7 Top Ways to Show Appreciation to Customers

Gratitude is a great skill to possess.

"I think gratitude is a big thing. It puts you in a place where you're humble," said Andra Day. 

And humility is a wonderful attribute, primarily when serving the public. When you meet up with prospective clients, gratitude is vital. We receive a much better welcome when people see how thankful we are to meet with them and to have their continued support. 

Research has proven that returning customers spend 67% more than new customers, and 82% of customers are brand loyal.

So, what else can you do to show appreciation besides saying thank you?  

Here are some ideas to show your gratitude.

 7 Top Ways to Show Appreciation to Customers

1. Send a Thank-You Note

Send a thank-you note in a letter, hand-written and signed by you.

Sure, it takes a little time, but keeping current customers happy is worth it—especially the ones you genuinely want to maintain a relationship with.

2. Make a Donation

Donate to something close to your customers' hearts.

If they support a worthy cause you can get behind, consider donating something to these causes in their name. 

3. Offer a Discount

Offer a discount just for them.

One of the easiest ways to build customer loyalty is by rewarding your customers for their business with loyalty cards and retail rewards.

4. Do a Giveaway

Offer a giveaway prize package.

Want to share the love and give out prizes to your fans? Running a giveaway is a great way to show your appreciation. This will excite customers, and they might even tell their friends and colleagues. 

5. Offer Free Services

Offer more free services if possible.

When people began to feel the impact of the coronavirus and social distancing, some companies went above and beyond to help people adjust to a challenging new reality.

Some companies offered free services or better deals on their products. When there is a stressor in your customers' lives, help out a little more. People notice it and will appreciate your help.

6. Talk Face-To-Face

Engage in face-to-face conversations with your clients.

Ultimately, people want to be seen and heard. Engaging with them in a conversation over video chat or, better yet, in person is a perfect way to thank them for supporting your company daily.

Listen to them rather than just pitching your ideas. Ask about their business and learn how you can genuinely help each other.

7. Acknowledge Them on Social Media

Feature customers on your blog or social media.

If they had a big event that you were able to be a part of, or help with in some way, show it. Portray pictures of the big day with words from them as to how the day went.

This is great to help celebrate their day. It's also great to get the word out about how you help people.

Whatever you choose to show appreciation will elevate your customer relationship and nurture long-lasting bonds. If you need help printing stationary or customized packaging, let us know. We would love to help!

9 Solid Ways to Combine Digital and Print to Boost Your Campaign

Contrary to popular opinion, print is not dead, and it remains an integral part of marketing and advertising. 

Today, you can't rely solely on digital ads to increase customer traffic. Likewise, you can't just rely on old-school advertising to do the job.

Writing words on paper is tactile and fun to hold. It also creates a feeling of value that a pop-up ad can't do. Paper is something that has to be reckoned with. You can't just turn a blind eye. You have to physically throw it away--after reading it. 

Once it's your customers' hands, you have the advantage of grasping their attention. Be forthcoming about what you are selling or trying to call their attention to.

Using high-quality paper and fine print can give the impression of prestige and quality, and with the physical item in your hands, it is way more engaging for readers than an email or a pop-up.

Digital helps expand on the conversation you started with the customer. It allows for more information to be shared, and it's interactive in that the customer can click for more information on your website.

So, if you take the best aspects of each marketing tool, you will see the difference compared to running a solely digital or print campaign.

9 Solid Ways to Combine Digital and Print to Boost Your Campaign

1. QR Code

Use a QR code to link to your digital platform.

This is a quick and easy way to get the most out of your advertising.

2. Include Your Web Address

Add your website to the printed pieces.

This way, the customer instantly knows how to get more information or contact you. You can even create a specific landing page for the campaign.

3. Exclusive content

Advertise exclusive content within your print pieces to gain new followers on a specific social platform.

4. Social Media

Use your social media to obtain customer information so you can send on-target materials to them.

5. Giveaway

Advertise a giveaway on your printed piece and include a QR code or URL that takes the consumer to a page where they can redeem the gift.

6. Colors

When combining print and digital efforts, give them a cohesive look by using the same colors and fonts.

