FastStart Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Marketing, content, & technology to help printers sell more printing

In the early 1990s, one of the leading direct response fundraising agencies was the Domain Group, based in Seattle. The company was known for record-breaking fundraising campaigns, generating $40 million a year in billing for clients like The Salvation Army, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, and Prison Fellowship. One of its legacies was the “Domain Formula,” a painstakingly researched-focus approach on the most effective format for printed newsletters. While formerly print newsletters had been a “money-losing necessity,” these experiments tightened content and enhanced presentation so effectively that many organizations found their newsletters generated greater response than all other direct mail pieces. Printed Newsletters Cement Their Credibility This month’s FastStart, our monthly product feature mailer, highlights printed newsletters as the “glue” that can multiply prospects and lock in loyalty. In today’s digital clatter, it takes stellar communication to bring each message to the forefront. Newsletters bring fantastic return because they are personable, classy, and full of human interest elements. Our June FastStart mailer gives great tips about adding energizing incentives and engaging features that are vivid, authentic, and fun. A Rock-Solid Return Looking to bring your clients from passive to proactive in a quick, colorful package? Remind them that your sharp, animated

One glance is truly all it takes, and recent eye-tracking studies demonstrate how quickly first impressions happen. Dr. Hong Sheng, assistant professor of technology at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, employed eye-tracking software to analyze scan and response patterns as students viewed website screenshots. Subjects averaged merely 180 milliseconds on a particular section before moving on (in comparison, 185 milliseconds is about the time it takes for a helicopter rotor to make one full rotation!). It took users less than two-tenths of a second to form first impressions which significantly affected outcomes. “The longer the participants stayed on the page, the more favorable their impressions were,” Sheng said. “First impressions are important for keeping people on pages and . . . (these impressions) can determine whether that user forms a favorable or unfavorable view of that organization.” First Impressions that Keep on Giving If a website glance can have such impact, how crucial are personal interactions and large-scale displays? This month’s FastStart mailer touts the power of the first glance, and the ability to stop traffic with vivid displays and unique conference materials. Help your clients be prepared with clear and compelling resources at every touchpoint! From colorful backdrops

Imagine yourself standing on a towering cliff, ready to repel down the rock face for the very first time. Though you’ve been coached through the technique and the trustworthiness of the ropes, you’re still uncertain. What nudges you over the edge? Ego preservation? A spirit of adventure? If only there was a 100% guarantee of how this jump will end! Packaging Matters Sometimes marketing has a similar feel. So much is invested, with no certain outcome. Will the risk be worth the result? What are some constants you can bank on when navigating unfamiliar terrain? Well, for starters, SOMETHING is better than nothing (nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?). Another simple truth is this: packaging matters. If you want people to consider your offer, think carefully about how you present it because 100% of a brand’s customers will interact with its packaging upon receiving the message (and at every other touch point between a company and its prospects). Help Them Shine Strong with Brilliant Custom Envelopes The April FastStart recognizes this truth, encouraging your customers to shine strong with creative custom envelopes: Studies show that often packaging matters as much as the message, and quality custom envelopes feature your brand, your

Mark Twain once observed, “A lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can even get its boots on.” His observation rings true: in a global world of fluff and noise, it is challenging to make ideas fly before they die! In their 2007 book, Made to Stick, accomplished educators Chip and Dan Heath explore what makes messages “Velcro sticky,” articulating tactics that keep ideas from being overlooked or forgotten. Effective strategies include the use of concrete, memorable phrases, compelling emotions or stories, and surprising or unexpected delivery methods. Velcro Sticky Marketing Messages The March edition of Fast Start, our product-of-the-month mailer, gets your clients thinking out of the box about landing a winning message with wonderful results: “Looking to pump up profits and grab new clients today? Here’s a basic blueprint for marketing success: get the RIGHT MESSAGE in the RIGHT HANDS at the RIGHT TIME! Maybe you’ve defined your target audience but are struggling to leave a ‘sticky,’ memorable message. Door hangers offer a catchy, tactile tool to amplify your offer as you tailor the exact promotion to a precise location with perfect timing . . . .” One Curious Customer Can Bring a Stream of

“Succeeding in business is all about making connections.” –Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Records and Virgin Group multinational corporation Sales is a tricky business. Not only do you have to make a good pitch, but you have to do it for the right people! Wall Street Journal cartoonist and best-selling author Stu Heinecke recognized this challenge in his 2016 book, “How to Get a Meeting with Anyone.” Heinecke asked 100 top sales leaders in the world this question: When you absolutely must reach someone who is very important but nearly impossible to reach, how do you do it? Getting the conversation rolling is one of marketing’s biggest barriers. Open the Door with Concise, Powerful Sell Sheets One way to connect with essential contacts is with a persuasive product preview. The February edition of FastStart, our product-of-the-month mailer, focuses on the simplicity of sell sheets and rack cards to open the door or continue the conversation: Attracting attention is one thing, but sustaining it is another. Continue the conversation with your prospects through the staying power rack cards and sell sheets can bring. These tools offer a concise, colorful reference for product points and further review. Grab their gaze and keep

Dump the Frump, FastStart, Direct Mail For Printers, Marketing Ideas For Printers

