Your business probably already sends out paperwork to clients every day that could become part of your marketing strategy and because it’s already being sent your costs remain unaffected.

Business cards should have all the traditional contact details on them but many have blank areas or the rear left blank when it could be used to promote your business. Use the space on the back of your business cards to display product photos, show client testimonials, list your services, detail special offers, link to your email newsletter or write a short description of what your business can do for your customers.

When you have the details of your customer to send them information directly, writing to them on letterheaded paper is a great way to get your company branding noticed. Include all your contact details on the letterhead in a prominent place and if you have space in the letter include a testimonial, promote your website or your email newsletter and include a special offer to tempt the customer into making contact again. Include a business card with your letter or include some other promotional literature. The envelope you send the letter in can also be used to carry your logo, your company strap-line and other information like your opening hours, your website address and your phone number.

Compliments slips are ideal for inclusion with customer orders, letters and invoices. Include all your contact details and links to your website and blog to keep these details at the fingertips of your customers. Including a handwritten message that is personally addressed to your customer will help to show them that their custom is appreciated.

Once a customer has made a successful purchase from you they are more likely to make a repeat purchase. Online retailers often send order conformation emails to customers showcasing other items they might like to purchase next time or including a special offer they can use with their next order. Invoices on paper can be used for promotion of your website, blog or to include special offers for a customer’s next purchase. Try these ideas on your next set of invoices.

This blogpost is an exerpt from the first Create Design Studio book on creating websites. If you would like to read more visit our website at: www.iwanttobeawebdesigner.com and download a chapter from the book FREE!

Create Design Studio provide graphic design and website services, we also set up blogs and make great PowerPoint presentations. If you’d like us to help you with your next project please call David on 01420 549637.

Share/Bookmark

Getting the most from your designer is essential to ensure that your project gets the right style. Here are some tips to make the design process as simple as possible:

Articulating what you want as clearly as possible will help the designer to understand what you want the finished item to achieve. Take examples of similar items that you like (or ones you dislike, it all helps). If you can point in a direction of style or mood you want it willl help provide your designer with a full brief for your project.

One recent project at Create Design Studio illustrated this point well, our client came in and explained all about what his business does in order for a logo design to be prepared. The first logo designs we sent were all unsuitable because we’d focused on a much broader view of what the company does (investments) when our client wanted the logo to represent a more specific aspect (property in Europe). Once we ironed out our misunderstanding and refocused the logo design brief our next set of ideas were just the ticket.

Knowing what you want the item to achieve will help point your designer in the right direction. Do you want to improve brand recognition, increase sales, find new customers or launch a new service? Each aim may require a different design approach so being clear about what the piece will do helps your designer to make the design as effective as possible.

If you have a strong preference for colours take some swatches along (these can be anything from fabric to paint swatches). Don’t overlook including colours from your corparate branding to make sure your final item fits in with all the other marketing materials you use for your business.

Try to keep an open mind on the final design of the item, showing your designer styles you like is helpful but giving your designer space to bring their own ideas to the party could provide you with an even better solution.

Stay in touch with your designer. Communication is key to a successful project, don’t be afraid to discuss anything you are unsure about, things you dislike about the design or (hopefully) the things you really love about it. Once your preferences are known the process can move on to the next stage, production of final designs, sending files to a printer or making a website live.

Create Design Studio provide design services for the production of printed marketing materials and websites.
Contact us today for a free consultation, please call 01962 737989 and speak to David Woodroofe.

Like this? Try this:

Promoting a new business, where do you start?

Share/Bookmark