7. Campaign Tracking

Add a UTM or Urchin Tracking Module to the web address or QR code that you put on your print campaign.

A UTM is a simple text code that can be added to any URL or webpage to generate Google Analytics data.

8. Hashtags

Printing specific hashtags on materials is yet another way to funnel all marketing channels toward a single campaign. 

Indiana University used this approach with newly-admitted college students by including the hashtag #IUSaidYes on their acceptance letter packages.

9. Augmented Reality

Use an augmented reality code in your print advertising to stand out more.

This high-tech tactic tracks the results through the code and can also boost your online presence. These two together are unstoppable.

When it comes to marketing, combining digital and print will help boost your campaign and reach the right audience. 

When it comes to print marketing, we are here to help your marketing dollars go further! Contact us today.

6 Automation Tips for Your Small Business

Automation has helped many small businesses become much more fluid and, in turn, succeed.

Automation has become one of the keys to success: nearly 80% of top-performing companies have used marketing automation for more than two years.

Although they might not have the resources of their counterparts, small companies can and should incorporate automation in every aspect of business: From capturing leads to closing sales and serving customers to checking routine office tasks off the to-do list.

Research has shown that while small businesses are less likely to invest in automation than large ones, they have more success when they do.

Here are a few common areas of automation where small businesses can get big results.

6 Automation Tips for Your Small Business

1. Lead and Contact Management

Dealing with leads and contacts manually can be a hassle.

Consider replacing that complicated spreadsheet with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) automation.

A CRM platform can automate lead scoring and take action when a score changes. For example, it can notify you when a deal is heating up or trigger an email when a contact hits a particular score.

2. List Segmentation

Segmentation of your contact list is key to sending personalized content, which has an average 34% open/click rate.

You can do this automatically based on actions that a person takes. 

3. Email Marketing

Email marketing has an incredible return on investment (ROI).

Businesses earn an average of $35 for every $1 spent. Email gives you a direct line to your audience and helps you build brand awareness.

But regularly sending professional, personalized emails to your contacts can be time-consuming for small businesses. Email marketing automation software makes it easier. Examples include welcome emails, abandoned cart emails, and birthday and anniversary emails.

4. Social Media

Social media automation includes automating your content to post on a social media platform at certain times.

All major social networks allow paid advertising, and you can reach a targeted audience when and where they are already spending time.

5. Notifications

Notifications are a type of automation with significant benefits, like increased efficiency and speed.

Automatic notifications give you updates on critical events so you can take action immediately. 

6. Customer Support

Small businesses care about their customers and are committed to offering the best support possible. Automation can help. 

For example, chatbots have become increasingly popular in customer support and have been shown to increase sales by an average of 67%.

Ultimately, automation streamlines your processes and makes you more competitive — especially if you’re a small business. 

When it comes to printing, we, too, want to make you more efficient so you can make the most of your time and budget and focus on what matters most. Contact us today!

4 Things Your Direct Mail Piece Needs to Convert

Direct mail is a simple, cost-efficient way to reach your target market. 

The response rates for direct mail are about five to nine times higher than other advertising channels. However, five to nine times is quite a range. Getting your direct mail to reach the nine times higher statistic requires certain elements. 

Here are four things your direct mail piece needs to convert direct mail into sales. 

1. Personalization

Recipients respond well to personalized advertisements. 

The more personalization, the better your target market can say, "Wow! This is for me!" One study showed that 93% of businesses that incorporated an advanced personalization strategy experienced revenue growth.

Personalization starts with data. The more customer data you have, the more personalized your direct mail can be. Gather data regarding geographic, demographic, and behavioral characteristics so you can… 

• Include the recipient's name in all outgoing marketing materials.


• Reference the client's past buying history.


• Suggest products the customer might be interested in. 

To simplify your marketing, try to divide your overall target market into niche audiences with specific pain points. This will allow the mail to be more personalized while still being manageable for your business to execute. 

2. Special offers

Tell the recipient what's in it for them. 

By including special offers in your direct mail, people will be more likely to act. Make your direct mail more effective by triggering fear of missing out by making the offer for a limited time only or while supplies last. 

