The Power of Storytelling in Marketing

Storytelling has been around for ages.

To this day, people love stories. It unites people while stimulating imagination and passion. Although often seen as a fun pastime, stories usually have a purpose, such as sharing a message, conveying a moral, or telling history. 

Humanize the business

One sometimes overlooked use of stories is within business marketing campaigns.

Stories can be especially moving in the marketing world. Storytelling humanizes the brand, which is beneficial because people like buying from other people. The more you can humanize the brand, the better. 

Stories to remember 

Storytelling is also useful for remembrance.

People tend to remember stories better than they do statistics. Sometimes, being remembered is half the battle. After all, the marketing world is saturated with numerous businesses vying for attention. “Brands that tell more sell more.” Storytelling is a unique way to stand out. Stories take on different formats depending on their purpose. 

What is storytelling in marketing? 

Marketing in storytelling has a couple of unique features. 

Storytelling in marketing is… 

• Combining information with a narrative. It takes skill to effortfully combine relevant information into a story. But that’s exactly what great storytelling marketing strategies do. They effortlessly combine the facts with the story.


• Your brand: storytelling elevates your brand. Your brand in itself is already meant to humanize your business and give customers an idea to attach themselves. Storytelling will help you achieve this.


• About your customers. Your customers are at the heart of every story. Your main character resembles your ideal customer. The better the characters resemble your customers, the more effective your storytelling will be.


• Emotional and engaging. Stories are fun. Stories are emotional. Don’t shy away from these key components because it’s a marketing campaign. If you can add emotionality and engagement to your story, the better the story will be. Commercials that generate a chuckle or a tear are the ones that are the most memorable and impactful. 

Stories can be found in all shapes and sizes. 

• Stories can be written. Written stories are found in articles, blogs and books


• Stories can be spoken. Spoken stories are at presentations and pitch panels.


• Stories can be in an audio format such as within a podcast


• Stories can be digital. Digital stories are in videos, animations, interactive stories, and games. 

The medium in which you tell your story is important because how the story is told adds to the meaning of the story. 

How to tell compelling stories

Practice

Great storytelling takes practice.

Effectively combining your company into a story that is compelling and coherent is challenging. It takes time, patience, and practice to develop the skill. Just remember that, like everything, practice yields improvement.

With storytelling, the best way to improve is by doing. However, having a good foundation is helpful. 

Remember your basic storytelling outline:

• The introduction sets the scene and gets the audience wanting more.


• The rising action is where the conflict is set up and built. Tension and suspense are created. 


• The climax is the most exciting part of the story. The tension that has been rising bursts and the conflict emerges.


• In the falling action, things settle down and go back to normal.


• The conclusion. Every story needs a conclusion. In marketing, it is generally best if the ending is a happy one. Usually, happiness is created from your product or service. Here is the best part to include a call-to-action where you encourage the potential client to buy from your business. 

The characters 

A great story has great characters.

In marketing, the best characters are relatable. The more your potential customers relate to the characters in your story, the more they can empathize with the character’s problems. The prospective client will then see your company as a means to fix their problems. 

Try implementing new strategies, such as storytelling, to your marketing campaign to complement the new year. 

How to Stay Healthy When You're Stressed

The new year is a terrific time to focus on your health.

One of the greatest overall benefits to your health is eliminating or reducing your stress. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy when you’re stressed out.

1. Get regular exercise.

This sounds simple enough, yet most of us struggle with it.

Exercise can include parking farther away so you have a longer walk to work or the mall. It can involve swimming, playing basketball with a friend, and even window shopping at the mall. Just find ways to move around more and things you enjoy.

2. Keep a sense of humor.

Try to relax enough to laugh.

Read a joke book. Read a funny book or watch a funny TV show or movie. Have lunch with a friend who lightens the mood.

3. Try some relaxation techniques.

Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, or even getting a massage are great makes to stop awhile and take care of yourself. This is the best way to stay on top of your game.

4. Take time for hobbies.

Think about what you love to do: golf, swim, read, craft, paint, hike, listen to music, etc. Then add it to your calendar.

Schedule it in so you are sure to do it. It is not a waste of time; it’s necessary for your health.

5. Spend time with family and friends.

Take time for lunch, dinner, or coffee with others. This is an important part of staying healthy.

6. Get organized.

Take time to organize your stressors. This can instantly relieve stress.

When we try to do too much, it can put an unnecessary stress on our bodies. Write out a budget if you’re worried about money—schedule tasks with enough time to accomplish them rather than rushing to get them done in record time.

7. Get outside in nature.

Sometimes we need to disconnect from the Internet, email, social media and TV.

Being in nature can re-set our clocks and give us new perspectives on life. Go for a walk, a bike ride, a canoe ride, or just sit in a park and observe nature at its finest.

8. Get enough sleep and rest.

Did you know that sleep and stress are directly linked?

The CDC has said that the lack of sleep is an epidemic right now. A lack of sleep leads to elevated levels of cortisol in the blood, which leads to weight gain and brain fog. Try to go to bed at the same time every night.

9. Journal about your life and stress.

Write down all the things that come to mind. It doesn’t have to be organized or even well constructed. Just write. Free write so your mind can catch up with itself.

If you’re experiencing stress related to your marketing materials, we can help. We offer organized, high-quality printing that will take the pressure off of you. 

Is Your Marketing a Work of Art? Why You Need a Professional Designer

Do you marvel at beautiful artwork? Are you dazzled by the use of exquisite colors? And are you perplexed as to how images are chosen for certain marketing efforts?

That’s the job of a graphic designer.

Designers have training in choosing colors and images; they make the ordinary a work of art. 

Why You Need a Graphic Designer

Even if you have ideas of what you want, a graphic designer can bring that vision to life. That’s why it’s best to leave the execution to the experts.

Graphic designers know the rules and how to break them to create a compelling message.

They are trained in color, form, line, shape, size, space, and texture. And the principles they must learn have to do with: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, and rhythm.

Graphic designers adhere to the principles of design.

These basic principles achieve effective composition in creating balance and stability for the work. Most of us haven’t been trained this extensively, and that’s why we lean on the experts.

Graphic designers help with your professional image.

And that’s why we are here to help you improve your image and marketing materials.

Working with a graphic designer is fun and can be a great time to brainstorm together and come up with something that hasn’t been done before.

Designers are artists and have wonderful ideas. Our graphic designers are ready with fresh ideas and new artwork that will surely dazzle your eyes and help your business image improve. 

Is Die Cutting for Me?

You know how a new haircut can change the way people see you? It can make all the difference in your level of professionalism.

And die-cutting can do the same for your marketing materials.

With die-cutting, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. With fresh, new die-cut marketing materials, the public will definitely take notice.

What is Die-Cutting?

It is a cut using a sharp steel blade that is formed into any specific shape you want.

It is then used to cut through the paper. It’s a lot like a cookie-cutter, except you cut paper instead of dough.

Just think what you could do for your dull, old marketing materials. It’s not just circles and squares. Die-cutting allows you to make stair steps, holes, rounded corners, sharp points, and much more. Make any point you want with fresh, new die-cut materials.

Creative Uses with Die-Cutting

You have probably thought about using die-cutting on your business cards to make them stand out in the pile of rectangles. But have you thought about using this technique on door hangers, postcards, brochures, and presentation materials?

