MI4P, Author at Marketing, content, & technology to help printers sell more printing

When you’ve invested time and money into marketing tools to help you sell more printing, you want to know if they’re working. You might feel unsure about whether your emails are bringing in customers or if your SEO efforts are actually boosting website traffic. Without knowing a clear way to track your results, it’s easy to feel stuck or frustrated. Here’s the good news: tracking the right metrics doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on just a few key numbers, you can connect the dots between your marketing efforts and the results you care about most—selling more printing. Below are the essential metrics you should be tracking and how to use this information to make smarter decisions. Why You Need to Track Metrics It’s tempting to judge a marketing tool—like email marketing or SEO—based only on how many new orders you get right away. But marketing isn’t always an instant-results game. It’s a system where every part plays a role. Think of it like a puzzle: each piece (emails, SEO, your website) works together to create a full picture of your success. By tracking metrics, you can: See what’s working and what needs improvement. Understand how tools like SEO

The start of a new year is the perfect moment to refresh your marketing efforts. Whether you’re reconnecting with loyal customers or reaching new audiences, January’s content lineup provides everything you need to make 2025 your best year yet. From engaging newsletters to tips on mastering print design, we’ve got something for every marketing strategy. Take a look at how our direct mail packages and digital content can help you create lasting impressions, build meaningful relationships, and stand out in your community. 5 DIRECT MAIL PACKAGE OPTIONS FOR PRINTERS Here’s a look at January’s content (available now!) featuring direct mail and digital content offerings to help you stay top-of-mind with your clients: Coffee Break: Bring Humor and Personality to Your Brand The Coffee Break newsletter is a lighthearted, engaging 8.5×14 direct mail piece designed to keep your print shop top-of-mind with customers. This single-sheet mailer combines humor, fun facts, and a monthly calendar to create a friendly, approachable touchpoint for your business. This month’s edition features laugh-out-loud jokes, including: Why did the turtle cross the road? To slow down traffic. Why did Miss Muffet need directions? She lost her whey. The featured sidebar highlights amusing historical anecdotes like famous missed

“It was worth every cent.” When was the last time you experienced this kind of confidence in a significant purchasing decision? Maybe it was a memorable vacation splurge. Or a service that saved significant time or energy (like hiring a pro for your home repair or outsourcing your business accounting). Perhaps it involved purchasing a high-quality product for better long-term results. Value is central to customer decision-making. And though everyone likes saving cash, most people understand a great payoff requires a measured upfront investment. Successful marketing helps people see the long-term gain you bring to their business. Beyond Print Know-How: Offer Strategic Marketing Support As a printer, you may get discouraged when you don’t see instant website sales or an immediate advertising response. But marketing is a process. It takes time to fill the funnel to create sustainable, long-term sales. This means positioning yourself as more than just a service provider, but as a trustworthy creative resource. Here are five strategic ways to communicate the value you can bring. 1. Develop Content Aligned with their Marketing Goals Creating content that aligns with your print buyers’ broader marketing objectives will serve as a magnetic attraction for new customers. Looking to attract

Picture this: You’re ready to grow your print business, but every day feels like you’re trudging through quicksand. Your MIS system, once the lifeline of your operations, now feels more like a ball-and-chain. It’s slow, outdated, and no longer serves the growing needs of your business. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to embrace a fresh start—without the baggage of the past weighing you down. Moving to a new MIS (Management Information System) can feel like a daunting task, especially when you’ve accumulated years of data. But clinging to an outdated system in the name of your old system’s history might be doing more harm than good. Instead of hauling old, incomplete data into a modern platform, there’s a better way: starting fresh with tools designed to meet the demands of today—and tomorrow. The Hidden Cost of Clinging to Old MIS History Every system has its shelf life. As technology evolves, outdated MIS systems can limit productivity and growth. Old data can be messy, incomplete, or poorly structured, making migration complicated. Trying to import everything into a new system often leads to frustration and confusion—dragging old inefficiencies into a platform built for efficiency. While Odyssey (the Print MIS

