Marketing Your Way to Success

                                                       Every chance to stand out and make an impact can significantly influence a small business's growth and success. Even small visibility and customer engagement gains can increase sales and market presence. One of the most cost-effective ways to achieve this is through eye-catching flyers. Flyers come in a wide variety of forms, from glossy circulars to color photocopied flyers. Understanding the power of a well-designed flyer to grab attention and drive engagement is crucial.  The Importance of Visual Appeal Creating an eye-catching flyer starts with its visual appeal. Humans are naturally drawn to visually stimulating content, and a well-designed flyer can capture attention at first glance. Here are some key aspects of visual design that can make a flyer stand ou...

 For many businesses, September marks the time to start planning their marketing campaigns and promotions for fall.   With colder weather comes various special days and holidays perfect for getting creative with your marketing efforts .   From classic Thanksgiving and Halloween themes to more unexpected events like National Coffee Day, here are seven unique ideas for fall print campaigns. Make Special-Themed Days Memorable with These Printed Material Features! Custom Stickers for National Cheeseburger Day (September 18th) Take advantage of National Cheeseburger Day by creating custom stickers featuring a mouth-watering cheeseburger image that customers can stick on their phones, computers, bikes, or anywhere else they like.   Include the stickers with your direct mail packages and invite your customers to share images of themselves using the sticker for a chance to win an exclusive prize. National Coffee Day Postcards (September 29th) Send a direct mail postcard...

The business card has come a long way since its inception centuries ago. It has become an essential part of every company's identity. But what is its origin, and why is it relevant in business today ? Where Did Business Cards Come From? In the 15th century, China introduced "visiting cards." Essentially, people carried small cards to showcase their importance. Visiting cards were considered a tool for self-promotion and were utilized to request meetings. What are Trade Cards? Trade cards were invented in the 17th century to help people find businesses in major cities where addresses were uncommon.   During the 17th century, people followed a strict code of etiquette when interacting with each other. With the onset of the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, this formality began to blur the line between social and trade interactions.   People needed a way to introduce themselves and their businesses, which led to the creation of business cards. What...

 Print marketing remains the most effective way to reach customers and build brand recognition. In 2023, there have been several innovations in print marketing that can help you make the most of your message.  Here are eight of the latest trends to inspire your next print campaign. 8 Trends in Print Marketing to Inspire You This Year 1. Variable Data Printing Customized messages, images, and text can make print marketing more impactful. Variable data printing makes it easy to use data to personalize messages, images, and designs to grab consumers' attention and make your message memorable. 2. QR Codes QR codes are gaining popularity in printed marketing materials, allowing customers to quickly scan them with their smartphones for easy access to websites, videos, or other materials. 3. Augmented Reality Use the latest technology by  integrating augmented reality into your print marketing campaigns . This innovative tactic allows viewers to experience fully...

 The combination of direct mail and email can be a powerful marketing strategy. Not only does it help you connect with more potential customers, but evidence suggests that combining the two forms of media can even increase response rates. Here are five statistics that show just how effective this combination can be: 1. Direct mail is six times more likely to result in a purchase than email alone. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration )  2. Direct mail response rates are 10-30 times higher than sole digital marketing campaigns. (Source: Amsive ) 3. Combining direct mail and email can increase response rates by as much as 50%. (Source: Epsilon ) 4. 72% of potential customers enjoy interacting with brands via several mediums before purchasing. (Source: Lead Forensics )  5. Marketing campaigns integrating direct mail and digital media hold 39% more of a customer’s time than digital campaigns alone. (Source: Canada Post ) What are the Advantages of Combining Dir...

 Are you attending a trade show or job fair and need your banner to make an impact? Banners are an incredibly popular marketing tool due to their instant message delivery, cost efficiency, simplicity in assembly/dismantling, and durability. Ensure the maximum number of people sees your banner by designing one that looks like a million bucks. 7 Tips to Create Eye-Catching Banners 1. Lead with Your Brand Make sure to leverage the most influential real estate by placing your logo at the top of your banner. This is the spot your viewers will automatically look at and what they will most likely recall afterward. Positioning your company logo and name in this area can help create an immediate connection with people who come across it, allowing them to recognize and remember you quickly! 2. Keep Your Message Brief Use as few words as possible to attract attention and convey your message. By avoiding excess text, you can ensure that onlookers aren't overwhelmed by an overcrowded ...

