The Evolution of the Business Card: What You Need to Know

The business card has come a long way since its inception centuries ago.

It has become an essential part of every company's identity. But what is its origin, and why is it relevant in business today?

Where Did Business Cards Come From?

In the 15th century, China introduced "visiting cards."

Essentially, people carried small cards to showcase their importance. Visiting cards were considered a tool for self-promotion and were utilized to request meetings.

What are Trade Cards?

Trade cards were invented in the 17th century to help people find businesses in major cities where addresses were uncommon.
 
During the 17th century, people followed a strict code of etiquette when interacting with each other. With the onset of the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, this formality began to blur the line between social and trade interactions.
 
People needed a way to introduce themselves and their businesses, which led to the creation of business cards.

What Were the Most Popular Print Options for Early Business Cards?

The print industry significantly changed in the 18th century, with copperplate engraving losing popularity in favor of the more modern woodcut and letterpress printing.
 
The 19th century pushed the envelope even further with the introduction of lithographic printing. This process enabled business owners to use multiple color options known as stones on their business cards. This novel print technique permitted a maximum of 15 colored stones per individual business card.
 
During the 1890s, die-cut cards grew in popularity and were used by wealthy businesses to create attractive, uniquely shaped cards. These businesses also used folding cards, cards with moving parts, and those that revealed secret messages when held up to light to distinguish themselves from others.

What are Some of the Most Popular Trends in Business Cards Today?

Minimalism

One of the most recent trends in business card design is minimalism.

Minimalist designs focus on simplicity and clear messaging, often using a single color or photograph as a focal point.
 
These cards are often more cost-effective since they require fewer printing and design costs. Additionally, the lack of bulk helps them stand out from the crowd and makes them easier to store in a pocket or briefcase.

QR codes

Another popular business card trend is the use of QR codes.

QR codes are matrix barcodes that can be scanned using a smartphone's camera, allowing people to quickly access contact details or other information.
 
They are often integrated into the design of business cards, allowing potential customers to quickly and easily access information without having to write it down. For example, you could include a QR code that directs individuals to your LinkedIn profile. 

Unique materials

Finally, even the material used to make business cards has evolved.
 
While traditional paper remains popular, plastic and metal cards are becoming increasingly trendy for their durability and modern aesthetic look. Plastic cards can be printed with high-quality images and graphics, while metal cards have a luxurious and professional feel.
 
Although the way business cards are created has changed over time, their purpose remains the same: to provide a tangible representation of who you are and what your business stands for.
 
Whether a traditional paper card or a modern digital one, your business card should make an impression on potential customers and help them remember your company.
 
With the right design, materials, and messaging, you can ensure your business card stands out from the crowd - no matter your industry.
 
Are you looking to create a business card to get your company noticed? Contact our team today to get started!

Boost Foot Traffic to Your Store: Two Proven Print Marketing Strategies

In an era dominated by digital communication, print marketing stands out as a tangible and impactful medium that captures attention and resonates with consumers.

According to one recent study, approximately 70% of households with an income of at least $100,000 are newspaper readers. Along the same lines, it has been estimated that about 95% of those under 25 read magazines. Those are just two of the many statistics that help illustrate that print marketing won't just get your message in front of a larger audience - it will help you reach a younger and more affluent one, too.

However, using print marketing materials is only half the battle. You still need to craft a purpose-driven campaign built from the ground up with a precise goal. Case in point: if you want to boost foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar store using print marketing, there are a few proven strategies you can lean into to do it.

Boost Foot Traffic to Your Store: Two Proven Print Marketing Strategies

Master the Art of Color and Emotion

One of the great things about print marketing, in general, is that it is tangible. 

As opposed to something like an email that can be quickly deleted or ignored, print collateral is something you can hold in your hand. You can put it up on the refrigerator and glance at it throughout the day, a factor that small business owners can utilize with the right approach.

Remember that color choice significantly influences people's feelings when exposed to your messaging when designing your collateral. Red, for example, denotes excitement, passion, and even action. This would be a great color to lean into if you were having an in-person event that people wouldn't want to miss out on.

Yellow, on the other hand, conveys feelings like originality and enthusiasm. If you were sending out a print campaign about a new product launch and wanted people to head into your store to check it out in person, yellow would be one of the colors you would rely on to motivate them.