The options are out there. It’s up to your dreams as to what you’d like us to accomplish for you.

Would you like your logo to stand out? We can do that. Or what about an image associated with your type of business?

Let’s say you are an architect, a real estate agent, or a builder. You could use a roof die-cut or a house. Or, if you own a restaurant, let’s create a basil leaf, a loaf of bread, a bowl of pasta, or whatever suits you. Or maybe you own a pet shop or dog training business in which we could cut out the shape of a dog.

No matter what item you choose to die-cut, it will freshen up your marketing materials and help draw attention to the most important aspects of your business as you see fit.

Need ideas? We’re here to help. Our die-cutting is top-notch and will serve your purpose of standing out in a crowd. 

Psychology Techniques to Drive Sales for Your Business

Knowing how the human brain works and what drives people to make decisions is immensely beneficial in marketing.

Luckily, there’s much research and information regarding various psychological tips and tricks to drive sales and expand your business. Here are a few.

Cut down on the options

Sometimes too many decisions can cause a customer to shut down, resulting in no sales. 

To avoid this, research your prospective client beforehand to determine what products or services would best suit their needs. When doing the sales pitch, focus on only these to cut down on the options. Even better, you can lump products into packages, so your prospect needs only to make one big purchasing decision instead of multiple small ones. 

No matter what you ultimately pitch to your client, it’s imperative you do so with the correct framing techniques. 

Utilize positive framing

Framing is how the information is presented. 

Positive framing increases sales. Therefore, try to sell your product or service in a positive light by homing in on the benefits. 

However, feelings other than positive ones can be beneficial if framed correctly. 

Fead your prospect’s fear of missing out (FOMO)

People are much more likely to act when they feel if they’re afraid of missing out on a great opportunity. 

Creating the sense of scarcity is an effective way to fuel FOMO within your prospect.  After all, the more rare something appears, the greater in value it becomes. Scarcity also presents a time limit for them to act, prompting them to buy soon. 

If the product or service is scarce because of high customer demand, then even better! The customer will assume the purchase will be a good choice because many other people seem to enjoy it too. 

The sense of scarcity can be artificially generated through limited editions and limited-time sales. 

Sometimes, FOMO is the main driver of a client’s decisions. Sometimes, it’s something else. Getting your client to articulate their thoughts to you can be immensely beneficial for the sales process. 

Get your client to tell you why

This one’s rather sneaky but highly effective because people are more likely to listen to themselves. 

If you can get your client to verbalize why exactly they want the product, then they will, in effect, want it more. To achieve this, ask your client why the product or service appeals to them and what’s holding them back. Your client will be able to tell you, and affirm to themselves, why they want the product or service. If something is holding them back, you will be able to better adjust your strategy.

You can get your client to want your products or services even more through promotional products. 

Give your prospect promotional products

When someone receives a gift, they’ll want to reciprocate the kind action. This makes them more likely to buy from you. 

Promotional products are ideal because not only are you generating a feeling of trust and reciprocity, you’re also advertising your company. The best promotional products are ones that your client will truly enjoy. Therefore, research your target market to create promotional products customized for this group. 

Giving and receiving are beneficial to both parties. Therefore, it’s helpful to get your client to give something as well. 

Ask your client for small favors

Once your client gets in the habit of doing small favors for you initially, they’re much more likely to agree to more significant favors down the road.

This is known as the Ben Franklin Effect. It is named after the founding father Ben Franklin, who, to build rapport, would ask someone for a small favor, such as lending him a book. This small act would generate feelings of warmth and helpfulness. 

In practice, this may look like asking your client to sign up for a free e-letter, share comments on social media, read blog posts, attend free webinars, or download an ebook. Later, when you ask them for something larger, such as to buy a product or service, they’re much more likely to do so. 

Not only will asking your client for small favors prime them for purchases down the road, but the small favors will help your client become more familiar with your business. 

Generate familiarity

Familiarity is good because it creates positive feelings. 

People like the things they are used to. Making your business familiar to your clients will help increase sales because as your business becomes more familiar, it becomes more trustworthy and good in their eyes. However, balance is essential. Too much can lead to oversaturation, which will backfire. Find the middle ground. 

Psychology is a powerful tool for persuasion. The above strategies will greatly help you increase your sales and the growth of your business!

10 Tips for a Memorable Business Card

You’re at a new business or a social event.

You look around in the sea of business people and wonder how to make the best first impression. Then you look down at your hand, holding your business card.

What do you feel next?

Are you excited to show off your business card and how it represents you? Or do you fear they will underestimate you based on your card?

Here are ten tips on creating a memorable business card that shouts, “Work with me!”

10 Tips for a Memorable Business Card

1. Make sure your design represents your business.

If you are a fun, quirky business that dabbles in creativity, make sure your business card reflects that mood. On the other hand, if you are a serious, no-nonsense business, make sure your business card is sleek, simple, and uncluttered.

2. Choose the right font and size.

Do not go smaller than 8 point type on your card. 

Try to enlarge the name of your business, so it is clear who you represent. If you have a website, try to match some fonts to create consistency.

3. Pick the right shape.

You don’t need to stick with the basic rectangle anymore.

Try a square or add rounded corners to make your card stand out in a pile of collected business cards. Not only will it stand out physically, but it will also create a mental note that you are up-and-coming and not the ordinary business.

4. Create the right images.

Use new printing techniques to make your logo or image pop off the page.

Try spot UV coating to make it shine or foil accents that add a touch of sophisticated shine. Or try embossed gloss to create a raised, glossy coating, giving your cards a hard-to-forget 3D feel.

5. Organize your information.

This sounds simple, but many people try to put too much information on their business cards.

Keep it simple.

Put your name prominently on the card. Then add your contact information in a place that’s easy to find: phone, email, and website.

6. Use the back of the card.

Go the extra mile and put something useful on the back of the card.

If you own a restaurant, add a drink mix on the back. If you take appointments, add an appointment reminder. If you offer many customized services, list them here. But try to direct them to your website if at all possible.

7. Be deliberate.

Use the same colors your other marketing materials and website use.

Be different by using the front of the business card to solely have your logo, with contact information on the back.

8. Make sure there is enough white space.

Don’t clutter your card with information. Just add the basics. They can contact you for the rest of the information.

9. Choose papers wisely.

Extra-thick paper adds an instant luxurious touch, and recycled kraft paper tends to have an organic feel. Think carefully about what you are trying to convey.

10. Include a call to action.

This isn’t a game-breaker if you have used up all your space. But if you have room, add a QR code or an invitation to contact you.

No matter what steps you take, rely on print communication experts to ensure that the finished product will be what you anticipated and something you can be proud of. 

How to Write an Effective Email

Communication is the key to running a business, and writing emails is one major way we communicate.

So it is worth saying that writing a good email is key to getting your initiatives out and in keeping customers happy.

Here are some tips to consider when writing an email.

Think of Your Audience

Who are you writing to?

Is it your coworker? Your boss? Your friend?

These all deserve a well-written email, but the tone of your letter will vary depending on whom you are writing to. Keep the tone similar throughout the email.

For example, if it’s for a friend, it’s okay to be light-hearted and funny. But if it’s your boss, and you’re inquiring about something for work, you probably want to keep the tone professional and more serious.

