Local Edge Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Marketing, content, & technology to help printers sell more printing

The Sun Made Me Do It! When a cold front sweeps through, are you overcome by an itch to hop in the nearest coffee drive-through? When summer heat swells, do you have an irrepressible urge to fill your cart with fudge pops? Science may be on your side. Economist Meghan Busse and her team studied the impact of weather on our impulses, concluding that we make both minor AND consequential decisions that can be directly linked to a change in temperature alone. Targeting projection bias, (the idea that we mispredict how much our future tastes will match our current preferences), Busse’s team found that things like home and car sales were directly impacted by weather. For example, sales of convertibles – the classic summer car – typically peak in April, and homes with backyard pools can swing nearly $1400 in value, depending on whether the house is sold in summer or winter. Acting on a whim can be more significant than you think! Fan That Flame If weather heightens impulses, summer is a great time to turn up the heat! The June Local Edge postcard, our monthly “hometown printer” showcase, helps you grab that summer momentum. Remind your clients that

Have you ever seen pictures of a boxing kangaroo? This image, a national symbol of Australia, originated from the kangaroo’s defensive position of holding a predator in its forearms arms while pummeling it with its feet. A group of boxing kangaroos was even shipped to Chicago to box men in rings for the World Fair in 1893! Recent research shows that in the kangaroo community, physical strength goes beyond mere survival. Mating rituals of dominant male kangaroos include typical brawling and shoving, but also reclining and bicep flexing by males of breeding age, striking signature “poses” that show off their arms. It seems showcasing an impressive gun collection is an advantage for playful posers of many species! Spring to Life with Fresh, Vibrant Options Why flex? Because sometimes you gotta flaunt the goods to woo the prospect! This month, encourage your clients to prime the pump with expanded, refreshed products and displays. Highlight the creative advantage you bring because local printing allows for imaginative, inspiring options they can’t find elsewhere. The May Local Edge postcard challenges your prospects to flex some creative muscle with updated brochures, letterheads, business cards, banners, and more. Even the smartest designs can sag over time,

A Brilliant Start to a Lasting Legacy Conference organizers work hard to stage successful events, helping worldwide professionals network in meaningful ways, with long-lasting benefits. One international conference intentionally introduced certain attendees online before their event. But there was a problem. How would this cohort take their connection offline in a sea of 8,000+ people? Perhaps a simple, visible strategy would work: these participants placed a single, red feather in their name badge. Red-feather attendees committed to seeking each other out in friendly, approachable, non-threatening ways. By the close of the conference, curiosity and goodwill drove hundreds of new people to request a red feather and to join this informal circle of friends. Why? Because everyone needs a great network to lean on! Your Net Worth is Only as Good as Your Network Networking is so important! A recent LinkedIn study revealed that 70 percent of people in 2016 were hired at companies where they had a previous connection. But while 80 percent of professionals considered networking to be important to career success, 38 percent said they found it hard to stay connected to their network. What is one natural, rewarding way to overcome this obstacle? Doing business locally. Relationships: Our Most

With the school year in full swing, maybe you’ve heard the patter of feet on your landing, the persistent knock of young entrepreneurs, or the shaky pitch of a not-so-smooth salesperson. Perhaps you’ve been offered Thin Mints from the Girl Scouts, Christmas wreaths from the school, coupon books from the dance studio, or pizzas from the baseball team. What is your typical response? Do you hide under the bed and pretend you’re not home? Or are you like this older gentleman who came to the door with a checkbook in hand: “Hello there! What are you offering? Actually, it doesn’t matter, because I’ll buy one anyway; I’m an easy target. I always say yes to the children at my door, because I know that investing in kids and schools means I’m building our community. Whatever you’re selling, I’ll take two.” ** Prosperous, Creative, Connected Communities The March edition of Local Edge, our “advantage of buying local” postcard, keeps this message at heart! An economy grows where money flows, and studies show that regional purchasing allows twice the money to remain in local circulation. Strong local economies help avert ghost towns and fill communities with creative businesses and regional resilience. This

Often we are brimming with affection and adoration for those we hold dear. They say love is an action, so here’s your chance to SHINE. What’s the perfect way to communicate passion? A surprise getaway? A romantic dinner for two? An original piece of art? Or maybe you can keep it simple. Perhaps an e-valentine will do? (Crickets chirping….) Absolutely Authentic The truth is thoughtful communication matters. How we correspond with others reveals the value we have for them! The February edition of Local Edge, our “benefits of buying local” postcard, focuses on the relational power of print. People don’t want e-valentines. They value original, hand-crafted design because they connect with print on an emotional level. In the digital deluge of our fast-paced culture, careless messages are here and gone in an instant. In contrast, the excellent craftsmanship of local print brings an enduring, weighty, matchless message. Remind your customers that: wholehearted effort + superior products = a remarkable result! Putting Your Heart into Print Don’t challenge your clients to thoughtfulness without matching that commitment yourself. How are you doing with patient craftsmanship and precise detail? With flawless design and superior service? Use this month’s Local Edge to remind yourself