If your company struggles to acquire data from your customers, you could have customers fill out a form before they can access the special offer. 

Examples of special offers include:

• Discounts


• Exclusive events


• Free samples

Example: "Scan this QR code, tell us about yourself, and get 25% off your next purchase! For a limited time only." 

3. Strong writing

The content within direct mail heavily influences readers. 

Create a confident, friendly, accessible piece with direct mail by focusing on the writing. Tips to achieve this include: 

• Make it accessible to all by using simple language and short sentences.


• Make it easy to skim by adding headings and bullet points.


• Tell readers what's important by making certain words and phrases pop.


• Include stories readers will enjoy and connect with.


• Make your first and last sentences count because they are the most frequently read. 

By making the content of your direct mail enjoyable to read, recipients will be more likely to act. 

4. Follow up after sending direct mail

People are busy, and they need reminders. 

Therefore, follow up with your customers after sending direct mail. You can follow up with another direct mail piece, email, or phone call. When doing so, remind the customer about the special deals and your previous point of contact. 

Direct mail is a powerful tool in marketing. But you're going to want the most conversions for your money. Help convert by including these four strategies in your direct mail campaign. 

We're here to help you convert when you're ready to print! Reach out today!

6 Ways to Engage Your Audience With Interactive Print Marketing

Interactive print marketing allows more engagement from the receiver, upping retention. 

Interactive print marketing is any print that allows engagement beyond reading from the user. It can have digital or non-digital aspects. 

Non-Digital Interactive Print Marketing

Non-digital interactive print marketing uses creativity to enhance print, creating a unique experience. 

1. Scents

Sending scents through the mail is especially helpful when advertising the wonderful smell of your perfume. 

However, even if you don't sell perfumes, sending a scent through the mail can still be helpful. By associating your business with good smells, you'll intrigue and please potential clients while influencing their emotions, as 75% of emotions are due to smell.

Incorporating a particular smell could become part of your brand identity, boosting recognition. People are 100 times more likely to remember a smell than something they see, hear or touch.

2. Invisible Ink

Make your campaign fun by telling your recipients to get the paper wet or bring it outside into the sun. 

Having "hidden" messages appear after following the prompts creates a fun experience for the customer while also making your advertisement memorable. 

Entice your readers to follow the prompts by providing a discount or some benefit after following through. 

3. Origami

Send print that can be transformed into something more through origami. 

This is a fun activity for the recipients. Make sure the directions are clear and the origami doesn't get too complicated. Otherwise, the recipient will become frustrated. 

Connect the origami piece to your marketing campaign and product. Make it even better by providing the customer with something functional once they're done, like a pencil holder. 

Digital Interactive Print Marketing

It can be beneficial to change your strategy mid-campaign by including digital aspects. 

It also increases response rates; a study shows the increase in response rates could be from 2 to 35%!

4. Lights 

Did you know you could include lights in your print marketing?

Adding lights can make your direct mail shine. With the holidays just around the corner, adding lights to Christmas trees in direct mail will help you stand out. Use your imagination to find ways to enhance your package through digital lights. 

5. QR Codes 

QR codes help to create a seamless omnichannel approach by creating a bridge between the print and the digital world. 

QR codes can connect consumers to…

• Social media. Social media is a wonderful way to interact with clients while showcasing your best products or services.


• Website. Your website can be used to find out more information about your company and answer any questions. To make it even more effective, you could include QR codes that bring the customer directly to the product you're advertising.


• Video. If you'd like to share more information than can be included in the print piece, then have the QR code direct users to an engaging video for more info. 

QR codes can help your print marketing deliver more than would otherwise be possible while helping people follow your calls to action more easily. 

6. Artificial Reality

Artificial reality gives your print marketing a chance to come alive. 

When the recipient scans the image with their phone or tablet, they'll be able to see images moving and making noise through their phone.

It's another element that increases the recall of the recipients while also providing them with a bit of fun in their lives. 

Print marketing is not archaic. Although it has been used for many years, it has kept up with modern technology to provide unique, memorable features to your target market. 

