a National Simplicity Day Sale” or something similar. 

7. July 15th- National Give Something Away Day

In honor of Give Something Away Day, you could give something away to your customers!

The Zero Price Effect has rationalized that customers perceive free products to have a high value because there’s no risk to it since they’re not spending anything. 

An easy example would be a BOGO (buy one, get one) sale or simply including a product of lesser value as a “gift” with any purchase made on that day. 

8. August 8th- National Dollar Day

A creative design for a direct mail piece celebrating National Dollar Day would be to create a rectangular postcard printed with a dollar bill-like image and advertising $1 off each product or service purchased that day.

Go ahead and use some of these ideas, or create your own, to celebrate unique holidays and engage your customers with your direct mail this summer! And when you are ready to print, give us a call. 

When you think of printing your projects, going with an online company might seem easy and quick. However, there are numerous benefits to choosing a local print shop for all of your printing needs!

Not only can going local provide personalized service and high-quality work, but you also get the satisfaction of supporting a business in your community.  

Here are a few more reasons why getting printing done locally can be an intelligent choice for you.

8 Reasons Getting Your Print Needs Locally Helps You Win Every Time

1. Paper Choices

When you print a project, you want to choose the perfect paper.

Making this selection online is tough. You can’t feel it, touch it and see precisely what you are getting.

Going to your local printer allows you to do just this. You can touch the paper, feel its weight and size, and experience what your project will look and feel like. 

2. Premium Finishes

You might want to try premium finishes when going all out and want something different to grab your customers’ attention.

Seeing these samples in person will allow you to choose your project’s exact finish. You can’t do this online.

3. Support Local

When you print locally, your dollars stay in the community.

You are supporting them, just as they will support you. Think network marketing. You’ll be able to refer each other to customers looking for each other’s services.

In fact, for every $100 spent, roughly $68 to $73 returns to local activity. Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local companies, service providers, and farms.

4. Quicker Turnaround

Typically, we can offer a quicker turnaround than online.

Online printers manage thousands of orders each day. Yours will be dropped into a queue, and it will get done when it gets done…and don’t forget to consider shipping time. 

5. Solving Problems

If, by chance, something happens to your printing project, you have an immediate solution when printing in person rather than online.

We want to know your business goals and help you make informed decisions.

6. No Shipping Fees

You don’t have to pay for shipping and handling when you print locally.

We will let you know when the project is ready for you to pick up!

7. Great Pricing

Many people mistakenly think that printing locally costs more, but this could not be farther from the truth.

Most local printing firms will be competitively priced. We know what other printers offer and pay special attention to keeping our costs low.

8. We Care

We care about our service and reputation more than online companies do.

That means you will get better customer service, options, and solutions for your projects.

These are only a few reasons you should choose your local printer rather than online.

If you are looking for a local printer who offers quality, customer service, and pride in their craft, look us up.

Trade shows and other events can be an incredible opportunity to showcase your company’s products and services to the public and network with other companies in your industry.

However, you must craft a strategy to ensure you can make the most impact. 

Here are five things you should do when planning for, attending, and evaluating the results of a trade show. 

5 Tips to a Successful Trade Show Experience for Your Company

1. Set goals

Treat your company’s appearance at the trade show just like a campaign.

What do you want to gain from the event- closing leads, making sales, or increasing brand awareness? Be specific and include numbers: for example, your goal could be to gather at least 150 leads during the event or to sell 30 products.

Also, remember to share your goals with the team that will be at the event with you! 70% of people who share their goals with others accomplish them, while only 35% accomplish them when keeping them to themselves.

2. Create your booth and message

The biggest goal for a trade show is to attract customers to your booth and give them something to engage with once they stop by.

You can stand out from the crowd in different ways- through giveaways or handouts, eye-catching displays, and choosing a booth in a high-traffic area (near entrances or food stations).

The items and signage at your booth should also focus on the central call-to-action for your campaign that day. 

3. Spread the word before and during the show

Make people aware that your company will be at the event!

This will help draw people to your booth once they arrive at the trade show. A great way to do this is through social media ads, email, or direct mail outreach.  

Attendees at the trade show will likely search online to see which booths to visit. Post information, photos, and videos during the show, along with your booth number, so that attendees can come to find you! 

4. Collect information effectively

Meet with the team running your booth before the show starts to discuss your method for collecting leads.

Popular methods for lead collection include paper forms, digital forms, a trade show lead app, business cards, and business card scanning.

Depending on the organizer of the trade show, you may have access to badge scanning technology, which even gives you the option to import the information directly to your CRM. 

