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

Odyssey 2.0 MIS shown on computer screen

As a print owner, you know how important it is to stay competitive and efficient in today’s fast-paced world. One way to achieve this is by using a Print MIS solution. A Print MIS solution, or Management Information System, is a software tool that streamlines your workflow by managing customer information, materials, labor costs, and prices, and here are the top five reasons why your print shop needs one. 1. Print MIS Improves Efficiency One of the most significant benefits of using a Print MIS solution is improved efficiency. With Odyssey 2.0, you can manage customer information, materials, labor costs, and prices in one place. This eliminates the need for double entry and ensures accurate pricing. You can also estimate jobs faster and take on more work, which allows you to grow your business. 2. A Print MIS Gives You the Competitive Advantage In today’s fast-paced world, speed is essential. Print buyers expect quick turnaround times, and if you can’t provide that, they’ll look for another print shop that can. By using a Print MIS solution, you can provide accurate quotes to customers within minutes, giving you a competitive edge over those who still rely on manual estimating methods. Odyssey

BCP Digital Printing, located in the bustling metropolis of Baltimore, Maryland, is possibly the only full-time, Black-owned book printing company in the United States. Print entrepreneurs get their start in the printing industry in various ways. Some are born into it, watching their family start the business from scratch in the garage and carrying on the family legacy. Others are marketing-minded and see a unique business opportunity in the world of print. But the story of Paul Coates and his beginnings with BCP Digital Printing is different. His journey began with a relentless commitment to helping the incarcerated. The Heart of BCP Digital Printing: Helping the Incarcerated “The idea started with six or seven people who were ex-activists in the community. Some of them were labor activists, some of them were socialists, some of them were Black Panthers like me, and what have you,” explains Paul. “Coming out of the turbulent 70s, several people who were in organizations with me were in jail. Because a number of people in the organization got arrested all the time, I developed relationships with those incarcerated.” Cultivating relationships is one thing, but you might be asking yourself how building relationships with people in

If you’re a word nerd like me, you already know the trick to getting unstuck in any word game – you change your perspective. From rearranging the letters to spinning the board around to silently asking things like, “Is paczki* a word?”, you do whatever it takes to get your brain to engage in a different way. *(Paczki is a word, by the way, a 23-pointer!) If you’ve been feeling stuck in your ways and are looking for a fresh perspective to boost your print business, you’ve come to the right place! Here are a few tips on changing your perspective and taking your printing company to the next level. Start with why. First things first, ask yourself why changing your perspective is important. As the old saying goes, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” In other words, if you want to see real growth and success in your printing business, you need to be willing to try new things and think outside the box. So, how do you go about changing your perspective? Here are a few tips: Look at your business from your print buyer’s perspective. It’s easy to

Printers from across the nation gathered in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this past weekend for the National Print and Sign Owners Association conference. What an incredible time of learning, connecting, and growing the future of the print industry! While events like these often leave you energized, all of your intentions can easily fall to the wayside when you find yourself back in the midst of the daily grind. That means there’s no time like the present to put your newly acquired knowledge into practice. Maximize your post-conference momentum with our top eight strategies! 1. Reflect on key takeaways Dedicate time to mentally process the information, insights, and experiences gathered at the conference. Make a list of the most important lessons learned, ideas that resonated with you, and trends that could impact your work or industry. Mapping out key takeaways will help you create a follow-up action plan. 2. Organize and review conference materials Sort through any pamphlets, business cards, and promotional materials collected during the conference. Review them carefully to ensure that no crucial information is overlooked and to refresh your memory on essential topics. 3. Restructure your personal notes Since notetaking during conferences can be somewhat scattered, it’s important to

