Combining Social Media and Print (Here's How to Do it Right)

Figuring out which channels to use for your company's next campaign can be tricky: sometimes, a more traditional print-ads approach seems useful, while other times, a social media campaign feels like the way to go. 

But in reality, combining these two channels can create an even more effective result for your company! 

With a few easy things to keep in mind, your company can use print ads to increase social media engagement and use social media to boost the ROI on your printed materials. 

5 Ways to Use Social Media and Print Marketing Together to Your Advantage

1. Use Social Proof from Media Accounts

Potential customers rely on other consumers' testimonials when deciding whether to purchase from your company.

A recent report showed that 93.4% of consumers depend on customer reviews when investigating retailers for the first time. Use this to your company's advantage by bringing those reviews directly to consumers through your print materials.

Include quotes of honest reviews from your company's media accounts on your next direct mail design, and invite consumers to see what others say about your company on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram as a call to action (CTA).

2. Make it Easy with QR Codes and Short URLs

Including information about your social media accounts on your direct mail is a good start, but it won't get you very far if it isn't convenient and quick for people to utilize. 

Firstly, if you include a URL, ensure it isn't too long for people to type into their search engine. You can use websites like TinyURL.com to convert a long URL into one that's easier for consumers to search.

QR codes are the height of convenience, and they can take consumers to one of your social media pages, websites, or online resources with just a quick scan of their phone camera. 

3. Design Exclusive Media-Related Offers

An easy way to use print marketing as a bridge to your online marketing is by using a media-related CTA on your print materials.

For instance, consumers will be motivated to follow your social accounts if you use print for advertising a special offer or discount for new followers.

4. Try Out Hashtags

Include hashtags on your direct mail and encourage customers to post photos of your products or company using that hashtag!

It could become a viral social media campaign, creating something big from a simple direct mail design.

5. Gather Data for Direct Mail Using Media

Social media provides a pre-organized way to discern which pieces of your content consumers are most engaged by. 

If a photo on one of your social accounts has the most likes, use it as the cover image for your next direct mail piece. See which data your customers like, share, and comment on, and use that to your advantage. 

Are you ready to try combining social media and print for your next marketing campaign? Partner with us, and we'll show you how! Give us a call today to get started.

The packaging of your product is so much more than just a container—it says a lot about your brand and the values it stands for.

Everything about your packaging communicates something about who you are as an organization and what you offer, from the materials used to the design elements.

Considering these details can make a big difference in how customers perceive your product and the values your brand represents.

Here are seven things to consider when designing packaging for your products.

7 Things Your Packaging Says About Your Brand

1. Quality

Good packaging will give your brand a sense of quality, creating customer trust and loyalty.

High-quality packaging materials such as foil prints or embossing add a luxurious element to any product.

At the same time, low-cost options like cardboard boxes or plastic bags provide an affordable way to package items safely and neatly.

2. Brand Recognition

Your packaging is the first thing customers will see when they interact with your product, so make sure it stands out and conveys your brand's personality.

Use bright colors or eye-catching graphics to create a lasting impression. You can even include logos or taglines that reinforce your mission and values.

3. Professionalism

Professional packaging says a lot about your business.

Investing in high-quality boxes or bags with elegant designs and strong materials will show that you take pride in the presentation of your product.

Customers will appreciate the extra effort and may even encourage them to share photos of their purchases online.

4. Versatility

Packaging should be versatile enough to accommodate any product size, shape, or weight.

Invest in various packaging options that can easily adjust to different products and shipping methods.

This will make your business look more organized and efficient, reflecting well on your brand.

5. Sustainability

Customers are increasingly demanding environmentally friendly packaging solutions.

Invest in packaging materials that are biodegradable or recyclable to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and minimize your environmental impact.

This will show customers that you care about the planet and may even encourage them to purchase from you again.

6. Convenience

Your packaging should also be convenient for both shipping and storing.

Invest in lightweight packaging that stacks so it can be shipped with minimal cost and effort. Consider using air-filled cushioning materials or tamper-proof seals to ensure items are safe during transit.

Additionally, invest in packaging solutions that allow customers to easily store products at home, such as resealable bags or containers with handles.

7. Cost-Effectiveness

Regarding packaging, you don't want to sacrifice quality for cost.

Look for ways to save money while ensuring your products are packaged properly and securely.

Invest in bulk packaging materials or explore different shipping methods that can reduce the overall cost of shipping without compromising safety or professionalism.

Your packaging should reflect your brand's values while providing convenience and cost-effectiveness.

From sustainability to professional design, ensure your packaging sends the right message about your business.

Thinking it's time to redesign your packaging? We can help you create print packaging that will leave a lasting impression on your customers. Contact us to get started!

 

Print products play a vital role in creating an excellent customer service experience.

