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 Creative Summer Special-Day Promotion Ideas

 

8 Creative Summer Special-Day Promotion Ideas

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 Top Ways to Use Notepads to Increase Business

 Sometimes we forget the simple things when marketing, such as notepads.

Research shows that people remember more clearly when writing it down than typing it into a tablet or phone.

When you give customers a notepad, they will use it to write down daily notes and phone calls. And they will see your name and logo repetitively, boosting name recognition.

Also, many people are more likely to do business with someone who gave them something.

There are several types of notepads to choose from, and you don’t need to limit yourself to just one. Think outside the box, use them at your front counter as giveaways and promotional items, and give them to new (and existing) customers.

Here are some ideas on how to create fun notepads that get noticed!

5 Top Ways to Use Notepads to Increase Business

1. Mousepad Notebook

Mousepad notebooks are a fun, attractive way to build your brand.

We all use mousepads and search for paper to write our notes on. Why not put it together and create a mousepad that does just that? It’s name recognition all day long, and they can ask for more when they run out.

2. Sticky Notes

Create sticky notes in fun colors with your logo on them.

These are used all day long and all around the office regularly.

3. Magnetic Notepad

Creating a notepad with a magnet can be placed on a refrigerator, file cabinet, or another magnetic surface.

These are helpful not only in the office but to take home and put in plain sight.

And guess what? Potential customers look straight at your logo daily, creating a lasting image in their minds.

4. Journals

Journals are great for keeping meeting notes.

They can also be used at home in a personal way. Either way, your name, and logo are front and center.

5. Be Square

Make a cube notepad that lasts a long time.

These cubes sit on your desk, by your phone, or at the cash register for people to use daily. Your name and logo are imprinted on the side for all to see.

And it’s just a plain, white paper that everyone can use to jot down thoughts, notes, and phone calls.

No matter what types of notepads you create, they are economical to brand your business and cause top-of-mind awareness.

We can help you create one-of-a-kind items that represent your business in a fun, exciting, and professional way. Contact us today to learn more!

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. 

How to Do a Direct Mail Marketing Campaign on a 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! 

6 Top Ways to Promote Your Brand Via Word of Mouth

 You want the word out…the good word! But how does that happen organically?

Sometimes it takes some help to brand your business and get word-of-mouth advertising. There are so many things you can do to help it along. Let’s take a look.

6 Top Ways to Promote Your Brand Via Word of Mouth

1. Hire an influencer

Sometimes using an influencer helps spur word-of-mouth advertising.

This method creates an image in people’s minds and gets people talking about what you offer. A recent study by Sideqik found that 7 out of 10 consumers trust influencers’ recommendations just as much as the opinion of real-world friends.

If you can’t get a significant influencer, try contacting a micro-influencer. Reach out to bloggers, video bloggers, or DIYers with a smaller following whose goal is to share subject matter expertise by producing tutorials, shout-outs, how-to guides, day-in-the-life videos, and so on. 

2. Create a unique experience

Get people to talk about your business because you treated them so well that they can’t stop talking about it.

No company wants bad publicity, but people are quick to speak. So make sure you do all you can to offer what you promise and surpass it.

Try adding a thank you note or a gift to the order. According to SDL, more than half of all consumers (58%) share their positive experiences with a company on social media.

3. Keep branding elements consistent

No matter how you promote your business and brand, you must ensure your language is appropriate for your specific audience. 

Think about the kind of language you use in your marketing materials, signage, and slogan, as well as on your social media profiles. Does it convey the image that you want to associate with your brand?

Additionally, pick engaging colors and fonts but keep them consistent across all print and packaging materials to create a branding impression that remains in your audience’s mind.

4. Solve a real problem

No matter who is talking about you, they will spread the word if you can help them solve an issue.

Make it obvious how you can help. Then, when they try out your product, they can see the truth and tell their friends.

5. Use a visual trigger

Create a space people want to snap pictures with or near and share on social media.

First, play it up if you have a unique decorating style, an unusual prop, a photo, art, or other items. Then, encourage people to take and post pictures next to it.

6. Use a hashtag

Hashtags are a way to categorize content on social media by topic or theme, e.g., #printmarketing. If you create a hashtag that includes your business name and encourage visitors to use it when posting about your business, potential customers can use it to find you online. So it will boost your name recognition.

While tracking whether the sales came from the hashtag or some other channel can be tricky, this simple tactic helps build more vital brand awareness.

The possibilities are as endless as your creativity. If you need more ideas, especially in the printed realm, check us out today!

5 Ways to Personalize Your Company’s Print Marketing

 Using print marketing is a great way to get your company’s name out there and let customers know what services you offer.

But what if there was a way to increase the effectiveness of your printed ads, creating a better experience for your existing customers and drawing in new ones?

