In this digital age, most businesses understand the importance of a website, search engine optimization, and social media. These are fantastic ways to reach new customers locally and worldwide. And since humans are so inundated with ads and big digital marketing, it is imperative that small businesses use print media to reach out locally in other ways. Good ol’ printed postcards, brochures and business cards can get the word out and put the company “front of mind”.
A designer can help decide what products to use. Even if the cost is too high to purchase the whole package all at once, it is better to spend the money on brand audit and begin with a plan. Most designers are willing to work on a few items at a time, but may give a discount for purchasing a package of product designs. Starting out with the Logo, Business Cards and Website is a great beginning. But don’t stop there. Use that plan to “brand” everything possible and blanket your customer demographics. The money is well spent. David Ogilvy, one of the biggest names in advertising, said the following:
“There isn’t any significant difference between the various brands of whiskey, or cigarettes or beer. They are all about the same. And so are the cake mixes and the detergents, and the margarines… The manufacturer who dedicates his advertising to building the most sharply defined personality for his brand will get the largest share of the market at the highest profit.”
– David Ogilvy
A good branding package includes:
Logo – A professionally designed logo that represents well and used across all media from website to give-aways is the very first step in marketing. An animated logo will keep eyes coming back to look. The more times a customer looks at the logo, the more ingrained it becomes.
Business Card – This is not just a quick printing of a business name and phone number. The business card brings in 2.5% more business for every 2000 cards given out. And adding a photo along with thick paper stock and silky texture will keep it out of the trash. Use a professional designer and quality eye catching and textural print techniques.
Postcard/Brochure/Flyer 
– Deciding how and where customers are hanging out, and then placing marketing materials where they can be discovered is the first step. Knowing if a brochure stand on the local dentist/chiropractor office counter, or a postcard sent in the mail would attract the most attention. Some businesses still walk the neighborhood dropping off flyers. Just ask realtors how their print marketing is working for them. “Front of mind” may be their answer.
Gift Cards, Vehicle Wraps, Door Hangers, Give-Away Products– Carry the brand to every single area of the company possible. A real turn off is to see a new cool company logo on a business card, but then see the old logo on the company truck. This creates confusion, and plants the idea that the company may not be serious, or worse, that the company is confused.
360 WEB DESIGNS brings great design to your business. Let Charles, Annette and their team schedule your brand audit and build a plan today.
