Design and Print

Is your product something that interests all types of audiences? Or does your product meet a specific need for a specific group? These are the questions which will determine your marketing strategy. There is a place for both mass and niche marketing. If you implement the right strategy, then you will successfully reach the audience that will become your customer base. If you do not market correctly, then you will be limiting your customer pool, never reaching the people who have a need that you can fill. 
 
Advantages of Niche Marketing
The cost of materials in niche marketing is less than that of mass marketing. Your postcard, flyer, poster, and booklet printing will be used to reach a much smaller audience; therefore, you won’t need to print as many items because you won’t be giving away booklet printing pieces to people with no need for your product or service.
In addition, niche marketing is better at reaching customers that have a specific need. When you focus your marketing on specific groups of people, they are more likely to hear you.

When Niche Marketing Works
Niche marketing works when your product is designed to meet a need that only a percentage of the population has. You can focus your marketing budget on brochure and booklet printing for a target audience rather than reaching out blindly to a general group.

Niche marketing also works for a spin off product that is made for a specific need that your main product does not meet.

Finally, niche marketing works when you want to expand your customer base by adding a feature to draw a new group. 
 
Advantages of Mass Marketing
The costs of production are lower with mass marketing than with niche marketing. A company’s marketing is generalized, so there is little need to research and find out about specific needs of audiences.

Another advantage is that the producer can close all markets from competitors.

When Mass Marketing Works
When you have a product that is needed by everyone equally, mass marketing works well. Many food products, for instance, can be marketed generally. Oreo cookies can appeal to grandparents and teenagers alike. Everyone needs a car or a microwave. These products don’t need niche marketing. Create a general appeal and spend your marketing dollars on mass marketing.
 
Once you have determined who your product will help, then you will better know how to market it. Niche marketing is a great way to go for most products, as every product will appeal to some people but not every product will appeal to everyone. Use your marketing budget to either reach more people or a more specific group of people. Let your product or service guide your marketing strategy, and you will have success.

There are many ways to make your band well known, and the best part is that many of the ways cost very little. The basic idea is to create a promotional package and get yourself out there. Your package should include your logo, a large full color photo of the whole band, a demo, a mission statement, business cards, and posters. Here are some more ideas for promoting your band as well as ways to use the items in your package. 
 
Poster printing is a great way to get people to notice your band.
Put out enough posters that people notice. That means hanging posters on bulletin boards, walls, glass fronts, and telephone poles. With poster printing, the more you hang, the more your band will be seen. 
 
Create a band website and direct traffic there.
With poster printing, direct traffic to your website. Use a free site like MySpace or Facebook to avoid paying website fees. You can include photos and band information and alert fans of upcoming shows. Upload two or three of your best songs and especially upload new songs to get fans excited about them. Invite your friends to become fans and then spread the word. 
 
Have your friends advertise for you.
Let you friends link to your website. Have them hang up posters for your gigs. Get together and hand out flyers, and serve pizza for volunteers. Word of mouth is still the best way to get an audience together and getting your friends involved will keep them excited and talking about your band. 
 
Create a logo and a business card.
Your logo should represent your band well. Include it on your CD covers and your business cards. All poster printing designs should include your logo as well to make you more recognizable to fans. 
 
Hand out free stuff to the audience or at a music store.
Stickers with your logo and web address are fun and will easily promote your band. With poster printing, fans will have a free hand out they can hang on their wall. Find locations where your fan base will hang out and be there with your freebies.
 
The more venues you play, the more you will be heard. Each gig is a chance to advertise your band, so get out there and play. The promotions will create excitement and familiarity for your fans. Your web site and freebies will make you famous!

If you have been trying to search for great web 2.0 fonts, You probably have been hopping from site to site trying to browse and judge different fonts for your own use. This can be an arduous and time consuming process that really can frazzle your brain. Luckily for you though, I took the time to frazzle my brain and collect as much sources of web 2.0 fonts that you can use on when designing for brochures, postcards, business cards, logos and versatile enough for web design. If you have more web 2.0 fonts worth adding to the list, feel free to leave us a comment.