The Power of Personalized Promotions

Another proven strategy you can use to boost foot traffic to your store involves extracting even more value out of the data your customers are already creating each day.

Every time someone walks into your store and makes a purchase, you learn more about them. Based on that insight, you should create personalized promotions and offer relevant rewards that can only be redeemed in person. If you know people who recently purchased Product A, you could send out an in-person coupon for a discount on the price of the related Product B.

Not only does this help get someone to your physical location, but it also goes a long way towards building trust in your business at the same time. These will help you generate more foot traffic and repeat in-person customers.

If you'd like to find out more information about how you can boost foot traffic to your store with the right approach to print marketing, or if you have any additional questions you'd like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don't hesitate to contact us today.

8 Special Day-Themed Direct Mail Campaign Ideas for Summer

Summer is approaching, and along with the warm weather come dozens of opportunities for your company to connect with customers!

Creative campaigns are one of the best ways to engage customers and inspire them to purchase from you. Why not try discounts and promotions centered around unique holidays? 

Research has shown that consumers respond more positively to special day-themed products and promotions than to ordinary campaigns. So here are eight ideas for special day-themed promotions to use in your direct mail this summer!

8 Creative Summer Special-Day Promotion Ideas

1. June 2nd- National Donut Day 

Who wouldn’t be motivated by a sweet incentive?

Try mailing coupons that read “Bring in this coupon for a free donut with purchase!” to draw customers to your store. 

2. June 5th- Thank You Day  

This is a great time to reinforce connections with existing customers.

Mail out a card from your company thanking your customers for their loyalty and choosing to use your services! 

You could even add a discount code (ex., THANK-YOU-5) to nudge them toward another purchase.

3. June 11th- National Children’s Day

A day to celebrate kids should always be celebrated!

Let your customers with families know you’re supporting them and appreciate them by doing something fun for their kids. 

You could include a kids’ craft or coloring page in your mailing packet and information about a sale on any kid’s clothing, decorations, bedding, toys, or games your company might sell. 

4. June 22nd- Positive Media Day 

This is an excellent opportunity to bolster your company’s social media presence!

Mail out a flier celebrating Positive Media Day and encourage customers to follow your company’s accounts. 

You could also introduce a “challenge” for customers to make a funny or uplifting social media post and use your company’s designated hashtag along with #positivemediaday to be entered into a giveaway!

5. June 27th- National Sunglasses Day 

There are a couple of ways you could get creative with this day.

You could try offering a free pair of branded sunglasses to each customer that stops by, offering a discount for each customer that comes into your store wearing their sunglasses, or an online coupon code such as SUNNIES-10 for 10% off.

6. July 12th- National Simplicity Day

Embrace the simple things at your company with this holiday, and encourage customers to do the same by offering a sale price on the “basics.” 

A great way to do this is to create an “essentials” bundle or package of different services and products at a discounted price. Consider sending direct mail that uses the tagline “Keeping it Simple with a National Simplicity Day Sale” or something similar. 

7. July 15th- National Give Something Away Day

In honor of Give Something Away Day, you could give something away to your customers!

The Zero Price Effect has rationalized that customers perceive free products to have a high value because there’s no risk to it since they’re not spending anything. 

An easy example would be a BOGO (buy one, get one) sale or simply including a product of lesser value as a “gift” with any purchase made on that day. 

8. August 8th- National Dollar Day

A creative design for a direct mail piece celebrating National Dollar Day would be to create a rectangular postcard printed with a dollar bill-like image and advertising $1 off each product or service purchased that day.

Go ahead and use some of these ideas, or create your own, to celebrate unique holidays and engage your customers with your direct mail this summer! And when you are ready to print, give us a call. 

5 Ideas to Make the Most of Your Trade Show or Event

Trade shows and other events can be an incredible opportunity to showcase your company’s products and services to the public and network with other companies in your industry.

However, you must craft a strategy to ensure you can make the most impact. 

Here are five things you should do when planning for, attending, and evaluating the results of a trade show. 

5 Tips to a Successful Trade Show Experience for Your Company

1. Set goals

Treat your company’s appearance at the trade show just like a campaign.