What do you want your audience to do? Make sure you keep your goal in mind while writing your email. This will help you not to wander and get off track.

Proofread Your Email

Don’t just send your email right after typing it.

Look it over again to make sure that nothing can get misinterpreted. Emails are hard to determine tone sometimes, so choose your words wisely. Read your email again, but think of it from an outsider’s perspective. Pretend you don’t know what your email is about, and read it with fresh eyes.

Use Spell-Check

For that matter, use grammar check if you need it, too.

You don’t want to look incompetent if there are misspelled words or grammatical mistakes. People will judge you on your wording, so be thoughtful.

Be Courteous

Use an opening and closing that is appropriate and kind. You want to build relationships through your writing.

The Email Basics

Here are the basic parts to a great email:

1. Subject line

Make sure your subject line matches the text of the letter so that your recipient can know right away what it’s about. Not only that, but when you are hunting for that email later, you will be able to find it quickly.

2. Greeting

Have a nice greeting and closing statement to set the tone.

3. Body

Keep it to a few sentences, rather than a novel. Keep it succinct and focused on what you want to communicate. Save the extra’s for later.

4. Closing

You will want to have a friendly closing, such as, “thank you,” “wishing you well,” “take care,” or other closings.

No matter what your message is, you will have a well-written email long as you follow these steps. After all, good communication is important no matter whom you are sending it to.

We welcome emails from all our customers, and we respond quickly to your questions and prospective jobs. Feel free to shoot us email today to get started on your next project.

3 Tips to Improve Your Print Marketing Strategy

Print is a powerful marketing tool.

People trust print more. In fact, 82% of consumers say they trust print ads more than digital ones. This is one reason why print helps generate loyal customers. 

Print is also more likely to be noticed and has a higher response rate, growing your client base. Although print is intrinsically powerful, there are actions you can take to grow its effect further. 

Include a Call-to-Action

Perhaps self-explanatory, a call-to-action is when you call on your client to act. 

Call-to-actions are often included within your advertisements. They ask the client to check out the business website, follow the social media account, or sign up for a newsletter. 

Often, customers’ interests are piqued by your print campaign, but they’re not sure what to do next. A call-to-action solves this problem, increasing the likelihood of customer interaction. 

Call-to-actions can reside within a plethora of print forms. 

Utilize a Variety of Print Mediums

Print comes in all shapes and sizes.

Keep your target market interested by adding variety. Brochures, business cards, and postcards are all extremely effective forms of print advertising. 

• Brochures are small pamphlets that advertise the products and/or services of your business. A compelling design will help keep your customers engaged. Brochures also provide you the opportunity to share your business’s brand with consumers. Your brand is the intangible concept of your business that consumers use to distinguish you from your competitors. Brands are important because people often attach loyalty to brands. 
  
  


• Business cards are small, easy-to-carry cards you can hand out at promotional events. It helps improve the brand recall of prospective customers because these handy business cards stick around the customers’ houses for quite some time. In other words, business cards help customers remember your business. Business cards also help customers stay in touch with you.
  
  


• Postcards are medium-sized cards with a picture or design on the front and a message on the back. They are effective because people are especially attracted to pictures. Just like brochures, these allow you to share your brand with your prospective clients. 

Some forms of print are more effective than others. That’s why it’s important to acquire data. 

Track Your Results

To improve your future print marketing campaigns, it’s imperative that you track the results of your past campaigns. 

Obtaining data will help you pinpoint what went well and what needs improvement. This will significantly help you in the future when you decide what to include. Include more of the factors that were widely successful. For the parts that didn’t go well, you could brainstorm why and how to improve them. Or, you can forgo the faulty technique and bring in another one instead. 

You want your marketing attempts to have the most impact possible. Adding a call-to-action, mixing up your print marketing variety, and tracking your results will help you develop a more effective marketing campaign. 

Say it With a Postcard

What’s little, powerful, and packs a real punch?

A postcard from you!

Postcards are often overlooked as a great way to market, but they effectively get your message out. People are forced to read your message even before thinking of throwing it away.

It’s right there, in the pile of envelopes, shining through with full color and catchy wording. If you haven’t thought of postcard marketing in a while, or ever, here are a few ideas to help you on your postcard journey.

6 Tips for Effective Postcard Marketing

1. Hone Your Message

What message do you want to get out? An event? A sale? A thank-you? A new product?

Be specific about what the purpose is, and stick to that message. You don’t want to try to promote everything at once on a postcard. Think about what your best, most immanent message should be.

2. Research and Determine Your Size Options

It’s common to use oversized postcards as well as regular postcards. What type of impact do you want to have?

Are you having a BIG event? Then go BIG on your postcard size. If it’s more of a personal message, a regular postcard will do just fine. It also depends on your budget. A larger postcard costs a little more, but its impact is much more significant.

3. Perfect Your Design

Your design means a lot.

Pick a design that has your message front and center. You want to have an organized design that represents your business.

Work with a graphic designer to come up with a gorgeous design that no one else has.

4. Headlines Matter

Write a headline that is clear about what you are offering or trying to say.

Make it fun, clever, or serious. Just be consistent throughout the postcard. If you are silly, stay silly. If you are urgent, keep the tone urgent.

Need help? We can offer you some suggestions.

5. Include a Call to Action

Tell the customer what you want them to do next.

Don’t leave it up for them to figure out. Ask prospects and clients to come into your store, call your business, or check out your website.

Whatever it is you want them to do, tell them.

6. Think of Your Audience

Who will be receiving the mailer? Will it be to future customers or someone familiar with your business?  

If it is going to prospective customers, be sure to say what you do in a short, concise way. No need to get wordy, but be sure to tell customers what you do and what you offer.

Whatever direction you choose, whether an oversized postcard or a traditional one, we can ensure you will come out swinging.

We will help you succeed in your marketing efforts when it comes to high-quality printing and design. Connect with us today!

Lol! The Pros and Cons of Adding Humor to Marketing

Getting people to laugh can be a highly effective marketing strategy.

However, before you jump right in, it’s imperative to decide if humor in marketing is right for you and your business. After all, the best marketing is engaging, memorable, and shareable. Humor, when done correctly, checks all these boxes. 

Pros to Incorporating Humor into Your Marketing Strategy

• Humor helps your advertisement stand out by grabbing people’s attention. This is why it is often easier for people to remember comedic advertisements.


• Your company becomes more relatable and trustworthy.


• Your marketing will become more likely to be shared because people like to spread laughter.


• Some companies have gone ‘viral’ for their humorous marketing advertisements. 

Cons to Incorporating Humor into Your Marketing Strategy

• Not everyone has the same sense of humor. Something you find hilarious may flop on your audience, causing your company to appear unprofessional.


• The seriousness of your business will be decreased. For some, this may not be a problem.


• Humor requires cautiousness because it has the potential to offend your target audience, which is the last thing you want. Testing your content on employees and letting it sit for about a week before releasing it can help you avoid this. 

Is Humor Right for Your Business?

Try asking yourself the following questions: 

• Will my target audience appreciate comedy?


• Would comedy complement my current brand?


• Do you, or your employees, have the skills to create humorous content?


