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Showing posts from 2023

3 Print Marketing Ideas to Start the New Year Right

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The new year is near, and with it comes new opportunities and ideas! Isn't it time your company joined in on trying something new this year? The new year is the perfect time to begin afresh with your print marketing methods and ideas. Stay current and on-trend with the latest in advertising options. Out with the old and in with the new and fresh ideas for your company! According to research done by Harvard Business School, over 30,000 consumer products are launched yearly. What an incredible amount of new products vying for attention from consumers! With all this competition, let our print marketing specialists work with you to create new, engaging ideas to gain traction in this fast-paced economy. 3 Print Marketing Ideas to Start the New Year Right Branch out to try one of these three exciting and creative marketing ideas to boost your company's profile and exposure. 1. Go Big Stand out from the crowd by literally going big!  Explore the ideas below to get y...

Sustainable Printing: 4 Eco-conscious Printing Practices

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In the last few years, consumers have been increasingly emphasizing the sustainability and eco-friendliness of their favorite brands. A study done by the Harvard Business Review showed that when Gen Z and Millennial customers believe a brand cares about its impact on people and the planet, they are 27% more likely to purchase from it than older generations.  As the world gravitates towards eco-friendliness, the print industry is also evolving, embracing methods that minimize environmental impact without compromising quality or creativity.  4 Ways to Make Your Print Marketing More Eco-Friendly Check out these strategies for taking advantage of the effectiveness of print ( 80% of consumers act on direct mail print advertisements) while factoring in eco-conscious printing practices.  1. Use Recycled Materials One of the easier ways to create more sustainable print marketing is by choosing eco-friendly alternatives to your typical products.  For paper, tr...

3 Reasons Brochures Still Have a Role in Modern Marketing

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The classic tri-fold brochure. These documents with information, images, contact info, and a flashy slogan are commonly seen in clinic waiting rooms, on tourist boards, or inside your local paper. You may wonder, "In this digital age of social media, emails, and streaming services, do brochures still have a place in marketing?"  Absolutely!  Because of their portability, unique designs, tangible quality, and simplicity (no pop-ads interrupting your future customer), brochures offer a creative and effective marketing option to boost your exposure to current and prospective customers. The Role of Brochures in Modern Marketing Here are three reasons why brochures still have a role to play in modern marketing. 1. Slow Down Your Customer Allow your potential customer the time to read about your company on their own terms, without notifications or emails interrupting them. In our fast-paced world, sometimes a simple brochure is just the right amount of re...

Spotlight on Specialty Printing: Foil Stamping

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Step into the spotlight and discover the captivating world of foil stamping.  Embellishments, like foil stamping, add a wow factor to your printed pieces . This extraordinary printing technique, originating in ancient China, has stood the test of time when artisans first adorned their creations with dazzling gold leaf.  Today, foil stamping still reigns supreme, infusing a touch of luxury and sophistication into business cards, invitations, packaging, and promotional materials. How it Works: The Artistry Unveiled Get ready to be amazed as we reveal the magic of foil stamping. A heated metal die meets a delicate foil sheet, and the magical transformation begins with just a touch of pressure. The adhesive layer on the foil comes alive, gently transferring onto your chosen canvas. The result? A stunning raised metallic design that captures attention and radiates pure brilliance. Types of Foil: A Kaleidoscope of Possibilities Let your imagination run wild with ...

9 Special Day-Themed Print Marketing Campaign Ideas for Winter

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Winter is a season of crisp weather and festive joy. It's a time of year that presents your business with a prime occasion to initiate captivating, themed print marketing campaigns.  From New Year to Valentine's Day, you can leverage plenty of holidays and events during this season to attract customers and boost sales. From Cozy to Cool: 9 Print Marketing Strategies to Beat the Winter Blues Here are 9 special day-themed print marketing campaign ideas for winter. New Year, New You Tap into the popular New Year's resolution trend by promoting your products or services to start the new year off right. For example, a gym could offer eye-catching posters featuring special membership deals for those looking to get healthy. Winter Wonderland Photo Contest Encourage customers to take photos of themselves enjoying your products in a winter wonderland setting. For participants or winners, print customized coupons or discount codes as prizes. Valentine's Day L...

