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Showing posts from January, 2023

Coated vs. Uncoated Paper Stock: Which is Best for Your Project?

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Paper comes in all kinds of forms. Knowing the different variations of paper and when to use each will help you choose the right type for your print projects.  One major decision is choosing between coated or uncoated paper.  Coated Coated paper typically receives a fine clay or polymer coating, which seals the paper, restricting ink absorption and reducing dot gain. Dot gain makes the printed material look darker than intended because of ink absorption. All this gives your finished printed products a crisp, clean look.   Coated paper tends to be great for projects that include images and color, which means it's great for photographs, magazines, and catalogs. One thing to note, however, is that coated paper tends to be harder to write on. Below are a few of the subcategories of coated paper. Gloss A gloss coating is going to have a higher sheen and is lightweight. It also tends to be cheaper than other finishes while having vibrant colors.  Satin and Dull Sat

6 Top Ways to Promote Your Brand Via Word of Mouth

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You want the word out…the good word! But how does that happen organically? Sometimes it takes some help to brand your business and get word-of-mouth advertising. There are so many things you can do to help it along. Let’s take a look. 6 Top Ways to Promote Your Brand Via Word of Mouth 1. Hire an influencer Sometimes using an influencer helps spur word-of-mouth advertising. This method creates an image in people’s minds and gets people talking about what you offer. A recent study by Sideqik found that 7 out of 10 consumers trust influencers’ recommendations just as much as the opinion of real-world friends . If you can’t get a significant influencer, try contacting a micro-influencer. Reach out to bloggers, video bloggers, or DIYers with a smaller following whose goal is to share subject matter expertise by producing tutorials, shout-outs, how-to guides, day-in-the-life videos, and so on .  2. Create a unique experience Get people to talk about your business because you

5 Ways to Use Personalization in Print Marketing to Get Noticed by Your Customers

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Using print marketing is a great way to get your company’s name out there and let customers know what services you offer. But what if there was a way to increase the effectiveness of your printed ads, creating a better experience for your existing customers and drawing in new ones? According to a study by Accenture, 91% of customers are more likely to purchase from companies who recognize and remember them, providing them with relevant offers or recommendations.  Here are five easy ways to add personalization to your print marketing plan! 5 Ways to Personalize Your Company’s Print Marketing 1. Use Variable Data Printing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) databases are an easy way for your company to accumulate and sort information about your customers. Then, to use the data that your CRM has gathered and incorporate it into your print marketing, use Variable Data Printing (VDP) to create a variety of personalized print ads that will better suit the customers to whom

How SEO and Print Work Together (Plus 3 Ways to Improve Your Site's Ranking)

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The purpose of search engine optimization (SEO) is to get your website to the top of Google’s search engine.  The higher up your business is, the easier it will be for potential clients to find you. This is especially beneficial given that 68% of online experiences start with search engines.  Many factors impact SEO ranking, such as Bounce rate is when visitors leave a webpage without taking any action—the lower the bounce rate, the better. Dwell time is how long visitors stay on the page. The longer, the better. Traffic is how much activity the page has. The more steady traffic, the better.  Knowing what impacts your website’s SEO rankings can help boost your website.  How SEO and Print Work Together Print marketing can help improve your website’s SEO ranking by driving people to your website.  One convenient, powerful way to accomplish this is through QR codes. QR codes provide an easy way to drive people from paper to online. QR codes can be added to…  Business

7 Special Day-Themed Direct Mail Campaign Ideas for Winter and Spring

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Research shows customers are more likely to buy when you get creative with ‘special’ day-themed promotions . Winter and spring are full of international and national holidays, like the seven detailed below, providing plenty of room and creativity for direct mail campaigns.  7 Special Day-Themed Direct Mail Campaign Ideas for Winter and Spring 1. Black History Month : February  Black History Month is intended to celebrate the achievements of African Americans in the history of the United States.  Do some research to find influential Black figures who shaped your business. Share their hard work and contributions in a flier or brochure.  2. Valentine’s Day : February 14 A day meant for romance, with romantic partners sharing their appreciation for each other with gifts. Many also use this day to share their love and appreciation for their friends.  Remind your customers about the upcoming holiday and suggest gifts to make a partner’s day. Recipients will be grateful you

6 Ways to Combine Print and Email Marketing

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What does your marketing plan look like? Does it include print marketing? What about email marketing? An approach that combines print and digital marketing, like email, is best to get optimal results for any marketing campaign.  Don't forget to include these critical elements in your marketing lineup! Here are six ways to utilize this multi-channel approach to make your marketing dollars go further.  6 Ways to Combine Print and Email Marketing 1. Reiterate Your Message Use email to reiterate what you say in your printed pieces. That way, you will catch their attention no matter their preferred medium. 2. Try Teasers Send teasers through email, promoting your direct mail that is coming. Use this technique to announce a big sale or event. Then when your direct mail is delivered, they can get more information about what you are offering them. Provide a digital coupon on your direct mailer or give direct mail recipients a unique promo code to redeem an online offe

Stand Out From the Crowd With Textured Business Cards

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Business cards are a convenient 3.5" x 2" way to share your business with prospective clients.  However, with about  10 billion business cards being printed annually, finding ways to make your business card stand out is essential. The texture of your business card can add character, convey meaning, and make you memorable.  Everything You Need to Know About Textured Business Cards Finishes That Add Texture The finish you choose for your business card not only makes it look more polished but also adds texture, creating another dimension to your business card. Two of our favorite finishes are:  Matte . A matte finish is smooth, giving it an expensive appearance. It enables you to write on the card, making it helpful if someone has a personal inquiry that requires more information than can be found on the business card. However, if you want a colorful card, matte can make colors seem duller.  Glossy . A glossy finish gives the card a shiny look and increases its lo

3 Tips for Using Behavioral Science to Increase Direct Mail Response

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Regardless of how you look at it, direct mail marketing isn't just successful - it's positively thriving.    According to a recent study, approximately 73% of consumers say they prefer to be contacted by brands using direct mail rather than by alternative means like email. This preference is because they can read physical mail at their convenience. Not only that, but about 40% of direct mail recipients either fully read or, at the very least, scan what they receive - as opposed to something like an email that is far too easy to ignore.   But as effective as direct mail is by its very nature, there are still ways to increase the engagement you can generate between you and the members of your target audience. Behavioral science is a great way to accomplish that, but it is a concept that will require you to keep a few critical things in mind.  3 Tips for Using Behavioral Science to Increase Direct Mail Response  Don't Neglect "Magnet" Words One of the best

Effectively Engaging With Customers Using Direct Mail

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In today’s tech-savvy world, it might be easy to assume that the best way to catch the attention of your potential customers is through digital ads. In reality, according to Marketing Sherpa , 76% of consumers said they would trust printed ads they received in the mail when making a purchase, while only 25% said they would trust online pop-ups.    The advertisements you’re sending out through the mail can significantly impact customers. Here are seven ways to design direct mail to make your company stand out!  7 Tips to Refresh Your Direct Mail Strategy 1. For direct mail, BIGGER IS BETTER! Research has found that using a larger envelope increases the response rate from customers by 53% when compared with the same content being sent in a standard-sized envelope.    Try something new by sending out your mail in larger, oversized envelopes to intrigue your recipients to read what’s inside!  2. Use POSTCARDS instead of letters for your direct mail. In addition to being a cost-e