Have you ever considered that a brochure can be one of the most all-powerful of all your marketing materials?
It is a simple piece of paper but the original impact that your pamphlet makes is important. If it's shabby and unappealing your candidate is left with the same feeling. This will slow down your business development.
Having a brochure professionally designed and published is a key to success in a jam-packed market. Taking the time to make sure that your pamphlet presents all the key information in a way that is easily understood is something that only a professional can do.
If you are just getting started in business you may be tempted to do your booklet yourself. When I first started in business I did everything myself - not a good choice. That is why it took me 12 years before I was even relatively successful. Heed my warning - go professional from day one on your merchandising materials. They are an investment and not an expense. Professionally created materials will deliver you customers and the cash flow to follow - the reason why you are in business.
A booklet has to use eye-catching design. It has to be succinct in terms of the content and last but not the least, it must be successful in enticing people to make that call of action.
Here are three key design rules to follow when creating a booklet. Use them and you will see your results flow.
1. The cover:
The cover is your sales representative. Brochures are quite passive creatures and you are not often able to 'walk' individuals through your brochure. So you need to arouse people to read further. The cover is the beginning point so must be inviting and sharing the KEY values of WHY someone should read further. It should answer the WIFM question - What's in it for me.
A good design company will show you at least three to four cover designs for your pamphlet. Analyse these designs to see which excites you the most. Ask your friends their opinion. Does the cover answer the question WIFM? If it doesn't excite and answer the WIFM question, then skip to another design that works or get it redesigned. Taking the time here to get it right will pay bounties later.
2. The Content:
Once they are past the cover then the message has to become the sales rep. So once again, the pressure is on to be good. Do not opt for cheap uneffective content writers or ask the designer to write the content or worst still do it yourself. Instead make sure that a professional copywriter is doing the work. If your design company does not have a copywriter then engage one yourself.
Determine that all the big questions that a likely client will have about your merchandise are answered in a way that gets them to call you for more information. Do not go into 'overkill mode' and inundate them with too much data at this point in time. Remember the brochure's job is to energize and get people to call you.
3. The call for action:
If your future client has read the leaflet then you have done a great job. All you need to do now is give them a compelling reason to contact you NOW.
Having things like a free call 0800 or 1800 number distinctly presented (in big letters) can make a fundamental difference. Having an email address is a clear bonus. Make sure these two are clearly placed in large clear type.
Even give your customers a special voucher on the leaflet or reference code can help. But above all, ensure that you add a clear call to action. One way to do this is to readdress the KEY value of your service to your prospect in a way that will get them to take action. Remember value is everything. Individuals only purchase something that is of value to THEM.
4. The part that got missed:
I did this on purpose and only said there were three points. Well the last point is the one that can get omitted. It is the 'dummy' one. Have you checked that you have these on your booklet:
Phone number | Fax number | Email address | Web address | Country of operation | City / area of operation | Company name | And have you proof read for typo and grammar errors?
It is a simple piece of paper but the original impact that your pamphlet makes is important. If it's shabby and unappealing your candidate is left with the same feeling. This will slow down your business development.
Having a brochure professionally designed and published is a key to success in a jam-packed market. Taking the time to make sure that your pamphlet presents all the key information in a way that is easily understood is something that only a professional can do.
If you are just getting started in business you may be tempted to do your booklet yourself. When I first started in business I did everything myself - not a good choice. That is why it took me 12 years before I was even relatively successful. Heed my warning - go professional from day one on your merchandising materials. They are an investment and not an expense. Professionally created materials will deliver you customers and the cash flow to follow - the reason why you are in business.
A booklet has to use eye-catching design. It has to be succinct in terms of the content and last but not the least, it must be successful in enticing people to make that call of action.
Here are three key design rules to follow when creating a booklet. Use them and you will see your results flow.
1. The cover:
The cover is your sales representative. Brochures are quite passive creatures and you are not often able to 'walk' individuals through your brochure. So you need to arouse people to read further. The cover is the beginning point so must be inviting and sharing the KEY values of WHY someone should read further. It should answer the WIFM question - What's in it for me.
A good design company will show you at least three to four cover designs for your pamphlet. Analyse these designs to see which excites you the most. Ask your friends their opinion. Does the cover answer the question WIFM? If it doesn't excite and answer the WIFM question, then skip to another design that works or get it redesigned. Taking the time here to get it right will pay bounties later.
2. The Content:
Once they are past the cover then the message has to become the sales rep. So once again, the pressure is on to be good. Do not opt for cheap uneffective content writers or ask the designer to write the content or worst still do it yourself. Instead make sure that a professional copywriter is doing the work. If your design company does not have a copywriter then engage one yourself.
Determine that all the big questions that a likely client will have about your merchandise are answered in a way that gets them to call you for more information. Do not go into 'overkill mode' and inundate them with too much data at this point in time. Remember the brochure's job is to energize and get people to call you.
3. The call for action:
If your future client has read the leaflet then you have done a great job. All you need to do now is give them a compelling reason to contact you NOW.
Having things like a free call 0800 or 1800 number distinctly presented (in big letters) can make a fundamental difference. Having an email address is a clear bonus. Make sure these two are clearly placed in large clear type.
Even give your customers a special voucher on the leaflet or reference code can help. But above all, ensure that you add a clear call to action. One way to do this is to readdress the KEY value of your service to your prospect in a way that will get them to take action. Remember value is everything. Individuals only purchase something that is of value to THEM.
4. The part that got missed:
I did this on purpose and only said there were three points. Well the last point is the one that can get omitted. It is the 'dummy' one. Have you checked that you have these on your booklet:
Phone number | Fax number | Email address | Web address | Country of operation | City / area of operation | Company name | And have you proof read for typo and grammar errors?
About the Author:
Learn more about professional Brochure design and how it can accelerate your business growth using qualified graphic design professionals.
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