According to a study by Accenture, 91% of customers are more likely to purchase from companies who recognize and remember them, providing them with relevant offers or recommendations. 

Here are five easy ways to add personalization to your print marketing plan!

5 Ways to Personalize Your Company’s Print Marketing

1. Use Variable Data Printing

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) databases are an easy way for your company to accumulate and sort information about your customers.

Then, to use the data that your CRM has gathered and incorporate it into your print marketing, use Variable Data Printing (VDP) to create a variety of personalized print ads that will better suit the customers to whom you’re sending them. VDP uses more than just the customer’s name: it can also alter your ad’s layout, images, and promotions shown.

Using VDP for print ads results in 3-10 times higher response rates than non-personalized direct mail.

2. Use QR Codes on Your Print Marketing

QR codes are a modern and easy way to quickly send interested customers from your printed materials to your company’s website or social media accounts.

QR codes have many different capabilities, but one of the best ways you can use them to create personalized experiences for your customers is by tracking the links they clicked after the QR code has been scanned. Then you can use that information to determine which services or products are most attractive to your customers and personalize your advertising.

3. Respond to Constructive Feedback

Some customers can find some targeted marketing methods to be invasive or unhelpful.

However, research has shown that 45% of customers appreciate one kind of personalization: personal apologies from companies after negative experiences in-store or online.

So if customers leave a dissatisfied review or experience difficulties while shopping in your store, take note of their information and send them a letter apologizing for the inconvenience. They will appreciate your efforts to make things right with them and will be more likely to purchase from your company again!

4. Personalized Print Inserts

Although completely customized catalogs might be the most personalized route you can take with your direct mail, compiling a unique catalog for each customer would be quite cost prohibitive.

An alternative is to use VDP or another method to create customized inserts for your mail.

You could also consider including customized coupons to draw customers to your store by offering discounts on the products they’d likely be interested in.

5. Choose Personalized Images

Visuals are essential- they catch your customers’ attention and can determine whether or not they open your mail.

Focusing your personalization on the images in your print marketing could have a significant impact. Using the data you’ve gathered about a customer’s demographic, include images that cater to their preferences and interests.

Personalization is the strategy to push your company’s print marketing the extra mile- engaging your customers and standing out from others in your field. Contact us today to get personal on your next print marketing campaign!

7 Special Day-Themed Direct Mail Campaign Ideas for Winter and Spring

 Research shows customers are more likely to buy when you get creative with ‘special’ day-themed promotions.

Winter and spring are full of international and national holidays, like the seven detailed below, providing plenty of room and creativity for direct mail campaigns. 

7 Special Day-Themed Direct Mail Campaign Ideas for Winter and Spring

1. Black History Month: February 

Black History Month is intended to celebrate the achievements of African Americans in the history of the United States. 

Do some research to find influential Black figures who shaped your business. Share their hard work and contributions in a flier or brochure. 

2. Valentine’s Day: February 14

A day meant for romance, with romantic partners sharing their appreciation for each other with gifts.

Many also use this day to share their love and appreciation for their friends. 

Remind your customers about the upcoming holiday and suggest gifts to make a partner’s day. Recipients will be grateful you reminded them and provided them with a quick, easy gift idea.  

3. Pi Day: March 14

3.14 are the first digits of Pi, which is why it is celebrated on March 14. 

A day for both mathematicians and pie lovers, Pi Day is the time for mathematicians to recite the endless digits of Pi, which is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.

Show your business’s appreciation for Pi and pie by sending direct mail to customers on this special day. If your company sells pie, even better. If not, perhaps share products or services your business provides that could make Pi Day all the more special. 

4. Saint Patrick’s Day:  March 17

This day originally commemorated St. Patrick with religious services and feasts; today, it is mainly a secular holiday meant to celebrate all things Irish. 

Get ready to send out lots of green: green paper that advertises everything you sell that is green. If your business has any Irish roots, now’s the time to share that information. 

5. Easter: April 9

Easter was initially meant for Christians to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

Today, many traditions surround the holiday, and religious and non-religious people celebrate it. 

Try sending out mail with easter eggs and bunny imagery. On the back of easter egg-shaped cutouts, provide coupons or vouchers for free samples. If you have easter themed products, be sure to advertise them. 

6. Star Wars Day: May 4

Star Wars lovers can be pretty enthusiastic. The day comes from a play on words: “May the fourth be with you.” 

Celebrate Star Wars Day with your customers by sending Star Wars-themed direct mail and sharing any Star Wars-related products or services. 

7. Mother’s Day: May 14

Mother’s day is a lovely holiday meant to celebrate and show appreciation for mothers. 

Have your business show its appreciation for mothers by sending out a mother’s day card with free samples and coupons. Help make mothers feel special. 

With hundreds of holidays, some more well-known than others, your business has plenty of opportunities to create special day-themed direct mail.

