Marketing Direct


Top 3 Ways to Create The Best Brochure Ever


Expert Author Melanie C Turner


Looking to get a jumpstart on the competition for the next quarter? Have you decided that brochures might be the best way to get there? Then consider the below three ways to create the best brochure, ever. These tips will not only help you optimize just about any brochure marketing campaign, but will also teach you the marketing basics that can be applied to just about any marketing tactic.
Colors - Use colors that stand out to the eye. Many times this depends on the culture, and what they consider attractive. For most of us this could be bright red and blues. Also try contrasting these colors in interesting ways. Consider including them as background shapes, and try using a different color for each brochure panel. This not only helps in segmenting your three points into easily digestible points, but also helps in creating visual appeal so that your recipient is more likely to read it from start to finish.
Interesting Folds - Consider interesting folds. This can be achieved by a few different way. Consider going for a die cut brochure that unfolds into an unusual shape, or instead consider having each panel be spaced a little farther apart than the last. This will not only help you in standing out, but will also demonstrate your creativity.
Unusual Copy - Make that your copy speaks to your number one target demographic. This will help in communicating more effectively, and will also help in having them understand why, specifically, they should be using your product. So be sure that your copy takes the focus off of your business, and put the focus on the prospect, and what they can get from using your product or service.
When you're done creating your brochure, be sure that you get a second, third and fourth opinion. This will help you in future brochures, and will also help you in deciding how to best create all other marketing collateral such as your next flyers, banners and postcards.
Melanie Turner is a Business student at Columbia University. She is also a Researcher at Deloitte Consulting where she works with expert marketing teams on Fortune 500 clients. As a growing expert in the field of marketing, Melanie aims to provide insights and resources to Small Businesses.
She has worked with brochure marketing experts, copywriters, and professional designers to create marketing pieces for Fortune 500 clients. Brochures are a great marketing tool and there will be more articles to come about how to use them effectively for your business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_C_Turner

______________________________________________________

Top 3 Marketing Mistakes Salon Owners Make


Expert Author Melanie C Turner
Salon owners are faced with problems everyday. They are in uncertain waters with the global economy in flux, and now more than ever, are constantly looking for a new and innovative ways to market themselves. With all of the new and innovative ways to market your salon, it is important that you not make mistakes which could hurt both your brand and business.
Below are our top three marketing mistakes that every salon owner faces on a daily basis. So be sure to review them and be sure that you not only avoid these common mistakes, but you also look for new and improved ways of getting the most out of your marketing efforts.
Lack of Branding - This is perhaps the most important thing when salon owners are looking to successfully market their brand. Be sure that all of your branding is cohesive. That will not only help in propelling your brand, but will also add a great amount of credibility to your business.
Distribution of Marketing Collateral - the distribution method that you choose to implement is imperative. The method not only is perhaps the most effective way to go about your marketing, but also the way that determines who and how they receive your marketing collateral. As a result, try and look at various ways to distribute. Simply think of where your customers go, and visit them to hand out your printed collateral. In person exchange are perhaps the best as it allows face-to-face contact. By having a face-to-face interaction your prospect is able to place a face to a name.
Too Many Discounts - By having too many discounts at once, you are locked into too many different pressures. By having all of these commitments you are forced to honor all of the discounts. This cannot only hurt your business, but can also hurt your financial history as you are tied into something that is only costing you money. You might be gaining customers, but in the end you are losing valuable funds. So be sure to adequately fund your discounts and do the math on how much each service or product costs.
When everything is done, your marketing efforts for your salon are only as successful as you allow them to be. As a result, try and better understand what makes your marketing efforts stand out. Compare yourself to your competition, and see where you can optimize your current efforts. This will not only help in your current marketing efforts, but also help in understanding what you need to do.
Melanie Turner is a Business student at Columbia University. She is also a Researcher at Deloitte Consulting where she works with expert marketing teams on Fortune 500 clients. As a growing expert in the field of marketing, Melanie aims to provide insights and resources to Small Businesses.
She has worked with top agencies in brochure design projects for Fortune 500 clients. Brochures are a great marketing tool and there will be more articles to come about how to use them effectively for your business.
_________________________________________________________________


