Posts Tagged ‘Marketing Materials’

How To Make Your Brochures Stand Out

Friday, February 12th, 2010

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They are all over. They are in shopping malls, airports, grocery store aisles, terminals, conventions, and anywhere else. Brochures of various sizes and colors invade every nook and corner of crowded sites. Sometimes they are neglected, sometimes passersby get them for information. There are even times when people pick them up to beat boredom. But whatever reason they have, brochures are just there when you need them.

Brochures are really attention-grabbing. They come in various patterns and loud colors or big text font, and they are located in spots where people flock to. But the real test of a good brochure doesn’t just lie on being an attention-grabber, it is when people pick it up from a bevy of other brochures.

There are just a few easy measures to ensure your brochure will stand out from the crowd.

The first and most crucial step is knowing your target readers. Maybe you have created the coolest gothic-themed design you could think of, even incorporating a vampire versus werewolf design. But would your target market of males aged 30 to 50 appreciate that, or even give it a another glance? Not learning your intended market is a surefire way to miss readers.

Don’t clog your brochure with book-like text. Nothing kills the interest of a forced reader by dull texts. A short title in eye-catching font with an accompanying caption will do. The info on the subsequent pages should also be easy to read, most preferably in a bullet format.

Include your business’ name and contact details. Of course, the whole purpose of making a brochure is to get more clients or to create awareness, so forgetting to include your company’s info defeats your aim.

Design your brochure on how your intended readers likes it and what your content is all about. How would a pamphlet about food nutrition facts captivate the attention of busy mothers scouring grocery aisles while balancing their tots on their pushcart? If you think cutting your brochure into a figure resembling a grocery pushcart would make them notice it, then by all means, do so. Color and font style should likewise be taken into consideration. And just like data, design overload may also kill your pamphlet. Stick to one idea and use it on all the pages.

Lastly, the brochures must be set in an eye-catching site where your target readers generally stay. People won’t bother to pick up a brochure that says about a big mall sale event that is happening in another city. A pamphlet about an eatery’s big buffet event is likewise unlikely to be noticed if placed in a stand near a fitness gym.

The mentioned methods are just some of the basic ways to consider in getting a brochure stand out. There are those who would add fancy and gleaming texts, and would have their pamphlets personally handed out by attractive girls, which are just fine. But follow the basics first before adding some more to ensure your brochures and your content would be read by your target market.

Do you need advertising that works? Trust yourbrochure and graphic design needs to AskProBrochure.

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How To Find A Good Web Design Company

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

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Communicating the content of a website in an appealing way for online visitors is what web design is all about. Aspects like creating graphics, and creating layouts and navigation schemes are all included in web design.

Getting the design right is absolutely critical if you want to attract loyal visitors to the site. Hence a professional web design company has to be selected, and given below are a few considerations that should precede your final choice.

The first thing to realize is that you don’t have to stick to local firms. The entire idea of the internet is to erase geographical barriers, which means that you can easily engage a company which operates in another city or even in a different country, if it suits your requirements.

A quick web research will give you names of many well known web design firms. There will be several blogs that will judge the advantages and disadvantages of some of these reputed companies and you can make good use of them. You can also try to find out who created that fabulous website that you might have unwittingly chanced upon while surfing the net.

When you arrive at names of 3 or 4 companies after eliminating the rest, get in touch with them and enquire them about the past projects they have successfully handled. Look at the web designs of these sites and see if they match with your requirements, and if they are convenient to use and visually attractive at the same time.

Among the technologies used to develop smart web designs, PHP, JavaScript, and HTML are the most popular. Therefore it is essential that the firm must be good at all these technologies. Any of their claims can be confirmed by analysing the websites designed by them in the past.

The next thing to consider is if the web design company is capable of meeting the targets and time limits that you give them. An indication of how much they would care for your time frames can be taken from how the company’s employees communicate with you, and how quickly and professionally they reply to your questions.

Lastly, you must carefully consider the cost involved in appointing the web design company. Comparing the rates of different firms will give you some idea of what the typical prices are, but keep in mind that as the industry is quite competitive, there is always some scope for negotiation.

