Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts

Thursday, October 17, 2013

CHEAP BUSINESS CARDS WITH A WOW FACTOR

Everybody needs business cards. Full color business cards can be one of the most effective sales and marketing tool you have. They can be the wedge to separate you from your competitors.
With state of the art printing, you can print cheap business cards and add the Wow Factor to help brand yourself from your competition without breaking the bank. It is amazing how many entrepreneurs and small business people could benefit from a new, inexpensive business card but don't. New business cards can revitalize you and give you reason to feel good about going after new business.


WHAT IS A CHEAP BUSINESS CARD??
You can go online and find full color business cards for as low as $9.95 for 100. They are generally printed on color copiers using thin 10 or 12 Pt card stock with no coating. Sure, they will get your name and company out there and you will be saving some money in the process. But what kind of first impression are they making about you and your company? You only get one opportunity to make a good first impression and that’s the one that sticks.


Wouldn’t you be wiser to spend about $25 for 100 cards? I’m sure the extra cost will not break the bank. But what are you getting for this extra cost? You can get a card printed on heavier 14 point quality card stock that feels good to the touch and has a UV coated finish. These cards look and feel great and indicate to the receiver that you care about quality. Isn’t this what you want to represent you and your business? If you can use 1000 or more cards for under $100 dollars, you can even get them printed on heavy 16 point card stock at no additional cost and have UV or aqueous matte coating on them.


When you use a high quality full color business card printed on quality card stock that’s finished with a UV or matte coating, you can look forward to the opportunity of handing out your card and impressing the receiver. Chances are you will get a positive reaction like “nice card”. How much is that worth? I’m sure, most of us agree that it’s just basic business common sense to show you understand quality.


If you agree that quality and value are more important than just the lowest price, then why not go to the next level...The WOW Factor!!. Stand out from the crowd. The Wow Factor is the tool that helps assure that you will get noticed. Using the new affordable printing technologies (offered by a very few online printers), you can create a very important first lasting impression- one that makes you remembered. It is now possible to add a spot UV coating to selected areas of your business card creating a combination glossy / matte look or high / low finish. Or you can print your full color card with a silver foil or gold foil. Other ways to add that important WOW factor is to use colored foils or 3D/ 4D lenticular effects.  Just a short time ago these techniques were impossible or the cost was way over most budgets. It is now very affordable as new printing technologies become available.

As with many new technologies that produce successful results (and these do), it’s just a matter of time before they become routine. Now is the time to take advantage of these new and uncommon looks and add the Wow Factor appeal to your business cards. Using these new techniques can help separate you from your competition. Why not try them on your next printing job and see the results for yourself!

For free samples and more information about
Wow Factor printing, go to Color Printing Pros.

HOW TO FIND THE BEST ONLINE FULL COLOR PRINTING SERVICE

You can save quite a lot of money buying your companies advertising, sales and marketing literature online. By combining your job with other common jobs and sharing the cost of a gang run you only pay for the amount of real estate on the press you use. This benefits you but be sure you are getting quality as well as price.

There are over 3 million printer sites on the internet. They are all fighting for your business. Some are excellent and some are scams and thieves. Most are average and will get the job done. Even if you narrow down your search and google on one of the most popular search terms “cheap business cards”, you will find over 700,000 responses. Finding the best one for your need can be a challenge.

When you have an important deadline for a trade show or need to send out cards or flyers for a direct marketing campaign, your reputation is at stake. Here are some tips that may help you become a hero by getting the biggest bang for your buck- quality as well as price.

Of course, every search term has the pay per click ads at the top and along the side of the page. The companies with the top positions in the paid areas are not always the best deal. Positioning on these pages are determined by auction. The company that pays the most gets the best spots. These positions have nothing to do with quality or service. They merely represent the companies with the biggest budgets for that spot at that time of day, week or month. Every few minutes or hours they move around and change positions until their daily budgets run out.

Most experienced search engine users prefer using the organic listed sites directly below the sponsored area. To get and maintain good organic positioning, these companies have to work really hard over a long period of time and that’s a plus but it’s no guarantee that they are the best value. You need to also be aware that some of these companies are the same site under multiple names. When you click on these sites, they all look and work the same and their pricing is the same too. The only change is their name and logo on the top. You may think you made a better choice by choosing one over the other and that’s their strategy. They are just clones trying to keep the individual quality cheaper printer from getting discovered.

