The objective of a poster is to capture your audience’s attention while they are on the go. As such, poster design and message should be eye-catching and engaging, and takes more than simply putting words and images together.

When designing an effective poster, there are several factors to take into careful consideration:

1. LOCATION

Before anything else, you should have a general idea where your posters will be placed. The location will determine how big or small your posters will need to be. The location will also help in selecting the colors to be used, especially if your poster will be competing with other advertisements in the area. Knowing the location helps you gauge how your poster will stand out against its surroundings.

2. INFORMATION

What message are you trying to convey? Keep in mind that your audience will be on the move, and though it may be possible to have a poster that stops people in their tracks, most people will spend 10 seconds or less on your poster. With such limited time, the information on your poster should be simple, direct, and brief, with the core message being the most visible, especially from a distance. As always, your message should drive your audience to take action.

3. IMAGES

Once you’ve determined what your core message is, choose the image or graphics that will best communicate your words visually. You can have one large image, or several smaller ones. Keep in mind that your graphics will be visible to your moving audience long before they can read the text on your poster. Furthermore, it is imperative that you use high resolution images so they don’t become pixelated when printed.

4. FONT

Your core message should be readable from 5 feet away, and the most important part of your message should be in the largest font. The type of font you choose dictates how clearly and easily you can communicate your message, and using too many fonts can make your poster design look cluttered and confusing. The font you choose is as much a part of your visual element as your graphics.

5. LAYOUT

How you put together your graphics and text determines how effective your poster will be. People will be typically drawn to the center of your poster, so you can place your core message there. On the other hand, you can place a bold image in the center and use a header and footer for your message. You can also align your messages on one side of the poster. Do not use the poster margins for your messages, as this creates a scattered look and your audience will not waste time trying to make sense of it.

6. COLOR

Color is what will capture and hold your audience’s attention. Great graphics and a catchy headline will be useless if your poster simply blends with its surroundings. Not everything should be in bold color though; you don’t want the poster colors to take the attention away from your message.

Keep these factors in mind when designing your next marketing poster, and have the professionals at Onlineprinting.com.au evaluate your artwork at no extra charge before printing to ensure that you get the best results from your design effort.

Effective flyers capture attention and communicate a message. However, the message usually gets lost in the attempt to put so much information in such a small piece of paper. So, how do you go about writing a flyer with the content that speaks loud and clear to your audience?

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. HEADLINE

The most prominent feature of your flyer should be your headline. You only have a few seconds to capture your audience’s attention and interest, and your headline will determine whether your flyer gets tossed or read further. Good headlines tell your potential customers what you do; effective headlines tell your customers how what you do can benefit them.

2. BENEFITS

In addition to using your greatest benefit as your headline, you can list several secondary benefits in organized fashion. What else is in it for your customer? Use “You” or “Your” to make your customers feel that you are speaking directly to them. Use bullet points that enumerate what makes your product/service so great that your potential customers will choose you above the competition.

3. CALL TO ACTION

Your flyer would be useless if it doesn’t drive your objective. Be clear in what you want your potential customers to do, whether it’s to order or call or visit your website or store. Make sure that you supply the necessary information near your call to action.

4. URGENCY

Every flyer should have a sense of urgency. Limited time offers or limited supplies are a great way to urge your potential customers to take advantage of what you are advertising at the soonest possible time.

5. SIMPLICITY

Keep your message simple and direct to the point. Use only crucial elements in your flyer and organize your details using bullet points or text boxes. Too much information and you may lose your customer’s interest.

6. TESTIMONIALS

Use testimonials when applicable. Choose testimonials that support the benefits you’ve enumerated. Good testimonials lend credibility to what you are offering.

7. CUSTOMER PERSPECTIVE

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. What information will appeal and be useful to them? Make sure that you communicate using non-technical language; jargon will only confuse your customers instead of keeping them interested.

8. USING THE BACK OF THE FLYER

While your most important information should be on the front of your flyer, you can use the back side to add supporting information. Adding helpful information like a pricelist, FAQs, or a map will be much appreciated. You can also print a coupon on the back.

