Most successful brochures and other marketing materials we have created begins by hitting a potential sore spot with the prospect.
One of the main reasons an individual chooses to take action is that he is facing some sort of problem that what you are offering can solve.
Businesses that solve problems succeed! Businesses that don't know what the problems are won't get business.
So find your prospects problem and then solve it!
What Makes An Effective Brochure?
A brochure should have only one of these purposes as it's reason for existence. If you do not make a choice as to which response you want and keep that goal firmly in mind as you prepare your material, you are simply wasting your money.
Make Your Brochure Or Flyer Effective!
Because of poor design most brochures and flyers get thrown away! It is better not to have something that people just throw away because they are unimpressed.
If your going to produce a flyer or brochure, make it worth the effort.
Many times I have told a person to go to my website to learn more about my services, only to have them tell me that they would prefer a brochure or other information he can look at at his leisure!
You might have a website that contains all the information about your company and product that you feel you need. You might also have digital information you can send potential customers via email. But there are many times you will need printed information for a prospect.
If you do not have this information ready to hand to him, you may not get in to see him. You are unprepared and unprofessional!
Worse is to give him something you printed on your computer! Even if you buy expensive paper with a nice background design printed on it and it says it is brochure paper, you will look cheap and unprofessional if you hand it out! What ever your prospect sees in your information, whether printed or online (website, email, etc), he will relate to your business. Cheap printing, cheap business. Unprofessional website or printing, Unprofessional business.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use printed information like business cards, brochures or other items that was printed on your printer at home!
To avoid looking unprofessional, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use printed information like business cards, brochures or other items that was printed on your printer at home!
A Quality Business Card Is Essential!
For a small or home-based business, a business card is far more than a piece of paper with your name and contact information on it. It should be thought of as one of your most important marketing tools!
or even an order form!
When well designed and well printed, your card makes an impression, establishes your credibility, and lets you stand out in the memory of those you meet for future business or referrals.
On the other hand, when designed poorly or printed poorly, it is sent to a pile of other faceless business cards that ultimately get thrown away.
Have you ever looked through a pile of business cards that you have had setting around and try to remember who the person was that gave it to you? I do all the time, because the business card did not create an impression I can relate to.
Also, have you ever received a business card that is electronically produced (on a computer printer or a copier) and have the ink and images rub off or crumble? That does not create an impression of importance or quality of the person or his company.
So with the pricing as it is for professionally offset printed business cards, (My company is currently doing them for $35.99 a thousand cards printed full color BOTH sides!), why even waste time and effort copying your cards? Get some done that will impress your potential client!