Most of us are suckers for the lowest prince. But the lowest price is often not the best value. For example, when you order the house wine in most restaurants it’s generally the cheapest. The truth is the restaurant makes the most profit from the house wine. For some people who are looking only for the cheapest price and don’t care about quality and value, this is just fine. They got what they paid for. Would you order it if you were entertaining an important client you wanted to impress? Probably not. Be sure to look for that commercial printer who offers quality, service and price.

For free samples and more information about quality full color printing, go to Color Printing Pros: http://www.colorprintingpros.com or call 800.598.1841 or 818.735.0385.

COLOR PRINTING PROS saves you money, and offers CHEAP TRADE PRICES while still offering SERVICE and QUALITY. You supply the files and we will do the rest.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

ENDURACE WATERPROOF HIGH PERFORMANCE PAPER


Many businesses in harsh outdoor and indoor environments have a need for printing on waterproof, tear resistant paper. The solution is EndurAce paper.

EndurAce is a 10pt. smooth bright paper which prints brilliant colors that are durable, tear and crumple resistant and don’t fade in the sun.

Restaurants need a high performance paper for menus and table mats. EndurAce is less expensive compared to heavy laminated menus. It wipes water and grease off easily for reuse.
The menus can be used as a promotional free give-away, customers will keep them so your brand is in front of their eyes and minds.

 For outdoor marketing and branding EndurAce is the perfect choice.  They can be used for business cards, flyers, postcards and door hangers. Some of their popular leisure and sport uses are for marinas, boating, divers, fisherman, golf cards and hikers maps.

Trades that use EndurAce high performance paper for printing are: builders, contractors, architects, garden maintenance, construction and companies in the sports industry to name just a few.

Their ability to preform well in extreme conditions, low need for replacement and affordable cost make this an ideal choice for any business needing high performance paper.


To find out more about EndurAce, go to: Help Center/ Waterproof 

Monday, August 26, 2013

PRINT CHEAP FLYERS TO GET HIGH RETURNS


Millions of businesses receive high ROI using cheap flyers. Why? Flyers attract attention. Some of the things businesses do with printed color flyers include advertise new promotions, introduce new products and services, offer specials and discounts, and make announcements.

Flyer printing has been used as a powerful marketing tool since the invention of the printing press. High quality low-tech flyers find and passively convert customers when they weren’t even thinking about your products and services. Flyers activate both tactile and visual senses. They can be held in your hands and be saved so buyers can learn the benefits of your products or services. Flyers explain how the lives of the reader will be better when they buy what your offering.  Online marketing can only be read on a computer.

The big difference between offline and online marketing is printing color flyers are passive so they can sell products and services the buyer didn’t know they needed. Customers can be motivated with the benefits of your offer and your promotion will be kept for future viewing. When you send out a flyer your customers will not see your competitors and comparison offers.

When buyers search online, unless you’re on the first page of your target market you probably won’t be found. One thing is for sure, your competitors will be found.  I’m not saying you don’t need a presence online. What I am saying is, that they both work in different ways and have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Savvy marketing strategists use both print and online services to maximize their customer base to find new business. Printed flyers are cheap, fast and easily targeted to the buys. Online marketing is expensive with slow results and it’s very difficult to get and stay on the first page in every competitive market sector.

Color Printing Pros flyer templates are free and available in many sizes, all the folds are indicated for easy and fast layouts and designs.

Friday, July 19, 2013

ATTRACT ATTENTION WITH POSTCARD PRINTING


Postcard promotions fill mailboxes every day and a majority of households don’t read them and instead put them directly into the trash. The average 1 to 3% conversion rate can be greatly improved by adding a secret sauce.  To improve your odds, you need Wow Factor that captures eyes like a magnet. Color Printing Pros supplies Wowfactor options.
 
The reason most postcards go unnoticed is they are not interesting and don’t grab the eye. It takes just a millisecond to either lose attention or capture it. The secret to attracting instant attention is to capture the eye with something unique, unexpected and interesting so that the offer is seen.

To grab attention, you should use an eye candy wow factor that grabs attention. By using this secret, you can turn a simple cheap postcard into an affordable, powerful mailbox billboard that attracts immediate attention. Using any one of the following high tech printing effects will increase attention.   

Spot UV Coated Postcards
Spot UV coating is a high gloss laminate coating that can be placed on selected areas of a postcard. It can be used to highlight photos, illustrations, copy or backgrounds. Spot UV coating adds a modern distinguished elegance that is sure to stand out and be noticed.
By placing spot UV selectively on a solid color background you can print copy, patterns and textures. It works best with darker backgrounds because you will get a high/low contrast finish the eye can’t resist.
 