9. LEGIBILITY

You will likely use different fonts and font sizes on your flyer. Practice restraint in your font choices – too many assorted fonts can be distracting and confusing. Font size should be no less than 10 to be read comfortably.

10. PROOFREAD

Proofread your information several times. It helps to have a second or third person check your content, as any typographical errors can render your flyer useless.  At the very least, errors in your flyer can distract your customer and can create a negative impression of your business.

Pair your content with a striking design and create a flyer that’s both informative and arresting.  Get your flyers printed at Onlineprinting.com.au and be confident that your flyer will spread the information that will boost your business.

Advertising to your potential customers can be done with an assortment of media and advertising techniques targeted toward your chosen market. With most advertising and marketing strategies geared toward online exposure and multimedia displays, banners remain a practical, even essential, tool in getting your message across to your potential and existing customers. Here’s why:

1. Banners are inexpensive to produce.

Banners are significantly cheaper than other forms of outdoor advertising like billboards and transit advertising. However, they all have the same objective, which is to be visible and grab attention. Banners are on the smaller scale, but since they are relatively cheaper to make, you can have multiple banners printed at a fraction of the cost, and have them displayed in several areas.

2. Banners reach your target market.

By strategically placing banners along busy streets or areas with heavy foot traffic, you are expanding your reach to your customers. Every person who sees your banner becomes a potential customer. More importantly, even if you reach a person who is not interested, you are not wasting any resources. Furthermore, your banners continue attracting potential customers while keeping your business discernible to your existing customers.

3. Banners “hit” your customers repeatedly

Advertising usually requires that a potential customer be “hit” at least three times in order to notice your business. When your banners are seen regularly by the same group of people, your brand and your business are continuously reinforced in their minds. With banners, you don’t have to spend on timeslots like in TV advertising, and you don’t need to pay to rent billboards. Since you own your banners, it’s simply a matter of placing them strategically in high-volume areas, and your banners keep working with no additional costs or hidden charges.

4. Banners are reusable and movable

Another great advantage of banners is that they are great for long-term and multiple uses. Businesses that appear at trade shows or support local events can reuse the banners over and over. Banners are easy to keep when the event is over; they are easy to use again when the need arises, and they can be easily moved to other areas with higher traffic. What this means is that you stretch your marketing dollar because you don’t have to keep spending for the same signs in order to advertise.

5. Banners can append other forms of marketing

Like all marketing and advertising strategies, it is always recommended that you reach out to your customers on multiple platforms. Having banners makes it easier for your company, your brand to be more visible and identifiable, especially in areas that your other marketing techniques may fail to reach.

Keeping banners effective would still depend largely on design, size, and placement. Onlineprinting.com.au offers banners in multiple sizes and styles to fit your advertising needs. Choose from vinyl, retractable, or welded banners. Our design team of highly skilled professionals are available to offer valuable tips to ensure that your banner makes an impact each and every time.

Custom magazines have been successfully used by many large brands across the globe. Unlike the traditional approach of advertising in other print media or through TV and radio, custom magazines offer streamlined content that is focused on building the company brand while appealing to customer needs and interests.

Many small and medium businesses still shy away from the concept of marketing through custom magazines due to potential costs and insufficient know-how. However, one look at branded magazines and we can easily see the potential return on investment.

Magazines have a distinct set of characteristics that make them so effective:

• Magazines are handy and portable. You can take and read them virtually anywhere with no dependence on internet capability
• Magazines have various sections that convey different messages that appeal to different audiences.
• Magazines selected by consumers are likely to be read over and over. They are kept for future reference and perusal.

So what do these characteristics mean for your business? Having a customized magazine which is portable and speaks to your audience on a recurring basis leads to profitability, brand loyalty, and continued exposure for your business.