5 Creative Brochure Design Concepts


Expert Author Melanie C Turner
Thinking of creating your first brochure, but not sure how to go about it? The most important thing to do is it to stand out from the rest of the noise. As a result it is important to look at different ways to break away from the norm. For starters, look at your competitions' brochures and see if they typically use a standard template. Then try and stay away from that at all costs.
Below are a few design tips to get you started on the right foot.
Die cut- Consider going with a die cut pattern that speaks to your customers, and also your industry. This will help in getting some attention, and also help in staying above the fray.
Interesting Copy - Consider having some interesting copy that will not only speak to your target audience, but will entice them in some playful thoughts. You can do this by having the tone of the brochure be fun and playful. Inspire and create some intriguing thought process that will have them remember your company.
Imagery - the graphics that you use is of the utmost importance when it comes to being creative. The images should not only be properly branded, but each image should have a reason for being there. This is important in understanding as items taking up space on your brochure only clutter up your design.
Contrasting colors - Be sure that the colors you use have interesting contrasts. This not only helps you in getting more eyeballs to your brochure, but also helps in getting attention. So try a pink against a light grey, or a chic black and white contrast goes along way.
Folds - Try and think of what would entice you to open up a brochure. Instead of having all of the panels be equally spaced, try and have the panels unequally placed. This will peak interest and provide visual detail that shows your quality.
All of these brochure ideas are things that you can create on your own, or have a designer work with. The biggest take away from all of this is that you need to put yourself in the customer's shoes. What would most appeal to you?
Melanie Turner is a Business student at Columbia University. She is also a Researcher at Deloitte Consulting where she works with expert marketing teams on Fortune 500 clients. As a growing expert in the field of marketing, Melanie aims to provide insights and resources to Small Businesses.
She has worked with brochure marketing experts, copywriters, and professional designers to create marketing pieces for Fortune 500 clients. Brochures are a great marketing tool and there will be more articles to come about how to use them effectively for your business.
_________________________________________________________________

Top 3 Brochure Marketing Mistakes


Expert Author Melanie C Turner
Brochures are perhaps the most vital part to just about any marketing effort. They provide enough room to properly explain your business, and also provide the ease of mobility. They can be handed off to other prospects, and also can facilitate a conversation between prospects, and nothing beats word of mouth marketing.
Font and Copy - Both of these are extremely important. Many times brochures that are not living up to their full potential will have a font that does not match up with their current branding. The font might also seem elementary. So try to choose a font that is a serif font. Also, have copy that is intellectually appealing. Stimulate a specific thought process that will lead the prospect to want to buy your product or service.
Colors - Many times companies will use colors that they see as attractive, but will not take their current brand's color into consideration. This could be a detriment to not only your business, but a huge setback to customer retention. As a result, try to choose colors that are in line with your current branding, and also colors that stand out enough to stand out against the competition. This will help in getting the most eyeballs, while creating a visually appealing color scheme.
Shape - The biggest mistake that business owners make is the shape of the brochure. Many times, owners opt for the 8.5x11 size. Something that just about every business has used over the years. Instead try to go for a brochure that speaks to your customer. They will not only be attentive to your message, but will also be more likely to invest in your business. Using a die cut brochure also shows that you invest in communicating with your customers and that you care about reaching out to new ones.
Take a look around at some brochures floating in the market. You will easily be able to discern which brochure violates the above three rules, and which succeeds at not only being visually appealing, but also succeeds at attracting customers. Having these components satisfied will not only help you in getting additional customers but also retaining your current client base.
To save on your printing, start with what you already have - so look to your current clients and see where you can most effectively use their resources. They might be more willing to help in terms of graphics, copy and paper for your brochure.
Melanie Turner is a Business student at Columbia University. She is also a Researcher at Deloitte Consulting where she works with expert marketing teams on Fortune 500 clients. As a growing expert in the field of marketing, Melanie aims to provide insights and resources to Small Businesses.
She has managed large scale in brochure printing for Fortune 500 clients. Brochures are a great marketing tool and there will be more articles to come about how to use them effectively for your business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_C_Turner

_____________________________________________