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on your business accomplishments and set the stage for a strong finish. This month’s content focuses on adding the perfect finishing touches to your print projects. With a variety of creative options, from embossing and foil stamping to personalized seals, December’s content downloads are all about turning ordinary prints into extraordinary works of art that make your brand shine. 5 DIRECT MAIL PACKAGE OPTIONS FOR PRINTERS Here’s a look at December’s content (available now!) featuring direct mail and digital content offerings to help you stay top-of-mind with your clients: Coffee Break: A Seasonal Touch of Humor and Cheer The Coffee Break newsletter is a lighthearted, 8.5 x 14 direct mail piece designed to connect with your audience through humor and engaging seasonal content. December’s edition features a holiday-themed quiz and playful jokes to brighten your clients’ day, like: “How much does Santa pay to park his sleigh? Nothing. It’s on the house!” Paired with a lively monthly calendar that highlights quirky dates like “National Hot Tea Day” and “International Sweatpants Day,” Coffee Break keeps your print shop top-of-mind while providing an enjoyable read. FastStart: Seal the Deal with Customized

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Eliud Kipchoge, king of marathon running Athletics is all about fast times and firsts, and marathon racing puts strength on display with its grueling 26.2-mile test of physical, mental, and emotional endurance. Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, known by many as the king of marathon running, is the only man to hold both the official and unofficial marathon world records. Raised by a single mother, he ran two miles to school each day but did not start running seriously until his teen years. Early in his career, he ran in shorter distances, winning the 5,000-meter bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics before transitioning to marathons in 2013. At the height of his career, Kipchoge was known for immense self-discipline – from 5:00 AM mountain pacers to logging every workout in a personal notebook. But there’s one thing he did not do: overextend himself in training. In daily runs, he never pushed past 80-90 percent exertion. And his slow, steady consistency paid off. On his journey to logging the first sub-two-hour marathon in history (in 2019), Kipchoge never sustained a serious injury, put down four of the fastest 10 marathons

Welcome back from the whirlwind adventure that was Printing United in Las Vegas! We trust you had an incredible experience exploring the latest innovations and creating meaningful connections within the vibrant printing industry community. As you settle back into your daily routine, remember that it’s crucial to harness the wealth of knowledge and inspiration you gained at Printing United. Here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure your tradeshow experience fuels continuous growth and innovation in your professional endeavors. Capitalizing on Your Tradeshow Experience Unpack the Knowledge Begin by meticulously reviewing and organizing the wealth of information you gathered. Dive into the brochures, business cards, and session notes you collected. Dedicate ample time to sift through everything, identifying key insights and trends. Consider employing digital tools like a mind map or a project management app to create a comprehensive visual representation of your takeaways. This not only aids in retention but also provides a quick reference for future projects. Share the Wealth Organize a detailed team meeting to present the highlights of your tradeshow experience. Develop a structured presentation or discussion points that cover groundbreaking technologies, innovative strategies, and potential partnerships. Encourage open dialogue, allowing team members to ask questions and offer

Gratitude is a powerful tool against discontent. As the year nears its end, consider all the areas of your company you can be grateful for over this past year. Then, think about ways to highlight the positive aspects of your company’s marketing efforts in the year ahead. We have marketing options that exist to bring to light the things your company is proud of. Let us help you choose the right package! 5 DIRECT MAIL PACKAGE OPTIONS FOR PRINTERS Coffee Break There are so many ways to make an impact with your marketing, but humor has to be one of the most universal. The Coffee Break newsletter is a touchpoint between you and your customers that builds goodwill while reminding them that you’re on their team. Here are a few samples of the jokes found in this month’s newsletter: Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say: “Close Enough.” Want to buy some exercise equipment? I’m having a going-out-of-fitness sale. What do you call a snowman with a six-pack? An abdominal snowman. Between the clean jokes, whimsical cartoons, interesting calendar, and marketing messages, Coffee Break is a surefire way to keep your company front of mind. FastStart Your

If you’ve ever felt the pinch of a tight budget, you know the importance of making value-driven decisions. A central question of economics is this: how do we assess the value – or the economic WORTH – of a product or service? For example, is it “worth” paying more for cookware that will last twice as long? Is it “worth” investing in a star NFL quarterback if it means more people will follow your team? As a professional printer, maybe you’ve asked a different version of this question: Is it “worth” investing dollars into your own direct mail marketing? It Costs Money NOT to Market Your Print Business As digital marketing continues to expand, many printers have answered this question with inaction. Maybe this describes you. Have you drifted toward ambivalence or stopped sending direct mail marketing altogether? Perhaps the price tag on direct mail (including both time and financial cost) has discouraged you from using this time-tested tool. Here’s an important truth to consider: It costs money NOT to market your business. While direct mail takes effort, it is also an important building block to your future success. When you overlook this strategic marketing channel, here are three different