As the calendar creeps ever closer to summer and all that it can entail, both personally and professionally, take a minute to be sure your company’s marketing efforts are at their peak performance. While your customers may be thinking about their summer vacation plans, be sure your marketing sends the message that you and your team are working hard to meet their needs all summer long. Check out the latest content available now! DOWNLOAD OF THE MONTH CLUB The March download from the Download of the Month Club will allow you to show off your printing skills and inspire your customers to try table tent marketing. This table tent sample is the perfect way to highlight the benefits of this stand-out marketing tactic and sell more printing in the process. If you struggle with knowing you should promote your print business more but don’t have the time to put it all together, the Download of the Month Club is your self-promotion shortcut. With new, ready-to-print files provided to you monthly, each download is thoughtfully and precisely created to meet the marketing pain points of your business and give you a well-rounded collection of marketing collateral. For only $9.99 a month,

Our Coffee Break newsletter has been a unique addition to our direct mail marketing packages for over two decades! And really, should that be surprising? After all, humor sells! Why not deliver that humor to your customers monthly with your company name on it? SHARE THE LAUGHS Here is a list of our favorite laughs from the 2022 Coffee Break newsletters: 🤣 Q: What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet? A: Supplies! 🤣 “You’re beautiful, and I love you!” I yelled as I stood alone on the cliff. My echo replied, “I just want to be friends!” Favorite pick-up lines: I hope you know CPR because you just took my breath away! I’m no photographer, but I can picture us together. Are you from Starbucks because I like you a latte. If you were words on a page, you’d be fine print. 🤣 My boss calls me “the computer.” Nothing to do with intelligence; I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes. 🤣 When I was young, I was poor … But after many years of hard work, I am no longer young. 🤣 Went to see a psychic who was in a bad mood

The holidays seem to come and go in the blink of an eye. One moment we’re decking the halls, and the next, we’re already planning for New Year’s. But what happens when all that holiday cheer disappears? Here are ten ways to keep your print shop’s spirit merry and bright 365 days a year! 1. Create a Festive Theme Creating a festive theme in your store that corresponds with the current holiday is an excellent way to show your customers you care while also adding some fun for your employees. Whatever the holiday may be, make sure your decorations reflect it. Giving away small items related to the occasion is also a kind–and appreciated–gesture. Customers will love getting free candy, gift cards, or even colorful pens and notepads — it makes a great visit to your print shop even better. 2. Host Monthly Events Show your appreciation to your print buyers by hosting monthly events throughout the year. A few ideas to consider are: Customer appreciation days where you offer discounts on products or services Open houses where customers can meet staff and view recent work Holiday-themed parties where everyone can have some fun Not only will these events boost

In a month or so, when love is in the air, or at least the reminder of Valentine’s Day is all around, why not lean into the theme and let your customers know you love them by sending quality marketing materials? A consistent direct-mail schedule is an important part of maintaining the relationship you have worked hard to build. As always, we have a fantastic lineup of options for you to consider available for download now! DOWNLOAD OF THE MONTH CLUB The December download from the Download of the Month Club is the perfect marketing tool for growing your mailing list in the new year. Simply add your company’s information, print, and leave these colorful marketing pieces at your front counter, in your invoices, and more! If you struggle with knowing you should promote your print business more but don’t have the time to put it all together, the Download of the Month Club is your self-promotion shortcut. With new, ready-to-print files provided to you monthly, each download is thoughtfully and precisely created to meet the marketing pain points of your business and give you a well-rounded collection of marketing collateral. For only $9.99 a month, you can grow your

When it comes to your printing company’s website, the quality of your content (or lack thereof) can draw a potential print buyer to you or push them away. Poorly written or boring web copy is unlikely to capture attention or inspire action. To engage your audience and experience improved sales, you need well-written content on your website. Let’s talk about how you can turn your website content into a powerful selling tool with a little bit of extra care and attention. Why is Good Website Content Important for Your Print Business? Attract site visitors Build trust Demonstrate your print and marketing expertise Educate your potential customers on your line of print products Sell your potential clients on the benefits of your print products Deal with any potential objections BEFORE the potential customer talks to you Upsell – even before the first sale happens By making the right impression online and staying in touch with your prospects and customers, the sky is the limit when it comes to building a successful printing business. What is the Connection Between Engaging Website Content and Print Sales? Often, your website is the initial point of contact between you and a potential print buyer. While

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