1. Profitability

Having a custom magazine printed can be a bit daunting for many, especially with the cost involved. While it is true that it is relatively more expensive to print a custom magazine compared to flyers and brochures, consider the cost of print advertising in a mass circulated magazine – this can cost thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and placement of your ad, not to mention that your ad will also be competing with other ads in the same publication. Having control over the contents of your own magazine allows you to dominate your customer’s attention and call to action.

A good 50% of readers act on the information they read, whether by visiting your website, calling or visiting your store, or even simply contemplating making a purchase. Such a high percentage means that you get more people interested about your products and services, and this, in turn, would drive sales and profits.

2. Brand Trust and Loyalty

You capture your customer’s attention and trust through high quality content in your magazine. High quality content mirrors the reliability of your brand, and it underscores your ability to communicate and touch your audience, particularly if your content is aimed at your target demographic.  Consumers tend to trust what they read in magazines as long as it’s well-written, well-researched, thought-provoking and engaging. The better your content, the more people will turn to your magazine as a trusted resource. The more trusted your brand, the more people will talk about and spread your ideas.

3. Brand Exposure and Permanence

People tend to recommend or pass along information they read, which results in spreading the word about your brand. More importantly, magazines are read more than once, especially magazines that are considered trusted sources. On average, readers re-examine magazines up to three times, which means that magazines are kept for future perusal.

These benefits merely scratch the surface when it comes to benefits of custom magazines. Discover the other benefits for yourself with your own branded magazine. The professionals at Onlineprinting.com.au are ready to deliver quality custom magazines so you get the most out of your investment.

Preparing for a trade show can be a monumental feat, especially if you’ve had the unfortunate experience of forgetting essential items for your booth at one time or another. Having a checklist for the essentials is the way to go for your booth to be a success and stress-free.

There are countless things to prepare, but here are seven that should definitely make it on your list:

1. Business Card Collector

The fishbowl technique is nothing new but remains an effective means of collecting business cards at trade shows. Make sure you set up a catchy raffle sign and entice audience participation with appealing raffle items. Get creative with your business card collector; decorate your fishbowl or use raffle drums or ballot boxes.  Ask your booth visitors to drop their cards as their raffle entry, and take this opening to impart some information about your business.

2. Sign-up sheets

There will always be people at trade shows that forget to bring their business cards. Instead of chalking this up to a lost lead, you can still capture their information through sign-up sheets, and still give them a chance to enter your raffle. Having a sign-up sheet as a back-up plan for people less prepared than yourself ensures that you cover all your bases.

3. Printed Material

Having an assortment of printed material lets you give out pieces of content specific to your audience. You may start of with a flyer or information sheet, then provide a brochure for people with additional questions. Also, don’t forget to give your business card to your potential leads. Onlineprinting.com.au can supply you with the collection of printed material you would need to inform potential clients about your brand.

4. Corporate Giveaways

Depending on your budget, your promotional items can be anything, as long as it can be branded. You can give away business calendars or magnets that you can also order at  Onlineprinting.com.au, or consider the timeless button badges from Dandy.com.au. These promotional items won’t break the bank, yet people you give them to would still remember you/your brand even after the trade show.

5. Banners

Regardless of your booth size, you need to prominently display your company name. Since trade shows are usually held indoors, striking retractable banners would be best to help your booth stand out. Onlineprinting.com.au can customize your banners in various sizes to fit your space.

6. Invoice NCR Books

In the event of an online malfunction or a software invoicing issue during a transaction, it is always helpful to have a manual invoice handy so you don’t lose or delay the sale, and you don’t inconvenience your client either. Onlineprinting.com.au can take care of your invoice NCR book needs.

7. Computer Monitor

With everyone taking advantage of technology, you wouldn’t want your booth to be left in the dark by being the only one without a video to show about your company. Having at least one monitor at your booth will keep things interesting; if your video is really creative, you can turn a passerby into a potential client.

Now that you’ve got your basics taken care of, you can now devote your time to additional strategies to help your booth stand out. Be filled with a sense of satisfaction that as a professional that represents your brand, you’ve come prepared and organized and ready to wow.

