9 Design Techniques You Should Know for Getting Maximum Results From Your Postcards

When it comes to marketing, print is still relevant. And a well-designed postcard is a great tool to have in your marketing toolkit.
“In today’s digital era, physical printed branding materials are often overlooked…However, print media could be the most powerful branding tool that companies are missing.” 
Before jumping into this fun little project, let’s discuss some of the critical dos and don’ts of designing an effective postcard. 
9 Design Techniques You Should Know for Getting Maximum Results From Your Postcards
1. Keep it Simple
We all have great ideas, fantastic offers, and critical information to explain to our potential (or repeat) customers.
But we recommend erring on the side of simplicity. Choose your words carefully and keep the idea straightforward and easy to follow. 
Try to stick to one offer: “Use this coupon code to save 25%.” Or, “Go to our site today to sign up for free giveaways.” Or “Claim your offer today at our website.”
2. Keep the Design Clean
Try not to clutter the postcard with images (no matter how great they are).
There are no exceptions to this rule. Use a couple of images per side.
3. Use One Headline and Make it Stand Out
It’s tempting to want to explode on the page with many exciting offers, sales, new products, and ways to contact us. 
Try to use one single headline per side, and make your offer clear so that it stands out. Use great colors and an awesome font, and make it front and center of the page.
Keep the headline the star of the page and don’t use too many techniques, e.g., don’t use italics, bold, and underline when you have a great title.
4. Try to Make It Trackable
Use a special URL or a specific phone number or email by which the postcard recipient can get a hold of your great deal. Then track it.
5. Supersize Your Postcard to Get a Better Response
Of course, you will need to weigh this cost to see if your promotion is worth promoting in this way.
But if you are taking the time and money to send something out, make it count!
6. Make White Space Your Friend
Leave some spaces blank, or just filled with a color block.
Don’t fill every square inch of the postcard with text and pictures. “White space can help organize the elements in a composition and emphasize the most important ones. It also creates an aura of luxury and minimalism.“
7. Don’t Skimp on Color
Be sure you use color to grab the readers’ attention.
This sometimes seems like an effective way to save some money, but color will increase your readership.
8. Don’t Forget Your Contact Information
People need to know who the postcard is from and how to get ahold of you to place an order!
“You want your audience to immediately recognize your branding across all of your communication, including your print marketing materials.” 
Ensure your logo and contact information is on the postcard in a prominent place so it doesn’t get lost in the offer.
9. Print With a Reputable Firm
A cheaply made postcard will detract from all your efforts and money.
You want to choose the right paper and ink to ensure readers know they can trust you to produce quality results. Your local printer is the best place to get your questions answered and get the product you deserve. 
When promoting a new product or service, use a postcard that stands out in today’s busy mail shuffle. If you have questions about doing that, check us out online or call Patti.

Combining Social Media and Print (Here’s How to Do it Right)

Figuring out which channels to use for your company’s next campaign can be tricky: sometimes, a more traditional print-ads approach seems useful, while other times, a social media campaign feels like the way to go. 

But in reality, combining these two channels can create an even more effective result for your company! 

With a few easy things to keep in mind, your company can use print ads to increase social media engagement and use social media to boost the ROI on your printed materials. 

5 Ways to Use Social Media and Print Marketing Together to Your Advantage

1. Use Social Proof from Media Accounts

Potential customers rely on other consumers’ testimonials when deciding whether to purchase from your company.

A recent report showed that 93.4% of consumers depend on customer reviews when investigating retailers for the first time. Use this to your company’s advantage by bringing those reviews directly to consumers through your print materials.

Include quotes of honest reviews from your company’s media accounts on your next direct mail design, and invite consumers to see what others say about your company on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram as a call to action (CTA).

2. Make it Easy with QR Codes and Short URLs

Including information about your social media accounts on your direct mail is a good start, but it won’t get you very far if it isn’t convenient and quick for people to utilize. 

Firstly, if you include a URL, ensure it isn’t too long for people to type into their search engine. You can use websites like TinyURL.com to convert a long URL into one that’s easier for consumers to search.

QR codes are the height of convenience, and they can take consumers to one of your social media pages, websites, or online resources with just a quick scan of their phone camera. 

