Tuesday, March 19, 2024

How Print Marketing Enhances Customer Engagement

 

Print marketing plays a crucial role in effectively communicating with your current and potential customers. Author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said, "If you just communicate, you can get by. But if you communicate skillfully, you can work miracles," highlighting the importance of connecting well with your customers.

Every business aims to enhance customer service and engagement, but where do you start? What's the secret to success? Print marketing is a critical factor in improving customer service and engagement. From door hangers, brochures, and catalogs to business cards, direct mail, and postcards, print marketing offers a versatile and effective way to communicate with your customers, fostering a personal connection and building trust.  

Print Marketing: A Trusted Choice

Printed materials are increasingly seen as trustworthy and reliable in an era of digital overload.

82% of consumers trust print advertisements the most when making purchase decisions, with 56% considering print the most trustworthy form of marketing. Building trust is essential for growing a business; investing in quality print marketing can help establish that trust. 

Tell Your Story

Print marketing is also an excellent method of telling your company's story.

Whether sharing your origin story, highlighting team members, or showcasing leadership bios, print materials offer a tangible and engaging way to connect with your audience. In a 2018 survey of consumer preferences, 65% of respondents believe they understand a story more deeply when reading in print. Engage with customers by sharing your story on quality print marketing materials.

Increase Engagement

Reading printed materials has also been shown to boost customer attention and retention of information. 

Studies show that people scan a website for about 15 seconds on average. This small window of time is crucial in making a great impression. But you have people's attention for longer when they're reading print. People read slower when reading text on paper than when reading a web page, leading to increased recall and retention rates. This improved memory of what they read about your business transfers to brand recognition, interest, and potential sales.

When customers interact with print marketing materials, they engage their senses, including sight, touch, sound, and smell. This multi-sensory experience creates a lasting impression and enhances brand recognition and recall. By investing in quality print marketing materials, you can create a memorable and engaging experience for your customers, helping your business stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Connect with our print marketing experts today to improve your engagement and customer satisfaction through printed marketing materials. Our team is committed to helping your business grow and succeed through effective and efficient print marketing strategies.

 

 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Effective Sales Collateral: Creating Print Materials That Close Deals

 

Many may overlook the power of printed sales collateral in today's digital world. However, print materials remain crucial in closing deals and converting leads into customers. 

In fact, according to a study by MarketingSherpa, 82% of consumers trust print collateral more than digital advertisements when purchasing.

So, how can you create effective sales collateral to help close deals? Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Understanding Your Audience

To create effective marketing materials, it's crucial to understand your target audience so that you can customize your messaging and design to better connect with them.

Identify Your Audience

The first step in creating any marketing material is understanding your target audience. 

Who are you trying to reach with your print materials? What are their pain points, needs, and preferences? 

By understanding your audience, you can tailor your messaging and design to resonate with them and increase the chances of converting them into customers.

Focus on Advantages over Features

While listing all the features of your product or service may be tempting, this approach can be overwhelming for potential customers.

Instead, highlight the benefits of what you offer and how it can solve their problems or make their lives easier. This will help them see the value in your offer and increase the likelihood of closing a deal.

Incorporate Personalization

Personalized content can be more impactful and memorable for potential customers.

Consider including personalized messages, such as their name or specific pain points, in your print materials to make a stronger connection with your audience.

Creating Compelling Content

Compelling content that is visually appealing, easy to understand, and relevant to the audience's needs and preferences increases the chances of engaging potential customers.

Keep It Simple

When it comes to print materials, less is often more.

You want your collateral to be visually appealing and easy to understand at a glance. Avoid overcrowding the page with too much text or images that may distract from your main message.

Stick to a clean and simple design that will make it easy for your audience to focus on the key points.

Use High-Quality Images

Visuals can be powerful tools in sales collateral.

Use high-quality images relevant to your message and resonate with your target audience. These images can help break up text and add visual interest, making your collateral more engaging and memorable.

Stay Consistent with Branding

Your sales collateral should align with your brand's overall messaging, design, and tone.

This consistency will promote brand recognition and trust with potential customers. 

Stay Up to Date

Updating your sales collateral is essential as your products, services, or target audience changes.

This will ensure that your materials remain relevant and effective in closing deals.

Effective Implementation

Implementing your sales collateral effectively is crucial for achieving your marketing goals.

Include a Call to Action

Don't forget to include a clear call to action in your sales collateral.

This could be anything from "Contact us for a free consultation" to "Visit our website for more information." Whatever it may be, make sure it is clear and compelling so potential customers know exactly what you want them to do next.

