9 Solid Ways to Combine Digital and Print to Boost Your Campaign

Contrary to popular opinion, print is not dead, and it remains an integral part of marketing and advertising. 

Today, you can't rely solely on digital ads to increase customer traffic. Likewise, you can't just rely on old-school advertising to do the job.

Writing words on paper is tactile and fun to hold. It also creates a feeling of value that a pop-up ad can't do. Paper is something that has to be reckoned with. You can't just turn a blind eye. You have to physically throw it away--after reading it. 

Once it's your customers' hands, you have the advantage of grasping their attention. Be forthcoming about what you are selling or trying to call their attention to.

Using high-quality paper and fine print can give the impression of prestige and quality, and with the physical item in your hands, it is way more engaging for readers than an email or a pop-up.

Digital helps expand on the conversation you started with the customer. It allows for more information to be shared, and it's interactive in that the customer can click for more information on your website.

So, if you take the best aspects of each marketing tool, you will see the difference compared to running a solely digital or print campaign.

9 Solid Ways to Combine Digital and Print to Boost Your Campaign

1. QR Code

Use a QR code to link to your digital platform.

This is a quick and easy way to get the most out of your advertising.

2. Include Your Web Address

Add your website to the printed pieces.

This way, the customer instantly knows how to get more information or contact you. You can even create a specific landing page for the campaign.

3. Exclusive content

Advertise exclusive content within your print pieces to gain new followers on a specific social platform.

4. Social Media

Use your social media to obtain customer information so you can send on-target materials to them.

5. Giveaway

Advertise a giveaway on your printed piece and include a QR code or URL that takes the consumer to a page where they can redeem the gift.

6. Colors

When combining print and digital efforts, give them a cohesive look by using the same colors and fonts.

7. Campaign Tracking

Add a UTM or Urchin Tracking Module to the web address or QR code that you put on your print campaign.

A UTM is a simple text code that can be added to any URL or webpage to generate Google Analytics data.

8. Hashtags

Printing specific hashtags on materials is yet another way to funnel all marketing channels toward a single campaign. 

Indiana University used this approach with newly-admitted college students by including the hashtag #IUSaidYes on their acceptance letter packages.

9. Augmented Reality

Use an augmented reality code in your print advertising to stand out more.

This high-tech tactic tracks the results through the code and can also boost your online presence. These two together are unstoppable.

When it comes to marketing, combining digital and print will help boost your campaign and reach the right audience. 

When it comes to print marketing, we are here to help your marketing dollars go further! Contact us today.

How to Use Color to Impact Holiday Campaigns

When you think of the holidays, what colors come to mind?

Red, green, white, or maybe even blue and gold. These festive colors can evoke emotions from consumers by drawing them to colors they might not naturally be drawn to outside of the holiday season. 

Using color theory, the study of how color impacts perceptions and behaviors, we can help get customers in the mood for the holidays and, hopefully, buy your products. Here's what the experts say about the holiday colors we love.

How to Use Color to Impact Holiday Campaigns

Red

We know red as a warning: fire, stop signs, danger, and so forth.

But it is also a powerful color representing love, passion, importance, and hunger. 

Red can raise blood pressure and respiration rates and enhance human metabolism. We think of things like red berries, Santa, and more. Use this color as an accent, and you'll be doing well. However, if used in abundance, it tends to get overwhelming. 

Green

Green has both the calming attributes of blue and the excitement of yellow.

When used in a design, it is known to have a balancing and harmonizing effect. It also helps balance out red, which is used often this time of year.

Christmas trees can go back to medieval times to symbolize the Garden of Eden. Today, we tend to think of Christmas trees and mistletoe. 

White

Of course, we associate white with snow this time of year. 

But it also is an excellent backdrop for design. Since it is the polar opposite of black, it goes with just about every color and is perfect for minimalist design. In addition, it can soften the often bright colors of the season.

Blue

While blue is sometimes acquainted with sadness, calmness, and responsibility, it is also known for its dependability, peace, and religion.

Especially this time of year, we see that blue represents these last attributes. In times past, blue was connected to royalty as the pigments to produce the die were expensive. 

Gold

Success! Achievement! Luxury! Elegance! 

These are what gold represents, and many individuals associate this time of year with gifts.

Yellow, or gold, is a warm color and represents passion, happiness, enthusiasm, and energy. It's a powerful color, not used in abundance.

When thinking about designing your holiday marketing materials, these colors are tried-and-true, and people instantly associate them with the holidays. 

There are always beachy themes and tropical photos, but that typically doesn't represent the classic feel of the holiday season. Tapping into those warm emotions is easier when you keep with tradition.

The time to start thinking about holiday print materials is now! We can help you pick the right hues and colors for your marketing efforts. Visit our website today!

4 Things Your Direct Mail Piece Needs to Convert

Direct mail is a simple, cost-efficient way to reach your target market. 

