• Create a consistent, well-designed template with a nameplate that is easily recognized issue after issue.
• Include articles to inform and educate, including helpful tips about your products and services. Readers who enjoy your tips are more likely to read for more information and contact you directly for help or to buy from you.
• Keep it short and sweet. Use short stories, bulleted information, lists, and other forms of concise information. If necessary, include a link to additional information in case the reader is interested to learn more.
• Include relevant graphics, such as charts, cartoons, illustrations, and sidebars, as well as your photo to personalize and create name recognition.
• Ask subscribers what type of information they would like to see, and ask readers to submit any industry questions they may have. Are they looking for new product information? How-to tips? Expert advice? Asking for input will not only help your business provide information by demand, but will also show them you care.
• Mail newsletters as a direct mail piece, hand them out at trade shows or at sales calls, provide them at your front counter for prospects and customers, include them in informational and media kits, and post current and archived issues on your web site, with a link to subscribe.
• Plan in advance. Create a spreadsheet of article ideas and a schedule for writing deadlines.  Not only will this help you save time, it will ensure your newsletters are delivered on a timely basis.
• Take a break when necessary, but be sure to let your readers know in advance if you plan on skipping an issue around the holidays or another time.
• Always include a call to action to request more information, place an order, or stop by to redeem a coupon or learn more about a product offer.
• Tell readers you value their feedback in any form. Consider creating a link to a short survey for customer ease.
• Invite readers to timely special events such as speakers, trade shows, and open houses. Focus on events that educate your customers on new products and services.
• Give away a prize in each issue and spotlight each winner. Not only does this encourage readers to look forward to your next issue, but it gives them an insight on your reader base.
• Use pull-quotes to draw attention and create interest in your articles.
• Commit to a regular newsletter schedule. Repetition is necessary to get people thinking about a company’s products or services, so regular readers are far more likely to become regular customers.

If you’d like additional tips on where to start when creating a newsletter, or ideas on how to update your existing newsletter, stop by today! Our creative team will help you develop a winning newsletter that your customers and prospects will look forward to receiving.

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By plumping up your direct mail pieces, they are more likely to get noticed, opened, and remembered. If you receive a pile of mail mixed with bills, credit card offers, and a bulky envelope or package, which will you open first? Lumpy mailers are engaging because everyone loves receiving gifts, and human curiosity will drive the recipient to wonder what’s inside. When it comes to getting someone’s attention, there are few better ways than sending them a curiously shaped package in the mail.

Here are a few ways to ensure your next lumpy mail campaign is a success:

• Send to a quality list. The more targeted your list and familiar the recipients are with your business, the higher response rates because they know who’s sending it.
• Clearly identify your business. People may be cautious to open an unmarked package, so be sure to identify your business with your logo and business address.
• Craft your message to keep the recipients’ attention after the package is opened. Try a hand written note with a professionally printed brochure that clearly explains what product or promotion you are advertising, and include a call to action which will also enable you to measure the effectiveness of your direct mail piece. Or consider sending a series of mailings that reinforce your company’s identity through repeat exposure.
• Send an item relevant to your campaign messaging. For example, a flashlight could be sent with a campaign that ensures your company will light the way… send a can coolie to tell prospects to keep their cool since your business will handle their business stress, etc. Other basic items include logo pens, key chains, pencils, magnets, rulers, notepads, calendars, etc. They key to effective lumpy mail is to tie your gadget or promotional item in with your marketing message.
• Experiment. Try a test run if you’re not sure how your bulky mail will go over with recipients. Instead of sending your item to 1,000 people, try sending it to 10 or 100 and check your results. Also be sure to send the same item to your own company to see how it will make it through the mail system.
• Get ready for results. Make sure your staff is prepared for additional calls, e-mails, and web traffic. Ensure your trade show booth has adequate staffing to spend quality time with prospects who show up as a result of your mailing. If a prospect gives your company a chance, don’t drive them away with inadequate service or slow follow-up.
• Follow-up. Whether you send a follow-up mailing, call, or e-mail, it is crucial to follow-up with your target audience and offer to answer any questions, provide additional information, etc.

Before launching your lumpy mailer campaign, bring a sample mailing to the post office to be sure it fits postal regulations. Since scanners read addresses and mail is handled by machines whenever possible, it can sometimes be tricky putting an irregular-shaped object into the mail. There are postal regulations on exactly what can be mailed and how, and rates change based on shape and concept. While postage will likely cost more for a lumpy mailer, you can rest assured that it will be a great way to stand apart from your competitors and be remembered.

If you’d like ideas on how to create a direct mail campaign that will get opened, stop by today! We can help you develop ideas and create messaging and mailing materials that are sure to get your company noticed.

Has your business gone green yet? If not, your business is behind this growing international trend. While many business owners perceive going green as beneficial for the environment, many are unaware of how this transition can benefit their business.

Why Should your Business go Green?

The most obvious reason for your business to go green is to protect the environment, as green practices work proactively to create a more sustainable environment. Due to this impact, many businesses and individuals perceive going green as a responsibility, not an option.

