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

For the past few months, we’ve been featuring printing companies that are stand-out marketers as part of our Marketing Ideas For Printers’ Print Marketing Expert of the Month series. But have you ever stopped to think what exactly it takes to be called a stand-out marketer? A lot of companies make the mistake of thinking that stand-out marketers are those that have the greatest success, are all-wise in the ways of marketing, and have never failed. But the truth is, there are several things that can earn you the badge of “Stand-Out Marketer.” Here are a few to consider. Stand-Out Marketers Do These 5 Things 1. They put the print buyer first. To be exceptional at marketing, stand-out marketers take a backseat to the needs of their customers and prospects. Instead of their sales and marketing materials being filled with stories about themselves, the marketing experts cast their customers or prospects in the starring role of hero. In fact, the only time these kings of marketing describe their company is in the context of how a client used them, or could use them, to win. The best marketers are the guides, the coaches that focus on setting up their customers for success and cheering

What’s the first step to selling more printing? Content. “Content builds relationships. Relationships are built on trust. Trust drives revenue,” as Andrew Davis says. Below you’ll find exclusive content options to choose from to start building relationships and selling more printing today! Business Forum Did you know there’s a simple solution for how you can better step up your B2B marketing game: the Business Forum direct mail monthly newsletter! This 8-page newsletter is the perfect tool for highlighting your business expertise and showing off your stellar print quality. In the September issue, available for download now, your readers will find a variety of relevant and useful informati on, including tips for event sponsorship on a local scale, buying your teen’s first car, and business meeting etiquette. The latest issue also showcases testimonials and case studies as the print product feature and how to draw in new customers with print! “Print engages customers and keeps their attention, allowing your message to be read and understood. You have a better opportunity for your call to action to get results when the customer spends the time ingesting your offer on a printed brochure, direct- mail item, newsletter, or other unique printed resource.” Want to snag

The day-to-day effort it takes to own and operate a print business can leave little time for anything else. But when the daily grind keeps you head-down and plugging away, time can pass by much more quickly than you realize. By the time you do get a chance to look up, you might be surprised that things you once thought were running like a well-oiled machine now need a little freshening up. Freshen Up Your Print Website with These 7 Tips If it’s been a while since you’ve focused your attention on your website, here are seven ways you can breathe new life into your website. 1. Try Out a New Website Theme One of the quickest and easiest ways to revamp your website is to give it a facelift with a new theme. Whether you want to stand out and be a print hero, like clean styles or eye-catching video, or simply prefer to highlight your local presence, you can easily find the perfect starting point to a whole new look. As your print business evolves, so should your website. Does your current look and feel reflect your business now and in the new future? Or, does your website

An extraordinary print business is one that will consistently do the things that ordinary printing companies either can’t or won’t do. But what exactly does it take to launch a business from the ordinary into the extraordinary? The COVID-19 pandemic forced many in the printing industry to come face-to-face with a line in the sand. Do print owners stay on the ordinary side of the line and continue to do things as they always have been? Or do those print owners use the pandemic as the impetus that catapults them to the new extraordinary side of the line? It’s a tough question. After all, the ordinary is known, expected, safe. While making the leap into the new and unfamiliar can be full of risk, feel a little wobbly, and downright scary. But, as I’ve heard myself say over and over again in recent months, “Change is scary. Staying the same is scarier.” “Change is scary. Staying the same is scarier.” – Dave Hultin, President, Marketing Ideas For Printers One such business that recently took these words to heart and made the leap to extraordinary is PaperGraphics Printing in Temple, Texas, with their launch of an innovative marketing-based solution called PaperGraphics+. But, first, a little history. Introducing PaperGraphics Printing: From Good to Great  PaperGraphics Printing has been serving the community of Temple, Texas, since 1972. Founded by Elwood Smith, PaperGraphics made its debut as Speedy Print, becoming the