3. Design Exclusive Media-Related Offers

An easy way to use print marketing as a bridge to your online marketing is by using a media-related CTA on your print materials.

For instance, consumers will be motivated to follow your social accounts if you use print for advertising a special offer or discount for new followers.

4. Try Out Hashtags

Include hashtags on your direct mail and encourage customers to post photos of your products or company using that hashtag!

It could become a viral social media campaign, creating something big from a simple direct mail design.

5. Gather Data for Direct Mail Using Media

Social media provides a pre-organized way to discern which pieces of your content consumers are most engaged by. 

If a photo on one of your social accounts has the most likes, use it as the cover image for your next direct mail piece. See which data your customers like, share, and comment on, and use that to your advantage. 

Are you ready to try combining social media and print for your next marketing campaign? Partner with us, and we’ll show you how! Give us a call today to get started.

15 Marketing Power Words That Pack a Punch in Print

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 Patti today to get started on your next print marketing initiative.

5 Ways to Get Qualified Leads for Your Business

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 Patti today to get started!

Starting a New Business? Here are 4 Print Marketing Materials You Need.

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! 
 
 
 

Pass Your Business Name Around the Office with Custom Notepads for Branding and Promotion

Sometimes we forget the simple things when marketing, such as notepads.
Research shows that people remember more clearly when writing it down than typing it into a tablet or phone.
When you give customers a notepad, they will use it to write down daily notes and phone calls. And they will see your name and logo repetitively, boosting name recognition.
Also, many people are more likely to do business with someone who gave them something.
There are several types of notepads to choose from, and you don’t need to limit yourself to just one. Think outside the box, use them at your front counter as giveaways and promotional items, and give them to new (and existing) customers.
Here are some ideas on how to create fun notepads that get noticed!
5 Top Ways to Use Notepads to Increase Business
1. Mousepad Notebook
Mousepad notebooks are a fun, attractive way to build your brand.
We all use mousepads and search for paper to write our notes on. Why not put it together and create a mousepad that does just that? It’s name recognition all day long, and they can ask for more when they run out.
2. Sticky Notes
Create sticky notes in fun colors with your logo on them.
These are used all day long and all around the office regularly.
3. Magnetic Notepad
Creating a notepad with a magnet can be placed on a refrigerator, file cabinet, or another magnetic surface.
These are helpful not only in the office but to take home and put in plain sight.
And guess what? Potential customers look straight at your logo daily, creating a lasting image in their minds.
4. Journals
Journals are great for keeping meeting notes.
They can also be used at home in a personal way. Either way, your name, and logo are front and center.
5. Be Square
Make a cube notepad that lasts a long time.
These cubes sit on your desk, by your phone, or at the cash register for people to use daily. Your name and logo are imprinted on the side for all to see.
And it’s just a plain, white paper that everyone can use to jot down thoughts, notes, and phone calls.
No matter what types of notepads you create, they are economical to brand your business and cause top-of-mind awareness.
We can help you create one-of-a-kind items that represent your business in a fun, exciting, and professional way. Contact Patti today to learn more!

Print Marketing Mastery: 6 Key Steps to Crafting a Winning Print Campaign

Your current and prospective customers want to hear from you in an engaging, thought-provoking, and welcoming way. Print marketing is the best and most effective way to do just that!
Done right, print marketing raises awareness of your brand, drives new leads to your business, promotes the sales of new and existing products, and reaches people offline at home.
In fact, 79% of consumers find reading physical mail more convenient than going online.
But where do you start? Let’s navigate the worthwhile road of print marketing together.
6 Key Steps to Crafting a Winning Print Campaign
1. Define Your Mission
Before thinking about fonts, images, and colors, set a clear goal or mission.
What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Do you have a new product ready to hit the streets? Are you trying to attract new customers, grow loyalty with your current customers, or increase your company’s awareness?
How you answer this question will set the tone for your print marketing campaign.
2. Identify Your Target Audience
One of the most common challenges you’ll likely run into is marketing your product or service to the appropriate audience.
Research and gather as much information about the demographic of your customer base. How old are they? Where do they live? Where do they work? What’s the average salary in the area?
Remember, you’re not trying to reach every audience; you are trying to reach the right audience. 
3. Focus on Trust
Prioritize transparency in your print marketing communications, and continually work to improve the trust that a customer can feel in the product or service you offer.
A survey of 1,000 consumers concluded that more than 80% consider trust a deciding factor in their buying decisions, but only 34% trust the brands they use. 
4. Clearly Communicate 
Always remember to include a few things in your design to get the purpose of the marketing piece across.
The headline should clearly state the topic of the copy, have a clear call to action, and tell your target audience what separates you from the competition.
5. Remain Flexible
Leave room for the unknown and be on the lookout for trends in your business or a shift in demographics.
Being able to pivot your print marketing effectively can allow you to be more efficient in your overall marketing efforts.
6. Embrace New Technologies
Print marketing will always be a vital element of any brand strategy and can be blended with other technologies.
Personalized print products are a surefire way to connect your brand with a customer, as they speak to the customer as an individual.
No matter how you plan your print marketing, by working with an experienced print partner like us, you can lean on the expertise of experienced professionals! Contact Patti today to get started.