Whichever method you use, just be sure everyone on your team is on the same page so that capturing and entering the data is streamlined.

5. Help them remember you

Ensure that anyone you speak to during the event leaves with your contact information or at least something with your company name.

Business cards are classic, and brochures work well, but you can get creative too and use t-shirts, pens, notepads, or stickers. This will remind them to reconnect with you after leaving the event!

For help with show-stopping visuals, memorable business cards, and expert advice, call us! We are your local print marketing resource and look forward to helping you make the most of your next trade show.  

When marketing your business via print, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the different options for crafting memorable and attractive pieces.

But when you look closer, what is the most important element of your print marketing materials?

Simply put, content is king.

Sure, your visuals are eye-catching, but those initial glances won’t do you much good if there’s no substance to back them up.

Words ultimately provide the foundation for customers to connect with your brand and make purchasing decisions. Carefully chosen words make something tangible from an intangible concept and shape even the strongest visuals into iconic imagery.

When drafting print marketing materials, it’s vital to remember – it’s your content that wows customers and culminates in conversions!

How Does Content Impact My Print Marketing Materials?

Here are a few ways good content can have a positive impact on your print marketing materials:

1. Good Content Keeps Print Products Memorable

Good content helps capture and hold readers’ attention, giving the printed material staying power.

2. Good Content Gets Your Message Across

Content that is well-crafted and written engagingly can help to convey a message or idea firmly.

3. Good Content Sheds Favorable Light on Products and Services

High-quality content fosters a positive impression of the product or service being promoted.

4. Good Content Encourages Action

A print marketing piece containing good content will prompt readers to take action related to the advertised product or service.

5. Good Content Builds Brand Trustworthiness

Good content can help establish credibility and trust with customers, increasing their likelihood of engaging with the advertised material.

What Does Good Content Help Accomplish?

Good content is an effective tool to help you accomplish many goals.

Among the benefits your business can reap from high-quality content in your print materials are:

• It informs, educates, and entertains readers.
• It increases brand recognition.
• It generates leads and customers.
• It establishes credibility in your field.
• It fosters trust between you and your audience.
• It increases website traffic.
• It strengthens relationships with current customers or clients.

What Does Good Content Look Like?

A 2019 survey conducted by Lyfe Marketing yielded a fascinating statistic: 92% of individuals between the ages of 18 and 23 prefer reading the content found in a print ad to that found on a website. 

What does this mean for today’s modern business?

People actually take the time to read the content found in print advertisements!

Good content is easy to identify. It should be clear, concise, engaging, and written in a tone that speaks directly to the target audience’s needs.

How Can I Improve the Content in My Print Marketing Materials?

Here are a few key points to ensure your print marketing content hits its mark:

• Good content starts with a well-written headline or title.
• Include only relevant information that serves a purpose.
• Make use of visuals to enhance your message.
• Keep the tone appropriate for your target customer.
• Have someone else review your content for clarity and accuracy before it goes to print.

Good content is the key to your print marketing materials that make an impression and inspire action from potential customers.

We can help your content stand out on the printed page. Contact us today to get started!

Every company needs print products- packaging, print advertisements, posters, or stationary- to sustain its business. And when you have a hard deadline, finishing your printing project at just the right time can be essential!

Although you can’t control every element of the print process, there are some key strategies you can keep in mind to help get your materials in your hands sooner.

5 Ways to Speed Up the Printing Process and Get Your Order Sooner

1. Submit print-ready files

Submitting files that are ready to be printed can significantly speed up the printing process.

Print-ready files are files that are appropriately formatted, correctly sized, have been cropped adequately, and are in the correct resolution.

When you follow these guidelines, your project can be processed more quickly, and you will avoid a holdup because of edits that need to be made later.

2. Communicate

If you have a tight deadline, communicate it to us up front!

When we have this information from the beginning, we can do our best to accommodate your needs and ensure we meet your deadline.

Keeping in touch, in general, can be essential to getting your printing job back quickly. So be sure to check your email regularly for updates so you can answer any questions or clarifications needed while we work on your materials.

3. Use standard sizes

Standard sizes for your print project can help speed up printing because they don’t require special setups or adjustments.

Additionally, standard sizes are readily available, so we don’t have to order custom paper sizes, which can add additional time to the printing process.

4. Use the right paper stock 

The type of paper stock you choose can also affect the printing process.

We can start immediately if you choose something we already have in-house. Using specialty paper can add time to the printing process if we need to order it. 

Additionally, some paper stocks may take longer to dry, while others may require additional finishing steps such as coating or laminating.

We’ll happily explain this to you if you need help selecting!

5. Choose digital printing

Different printing methods have different printing speeds.