• Are you confident in your ability to create comedy without offending your client base?

Reflect on your answers to the above questions as well as the information stated earlier. If you believe comedy has a place in your marketing strategy, great! Before you get started, it’s worthwhile knowing the various types of humor you can utilize. 

Humor Comes in All Shapes and Sizes

Try these on for size if you’re looking to add a few laughs to your marketing strategy. 

Irony

Irony usually implies the opposite of what is directly at face value for comedic effect. 

Perhaps you remember learning about irony and the different kinds of irony in English class. You’ll be happy to know that this information does indeed have real-world applications. 

There are three primary forms of irony: situational, verbal, and dramatic.

• Situational irony happens when the opposite of what is expected occurs.


• Verbal irony is like sarcasm in that the person’s words contrast with their actual meaning.


• Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something the character(s) don’t. 

Dry Humor

Dry humor is all about delivery: a deadpan facial expression with a matter-of-fact voice. 

Although dry humor jokes are usually inherently funny, the delivery elevates the comedy. Sarcasm, cynicism, and irony are often utilized within dry humor. 

Visual Humor

Visual humor creates comedy through a picture. 

Your business can utilize visual humor by sending out postcards with a visually humorous picture displayed. It’ll be sure to catch your client’s eye and make them laugh, making your business stand out and be memorable. 

Call-Back Jokes

Call-back jokes refer back to a previous joke your company has made.  

Call-back jokes are beneficial for making your clients feel closer to your company because they are now part of an inside joke. This improves customer retention and brand loyalty. 

This strategy is best used when your business had a previous widely successful joke. You don’t want to use this strategy on an obscure joke your company previously made because the joke might be lost on your audience. 

Humor in marketing is quite prevalent, causing many fine examples. 

Comedy within Jake from State Farm

Jake from State Farm was a widely successful ad that utilized irony.

It highlights State Farm’s availability to help its customers. In the commercial, a husband is talking to a representative from State Farm at three in the morning, but the wife thinks he’s having an affair.

She asks Jake, whom she assumes to be a female, what he’s wearing. Jake from State Farm responds, “Uh, Khakis.” The wife remarks to her husband that she (Jake) sounds hideous. Her husband responds with the punchline, “Well, he’s a guy, so...” 

Because of the wide success of the ad, State Farm used a call-back joke in a later commercial. Here they play the same clip, but this time a new agent, also named Jake, is on the phone.

When asked by the wife what he’s wearing, he also responds with, “Uh, Khakis.” However, this time he leans over to his coworker and asks him if State Farm Agents often get asked what they’re wearing. His coworker replies with, “Uh, yeah.” 

State Farm isn’t the only company with great examples of comedic ads. If you need inspiration, it may be beneficial to look through ads other companies have released. 

You can watch the Jake from State Farm ads here. 

Laughter is a Powerful Marketing Tool

Knowing when and how to do so effectively can do wonders for your marketing campaign. 

Be the Best at Customer Service

We all work in customer service to some extent…it just depends on who the customer is.

If you’re in an office, it’s your boss who is the customer. If you’re in retail, it’s the shopper who is the customer. And the list continues. So, it bears repeating that customer service is important.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our customer service skills could be honed a little bit. Or, maybe you have a new employee who doesn’t see how valuable good customer service is. Well, either way, here are a few ways to brush up on your customer service.

The Importance of Caring for Your Customers

Customer service, or customer care, is vital to us all.

It’s the difference between keeping and losing customers to the competition. One wrong move, and we might lose a valuable customer.

Customer service is how we respond to customers, and it entails a lot of duties. It’s not just how we answer the phone. It’s how we help them when they return items or when we explain policies to them. It’s also when we give deadlines or wait times.

Did you know that acquiring new customers is more expensive than keeping the ones you have?

That’s why customer service needs to be top-notch. It can’t be emphasized enough.

Customers want personalized service, and they will typically pay more for it. If your product is more expensive than the competition, but you have an outstanding customer care program, with engaging employees, you will be more likely to charge more for the same product or service. That’s how important good customer service is.

7 Customer Service Tips from the Pros

1. Greet customers by name.

Learn their names and impress them when they walk into your place of business.

2. Keep notes.

Keep a book with notes on your customers, so you remember things they told you, such as a significant event or date. Then be sure to ask about it the next time they come in.

3. Support each other.

Allow employees to share their frustrations. This will help prevent burnout and ensure they are ready to be pleasant with the next customer.

4. Respond quickly.

Be quick to respond when customers have a question, complaint, or want an estimate.

5. Customize the service, so it’s tailored to each customer.

Some people want to get in and out quickly. Other customers want to chat and take their time, so accommodate them.

6. Offer to help a customer before they even ask.

This shows initiative and evokes positive images of your company.

7. Treat customers like real people, not like a number.

Be sure to talk with them in a conversational tone, rather than like they are just another customer waiting in line.

Dealing with customers can be challenging. But when you keep your focus on staying positive and constantly improving customer service, you are sure to win over even your toughest critic.

We appreciate your business and want the chance to serve you in the near future. Check out our website today and see what we offer.

Spot UV Coating Makes Your Images Pop

Business people collect a lot of business cards; in fact, there are so many that sometimes these items get lost in the shuffle.

But there is a way to print business cards to let your message not only dazzle the recipient but help you get truly noticed.  

Let’s take a look at spot UV coating! It is a magical way to make your images and message pop and get noticed.

What is UV Coating?

UV coating is a clear compound that is applied to wet paper, then instantly dried by ultraviolet light.

The UV portion of spot UV comes from the ultraviolet light that is used to instantly cure the glossy varnish. And there’s no need to worry about toxicity because UV coatings are environmentally safe. They are free of solvents and do not emit volatile organic compounds or VOCs when cured. It dries at a fast speed, making it easy to add detail to your marketing materials.

Due to its eye-catching appearance and versatile applications, spot UV is one of the most popular printing techniques available. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve no doubt seen its effects. It’s the shiny part of an otherwise matte page. It shines and puts your marketing in a class above ordinary printing.

The Best Ways to Use UV Coating

UV coating can be used on a whole page to protect your entire message or as a spot coating.

Using the spot coating not only protects your logo or name, it also shines bright when the light catches it. It is a decorative feature that many businesses are starting to use.

The great thing about using spot UV is that you can use it on a variety of paper stocks, from heavy 24pt cardstock to a thinner 100# text. No matter what paper you use, choosing a matte finish will contrast nicely with the spot UV coating: the more contrast, the better. 

Some people use the spot UV coating as a way to create their image or logo instead of printing it in another color. For example, you could use shiny black with matte black paper to show your logo off or a portion of an image.  

No matter where you use the spot UV coating, you are sure to make a significant impact and be remembered. Check out our website to get more options for paper and printing, and we will make sure your spot UV coating makes the most of your marketing materials. Set up a time to talk with one of our printing specialists, and let’s get to work.

Are Your Meetings Worth Attending?

When asking employees what makes a meeting worth attending, 62% said “clear,” “specific,” “defined,” and “concrete” information should be given.

This may sound like basic information, but many bosses hold meetings that are contrary to these terms. So how can you ensure you’re not making this mistake?

Here are 10 tips to keep your meetings effective and productive.