What do you want to gain from the event- closing leads, making sales, or increasing brand awareness? Be specific and include numbers: for example, your goal could be to gather at least 150 leads during the event or to sell 30 products.

Also, remember to share your goals with the team that will be at the event with you! 70% of people who share their goals with others accomplish them, while only 35% accomplish them when keeping them to themselves.

2. Create your booth and message

The biggest goal for a trade show is to attract customers to your booth and give them something to engage with once they stop by.

You can stand out from the crowd in different ways- through giveaways or handouts, eye-catching displays, and choosing a booth in a high-traffic area (near entrances or food stations).

The items and signage at your booth should also focus on the central call-to-action for your campaign that day. 

3. Spread the word before and during the show

Make people aware that your company will be at the event!

This will help draw people to your booth once they arrive at the trade show. A great way to do this is through social media ads, email, or direct mail outreach.  

Attendees at the trade show will likely search online to see which booths to visit. Post information, photos, and videos during the show, along with your booth number, so that attendees can come to find you! 

4. Collect information effectively

Meet with the team running your booth before the show starts to discuss your method for collecting leads.

Popular methods for lead collection include paper forms, digital forms, a trade show lead app, business cards, and business card scanning.

Depending on the organizer of the trade show, you may have access to badge scanning technology, which even gives you the option to import the information directly to your CRM. 

Whichever method you use, just be sure everyone on your team is on the same page so that capturing and entering the data is streamlined.

5. Help them remember you

Ensure that anyone you speak to during the event leaves with your contact information or at least something with your company name.

Business cards are classic, and brochures work well, but you can get creative too and use t-shirts, pens, notepads, or stickers. This will remind them to reconnect with you after leaving the event!

For help with show-stopping visuals, memorable business cards, and expert advice, call us! We are your local print marketing resource and look forward to helping you make the most of your next trade show.  

5 Ways to Get Qualified Leads for Your Business

In business, a lead is someone who hasn’t used your products or services YET.

And there are many of those out there, just waiting to be introduced to your business. 

So, how do we grab them and turn them into customers?

5 Ways to Get Qualified Leads for Your Business

1. Personalize with print

The ability to personalize is one of the aspects that makes direct mail so effective in generating leads. 

People are more likely to respond when they feel you are communicating with them directly. 

You can customize dozens of data points, including name, age, or geographic location, and QR codes that lead them to a personalized landing page on your website.  

2. Attract attention with email

Use email marketing to attract new customers and re-engage old ones. 

Whether the email invites customers to return to their shopping cart or promotes your new product offerings and business statistics, emails are one of the best ways to retarget your customers. 

Make your email even more effective by combining it with a print campaign. Research shows that marketing campaigns that utilize email and print experience a higher response rate than email alone. 

3. Get buzz with influencers

Influencer marketing is one of the most popular new forms of online marketing, having more than doubled since 2019. 

These people will promote your business and stir up the talk so that you will also get organic praise.

4. Speak at events

Position yourself as an expert in your field, and you will be able to share your insights with others. 

This can also bring you more speaking gigs and more leads. Everyone wants to hear from an expert, and you will open doors if you advertise your services.

5. Attend trade shows

Hosting a booth at trade shows is a great way to generate leads.

You can maximize your potential to generate leads by offering a giveaway. Collect their contact information, and they can win a prize in exchange. 

Be sure to give them your business card, then follow up with regular postcards, brochures, and catalogs.  

There are many ways to promote your business, but these should help you find more leads. We are here to help you reach your potential. Contact us today to get started!

Starting a New Business? Here are 4 Print Marketing Materials You Need.

Entrepreneurs and startup owners have so many things on their plates that it's not uncommon for certain items to get pushed to the bottom of the list. One thing you don't want to overlook is the can't-miss benefits of print marketing materials!

When done right, your print materials can catch someone's eye — in a way that text, photos, or graphics on a screen can't capture. 73% of consumers prefer printed materials because they can read them whenever needed. After all, people see digital ads second after second, and it all tends to blur together. Here are four materials that a new business can't afford to skip. 

4 Print Marketing Materials Your New Business Needs

Business Cards 

Business cards may seem like a traditional marketing tactic, but that's because they work!