For example, digital printing is generally faster than offset printing, which is probably why it is one of the fastest-growing segments of the advertising industry!

If you are in a rush, digital printing is a smart way to speed up your print jobs without sacrificing quality.

In summary, there are several things you can do to help speed up the printing process and ensure that your project is printed quickly and efficiently.

If you’re unsure how all of this works, call us, and we’ll talk you through it! We’re always ready to help you meet your printing needs, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.
 

When it comes to creating engaging and effective marketing materials, the use of powerful language is an essential part of the process.

From print media, such as brochures, flyers, and banners, to digital marketing, including website copy and emails, using words with impact can help you get your message across in a way that resonates with your target audience.

Marketing Language that Resonates and is Remembered in Print

Using the right power words when writing marketing materials for print media, you can create persuasive copy that stands out and resonates with your audience.

Here are 15 marketing words that you can use to give your print materials impact:

1. Innovative

Let your audience know if you have an innovative product or service.

Showing how you’re different from your competitors and ahead of the game will pique potential customers’ interest.

2. Revolutionary

Let people know you’re not just different. You’re revolutionary.

Show them how your product will revolutionize how people think about and use it.

3. Unparalleled

When you are unique, exceptional, or have no equal, inform your potential customers that what you offer has no competition.

4. Expert

Show your audience that you’re a thought leader in your field and have valuable knowledge to share.

5. Trusted

Display to people why they can trust you and what sets you apart from other businesses in the industry.

6. Unbeatable

Let customers know that no one can beat you when it comes to quality, cost, or service.

7. Affordable

Show people what you offer is not just a good value. It’s also affordable.

8. Cutting-edge

Describe how your product or service is unique, advanced, and ahead of the curve compared to others in the industry.

9. Transformative

Show how your product or service can help positively change people’s lives.

10. Exclusive

Give customers a reason to choose you, such as exclusive offers and discounts not available elsewhere.

11. Essential

Show people why your product or service is essential to have and use in their everyday lives.

12. Proven

Demonstrate that your product or service has been proven to work, with research and customer testimonials as evidence.

13. Unrivaled

Let customers know you have no competition regarding quality, cost, or service.

14. Guaranteed

Assure customers that what you offer is backed by a guarantee so they know they can trust you.

15. Remarkable

Show your audience why your product or service is remarkable and stands out.

These 15 marketing power words will help ensure that your print materials make a significant impact and grab the attention of your target audience. Use them to create compelling copy that resonates with readers and helps you succeed in your marketing efforts.

The result?

A stronger presence in the marketplace!

Need some inspiration for your next print project? That’s what we’re here for! Contact us today to get started on your next print marketing initiative.

In business, a lead is someone who hasn’t used your products or services YET.

And there are many of those out there, just waiting to be introduced to your business. 

So, how do we grab them and turn them into customers?

5 Ways to Get Qualified Leads for Your Business

1. Personalize with print

The ability to personalize is one of the aspects that makes direct mail so effective in generating leads. 

People are more likely to respond when they feel you are communicating with them directly. 

You can customize dozens of data points, including name, age, or geographic location, and QR codes that lead them to a personalized landing page on your website.  

2. Attract attention with email

Use email marketing to attract new customers and re-engage old ones. 

Whether the email invites customers to return to their shopping cart or promotes your new product offerings and business statistics, emails are one of the best ways to retarget your customers. 

Make your email even more effective by combining it with a print campaign. Research shows that marketing campaigns that utilize email and print experience a higher response rate than email alone. 

3. Get buzz with influencers

Influencer marketing is one of the most popular new forms of online marketing, having more than doubled since 2019. 

These people will promote your business and stir up the talk so that you will also get organic praise.

4. Speak at events

Position yourself as an expert in your field, and you will be able to share your insights with others. 

This can also bring you more speaking gigs and more leads. Everyone wants to hear from an expert, and you will open doors if you advertise your services.

5. Attend trade shows

Hosting a booth at trade shows is a great way to generate leads.

You can maximize your potential to generate leads by offering a giveaway. Collect their contact information, and they can win a prize in exchange. 

Be sure to give them your business card, then follow up with regular postcards, brochures, and catalogs.  

There are many ways to promote your business, but these should help you find more leads. We are here to help you reach your potential. Contact us today to get started!

Print products say a lot about who you are as a brand.

What message do you hope to convey to the world?

What kind of image do you want to present?

Print pieces such as business cards, brochures, flyers, and banners are all prime opportunities to showcase your company’s personality and values.

Here are some things your print pieces may convey about your reputation.