10 Tips to Make Your Meetings More Effective

1. Determine why you are having the meeting.

Try to pinpoint exactly why you are holding a meeting for these particular people.

Start by identifying the purpose and desired outcomes of the meeting, then include it in both the meeting invitation and the meeting agenda.

2. Determine the appropriate attendees.

You won’t hurt anyone’s feelings if they aren’t invited to the meeting.

In fact, people don’t want to waste their time if they aren’t the appropriate people to handle the topic of the meeting. Only invite people who can implement the changes you seek or offer advice on the appropriate department.

3. Create an effective agenda.

Type up the agenda, and list the topics and the presenters. Also, include start and end times so that the meeting doesn’t go off-topic.

Send out the agenda before the meeting so that everyone is ready to contribute.

4. Vary the presenters.

By including different presenters, you will stir up more interest and invite others to engage.

Having different views and topics by different people is much more engaging, and it may provoke others to share their insights as well.

5. Take breaks.

This is the best way to keep people off their phones. A break is the best time to check their emails and texts, get a drink, and use the restroom.

6. Pass out handouts at the beginning.

Be prepared for all participants.

Don’t expect they will bring their agendas; have enough for everyone in attendance. Place the handouts at each spot around the table to minimize the shuffling of papers. 

7. Don’t recap for latecomers.

This wastes time for all who arrived on time.

No matter the reason, don’t recap during the meeting. Latecomers can catch up by reading the agenda and talking to others during the break.

8. Cover the most important topic first.

Then list the next important topic, and so forth.

This gets right down to business. It’s like reading a newspaper article, in which the most important information is given right away, and then the subsequent information is disseminated.

9. Try to hear from everyone.

If it’s a small enough group, allow for input from each person. Give time to ask relevant questions and hear them out.

10.  Assign jobs prior to the meeting.

Have someone take notes, which involves mainly writing down the main talking points and actions that were brought up.

Have a timekeeper who can kindly keep everyone on task. Have a director who introduces each speaker. This keeps the meeting organized and effective. 

These tips should help you review your meeting process and possibly improve it a little if needed. Getting the most out of your meetings will ensure more success for you personally and for your business.

Our goal is to help you be successful as well. Our printing firm knows your time is valuable, and we are here to help you streamline your business. We will get right to the point, create an action plan and get your printing done on time so you will continue to be successful. 

How to Flourish: Focus on Personal Growth

We don’t always talk about personal growth, but it should be the topic of conversation or at least the topic of thought. How do we flourish in such a busy world? Here are ten steps to encourage your growth.

10 Steps to Encourage Your Personal Growth

Volunteer.

We don’t always want to add another thing to our to-do list, but this is important to give you a different perspective. By volunteering, you will feel good about yourself and learn new skills and get different views of the world.

Experience new things and places.

Take a short day trip on your day off. This is the perfect time to break out of your comfort zone and try something new. Enjoy learning about new places, and don’t be afraid to take part in local activities. It will do your brain good.

Prioritize your health.

Take a health journey by starting to walk, joining a gym, or taking up a new sport that you can do regularly. Your health is an important part of personal growth.

Evaluate your life.

Use a private journal, or put it in your phone or on a computer. But take time to write down what you like and don’t like about your life. This is time for complete honesty. No one but you is looking. What makes you happy? What frustrates you? What would you like to change in your life? What steps do you need to take to improve?

Learn something new.

Read books that you never thought of reading. Take a class somewhere that will stretch you. Go on a retreat to expand your knowledge.

Set ambitious goals.

Research at the University of California-Riverside found that people with loftier goals were more satisfied than those who set mediocre goals, even if the outcome was similar. Reach for something you think is a bit unattainable but doable. Don’t be afraid to set long goals that take a while to achieve.

Be a good listener.

You might want to call up a friend and practice your listening skills. Or maybe it’s at work. Focus on listening instead of what you’re going to say next.

Stretch yourself creatively.

Do something that stretches you creatively. If it doesn’t come naturally, take a painting or pottery class from an adult education facility. Or watch YouTube to follow along with an artist. Or try Pinterest for ideas on what to do. 

Don’t try to impress people.

This leads only to disappointment. Set goals that are important to you, rather than a goal that will impress others. This is key to personal growth because it’s personal; it’s not what others think of you. 

Teach others.

The best way to learn something is to teach it to others. Evaluate your skills, interests, and hobbies. What can you teach others? This will help you improve as well as help out others. 

We all need reminders to grow on purpose. If we don’t take steps to grow in our personal and professional lives, we remain stagnant.

We are always learning new things at our printing firm, and we love helping you with your goals. If you desire a more creative banner or marketing materials, you know where to go. We’re your partner in personal growth.

Re-evaluate Your Time Management Skills

Time management is something we all strive to improve.

When you think you have it down to a science, a big project comes along and stretches us. But we all know that time management is the key to being successful.  

These tips will help you re-evaluate your time management skills in case you have been bombarded by stress.

Delegate. Okay, we said it. Delegation is key but make sure you give the job to the right person so you don’t feel like you have to micromanage them.

Don’t multitask. It feels like we are being more productive, and people often applaud it but don’t fall into the trap of multitasking. Studies show we are actually less productive when we spread our attention among several projects. Instead, make a list of things you need to do and cross them off as you go. That way, you won’t forget a project, but you can get it off your mind right away.

Deal with stress positively. We all get stressed out at times, but it’s how we handle it that counts. Exercise helps us deal with stress in a positive way. Other ways to deal with stress: meditate, call up a friend, listen to a podcast, get outside in nature, and write in a journal.

Set both short- and long-term goals. Your goals should be measurable, specific, relevant, and time-based. For example, if your goal is to get a raise in six months, figure out the specific steps you will need to achieve in order to do this. Then tackle it head-on.

Don’t overbook your calendar. Make sure that not every second of every day is taken. You will need some downtime, as well as time for phone calls and meetings that pop up. This will help you stay on track and not get discouraged when you can’t stick to the actual schedule.

Get up early. Most successful people start their day with a little extra time in the morning. Just getting up half an hour earlier will help you be more productive throughout your day.

Take regular breaks. Schedule these in so you are sure to take them. This ensures you don’t get distracted and helps you push on when you are tempted to look at your phone. Just 10 or 15 minutes is all it takes. You can get something to drink, go for a walk, check your phone, or talk with a coworker or friend.

Say no sometimes. When people ask you to do something, if possible, examine your schedule and workload first. Don’t just take on new assignments that you don’t have to. This also applies to get-togethers as well. If you are busy, don’t feel bad telling someone you are not able to go right now. But be sure to follow up with them later when you are free.

Don’t procrastinate. This is a good rule for both the office and in your personal life. Procrastination causes unneeded stress. We tend to procrastinate when we are overwhelmed or bored. Whatever the case, try to overcome it by making yourself start right away on a task.

Be realistic in how long a task takes. If you have a task to schedule, make sure you accurately estimate the time it takes to accomplish it. Will it take an hour to write that speech? Or will it take a week? Be realistic so you can stay on track.

Time management is something we can all work on daily. It’s important to keep honing those skills because we won’t be successful if we don’t. When you work with us, we will keep you on track with our on-time delivery and great products.