The new year brings a new season, including a fresh calendar and sometimes a change of CLOTHES. Is your wardrobe left wanting? According to Elle magazine, there are several signs that it may need an overhaul. Here are three clues: You routinely open your closet and find you have “nothing” to wear. The last designer clothing item you bought was for your niece (think “Gap Kids”). The last piece of clothing you bought actually FITS your niece (but hasn’t been your size for at least two years). Showcase Their Style If a wardrobe needs updating, how much more does a business? Even the smartest designs can sag over time! Our January 2018 FastStart mailer inspires your clients to refresh and rebrand with updated logos, letterhead, business cards and more. Are their printed materials current and captivating? Whether it’s a tweaked logo or a complete visual makeover, updated materials can realign their message in a fresh, relevant style. Hot Off the Press In today’s ever-changing world, a strong image is an incredible asset, allowing your clients to stand out from the crowd, generate new customers, and to engage their audience with a look that pops. A sharp visual identity speaks volumes,

Direct Mail, FastStart, Attract Connect Repeat, Marketing Ideas For Printers

Sales. They’re crucial for today’s success and tomorrow’s stability. Flourishing business includes two important keys: Attracting Customers (Creating new sales) Connecting with Existing Clients (Generating repeat sales) How seriously do you take these goals? Are you reaching the right people and capturing their attention? Or are you just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best? Increase Orders with Suggestive Sales At Marketing Ideas For Printers, our goal is to help you sell more printing with creative, compelling marketing tools. How often have you lost a sale because people don’t know what you have to offer? Our fully customizable content can help you generate interest, create desire, and communicate the quality of your company in a relevant, riveting way. One way to bump up sales is through our FastStart “product-of-the-month” mailer. The December edition highlights printed booklets as a tasteful tool for expanded content options. Here’s a sample from this month’s mailer: Breathe Easy: Custom Booklets Expand Your Creative Options So much to say, so little SPACE. Lose the limitations with the increased page count printed booklets provide. From reference guides to reports, booklets increase readability and expand your creative options. Use them for pricing guides, DVD inserts, or even

Ever feel swamped by relationships as you try to keep up with Twitter, Facebook, or various voice and messaging apps? Nearly 200 years ago, Henry Cole had a similar problem. A prominent educator, Cole held an elite social position in Victorian England, and during the holiday season of 1843, his popularity was stressing him out! With the rise of the “Penny Postal system,” year-end letters were exploding, and senders expected a personal response. As his stacks of unanswered mail grew, Cole hatched a simple solution: he commissioned an artist to sketch an original Christmas image (with room for a personal message) and had a thousand copies produced by a London printer. Spread the Love with High-Class Holiday Cards Personal and corporate greeting cards are now an integral part of holiday celebrations, including Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice, etc. Our November FastStart mailer inspires your customers to spread the love with a unique, memorable holiday card. People are a precious commodity, and the holidays are an excellent time to reconnect and show genuine goodwill. Your original card keepsakes will keep your customers’ brand flourishing and their contact information fresh on the fingertips! 365 Reasons to Give Thanks The

Increase Reader Response Rate Today, FastStart, Direct Mail, Marketing Ideas For Printers

Who doesn’t love a good party? The transition from summer weddings to year-end holiday gatherings means many of us will be experiencing an extra dose of intentional hospitality. However, a party is only successful if people actually COME, and most people attend for one key reason — because they were invited! Custom Envelopes Invite Them to “Come on In” and Experience More The same principle is true in business. A mailing is only as effective as its response rate, and an envelope serves as a great invitation to experience more. The October edition of our FastStart direct mail flyer touts the benefits of custom envelopes, a simple tool that dramatically increases reader response. In a world of visual clutter, personalized envelopes serve as a soft introduction, inviting people to “come on in” and experience more of what your clients have to offer. Personalized envelopes entice people to dial into (and not discard!) the message your customers have carefully crafted. A Crucial Component How a message is delivered is on par with the content itself, and great mailings pack a punch! A 2015 Direct Marketing Association study found that direct mail response rates outperformed all digital channels combined by nearly 600%.

FastStart, Direct Mail, Marketing Ideas For Printers, New Season, New Life

It seems like summer just got started, but now that we’ve passed the Fourth of July holiday, fall will be here in no time. Here in the Midwest, we love the fall season when long summer days give way to crisp, cool nights. The extravagance of fall begins with a few golden accents that quickly give way to hues of burnt orange and stunning scarlet. Ironically, a season that signals death and dormancy never ceases to bring energy and new life. Radiant Postcards are Sure to Make a Splash The September FastStart mailer encourages your customers and prospects to make a design splash this fall with radiant postcards and perforated cards. Help them to launch into new life with energetic postcards that announce products, increase website traffic, generate leads, or convey customer appreciation. Classy and convenient, postcards are a trustworthy tool for “at-a-glance” marketing, engaging readers and increasing response with a lively, practical, professional punch. Perforated Cards Offer Dual Purpose Design This month’s FastStart also features perforated postcards, allowing your clients to simultaneously promote both their business and their specific event, product, or service. While people retain and display the larger brand section, the removable card is perfect for freebie coupons,

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