When you are making and exchanging contact information with potential customers or business partners, accuracy is important. Instead of asking for someone's phone so you can input your contact information or risk mishearing a potential client's contact information, give them your business card. Even if they take a photo of it immediately, you're confident they have the correct information.

Include everything about your business, like what you do, who you help, your hours, and the best way to get in touch. Remember: you're a new business, so spell it out. 

Brochures 

A printed brochure about your products or services allows people to delve into the material.

Instead of scrolling through page after page, people can flip at their leisure and take the time to absorb the details.

If your business offers a wide variety of customer options, brochures can also be a great way to break down your marketing into different audiences. For instance, if you run a toy store and sell equally to children and collectors, you could have two separate brochures based on the target demographic. 

Postcards 

This marketing tactic is a massive opportunity for new business owners.

Not only can they catch the attention of people thumbing through their mail, but they're also similar to a business card in that you can condense a lot of pertinent information so that people can quickly grasp the main takeaways. 

Whatever your competitive edge is, whether it's lower prices or a truly stellar staff, don't be afraid to come out of the gate swinging. In addition, you can consider using postcards for various reasons, such as an invitation to a grand opening or an announcement of a new service. 

Thank You Cards 

Your first few customers will be some of the most critical sales ever.

Not only are these people supporting you right off the bat, but they're also the people who will either brag about you or tell their friends and family to stay away. 

It's important to remember that customers typically have a lot of empathy for new businesses, as they realize that most operations will have a few growing pains to contend with. That being said, colorful and sincere thank you cards that tell customers how much you appreciate their support can go a long way. 

Print marketing for new businesses may differ from several decades ago, but its efficacy is undeniable. When you're starting, you'll need people to see your name and business model multiple times before they remember you.

Contact us today to create a list of the materials you need to reach prospective customers for your business! 

 

 

 

5 Helpful Hints for Print Marketing with Booklets

Booklets are a powerful marketing tool for attracting attention, informing the public, or educating customers.
 
Not only can booklets capture your target audience's interest, but they also convey critical messages accurately on various topics.
 
Handing out booklets can be an excellent way to increase brand awareness and subject matter authority. 
 
If you are considering giving this useful product a try, here are some helpful tips to make your booklets successful.

5 Helpful Hints for Print Marketing with Booklets

Before you hit the publish button, consider these five valuable tips!

1. Focus on Proper Brand Positioning

Your booklet's title, brand, and logo are critical components, conveying to potential customers what the booklet is about and why it matters.

If the introductory elements of the booklet are ambiguous, then the booklet's impact will be diminished. 

Consider these additional suggestions for effective brand positioning:

• Ensure your booklet's logo, title, and brand are loud and proud at the top of its cover page.


• Design eye-catching font in big, bold letters to draw attention quickly.


• Consider adding a specific image associated with your organization, event, brand, or business that readers can easily remember as an additional way to make it stand out from others. 

2. Ensure Ease of Reading and Clarity of Your Message

To ensure your booklet communicates its desired message, be sure it is both easy to read and clear to understand.
 
An essential part of ensuring ease of readability and clarity of message is taking the time to read through your work with a critical eye before sending it off for printing.

Remember that too much information can overwhelm readers, while insufficient will seem inconsistent. Thoughtfully consider what amount of content conveys just enough detail without overloading readers so they understand precisely what you want them to know.

3. Select Effective, Engaging Images

The visuals you choose to incorporate in your booklet are fundamental.

Images can capture people's attention and draw them into reading more. For maximum impact, ensure every image in your booklet is of excellent quality. Grainy photos just won't cut it!
 
Since booklets provide more room than other media types, such as brochures or leaflets, take advantage of the added space by including graphs and charts, which will help clarify information for your readers.
 
This lets your potential customers understand exactly what you're trying to convey quickly and clearly. 

4. Employ Vibrant, Eye-Catching Colors

The design of your booklet matters!

The colors selected should be captivating, engaging viewers while creating a visually pleasing experience.
 
Utilize vibrant and appealing hues to attract people to your content.

5. Display Your Contact Information Prominently

Your contact information must stand out to ensure that your booklet is successful.
 
Whether you are advertising for a business or event, including multiple points of contact should be a top priority!
 