 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 plac...

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 peac...

Postcards are a practical, versatile medium to send in your direct mail campaign. According to the Data & Marketing Association, postcards get a response rate of up to 4.25%, one of the highest in direct mail marketing. Take advantage of this marketing method with seven postcard direct mail ideas we love!  1. Switch up the norm Although standard postcards are 4.25” by 5.5”, usually in a horizontal position, not all postcards are designed this way.  Try switching it up with a larger postcard format with dimensions of 5.5” by 8.5” or change the orientation by sending a vertical postcard. These designs that deviate from the norm will stand out from the crowd and make the recipient take a second look.  2. Make bold designs With bright colors and attention-grabbing images, your postcard will speak for itself.  Be bold in your design choices. The design significantly influences how long a piece stays in a home. Of course, adhere to your branding guide so the fin...

2023 is just around the corner, and a new year comes with new graphic design trends.  Graphic design matters because it captures the attention of your audience, aids in memory, and influences the consumer's first impressions. This is why the global graphic design industry was worth $45.8 billion in 2021. Make sure your business stays up-to-date with the latest graphic design trends.  5 Graphic Design Trends to Look Out for in 2023 1. Science Fiction-Inspired Designs  Many businesses are aiming to look futuristic with science fiction-inspired graphic designs.  Certain elements are common within science fiction designs. Color . Shades of blue- like cyan- and neon colors are prevalent. There's often a contrast between light and dark. Shapes . Sharp lines, circles, and geometric shapes give off science-fiction vibes. Fonts . Science fiction fonts are an entire genre, often showing distorted letters that look stretched, chopped, or duplicated with inconsistent l...

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 attrib...

The holidays are coming, and you want to reward your clients (and possibly even your staff) with fun items that will benefit them and keep your name buzzing around. Utilizing giveaways helps people identify your brand and reminds them of your business when they’re ready to purchase . Here are some great ideas to help do both of these things.  11 Print Products That Make Great Holiday Gifts 1. Water bottles These are popular because they are reusable and reduce waste in landfills. Of course, we all want to stay hydrated, but it’s also a perfect canvas for your business logo. 2. Calendars We all use our phones but hang up our paper calendars to remind us of important dates. Add photos and your logos, and you’re set. Each month, there will be a different picture to admire. 3. Mugs Who doesn’t like to curl up with a good book or Kindle and read with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Mugs are perfect for winter months to warm hands up during a chilly business meeting. ...

Color, color everywhere. But what does it mean? Believe it or not, color has a lot of implied meanings, and it imparts a lot of feelings. Color meanings stem from psychological effects, biological conditioning, and cultural developments. Color Talks... Are You Listening? Depending on where you do business, you’ll want to consider color. There are cultural differences, such as red representing good luck in China, but in South Africa, it’s the color of mourning. For this article, we will focus on meanings in the United States. Take a minute and consider what your color scheme means to the readers. Does it need to be changed so you can reach your business goals? Let’s learn. Red Red is the color of passion and energy. It’s an intense color that is supposed to motivate us to take action. (Remember, stop signs and signal lights use red for a loud caution. It is meant to move us in the right direction.) Red also stimulates appetite, which is why many fast-food restaurants use this co...

  There are many fantastic ideas for advertising your business. Still, remember you need online and offline advertising for effectiveness. Don’t discount the original ways of marketing just because they aren’t new and a part of social media. Top 7 Effective Offline Strategies for Your Business 1. Distribute business cards. Your business card says a lot about you. Don’t forget that you can change it as much as you like. For example, you can print vertical instead of horizontal. You can use different types of paper to grab people’s attention. And you can add embossing or debossing to further show your originality and style. 2. Use flyers. If you have a big event, a grand opening, a new product, or a new employee, show off your news with fun flyers. Use graphics and photos to influence the audience further. 3. Publish a book. To show your expertise, write a book to share your knowledge. For example, you can create an e-book and offer a free download in exchange for an email. Your book...