Let us help you engage your audience with interactive print marketing! Reach out today!

11 Print Products That Make Great Holiday Gifts

The holidays are coming, and you want to reward your clients (and possibly even your staff) with fun items that will benefit them and keep your name buzzing around.

Utilizing giveaways helps people identify your brand and reminds them of your business when they’re ready to purchase.

Here are some great ideas to help do both of these things. 

11 Print Products That Make Great Holiday Gifts

1. Water bottles

These are popular because they are reusable and reduce waste in landfills.

Of course, we all want to stay hydrated, but it’s also a perfect canvas for your business logo.

2. Calendars

We all use our phones but hang up our paper calendars to remind us of important dates.

Add photos and your logos, and you’re set. Each month, there will be a different picture to admire.

3. Mugs

Who doesn’t like to curl up with a good book or Kindle and read with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

Mugs are perfect for winter months to warm hands up during a chilly business meeting. And your name is front and center.

4. Keychains

Create a fun, engaging, creative keychain for your customers and employees.

Then, tie it in with a popular sporting event in town or location to bring camaraderie.

5. Bookmarks

Design some fun bookmarks for your guests.

Include engaging local scenery and fun graphics. Believe it or not, people still like these types of gifts.

6. Stationery

This is a wonderful idea if you are looking to reward your employees.

Create one-of-a-kind stationery that is customized to them.

7. Caps

Whether you create winter caps or baseball caps, the message is clear.

This type of gift has your logo front and center and is something useable for months. These are great ways to get your logo noticed. 

8. Magnets

Fun, fun, fun! Magnets are great in the office or at home.

People use them all the time. So consider it a challenge to come up with something clever.

9. T-shirts

These are great giveaways because we all wear t-shirts.

They are great under sweatshirts, in the gym, or on a casual day at the office.

10. Bottle opener

No one wants to be stuck without a bottle opener at their next event.

Make sure your bottle opener flaunts your logo clearly, and pick colors that represent your business well.  

11. Notepads or notebooks

We all need more of these; they get used a lot.

Find a fun style, size, or shape of notepad to create a long-lasting appeal.

No matter what products you choose to use, it’s clear that your logo will permeate their brain, causing them to remember you when they need your services. It’s like subliminal advertising.

Giveaways and contests help you generate leads, engage your customers and increase your audience reach, all simultaneously!

So remember, when you need printing done, we are here to help your ideas become successful. Contact us today!

Color Talks... Are You Listening?

Color, color everywhere. But what does it mean?

Believe it or not, color has a lot of implied meanings, and it imparts a lot of feelings. Color meanings stem from psychological effects, biological conditioning, and cultural developments.

Color Talks... Are You Listening?

Depending on where you do business, you’ll want to consider color. There are cultural differences, such as red representing good luck in China, but in South Africa, it’s the color of mourning.

For this article, we will focus on meanings in the United States. Take a minute and consider what your color scheme means to the readers. Does it need to be changed so you can reach your business goals? Let’s learn.

Red

Red is the color of passion and energy.

It’s an intense color that is supposed to motivate us to take action. (Remember, stop signs and signal lights use red for a loud caution. It is meant to move us in the right direction.)

Red also stimulates appetite, which is why many fast-food restaurants use this color in advertising and decorating. Red is an excellent color for getting people to “act now.” Think about your brand and what you want to do with the logo and advertising.

Orange

Orange exudes enthusiasm and emotion.

It is supposed to be a fun color that represents emotional strength. It adds spontaneity and positivity and encourages social communication and activity. It’s also youthful, vibrant, and fun. Think about how much fun you want to add to your advertising.

Blue

Blue is the color of loyalty and trust.

It relaxes our psyche and gives us peace and tranquility. Light baby blue is peaceful, while dark blue can signify depth and power. It represents intelligence and responsibility, which is excellent for businesses that want to promote a sincere business image. 

Green

Green is the hue that represents health and harmony.

It balances our emotions and makes us feel safe and secure. It often represents rebirth and new life, just like the grass and trees in the springtime. In our culture, green also represents wealth because of its tie to money.

