What are the basics assets you need and give you real value?
I have attended many networking meetings and have books of business cards and often look through them and wonder who did that to this business!
I have seen some spectacular shapes, colours and bizarre and totally impractical sizes, I have also seen some absolutely terrible cards that say nothing about the business and leave you using them to level up a wonky coffee table...So I’ll start with the real basic
A business card
a. If you are not creative then don’t do your design just to save on the pennies. It won’t serve you well in the short or long term.
b. This is the item you leave with people to make you memorable.
c. This is the item that introduces you.
d. This is the item that tells them who you are, what does your brand stand for and how to contact you
e. Put some thought in to it and make it represent who you are – it’s a mini shop window
f. Don’t waste an opportunity to make a good impression and leave people with a memorable item that reminds them of you
g. Make it eye catching but appropriate
h. Don’t forget to think about the weight , colour and finish of your card
i. Zany shapes can be memorable BUT they can also be a pain – so consider what you want your card to do in terms of shape and size
Letterhead
a. Make sure it matches your brand in colour and style
b. Do you really need 5000 or will they sit un-used under your desk
c. Can you use the layout carefully and use them for invoices etc
d. Think about how you will print on them – digitally printed letterheads are great on price but may not go through a laser printer in your office – so check
e. Think about your office processes and how items will be used
f. Size and weight can depict quality and stand out
g. Do you need the conventional full set of stationery – some start up deals look great but when was the last time you used comp slips – great if you do but a waste if you don’t
Promotional items
a. The choice is huge from printed bags to pens to some fantastic and unusual items – do you need them?
b. Make sure you get value for money
c. Make any items either really useful or desirable – this will make it memorable and keep your company name at the forefront of the recipient
Newsletters
a. Whether on-line or off-line make them interesting
b. Make the content relevant to your audience
c. Don’t use too much tech talk unless it’s going to be understood by who you are sending it too
d. Maintain your image , look and brand and keep your messages consistent – people get easily confused especially when they have little time and keep been sent stuff that doesn’t connect with them
Overall tips
a. Be cost effective but don’t presume you can rebrand your whole business and look quality for nothing – this ‘look’ could last you for years – appreciate the value in it
b. If you are not creative then don’t try to be – allow the experts to advise you
c. If you need to really do it on a budget – keep it simple and clean and don’t expect a Rolls Royce for the cost of a Simca (not heard of that car – take the hint)
d. THINK about longevity – if you are constantly changing information then think about your design and artwork costs and also how much of everything you order from anyone – even down to address changes – do you really want to throw 300 promotional cards out because you forgot you were changing your mobile number or your 10% offer has just finished and you only bought 500 because it was cheaper than 300
e. Whatever you decide to use to promote your business, think about what you actually need to print and the quantity and the usages
f. Plan out all the items you think you need, make sure you will use them and plan your budget
Hope these little tips help.