If you were to ask small business owners what they want to be known for, most of them wouldn’t say what their business does. Well, at least not completely. Instead, there’s a good chance that you’d hear them say things like: “Integrity… and being the best dentist in town.” “Honesty… and the fastest free shipping company.” “Commitment… and one-to-one consulting services.” Have you ever wondered why that is? Because just about every human being on the planet (including small business and print owners) wants to leave their mark on the world and be known for more than what they “do.” Instead, most want to focus on the attributes that highlight the “who” of their company to build their legacy on. And that’s where Core Values come into play. Core values will help show the world that you’re bigger than what you do. Building the Heart of Your Print Company Your core values make up the foundation on which your business is built and represent the very heart of your company. Done right, your core values will be a handful of rules or principles that act as your compass, or better yet, your mirror, to show you exactly who your business

Ah… the welcomed days of summer. Summer days are meant for picnics and parks, not worrying about finding time to create your next direct mail marketing campaign. When you’d rather enjoy some fun in the sun, leave your content needs to the experts. Here’s what’s coming up in the August content issues, available for download now. Business Forum The Business Forum newsletter is designed to showcase your business know-how and let your business clients know about the many print marketing options you have at the ready for them. This month you’ll see articles on topics like these: Tips for helping others grow using business consulting as a growth strategy Ways you can cut the clutter at home and the office How-tos on how to deal with troublemakers and ditch the to-do list You’ll also show your B2B clients how to make their marketing project a success story with the: Ultimate guide to marketing with print, The power of promotional items, And tips from a book review that shares the inside secrets of Amazon. Build the business relationships that create sales with the Business Forum B2B newsletter. Coffee Break Coffee Break will continue to spark smiles and laughter this month with

Innovation isn’t easy. In fact, it’s typically accompanied by some pretty heavy fear. That’s why innovation tends to be put off until “the busy season is over,” “we’re back on our feet,” or “things return to normal after COVID.” Sound a little too familiar? Sure, your knees might wobble when you think about stepping out of your comfort zone, but that idea you have floating around in your head… the world needs to hear it! It doesn’t benefit anyone (including you) if it remains stuck inside your head. “As part of being innovative, you have to be willing to fail. It’s not always easy. The last year has been challenging. But all I have is today. Sure, I have to plan for tomorrow, but I also have to trust that the Lord has it figured it out, and that’s enough for me.” Those are the words of Joe Gass, president and co-owner of Heritage Signs & Displays, where innovation began by merely following a set-forth purpose, a purpose of striving “to be a valued resource that honors God by serving others.” But let’s back up a little. Introducing Heritage Signs & Displays: Pursuing Excellence. Continuing Success. Brothers Joe and Steve Gass purchased Gass Printing Service in 1988 from their parents, following Joe’s six years of service in the

Estimating a job correctly is essential to owning and operating a print business. Over-estimate, and you risk losing the sale because you’re too expensive. Under-estimate and your bottom line suffers. This is why making sure you hit the bullseye with your estimating is so important — because everyone wins! How can you ensure a “Goldilocks” estimate every time — one where the clients say yes AND you hit your sales and profit numbers? You follow these five best practices for estimating. Best Practices for Estimating: 5 Do’s and Don’ts Don’t: Guess on Your Numbers Guessing is for board games and riddles, not for your print estimates. Estimating is not an area where you want to cut corners and base your figures on assumptions. You either need to ask prospects for the information you need yourself or invest in an estimating solution that will ensure you leave yourself enough margin with every job, big or small. Do: Ensure Accuracy You can ensure the accuracy of your estimates by taking the time to understand what the project involves. When you eliminate all of those “ballpark figures” and are able to quote precisely, you’ll be able to decide whether you want to take

Content acts as a welcome mat. People will go where they’re invited, and the same is true of your prospects and customers. Content extends the necessary invitation for print buyers to come and visit you. Take a look at the content invitation available for your marketing toolkit now! Printer’s Press The Printer’s Press newsletter has been our most popular direct mail product since its debut in 1988. Written to appeal to all audiences, it is intended to present your printing firm as a well-informed and good-natured business. In the July issue, available for download now, your audience will learn how the first step in a business relationship is letting the customer know you’re there. Then, move on to showing them how you are positioned to help with the compelling power of brochures and flyers. Also available this month, readers will enjoy other interesting articles, including this featured Customer Care article: As pedestrians in Damrak, Amsterdam, endured what looked to be a record-breaking heatwave, the local McDonald’s was looking for a way to up their smile value in the neighborhood. They worked with a company to create a heat-activated billboard with a panel that opened once the temperature reached the record

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