Even though a lot of marketing and advertising are now taking place online, flyers remain one of the most common and inexpensive ways to market products and services. We see flyers everywhere: on the street, on your windshield, at your doorstep. While highly visible, flyers are also easily disposable. You don’t need your customers to hang on to your flyers forever, but you do need flyers that get your message across before they get tossed – 10 great flyers can bring you the business that hundreds of bad flyers can’t.

Why do your flyers fail to bring business? Here’s a list of things to avoid:

1. Your headline displays your business name

Flyers are supposed to let your customers know what you can do for them, so the first thing they see should be about how you meet their needs. If your headline addresses what’s important to your customers, that’s the time when your business name becomes relevant.

2. Listing services instead of solving problems your customers have

While it is necessary that your flyers include what services or products you provide, it is more important that you tell or show your customers how you can solve a potential or existing problem. Studies show that customers respond more to the concept of avoiding pain versus getting rewarded. Moreover, solutions you offer should set you apart from the competition.

3. A passive call-to-action

Asking your customers to simply call or visit your website for more information is a passive closing. It creates no urgency and doesn’t close the deal. Entice your customers to take action right away by offering discounts or value-added products/services if they purchase by a certain date. You can also offer discounts available for a limited time only, or just for your first 20 or 30 customers. You can even push for repeat business with the incentive of free service/product on their third or fifth visit.

4. Doing a one-time distribution

You’ve never seen a TV commercial shown just once. If there ever was one, you won’t even remember it, because in the world of advertising, you need to hit your customers at least three times in order for them to notice you. The same rule applies to your marketing flyers. If you are doing door-to-door distribution, try to hit those households at least three times. You can also reinforce your marketing campaign with added visibility through banners or posters in the same area.

5. Distributing to the wrong area or market

Nothing is more wasteful than distributing flyers to households that can’t use your business. Proximity is a major factor in determining who should get your flyers, especially if your offer applies to in-store purchases or on-site services. Aside from proximity, it is also important that you hit the right households – for instance, offering lawn care services in an apartment building is just silly, and a reckless waste of resources.

Marketing flyers can be costly if not done right. Avoid these mistakes and get more expert tips from the print professionals at Onlineprinting.com.au  and make your flyers soar!

Nowadays, businesses are focusing more and more of their resources on online marketing and communications. Often overlooked is the impact that business stationery has on customers. Taking the time to have custom business stationery is one way you show your customers that you are invested in your company, and that no detail is too small. This sends the message that, big or small, your business wants it done right. Furthermore, having a broad range of business stationery lends legitimacy and professionalism to your business, from networking, to marketing, and branding.

Business stationery is used in networking in the form of business cards. When you first meet a potential client, your business card becomes part of the formality of introducing your business. Having a professional-looking card adds legitimacy and credibility to your company.

Business stationery is also an effective marketing tool. Whenever you send out communications to customers through brochures, flyers and newsletters, you are getting your business information out there. The quality of your brochures and flyers would dictate whether your potential customer takes a second look and examine what you have to offer.

Lastly, business stationery helps reinforce your brand. Since you business name and logo will be printed on all your stationery, customers will be able to immediately identify your company whenever they receive a letter from you, from the envelope to the stationery letterhead to compliments slips. Customers grow more familiar with your brand the more they see it.

Having custom print stationery is a long-term investment, a commitment. Once you start sending custom print stationery, your customers will expect that the next ones will have the same customized look and feel. And if you are to communicate regularly with your customers, your stationery has to be consistent. Wouldn’t it be absurd to receive a letter where the print on the envelope and letterhead don’t match? Wouldn’t it be awkward to get a printed corporate envelope with the letter printed on plain paper? This would reflect sloppy business, and will be sure to repel your discerning customers.

Many companies who do not fully understand the importance of having business stationery are reluctant to invest in them and settle for what they can create on their own. Then again, there are other businesses who sacrifice quality to have them printed cheap, just to say that they have customized stationery. These shortcuts and cost-cutting attempts could be damaging to the company’s brand and  reputation, because cheap-looking stationery can give the impression of cheap, low quality, mediocre output.