Silk Laminated Postcards

Silk laminated postcard offers a smooth silky feels that implies expensive, elegance and luxury. Silk laminated cards are very affordable. They are printed on heavy 16 pt card stock that is water and tear resistant and make a very professional strong statement of quality. The immediate reaction to a postcard is the feel. This is very important because feel is the first sense that decides quality and a positive or negative impression. If your postcard is unique and different, it will create immediate curiosity, which is the first step that takes the targeted receiver to the next step and and forces the important second look. Spot UV coating can be applied to silk laminated cards for an extra sensory pop.

Gold or Silver Foil Postcards

Gold and silver are precious metals that have been strongly desired before recorded history. They are recognized as the standard for the highest quality. Some online printing services offer a high tech process that’s less expensive than the traditional hot foil stamping process, which requires expensive stamping dies and a hot foil-stamping machine. The new cold foil process prints on silk laminated card stock. Printed foil postcards are very elegant and will create a lot of buzz. Foil is actually printed on the card inline with or without the standard CYMK color process. Costly dies and specialized hot foil machines are not needed.  The power of bright gold or silver foil printed on a postcard is irresistible and very impressive.

EveryColor Foil Postcards

EveryColor foil postcards are a designers dream. This new inexpensive process can make every CMYK color in foil. You can even make gradations and color blends never available before. It’s very simple to make as many colors as you want into foil using an easy-to-make foil mask that is a second layer under the areas you select to be foiled. Foil can be used as spot color on both sides of the card. EveryColor Wow Factor effect is spectacular and will hold attention for a long time. By using this effect, you will extend your brand awareness because these cards are kept and shown around as well as gets a lot of attention. It is so unique that it will be passed around and shown to others. These foil cards are a perfect solution to getting your promotion noticed and remembered. They are also effective as handout at trade shows, networking functions and any place people gather.

4D Lenticular Postcards

Lenticular postcards are the newest, most sophisticated extreme eye candy Wow Factor illusion you can use for a postcard campaign. Lenticular cards have 2 or 3 flips that animate your message and tell a story. Lenticular postcards always attract excitement because they are fun to play with. They make an unforgettable positive statement to reinforce your branding. They are the most powerful direct mail marketing strategy to build customer retention and branding. With a strong call to action, you will capture new buyers and attract repeat customers. Lenticular cards will attract more attention than any other postcard. 

The truth is, the first mailing of a postcard marketing campaign, probably will not produce the high return you may expect. Don’t waste your time and money unless you plan to use these strategies for at least 3 monthly mailings to the same people. The more you mail over a period of time, the stronger your branding, the higher the retention and the better your ROI.  Every Door Direct Mail Retail is a USPS cheap and effective direct mail marketing solution for targeting political campaigns, nonprofit organizations and businesses with affordable direct mail services. It's simple and easy to take advantage of this cheap direct mail service offered by your local post office. Every Door Direct Mail Retail is easily the best inexpensive marketing value for many small businesses, political campaigns and nonprofit organization.



Friday, July 12, 2013

FLYER ADVERTISING THAT WILL CATCH CUSTOMER'S EYES AND MINDS

In today's down economy, many consumers are more selective and more concerned when making
buying decisions about what products or services they want. Consumers are bombarded every day by numerous flyer offers so catching a potential client's attention is vital. You can do this by having an effective as well as unique flyer advertising and marketing plan. You need to create flyers that are interesting and eye catching and that will ensure that customers will open and read your marketing piece. Standout flyers must be impressive, ones that will either make potential customers act upon them or save them for future reference. This can only be achieved by creating quality unique advertising, sales and marketing literature. The challenge is how can you do this without going over budget and spending a lot of money. Finding a commercial color printer that offers wow factors plus value as well as low price is the answer.

There are many ways to achieve wow factors that will make your flyers standout from your competition. One way is to make sure that the paper stock you use reflects your product or service as having superior attributes above the others. The paper you have your flyer printed on creates a first impression. To create an impression of quality and superiority is by using a heavier paper stock for your flyer such as 100 Lb cover or a card stock such as 14 or 16 point. You may think these are too expensive for your budget but you are wrong. They are relatively cheap and inexpensive compared to the return you can get on your investment. And with a heavier card stock, you can add other options to your standout flyer that your competitors don't have such as spot UV.  Spot UV coating is a great option for catching a customer's attention. As the name suggests, a Spot UV is a coating applied to chosen areas of a printed card. This has the effect of highlighting and drawing attention to that part of the design where you have placed your spot UV.