Last-Minute Holiday Printing: Tips for Stress-Free Orders

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The holiday season can be a busy and stressful time, especially for businesses trying to get their print materials ready before the end of the year. With tight deadlines and high demand, it's crucial to have a well-planned approach when placing last-minute print orders during the holidays.  Here are some tips for successful last-minute holiday printing orders, whether promoting a winter sale, sending holiday cards, or creating a personalized gift. Last-Minute Print Orders for a Stress-Free Holiday? We've Got You Covered! Plan Ahead Plan your holiday print orders well in advance to avoid any last-minute rush. Communicate your requirements early so there is sufficient time to prepare and allocate resources for your project. Clearly Communicate Deadlines Clearly communicate your desired delivery date and time. Provide all the necessary details, including any specific requirements or expectations. This will help manage the workflow effectively and ensure timely d...

Making Marketing Goals a Reality with Print

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Marketing is the process of getting potential clients interested in your products or services. The keyword phrase here is the process . Goals aren't just about scoring a touchdown; they encompass every move leading up to that defining movement. In marketing, that includes researching, promoting, and sharing your brand and its offerings.  When (and Why!) Print Marketing is Important Did you know . . .  Print ads require 21% less cognitive effort to process Print advertising drives higher levels of brand recall  than digital (77% vs. 46%) 82% of consumers trust print ads the most when making a purchase decision How does print drive consumer response?  The response rate for direct-mail marketing is 37% higher than the email rate. Nearly 80% of consumers act on direct printed mail advertisements compared to 45% on electronic advertisements. Print and direct mail marketing bring a 9% customer response rate compared to other digital marketing channel...

4 Marketing Ideas to Attract More Shoppers to Your Small Business

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Supporting small businesses is a vital part of thriving communities, and it's something that should be celebrated and practiced year-round. In a post-COVID economy, consumers are eager to support small businesses. One Consumer Pulse study showed that 93% of Americans believe supporting small businesses they value is important, and 9 out of 10 shoppers said this is even more essential after the pandemic. As further proof, Small Business Saturday has emerged as a significant retail event during the busiest shopping season for small businesses. In 2022, projected spending reached an estimated $17.9 billion , as the 2022 SBS Consumer Insights Survey reported. 4 Fun Ideas for Getting More Shoppers in the Door of Your Small Business Consumers' goodwill and awareness of the importance of small businesses create a massive opportunity. Here are four ideas to kickstart your creativity. 1. Capitalize on Curb Appeal Part of the charm of shopping at small businesses is the expe...

Personalized URLs in Direct Mail Marketing

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Despite the more modern online alternatives in advertising today, direct mail will always be a classic and effective strategy for customer engagement. Direct mail boasts a strong overall response rate of 3.7%, outperforming mobile ads (2%) and email and social media marketing (1%).  A personalized URL (PURL) is a unique and helpful tool that can supercharge your direct mail marketing efforts! One of its standout features is the ability to digitally track the response rate for direct mail pieces, giving you data to ensure that your marketing dollars are being put to the best use possible.  3 Benefits of Using PURLs for Direct Mail 1. Make Your Customers Feel Special  Customers love to see marketing items that feel unique to them! Each recipient's name can be incorporated into the PURL, giving you the perfect opportunity to add that touch of personalization to your direct mail.  For example, John Doe's PURL might look like johndoe.trymail.com or john-doe....