To ensure that your business stationery makes the best possible impression, there are three main things to consider:

1. A visually-appealing design that incorporates your business name and complements your logo
2. Clear and concise text specific to the type of stationery
3. Choosing a professional and reliable printing company

Onlineprinting.com.au understands your business needs and delivers quality service with your brand in mind. Get expert tips and hassle-free service. Let your stationery speak volumes and watch your investment thrive. Now that makes sense.

Many underestimate the relationship between a good business card and a good first impression – both go hand-in-hand, so if you fall short in one element, it would be near impossible to redeem yourself and your business with just the other half. But let’s say you already have a killer business card from Onlineprinting.com.au. How can you make sure that your behavior matches and complements the quality and professionalism of your card?

1. Always carry your cards with you

When going to conventions, trade fairs, or any event where you can meet potential clients, it is important to always have business cards with you. More importantly though, is how you carry your cards. Place your cards in a card holder so they stay neat and clean. Also, pulling the card out of the holder has more finesse than, let’s say, pulling it out of your wallet. Having a business card holder also sends the impression that you are into details – that you take the time to do things right.

2. Wait for someone to ask for your card

How many times has someone shoved a card in your hand and just walked away? This is an extreme scenario where it’s better to leave no impression than a bad one. But supposing that you are already conversing with a potential client, and he/she still hasn’t asked for your card. What do you do? Ask for their card. This way, you have their information, which means you can follow up with them. Besides, reciprocity usually follows and you end up with an exchange.

3. Use your right hand when giving your card

In the United States and the UK, giving cards are often done unceremoniously, but other cultures regard card giving with more formality. Generally, the right hand is the hand of discretion when it comes to giving cards. In the Middle East and India, you should always use your right hand; in China, you should do so with both hands.

4. Receive a card with both hands

Using both hands to receive a business card shows professionalism and respect. This also sends the message that, as the recipient, you understand the value of what is being offered to you. When receiving a card, it is also good practice to look at the card before putting it away; place the received card in a card holder or organizer, never in your bag or back pocket. If seated at a table, gently place the card on the table right side up until the meeting/conversation is concluded.

5. Never write on another person’s card

This is considered crass and disrespectful. If you want to remember what you discussed with the person, write the note in private. Some people purposely leave the back of their cards blank so they can write their note to you before they hand their card – this becomes a matter of personal taste; however, most other cultures frown upon this practice.

Following these simple rules ensures that your business cards get the respect and attention that you want for your business. Combine these practices with a great business card from Onlineprinting.com.au, and your networking efforts will always start off on the right foot.

Marketing materials come in many shapes and forms, but the two that are most often loosely interchanged are flyers and brochures. Sure, both are documents used for marketing. But that is pretty much where the similarities end. Here’s an in depth look at the difference between the two:

The Description

A flyer is a single sheet of paper, usually A4 in size. Flyers are also commonly referred to as handbills or leaflets, and are typically handed out to passersby or hung in public places like bulletin boards. Flyers can be printed on one or both sides. Typically, a flyer that’s posted on a board is printed on one side only, while flyers that get distributed are printed on both sides.

A brochure, on the other hand, though typically the same size paper, is folded into two (bi-fold) or three (tri-fold) sections, and generally has print on both sides to get the most information on the paper. Brochures are also called pamphlets.

The Design

Flyers should have that attention-grabbing factor. A bold, catchy headline that appeals to your audience is a must. Flyers should have a powerful design that commands your recipient’s attention and interest, otherwise, that flyer won’t fly.

Brochures do not need the surprise element, although the design should still be creative and appealing. Brochure design is more intensive than flyers because of the different sections that have their own margins, pictures, and text. While most small and medium businesses can get away with a self-designed flyer, businesses often employ layout artists and copywriters just for the brochure design and content.

The Message

A flyer should be able to communicate its message at first glance, hence, the importance of a catchy headline. Flyers typically use creative wording to entice the potential customer; the message is short but concise. Good flyers have a powerful closing that gets the customer to take action.

