5 Print Marketing Materials To Increase Your Sales
Using the right marketing materials can help you effectively reach and engage your target customer. Discover how these top 5 print marketing materials will dramatically improve your sales.
The content debate has dramatically increased in the last couple of years with the rise of video and other new digital media.
Yes, digital content is tremendously important but thinking of redirecting all of your marketing efforts to digital? Think again.
Print media is still an incredibly potent content medium for marketing and data suggests that it’s actually in the midst of a big resurgence. In 2017, print marketing response rate surged by 190% with 43% more customers responding to direct mail than 2016.
But why?
Print marketing has existed for centuries and amongst the modern digital revolution, why is it that print has not just held its own, but has strengthened its position?
Print is tangible - the physical form of a brochure, guide or catalog is untouchable and lends an enduring advantage over digital formats which are more flippant and temporary. Modern print design makes use of better printing technology, designs and materials and the results are high-quality tangible goods that you can’t deny taking a look at when they’re posted through your door.
So, in light of this print resurgence, let’s overview 5 key print formats that you can redress in your marketing strategy today.
Let’s go!
1. Brochures
The brochure is a legendary print format and it’ll be there till the bitter end. Ever cleaned out your bag or briefcase to realize you’ve been hoarding some brochures? Ever realized that the brochure you received at a trade show is now on your desk, or in your boardroom?
Brochures have sticking power. The trick is making your brochure stand out and despite that being something that everyone is aiming for, there are always methods to get your brochure in circulation rather than in the bin.
The key to creating brochures, like all print media, is design. If you’re looking to take your brochure design and experience to the next level why not include video content in the brochure? Vidioh, a video brochure marketing company extensively covers all of the benefits of using video within your marketing mix.
The days of garish word-art style graphics are firmly buried. Now, it’s time to design sleek and modern-style brochures with interesting formats, illustrations and new-style typography.
Having this kind of print collateral in your position will ensure you’re never lacking when opportunities arise. For example, say if you receive a late notice promotional or trade-show invite, you can head over with your carefully made signage to help make your booth stand out.
2. Catalogs
The old catalog was often a large and attractive phonebook-like tome. They often featured dirt-cheap materials including extremely-thin pages and poor graphic design.
The modern catalog is much smaller and thanks to lower cost printing and materials, it’s easier to design an aesthetically appealing catalog which really catches the eye.
Catalogs are now easily targeted to the buyers and prospects who will appreciate them the most.
Focus on quality, not quantity for your modern catalog. Maximize the use of colour and material to ensure that your catalog looks and feels high-end.
3. Business Cards
No matter for how long other content forms do battle upon the digital landscape, business cards will never die! They’re the swiss-army knife of print and can be created for both individuals, departments and brands.
Business cards are incredibly important for any form of person-to-person networking. They’re one of the first pieces of content exchanged between individuals at trade shows, meetings, lectures, seminars and meet-ups of all types.
Business card aesthetics are incredibly important for company representation and 72% of people still judge businesses from their cards.
Modern business cards align themselves to the smooth minimalist graphical style that we’re used to seeing in print today. A key aspect to business card design is color. Here are some hints for coloring your business card, or any other print media for that matter:
Red - Red evokes adventurousness and power. It’s perfect for bold brands in industries like sports and outdoors.
Blue - Blue evokes calmness and stillness. It’s a great corporate colour which makes an alternative to the usual greyscales.
Yellow - Yellow is generally considered a difficult colour to use correctly. It evokes a sense of youth or optimism and can be used for new, millennial or progressive brands.
Green - Green is traditionally associated with nature and environment and thus, it’s not surprising that it’s the colour of choice for eco-driven brands. It can also be used to evoke a calm sense of togetherness
Purple - Purple has always been associated with luxury. Combine it with gold for arguably the most high-end colour scheme achievable, if this is appropriate for your brand.
Monochrome - Grays, whites and blacks are sleek, sophisticated and technological. They’re useful for a variety of brands and can be used in tandem with other colours to modernize your business card.
4. Flags, Signs, and Banners
Signage is obviously an intrinsic component of the brick-and-mortar store. If you can remember signs back in the 70s and 80s then you’ll remember that signs and banners were more utilitarian than anything. Now, they have to illustrate your brand with a high-quality logo.
Above: Only acceptable in 70s!
You can’t just settle with cookie-cutter designs when developing your signs, flags or banners. Go for something sleek, edgy or modern to cut through the noise.
5. Direct Mail Postcards
Postcards are formed of just one thick two-sided sheet, making them easy to read and easy to create.
Direct mail promotions in postcard form are as popular as ever. They easily stand out from the pile and since no pages need to be turned, a customer needs to take just a couple of glances to work out what the postcard means.
Postcards are ideal for promotions and can be targeted to seasons or trends.
Conclusion
Print captures a different dynamic of the marketing mix when compared to digital content and it’s still an incredibly useful medium for brands and businesses.
The key to great print marketing is awesome graphic design. Spend some quality time ideating your designs before passing them to your graphic designer.
With eye-catching colours, interesting formats and high-quality materials, you can ensure that your print sifts up to the desktop, not down to the bin!