As we march through 2022, many businesses are left wondering if direct mail marketing is still a trend, if it is worth it, and if their business is missing out by not implementing this form of marketing. Despite the many new marketing avenues available, direct marketing remains a multi-million-dollar industry, with companies spending $38.5 million of total advertising revenue in the United States on direct mail campaigns.  With an average response rate of 4.9 percent, direct marketing is still alive and is a beneficial marketing tool all businesses should take advantage of. Continue reading to learn more ways to help you and your business keep up to date with current direct mail trends:  Watch What Is Coming in the Mail One way to see what other businesses are doing is to keep an eye on what is coming through your mailbox. Whether a letter, postcard, magazine, etc., there is much to learn about increasing brand awareness by watching and taking note of which advertisers are try...

In a world full of new technology, augmented reality is used frequently. As a result, it’s now a great way to market your business. Augmented Reality Explained Augmented Reality (AR) is the layering of digital content like video, 3D, or 3D animation over real-world environments to create an engaging and interactive consumer experience . It makes your print more interactive by encouraging people to download apps, use QR codes, and more. As a result, print has grown and is used in a new way. Bringing People Closer to Products WebAR, which they call AR and print, is now being used to bring people closer to their products and allow them to interact with them. It will enable people to access the best of both worlds: Engaging and immersive experiences that are easy to access . WebAR is popular now and is an excellent accompaniment to tried-and-true print. Both are needed in today’s market. Traditional print is tactile and is a great way to interact with customers because they are taki...

Using both printed pieces and online outreaches is needed to be successful in business. An effective and efficient social media calendar will make all the difference when adding social media to your marketing lineup. Here’s how to do it well.  7 Best Tips for Social Media Calendars 1. Set short-term goals. Determine what you are trying to accomplish with your social media efforts. Be specific, start small, and make it practical. 2. Use a goal-setting worksheet. Mark down your goals to know why you are doing what you are doing. Set social media goals that lead to real business results. Better target your ideal customer. Gather intel on the competition so you can stay ahead. See what’s already working and what’s not. Create or improve your social media profiles. Develop a thoughtful content strategy and set a publishing schedule you can stick to. Track your progress and adjust your plan as needed. 3. Plan your campaign goals. According to the Social Media Examiner, th...

When attending events, people coming to your booth enjoy picking up promotional products that remind them of your business and are useful in their homes. A study by the Advertising Specialty Institute revealed an 85% recall rate on promotional items. In addition, most households have an average of 30 promotional items, including pens, mugs, and travel accessories, which help increase the recall rate for businesses.  Handing out promotional items has many benefits for businesses, including:  Increasing website traffic Boosting brand awareness Helping increase free customer reviews and referrals Finding new social media followers Below are seven fun promotional products to celebrate your business and hand out to customers and potential customers. 7 Fun Promotional Products to Celebrate Your Business 1. Coffee Cups and Mugs Branded coffee cups and mugs are a favorite among those who collect promotional products and swag. Clients and customers will be reminded of your ...

In a world of online and virtual marketing, direct mail promotions are still going strong. According to a study by the Direct Marketing Association, direct mail has an average return rate of 4.4%, which is 10 to 30 times higher than digital marketing efforts. With these stats, businesses that are not taking advantage of direct mailing marketing are missing a large group of potential customers and clients. Below are five key trends in direct mail for 2022: 1. Send Out Postcards Direct mailing campaigns using postcards have grown in popularity, providing an inexpensive method to reach customers and clients. Postcards are affordable to print and mail, offering many opportunities for a quick turnaround and fast marketing effort. Keep information on the postcards minimal, to the point, and visually appealing. 2. Mail Out Gift Cards Materials can increase the return by including gift cards featuring a discount or special offer with direct mail. Gift cards entice recipients to wan...