Direct Mail for Local Businesses: Unique Advantages and Strategies

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Don’t leave attracting customers up to chance; be proactive with direct mail! Employing the ability to reach scores of potential customers in specific regions, direct mail is an excellent vehicle for growing your customer base and publicizing your business creatively and methodically. Direct Mail for Local Businesses: Unique Advantages and Strategies Direct mail marketing is the method of sending out print materials to potential customers. Materials mailed could include postcards, flyers, or catalogs. Scholars have found the earliest versions of direct mailings from ancient Egypt, around 1,000 B.C. Direct mail has come a long way since then, but it still has tremendous benefits for businesses today. Direct Mail Can Physically Bring in Customers A unique advantage to direct mail is that you can mail out a coupon or another promotional item to have customers physically visit your store and redeem it. By bringing customers into your store, sales and business growth can ...

Mind-Driven Design: 5 Ways to Use Neuroscience for Impactful Posters

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Science rules, not only in the natural world but also in the marketing world. Neuroscience, the study of the brain and nervous system, and marketing go hand in hand, especially in today's competitive world. Utilizing science to gain consumer attention and interest can be incredibly impactful for your products and your business.  Did you know that 90% of buying decisions are made in the unconscious mind? Now imagine harnessing neuroscience, or a better understanding of how the brain works, to create the most impactful customer posters possible.  5 Ways to Use Neuroscience for Impactful Posters Ensure your business's printed posters are seen in the most thoughtful, most efficient way by applying these neuroscience tips: 1) Location Matters Where your posters are located matters. Surroundings, or location, create 60% of the sensory sensations associated with a product, a Nestle research study indicated. Think critically and creatively about what is in your poster a...

Writing the Perfect Thank You Note to Your Customers

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A heartfelt thank you note can be the perfect way to show genuine appreciation to your customers, creating a strong and lasting bond. But why stop there? Thank you cards allow you to seize the opportunity to extend warm wishes and heartfelt greetings to your valued customers anytime. It's a small yet powerful gesture that goes beyond words, expressing gratitude for their purchase, unwavering loyalty, and continuous support.  9 Top Tips for Crafting the Ideal Thank You Note for Your Valued Customers Writing a personalized note that resonates with your customers' experiences and showcases your sincere gratitude can leave an indelible impression on them. These thoughtful acts strengthen relationships and foster long-term loyalty. So express your appreciation and encourage your customers with a personalized thank-you note this Thanksgiving! 1. Be Genuine and Sincere Don't just write a generic thank you note; make it personal and heartfelt. Speak from the heart an...

Interesting Envelopes: How to Use Them to Increase Your ROI

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Envelopes allow your business to seize attention and effectively engage your audience from the moment they open the mailbox.   An envelope may seem like a small detail in your overall marketing strategy, but it can significantly impact your return on investment (ROI).  Stand Out from the Competition and Increase Your ROI with Interesting Envelopes Here are a few reasons why incorporating unique or eye-catching envelopes into your marketing strategy can benefit your business. Increase Open Rates When it comes to envelopes, incorporating captivating designs or compelling messaging can have a positive impact on your open rates. People are likelier to open a visually appealing envelope, especially if it stands out among the rest of their mail. Enhance Brand Awareness By using envelopes with your company logo or incorporating your brand's colors and fonts, you are reinforcing your brand identity. Even if the recipient doesn't open the envelope immediately, they will...

11 Tips for Making a Style Guide for Your Print Projects

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Developing a comprehensive style guide for your print projects can be a game-changer, saving you precious time and avoiding unnecessary stress in the long haul.  Applying consistency and professionalism across all designs streamlines the process for you and your team, effortlessly facilitating the creation of top-notch materials. Create an Effective Style Guide for Your Print Projects with Our 11 Tips for Success! Creating a style guide can feel overwhelming, particularly when unsure where to begin.  Thankfully, with a few simple tips, you can craft an effective and efficient style guide to elevate your print projects to the next level. 1. Start with Your Brand Guidelines Your brand guidelines are the foundation of your style guide. They define your brand identity, including logos, colors, fonts, and messaging. Refer to your brand guidelines when creating your print project style guide. 2. Choose a Primary Font Your primary font is the font that will be used...