Be a Showstopper at Your Next Trade Show

Trade shows can be tricky. They can cause a lot of anxiety when you are preparing for the unknown. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to ensure you are successful. Here are a few to add to your to-do list.

Start early.

It should go without saying, but sometimes we procrastinate starting to plan for a trade show because it seems daunting. This is to encourage you to start as soon as possible so that you will be prepared for any problems that might arise.

Prepare your team.

Be sure to have team meetings regularly and at least a week before the trade show to discuss items such as dress code, hotel, transportation, duties, and responsibilities. Make sure everyone knows their schedules at the booth and contact information in case they get lost or have questions.

Be active on social media.

This is important to do before, during, and after the trade show. Include your booth number and hashtag so people can find you easily. Tweet about the upcoming show and give glimpses of giveaways or your excellent signage. 

Offer giveaways.

Everyone loves free things, and this is no exception.

And we aren’t talking about just pens and pencils. Offer food, drinks, games, or prizes. Have a coffee machine or offer cupcakes, or whatever might draw people in for more than a few seconds. Then be sure to utilize this opportunity to find out what the prospective customer might be looking for. Use anything that might break the ice.

Debrief and follow-up.

If you found a way to capture people’s information, send them a thank you note for coming to your booth. Talk with your staff to see what their opinions of the trade show were. This is critical for improving future booths.
 

Hand out bigger bags than the competition.

This will ensure that your bag will get used and that your message gets noticed. People tend to stuff items in the free bags, and whichever one is larger will hold the others. 

Have professional signage.

Big, bold messages and colors will capture people’s attention and make them remember you. Use your logo and catchphrases. Show people what you’ve accomplished by having professional, eye-catching signs.
 

Create a buzz.

It’s great to keep things on the upside and positive, but it’s even better to do something humorous to get people talking. Maybe you have a sign that is full of humor, or perhaps it’s a funny game. The funnier it is, the more people will talk...and others will gather around your booth.

Do your research.

If possible, find out what the large competitors will bring. And when you’re there, make sure you walk around and note what others are doing. This will help you in the future.

Be creative.

Show a short video on your business. Find a way to partner with another company to showcase their items with yours. Maybe it’s a big floral display or food, or perhaps it’s as crazy as bringing in animals from a local zoo or humane society and then tying it together with your message and other giveaways. 

The possibilities are endless when it comes to making your next trade show booth pop for whenever that next show may be. But it all starts with planning, preparing others, and getting the right signage. With professional signage, your message won’t get lost in the shuffle. Everyone is there to make an impression. What will you do? 

Using Public Relations to Your Advantage

Public relations help your company look good in the eyes of the public and create more sales.

PR can be a powerful marketing tool because it is regarded more highly by consumers, given that it is a third party advertising your business.

Even better, it can sometimes be possible to use unpaid tools, such as media, the internet, and business networks. 

Marketing vs. Public Relations

On the surface, PR and marketing may appear to be the same; however, there are key differences.

• Marketing promotes your businesses’ products and/or services.


• Public Relations focuses on promoting a positive reputation for your company.

The goal of marketing is to increase sales, while PR’s goal is to generate a positive reputation. Marketing generally targets the consumers, while PR aims to reach the public, especially stakeholders and media. 

3 Tips for Developing a PR strategy

A good PR campaign will cause the public to think more highly of your business, increasing their likelihood of doing business with you. Here are some tips to help you create a PR campaign of your own.

1. Develop your goals.

Make sure your goals are SMART goals.

SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. According to Chron, some beneficial PR goals include “raising awareness; generating interest; promoting goodwill; reinforcing/burnishing brand image; providing information; and creating demand.”

2. Create a budget.

PR campaigns can be costly.

Start with a budget and then research various PR strategies. Choose the ones that will accomplish your goals and within your budget.

3. Cement your key messages.

Key messages are the main points you want your audience to remember.

These messages consist of five to six sentences clarifying your goals while answering the who, what, where, when, and why. Be sure to mention these message points in all press releases and keep them concise, memorable, and relevant. 

Where to Get Your Message Out

There are several places you can get your message. Check out these public relations outlets.

Media.

The media loves to report on interesting happenings.

If your business is doing something newsworthy, the media is going to want to report on it. You want the media to report because this equates to free advertising that customers will likely trust more than marketing campaigns.

Get the attention of journalists by releasing media statements and fact sheets. Even better, offer on-site media tours.

Newsletter, brochures, and catalogs.

These are all useful ways to utilize the power of print.

Inform current customers and draw in new ones by disseminating these tangible printed works. Customers will enjoy looking through these. Plus, customers will leave these around their house for quite some time.

Sponsorships or partnerships.

People love it when businesses support non-profits.

It elevates the business’s image in their minds as they’re happy to see a company caring about its community. It’s a win-win because you get the chance to help others, while goodwill and loyalty towards your business are elevated.

People will begin to associate your business with selflessness and good ethics. It will give them a greater motive to do buy from you. 

PR strategies can be an extremely effective way to increase sales in the long run by positively influencing the public’s view of your business. 

Your Mini-Guide to Business Branding

Branding helps your business create the desired image of your company by clarifying and expanding what your company stands for.

According to Kotler and Keller, "Branding is endowing products and services with the power of a brand." It helps put your business above the competition by giving customers an idea to attach themselves to. It affects consumers, employees, and shareholders. 

Brand vs. Products

Branding can be challenging to understand, but it helps to know the difference between a product and a brand.

A product is an item or service your company is selling. Although unique products or services are excellent, they can usually be easily copied by other aspiring entrepreneurs.

A brand is the idea and image behind the product. It is the promise made to the customers regarding what the product can deliver. It fulfills the customers' desires while creating an emotional appeal for customers to attach themselves to. 

Why Focus on Branding? 

So, what's the big deal about branding? Well, branding has many advantages. Here are just a few of them.

Branding makes your business unique.

In saturated markets where similar products or services are being sold, it can be too easy to get lost among the many other businesses.

However, branding gives you the chance to stand out. Customers may prefer the image and idea you are selling above that of a competitor. 

Branding creates greater customer loyalty.

Although quality products and/or services will be what keeps the customer coming back, you can strengthen that loyalty by giving the customer a brand to attach themselves to.

It is easier for people to connect to ideas and images over products. The customers you bring in through your branding are going to be your ideal customers. Why? Because there was something about your brand that they loved and will most likely continue to love for a long time!

Branding generates consistency.

Consistency is important because it better helps consumers identify your products by giving your company a unique look that can be attributed back to you.

Developing a great brand will make it much easier to release new products or services and provide a framework for your company to work under, alleviating the pressure of figuring out the little details. 

Developing a Brand Guide

The purpose of a brand guide is to solidify your company's visual design and the voice, tone, and messaging.

Brand Guides include creating and finalizing the logos, color palette, typography, and voice and tone. This can be overwhelming, especially if you don't have professional design skills. So, don't be afraid to hire a professional when developing your brand guide. Great designs can really make a difference. 

Where to Apply Branding

Advertising

Your advertising campaign should incorporate consistent designs and messages.

Some great ideas for advertising include large print advertising, including banners and posters. When designing these, refer to your branding guide to create consistent color schemes, fonts, and messaging.

A fantastic design will catch potential customers' attention, and the incorporation of your branding guide in your advertisement will help them better identify your products in the market. 