Purple

Purple typically represents luxury, mystery, and spirituality to people because of its link to royalty.

This color holds a special meaning in religions, including Catholicism, Judaism, and Buddhism. So if you want to add some spiritual dimension, this is a great color to use. 

Yellow

Yellow makes us feel optimistic and happy.

It’s a cheerful color that brings fun and joy into the space. It represents spontaneity and youthfulness. If your target market is young people, try incorporating some yellow into the color scheme. Yellow is a great choice if speed, fun, and low cost are attributes that you want to be associated with your brand. 

Pink

Pink represents femininity and the softer side of things.

Combine it with a bolder color, and you will soften your image. It is known for romance, sensitivity, and tenderness. It’s also a color for passion and love. Pink seeks to make others feel accepted by offering an unmatched level of sympathy.

When you think of advertising, colors are one of your most important choices.

If you have questions about what colors would work best for your print marketing and business materials, feel free to reach out. We want to ensure every element of your marketing efforts gets the intended message across! 

5 Entrepreneur Tips You Need to Know

Being an entrepreneur is challenging.

In fact, 20% of small businesses fail within the first year. The world of business can be competitive and cutthroat. Follow these five tips to prepare yourself for success. 

1. Mix passion with skill

You’re going to be pouring many hours and a lot of energy into your business. 

It’s crucial you not only find something you’re passionate about but also in which you have potential. Find the perfect founder, product, and market fit by choosing a business matching your unique skills, experiences, and personality. 

This can be accomplished by zoning in on a unique niche. 

2. Find the right niche

Find the perfect “Goldilocks niche:” not too broad, not too narrow; just right. 

Most successful businesses begin with a narrow niche. This helps you differentiate from your competitors and draw in customers. Once you’ve established yourself, then you can work towards expanding your business into other areas that make sense. 

Be careful when choosing a niche. Try finding one that’s popular all year long and allows repeat business. Although not impossible to succeed, seasonal niches are challenging because they allow for fewer repeat customers and year-long sales.  

Whatever your niche, make sure your business is solving an urgent problem. If not, you'll fail to make sales because customers won't see why they need to buy your product or service. 

3. Do your research 

Solid research attracts customers and investors. 

Doing quality research up front helps increase trust in your business. You’ll be able to show your customers and investors exactly why your business can help them and where your information is coming from. 

Furthermore, by researching all facets of your business, you’ll be better able to outsource and hire without being taken advantage of. 

4. Make employees a priority

Employees help you reach your business goals. 

Happy employees are more likely to want to help your business succeed and work towards company goals. Companies with higher work satisfaction scores outperformed lower employee satisfaction companies by 202%!

To maintain content employees, ensure they feel appreciated, heard, and valued. Complimenting employees often while avoiding too much criticism can go a long way toward employee contentment. 

Do your best to ensure your employees are part of the 65% of employees satisfied with their job.

5. Be professional 

Professionalism helps promote company trust. 

Professionalism spans many aspects, including being reliable, using a professional manner, and having business cards. 

Business cards are an easy, cost-effective way to maintain a professional front. They also serve as an effective marketing tool. They’re easy to distribute and provide all the relevant information potential customers need. 

Being an entrepreneur is risky and challenging. Set yourself up for success by finding the right niche that solves a relevant problem and mixes your unique passion and skills. Furthermore, by researching, maintaining happy employees, and remaining professional, you can better navigate the unpredictable business world. 

We print high-quality marketing materials that help propel your business forward. Contact us today!

3 Tips for Choosing the Right Flyer Font

When putting together a flyer, sometimes the flyer font can be overlooked. 

But, your font plays an essential role in the overall flyer design. Depending on your choice, it holds the information being shared and can convey different meanings. 

Sans-serif vs. serif fonts

Fonts can be classified into one of two categories: sans-serif or serif. 

Sans-serif fonts don’t have little lines underlining the letters, making them good for digital posters. They also tend to be bolder, making them good for headlines. Examples include Century Gothic, Verdana, and Helvetica. 

Serif fonts have little lines underlining the letters. They’re good for body text because they can be easier to read. Common serif fonts include Times New Roman and Garamond. 