Utilize Different Kinds of Print Materials

When it comes to sales collateral, there's no one-size-fits-all approach.

Consider using various print materials, such as brochures, flyers, and business cards, to reach different audiences and convey your message differently.

Don't Forget About Distribution

Creating effective sales collateral is essential, but so is getting it into the hands of your target audience.

Ensure a strategic plan for distributing your materials and reaching potential customers.

Keep Track of Results

Don't forget to track and measure the success of your print materials.

This will help you understand what is working and what may need to be improved in future campaigns.

Print is still a powerful marketing tool, so don't underestimate its potential for helping you reach and convert customers. Contact us today to see how our print materials can help you close more deals. 


Friday, March 8, 2024

Effective Copywriting for Print Marketing

 

Print marketing offers a tangible experience that digital advertising can't replicate. By combining eye-catching design and compelling copy, print ads can create a lasting impression on potential customers.

But how do you ensure that your print ad stands out amongst the noise of other ads?

The answer lies in effective copywriting techniques.

Know Your Audience

As with any form of marketing, understanding your audience is crucial for effective copywriting for print.

Before you start crafting your message, take some time to research and define your target audience. Consider their demographics, interests, pain points, and values. This information will guide the tone, language, and messaging of your print marketing materials.

By tailoring your copy to resonate with your audience, you'll be more likely to capture their attention and encourage them to take action.

Highlight Benefits, Not Features

When selling a product or service, many marketers make the mistake of focusing on features rather than benefits. While features may be important, the benefits speak to customers and drive conversions.

Show your audience how your offering will solve their problems or make their lives easier. This approach is much more persuasive and can lead to a higher conversion rate.

Use Attention-Grabbing Headlines

In a world where people are bombarded with information and advertisements, it's essential to have a headline that stands out and grabs attention.

A strong headline is your audience's first impression of your print marketing material, so it needs to be compelling. To create an attention-grabbing headline, use powerful language, ask a thought-provoking question, or make a bold statement. Just be sure to keep it relevant to your audience and the message you want to convey.

Create Clear and Concise Copy

In print marketing, you have limited space to work with, so making every word count is crucial. Cluttered or confusing copy can be a major turn-off for readers and may cause them to lose interest in your message.

To avoid this, aim for clear and concise copy. Use short sentences and paragraphs, and get straight to the point. Avoid jargon and overly complex language that may be difficult for your target audience to understand.

Include a Strong Call to Action

Your print marketing materials should always include a clear and compelling call to action (CTA).

The CTA is the step you want your audience to take after reading your copy, whether it's making a purchase, signing up for a service, or visiting your website.

To make your CTA effective, be specific about what you want your audience to do and why they should do it. Use action-oriented language and create a sense of urgency to encourage immediate action.

Test and Refine Your Copy

As with any marketing strategy, testing and refining your print marketing copy is essential to ensure its effectiveness.

A/B testing can be a valuable tool in this process, allowing you to compare different versions of your copy with a target audience and see which performs better.

Effective copywriting is a crucial aspect of any successful print marketing campaign. With the right approach, print marketing can be a highly effective tool for reaching and converting your target audience.

Are you looking for more from your print marketing efforts? Let us help you create impactful, persuasive messaging that will make a lasting impression on your audience.

 

Friday, March 1, 2024

Get Business Blooming with 4 Spring Print Marketing Themes

 

Birds chirp louder, the sun lingers longer, and colors shine brighter.

Ahhhh . . . spring. There’s nothing like spring to bring pep in the step and joy to the heart. Capitalize on this natural momentum with fun and energetic designs!

Use these ideas to put some color in your next print marketing campaign!

1. St. Patrick’s Day: March 17

If you ever needed an excuse to be silly, St. Patrick’s Day is it.

Make your customers smile by using phrases like these in your sales promos, posters, and more:

“Save some GREEN at our 20% off sale!”

“There’s gold at the end of this rainbow. Subscribe by March 17 to receive a free month of _____.”

“Today is your LUCKY DAY to book!”

“Feeling lucky? Check out our Sham-ROCKIN rewards.”

2. Tax Day or Earth Day: April 15 & 22

Everyone can get on board with saving cash or saving the planet!

Have fun with these holidays by building promotions that help people conserve or celebrate. Playful retailers might pitch a “Use Your Refund” sale, while planet-loving entrepreneurs might try a cause-marketing “give back” strategy.

Here are several phrases to jumpstart your creativity:

“Tax Day got you stressed? We’ve got relief! Enjoy one free _____ on April 15.”