Product and Packaging Design

Try to apply your brand guide to your products and packaging.

Again, it'll significantly help your company's consistency, making your business and products easily identifiable to customers. 

Branding helps your business stand out among the competition by generating consistency and amazing design throughout your business's endeavors, translating into more outstanding sales and customer loyalty. 

5 Ways to Reconnect To Your Audience

The last year and a half with the COVID pandemic has been highly disruptive, breaking relationships and forcing distance between people in all facets of life.

Business hasn't been excluded from that effect.

That's why it's more important now to reintroduce your products and services to clients and remind them that you exist, you can help, and you're available for them.

Remember, out of sight is out of mind; clients forget why they used a service when there's a lack of contact and frequency. And that leaves room for your market to erode and someone else to fill the gap if they happen to be present.

5 Ways to Reconnect To Your Audience

1. Be Proactive

Part of reconnecting means being proactive and reaching out again, even without an invite.

A client will be fine with communication most of the time, noting they forgot how much they relied on your service. Use that opener to remind them how valuable your support was for their needs. Even if they don't need an order right away, get your presence and recognition back on their radar with a simple meet and greet through direct mail or an office visit.

2. Take the Blame for the Disconnect

Blame yourself for not staying in touch instead of letting the client feel guilty.

With so much happening, the last thing anyone wants is to feel criticized for not staying in contact. Instead, carry the blame and let them feel better about the disconnect, as well as note that you're making amends and reaching out again.

It reframes the discussion, making the client feel comfortable and noting you want their attention and communication. You want them to feel valued.

3. Reposition Your Value

Clients can begin to forget why partnerships and support relationships existed.

As clients come back into the office again, you want them to remember why they used your service in the first place. Don't let them guess, show them and reinform again.

4. Make Sure Contact Info is Updated

Most reconnects are not about a sale; they are about re-establishing a relationship.

Ideally, you want the client to have the latest means and contact info to reach out when their need is realized, and they have to act on it. People are more prone to work with a tried and true path. Make sure they have your current information, and it's readily available to them.

5. Remind Your Clients Why You Appreciate Them

If one of your clients generated a referral over the last year, let them know you appreciated the help and support.

By communicating your gratitude for a referral or past sales, clients will likely do business with you again and send new referrals, both activities positively affecting your bottom line.

Are You the Best Leader You Can Be? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself

Are you a new manager? Or an old pro? Or somewhere in between? It really doesn’t matter because there’s always room for sharpening your edge as a leader.

Here are ten things you should ask yourself to determine if your leadership needs to be honed.

10 Leadership Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Do I treat my employees like friends or employees?

When it comes to employees, you may have once been a part of their team, but as a manager, you are a part of the management team.

This means you should not treat your employees as friends in an informal way. You can have fun with them, but maintain your leadership role and keep things professional.

2. Do I use situational leadership?

There is no cookie-cutter answer for dealing with people.

Employees need to be handled individually. Each one has different strengths and weaknesses, and your leadership should involve a tailor-made interaction with each of them. You will need to coach some people in one area, and other people may be strong in that area, and vice versa.

3. How well do I know my employees?

Do you know how many children your employees have? Do you know what their career goals are? Do you know what they do for fun?

Getting to know them on a personal level will make all the difference. Make sure you do this for all employees, so that there’s no favoritism. Take time to truly know them as people because it will build loyalty and trust.

4. Am I an active listener?

When employees come to you with a problem, whether it’s work-related or personal, do you truly listen? Or do you try to give advice without hearing the whole story?

Practice actively listening to your employees. This could be the most important attribute of a great leader.

5. Do I focus on the big picture?

Sometimes it’s hard for a leader, or manager, to step back from the daily tasks at hand.

Rather than trying to do a job for your employees, focus on their improvements and overall accomplishments. Sometimes the details of how a job gets done are not as important as the fact that it gets done. Your employees may have a different way of accomplishing a task that is even better than the original way they were taught.

6. Do I deal with problems right away?

Even if the former boss was used to ignoring issues in hopes they would disappear, your job as an effective leader requires you to deal with issues as they come up.

If there are performance issues, you need to address them with that employee and work on steps to improve.

7. Do I ask employees for their opinions?

Sometimes the best way to help an employee is to encourage them to take ownership of a situation.

If they constantly come to you with issues, ask them, “What do you think?” This is a great tool for an effective leader. Get the employees to think for themselves and provide solutions. Then, empower them to make some changes if it’s appropriate.

8. Do I spend time with other leaders?

As a manager, you will benefit from spending time with other managers.

These relationships are just as important as managing your employees. Take time to meet with other managers, whether in your building or a business network situation. Build friendships, and ask for advice. Give advice as well, if it’s requested.

9. Am I available?

Do I hide in my office, or am I accessible?

Be visible to employees, so they know you are around to help should they need it. It also allows employees to feel like they are a part of something larger and are important, and it builds morale.

10. Do I schedule individual meetings as well as group meetings?

We all have a busy schedule filled with things that need to get done right away.

But don’t forget that meeting with individuals is just as important as holding group meetings. Employees need to know how to improve, and they need to know what you expect of them. Meet one-on-one with them on a monthly basis if possible, or at least on a regular schedule, so they have a deadline to use as a guide for improvement.

No matter if you manage like a well-oiled machine or you need to tweak a few things, remember that no one is perfect. There’s always room for improvement. Being a good leader takes practice and is hard work.

A Better Leader

And being a leader in the business world takes practice and teamwork too.

That’s why our printing firm is ready to answer your questions on how to make sure you stand out as a leader in the sea of businesses in town. We offer graphic design and high-quality printing that will help you lead the way to success. Call or stop in today. We’re here to help.

Business Writing Made Easy

When it comes to business writing overall, how do you measure up?  

Overall, businesses spend $3.1 billion on remedial writing training for their employees annually. We’re not offering a class, but we have compiled a list of professional writing tips to aid you in your business communication.

Even if English wasn’t your favorite subject in school, using these tips will make you look like a pro.

Writing Like a Pro with These Tips

Know your audience.

Think about who you are writing to.

Is it a customer? A potential customer? A coworker? Your boss? There are different ways to communicate with all of these people. Keep the audience in the forefront of your mind when you start your composition.

Think about your tone.

Think about how formal you want to appear.

Do you want to sound like a corporate store or a friend? Do you want to be lighthearted or more serious? Think about this as you write; then, keep your tone consistent.

Watch your punctuation and grammar.

Some people in your audience care a lot about grammar and punctuation.

If you make a lot of mistakes, it will cost you your professionalism, causing your audience not to trust you. Use spellcheck for sure, even if you won all the spelling bees in school. Sometimes when we write quickly, we make tiny mistakes.

If you’re not sure about grammar, there are programs that will help you with this, too. If you are lucky enough to have a trusted coworker who is good at writing, have them look it over for you. They might find something you missed. 

Focus on your point.

Many people ramble on about things that are not pertinent to their goal in writing.

Think about if you want to sell something, tell your customers about a new technology you have, or promote a particular service. Then, focus on that. Review your writing when you are done so that you can edit out unnecessary information that doesn’t directly relate to your point.

Don’t use jargon or buzzwords.

Your audience may not be familiar with jargon or buzzwords.

