GCC Printing and Graphics

Designing marketing materials has much room for creativity, but you should also avoid common mistakes. If you aren't a graphic designer, you may be tempted to do your own thing, but there are some definite no-nos in design. Here are nine hints to guide you. Top 8 Print Marketing Design Hints 1. Have a clear concept for your marketing campaign When people start designing, they often keep adding to it without a clear idea of the desired design. This is a big red flag that your design is off to a bad start. You need to know what you want your design to look like. 2. Use symbolism For example, try to enhance the text's mood with a sketch, a drawing, an image, or a picture representing what you are trying to communicate. 3. Target the right audience with your print media Your content isn't for everyone. But there's one particular group of people you should always aim to impress and engage: your target audience . Think like them. Read like them. Try to e...

Being a leader is a big job, but what does it mean to be a great leader? And how will it transfer into your marketing efforts? 5 Leadership Tips For Marketers 1. Lead by example You need to show up and lead in how you work. You will not be an effective leader if you talk a big game but don’t do anything. If you promise to do something, do it. If you offer to explain something, explain it. Show your employees how effective you are by how much you do (versus just saying what you do). This translates into your marketing efforts when your business follows through on its promises. When customers see you are a person of your word, it makes a big statement. 2. Be humble When someone does something above and beyond, acknowledge them. Don’t always talk about yourself. This is true in marketing too. Show the customer what you can do to help them, rather than just bragging about your achievements. 3. Take care of yourself Take part in a hobby that might introduce ...

Everyone wants to save money. But we also wish for success. So how do we achieve both? Self-mailers are the answer. It's a tried-and-true method of marketing that gets readership and results. Research shows that mail is one of the most effective ways to connect with customers personally. The options are endless, and they are read more often than an email. When physical mail goes into your mailbox, you know it's intended for you, and you take notice. One benefit of a self-mailer over a traditional envelope is that a self-mailer can be creatively designed with attention-grabbing text and images. Direct mail achieves a 3.7% response rate with a house list and a 1.0% response rate with a prospect list . Compare that to: Mobile 0.2%; Email 0.1% for a Prospect list and 0.1% for House/Total list; Social Media 0.1%; Paid Search 0.1%; Display Advertising 0.02%. 5 Self-Mailers That Help You Stretch Your Budget 1. Newsletters Newsletters hold essential information about you...

You stress over minor details. You plan. You delegate. You edit. You design. Then you execute. Your marketing deserves to be read and digested. But how do you know how effective it is? That's where tracking metrics come in. Without tracking metrics, you have no idea if your campaign and business are thriving. Proper metrics should be giving you answers to the following questions: What were your results in the past? What are your goals for the future? Is there something that should be improved? Which targets did you reach? Which targets did you miss? 5 Top Reasons Tracking Metrics is Vital 1. Makes your business efficient. Looking at metrics helps analyze how well all aspects of your business are doing. When you're able to view and analyze key metrics, it makes it much easier to run your business. In addition, you know where to invest your resources and focus on the most critical issues . 2. Gauges performance of staff. Tracking metrics helps analyze ...

Print and social media go hand in hand. Promoting your business online is great because it doesn’t cost much and helps track customers. But people still shop at stores and go to companies in the flesh. You must be ready for people when they stop at your business place. So here’s the best way to combine the two ways to market your business: print and social media. Take a look. 5 Best Ways to Combine Print and Social Media 1. Post on Facebook. Post regularly to actively reach your audience. It doesn’t have to be much, but it will keep your name at the top of everyone’s mind. For example, try posting an inspirational quote, or try your hand at writing a short article on where your business excels. 2. Don’t forget Linkedin. Another great social media tool is Linkedin. This reaches specifically to other business people, and it doesn’t have to be a long post. Still, it’s the perfect way to spotlight your products and services. Let ...

It’s impossible to become a great leader without being a great communicator . When you are talking to employees, effective communication is the key. But what does this indeed mean? How does one effectively communicate? Here are the top five tips to help you improve your communication so that everyone is informed. Top 5 Effective Communication Tips for Leaders 1. Listen. Communication is about listening more than talking. The best communicators are great listeners and astute in their observations . To be effective at communication, you must listen to what is being said verbally and through body language. Focus on what the person is genuinely saying rather than what you think they will say. Try to reiterate it in your own words to make sure you heard them. Listen for emotions behind their communication; then ask more questions about that topic. Feel free to say, “You sound like you feel strongly about this. Tell me more.” 2. Delegate effectively. ...

Creativity in marketing campaigns is invaluable.  Creative campaigns help you stand out, allowing you to reach more people. The more people reached, the more successful your campaign. But how exactly can you come up with creative marketing campaigns? Below are some ideas to help you out.  Get inspired for creative marketing campaigns  Look to places such as social media and local or national news for inspiration. Try to participate in TikTok trends, especially if they connect well to your business. Look to the news. Is anything happening you can find a way to relate to your company?  Use FOMO for creative marketing campaigns  FOMO, or fear of missing out, is quite a powerful marketing technique.  In fact, 60% of people make purchases because of FOMO. Usually, the purchase is within 24 hours. Tap into this through limited-time specials and discounts. Build up the anticipation through emails and direct mail, letting consumers know it’s co...

Brand awareness is essential for any business.  A business’s brand is the mix of perceptions and emotional connections people tie to the company.  Companies should try to manage their brand through advertisements that reinforce the company’s message and image.  Print can be a powerful tool to boost brand awareness and reinforce your brand’s message.  1. Direct mail boosts brand awareness Direct mail is highly effective, with about 79% of households saying they read or scan direct-mail ads. Follow these steps when sending out direct mail:  Apply your brand guide. Include your signature color, font, and logo. Having a signature color can increase brand recognition by 80%. Keep your brand consistent. Customers will learn to associate your business with specific colors and feelings. Include a clear call to action in your direct mail initiative. Provide prospective customers with a next step.  Direct mail is one of many prin...

There are many fantastic ideas for advertising your business. Still, remember you need online and offline advertising for effectiveness. Don’t discount the original ways of marketing just because they aren’t new and a part of social media. Top 7 Effective Offline Strategies for Your Business 1. Distribute business cards. Your business card says a lot about you. Don’t forget that you can change it as much as you like. For example, you can print vertical instead of horizontal. You can use different types of paper to grab people’s attention. And you can add embossing or debossing to further show your originality and style. 2. Use flyers. If you have a big event, a grand opening, a new product, or a new employee, show off your news with fun flyers. Use graphics and photos to influence the audience further. 3. Publish a book. To show your expertise, write a book to share your knowledge. For example, you can create an e-book and offer a free download ...