Whether printed brochures, business cards, or promotional items, print can make a lasting impression on customers, helping businesses stand out from the competition and build long-lasting relationships.

Printed materials do more than impart knowledge; they can also improve the customer's experience with your business.

They aid in helping your potential customers decide whether or not working with you is right for them, offering an ideal way of prequalifying yourself and your business.

If excellence in customer service is your goal, check out how you can use print to make it happen more effectively.

8 Ways to Excel at Customer Service Using Print

1. Show Appreciation

A thank you letter or card expressing appreciation for your customers is a great way to show how much you value their business.

Print products are also perfect for creating loyalty programs and offering rewards to keep customers returning.

2. Provide Resources

Customers should have access to all the necessary resources; printing makes this easier.

Printed collateral such as customer manuals, training materials, or product catalogs is excellent for providing information to customers quickly and easily.

Additionally, print materials make it easy to give customers a clear understanding of the products and services you provide, keeping expectations realistic.

3. Promote Your Brand

Print products can be used to promote your brand in various ways.

Business cards, flyers, brochures, and other printed pieces are perfect for creating a strong presence in the market.

4. Increase Visibility

Print products can promote your business and increase visibility in the marketplace.

Posters, banners, and flags printed with your logo or message can help get your company's name out to the public.

5. Connect With Customers

Printed products are great for connecting with customers on a personal level.

Customized greeting cards, calendars, and even personalized postcards are a great way to stay connected with your customers.

6. Generate Leads

Printed materials can also be used to generate leads and increase sales.

Brochures, flyers, and mailers are just some of the many ways to reach potential customers and create awareness about your brand.

7. Gather Feedback

The best way for a business to improve is by getting customer feedback. Providing your clients with customer service surveys printed on custom forms is beneficial.

This will help you understand what things are working and what areas need improvement regarding customer service.

8. Improve Brand Recognition

Branded disposable items such as coffee cups, sleeves for coffee cups, coasters, bags, etc., offer an excellent way to add value to a customer's purchase and create a memorable experience.

By utilizing print, you can ensure your customers have the best possible experience with your business.

Whether providing resources, showing appreciation, or generating leads, print products are essential for creating excellent customer service experiences that keep customers returning.

Want to take your customer service to the next level? Print is the answer you're looking for. Let us help! Contact us to get started today!

How to Make Your Banners Look Like a Million Bucks

Are you attending a trade show or job fair and need your banner to make an impact?

Banners are an incredibly popular marketing tool due to their instant message delivery, cost efficiency, simplicity in assembly/dismantling, and durability.

Ensure the maximum number of people sees your banner by designing one that looks like a million bucks.

7 Tips to Create Eye-Catching Banners

1. Lead with Your Brand

Make sure to leverage the most influential real estate by placing your logo at the top of your banner.

This is the spot your viewers will automatically look at and what they will most likely recall afterward.

Positioning your company logo and name in this area can help create an immediate connection with people who come across it, allowing them to recognize and remember you quickly!

2. Keep Your Message Brief

Use as few words as possible to attract attention and convey your message.

By avoiding excess text, you can ensure that onlookers aren't overwhelmed by an overcrowded banner.

Strive for conciseness - key phrases are all it takes to get noticed!

3. Incorporate Your Brand's Color Palette

Incorporate your company's signature colors into the banner.

Remember, sometimes simpler is better. Your color scheme should contribute to branding, not overshadow it with too many hues and saturations.

Ensure your palette complements the content while helping you communicate a consistent message across all platforms. 

4. Utilize High-Quality Images

When designing your banner, rely on high-resolution visuals for maximum impact.

The sharper and more vivid the colors are, the easier they will be noticed by passersby.

Use a single premium image instead of overcrowding your banner with numerous lower-quality graphics for optimal results.

5. Include Your Contact Information

Prominently display your website URL, phone number, and relevant social media icons on your banner for maximum visibility.

Take your business to the next level with a QR code, enabling potential customers to instantly scan and store contact information on their smartphones.

Giving people easy access to connect with you later is essential.

6. Select the Correct Size

When selecting the right banner size for your chosen purpose, it is essential to get it right.

Oversized banners can be overwhelming and intrusive, while undersized banners may not attract the attention you seek. 

To ensure that you make a statement, choose wisely when deciding on the dimensions of your banner to create maximum impact in its appropriate setting. 

7. Use High-Quality Materials

Choose fabrics such as polyester or canvas to ensure your banner stands up against the elements and is durable enough for long-term use.

Waterproof ink is a great way to protect your banner's colors from fading, allowing you to maintain maximum visual impact and reuse your banner for subsequent campaigns. 

A cleverly designed banner helps to draw attention to your message, showcase your branding, and ensure your banner withstands the elements for years to come.