5 Helpful Hints for Print Marketing with Booklets

Booklets are a powerful marketing tool for attracting attention, informing the public, or educating customers.
 
Not only can booklets capture your target audience’s interest, but they also convey critical messages accurately on various topics.
 
Handing out booklets can be an excellent way to increase brand awareness and subject matter authority. 
 
If you are considering giving this useful product a try, here are some helpful tips to make your booklets successful.
5 Helpful Hints for Print Marketing with Booklets
Before you hit the publish button, consider these five valuable tips!
1. Focus on Proper Brand Positioning
Your booklet’s title, brand, and logo are critical components, conveying to potential customers what the booklet is about and why it matters.
If the introductory elements of the booklet are ambiguous, then the booklet’s impact will be diminished. 
Consider these additional suggestions for effective brand positioning:
Ensure your booklet’s logo, title, and brand are loud and proud at the top of its cover page.
Design eye-catching font in big, bold letters to draw attention quickly.
Consider adding a specific image associated with your organization, event, brand, or business that readers can easily remember as an additional way to make it stand out from others. 
2. Ensure Ease of Reading and Clarity of Your Message
To ensure your booklet communicates its desired message, be sure it is both easy to read and clear to understand.
 
An essential part of ensuring ease of readability and clarity of message is taking the time to read through your work with a critical eye before sending it off for printing.
Remember that too much information can overwhelm readers, while insufficient will seem inconsistent. Thoughtfully consider what amount of content conveys just enough detail without overloading readers so they understand precisely what you want them to know.
3. Select Effective, Engaging Images
The visuals you choose to incorporate in your booklet are fundamental.
Images can capture people’s attention and draw them into reading more. For maximum impact, ensure every image in your booklet is of excellent quality. Grainy photos just won’t cut it!
 
Since booklets provide more room than other media types, such as brochures or leaflets, take advantage of the added space by including graphs and charts, which will help clarify information for your readers.
 
This lets your potential customers understand exactly what you’re trying to convey quickly and clearly. 
4. Employ Vibrant, Eye-Catching Colors
The design of your booklet matters!
The colors selected should be captivating, engaging viewers while creating a visually pleasing experience.
 
Utilize vibrant and appealing hues to attract people to your content.
5. Display Your Contact Information Prominently
Your contact information must stand out to ensure that your booklet is successful.
 
Whether you are advertising for a business or event, including multiple points of contact should be a top priority!
 
Consider adding contact information, such as an email address or website URL, at the end of your booklet, so readers know where to reach you if they have any questions or comments about what was covered.
 
These five valuable tips equip you with all the tools necessary for success!
Are you considering booklets for your next print marketing initiative? We can help! Contact us by phone or email to get started.