Check out a more exhaustive list of holidays to find one that would be the perfect fit for your business. Contact us today to get started on your next spring or winter campaign!

7 Top Tips to Get Creative With Offline Marketing

 

How do you maximize your investment in marketing?  Utilize unique offline marketing techniques to get people's attention!

There are countless ideas for getting inspired with offline marketing, from traditional to off-the-wall. Take what you can and let it spur some creativity in your minds. 

7 Top Tips to Get Creative With Offline Marketing

1. Get Creative With Your Business Card 

A business card is often the first impression, and you want to make it last.

Try printing it vertically, adding rounded corners, or creating a die-cut image. Use bold colors that stand out against the competition.

2. Hold In-Person Events 

According to the Event Marketing 2018 Report, 95% of marketers agree that live events give attendees a valuable opportunity to form in-person connections in an increasingly digital world.

Give people a chance to talk to you and others from your company, and create bonds that will last a lifetime. 

Don't forget to have flyers, rack cards, brochures, and business cards ready for them to pick up.  

3. Volunteer 

Join volunteer organizations that will introduce you to other professionals who desire to help the community.

By getting out in the community, you will get your name out and help you build connections. Bring along your business cards so you can have some conversations about where you work and get information on others. 

4. Build Loyalty With Rewards

While investing in attracting new customers, don't neglect opportunities for retaining existing ones.

Give away fun gifts with your logo: magnets, flashlights, Frisbees, T-shirts, mugs, water bottles, and more. These will keep the magic going after the sales call is over. 

5. Create a Game

Use a tailor-made BINGO card that leads them around the store, then leads to a prize if they get BINGO.

Have signs to advertise your newest game. Invite everyone to play and win prizes. 

6. Go Head-To-Head With the Competition

Don't be afraid to promote your items over the competition.

If it makes sense, have a "taste test" as Coke and Pepsi did in the 1980s. Let the audience decide what items they like better. 

Be sure to have flyers made up to announce this event to let people know when it will be.

7. Take On Speaking Engagements 

Speaking at events puts you in front of your target audience and makes you an expert.

A speaking engagement puts you in front of a highly targeted and interested audience already primed and ready to pay attention to what you have to say.

It creates you as the go-to person for answers, which is a great position.

Take time to evaluate the best creative way to reach your customers. We all have an overflowing inbox. Instead, try something fresh and offline to capture your customer's attention. 

When you want to make a statement offline, try some freshly printed marketing materials. That's where we step in! 

We have what you need to make some fresh imprints on your customers. Contact us today!

11 Print Products That Make Great Holiday Gifts

 

The holidays are coming, and you want to reward your clients (and possibly even your staff) with fun items that will benefit them and keep your name buzzing around.

Utilizing giveaways helps people identify your brand and reminds them of your business when they’re ready to purchase.

Here are some great ideas to help do both of these things. 

11 Print Products That Make Great Holiday Gifts

1. Water bottles

These are popular because they are reusable and reduce waste in landfills.

Of course, we all want to stay hydrated, but it’s also a perfect canvas for your business logo.

2. Calendars

We all use our phones but hang up our paper calendars to remind us of important dates.

Add photos and your logos, and you’re set. Each month, there will be a different picture to admire.

3. Mugs

Who doesn’t like to curl up with a good book or Kindle and read with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

Mugs are perfect for winter months to warm hands up during a chilly business meeting. And your name is front and center.

4. Keychains

Create a fun, engaging, creative keychain for your customers and employees.

Then, tie it in with a popular sporting event in town or location to bring camaraderie.

5. Bookmarks

Design some fun bookmarks for your guests.

Include engaging local scenery and fun graphics. Believe it or not, people still like these types of gifts.

6. Stationery

This is a wonderful idea if you are looking to reward your employees.

Create one-of-a-kind stationery that is customized to them.

7. Caps

Whether you create winter caps or baseball caps, the message is clear.

This type of gift has your logo front and center and is something useable for months. These are great ways to get your logo noticed. 

8. Magnets

Fun, fun, fun! Magnets are great in the office or at home.

People use them all the time. So consider it a challenge to come up with something clever.

9. T-shirts

These are great giveaways because we all wear t-shirts.

They are great under sweatshirts, in the gym, or on a casual day at the office.

10. Bottle opener

No one wants to be stuck without a bottle opener at their next event.

Make sure your bottle opener flaunts your logo clearly, and pick colors that represent your business well.  

11. Notepads or notebooks

We all need more of these; they get used a lot.

Find a fun style, size, or shape of notepad to create a long-lasting appeal.

No matter what products you choose to use, it’s clear that your logo will permeate their brain, causing them to remember you when they need your services. It’s like subliminal advertising.

Giveaways and contests help you generate leads, engage your customers and increase your audience reach, all simultaneously!

So remember, when you need printing done, we are here to help your ideas become successful. Contact us today!