Appealing design and well-written content is primary but using a special effect or heavier stock on your marketing flyer can reinforce your message and get you remembered by potential customers. Isn't that what you hope to achieve? An effective marketing flyer can only be achieved if customers are engaged. A interesting eye catching design can help make your company stand out from the clutter many customers are bombarded with. In today's business world, it is even more important than ever before to engage your customers so they understand the unique benefits only you can offer. A standout advertising flyer, or brochure can do this. Remember sales can be won or lost by the first impression you make. Adding something different in your flyer's look and feel can be cheap and inexpensive as well as eye catching and memorable. You can achieve this goal and still have a low budget. Strive for a flyer that will catch your potential customer's eyes and minds. That flyer that will get your company, service or product noticed. Then design your flyer with these goals in mind and look for a printing company that can give your flyers or brochures a "WoW factor"then check us out at http://www.colorprintingpros.com.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

BOOKMARKS - A GREAT WAY TO MARKET YOUR BUSINESS

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Despite what techies may think, people still love reading paperback and hardcover books.  If you need proof, just walk into any bookstore or library, and you will find plenty of people looking for or enjoying a paperback or hardcover book. 

Since people still read paperback and hardcover books, they still need a way to keep track of how far they have read in a book.  And although it's by no means new or cutting-edge, a bookmark is still the most effective way to accomplish this task. 

When someone is reading a book, they are going to see their bookmark on a regular basis.  Each time they open and close their book, they will see the bookmark that they are using.  This regular exposure makes a bookmark a valuable marketing opportunity. 

Not only is a bookmark a valuable marketing opportunity, but it is also a cheap one.  While marketing with bookmarks can delver a lot of value for your business, it doesn't cost much to print them.  Therefore, even if your marketing budget is fairly tight, you can still take advantage of this opportunity.  In addition to being cheap, when you order from an online bookmark printing service, you will be able to choose the stock your bookmark is printed on, as well as its finish.  Best of all, placing an online bookmark printing order is easy, and you can rest assured that the bookmarks you receive will be very high quality. 

So, what's the best way to market your business with bookmarks?  Well, there are actually several effective ways that you can use bookmarks to market your business.  The first method for marketing with bookmarks is to use them as a giveaway.  You can give them to customers who visit your business, as well as potential customers you meet in person or target through a mailing.  To obtain the best results from this method, you will want to put an offer on your bookmark that will motivate people to come back to your business, or visit it for the first time.  Depending on your business, what you offer can be anything from a special discount to giving them something for free when they make a purchase from you. 

Another way to successfully market your business with bookmarks is to use them to spread awareness about your brand.  Because people will look at your bookmark on a regular basis, it can help you establish a strong brand identity.  For this method to work well, you will want to not only create a bookmark that conveys your brand, but also one that people really like, which will ensure that they continue to use it.  A great way to do this is by incorporating a WOW Factor into your bookmark's design. Using a Spot UV effect can add both a textural and visual experience unlike ordinary bookmarks. The idea behind a full color printed bookmark as a marketing tool is to attract positive attention and create interest in your message. Spot UV coating is an affordable technique that separates your promotion from your competition.




BOOKMARK MARKETING STRATEGIES - The Power of Bookmarks


Want more business? Need a very cheap promotion that really works?  A custom printed bookmark is an affordable strategy that produces very high ROI . Here’s why, Everybody appreciates a free gift that’s useful.  Printing and distributing bookmarks is a savvy way to gain market share. If you could reach everybody in your market area that reads books, do you think your sales would grow quickly?

Custom bookmarks with your message are frequently seen multiple times a day, a week and a month. Every book reader moves bookmarks from page to page. Each time they see your bookmark, your brand is strengthened and reinforced passively without sales stress.

The best part of bookmark marketing is you can print 10,000 extra heavy 16 pt. 2 X 8 with full color bookmarks on both sides with your choice of free high gloss UV or matte coating for less than $ 250.  That’s .025 cents each. You can make your own bookmark, hire a professional print designer or  have Color Printing Pros design it for you.

Many sizes and finishes are available. Choose from 2 top quality card stocks. Heavy 14 pt. is available as well as extra heavy 16 pt.  Both weights come with your choice of free UV or matte coating that protects the card from fingerprints, scuffing or scratching. Want to add something to catch attention, optional spot UV coating is available.  

Our custom bookmarks come in 7 different sizes- 1.5 X 7, 2 X 8, 3 X 4, 3.66 X 4.25, 8.5 X 2.75, 8.5 X 3 and 8.5 X 3.66. Pick the size that best fits you need.

