Business, Marketing, Print
How to Use Print In Your Marketing Strategy
When we think of marketing, we mostly think about what we see through our screens: social media posts, TV spots, electronic billboards, and the like. But what about using print marketing? It’s sometimes referred to as traditional marketing but using print products is still very effective in any marketing strategy.
Many businesses use print to market their brands for many reasons. In a world saturated by screens, print products such as flyers and brochures that you can feel between your fingers are a breath of fresh air. They’re not a strain on the eyes and give people better information retention. They last longer than a social media post or banner ad and can easily be stored in your bag or drawer. Print products also give a feeling of credibility and trustworthiness for the brand. Not only that, they’re cheap and easy to reproduce.
Here are some suggestions on how you can use print products in marketing your brand:
Improve your distribution strategy. No matter how well-designed your flyer, folded leaflet or product catalogue is, it’s useless if you don’t get it to the right people. Hand out or place your flyers or brochures in places your target audience frequents. It’s also a good idea to distribute them in areas where people find themselves waiting for something or someone like the train platforms, reception areas or dentist’s waiting rooms.
Use banners and signs. A good old-fashion banner or sign is a classic print for businesses. It never fails to attract new and existing customers attention, especially when they’re humorous and witty. Even if people don’t enter your shop now, they’ll surely remember your business and even spread it through word-of-mouth.
Try direct mail marketing. People are so used to getting emails to the point that they don’t even bother to read them anymore. Getting mail delivered to your house, on the other hand, has become more exciting as it becomes more of a novelty and less saturated by constant ads. Its 3x more likely that people will take the time to read the flyer or brochure sent they receive through the door than sent digitally.
Take advantage of fairs and trade shows. They are the best place to showcase the products and services you offer. It also the perfect place to network with new and existing customers. Everyone who attends the trade shows and fairs you are promoting at is a potential customer. Before they move on to the next stall, hand them a business card, brochure or catalogue for their future reference.
Include discounts and deals. Everybody loves a good deal. Include a coupon code in your flyer or slip a voucher between the pages of your catalogue. Not only do discounts drive business in, but they also help your customer save money. It’s a win-win for both of you.
Supplement giveaways with a brochure or flyer. Giveaways are always an effective marketing strategy. People love free stuff. When you’re handing out your promotional pen or hand cream sample, attach them to your brochure or flyer. Even if they’re more into your freebies now, they’ll take the time to learn more about your business once the excitement cools down.
Establish relationships with neighbouring businesses. Work out a deal with businesses in your area, especially those who are in relevant industries. Perhaps you can have some business cards, flyers, brochures or even merchandise in their shop, and they can leave some in yours too. This way, their customers will become your customers and vice versa.
Complement print for business with digital marketing. It doesn’t have to one way or the other. You can use both print and digital as a marketing strategy to promote your business. Why not add a little teaser in your next email campaign about a brochure or gift that will be coming through the door.
Include QR codes, social media handles, and URLs in your print product. If customers want to find out more about your business, they can use these to visit your online channels.
Incorporating hashtags in your flyers, banners or signages is another good marketing strategy. People will be inclined to use it when they’re posting online. The more people using the hashtag, the more your online presence will grow.
Print out signages people can take pictures with, especially when there’s a sale or event. People would be inclined to take a picture with it and post it on social media.
Try print in your next marketing campaign, and let us know in the comments below the uplift you see in your results!