Consider adding contact information, such as an email address or website URL, at the end of your booklet, so readers know where to reach you if they have any questions or comments about what was covered.
 
These five valuable tips equip you with all the tools necessary for success!

Are you considering booklets for your next print marketing initiative? We can help! Contact us by phone or email to get started.

Attract More Qualified Leads Using Print Marketing

Print media can be an effective tool for generating leads and capturing the interest of potential customers.

With 73% of all consumers showing a preference for print advertising, it's easy to see that print media is still an excellent business initiative today!

How to Attract More Qualified Leads Using Print Marketing

Both affordable and accessible, print marketing can be leveraged to increase your lead generation and capture. Here's how:

1. Identify Your Target Audience

To create effective print materials that will speak directly to your target audience, it is essential to clearly understand who they are, their needs and interests, and how they prefer to receive information.

2. Determine Your Print Materials

Once you have pinpointed your target audience, the next step is determining which print materials will be most effective for reaching them.

This may include business cards, brochures, flyers, magazines, newsletters, or postcards.

3. Design Your Materials

Having determined what materials you will use to reach your target audience, the design process can begin! 

The right images, colors, and fonts will resonate with your target audience and help reinforce your brand.

4. Select Quality Print Supplies

When printing your materials, don't overlook the importance of high-quality paper and ink to produce an eye-catching result.

Our expert team can advise you on the perfect products for your project! 

5. Track Your Success

After launching your print campaign, it is vital to track its success so you can determine what is working and where improvements need to be made.

This critical business strategy could include tracking website visits, social media engagement, and direct contact with your leads.

Capturing Leads Through Printed Materials

Integrating traditional and online marketing methods could prove invaluable in attracting more leads than either strategy alone. Consider these suggestions:

Personalized Mail

Using personalized letters to reach customers is a foolproof way to increase response rates.

To create an immediate bond with readers, tailor your direct mail campaigns to each region by incorporating local landmarks or events.

Response Cards

Direct mail campaigns are a great sales booster.

Your direct mail campaign can create incredible conversion rates with the right incentives and attractive offers.

Maximize this opportunity by creating attractive brochures and including order forms that can be sent back via the mail.

Consider using this for customer feedback surveys to identify areas where your business could grow.

Promote Online Resources with Print Products

Enhance your social media competitions by asking customers to post images of your product or store and include a unique hashtag only available through direct mail, postcards, or posters.

This is an effective way to ensure that participants have seen your print materials and are engaged in the promotion.

Business Cards

Exchange business cards with potential customers in a professional setting to ensure that your lead-generation efforts are successful.

You can ensure each party gains contacts or leads by taking the initiative and exchanging cards during networking events.

You could print specialized cards for trade shows or events demonstrating how your business fits in with the exhibition to stand out and make a lasting impression.

This will create an unforgettable memory of you and your brand - plus, quick follow-ups are an excellent way to rapidly grow your network of connections and possible sales opportunities.

Are you looking to increase the reach of your print marketing materials? We can help. Contact us for print media that is sure to make an impact!

The 60-30-10 Color Rule: How to Use It in Print Marketing (and When to Break It)

Designing eye-catching postcards, brochures, and business cards for your company might seem daunting- especially if you don’t have a background in graphic design.

But don’t fear! It’s easier than you think to bring visual appeal to your print marketing.

Follow this simple principle for how to use color, and you’ll be on your way!

5 Steps to Use the 60-30-10 Color Rule in Print Marketing

1. Choose Three Colors for Your Print Product

To begin, choose three colors that represent your company well.

If you have a signature color, use it as one of your three! And keep in mind that different colors communicate different emotions and meanings to your customers.

You should also make sure to select colors that fit together. If your colors clash, it will decrease the visual appeal of your design. 

A foolproof way to choose three colors that look well together is by choosing either analogous or complementary trios. Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel (ex. orange, red, and yellow), while, to determine one color’s complementary matches, you should draw a line straight across from it and then choose the two (ex. blue, red, and orange). 

2. The 60%

Next, you’ll need to designate which color will be the base of your design.

Following the rule, this first color should occupy 60% of your print marketing piece. 

