Promoting your business online has become more and more important over the past few years, and 2017 will be no different. But for smaller businesses, your customers are nearby – and physical will reach them better than digital. Online marketing can be a money drain if it isn’t effectively targeted, so if you aren’t completely tech-savvy (or can’t afford to pay for someone who is) traditional marketing is a much safer route. Print is cost-effective and proven to get results; it just requires a little planning in advance. To get you thinking about what you can achieve in the New Year, here are a few simple but effective ideas.
Create content your audience wants.
When you think about content marketing, most people think of blog posts or videos. However, content is simply anything you create that is relevant and valuable, and can engage your target audience. Informational booklets, infographic posters, and magazines are all content – the trick is to think about how you can give your customer something useful. For example, if you want to appeal to summer tourists, why not create a leaflet that folds out into a map of the local area?
Give your customers a great deal.
Special offers and seasonal sales mark out the year for many businesses – so make the most of yours. Posters in your windows and flyers on the till are a must if you want to draw people in. Consider giving your customers something extra, like loyalty cards that you can stamp on each visit, or coupons for money off their next purchase stapled to their receipt. Creating a culture based of giving will keep customers happy all year round.
Update your business card.
How long has it been since you thought about your business card? A year or two? Not since your last promotion? Longer? Business cards are an essential networking tool, but a scruffy, scuffed card with out-of-date details won’t give your new contacts much confidence. Updating your business card – or your whole company’s business cards – is a great way to refresh your image for 2017.
Get local.
Odds are, you get most of your trade from customers in your area. Even if you are expanding into other regions, having a strong customer base is a valuable asset. Posters, flags and banners can be seen by hundreds of people in a single day – and even if only one of them is interested, that’s still a good return on your investment. Posters and banners also increase things you can’t measure, like brand awareness, positive brand associations, and word of mouth.
Refresh your business in 2017 with Colour Print. Our expert team of print consultants and designers can advise you on the best way to appeal to your target audience, and even save you money in the process. Go back to basics in the New Year and see how valuable print really is. Call us on 01603 488001 or email sales@col-print.co.uk.
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