“Taxes done? You deserve a treat! Check out our BOGO ____ from April 15-20.”

“Celebrate Earth Day with naturally effective ______ care.”

“Go GREEN with our eco-friendly _______.”

“LOVE THE PLANET Earth Day Incentive: For every ______ purchased, we’re partnering with _____ to plant one tree.”

3. Spring Sales Events

After a gray or cold winter, people are ready for rejuvenation.

Work this reality into your sales strategies as you accentuate themes like spring cleaning, fresh ideas, warm weather, new opportunities, or new life.

Offer spring sales events and pair them with engaging content like spring-themed quizzes, vibrant visuals, green or floral motifs, or DIY projects linked to your business. Help customers shake the blues with experiential opportunities like workshops, sidewalk displays, contests, and taste-testing opportunities. Find inspiration from the National Days 2024 calendar, then grab a wacky spring theme and run with it!

4. Spring-ify Your Brand

As you sweep out cobwebs from your inventory, add vibrancy to your print marketing.

Brand consistency is essential, but don’t be afraid to color outside the lines sometimes. Swap out a company color, add a flower to the brand logo, or contrast muted backdrops with vibrant spring fonts.

Spring is a season of rejuvenation, renewal, and growth. Position your brand and its offerings as a breath of fresh air in the coming months!

Contact us today to get one or more of these ideas in the hopper for more spring sales!

 


Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Designing for Impact: The Power of Visual Communication

 

Humans process unfathomable quantities of information through sight alone.

Consider this crazy statistic: The human brain processes images in just 13 milliseconds, with the eyes shifting gaze three times per second. People can recognize and comprehend dozens of pictures in a fraction of a second!

This pace is something verbal communication could never match. That’s one reason design is sometimes called the “visual language” that shapes our world.

3 Design Principles to Strengthen Your Marketing Materials

If you want to grab attention, evoke emotions, and make complex ideas simple, design is king. Here are three tips for communicating strong ideas in seconds.

1. Differentiate Your Brand

Is your brand chic, silly, sophisticated, classic, or dependable?

A clear identity distinguishes your company and builds confidence in your target customers. Are your marketing pieces connected through cohesive brand elements? If you removed the business name from your designs, could viewers distinguish you from the competition?

Find ideas that encapsulate your brand and communicate this core identity through typography, colors, and images that are streamlined across every medium.

2. Define a Focal Point

Like writers use a hook to grab readers, visual focal points attract viewers and pull them in.

Begin each design with one question: what is the first piece of information I need people to know? Emphasis draws attention to an area or object as the focal point. Whether it’s a bold black headline or a lonely child peering out of a brochure, emphasis is the door through which viewers enter your composition.

Here are three design examples:

Images. The biggest image on a page will naturally command attention, but the most compelling images include faces, flavorful foods, bold geometric patterns, gorgeous nature scenes, and humorous photos.

Colors. Pinks and reds scream for attention, but color contrasts can create powerful focal points too. Brighter colors intensify, and cooler colors recede, so on a dark blue banner, a bright yellow headline will leap forward.

Contrast. Equally weighted objects on a page force competition among them, which confuses readers. Instead, allow for plenty of white space around your focal point. Reduce sizing and color of less important objects or use selective grouping to set key elements apart.

3. Delight Viewers with Perfect (and Imperfect!) Proportions

Proportion helps you group your design into sections using grids or patterns as an anchor.

Whether it’s margins on a page, sidebars on a poster, or pull quotes in a newsletter, proportion communicates importance and helps the brain decode information. When designing from scratch, build a visual map to sketch your basic layout. Here is one helpful margin guide to get you started.

Proportion is rarely noticed until something is out of proportion, so have fun making rules—and then breaking them. Four equal text columns are pleasing, but one narrow column near a graphic splashing across three grids is compelling. An enormous Snickers bar is tantalizing, but a Butterfinger carried by four tiny ants is downright provocative!

Want help making your layouts shine? From design to printing, we’re here to help. Reach out today!

 

Friday, February 23, 2024

5 Areas to Focus on for Business and Marketing Success

 

Did you know that as of early 2023, the share of companies' revenue spent on marketing in the US reached 10.9 percent – a result significantly above the global figure?

Why do companies choose to invest so much of their budget and resources into marketing? Because a strong marketing strategy is essential for a successful business!

Help your business thrive by looking at five areas of marketing strategy that are key to business success.