About The Design

When designing your bookmark, you need to consider your bookmark as  being an asset to your customer.  To create a value bookmark, you must have an eye-catching photo, illustration or graphics.  If your company has its own colors scheme, use it. You may want to use an inspirational message to give the bookmark value. A poem, proverb, famous saying or funny cartoon gives it value.  You can use a small logo and /or your business name stating
"Compliments of  (insert your business name here)"

The back of the bookmark is the selling place. To give your bookmark more value, offer a coupon, discount or other deal. Your logo is important for branding. Don’t forget your name, address, phone number and website URL. QR codes are handy to add on your bookmark so customers can find you easily. It can be scanned to add to smart phones or to take customers directly to your website. Be sure to put a strong call to action on any marketing promotion.

Personal custom printed bookmarks starts a friendly relationship between you and your customers that your competitors won’t have.  Bookmarks can be a powerful promotion for organizations, charities, medical practices, retail stores, free promotional gifts, coupons, high traffic area handouts and more.

GET A HIGH ROI WITH CHEAP BOOKMARKS

Cheap bookmarks are an affordable promotion for small and local businesses that don’t have the resources to do expensive advertising and marketing campaigns. If your business isn’t growing because you don’t a budget or plan for a marketing promotions, you need to find a strategy that’s fast, cheap and effective. When sales are low and new or old customers aren’t buying your products or services, it’s probably because your brand isn’t in their mind so you are losing business that could have been yours. Buyers need to know what your company can do that will make their lives better and they have to remember your brand instead of your competitors.

A low cost solution to the problem is to create a powerful affordable marketing promotion campaign. One idea is to find an online wholesale custom bookmarks printing service. Everyone likes a free gift that can be used to promote your brand with a useful, soft sell bookmark. Full color bookmarks are so cheap you can give them away. They’ll work and be kept for a long lifetime because they’re useful. Bookmarks are very popular and every time anyone opens their favorite book, they see your name and contact information. When they need your product or service, your brand will be in their mind so they don’t have to look far to get your information. If they are searching online, they will find your competitors and your chances of making the sale are greatly diminished. Custom printed bookmarks with your logo, name, address, phone number and an inspirational or useful message will get attention. If you give them away as handouts, your distribution costs are $0.

If you’re creative and have a flair for design, you can design your own bookmarks but be sure to know the file requirements. The other option is to ask your printing service if they have a design department or you could hire a professional graphic designer that specializes in designing for printing. If your printing service can do it, you may what to work with them. The price may be lower and it will work like an insurance policy so you don’t get caught in the middle of a potential problem.

The message on your bookmark is important so here are 4 ideas.

    1.    Put a social message on one side and a marketing message on the other, for example, “Love is Reading with your Child” or “Shop Local” on one side and your promotion, “Pipe Pros Emergency Plumbing Service”, 24/7, Call 123-456 7890 on the other. Make an offer that can’t be refused. Add a code on the card so you can easily track the success of the campaign. What you put on the card is up to you, but make it powerful enough so it will have some value and will be saved.

    2.    Put emergency services and contact information on one side and your message on the other.

    3.    Print your local high school football and or basketball calendar on one side and your promotion on the other.

    4.    For take-outs and local restaurants include a few photos. Give a discount with a code so you can track the sale to the promotion.

The idea of any marketing promotion is to create sales and reinforce your brand. This is where graphic design is important. Your bookmark needs to be visually exiting. Color combinations, fonts, photos and illustrations have to capture the eye and hold attention to be effective.

When you consider the investment and risk compared to the good will and potential ROI, custom printed bookmarks are a very effective marketing strategy.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

CUSTOM BUSINESS CARDS ATTRACT ATTENTION


     Business cards are the first marketing tool every business needs. They create the first impression of how your business is perceived. If you want to make a strong presentation, you need a powerful attention getting custom business card. To help you with the layout and design, we suggest you use one of our free business card templates.

     An impressive business card design is what captures the eye. It takes less than a second to create interest. If you can’t do that, you’ve already lost your customer's attention even if your presentation is good.  Your potential buyers make their decision later so you want your card at the top of the pile.

     The second most important factor is feel. If your card is printed on flimsy paper, a buyer may still lose interest. Buyers need to feel secure in the fact that they are dealing with a first class quality oriented company, Customers will even pay more to feel safe with their choice. The best business cards are printed on heavy 14 pt. or extra heavy 16 pt. card stock. UV coating or matte coating should be applied to protect the card from scuffing, scratching and fingerprinting. These are the most common basics for any business cards to be considered top quality.

Beyond the basics, there are additional eye candy high tech printing techniques that will grab the eye of the beholder like a magnet.