The Power of Personalization in Print Marketing

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Print marketing is a popular choice for businesses of all shapes and sizes, mainly because it's more effective than ever. An estimated 92% of people between the ages of 18-23 say that they find it easier to read print content versus its digital alternative . This is even though smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices are ever-present.  But, of course, simply leveraging print marketing alone isn't necessarily enough to get the job done. If you genuinely want to take the format's natural benefits and elevate them to the next level, you'll want to lean into the power that personalization in print marketing brings with it. The Major Benefits of Personalization Keep in mind that personalization is about so much more than just using someone's name as opposed to "Dear Sir or Madame" in a greeting. It's about tailoring every element of your content - from your language to the overall design - towards a specific audience segment. In a larger...

4 Business Card Concepts That Make a Big First Impression

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A striking, professional image flows from your primary point of contact – that classic, irresistible, one-of-a-kind business card. Like a handshake or a personal introduction, your business card leaves a lasting first impression. It's more than contact information; it reflects your brand's personality. Your brand is unique, and your business card should be too. Perhaps it's time to go big and bold – or simple and sharp – as you refresh your business card. Four Fresh Business Card Examples Check out these four innovative business card concepts that break free from convention, leaving a lasting impact on those who receive them. 1. Unexpected Contrasts While many traditional cards are flat and formal, modern cards keep bending the rules. Like a dry joke with a witty punchline, some business cards use stark contrast to surprise and entice: Examples: Handwritten script alongside bold fonts Playful quotes next to minimalist contact details Lively n...

3 Marketing Books Every Small Business Owner Should Read

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In the world of marketing, it's essential to capture your audience's attention and convey your message effectively. These books serve as valuable resources, helping to craft compelling narratives, integrate powerful strategies, and create remarkable content that resonates with your customers. Essential Marketing Books for Small Business Owners Want to recharge creativity or get an inexpensive education from some of the best marketers around? Here are three resources to consider. "Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message so Customers Will Listen" by Donald Miller Everyone loves a story . . . but what is a Storybrand? The framework in "Building a StoryBrand" applies the universal elements of storytelling to brand messaging. While prospective buyers think primarily about themselves, marketers often start by blasting people with unhelpful or (seemingly) irrelevant information. Here's one example from Miller's book: “Imagine your custome...

Black Friday Print Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses

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Along with the cooler weather and changing leaves of Autumn comes the beginning of the holiday season. In the business world, Thanksgiving also means the arrival of Black Friday.  According to Capital One Shopping research, the average shopper spends $430 on Black Friday. This is a massive opportunity for companies within any industry to make sales!  Although often, large, well-known corporations are the first to come to mind for Black Friday sales events, in reality, Black Friday can be an extremely lucrative time for your small business, too. Planning your marketing right will become the perfect time to spread the word about your company. 3 Creative Ideas for Small Business Marketing on Black Friday 1. Create a Holiday Gift Guide 50% of surveyed consumers responded that they would spend the most significant amount of money while Black Friday shopping on gifts for others .  Since Black Friday falls right at the beginning of the holiday season, most cust...

5 Techniques for Transforming Packaging into Brand Loyalty

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When it comes to catching customers' attention and keeping them loyal to your brand, the look of your product can be powerful! 72% of Americans say a product's packaging often influences purchases.  Creating brand-consistent packaging for your products is a simple way to increase brand recall, develop a recognizable aesthetic for your company, and increase customer loyalty. 5 Strategies for Engaging Customer Packaging Read on to learn different ways to bring fresh creativity to your packaging and use it as a tool for customer engagement!  1. Keep Packaging Consistent  Maintaining a uniform brand presentation can lead to a revenue increase of up to 33% . So, when designing your product packaging and labels, stay consistent with your branding. Use the same font style on all your print materials and packaging, lean into your signature brand colors, and include your company logo. The more often consumers see that color, font, and logo, the more recognition they...