http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Days-typeface/190108

http://www.neogrey.com/typefaces/arkitech-light/

http://ficod.deviantart.com/art/tondo-v0-1-62810784

http://paulw.deviantart.com/art/Evolution-True-Type-Font-83261584

http://www.omkrets.se/typografi/

http://weknow.deviantart.com/art/solgas-font-byweknow-153887067

http://www.paratype.com/store/scangraphic.asp

http://www.dafont.com/arista.font

http://www.dafont.com/rezland.font

http://www.houseind.com/fonts/chalet

http://www.fontshop.com/search/?q=itc+ronda

 http://www.fontshop.com/search/?q=ff+cocon

Imagine sifting through your daily mail. You start to scan the return addresses for the most important letters, ready to discard the obvious ads and take a look at any postcards. But before you even get to sorting, you are distracted by a piece of mail with colorful images that you can’t help but look over before finishing your sorting process. Before you know it, you are carried away to your childhood by the image on the front of the postcard and decide that you will give the discount a try. After all, this company seems to know the importance of great memories, so must be an honest business.

The type of scenario just described is what you want to happen with every postcard you mail. One of the most fabulous things about postcard printing is that postcards take precedence over any mail that has to be opened. Add an emotional image to that postcard, and you have a force that is hard to resist. And even better, emotional images can be connected with your business and have a lasting impact on potential customers. With this in mind, here are some ideas for a postcard image that helps customers feel connected with your company. 
 
1. Images That Invite Loving Feelings
A mother with a baby in her arms or any photo of a baby animal always gives people the warm fuzzies. With images such as these, consumers will not only feel good but also will transfer their a positive feelings onto your business.  
 
2. Images That Create Pride and Strength
Patriotic images almost always bring a feeling of pride and strength. Pictures of a country’s flag, national monuments, or familiar battle scenes all stir deep emotions. These feelings of pride give your customers a sense of obligation that can be associated with your business. 
 
3. Images That Create Fear
The purpose of images that induce fear is to set your business up as the hero. Any image of a common fear will grab your reader’s attention. A large spider on an exterminator’s postcard can do the trick, or a company that sells tornado shelters could use storm images. Use your imagination and you can easily come up with a frightening situation that you can solve with your services or products. 
 
4. Images of Nostalgia
Consider the familiar images from the past. These pictures create a feeling of nostalgia that will interest consumers in your business. Black and white photos of children, elderly in rocking chairs on front porches, and a horse and buggy pictures are only a few images from which to choose.
 
Emotions are a driving force in our lives. If you can connect a strong emotion with your business, then you can make your business more memorable. Use emotional images for postcard printing for a winning combination of immediate advertising that tugs at the heart of consumers. 

The best way to give your new business an established look is to create a professional looking business card. The quality of your business cards directly corresponds to the quality of the impression you give about your business. Here are some easy steps to help you create a professional business card. 
 
1. Use online business card printing.
The first and most important mistake to avoid is trying to print your business cards yourself. There is no comparison between a homemade card and a card printed from an online business card printing company. Because of the vast number of these companies, the cost of having your business cards printed is about the same as printing them yourself, and the result is much better. 
 
2. Use a template or hire a designer.
If you take a look online, you will see pages of unique templates for you to choose from. Templates range from a simple text layout to elaborate graphics that suit a variety of businesses. If you do not care for any of these designs, you can use the online business card printing templates. These templates usually just contain the size, bleed, and trim guidelines that can be uploaded to your design program, and you fill it in as you see fit. When using a designer, just send your logo and the information that you need on the card. Usually, the designer will give you a couple of mock-up variations from which to choose. 
 
3. Use full color designs on your business cards.
Full color business cards will stand out from all of the black and white cards around. Use full bleed so that your graphics and background extend all the way to the edge of the card. Be sure to make your card colors consistent with the message that you want to deliver about your business. Bright colors would be appropriate for a balloon business but not for a lawyer. 
 
4. Use thick card stock for a solid impression.
The thicker the business card, the better. They should be at least 60 - 100 lbs or 14 -18 pts. Different online business card printing companies use different measurements, either in lbs or in points, but with both measurements increased numbers equal a thicker card. Not only do thicker cards look professional, they also give the impression of stability and lasting power. 
 
5. Use the right design for you logo.
Whether you are choosing to design the cards yourself, to have someone design them for you, or to use a pre-made template, match the card style with your company logo. A logo designed like an eagle would not likely fit with a neon pink background. The design should compliment your logo and make it look good. Do not make your logo too large, or it will overpower the design. Check out all of your options before you decide on a design.
 
Leave the printing up to the professionals and sooner than you think, you will have brand new business cards at your door. Enjoy! 