Spot UV coating on selected areas add an interest that overall UV coating can’t.

Silk laminated cards have an elegant smooth texture and also makes the cards a soft, silk-like finish, that is water-resistant and tear-resistant, and compliments vibrant colors.
Gold and silver foil can’t be ignored and your card is sure to stand out. They are cheap to print because they do not require an expensive metal die and dye stamping.

EveryColor foil is a unique process that makes every CMYK color a foil color. You can design your card with multiple foil colors and make blends and gradiants.

Plastic cards get noticed. They are available in clear, frosted and white. These cards will always be remembered.

Lenticular cards are animated with your choice of 2 or 3 flips. These cards are fun to play with and almost always are shown to others because people may forget your name but they will always remember your card.

These 6 new WOW FACTOR EFFECTS business card ideas are like mini billboards that fit in your pocket. They are guaranteed to make you and your company standout and be noticed.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

WHY BUSINESS CARDS ARE CRUCIAL TO BUSINESS

     Your business card is likely to be one of the first pieces of marketing that a prospective client or customer will see. It is certainly one of the only pieces of advertising that will fit neatly into their wallet or purse. There are many reasons why business cards are so incredibly important to the success of your company, and we will go over some of these reasons in this article.

     Firstly, they are a vital networking tool. If you are trying to spread the word of your products and services, you need something professional-looking to hand to prospective customers and clients so that they know how to contact you for more information when they have a need. Simply digging in your purse or your pocket for a piece of scrap paper to scrawl your company’s website address or phone number is not impressive, and it makes you come across as very unorganised. That’s not really the image you want to give your company, is it? It is much quicker, slicker and more professional to be able to hand over a well-designed business card with all of your contact information on it.

     Business cards are also a very effective method of marketing. Business cards are cheap and you can even use a business card as a portable mini poster that draws attention. A double paneled business card is great for this.

     Your business card should be well designed so it is kept for later reference. Sometimes it’s even a good idea to put a few business cards into a small package to be sent to a customer, so that the customer may recommend you to a friend. It is as easy and convenient as handing over a card.

     Business cards are cheap, too. For the amount that business card printing costs, it would be madness to choose not to utilize this hugely powerful networking and advertising tool. Take the time to pick an eye catching logo or photograph, and make sure that all of your contact information is on the card. There’s no need to over-inform your prospective customer on your business card; simply pointing them in the right direction, where they can find more information about your products and services, is enough. Some people choose to have a slogan on their business card and others do not; it is your choice.

     Choosing a company to handle your business card printing is not a decision to be taken lightly, considering how crucial they are to the success of your company. Color Printing Pros offer complete control over how your business cards turn out, and can offer special effects (many of them as free upgrades) to make your company stand out from the others. Be sure to check out our affordable prices and many choices of stock and finishes.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

POSTCARDS - A Cheap and Effective Marketing Tool

Postcards are one of the oldest direct marketing tools that are still effective today.

In our high tech digital world low tech postcards are still the best, fastest working direct marketing tools ever. If you don't believe me, check your mailbox. Don't think the companies that stuff your mailbox are stupid. If they didn't make big bucks, you wouldn't get all that mail from the same companies over and over again.

Postcards Get Noticed

A well-designed inexpensive postcard campaign with strong call to action copy will keep your company at the top of the mind of customs.

Postcards Are Cheap

Postcards when compared to other marketing tools are the cheapest to print than they ever have been. Online printing companies make it easy to find the best value cheap postcards without spending a lot of research time. As a matter of fact, full color postcards are cheaper than two color cards were just a few years ago, so you get more bang for your buck. You can buy 5,000 4.25 X 6 high quality full color postcards for under $160

Postcards Are Read By Almost Everyone

It's harder not to read an interesting postcard than to avoid reading it. An eye candy design and a compelling offer can catch your eye and it's difficult not to read it. Nothing else in your mailbox can capture that much attention except a large check from the government. Most junk letters never get opened unless they looks official. People don't have the time or care to read. Flyers can also have too much to read and they instantly get tossed. On the other hand, postcards are noticed and read because the message requires just a second to decide if you're interested or not. They don't have to be unfolded and they don't waste time with a lot of words.

Postcard Campaigns Return a High ROI

If you plan on sending only one postcard, you may be wasting your money if you are trying to determine the results.You don't have to have a huge mailing list to monitor your postcard stats. If you don't have a lot of money to test the direct mail marketing waters- and what small business does-, you can print wholesale inexpensive postcards in short runs of 100, 250, 500 or 1,000. The trick is to send them every 4-6 weeks to the same list. Each time with a different offer. It's not the quantity, but the frequency that keeps your brand in front of your customer.