Print Marketing Design: Using Color to Stand Out

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“Colors, like features, follow the changes of the emotions.” - Pablo Picasso Using color is as important as the words in your print marketing, if not more important. Color can not only attract customers to read and engage with your marketing, but it can also enhance or connect a certain mood or emotion to your business. There have been many studies throughout the years about the power of color choice and the psychology behind it all. Stand out with your printed marketing and make a splash with thoughtful color choices that promote your business in its best light.  The Psychology of Colors Choosing the right color for the emotion or mood you want to convey is essential to every business. Consider the following colors and moods or emotions they enhance and whether or not they would compliment your business or detract from its core. Red: Excitement, Passion, Anger Did you know that hunger is enhanced at the sight of red?   Many popul...

3 Inspiring Ways to Promote Your Offer Using Print + Digital

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Reaching your ideal audience while remaining mindful of the bottom line seems like the dream in marketing. By fusing print and digital marketing to promote your offers, customers will benefit from better communication and accessibility to your business. Working together with online platforms can be instrumental in publicizing your content in a relatable and current way. Today’s marketplace is increasingly online, which means businesses need to think outside the box when it comes to marketing and promoting their business to potential customers. 3 Creative Ways to Showcase Your Business Utilizing Print and Digital Branding your company to a broader audience on multiple platforms can be intimidating, but with a few simple and energizing ideas, you will surely gain traction with today’s customers. 1) Use a QR code on your posters and flyers A QR code is a type of barcode that smartphone cameras can read easily. Once scanned, the camera will open up the designated w...

Driving Foot Traffic: 9 Offline Marketing Strategies for Brick and Mortar Stores

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As the retail landscape evolves, a well-conceived offline marketing strategy remains critical for attracting and retaining customers in brick-and-mortar stores. To achieve this goal, a well-crafted offline marketing strategy is essential.  Harness the Power of Offline Marketing to Improve Foot Traffic to Your Business Here are ten strategies to help you drive foot traffic into your store. Have a Clear Brand Voice Your brand voice sets you apart from other businesses. Establishing and maintaining a consistent tone of voice will help customers recognize your store. Host Events Promote events within your store to get people in the door. Try hosting workshops, classes, or community-oriented activities like movie nights or local artists' exhibitions. Join Local Organizations Get involved in your local community by joining organizations and networking with other businesses. This will help you drive foot traffic to your store and increase your visibility within th...

Type Design: Finding the Perfect Font for Your Brand

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Fonts are an essential part of any brand's identity. Effective brand messaging relies on establishing an appropriate tone, whether fun, whimsical, serious, or authoritative. Since each typeface has its unique personality , selecting the right font that matches your brand's tone of voice is essential.  Find the Right Font to Perfectly Represent Your Brand  Do you need a typeface that is professional and authoritative?  Or one that is more approachable and fun-loving?  Whatever the tone, selecting the right font will help your brand convey the message you want to send.  Consider these factors when choosing your typeface:  Readability: Is it legible on both digital and print mediums?  Brand Personality: Does the font feel like an extension of your brand's spirit?  Relevance: Consider how contemporary the typeface is and if it will appear up-to-date in a few years.  Top Tips for Choosing the Ideal Font for Your Brand ...

9 Lead Generation Ideas Using Print

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Print media continues to be an effective tool for lead generation.  Its tangible nature allows you to connect with a broad audience, making it a valuable addition to your marketing strategy.  Best of all, print media can be a cost-efficient option, especially when compared to digital advertising. Consider These 9 Effective Print Strategies for Generating Leads!  Incorporating these tips into your print media initiatives can enhance your lead-generation efforts and achieve better results.  1. Coupons Send postcards or hand out flyers with special coupons for services and products. Encourage customers to sign up for the coupon by providing a unique code that can be used online or in-store. This is one metric you can use to track the campaign's success. 2. Print Ads Place print ads in high-traffic areas like waiting rooms, lobbies, or train stations. Make sure your ad stands out with attention-grabbing design and copy. 3. Posters Hang posters in ...