This color will fill the most space, so it shouldn’t be the most vibrant of the three you’ve chosen. You can use this color for your primary background or large text blocks. 

3. The 30%

This will be your secondary color, which will take up 30% of the space in your printed piece.

It’s intended to draw attention to the more critical parts of your design. 

It’s wise to use this color for any headlines, sub-section titles, bolded words, or statistics within the text of your ad.

4. The 10%

Your final color is your accent color, which will only take up 10% of the space in your design.

This should also be the most vibrant and bold of the three you’ve chosen. 

This third color is best used to make your call-to-action stand out from the rest of your design. It draws your customer’s eye toward the piece you want them to interact with: a QR code, contact information, link to a social media account, or coupon code. 

5. Breaking the Rule

Maybe your company has a design idea, and it will take more than three colors to bring that idea to life. Don’t stress!

The 60-30-10 rule is a helpful way to get started with your use of color, but going outside the box is perfectly fine!

If you want to emphasize more than just one part of your print design, consider choosing two accent colors for your 10%- 5% of one and 5% of the other.

Another impactful idea is to go monochromatic. Rather than choosing three complementary colors for your design, you could use different shades of the same color.

Don’t be afraid to create your own formula if it feels right! Use the principles in the 60-30-10 rule to get started, but once you’ve got an idea of how different colors and shades work together, you can break the rules and find a balance that works for you.

Contact us today for expert advice on the best colors, paper, and print for your next campaign! 

5 Key Factors for Planning a Profitable Direct Mail Piece

Direct mail can be a fantastic way to spread the word about your company and promote new interest!

Regardless of the size of your budget, there are many cost-effective ways that a company can create engaging direct mail. 

Here are five budget-friendly tips to craft effective direct mail for your company!

5 Key Factors for Planning a Profitable Direct Mail Piece

1. Use Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®)

Purchasing a mailing list can be pricey.

But using EDDM® makes it possible for companies to send their direct mail to one specific mail route or multiple routes without investing in a mailing list.

To save your company money, consider sending your direct mail out through EDDM® rather than a mailing list- it will be far more profitable regarding production costs and postage.

2. Go Bold With Colors

If your company’s printing supplier does their printing digitally, don’t shy away from using lots of colors! 

This won’t increase the cost of printing, but it WILL catch your customers’ attention and boost your reply rates! 85% of consumers share that color and visual appearance are the most critical factor when considering whether or not to buy a product, compared to text, which only has 6% influence. 

3. Try a 2-Way Match Concept

If you design multiple components for your direct mail piece, such as a letter, reply card, and envelope, it will be processed as a 3-way match during manufacturing.

Instead, consider a different concept: create a single component with multiple pieces. You could use a perforated line to create a tear-off reply section, which will then be processed as a 2-way match of the letter and its envelope. 

This will cut down the manufacturing cost of printing your direct mail.

4. Keep it Light 

Keeping your mail’s weight in mind will serve your company’s budget well!

If you were hoping to include a small premium or token for customers with the mail, you don’t have to rule it out completely. 

There are many options for flat items that you can include without raising the cost of postage or requiring unique packaging. Coupon cards and discount codes, decals or stickers, magnets, bookmarks, and other small goodies can provide that engagement for customers without adding extra weight to your mail. 

5. Choose Paper and Envelopes Wisely

Getting creative with your direct mail designs is a great idea and can showcase your company’s personality to potential customers.

However, don’t underestimate the importance of the basics! 

One way to keep paper costs down is using text paper, cover stock, and neutral-colored papers since these are typical types we have on hand. Using these will save you time and money!

When choosing envelopes, consider the same thing. Standard-sized envelopes with standard windows will likely be the most available and, therefore, the most cost-effective option. 

Whatever the size of your budget, we are here to make your next print marketing campaign successful. Contact us today to learn more!

7 Powerful Postcard Direct Mail Ideas We Love

Postcards are a practical, versatile medium to send in your direct mail campaign. According to the Data & Marketing Association, postcards get a response rate of up to 4.25%, one of the highest in direct mail marketing.

Take advantage of this marketing method with seven postcard direct mail ideas we love! 

1. Switch up the norm

Although standard postcards are 4.25” by 5.5”, usually in a horizontal position, not all postcards are designed this way. 