5 Embellishments to Help Your Print Marketing Rise to the Top

Do you want to captivate potential customers with your printed marketing materials?
Try using embellishments to make your print marketing exciting and memorable for your recipients! 
Embellishments refer to ornamental touches that accentuate critical features of your invitations, stationery, business cards, and brochures.
Check out these five suggestions that can make your print marketing stand out!
5 Embellishments to Help Your Print Marketing Rise to the Top
1. Foil
Modern printing techniques allow your company to go far beyond just the silver and gold foil printing options that were once possible.
Use foil in any color to add interest to your print material or draw attention to certain essential words or statistics by printing them in foil.
2. Embossing or Debossing
Embossing (creating raised images) and debossing (creating lowered imprints) words or your company logo is a simple way of drawing attention to certain parts of your print.
These techniques can increase your brand recognition since your name or logo will stand out from the rest of the design. It can also create depth, adding aesthetic appeal.
Just keep in mind that this embellishment works best on thicker paper stock!
3. Unique Inks
In the printing industry today, your company can try a wide variety of new inks. Scented, neon, or metallic ink are popular options that will undoubtedly make your product stand out.
With the constant advancement of printing technology, there are different ink options every day: one of the new and unique options is thermochromic ink, which changes color based on temperature. Combine a special ink with these other embellishments, and your print will shine!
4. Finishes
Instead of opting for a traditional matte finish for your printed products, try more specialized finishes!
A glossy finish can protect against ink smudges or damages while in transit while also elevating the look of your piece.
Research shows that when consumers can touch something, it increases the perceived value. Textured finishes can allow your company to create new textures on your print products (like scales, water splashes, or the grain of wood), which will be raised from the rest of the design.
5. Laminating
Lamination is no longer just for protecting a printed product (though that is a bonus)! You can use it to create the effect of specialty paper without the extra cost.
Experiment with metallic lamination or soft lamination, which creates a velvety feel.
And don’t forget about spot laminating! Unlike a flood application, where the lamination covers the entire product, spot finishes are only used on certain design parts. Consider laminating your company name, logo, or tagline to make it pop!
We hope you are inspired by these ideas to help your next print marketing piece rise to the top! If you’re looking for more ideas to make your next project extra special, give us a call! 

3 Fresh Color Combinations to Shake Up Your Next Flyer Design

Did you know the colors you select for your flyers can be the difference between them getting noticed or not?

If you’re planning your next flyer design, we have a few combos (and the theory behind them) to help you get more eyes on the page. 

Why It Matters 

Brands don’t have much time to make an impression. Most people judge products or services within 90 seconds, and up to 90% of that assessment is based solely on color. If people have limited bandwidth to absorb a flyer, you can’t neglect how the colors come across to them. 

3 Fresh Color Combinations to Shake Up Your Next Flyer Design

Baby Blue & Peach 

Light colors have a way of lifting people’s spirits by introducing some softness to the eyes.

Pastels have been a significant design trend as of late, mainly because bold and brash colors can be hard to look at for too long. They might attract some notice immediately, but the effects can be offputting with more than a minimal glance. 

Light blue and peach look beautiful together because they play off each other’s natural tones, and their beauty throws the focus on the text without diminishing the design’s visual appeal.

As your brand likely already has preferred colors, consider how a different color palette could be used for whatever you want to advertise. For instance, if you’re having a soft launch of a new product, this could be a perfect selection. 

Gradient Green to Purple 

Gradient designs are excellent for making your flyer eye-catching without being too obvious.

The blend of colors in different hues draws your sight into a specific direction and prompts people to read the words too. So in much the same way as you’d want to stare at a rainbow, the color theory is that your eye is intrigued by how one shade harmonizes with the next. 

While you can pull this off in various combinations, green and purple are complementary colors. The high contrast will pop, and you can use the intermediate section to lessen the intensity of the colors.

With the two brightest colors at opposite ends of the spectrum, you can imagine that the words in the middle will stand out even more. 

Cherry Red and Gold 

Red and gold colors are typically associated with luxury and are typically standouts wherever they’re placed.

Highly recommended for flyers that will be posted in crowded spaces, this energetic and passionate combo would be excellent for brands that are passionate and ready for action. 

If you want to play with this color combination without overwhelming the view, consider how a stark white background and hints of cherry red and gold could make an impression. This option still plays up the luxury angle but may have more impact if used sparingly. 

Flyer color combinations should, in part, reflect the overall branding sensibilities you’ve already chosen. However, just because your logo, fonts, and graphics are always in the same color scheme doesn’t mean you can never mix things up.

If you want to experiment with a new flyer design, use these color combinations to inspire people to take a fresh look at what you can do for them. Or contact us to help you develop a unique color combination that perfectly fits your brand!