The response rates for direct mail are about five to nine times higher than other advertising channels. However, five to nine times is quite a range. Getting your direct mail to reach the nine times higher statistic requires certain elements. 

Here are four things your direct mail piece needs to convert direct mail into sales. 

1. Personalization

Recipients respond well to personalized advertisements. 

The more personalization, the better your target market can say, "Wow! This is for me!" One study showed that 93% of businesses that incorporated an advanced personalization strategy experienced revenue growth.

Personalization starts with data. The more customer data you have, the more personalized your direct mail can be. Gather data regarding geographic, demographic, and behavioral characteristics so you can… 

• Include the recipient's name in all outgoing marketing materials.
• Reference the client's past buying history.
• Suggest products the customer might be interested in. 

To simplify your marketing, try to divide your overall target market into niche audiences with specific pain points. This will allow the mail to be more personalized while still being manageable for your business to execute. 

2. Special offers

Tell the recipient what's in it for them. 

By including special offers in your direct mail, people will be more likely to act. Make your direct mail more effective by triggering fear of missing out by making the offer for a limited time only or while supplies last. 

If your company struggles to acquire data from your customers, you could have customers fill out a form before they can access the special offer. 

Examples of special offers include:

• Discounts
• Exclusive events
• Free samples

Example: "Scan this QR code, tell us about yourself, and get 25% off your next purchase! For a limited time only." 

3. Strong writing

The content within direct mail heavily influences readers. 

Create a confident, friendly, accessible piece with direct mail by focusing on the writing. Tips to achieve this include: 

• Make it accessible to all by using simple language and short sentences.
• Make it easy to skim by adding headings and bullet points.
• Tell readers what's important by making certain words and phrases pop.
• Include stories readers will enjoy and connect with.
• Make your first and last sentences count because they are the most frequently read. 

By making the content of your direct mail enjoyable to read, recipients will be more likely to act. 

4. Follow up after sending direct mail

People are busy, and they need reminders. 

Therefore, follow up with your customers after sending direct mail. You can follow up with another direct mail piece, email, or phone call. When doing so, remind the customer about the special deals and your previous point of contact. 

Direct mail is a powerful tool in marketing. But you're going to want the most conversions for your money. Help convert by including these four strategies in your direct mail campaign. 

We're here to help you convert when you're ready to print! Reach out today!

5 Call-To-Action Tips to Use on Your Print Marketing (And Why They Work)

 In its simplest form, a call to action tells the recipient to buy now. 

However, sometimes saying, "buy now!" won't be quite as effective as an alternative, more creative strategy. 

Below are some tips for crafting a call to action for your print marketing campaign so you can have a better response rate than the average of 4.23%. 

1. Be straightforward 

Tell the reader what they can expect if they complete the advertised action. 

No games, no tricks. If you say this is what will happen, then advertise it accurately. If the deal only holds if they buy $X in merchandise, then clearly communicate that. You're not doing yourself any favors by making a misleading call to action. It'll just frustrate the client. 

Avoid misleading calls to action by including relevant numbers, such as pricing and discounts. 

2. Use strong command verbs

Begin your call to action with a strong command verb. 

Strong command verbs can help people follow your call to action. In one study, ads with strong action verbs performed about 89% better than those without.

Examples include, 

• Buy the customer-favorite product now!
• Shop at our newly updated store!
• Order through our quick and easy website!
• Download the newsletter for insider knowledge!
• Subscribe to be the first to know about all our amazing deals!

Often, people have a hard time saying no, even to words on a page. By using confident action verbs, people will do it. 

3. Be enthusiastic

Enthusiasm is contagious. 

If customers feel you are enthusiastic and believe in your product and service, they'll get excited too. In writing, enthusiasm is best shown through exclamation points, so use them often!

4. Advertise scarcity

People are busy, so you must find a way to get them to act immediately. 

Including a sense of scarcity in your call to action by showing it's for a limited time or while supplies last will prompt people to act fast. This will help prevent people from putting direct mail in their "I'll get to it later" pile. 

5. Differentiate from your competition

Companies with similar niches can sometimes advertise similar calls to action. 

Make yourself stand out from the competition by brainstorming ways your call to action can be unique. First, think of the things your company does that are better than the competition. Then find a way to weave that into the call to action.

Try getting creative and unique by asking your customers to complete an action not commonly requested. For example, try telling customers to read customer reviews instead of prompting them to buy, shop, order, download, or subscribe. Customers trust other customers' reviews. If you have positive customer reviews, advertise them in your call to action. Potential clients can see what items or services are most popular and why. 

Calls to action are a crucial part of your marketing technique. Without it, customers often won't act. Using strong command verbs and enthusiasm makes target markets likelier to respond. 

With all the thought and research you put into your print marketing campaigns, you will want an easy, smooth printing process. Once you've settled your call to action (and a thousand other details), reach out for a hassle-free printing process!