Ready to get started designing your next banner? Contact us today. We're here to help! 

Thinking Outside the Box: 8 Innovative Print Marketing Strategies That Stand Out

Looking for creative ways to increase business? Think print!

When your audience sees your business on paper or print, it stands out, and they remember it better than an online ad. Print marketing offers a variety of ways to capture people’s attention, leading to more business for you.

In fact, 56% of US consumers think that print marketing is more trustworthy than any other type of marketing. Here are some out-of-the-box ideas to help build your brand and increase customer retention.

8 Innovative Print Marketing Strategies That Stand Out

1. Table Tents with Spiral Binding

These are fun, useful, and creative.

They keep customers’ attention through the months if used as a calendar. Otherwise, use them for products that you offer. Add some inspirational sayings and great pictures.

2. Clear Plastic Business Cards

Get attention by trying something unique and special, like plastic, see-through business cards.

People are more likely to keep them and put them in a prominent place.

3. Pop-Up Cards

These are so much fun!

Create an image, a logo, a product, or whatever your mind can invent to pop up when people open the card. These will not only get attention but keep it.

4. Die-Cut Image

Create something different with a shape that represents your business.

Then get a die-cut image of it to hand out as a business card, postcard, or other mailer.

5. Use Moving Advertising

Get a large magnet printed to put on your cars, vans, and trucks to get the word out about your business.

When people are stuck in traffic, they read these, which will promote your business more than you know.

6. Print Stickers

Stickers are popular right now, so why not capitalize on them?

Create fun stickers that promote your business and encourage people to keep them. If they are unique, people will put them on their water bottles, folders, journals, and other things they use every day.

7. Greeting Cards

Create your own greeting cards (with a graphic designer's help).

Put your logo on them so people know who to thank for the great cards. Hand them out to guests at trade shows, meetings, or at the front counter.

8. Scented Printing

There is a new way to get customers’ attention—scented printing.

Pick a fragrance that matches your image, and we can help you create a lasting memory with varnishes and coatings to get the scent you desire.

Your customers will love it, and it will leave an impression.

If you need more ideas or want to put one of these into action, we can help. 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 at 864-882-3609. 

Q&A: How Important is the Content in My Print Marketing Materials?

When marketing your business via print, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the different options for crafting memorable and attractive pieces.

But when you look closer, what is the most important element of your print marketing materials?

Simply put, content is king.

Sure, your visuals are eye-catching, but those initial glances won't do you much good if there's no substance to back them up.

Words ultimately provide the foundation for customers to connect with your brand and make purchasing decisions. Carefully chosen words make something tangible from an intangible concept and shape even the strongest visuals into iconic imagery.

When drafting print marketing materials, it's vital to remember - it's your content that wows customers and culminates in conversions!

How Does Content Impact My Print Marketing Materials?

Here are a few ways good content can have a positive impact on your print marketing materials:

1. Good Content Keeps Print Products Memorable

Good content helps capture and hold readers' attention, giving the printed material staying power.

2. Good Content Gets Your Message Across

Content that is well-crafted and written engagingly can help to convey a message or idea firmly.

3. Good Content Sheds Favorable Light on Products and Services

High-quality content fosters a positive impression of the product or service being promoted.

4. Good Content Encourages Action

A print marketing piece containing good content will prompt readers to take action related to the advertised product or service.

5. Good Content Builds Brand Trustworthiness

Good content can help establish credibility and trust with customers, increasing their likelihood of engaging with the advertised material.

What Does Good Content Help Accomplish?

Good content is an effective tool to help you accomplish many goals.

Among the benefits your business can reap from high-quality content in your print materials are:

• It informs, educates, and entertains readers.


• It increases brand recognition.


• It generates leads and customers.


• It establishes credibility in your field.


• It fosters trust between you and your audience.


• It increases website traffic.


• It strengthens relationships with current customers or clients.

What Does Good Content Look Like?

A 2019 survey conducted by Lyfe Marketing yielded a fascinating statistic: 92% of individuals between the ages of 18 and 23 prefer reading the content found in a print ad to that found on a website. 

What does this mean for today's modern business?

People actually take the time to read the content found in print advertisements!

Good content is easy to identify. It should be clear, concise, engaging, and written in a tone that speaks directly to the target audience's needs.

How Can I Improve the Content in My Print Marketing Materials?

Here are a few key points to ensure your print marketing content hits its mark:

• Good content starts with a well-written headline or title.


• Include only relevant information that serves a purpose.


• Make use of visuals to enhance your message.


• Keep the tone appropriate for your target customer.


• Have someone else review your content for clarity and accuracy before it goes to print.

Good content is the key to your print marketing materials that make an impression and inspire action from potential customers.

We can help your content stand out on the printed page. Contact us today to get started!