A brochure has a lot more information to offer about your business or service – it provides details of what your company is all about:  your background, services you offer, benefits to your customer, and other information that your customer can refer to in the future.

The Purpose

Flyers are used to get people interested and excited in what you have to offer. They are generally used for small scale marketing, or if you have a small target area in mind. Flyers are typically used to inform potential customers of an event, a promotional offer, or new products and services.

Brochures are used to provide information to people who are already interested in your business. Interested customers often feel that need more information so they feel that they are making an informed decision before doing business with you, and brochures provide just that. Brochures are usually used in direct mail marketing campaigns as a follow up to an initial sales contact, and are also given at trade shows and after delivering a sales presentation.

In many ways, flyers and brochures work hand-in-hand in promoting your business, so it only makes sense to use both in your marketing strategy. At Onlineprinting.com.au, you can order both your custom flyers and brochures with a few easy steps. Hitting two birds with one stone – now that’s a strategy.

Flyers are everywhere. Having different sizes, shapes, designs, flyers are one of the most common forms of your business marketing strategy. They can help you to increase your brand awareness, promote an event, a special offer or announce a launch and so on.

Flyers are less expensive than other forms of the print advertising, easy to distribute and, the most important characteristic: they work!

Before talking about the communication campaign using flyers, I would like to highlight one of the most important principle that you must take into consideration while elaborating your marketing strategy:

Attraction

Interest

Desire

Action

It means that you must sell products or services that attract your clients, arouse their interest, stimulate their desire for acquisition and determine them to take the action (buy the products or services offered by your company).

In particular, any flyer campaign must follow the same steps: attract your client’s attention toward your company’s offer, stimulate their interest about your company, make them desire your products/services and convince them to take action.

Following there are some basic tips that you should take into account if you intend to use flyers as part of a successful marketing campaign:

Find your target audience

In order for your flyers to have the highest impact, leave them in those focus areas where the largest percentage of your potential customer live.

Know your target audience

Who your target client is in parameters of age, sex, ethnicity, behavior? Where do they live, work, shop, socialize or visit? What factors influence their purchase decision? How do you expect them to look to your flyer? A bi-fold, trifold, roll fold flyer or a leaflet?

Determine how the flyers will be used

Do you want to promote a certain offer that is available for a limited period? Do you advertise an event? Do you want to promote a new service or product?

Make sure your flyer design stands out

There are more elements, which you should take into consideration about this topic:

1. Use an attention-catching design, that reflect your brand and strengthen the flyer’s message
2. Use colors that are eye-catching, but not gaudy
3. Use appropriate images that support the content. Often, a good, large photo is better than more small pictures
4. Keep the design clean and simple and make sure there is enough white space so your customers can absorb the message at a glance
5. Write an engaging copy and make sure it makes the connections between your customer needs and your advertising.
6. Encourage your potential customers to take an action (visit your website, come to your store, participate to your event, buy your product or service – especially if you have a certain offer, etc)

Choose the best distribution way or mix more distribution channels

Depending on your targeted audience characteristics, on your campaign objectives and on your budget, you may use one or mix more of the following distribution channels:

1. door-to-door distribution
2. place them inside a packaged order
3. distribution on street
4. magazines insert
5. collaborate with complementary businesses
6. distribution through shops
7. distribution through malls, supermarkets, hypermarkets
8. Flyers dispensers in business centers
9. Attend fairs & exhibitions
10. Distribute to influencers
11. Use the public and private Health Services
12. Sponsor an event or a concert

Integrate flyers in your communication and marketing strategy

In order to be effective and get the best results, you should include the flyers campaign into your communication strategy. Not only in terms of design and tone of voice, but also in terms of using them in combination with other advertising techniques, like: outdoor campaigns, indoor campaigns, e-mail campaigns, events and so on.

Be consistent in the distribution of the flyers

Keep in mind that your potential customers have different needs, have different criteria for acquisition and react differently to the same communication campaign. Be consistent in your flyer campaigns in order to get the best results.