Postcard Effectiveness Testing is Fast and Easy

Use short run postcards to try different ideas and see which ones have the best returns. Once you know what works slowly increase your mailings and keep on checking results. The best value for short run postcards is about $55 for 1,000. You can send as few as 100 cards at a time to spread your mailing cost. Just make sure you change lists.

Postcard Printing Tips:

1. When buying cheap postcards online, don't buy the cheapest deal you can find. Cheap looks cheap, feels cheap and can represent your company as cheap. Considering the size of a postcards, the paper stock should be the issue unless you are printing hundreds of thousands. The minimal card stock weight should be a heavy 14 Pt or extra heavy 16 Pt.- either UV or matte coated card stock.

2. If you're distributing the card through the mail, the address area should NOT be UV coated. UV coating is a liquid laminate that can't be overprinted with a personalization or address for mailing. There are two solutions for this issue. Order your cards with UV coating one side matte coating one side or pay a little more have your cards printed with spot UV coating so you can decide what is to be glossy. Spot UV coating is an eye candy wow factor effect that will catch attention so your card has a better chance of standing out and getting noticed.

3. Bigger is better when it come to postcards and diamonds. Postcards are available in many sizes. Small 4 X 6 and 4.25 X 6 postcards can be sent at lower postcard postal rates. You'll save money but lose impact. If you're going to do it, do it right.

4. Print "SAVE THIS CARD," you'll be surprised at how many will then save it. If you say it, they will be it.

5. Be sure to put a time limit on your offer. Add a tracking code so you can identify the mailing you sent out. The offer should be redeemable only with that code. Customers like to receive codes because they are identified as being special.

It doesn't matter if you have a small local pizza takeout or you're selling tours to Europe nationally, the key is to make sure you have a "can't refuse" offer and your card looks impressive. You don't have to spend much money to get a postcard campaign going. Plan to send six different postcards in 6 months and you will make money fast and easy once you get your program started. Remember it takes money to make money and cheap but high quality postcard campaigns will make you money and a high return on what you have spent.

Monday, May 20, 2013

HOW TO CREATE A POWERFUL MARKETING BROCHURE

Brochures, pamphlets and leaflets are a printed and folded piece of paper used as an advertising tool for business and organizations to sell products, services, promote their brand and corporate image.  They are designed to tell a story about the benefits, products and or services a business provides.

Brochures provide information about how a potential buyer will benefit from your products and services. They are a tactile tangible call to action used to inform and assists you in closing the deal. They develop a key message that will convert a buyer to your service rather than your competitor.

If you have the time, are creative and willing to learn the file requirements which are easy to find online, then this is a project that may be fun and self satisfying. The first thing you need to do is think about the benefits you customers will get from your product and service. Explain what makes you different. Every company advertises they are the best, lowest price, high quality, etc. The message is why they should buy from you, what makes your company unique in its field. Write your copy and decide the size and the number of panels you need to tell your story. Once you’ve thought this out gather the photos, illustrations and charts and any other visuals you need to make your brochure easy to understand and visually attractive. Now think about the layout, design, fonts and background.  Now you’re ready to do it yourself.

TIP: Don’t make your brochure about your new equipment or your company and how great it is. Your customers don’t care about how you do it; they only care about the results. Buyers are only interested in how your products and services can solve their problem and make their lives better.

There are many sizes and folds of paper you can use when you are thinking about designing a brochure. The most common brochures are an 8.5 X 11 piece of paper folded in half to 5.5 X 8, have 2 panels on the ourside and 2 panels on the inside  which  separate information. A trifold, also called a letter fold has two folds that create 6 panels. Other standard sizes are 8.5 X 14 to make 4 panels, 11 X 17 that folds to an 8.5 X11 four page,  8.5 X 22 which folds to three 8.5 X 11 panels  8.5 X 11 panels and l1 X 25.5 six panel brochure. These sizes are standard sheet sizes  that fit most efficiently  for the least paper waste on large color printing presses.

Another option is to hire a professional that specializes in print design and knows the rules needed so your job will print correctly. Most designers that are not experts in print design will create technical problems when your brochure goes to print. It takes more than a pretty design to create great out come. Most printers cannot or will not take the add liability to correct your mistakes. If they do they will charge you for your designers. This will slow down your job. If you have the budget to pay for a graphic designer it will be the safer, faster way to do the project. Don’t try going cheap, you get what you pay for. You can find excellent, affordable print designers online.