Discover more about unique logo designs and where you can find the best Web Design Company in Singapore.

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Your First Pamphlet - Key Tips

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

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Have you ever thought that a booklet can be one of the most all-powerful of all your marketing materials?

It is a simple piece of paper but the initial impact that your pamphlet produces is important. If it’s shabby and unattractive your prospect is left with the same feeling. This will slow your business development.

Having a leaflet professionally designed and printed is a key to success in a packed marketplace. Taking the time to make sure that your leaflet delivers all the key information in a way that is easily figured is something that only a professional can do.

If you are just starting out in business you may be tempted to do your booklet yourself. When I first started in business I did everything myself - not a smart choice. That is why it took me 12 years before I was even comparatively prosperous. Heed my warning - go professional from day one on your marketing materials. They are an investment and not an expense. Professionally created materials will deliver you customers and the cash flow to follow - the reason why you are in business.

A brochure has to use eye-catching design. It has to be succinct in terms of the content and last but not the least, it must be successful in tempting people to make that call of action.

Here are three key design principles to follow when making a brochure. Use them and you will see your results flow.

1. The cover:

The cover is your sales rep. Booklets are quite passive creatures and you are not often able to ‘walk’ individuals through your pamphlet. So you need to energise people to read further. The cover is the beginning point so must be inviting and sharing the KEY values of WHY someone should read further. It should answer the WIFM question - What’s in it for me.

A great design company will show you at least three to four cover designs for your brochure. Take Apart these designs to see which stimulates you the most. Ask your acquaintances their opinion. Does the cover answer the question WIFM? If it doesn’t excite and answer the WIFM question, then skip to another design that works or get it redesigned. Taking the time here to get it right will pay premiums later.

2. The Content:

Once they are past the front then the content has to become the salesperson. So once again, the pressure is on to be great. Do not opt for cheap incompetent content writers or ask the designer to write the content or worst still do it yourself. Instead make sure that a professional copywriter is doing the work. If your design company does not have a copywriter then employ one yourself.

Ensure that all the main questions that a potential client will have about your merchandise are answered in a way that gets them to call you for more information. Do not go into ‘overkill mode’ and swamp them with too much data at this point in time. Remember the brochure’s job is to energize and get people to call you.

3. The call for action:

If your future customer has read the leaflet then you have done a great job. All you need to do now is give them a compelling reason to contact you NOW.

Having things like a free call 0800 or 1800 number distinctly shown (in big letters) can make a fundamental difference. Having an email address is a clear bonus. Make sure these two are distinctly placed in large clear type.

Even give your customers a special coupon on the pamphlet or reference code can help. But above all, ensure that you add a clear call to action. One way to do this is to readdress the KEY value of your service to your prospect in a way that will get them to take action. Remember value is everything. Individuals only buy something that is of value to THEM.

4. The piece that got forgotten:

I did this on purpose and only said there were three points. Well the last point is the one that can get missed. It is the ‘dummy’ one. Have you checked that you have these on your leaflet:

Phone number | Fax number | Email address | Web address | Country of operation | City / area of operation | Company name | And have you proof read for typo and grammar errors?

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How To Find A Good Web Design Company

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

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Projecting the content of a website in an appealing way for online visitors is what web design is all about. It is a comprehensive domain involving development of a format, visuals and navigation schemes to enhance the overall effectiveness of a website.

How the site is designed is important, as serious and committed visitors prefer sites with impressive designs. Therefore it is essential that you choose a good web design company, and here are some factors that you must consider to achieve that.

First and foremost, don’t just look at local companies. The entire idea of the internet is to erase boundaries, which means that you can easily engage a company which is based in a different city or even in a different country, if it suits your needs.

To find a list of professional web design companies you can do some research on the web. There will be several blogs that will judge the advantages and disadvantages of some of these leading firms and you can make effective use of them. Another good tactic is to look for the designers of websites that have impressed you with their visuals and presentation of content.

Once you have a final list of 3 to 4 firms to select from, contact all of them and tell them to give you information about what projects they have handled in the past. Carefully look at the web designs of all these websites and see if they match with what you expect both in terms of how they appear and how user friendly they are.