When businesses go green, positive impacts are experienced by the surrounding community, not just for the business itself. For example, new industries are attracted to growing green communities as well as quality employees. A recent study conducted by staffing firm Adecco USA suggests that 1/3 of workers would be more inclined to work for a Green company. Employees and industry are not the only groups impacted by a decision to become green; whether a consumer completes purchases is also impacted.

Consumers want to do business with environmentally responsible companies. In fact, a recent study by Alloy Media found that 90% of consumers believe that it is important for businesses to act in an environmentally friendly manner. And, 53% of consumers now factor a company’s social and environmental practices into their purchasing decisions.

Not only does going green impact business revenues directly, the negative impacts of not acting in environmentally responsible ways can be significant. For example, 40% of consumers are likely to speak out against a company when they learn that they are not environmentally friendly. And as business owners all understand, word of mouth is a crucial component of a business’s long term sustainability. So, if your business is not proactively working to become greener, you are likely missing out on a large percentage of the consumer market share.

Where does your Business Begin?

Begin by implementing basic green behaviours within your business. Small steps over time will create a large impact on your business, your community and your bottom line. Using an eco-friendly printer is one of the changes that nearly every business can implement when starting a green initiative. When choosing green business methods, it is important that your current customers and potential customers know that you are taking these steps. Be sure that you advertise in your current marketing materials both online and offline what your business is doing to become greener.

OK, this was actually my first attempt! You know what they say; If you can’t laugh at yourself…

If you want to learn how incorporating Eco-Friendly Printing Methods with Social Media Tactics and Internet Marketing Strategies into your business can help increase your sales, come visit us at Phillips Printing.

GreenPrint’s patent-pending technology does this by analyzing each page of every document sent to the printer and looking for typical waste characteristics (like that last page with just a URL, banner ad, logo, or legal jargon).

GreenPrint also incorporates an easy to use PDF writer, a fantastic print preview called GreenView, and a reporting feature which keeps track of the number of pages and the amount of money you have saved.

Our product line includes two options for home users: Greenprint World, our free version of the software, and GreenPrint Home Premium. For companies of any size, GreenPrint’s Enterprise Edition provides insight into waste reduction through a company wide printing overview, as well as tracking the number of trees saved and the CO2 reduction. It also provides an easy way to reuse paper that has already been printed on one side before recycling it.

Having a meaningful impact on the environment has never been so easy. To learn more about GreenPrint, click here. or watch a demo of GreenPrint

One thing I’ve found during my journey into the world of Internet Marketing and Social Media is that while there is a great opportunity to increase your exposure, there is an equally steep learning curve. Without going into great detail, I’ll just say that it can be overwhelming. My plan is to continue to research and test the various methods and strategies and present and implement what I feel are the most effective for a particular situation.

I will start listing the programs, courses and strategies that I feel are the most helpful and easy to use under the headings they pertain to, such as Printing, Social Media, Internet Marketing etc…  In addition, I will try to review and recommend only those strategies that will have the biggest impact on your business success.

Please let me know if there is anything in particular that you would like information on, or if you have any questions or ideas to improve this site. Like I said in my first post. I’m new at this Blogging thing, but I learn fast!

Hang on and enjoy the ride!

Truth be known, I’m an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, camping and most recently, wheeling in my Jeep. At the same time, I’m an environmentalist—Tread Lightly is common practice, always taking out more than what I went in with. I don’t believe we are the cause of Global Warming and despite what Mr. Gore would have you believe, there is no proof of its existence other than the normal and natural cycles. We don’t hear too much however, about the fact that studies now show a trend toward global cooling. Please don’t respond to this with unsubstantiated, supposedly scientific, paid for opinions. We all know how easy it is to come up with those. It’s not my intent to prove who’s right or who’s wrong.

My point here is that regardless of our beliefs, we all have the responsibility to be good stewards of our environment and for me it comes down to sustainability. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. I want to make sure that my children and their children have the same opportunities and resources that were available to me. On this point I think we can all agree and hopefully more people will realize that this is not an us versus them, or a you’re right and I’m wrong scenario. We all need to do our part.

I’m proud to say that this year is the 25^th anniversary of my printing company, Phillips Printing. We implemented the use of vegetable based inks years ago—way before it was “Hip to be Green”. We have and will continue to seek ways to improve and conserve. We use chemical free processless plates, and recycle all off-cut and scrap paper stock. All metal plates, inks, toners and rags are recycled as well. All of our equipment is State of the Art  and the most Energy Efficient in the industry. In addition, we are one of the smallest FSC Certified Printers in the country.

My goal is to educate clients and help them understand that incorporating eco friendly printing into their business is not only good for the earth and their community, but also very good for their bottom line. Using a printer who provides the highest levels of quality and service, at a competitive price and is eco-friendly? It’s a no brainer. It’s all in our best interest!

As you can probably tell, this is my first attempt at Blogging. I learn quickly however so hang on and enjoy the ride!