7 Ways Printed Materials Can Help Market Your Business

They say that print is dead. But if you're trying to market your business, you'll find that print still bring a lot to the table.

While mediums like magazines and newspapers might be in decline, printed material still matters for small business. 

If you're looking for creative ways to boost your business's marketing campaign, here are 7 ideas to use printed materials!

Business Cards

Networking is the heart of business. And there is still no greater networking tool than the business card.

There have been some ill-fated attempts to replace the business card in the digital realm, but they have ended up being impersonal and unmemorable.

A business card is a tangible reminder of who you are and what your business does. A great business card can make you stand out in the memories of customers and potential partners.

You can even add QR codes or augmented reality elements to bridge the gap between print and digital.

Just make sure you follow our tips for beautiful business cards.

Postcard Campaigns

Let's face it: no one likes junk mail. If you send out a blast of postcards, there's a good chance that most of those will end up in the trash.

But if you have a truly enticing postcard, the recipient might not be able to ignore it as they carry it to the garbage can. A beautiful design catches their eye and they glance down. "What's this? They're having a sale? I might as well stop by..."

Imagine an email grabbing their attention in the same way as they move it to their junk folder.

In fact, direct mail has a higher response rate than email. 

Catalogs

Your website is an excellent tool for getting the word out about what your business offers.

But websites can be a little abstract. And if your site map isn't optimized, potential customers might miss services that seem custom made just for them.

However, if you take the same information and put it in catalog form, there's a much lower chance that they'll miss out on that information.

Before the internet, catalogs used to be the only way to get information out to customers. As a result, companies printed the cheapest catalogs they could, which created low-quality catalogs that were fit for the dumpster.

Since you'll be using your catalogs to augment your digital marketing, you can focus on quality. Make a beautifully designed, full-colour catalog on high-quality paper to showcase the best that your company has to offer.

Offer them for free in your storefront so it goes to the people who are most likely to do business with you. 

Brochures

Once upon a time, the trifold brochure was the king of advertising. Every company under the sun had a brochure outlining all of the basic information. They would put them on bulletin boards, in doctor's offices, and hand them out on the street.

And if we're being honest, you probably still have a few old brochures stuffed in your briefcase or desk drawer.

Brochures are still a powerful and effective way to educate potential customers about your business.

Like every other printed promotional material though, a good design is absolutely paramount.

Create a design that will attract your customers' eye. Make relevant information easy to find. Print on high-quality paper. This will get customers to subconsciously associate your company with high quality.

Flyers, Banners, and Posters, Oh My!

Before social media, flyers, banners, and posters were the best way to spread the word about businesses and events.

But even in the age of boosted posts and Tweets, these still matter. Handing out flyers and hanging up posters on community bulletin boards are just as effective as ever. 

Again, the name of the game is good design. 

You want to create a design that is attractive and easy-to-read. Make sure the important information isn't obscured by cool pictures or fancy fonts. Simple is good.

Use Texture To Your Advantage

If you're building a new print campaign, you might think you can just print out a great digital design and call it a day.

But the biggest advantage that print has over digital media is that it is tangible. You can touch it. When someone runs their fingers over your postcard or brochure or catalog, what do they feel?

The texture of your print material communicates more than you might realize. Low-quality paper will communicate cheapness. 

But you can also get creative with your textures. Print gives you a number of possibilities that you can't get through a screen.

Different print weights and finishes can make a huge impact on your customers. Play around with spot glosses, foil stamping, and even different materials to bring your company's branding into a new dimension.

Think Outside the Box

Print exists in a three-dimensional world. But many companies still only think in two-dimensions when they design a print campaign. They print onto a boring old sheet of paper and call it a day.

But print can offer so much more than that.

Get creative with your print media. Die-cutting, coloured edges, embossing, and unconventional shapes can make a big impact on your customers. 

These options may cost a little more than a simple print job, but they are sure to capture much more attention.

Printed Materials Still Matter

There's no denying that the internet has changed marketing forever.

But if you're ignoring printed materials, you could be missing out on potential business.

Looking to create a high-quality print campaign? We'd love to help. Contact us today to see how we can bring your print marketing to the next level.