Try switching it up with a larger postcard format with dimensions of 5.5” by 8.5” or change the orientation by sending a vertical postcard. These designs that deviate from the norm will stand out from the crowd and make the recipient take a second look. 

2. Make bold designs

With bright colors and attention-grabbing images, your postcard will speak for itself. 

Be bold in your design choices. The design significantly influences how long a piece stays in a home. Of course, adhere to your branding guide so the final design still looks like your company and produces the image you want to share. 

3. Include a compelling Call to Action (CTA)

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and brainstorm what message would compel you to act. 

Whatever you decide, ensure the action you’re requesting is easy and will yield high rewards. For example, fill out this short questionnaire to receive a $10 gift card. Or perhaps visit our website by following this QR code to receive 50% off your next purchase.

4. Provide testimonials 

Center your postcard design around a couple of happy customers and their testimonials. 

Testimonials are powerful because they can increase overall conversions by 34%. Perhaps this is because 88% of consumers trust user reviews as much as recommendations from someone they know. Whatever the reason, providing testimonials boosts sales. 

Make sure to include short but impactful quotes. There’s not much room on a postcard, and you don’t want to oversaturate it. 

5. Send multiple postcards 

Sometimes marketers make the mistake of contacting a prospect once and then leaving it at that.

But clients often need multiple points of contact before the conversion. Therefore, make it part of your strategy to send several postcards to the same person over time. It’ll keep your business on their mind and give them the nudge they need to act. 

6. Personalize the postcard

The more personalized, the better. 

Some 84% of customers say being treated like a person instead of a number is very important to winning their business. Therefore, try to personalize your communications as much as possible. Identify all possible points of personalization and use what you know about the customer, such as demographics and past purchasing history.

Treat your customers as people, not numbers. 

7. Narrow your focus

Postcards don’t have a lot of surface area.

Therefore, narrow your focus on one key message to not overwhelm the client. Tie in this vital message with an attention-grabbing headline that is true to the intent of the postcard. 

We love postcards thanks to their unique benefits and versatility. Send the best postcard by following the above postcard ideas.

Contact us today to craft a compelling post card campaign that gets your customer's attention!

How to Do a Direct Mail Marketing Campaign on a Budget

Even with a tight budget, you can still run a direct mail marketing campaign with a great return on investment (ROI).

If you focus your campaign, design the mail well, and perfect your mailing list, investing in direct mail can be a wise choice for your company's budget.

Here are five steps to ensure your direct mail is effective while sticking to an affordable budget. 

Step 1: Choose the right product or promotion to market

It's best to start crafting your marketing campaign with a specific goal.

Your company can use direct mail marketing for advertising a new product, a popular service, or even an update or improvement that you've made. 

Promoting something specific that will interest most of the public is wisest. Considering this will help your marketing dollars further increase the likelihood of people taking action after seeing your print marketing materials. 

Step 2: Refine your target audience

80% of consumers are more likely to purchase after seeing an advertisement that they feel is relevant.

Thus, advertising to only a specific subgroup of potential customers can help keep your direct marketing budget low while getting you the best possible ROI. 

Understand the demographic of most of your customers so that you can seek out and target more prospective customers with your direct mail marketing. 

Step 3: Use mailing promotions to keep costs down

Direct mail postage doesn't have to drain your company's budget!

Make sure to research different options available to you since your mail is part of a marketing campaign.

Multiple mailing services like USPS offer discounts for companies sending out ads in bulk. Take advantage of these deals; they could help you save up to 4% of your company's direct mail cost. 

Step 4: Create a straightforward message

If you want your company's direct mail marketing to be effective and cost-efficient, it needs to elicit a response from the consumer. 

The best way to do this is to include a clear call to action (CTA) within your ads. Time-sensitive offers and coupons are a great way to hook prospective customers. Make sure to include contact details so the customer can connect immediately.

Your CTA could be anything- asking the customer to send a reply, use a coupon, buy a product, or visit a website. As long as it's simple and engaging, it has a bigger chance of increasing your ROI. 

Step 5: Track your responses.

If you're spending your company's budget on a direct mail campaign, you want to see what works and what you could do differently next time to improve results.