5 Aspects of Your Reputation You Can Showcase With Your Print Pieces

1. Your Level of Trustworthiness

When potential customers see your print marketing materials, they make assumptions about your level of trustworthiness.

A recent poll conducted by Marketing Sherpa indicated that 82% of internet shoppers were more likely to make a purchase based on a print ad, feeling they are more trustworthy than other types of advertising. 

This is especially true if the design and materials utilized for your print pieces are high-quality.

By taking extra care to produce a beautiful, professional print piece, your potential customers will be more likely to view you as an established and trustworthy business.

2. How Well You Know Your Target Audience

By paying attention to the trends your audience responds to, you can create print pieces that show you understand their likes and dislikes.

If you understand what your potential customers want, they’ll be more likely to trust your brand and build a connection with you.

Your print pieces should also be designed to connect with your audience emotionally.

Creating visuals that evoke positive emotions ensures your message resonates with customers and prospects.

Using the right combination of visuals and words will help to create a solid emotional bond between your brand and its target audience, resulting in increased loyalty and brand engagement.

3. How Much You Value Quality

Not all print materials are created equally! 

It’s vital that each piece of your print collateral is printed on high-quality paper and features an eye-catching design.

Ensuring this indicates that you value quality. Customers deeply value businesses that take extra care to make sure each of their printed pieces looks great.

This level of detail helps your audience to see that you’re a brand that cares about its image and that is committed to delivering quality products and services.

4. Your Creativity

Putting in the effort to craft unique designs that set your company apart from competitors will solidify potential customers’ perception of your business as creative and innovative.

Colorful and creative print designs can also be used to capture the attention of potential customers while at the same time conveying enthusiasm, innovation, and optimism about your brand’s identity.

Bold typefaces and vibrant, eye-catching visuals can make an impression that stays in your readers’ minds long after reading the piece. 

5. The Superiority of Your Product

Well-written print pieces highlight key features or benefits of a product in an informative and accessible manner to help customers understand why they should choose one brand over another – ultimately leading them to associate positive experiences with your company’s offerings.

By understanding the power of printed materials, you can create marketing collateral that conveys the right message and helps to establish your brand as a trustworthy and reliable choice.

Contact us today to get started!

Entrepreneurs and startup owners have so many things on their plates that it’s not uncommon for certain items to get pushed to the bottom of the list. One thing you don’t want to overlook is the can’t-miss benefits of print marketing materials!

When done right, your print materials can catch someone’s eye — in a way that text, photos, or graphics on a screen can’t capture. 73% of consumers prefer printed materials because they can read them whenever needed. After all, people see digital ads second after second, and it all tends to blur together. Here are four materials that a new business can’t afford to skip. 

4 Print Marketing Materials Your New Business Needs

Business Cards 

Business cards may seem like a traditional marketing tactic, but that’s because they work!

When you are making and exchanging contact information with potential customers or business partners, accuracy is important. Instead of asking for someone’s phone so you can input your contact information or risk mishearing a potential client’s contact information, give them your business card. Even if they take a photo of it immediately, you’re confident they have the correct information.

Include everything about your business, like what you do, who you help, your hours, and the best way to get in touch. Remember: you’re a new business, so spell it out. 

Brochures 

A printed brochure about your products or services allows people to delve into the material.

Instead of scrolling through page after page, people can flip at their leisure and take the time to absorb the details.

If your business offers a wide variety of customer options, brochures can also be a great way to break down your marketing into different audiences. For instance, if you run a toy store and sell equally to children and collectors, you could have two separate brochures based on the target demographic. 

Postcards 

This marketing tactic is a massive opportunity for new business owners.

Not only can they catch the attention of people thumbing through their mail, but they’re also similar to a business card in that you can condense a lot of pertinent information so that people can quickly grasp the main takeaways. 

Whatever your competitive edge is, whether it’s lower prices or a truly stellar staff, don’t be afraid to come out of the gate swinging. In addition, you can consider using postcards for various reasons, such as an invitation to a grand opening or an announcement of a new service. 

Thank You Cards 

Your first few customers will be some of the most critical sales ever.

Not only are these people supporting you right off the bat, but they’re also the people who will either brag about you or tell their friends and family to stay away. 

It’s important to remember that customers typically have a lot of empathy for new businesses, as they realize that most operations will have a few growing pains to contend with. That being said, colorful and sincere thank you cards that tell customers how much you appreciate their support can go a long way. 

Print marketing for new businesses may differ from several decades ago, but its efficacy is undeniable. When you’re starting, you’ll need people to see your name and business model multiple times before they remember you.

Contact us today to create a list of the materials you need to reach prospective customers for your business!