Promotional calendars are an excellent way to advertise your business, since they are both practical and aesthetic for recipients. Plan correctly and your company name will be on display for a full year in your customer’s home. Here are some production tips so that you can make the most out of your print calendar.

Start by setting up time lines.
Staying organized from the beginning will help the whole calendar making process go more smoothly. Allow time for gathering materials. Use thick paper and quality ink. The next step is to design layouts. Use this time to be creative. Express the essence of your business though picture and organization. Now you are ready to edit your print calendar. Check and re-check your design. The final stage is printing. Order your calendars from the printer with your deadline in mind. Remember they need time to do their job. Make sure to allot plenty of time and then stay within the time set aside for each stage. 
 
Hire the best talent to get the best results.
In order to create a great print calendar, you need to find and hire great talent. You will need a photographer, layout artist, and writer. These talents will make it possible for you to produce a professional looking calendar. If your budget is tight, consider family and friends with talent. If you have no one that you know, look into freelance workers; they will be the most affordable. 
 
Find a good printer for your calendar.
Do some research in your area to find the best printer. Offset printers will give you the best results. Digital printers will cost less but will not give the best overall appearance. Check your online resources as well. You may find more competitive rates with an online printing company.
 
So, to sum up, make a production schedule and stick to it. Find and use great talent to design your calendar. And finally, use a great printer so that the final product is an attractive and usable print calendar. The end result will reflect the amount of time and planning you put into it. 

The chances are good that right now your competitor has a marketing campaign going on right now to attract your customers to their business! Now is not the time to hesitate in uncertainty, now is the time to take action to keep your customers and gain some new ones! How, you ask? Simply by out-doing your competition with better posters.

The number one key to success with a print poster campaign is to create a design that appeals to your target audience. The colors, style, and overall look of your poster need to catch the eye of your target audience and create a favorable impact. The purpose of your print poster will also help define its look. A poster advertising a concert will not have the same design constraints that a print poster for a nationwide sales event.

Grabbing the attention of your audience as they pass by your poster can be a challenge. Design elements such as color, large font, a striking image, or other graphic elements are often used to attract attention.

• Color – a full color or one color poster can make a noticeable impression, but it is important to consider the environment your poster will be displayed in as well. If your print poster will be hung in an area with a multitude of other posters and flyers, it might be a good idea to use a bright background color, or use brightly colored font and images in a white or black background.
• Large font – font that is used as a piece of your attention-grabbing element needs to be large, visible from ten feet away, and an easy-to-read style. Your main message needs to be short and to the point. You will only have a few seconds for readers to absorb the message as well as a limited amount of space for such a large font size.
• Graphic images – photographs and other images add visual interest to your print poster, which is important to the overall impact of your message. An image can also convey a message to passers-by in much less time than written words can. The old saying “a picture says a thousand words” holds true in print poster design.

Once you have your print poster designed, be sure to use a quality printing company to produce a high quality advertisement to represent your business. And remember to choose heavy paper stock and strong protective coating so that your posters last longer than the competitors’ posters, no matter the environment in which you hang them.  
  
  
 

Photography is a product that excels in visual appeal, so creating marketing tools can be as simple as showing off your handy work. For instance, photographs become a print poster or a postcard. Whatever method of marketing you choose, use your artistic abilities to advertise your business.
 
Photographic Posters
High gloss posters show off your work the most. When you print pictures for a client, include a large glossy print poster that demonstrates the best of what you can offer. Not only will you secure that clients’ business, you will win a valuable resource for referrals. This piece of work will promote your business for you.
 
Make sure that you place your studio’s logo tastefully on your photographs. Every picture that you sell will be advertisement for you. Place your logo in the bottom corner, small enough that it does not distract from the picture.
 
Offer a print poster among your sellable products. When a photograph is prime for enlarging, offer that option to your clients. Your own work will sell your studio to everyone who sees it.
 
Online Advertising
Social networking sites like Facebook can breach the gap between word of mouth advertising and formal marketing. You can create a page just for your studio. Develop a fan base by spreading the word to your friends. Encourage them to spread the news to their friends. Every time you update your studio page, all of your fans will be notified. Your name will appear on their pages continually.
 
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is another great way to market your studio. SEO marketing leads to a large amount of great leads. This avenue does take some time to set up, but if you are committed to a long term commitment, then the initial work will pay off.
 
