GCC Printing and Graphics

Loyal customers are extremely valuable. A 2% increase in customer retention has the same effect profit-wise as cutting costs by 10% , according to the book Leading on the Edge of Chaos .  Below are 10 ways print marketing can help you earn repeat customers.   1. Print builds trust; trust builds loyalty. Print is one of the most trusted advertising methods out there.  82% of consumers trust print ads the most when making a purchase decision. Customers who trust a business are more loyal to it, leading to greater revenue and business growth.  2. Loyalty programs … create loyalty.  Loyalty programs do just as they’re intended: they build loyalty!  Start a loyalty program by printing loyalty cards. This helps both your customers and your business keep track of points. Loyalty programs will turn the buying experience into a positive one for customers. They will feel like they are doing something good because each purchase gets them closer to the end reward. For example, every

Myths can sidetrack your marketing efforts and keep you spinning your wheels. Be on the lookout for these common misconceptions regarding direct mail. Direct Mail Myths Debunked 1. Direct Mail is Dead. Direct mail is still a driving force behind a successful business. As more companies look to online communication, you have a better chance of standing out in the mailbox. In addition, direct mail paves the way for the recipient to fully engage with your content on their schedule instead of being a quick (and annoying) interruption to their day. 2. Online Ads Are Better than Direct Mail. Online ads indeed help businesses succeed, but what is also true is that direct mail helps drive traffic to your online site. Without direct mail, people tend to click away. Direct mail is permanent and begs for attention in the palm of your hand. 3. You Can’t Target the Right People with Direct Mail. It is even easier to target the right customers with the new lists and technology. You c

If you have worked with a printing firm, you have probably heard the words “bleeds” and “crop marks” come up before. But what does that actually mean to you, the print buyer? What are Crop Marks? Crop marks tell the printer where to cut the paper, especially if it’s a finished product, such as a business card or postcard. But there are crop marks on pages for a booklet as well sometimes. If you look at a proof of your project, you will probably see these tiny lines that go horizontally and vertically, giving the margins for your project to be cut down. All crop marks in the USA should be either one-eighth or one-quarter inch. Since projects are printed on oversized paper with bleeds, these tick marks help guide printers when trimming the print job down to the final size. What is a Bleed? A bleed is when the color or text goes off of the page, and the cut will trim excess color off of it. A bleed makes for a complete look as the artwork typically goes (or “bleeds”) off the p

According to a recent global study by Logitech, more than 43% of employees are expected to work from home part or full time . Certainly, hybrid work environments are here to stay. And with the increase in remote workers, a smart balance of collaboration is critical. So, what does that look like? 7 Tips for Creating Successful Remote Teams 1. Space Remote workers will need a comfortable space at home to work in, so you may need to budget for a new desk and chair for their homes and/or be clear in your expectations of what you provide and what the employee will be responsible for. 2. Workflow You will need to make sure you are using efficient workflow and task management tools so that everyone is on the same page. For example, you could use Workzone, Trello, Jira, or others just as effective. Then everyone will know when things are due and when someone is done with a project. 3. Daily Communication Include remote workers in your daily communication. They might feel isol

Direct mail is king in advertising. It’s direct, in your hands, and grabs attention right away. There’s no cold calling, knocking on doors, or guessing if your direct mail made into your customers’ hands. In a 2020 consumer survey, 71% of people reported reading the ads that come in the mail. And 54% say that direct mail ads motivated them to try a new business. The Direct Mail Comeback Postcards are an excellent example of direct mail that has made a comeback in the last few years due to the pandemic leaving people at home more. Not leaving their homes meant people weren’t out searching for a better deal. Instead, they were at home, opening their mail and seeing great offers sent directly to them. Consumers learned that direct mail is a great starting point for their shopping. The Personal Touch of Direct Mail Direct mail has the advantage of personalization by putting the recipient’s name on it. This connection is better than a TV commercial or online ad because reade

A mentor can genuinely help another person achieve success. If you have been in the business world for a while and are a trusted leader, you might be a great candidate for being a mentor.  What is a Mentor? First of all, let’s start by talking about what a mentor is. A mentor offers insight into business, as they have gleaned information through experience and education. You could mentor a recent graduate or someone who may be new to your particular business. Whatever you aspire to help a person with, here are a few tips to get you headed in the right direction. Time You will want to determine what the mentee wants to get out of the mentorship. Do they need a one-time talk, or do they want an ongoing, weekly, or monthly meeting? Will you meet for coffee or in your office, and for how long? Decisions Remember that even though you provide advice and direction based on your expertise, the mentee needs to be free to make their own decisions. Don’t be offended if they

Ever feel overwhelmed by your to-do list? The Kanban method might help. Kanban comes from the Japanese word that translates into ‘visual signal,’ to convert work tasks into a visual format and limit the number of tasks concurrently being worked on while increasing transparency and speed. Kanban takes a group-focused approach and encourages everyone on the team to be a leader. Here’s how it works. Kanban Boards Kanban boards are the format of which kanban is worked off. These boards can be virtual or physical, and they consist of columns that break the workload up into sections. For example, you can have to-do, in-progress, and done columns.  Within the columns, there are cards. The cards represent each work item. They move from column to column, left to right, beginning from the backlog (a queue of work to be done) to the finished stage.   Kanban boards are designed to help limit work in progress, which helps decrease lead time. Kanban Cards Kanban cards provide al

Taking time off can be difficult, especially if you fear things might stall or fall apart without you there. But rest, and the time to unplug and recharge, are necessary indulgences. Here are six reasons why vacations are necessary for being healthy and successful. 1. Production There are many reasons to take time off. It makes you more productive to have time away from the grind. When you return, you feel refreshed and can spend those fresh eyes on sprucing up your marketing efforts or other things that need updating. 2. Physical Health “People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals,” according to Allina Health. It’s a great way to stay healthy and vibrant. Just check out these statistics: The New York Times reported that taking a vacation every two years instead of every five will lessen the risk of coronary heart disease or heart attacks for both men and women . Forbes reporte

A banner is a large piece of fabric or flag used to advertise a business by displaying a slogan, logo, symbol, or promotional offer. It is one of the oldest forms of advertising, and it is still around today because it is low cost and effective. Benefits of Banners Banners have a wide array of benefits . Below is just the tip of the iceberg. Visibility . Banners are highly noticeable. Pair it with an eye-catching design, and it’ll be hard to miss. Positive response. Unlike t.v. or radio commercials where the audience can become quickly tired of the advertisement and eventually irritated, banners don’t have that problem. The audience can choose to look at the banner or not. Therefore, the chances of them becoming annoyed by it are lower than alternative forms of advertising. Cost-effective. Compared to t.v. commercials or media advertising, banners are much more cost-effective. In advertising, you’re going to want to spend as little as possible to generate the most sales. Ba