Local Edge, EDDM, Direct Mail, A Grand Entrance, Marketing Ideas For Printers

First impressions count. In 2013, Hanover University researchers Friedrich Platz and Reinhard Kopiez analyzed the importance of a strong start by observing audience reactions to the stage entrances of classical violinists. Participants were asked to rate musical performances from the moment a musician appeared. Surprisingly, viewers said early cues like wardrobe or appearance were not as essential as the eye contact, stride, and the overall confidence a musician displayed when walking onstage. First impressions directly impacted overall rating a musician received; viewers who enjoyed a musician’s entrance believed the entire performance was of much higher quality! Start Strong in 2018 Are you looking to make an exceptional entrance with your marketing this year? To help you do that, we’ve added an Every Door Direct Mail file to our Local Edge package. That means your Local Edge subscription includes not only the regular 8.5″ x 5.5″ postcard you’re used to seeing, but you’ll also see a new 9″ x 6.5″ postcard to meet your EDDM needs. Also, in 2018, the Local Edge monthly postcard will rotate through four themes: The Creative Advantage The Print Advantage The Local Advantage The People Advantage Each “advantage” theme has its own look, giving your clients a

Local Edge, Direct Mail, Marketing Ideas For Printers

In construction and contracting work, there is a customer service phrase that goes something like this. “You can have it done fast, cheap, or good, but you can only pick two of those three.” Some refer to this as the project management triangle. Balancing quick labor, fair costs, and great craftsmanship is a challenging task. Committed to Their Success Perhaps you’ve found this to be true in printing as well. If so, then take time to remind your customers of the irreplaceable value they’ll find in the invested partnership local printing can offer! The December edition of Local Edge, our direct mail postcard, highlights the power of personal relationships. Craftsmanship, budget, and efficiency are vital, but a caring, committed printer is the resource that makes EACH of these options possible. Local Print Brings Peace of Mind Many people are tired of going it alone and are ready to say YES to the professionalism and peace of mind you can bring. What value can your partnership offer? Kim Kenyon, one of the graphic designers here at Marketing Ideas For Printers, said it like this: “Big online printing is fast and cheap, but in the end, you get what you pay for.

Local Edge, Marketing Ideas For Printers, Direct Mail

In The Sound of Music, the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Maria sings of the things she focuses on when times are tough. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things.” From schnitzel to snowflakes, Maria finds that simple, tactile pleasures, have a joy-producing effect. “The Hand is the Visible Part of the Brain” Her observation is confirmed by science. American neurologist and best-selling author David Eagleman teamed up with Sappi paper company to produce “A Communicator’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Touch,” exploring how the science of touch directly shapes the impact of a message. When we touch things, we are immediately transformed from observers to participants. Studies have shown that even the simple act of touching objects, including print, can trigger a subconscious sense of ownership, raising the perceived value of a brand, its products, and its overall reputation. As Immanuel Kant once said, “the hand is the visible part of the brain.” The Power, Pleasure, and Permanency of Print Remind your customers of power and permanence of print! Local Edge, our direct mail postcard showcasing the

Direct Mail, Local Edge, Marketing Ideas For Printers

“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone… whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” ~ Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Connections have power. While we intrinsically understand the importance of relationships, now there’s data to confirm it. Research shows that the brain reacts to social pain and pleasure in much the same way as it does to physical pain or pleasure. Profoundly Social Creatures In the 2013 book Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect, renowned psychologist and social cognitive neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman explains how groundbreaking brain research reveals our need to connect with other people is more fundamental, more basic, than our need for food or shelter. It commonly takes 10,000 hours for a person to master a particular skill set, and each of us has typically invested 10,000 hours learning to understand people or social settings by the time we are TEN! While schools and businesses often attempt to minimize social distractions and streamline efficiency, science shows that choking out relationships diminishes mental engagement, literally “shutting down the brain,” while decreasing productivity and harming our well-being.

Local Edge, Direct Mail, Marketing Ideas For Printers, Sluggish or Just Plain Stuck

What slows you down? Maybe it’s fatigue, interruptions, or project delays. Sometimes we’re hindered by inefficiency, lack of vision, or proper self-management. And of course, who hasn’t had the occasional sick day, sick week, or unforeseen crisis? Relationships Bring Results! Relationships are essential for well-being, and your customers (and prospects!) are looking to you for encouragement. Local Edge, our direct mail postcard, can propel them forward, showcasing the benefits of local printing versus large, impersonal options. Local Edge combines a relevant, conversational tone with rich, contemporary graphics. Each month we focus on the relatable, real-people benefit that comes from partnering locally for print. Raise Their Expectations Many times, a fear of the unknown can make us sluggish, preventing us from weighing options or taking decisive action. This month, ease the uncertainty by telling your customers and prospects what they can expect from you, which is MORE. Local printing goes beyond just basic service, bringing an assurance of excellence. The September Local Edge postcard features you as MORE than a contracted vendor, but as an invested partner who is committed to efficiency, precise detail, and a passion for original design. Their decision to print locally ensures a MORE experienced eye, a

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