Paid banner ads are costly but effective. Your logo will be placed in front of your target audience continually. Though leads will take time to develop, they will be the right kind of lead.
 
Direct Mail
Postcards are cost effective and will bring a good return on investment if they are sent to your target audience. Once you get your hands on the right lists, then you will have a better chance of reaching prospects that are more likely to buy your product.
 
Make your postcard personal. Instead of an official looking design, create a postcard that looks like it came from a friend. It will be more likely to get read. Design postcards using your own photography. You will be able to show off your work and prove just how talented you really are.
 
Choose your area of expertise to showcase your quality. If you specialize in any area of photography, emphasize this area on your postcard. For example, if you shine at group photos, then use a group photo on your postcard.

For the best marketing results, use a combined effort. Send out postcards several times a year. Create several print posters designs - some for advertisements and others for giveaways or to sell. And be constantly monitoring your online advertisements so that your photography business stays at the forefront of customers’ and prospects’ minds.  

Promotional poster printing is a tried and tested marketing method with a long-standing history of success. Why should your business invest in poster printing? It’s proven, effective, versatile, easy to afford, and convenient with online printing companies. Need more details? Read on!

Poster Printing is Effective
Poster printing is so effective because of the presence it creates in the market. Getting your company in front of consumers is the key to successful advertising. Poster printing is the perfect solution to create or maintain a market presence. Simply display posters in the path of your target audience, in multiple locations for best results.

Poster Printing is Versatile
Poster printing works for any business’s marketing requirements. Posters can be used for advertising campaigns, building brand recognition for new businesses, or maintaining a presence in the market. Whether you are advertising a product, service, or non-profit organization, posters will meet your needs.

Poster Printing is Affordable
Cutting marketing budgets can be detrimental to the success of your business. Make sure the money you do spend achieves the goal of keeping your business name in front of consumers and fitting into your budget. One of the greatest advantages of poster printing is that the greater the quantity of posters you print, the cheaper they get! Make sure you order in large quantities to get the most out of your marketing budget.

Online Poster Printing is Convenient
Using an online printing company for your poster orders is another advantage. Online printing simplifies the order process and gives delivery options that are great for businesses with multiple locations. A reputable online printing company should not cost an arm and a leg! Be sure to check out your options and request free samples to find a reasonably priced, high quality online poster printer.

Your printing company places the finishing touch on your poster printing job, leaving the final impression of quality that your consumers will see. With all of these advantages, poster printing definitely is the way to go! Find an online printing company and see the results that posters can bring for your business. 
 

Calendars have the unique potential of advertising your business to customers and prospects every day of the year. Just think about how much it would cost to run radio commercials or newspaper ads every day! Obviously, it is worth putting some effort into making a unique print calendar that people want to use so that your marketing dollars are put to best use. 

Use Your Employees as Subjects
Help customers make an emotional connection with your business by introducing your employees in your print calendars. Feature one employee a month and give a little background about that person, or print out a humorous personal story about something that happened to that employee. To add interest, have your employees dress up in funny outfits such as clown clothes or fairy tale costumes.

Tell Stories About Helping Customers
Another possible subject for your print calendar is to tell about customers your business has helped. Take photographs of each customer in whatever setting fits the story of how you helped them. Then print a brief version of the story. Tales of how you have benefited customers in the past will encourage people to become your customers in the future.

Send Calendar Postcards Every Month
Bring your business to people’s attention on a regular basis by sending out postcard calendars each month. Feature one month per postcard, and have related pictures on each.  You could do a flower theme, or print a recipe along with a picture of the baked good. Another idea is to build anticipation for the postcard calendars by starting out with a riddle or a mystery and give a clue each month; then you could offer coupons to people who come into your store with the answer.
Have a Word of the Day Calendar
Instead of using pictures, you might create a word of the day print calendar. It could be a daily tear off calendar with one unusual word per day featured in an interesting type. Include the meaning to the word as well as the month and date.

Make a Calendar of Jokes 
Look up jokes in a joke book or online and get permission to use them in your print calendar. Everyone loves to laugh, and a joke a day may help lighten the daily burden of work for your customers.

Whatever the subject of your print calendar, do not forget to include your logo on every page and your contact information in several prominent places. Remember, your calenders are supposed to be a daily reminder of your company so make sure that viewers see your logo or name every time they need to glance at the calendar.