Among the technologies used to create smart web designs, PHP, JavaScript, and HTML are the most well-known. Therefore it is essential that the company should be good at all these technologies. How true they are in their claims can be confirmed by analysing their past ventures on the net.

The next point to consider is whether the web design company is capable of meeting the targets and time limits that you give them. An indication of how much they would care for your deadline can be obtained from how the firm’s employees communicate with you, and how quickly and deftly they answer your queries.

Finally, you must carefully consider the budget involved in appointing the web design company. The current rate can be found out by carrying out a comparative survey of rates charged by various companies, and you can also successfully negotiate with the company as competition in the market is quite intense.

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Effective Brochure Design Tips For Those New In Business

Saturday, June 20th, 2009

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Have you ever considered that a leaflet can be one of the most all-powerful of all your marketing materials?

It is a simple piece of paper but the original impact that your pamphlet creates is important. If it’s shabby and unpresentable your candidate is left with the same opinion. This will weaken your business development.

Having a leaflet professionally designed and published is a key to winning in a crowded marketplace. Taking the time to make sure that your pamphlet delivers all the key information in a way that is easily understood is something that only a professional can do.

If you are just getting started in business you may be tempted to do your pamphlet yourself. When I first started in business I did everything myself - not a good choice. That is why it took me 12 years before I was even relatively prosperous. Heed my warning - go professional from day one on your marketing materials. They are an investment and not an expense. Professionally designed materials will deliver you customers and the cash flow to follow - the reason why you are in business.

A brochure has to use eye-catching design. It has to be brief in terms of the message and last but not the least, it must be successful in tempting people to make that call of action.

Here are three key design rules to follow when producing a leaflet. Use them and you will see your results flow.

1. The cover:

The cover is your sales representative. Leaflets are quite passive tools and you are not often able to ‘walk’ people through your leaflet. So you need to arouse people to read further. The cover is the starting point so must be tantalising and sharing the KEY values of WHY someone should read further. It should answer the WIFM question - What’s in it for me.

A great design company will show you at least three to four cover designs for your booklet. Analyse these designs to examine which stimulates you the most. Ask your acquaintances their opinion. Does the cover answer the question WIFM? If it doesn’t energize and answer the WIFM question, then skip to another design that works or get it redesigned. Taking the time here to get it right will pay bounties later.

2. The Content:

Once they are past the front then the content has to become the salesperson. So once again, the pressure is on to be good. Do not opt for cheap incompetent content writers or ask the designer to write the content or worst still do it yourself. Instead make sure that a professional copywriter is doing the work. If your design company does not have a copywriter then hire one yourself.

Determine that all the fundamental questions that a likely client will have about your product are answered in a way that gets them to call you for more information. Do not go into ‘overkill mode’ and swamp them with too much information at this point in time. Remember the brochure’s job is to stimulate and get people to call you.

3. The call for action:

If your future client has read the booklet then you have done a good job. All you need to do now is give them a compelling reason to contact you NOW.

Having things like a free call 0800 or 1800 number clearly presented (in big letters) can make a important difference. Having an email address is a clear bonus. Make sure these two are clearly placed in large clear type.

Even give your customers a special coupon on the leaflet or reference code can help. But above all, make sure that you add a clear call to action. One way to do this is to readdress the KEY value of your service to your prospect in a way that will get them to take action. Remember value is everything. Individuals only buy something that is of value to THEM.

4. The bit that got forgotten:

I did this on purpose and only said there were 3 points. Well the final point is the one that can get missed. It is the ‘dummy’ one. Have you checked that you have these on your pamphlet:

Phone number | Fax number | Email address | Web address | Country of operation | City / area of operation | Company name | And have you proof read for typo and grammar errors?

About the Author:
Search Marketing Expert Search marketing

The 5 Worst Marketing Mistakes Ever!

Monday, June 15th, 2009

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So you decided to have a marketing piece put together for you by a local marketing firm. It was professionally done, full of vibrancy, packed with information; it looked great and everything! But, it has been a few weeks since it was sent out in the mail and you have yet to see any results of the hard work and money that you put into it. Not a phone call, not a prospect, absolutely nothing.