Make sure you use clear language that anyone can understand. Don’t assume they understand what you are saying. Make it clear, and leave nothing to chance.

Be organized.

If it helps, outline your business writing before sitting down with pen and paper (or finger and computer).

If you can organize your thoughts in an outline, you will be more effective in your composition. Then be sure to stick to your outline by referring to it constantly.

Watch your font usage.

You may think it’s fun to experiment with fonts, and it can be.

But when you are writing a business letter or advertising copy, make sure not to use too many different fonts. Stick with one or two.

Be concise.

Some people think that by adding a lot of words to their writing, it makes them appear more educated.

Actually, the contrary is true. A good writer can edit their copy so that it’s concise and to the point. This will help your audience remember what your point is.

Wait a day to proofread if possible.

If you can, give yourself a day to proofread. By waiting a day, you will catch more mistakes.

Research the competition.

If you are writing advertising copy, or a letter to promote an event or product at your business, be sure to research what the competition is offering.

You shouldn’t mention the competition, but keep it in mind so that your offer stands out. Be sure you have a better offer or are offering something totally different that will be even more appealing to your audience.

Perfecting Your Writing

No matter how much you write, these are great tips to refer to when writing business correspondence.

Even expert writers need to be reminded of these simple steps from time to time. Since it’s easy to ramble on, we all need a reminder to edit ourselves. Not only will these tips help you improve your writing, but they will position you as a leader in your field.

At our printing firm, we want to help you be number one. That’s why we offer professional layout and design services with high-quality paper to help you finish off your perfect marketing materials. Call us today or stop in to see how we can help.

Boost Your Productivity in 10 Steps

Employees lose an average of 581 hours a year to distractions, such as cell phones, emails, and other social media, to name a few.

This is over 14 weeks, per person, spent not actually working. You might be wondering if there is anything you can do to become more focused. We’ve compiled a list of 10 steps you can take to ensure you’re working smarter, not harder.

10 Steps to Boost Your Productivity

1. Limit how often you check your email. 

According to The Economist Intelligence Unit report In Search of Lost Focus, 70% of critical-thinking employees disrupt their own progress in order to check email at least once an hour.

And 18% check their email every few minutes.

Try to use email as a reward for accomplishing a large task. Set a time limit so that you don’t get caught up in social media. Then, go ahead and turn it off until your task is done.  

2. Get up and move around. 

Getting a little exercise is shown to improve concentration.

So, get up and make a cup of coffee or get a glass of water. However, use this as a break after you’ve finished a task. 

3. Quit multi-tasking.

Research shows that productivity can be reduced by as much as 40% by the mental blocks created when people switch tasks.

Try to finish one task before starting something else, which can take discipline.

4. Make a to-do list at night. 

Not only will this will help you relax and be able to sleep better, but it will help you get right to work in the morning without having to figure out where to start the day.

A word of caution, though, is to make sure your list isn’t overwhelming. Make sure it’s attainable. Cross off items on your list that are repetitive and don’t need to be done tomorrow.

5. Delegate tasks to capable people. 

If you micromanage, you will waste more of your valuable time because you will be watching over the other person’s shoulder.

However, if you truly delegate, you will free up your time. Pick someone you trust, then let them handle the task.

6.  Plan your phone calls.

Even if you don’t have a secretary to hold your calls, you do have the ability to turn off your ringer.

Set aside a certain time each day in which you will make your phone calls. It’s okay to use voice mail as long as you return those calls later during your scheduled time.

7. Get enough sleep at night. 

It may sound crazy, but 70% of Americans admitted to sleeping on the job in a survey done by William A. Anthony, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and director of Boston University’s Center for Psychological Rehabilitation.

It should go without saying, but make sure you get enough sleep at night to be more productive during the day. Set a schedule for bedtime and stick to it, then your body will get used to it.

A lack of sleep decreases your concentration, working memory, mathematical capacity, and logical reasoning. Shoot for seven to nine hours of sleep per night for ages 27 to 64, according to the National Sleep Foundation.

8. Decorate your office area with aesthetically pleasing elements. 

Grab some plants, candles, pictures, and anything else that puts you at ease.

By doing this, it can increase productivity by up to 15 %. It will help put you in a positive mood, which helps boost productivity.

9. Minimize interruptions as much as possible. 

It may seem trivial, but when coworkers pop their heads into your office to chat, it takes away from your productivity.

Keep your office door shut when you are working on an important project. If that’s not an option, choose to work at home until you are finished.

10. Set a timer. 

Research says that only around 17% of people can accurately estimate the passage of time.

With this said, you should set a timer for about 25 minutes up to 90 minutes maximum, with a 5-minute break afterward. This should help keep you on track and be more productive.

Saving Time Matters

Saving time is important when it comes to business.

And we want to see you succeed. That’s why we offer so many services to take projects off your plate. Our professional staff understands that your time is precious, and we make it easy to get your printing done right the first time. Call us today so we can help boost your productivity. 

The Key Components of a Good Brand Strategy

Developing a strong brand isn’t as easy as others think.

It’s no secret that consumers purchase based on trust, but how can businesses develop that trust if no one knows who you are? That’s the power of a brand strategy. If you don’t have a strategy in place, it’s like driving on the road with no destination.

The ultimate goal should be getting customers to connect with you, not your logo, not the website, and not the name (even if it’s catchy). A good brand strategy works behind the scenes, providing value that continues after they buy.

Key Components of a Good Brand Strategy

Purpose

What is the promise to the customer? Why are we in business? Why is it important to us?

These are the driving factors that set businesses apart. Thinking of it in terms of monetary and also non-monetary makes the difference.

Emotion

While it may sound weird, it’s true.

Customers are emotional about the brands they support because those brands can fully engage with like-minded audiences who believe in their purpose.

When brands connect beyond trying to sell a product or service, they win.

Consistency

Staying consistent when promoting the brand is vital in getting the audience to remember you.

It doesn’t matter what platform the brand is on; consistency creates harmony, and harmony creates trust.

Adaptability

Brands must be flexible and adaptable to succeed.

There’s power in the pivot. When something isn’t working, being able to quickly adjust and adapt while maintaining consistency can help solidify a brand’s place in the market and create a new customer base.

Involvement From Employees

Brands that take the time to listen to their employees and work in one accord in how the brand is presented go a long way.

If the brand is upbeat, customer service and every employee in the office should follow suit. Again, consistency, consistency, consistency.

Loyalty

When customers are loyal to your brand, you should be just as loyal.

Take the time to create incentives for them to come back. Whether it’s a coupon off or something more elaborate, your appreciation helps those people appreciate you too! A little thanks goes a long way.

Awareness of the Competition

It should go without saying, but sometimes this mindset needs to be reinforced.

You should be learning from the competition. Your goal – offer a better experience in every way.

These are the best ways to create a brand strategy that has longevity and goals you can achieve from the beginning while refining along the way. This is a functional, working part of your marketing strategy that helps you communicate better while attracting and retaining customers.

Every business goes through growing pains, but not having a brand strategy can seriously hurt your chances of making your mark on the industry. With so many ways to connect with different types of customers, the best thing you can do is give yourself a competitive advantage. Your brand strategy can help with that.

So, do you have a brand strategy in place, and is it working?