Remembering the difference between sans-serif and serif fonts is important when choosing the correct font for your flyer. 

1. Readability is key!

Readability is the most crucial aspect to consider when choosing a flyer font. 

If people can’t easily read your flyer, they will not stick around to try. They’ll get frustrated and throw your flyer out. 

Stick to 10 pt and above font sizes and aim for Arial, Georgia, Verdana, and Times New Roman, as these are easier to read.

Also, be mindful of your dyslexic audience by choosing a font they’ll be better able to read, such as sans-serif fonts, especially Helvetica. With about an estimated 1 in 10 people with dyslexia, making sure your flyer is accessible may be more important than you thought. 

2. Fonts convey meaning

Various fonts add nuance to your design. 

Paying attention to these nuances can help you pair the right font with the message and goal of your flyer.

Check out the following common flyer goals and how to achieve them.

• Formal, conservative, or vintage brand: serif fonts


• High-end buyers: minimalist font


• Convey stability: Times New Roman, Arial, and Cambria


• Convey assertiveness: Impact, Rockwell Xbold, and Georgia


• Show expertise: fancy fonts


• Discount flyers: bold fonts

The little decisions, like matching the right font with your flyer, can go a long way in promoting your business. 

3. Don’t overdo it

With about 200,000 fonts worldwide, it can be easy to choose too many fonts for your flyer. 

But, too many fonts create a busy, confusing flyer design. Instead, stick to about two fonts or one font in different weights. The font’s weight includes the various ways a single font can appear. Font weights include hairline, thin, light, regular, italic, medium, bold, and black, to name a few. Never use more than three fonts. 

If you decide to use two fonts, finding the right font pair can be tricky. Many find pairing a sans-serif font for the headlines with a serif font for the body text to be a helpful guideline. 

Font selection may seem like a small detail, but it affects how your marketing is perceived. When choosing a flyer font, readability and accessibility are the most important factors. 

Whatever font you choose, we’re here to help you print your flyers so you can share your business with your target market!

7 Top Tips for Print and Email Newsletter Marketing

Try a newsletter when you need to get the word out fast, professionally, and efficiently.

Not only will you have more space for getting your point out, but it also reminds people regularly that you're ready to do business.

Newsletters are a customizable, affordable, and accessible type of marketing communication.

There are many ways to make your newsletters effective. And it's time to realize that newsletters are essential to effective email marketing and branding.

Ignoring them can restrict brands from growth.

7 Top Tips for Print and Email Newsletter Marketing

1. Logo placement

Ensure your logo is front and center on the newsletter's first page or header so that recipients don't have to guess (or hunt) for that information.

2. White space

Make sure you don't cram all your great ideas into one newsletter.

Instead, use white space frequently so that it doesn't look crowded.

3. Keep it simple

Don't try to tackle too much detail in your articles.

Keep it reader-friendly. This makes the reader want more and allows you to follow up on the article in future newsletters.

It also leaves the reader interested and possibly wanting to contact you to discuss the issues further.

4. Use bullet points

When you have multiple topics, use bullet points rather than writing a lot of paragraphs.

This allows the reader to scan for information quickly.

In addition, embedding helpful links in your email newsletters and giving visual descriptions can attract more readers.

5. Feature pull-out quotes

When someone has something important to say in the article, and it is a great point, pull it aside in the design.

Make it more significant than the regular text by using it as a graphic, not in the article itself. 

Pull quotes provide a teaser that entices the reader into the story.

6. Have someone edit your articles

Don't rely on your own wits here.

You will need to have another person edit your articles and layout. It's hard to catch your own mistakes all the time.

And sometimes, you need another set of eyes on an article in case something needs to be clarified. You might know what you mean, but someone else might not. This is just good practice.

7. Make sure there's a call to action (CTA)

There needs to be a place (or places) where you encourage the reader to take an action that moves them through your sales funnel.

Call-to-action examples include visiting your store, contacting you for a consultation, signing up for your email list, or making a purchase today.

The point of doing a newsletter is to build the business.

Contact us today to learn about our professional paper, color, and design options for your next print newsletter!