Many marketing firms and marketing professionals get caught up in the physical appearance of the marketing pieces that they are putting together that they forget the reason why they are doing it at all. During the process, many marketing professionals make several severe mistakes. Read the following 5 mistakes and determine whether any of these have been made in your business situation, and realize what that could mean for your business.

Mistake #1 ” Your marketing piece talks about you or your company, not how your client can benefit from your product or services. When a prospect is going through their mail, they dont really want to know what you and your business have been doing (unless, perhaps, they are your competition). They glance at your marketing piece with one question in mind: Whats in it for me? And that determines whether your marketing piece gets kept or goes into the trash.

The best marketing piece is an attractive on, not to be mistaken. But, it must state your product or service’s benefit to the customer. In addition, make sure that everything is easy to read by using bullet points.

Mistake #2 - It’s cute and clever. Clever and cute are great for first dates and school debates, not for marketing pieces. You don’t want all the money you spent on the piece to go to waste because it got thrown in the trash without ever being used.

Remember that content is as important as clever and cutesy. Give the prospect a reason to keep your marketing mail. Make your marketing piece informative, helpful or a reminder”make it meaningful to your customers.

Mistake #3 ” Your marketing piece contained no offer or reason to respond. This is one of the most common mistakes most marketers make. They dont give the customer any reason to take action.

A marketing piece should be developed to get a certain response within a certain amount of time. This is why some of the greatest marketing pieces, like the ones from Macy’s or Best Buy, include coupons to receive special discounts or rates that always have an expiration date. Follow the leaders and do as they do and you will have their level of success.

Mistake #4 - You don’t have any references. Customer testimonials from real people are as good as gold. They let your customer know that you really are good and make them want to be witness as well to your great work.

Mistake #5 - You make no promises. Customers don’t like risk, and they don’t like new. If they have never tried you, they are probably uncertain of what exactly they are going to get. So, give them a guarantee that they’ll be satisfied or you will quickly resolve the issue in some way. This will make them feel more comfortable and will make them more willing to try you out. By the way, your product or service should deliver what it promises; otherwise you shouldn’t be in business.

Hopefully, you just had an aha! moment. Put these principles into practice, redesign your promotional piece, and send it back out. See what a difference correcting these five mistakes can make!

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Better Branding Through Vista Print

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

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If you want to stay in business, you have to get the word out that you are actually in business. This entails a little idea known as branding, whereby you create the association of what youre selling and the name of your company in the mind of the customer.

There are a million ways to augment your brand’s presence in the market; largely, though, you must make sure that your company’s image and message is visible to any customer that is looking for a product or service that you offer. The more times they see your image the better, as this help to position your company in the customer’s mind.

Visibility can come from a number of places including a business card, postcards, mailings and circulars, and brochures. Vista Print is a top provider of some of these kinds of marketing materials, with a line of products meant to help you better market and position yourself against your competition.

Vista Print is an industry leader when it comes to internet integration with conventional printing. Their state of the art web site makes it easy to upload your files, and check on jobs at each step of the process, from initial design to printer rip to final proof checking.

Vista Print’s traditional print products include business cards (either from one of their existing free templates, or a custom designed one of your own), folders (which make an excellent impression when doing sales presentations) and postcards and mailers. All of these are professionally done and shipped within a week, making Vista Print’s turnaround time one of the best in the industry.

While they do offer traditional and conventional print marketing materials, Vista Print also offers numerous other items. They make key chains, promotional items, pens, and ball caps. As always, all of their products are priced reasonably, but reflect a high quality that is the standard for this company.

Getting the most out of your promotional items takes more than just physical tools. You also need a destination for customers to land at, and Vista Print’s team of graphic designers are more than willing to make your web site a go-to destination, incorporating your logo, corporate culture and customer message and value add all the way through. Break out of the “hosting provider template” ghetto and let Vista Print coordinate your online presence with your promotional items as a coordinated package.

Whatever your business needs in marketing and advertising, Vista Print is ready to help you. Covering the gamut from traditional printing to online presence and with a constantly expanding range of products, Vista Print is the industry leader in short run offset print promotional materials.

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