Do it yourself or hire an expert print designer, the end result will be an effective marketing tool that will strengthen your brand, move your products and sell your services. Brochures are essential for trade shows, direct mailings, counter displays and business meetings. When distributed to your target audience they provide a high ROI.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Learn Four Rackcard Marketing Tips For A High ROI

Rackcards are a high ROI marketing strategy. Tourists are always looking for places to go and spend money. Some tourist attractions, like the Grand Canyon attract everybody. Other attractions fit best with a specialized demographics, for example, bus trips that go to lots of points of interest in a short time, others are looking for golfing, hiking, horse back riding, zip lining and sky diving to name just a few.

Rackcard design is very critical to attracting your targeted market. On the front side you should have easy to read large bold eye catching copy and exciting photos of the location and the activities you offer. Below there should be a strong call to action that offers a special discount or a free desert at your restaurant or some other incentive to attract interest and show your friendliness.


 Rackcard printing tips. It’s not difficult to find an online printing service that offers rack cards. Looking for the best value rather than the cheapest price is a good idea. If the card is thin it feels cheap and it’s likely it won’t convert as many buyers as one with a heavier feel. The card weights for the biggest bang for your buck are heavy 14 PT or extra heavy 16 PT UV coated or matte / dull aqueous coated stock. When your card is first picked up the thing about these stocks is they are generally the same or less cost than as the thin stocks so look for the best value. Matte/dull card are elegant and a perfect choice for an upscale restaurant, hotel or a trendy shop. UV coating is best for excitement and fun. For an additional eye candy, WOW FACTOR EFFECT pop try adding spot UV coating to you your rack card. It costs less than you might think and it draws attention like a magnet. The standard size for rack cards is 4 X 9 so they fit in rack card racks.

Rackcard distribution should be affordable. Since most tourist attractions are local go online and find a distribution service in your area. To save money you or an employee can ask to put them in card racks at visitors bureaus, welcome centers, chambers of commerce, bulletin boards, hotel and motel lobbies, restaurants, other tourist destinations to help your neighbor and they will reciprocate.

Rackcards attract business and one of the most affordable marketing strategies to create more business you can do. Just one or two conversions could pay for the cost.

Monday, April 4, 2011

HOW TO GET STRONG BRANDING FOR LITTLE MONEY

In today's business climate, creating a strong brand is the most effective investment you can make for your business. A recognized brand is the best way to make your business stand out from your competitors. By creating a brand that people trust, not only will you be able to claim attention, you will be able to capture it. If you're are able to hold people's attention, you have a customer base.


This means that instead of needing to get your customers, your customers will come to you. Branding is also a best way to cultivate customer loyalty. When you have loyal customers who recognize the quality of your product or serves, they will actually go out and sell for you by recommending your business to their friends, family and colleagues.

While a brand is more than a logo or a slogan, visual communication is a major component of establishing a strong brand. In general, people are visual creatures. To establish and convey your brand and its message, you need strong visuals that communicate the distinctiveness of your business.


It's probably not in your budget to plan for magazine, radio or tv marketing. Use your printed marketing collateral materials and packaging as an inexpensive opportunity to visually communicate your brand to potential and current customers. With printed advertising, sales and marketing literature, you are able to decide how you want your business to be remembered. While many businesses miss this opportunity by settling for marketing materials that are boring and unoriginal, savvy entrepreneurs can make their marketing materials stand out and grab attention using a strong visual WOW FACTOR effect, like plastic cards, silver metallic ink, colored metallic effects, gold or silver foil on silk laminated paper or spot UV coating.


When someone receives your printed marketing materials, they need to be drawn to reading your message, to accomplish this use your choice of eye candy printing effects to create a powerful attention getting visual. You have less than a second to seize the moment.


If you want to highlight a specific area of text, you can use spot UV coating. This works great to spotlight a special offer or discount or call to action. If you want an elegant look matte/dull finish is a good choice for your cards. This is an excellent choice for any business that is branding itself as a luxury option. You can also combine matte aqueous coating with high gloss spot UV coating for a very impressive presentation.


Because people will hold your printed marketing material as they look at its design and read what it says, their sense of touch also plays a role in how they perceive your brand. To stand out from other businesses use lheavy weight papers. Fourteen or sixteen point card stock is a great choice. by using a heavy papers, you will be perceive as a professional quality leader.


In addition to coatings and stock, when you order your marketing materials from an online printing company that offers these unique options, you will establish your business as different then your competitors. This may sound expensive until you acturally see how affordable it is even if you’re a start-up or small business you can level the playing field.