WorldExecutivesDigest.com | 5 Printed Marketing Materials That Are Essential for Startup Success | All companies, both big and small, need marketing materials to show the world what they are serious and can be trusted in the business. These materials also serve as an excellent way to grab attention, which is particularly useful for startups that are only beginning to establish their following and reputation.
Since funds are often limited during the early stages of a company’s operations, it is crucial that you determine what type of marketing you should prioritize that could offer the highest return on investment.
Interestingly, 90 percent of all new businesses that launch every month fail due to poor marketing, among other reasons. For the most part, new business owners tend to gravitate towards digital marketing, which they see as the more affordable choice. However, this leaves them unable to make a mark since they are not combining online efforts with tangible marketing options that actually sell.
To help you pick the right print marketing material to use without busting your initial capital, below is a list of the five essentials that your startup needs for a successful launch:
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Signs: Internal and External
Signs are aptly named marketing materials that help people know where your business is based and what it is all about. Both outdoor and indoor signs can help you establish a professional image while offering a chance for potential customers to learn more about your company.
In some cases, signs come in the form of banners, which are marketing materials that require minimal investment but yield significant results. To ensure its cost-efficiency, you must create eye-catching designs that not only make a statement but also inspire and reflect your company’s professionalism.
When using signs, companies must also be wary of the location they are placed in. Print vinyl banners are best placed in areas with high traffic and places where your chosen target audience is bound to see them. This may include:
- Roadways and sidewalks
- Walls near high-traffic intersections
- Storefronts
- Trade shows and festivals
A banner should also direct your customers to where your place of business is. It must include your logo and any other information that can help promote your business.
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Business Cards
Whether you’re a product-based company or a service-oriented one, having business cards to distribute to potential clients is imperative. This type of marketing material helps create a solid sense of professionalism and, ultimately, allows you to establish a positive reputation for your company. After all, first impressions last.
Aside from being effective, business cards are also affordable and versatile, serving as advertisements while giving your target audience a means to reach out to you. These can also be included in mailers and corporate gifts because of their typically small size.
To make sure your business card does the trick, you have to pick a design that is eye-catching but not overwhelming. Always think about the intended audience when designing this marketing material and don’t include unnecessary information. Also, avoid using clashing and garish colors. The key is to keep it simple.
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Brochures
No matter what type of company you’re running, you must have some kind of brochure to showcase the basic aspects of your brand.
Brochures are excellent visual aids that are affordable to mass-produce. They also serve as a means to introduce a company’s offerings, showcase what they can do, and differentiate them from the competition. Brochures communicate the company’s vision, goals, and personality as well.
The best part is that distributing this marketing material is a breeze since it can be mailed, handed out in high-traffic areas, left on countertops and card racks, and even inserted in packages and shopping bags.
When designing a brochure, always keep the consumers’ average attention span in mind. Most individuals would just skim through the document, so be sure to avoid huge blocks of texts. The rule of thumb is to use straightforward language and highlight key points.
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Packaging: Stickers and Labels
Aside from marketing materials that can be distributed on their own or displayed in high-traffic places, you should also consider investing in packaging. For product-based companies, this is crucial since it will essentially give the products a “face” based on a carefully planned branding strategy.
When designing packaging, you must think twice before having it produced in standard print shops as not all printers can handle this task. Keep in mind the first impression you’re trying to make. If the packaging fails, your business might, too.
Under packaging, there are two basic print outputs you would need: labels and stickers. The key difference between the two is that while labels are mostly used for products, stickers can help promote services.
For example, a car detailing company may not be able to label their offering, but they can offer to attach a sticker to the vehicle they worked on to showcase their shared passion with the client. In the same manner, travel agencies can also use bumper stickers to promote destinations and tourist spots.
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Vehicle Wraps
Speaking of stickers, there’s a similar kind of marketing material that is gradually improving the way fledgling businesses plan their beginnings: vehicle wraps. Aside from offering free advertising space for your startup, using cars as a medium for print marketing can offer several advantages in terms of customer outreach.
Besides having significant mobility, this type of marketing paraphernalia is non-aggressive, which means it can attract attention without disturbing people’s way of life. And since vehicle wrap designs are usually bold and attractive, prospective customers won’t have a difficult time spotting the message without getting distracted from what they’re doing. Keep in mind that people respond better to low-key advertising than to those that tend to take an “in-your-face” approach.
While not all types of businesses require a company car, vehicle wraps can still serve as a moving billboard for your startup, even if it is attached to your private vehicle. Just make sure to have it crafted by an outstanding vinyl car wrap company to make the most out of what you pay for.
Choose Smart, Choose Print Marketing
Next to manufacturing, marketing is probably the aspect of a business that will use up a significant portion of your startup’s initial capital. Make sure that your investment in marketing your business counts by choosing the best type of marketing material that yields a higher ROI. Start with the essentials listed in this article and add more as you build a bigger marketing budget.
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AUTHOR BIO
Brian Dwyer is the Director and owner of Colour Source Signwriters, a graphic production business specializing in various vehicle wraps, fleet signs and building signs. The company has been producing professional signage that captures the attention and matches the vision of delighted clients all over Australia since 1990.