Include a unique QR code or personalized URL on your print ads that will send customers to a designated webpage and allow you to track responses. Then look at the sales made and the number of coupons used to adjust your campaign so that your money is only being spent on the most effective ads. 

Contact us today to help you craft the perfect message, design the most compelling visuals, and make the most of your print marketing dollars! 

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

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 cards. Drive people to your website to direct them to information that couldn’t fit on the card.


• Catalogs. Next to the advertised, popular product, put a QR code. This will make it easy for customers to buy the product.


• Posters. Bring people from the physical world to the online world by including QR codes on posters. 

QR codes increase your website’s traffic, and they will likely improve dwell times and bounce rates because the people visiting your website are actively seeking it for a purpose. Compare this to someone who stumbles across your website on Google but realizes it’s not quite what they’re looking for. 

3 Ways to Improve Your Site’s Ranking

1. Improve your website

Making your website easier to use will improve its SEO ranking.

Some areas to look at include: 

• Page load speeds. A website’s conversion rate drops by about 4.42% for every second of load time. The faster your website, the better it’ll do. People don’t like waiting.


• Mobile-friendliness. A user-friendly mobile phone website is essential, given that 64% of searches are on mobile phones compared to 35% on computers.


• Navigation. Improve website navigation using clear, everyday language and easy-to-find links to the most important pages. Use design techniques to separate parts of the page and stick to already established website structures. 

A faster, user-friendly website will get people to stay, boosting SEO. 

2. Improve your backlinks

Backlinks (also known as inbound links) are hyperlinks to your website from an external website.

As a business, you want other websites to link to your website. Sometimes this happens naturally. However, you can improve your backlinks by reaching out to editors of other websites and suggesting they link to your page, explaining why doing so would benefit them. You can also create internal links by linking pages within your website. 

3. Create quality content

Having quality content will naturally drive people to your website. 

A catchy headline can get people to click, but quality content keeps them. Make relevant, well-formatted, easy-to-read, and engaging content. Be sure to use everyday language throughout. Include a skim layer with headers, sections, pictures, and infographics. 

Using print and other SEO optimization techniques can help you improve your website’s ranking, making it easier for potential clients to find your business through Google. 

Are you ready to optimize your SEO with print? Reach out to our team now!

Effectively Engaging With Customers Using Direct Mail

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-effective choice for your company (no envelopes necessary!), using postcards can be a unique way to switch up your mailing strategy. 
 
Postcards are eye-catching, concisely deliver your message, and are often more interesting for readers than a traditional letter. 

3. Make your direct mail SEASONAL.

Putting extra effort into the visual appeal of your direct mail could have a significant impact. 
 
The Data & Marketing Association found that 27% of direct mail is still present within the household after 28 days. Incorporate a seasonally festive design into your mail- it’ll give your recipients a reason to keep it around, making them more likely to take a second look at it. 

4. Include COUPONS in your direct mail!

People love getting discounts! 
 
Include a sale code or a coupon brochure along with your company’s information to give your recipients a reason to purchase immediately. They won’t be able to resist checking out your website so they can score that deal! 

5. Make your direct mail PERSONAL.

Personalization in your communication is key to keeping customers interested in your brand. 
 
For life milestones like birthdays, send out cards! When your company has an anniversary, let your customers know. If you have a loyal, high-value customer, send them a thank-you! This practice will keep your customers feeling valued and connected to your company. 

6. Combine your direct mail with DIGITAL TOOLS.

While direct mail can significantly impact your customers, it’s no secret that sometimes online options are more attractive for today’s customers. 
 
Include the information on your printed mail for your company’s website or social media accounts. Allow customers to redeem coupons online rather than filling them out by hand and mailing them back. 

7. Re-evaluate your company’s MAILING LIST.

If your current direct mail strategy is falling short, try shifting some things around with who is receiving your mail. 
 
Instead of using a mass-marketing tactic, try a targeted mailing list to focus your efforts on your best leads. To get the most responses, you’ll need to ensure you send your information out to your target customers. 
 
Direct mail can be a great way to create interest in your company among a vast pool of recipients. That said, the printing quality for your company’s mail matters and our printing firm has got you covered with high-quality printing for any of your direct mailing needs. For more information, visit our website!