Pay Attention to These 5 Factors in Your Marketing Strategy

1. Lead Generation

One of the most pertinent roles of marketing within a business is to find leads and work towards hooking them in as new customers.

Collecting qualified leads takes effort, so it's essential to approach it strategically. Research your competitors and other trends within your field to keep your marketing tactics fresh and exciting for customers. Additionally, use tools to measure the response rate of different marketing products on your customers to determine which ideas resonate the best with them.

2. Customer Retention

Once you've successfully converted a lead into a customer, marketing has the power to keep that customer loyal to your company's products or services. 

To foster lasting relationships with existing customers, focus on strategies like creating unique mail pieces for pre-existing customers, offering discounts on a second purchase, or sending out follow-up emails to make your current customers feel appreciated and noticed.

3. Branding Consistency

Consistency is critical to your branding efforts

Creating a style guide is one way to avoid inconsistency within your marketing materials. The guide should include the preferred language style and tone of voice used in the company, the brand's signature acceptable fonts, certain ways the logo should and should not appear, and more. 

In addition to creating and using a style guide, ample communication between all team members and departments is essential to ensure that the messaging and appearance of your marketing materials are consistent and recognizable to customers. 

4. Strategic Risks

While sticking to proven strategies may feel safe, avoiding calculated risks can stifle growth and innovation in your marketing endeavors.

Embrace a culture of experimentation by exploring new marketing techniques and approaches.

You don't have to go all in all at once. You can try some moderate risk-taking by researching and monitoring trends in your field, slowly implementing a few new ideas alongside your current strategies, and measuring the results to see which campaigns are most effective. 

5. Employee Retention

Your marketing team's expertise and knowledge are invaluable assets. However, high employee turnover can disrupt productivity and drain resources.

Prioritize employee retention by offering competitive wages, attractive benefits packages, and opportunities for professional growth. Streamline the training process to minimize disruptions and empower team members to focus on their core responsibilities. You can cultivate a cohesive and effective marketing team by fostering a supportive and nurturing work environment.

With these things in mind, your marketing strategies will flourish and continue to increase the company's success. Contact our company for more advice and assistance with your marketing needs!

 

 

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

3 Things to Know about Laminating and Coating Direct Mail

 

It’s no secret that despite how digitized our world is, direct mail is still a powerful tool that can garner a significant return on investment.

Direct mail has a higher response rate than email. Yet, households in the United States only received, on average, 368 pieces of regular marketing direct mail in 2022.

So, how can you ensure that your company’s direct mail stands out? One way to distinguish your mail and add extra polish is through lamination and coating.

Read on to learn more about the different types of coating that you can use for your mail pieces!

3 Essentials When It Comes to Lamination and Coating

1. Protective Properties

Lamination on direct mail pieces will protect them and increase their durability as they travel through the mail system.

Customers will be less impressed with a mail piece that arrives damaged, scratched, or scuffed. Using lamination is an excellent choice to help protect the mail piece from water damage, sun fading, and wear and tear.

2. Different Types of Coating

It’s important to know that three types of coatings can be used for direct mail: UV, Aqueous, and Varnish.

UV Coatings

UV coatings create one of the most glossy finishes for a mail piece.

UV coating works through the unique process of exposure to ultraviolet light, which causes the coating to dry and harden on the paper. The two challenges to remember for UV coating are that ink will not dry on top of the coating once it has been sealed and that it can crack if the mail piece is folded, like a brochure.

Aqueous Coatings

Aqueous coatings offer a few more options than UV coatings do.

You can select either a high-gloss or matte finish. Aqueous coatings are nearly entirely clear, deriving their name from the water-based formula. This type of coating is also more eco-friendly than other types.

Varnish Coatings

Varnish coatings offer the most options, allowing you to choose between a gloss, satin, or matte finish.

However, similarly to UV coatings, you cannot print additional ink on top of a varnish coating.

3. Timing is Everything

If you choose to laminate some of your print materials, you must factor in extra time for the production process.

The ink on your printed materials will need to dry and cure completely before you can laminate them over the top of the paper.

Additionally, it’s wise to allow the print to rest at room temperature for 24 hours after it has been laminated before moving or mailing the mail pieces to ensure that the lamination is set and will not separate from the paper.

Incorporate some of these lamination and coating tips into your next direct mail campaign, and enjoy the outstanding results that will follow!

Our company is here to help you with all of your direct mail printing needs. Contact us today to get more information!

 

Main product photo

How Print Marketing Enhances Customer Engagement

  Print marketing plays a crucial role in effectively communicating with your current and potential customers. Author and motivational speak...